JP2000147959A - Color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and processing cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce differentials between images being output before and after replacing a processing cartridge by comparing the state information of the respective processing cartridge stored before replacing and the state information stored in the replaced processing cartridge, at replacing of processing cartridge, and adjusting the state of the processing cartridge after replacement. SOLUTION: When inserting a processing cartridge 390 to an image forming apparatus main body 14, this image forming apparatus main body reads out the respective state value of the inserted processing cartridge 390. Meanwhile, the image forming apparatus main body 14 compares the integrated number of rotation standing for the information for deterioration of a photosensitive drum in the processing cartridge 390 before replacing obtained from a rotary counter of the photosensitive drum equipped by the processing cartridge 390 and the integrated rotary number of the photosensitive drum after the replacement. Then, by adjusting the output value of the primary high voltage to the electrostatic charging device for charging the photosensitive drum, the developing level on the photosensitive drum between before and after the replacement is respectively eliminated in difference.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for forming a color image by forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member such as a photosensitive drum and developing the electrostatic latent image. And a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a color copying machine and a color printer in the form of a cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A color image forming apparatus in which a plurality of image stations are arranged in parallel for each toner color has been known.

In such a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a color image forming apparatus), if the density of even one color of a plurality of toners changes, the color tone of the image after multiple transfer is remarkably different from that of the original document. It needs to be kept constant. For this reason, for example, control is performed such that the ratio of the toner in the developing device to the carrier, which is a magnetic material, is measured by a sensor and controlled to a target density value. In addition, since the sensor output value differs depending on the sensor individual difference and the environment in which the device is installed, the sensor concentration at the time of installation of the aircraft is read for each station, and this information is stored as a target value. Need to be kept.

Since the above color image forming apparatus is expensive and difficult to adjust, in recent years, it has been required to reduce the cost and simplify the adjustment by reducing the size and the number of parts. In order to respond to the simplification, there are known image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine, a color printer, and a facsimile in which a color process cartridge in which a photosensitive drum for forming a latent image, a developing device, and the like are integrally formed as a cartridge is detachable.

[0005]

In the case of a process cartridge in which an image forming station in which a photosensitive drum and a developing device and the like are integrated is formed into a cartridge, there is an advantage that a user can easily replace the process cartridge. However, since the state of the process cartridge after the process cartridge replacement is different from the state before the process cartridge replacement, there is a problem that adjustment is necessary to obtain the image output before the replacement. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a process cartridge in which an image output is small before and after the process cartridge is replaced in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium. And

[0006]

The main aspects of the present invention are as described below with reference to the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus for detachably attaching a process cartridge and forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. Mounting means for removably mounting a plurality of process cartridges having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and means for storing state information of the process cartridge; b. An image forming apparatus main body side storage means for storing state information of the process cartridge; c. Means for obtaining status information of the process cartridge; d. Means for comparing the status information of each process cartridge before replacement stored in the image forming apparatus main body storage means with the status information stored in the replaced process cartridge when the process cartridge is replaced, e. Means for adjusting the state of the process means of the process cartridge after replacement.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus which detachably attaches a process cartridge and forms an image on a recording medium. A plurality of process cartridges having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, processing means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, means for obtaining status information of the process cartridge, and means for storing status information of the process cartridge are detachably mounted. Mounting means for performing b. An image forming apparatus main body side storage means for storing state information of the process cartridge; c. Means for comparing the status information of each process cartridge before replacement stored in the image forming apparatus main body storage means with the status information stored in the replaced process cartridge when the process cartridge is replaced; d. Means for adjusting the state of the process means of the process cartridge after replacement.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body, wherein an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and status information of the process cartridge are stored. A process cartridge comprising: an obtaining unit; and a storage unit configured to store the obtained status information.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A color image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a color image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This color image forming apparatus includes a color reader section and a color printer section.

[Structure of Color Reader Unit] In FIG.
Platen glass (platen) 3 above the color reader
The document feeder (DF) 30 is disposed on the horizontal side of the document feeder.
2 are installed. There is also a configuration in which a mirror pressure plate (not shown) is mounted in place of the document feeder 302. A light source 303 which is a halogen lamp is provided in the first carriage 314.
304, reflectors 305 and 306 for condensing the light from the light sources 303 and 304 on the original, and a mirror 307 for reflecting the reflected light or the projected light from the original are mounted. Also,
The second carriage 315 is provided with mirrors 308 and 309 for condensing the reflected light from the mirror 307 to the CCD 101 via the lens 310.

The substrate 31 on which the CCD 101 is mounted
1, elements other than the CCD 101 shown in FIG. 2, and the binary conversion unit 201 and video signal counting units 220 and 22 shown in FIG.
1, 222, 223, delay units 202, 203, 204,
And a digital image processing unit 312 including
An interface (I / F) unit 313 with a PU or the like is provided.

The first carriage 314 has a speed V,
The second carriage 315 scans the entire surface of the document (sub-scanning) at a speed V / 2 by mechanically moving the driving unit 316 in a direction perpendicular to the electrical scanning (main scanning) direction of the CCD 101. .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the digital image processing unit 312.

In FIG. 1, an original on an original platen glass 301 reflects light from light sources 303 and 304, and the reflected light is guided to a CCD 101 and converted into an electric signal. still,
When the CCD 101 is a color sensor, the RGB color filters may be inline on a one-line CCD in RGB order, or may be a three-line CCD in which an R filter, a G filter, and a B filter are arranged for each CCD. It does not matter whether the filter is on-chip or the filter is configured differently from the CCD.

The electric signal (analog image signal) is input to the image processing unit 312, and the electric signal (clamp & Amp. The sample / hold (S / H) in the & S / H & A / D unit 102 clamps the dark level of the analog image signal to the reference potential, amplifies it to a predetermined amount (the above processing order is not limited to the notation order), and It is D-converted and converted into a digital signal of, for example, 8 bits for each of RGB.

The RGB signals are output to the shading unit 1.
03, after shading correction and black correction are performed,
In the connection & MTF correction & document detection unit 104, the CCD 10
If 1 is a three-line CCD, the splicing process differs in the reading position between the lines, so the delay amount for each line is adjusted according to the reading speed, and the signal timing is corrected so that the reading positions of the three lines become the same. In the MTF correction, the reading MTF changes depending on the reading speed and the magnification.
The document detection recognizes the size of the document on the platen glass 301.

The digital signal whose read position timing has been corrected is input to the CCD 101 by the input masking unit 105.
And the light sources 303 and 304 and the reflector 305,
The spectral characteristic of 306 is corrected. Input masking unit 105
Is input to the selector 106 which can be switched with a signal passing through the external I / F 114.

The signal output from the selector 106 is subjected to color space compression, background removal & LOG conversion 107 and background removal 1
15 is input. After the signal input to the background removal unit 115 is removed from the background, the signal is input to a black character determination unit 116 that determines whether or not the document is a black character in the document, and a black character signal is generated from the document. Also, another selector 106
The color space compression & background removal & LOG conversion unit 107 to which the output of the above is input determines whether or not the image signal read by the color space compression is within the range that can be reproduced by the printer. In this case, the correction is made so that the image signal falls within a range that can be reproduced by the printer. Then, a background removal process is performed, and the RGB signals are converted into CMY signals by LOG conversion.

Color space compression, background removal, and LOG to correct the signal and timing generated by black character determination unit 116
The output signal of the converter 107 is adjusted in timing by the delay 108. The two types of signals are subjected to moiré removal by the moiré removal unit 109 and then subjected to scaling processing in the scaling unit 110 in the main scanning direction.

UCR & Masking & Black Character Reflection Unit 111
In the signal processed by the scaling processing unit 110, the CMY signal is generated by the UCR process, the CMYK signal is corrected by the masking processing unit to the signal output from the printer, and the black character determination unit 116 generates the signal. The determination signal is fed back to the CMYK signal.

UCR & Masking & Black Character Reflection Unit 111
Is subjected to density adjustment by the γ correction unit 112 and then subjected to smoothing or edge processing by the filter unit 113. The signal processed as described above is supplied to the binary conversion unit 2 shown in FIG.
01 converts an 8-bit multi-level signal into a binary signal.
This conversion method may be any one of the improved dither method, error diffusion method and error diffusion method.

[Arrangement of Color Printer Unit] In FIG. 1, a Y image forming unit 317 for forming a yellow image
An M image forming unit 318 for forming a magenta image, a C image forming unit 319 for forming a cyan image, and a K image forming unit 320 for forming a black image are photosensitive drums 342, 343, 344, and 345, respectively. , Chargers 321, 3
24, 327, 330, LED sections 210, 211, 21
2,213, developing units 322,325,328,331,
Auxiliary chargers 360, 361, 362, 363 are provided. The chargers 321, 324, 327, 330 are
Charging sleeves 370, 371, 372, 373, respectively
And the developing devices 322, 325, 328, and 331 include developing sleeves 355, 356, 357, and 358, respectively.

Since the respective components are the same, the Y image forming section 317 will be described in detail, and the description of the other image forming sections will be omitted.

The Y image forming section 317 includes a photosensitive drum 34
2 around the charger 321 and the LED unit 21.
0, a developing unit 322, and the like. Here, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the photosensitive drum 342, the charger 321 and the developing device 322 form an integrated process cartridge 390.

The process cartridge 390 is detachable from the main body 14 of the image forming apparatus. In this attachment / detachment method, a guide member (not shown) is provided on the image forming apparatus main body 14, and a guide (not shown) provided in the process cartridge 390 is guided by the guide member. The process cartridge 390 has a memory EEP
A ROM 374 is provided.

In these operations, first, the photosensitive drum 342 is charged by the charger 321. Next, L shown in FIG.
A latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 342 by light from the LED unit 210 driven by the ED drive 206, and is developed by the developing unit 322 to form a toner image.

The developing device 322 includes a developing sleeve 355 for applying a developing bias to develop. As shown in FIG. 1, a transfer charger 323 is disposed below the developing device 322 in the figure with the transfer belt 333 interposed therebetween, and discharges electricity from the rear surface of the transfer belt 333 so that the photosensitive drum 34 is discharged.
2 is transferred to a recording paper or the like on the transfer belt 333.

After the transfer, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 342 is once taken into the charger 321 to change its electrostatic characteristics and return it to the photosensitive drum 342 again.
22 collects this and reuses it.

Next, a procedure for forming an image on a recording paper or the like will be described. The recording paper and the like stored in the paper feed cassettes 340 and 341 are picked up one by one by the pickup rollers 338 and 339 and fed by the paper feed rollers 336 and 337 at 150 mm / sec.
Is supplied onto the transfer belt 333 that moves. The transfer belt 333 includes a Y image forming unit 317 and an M image forming unit 31.
8, are disposed below the C image forming section 319 and the K image forming section 320 and are driven by a transfer belt roller 348 in the direction indicated by the arrow.

The recording paper fed to the transfer belt 333 is
Transfer belt roller 348 paired with adsorption charger 346
And is attracted to the transfer belt 333. Next, the leading edge of the recording paper is detected by the paper leading edge sensor 347. The detection signal of the paper leading edge sensor 347 is sent from the printer unit to the color reader unit, and is used as a sub-scan synchronization signal when a video signal is sent from the color reader unit to the printer unit.

Thereafter, the recording paper or the like is conveyed by the transfer belt 333, and is transferred to the image forming units 317 to 320 in the Y direction.
A toner image is formed on the surface in the order of MCK.

The recording paper or the like that has passed through the K image forming section 320 is separated from the transfer belt 333 after the charge is removed by the charge remover 349 to facilitate separation from the transfer belt 333. Peeling charger 3 adjacent to static eliminator 349
50 is provided to prevent image disturbance due to peeling discharge when recording paper or the like is separated from the transfer belt 333.

The separated recording paper or the like is charged with a pre-fixing charger 35 in order to compensate for toner attraction and prevent image disturbance.
After the toner image is charged at 1 and 352, the toner image is heat-fixed by the fixing device 334, and then discharged to a discharge tray 335. Further, the transfer belt 333 is discharged by the inside / outside discharger 353.

Next, LED image recording in the color printer will be described. In FIG. 3, a signal from the image processing unit is binarized by a binary conversion unit 201 and sent to video signal counting units 220 to 223. The video signal counting section can count the total number of light emitting elements of the LED for each color image. After that, the binarized image signal is
Each of the delay units 202 to 205 is delayed according to the distance between the paper leading edge sensor 347 and each image forming position.
The data is sent to D drives 206 to 209. LED drive 206 ~
Reference numeral 209 generates a signal for driving the LEDs 210 to 213.

Next, a method of controlling the density in the developing device according to the present invention will be described.

In the present invention, four color toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) are used.

A color image faithful to the original is formed by the distribution of the four color toners. To always form a full-color image stably, the developing units 32 of the respective colors are used.
It is necessary to always keep the toner density in 2,325,328,331 constant. Y image forming unit 317 of the present invention
4 is shown in FIG. The developing device 322 holds the developer around the developing sleep 355. The developer according to the present invention includes a non-magnetic toner 403 and a carrier 402 having a magnetic material. Since the magnetic permeability of the developer is determined by the amount of the carrier 402 occupying a certain volume, in the present invention, the toner density sensor 401 measures the magnetic permeability of the developer.
A change in the toner-to-developer ratio is detected from a change in the apparent magnetic permeability of the developer in a certain volume near one surface (a ratio of the carrier in the developer in the certain volume), and toner supply is performed by replenishing the toner. Is stabilizing. At the time of shipment from the factory, the ratio of the developer toner and the carrier is mixed at a certain fixed ratio. Calibration is required due to individual differences. Therefore, the toner concentration sensor 4 in the developing device 317 at the time of initial shipment is
01 is measured and stored as a reference value, and the toner density sensor 40 is used during image formation.
The toner density is kept constant by supplying a toner amount proportional to the difference between the value read in step 1 and the reference value.

Next, the image forming section 31 of each color according to the present invention.
7, 318, 319 and 320 will be described.

In the present invention, each image forming unit Y
The image forming unit 317, the M image forming unit 318, the C image forming unit 319, and the K image forming unit 320
As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming station cartridge has a configuration in which the image forming station storage unit 346 of the image forming apparatus main body 14 is pulled out to the front, and each process cartridge 390 can be inserted and removed therefrom. Has become. FIG. 5 shows a state where the process cartridge 390 (320) of the black station is pulled out.

FIG. 6 shows the electrical connection of the cartridge according to the present invention.
7) is shown as an example. Process cartridge 390
(317) is replaced with the image forming station storage unit 346.
And the image forming station storage unit 346
Is pushed into the image forming apparatus main body 14, the drawer connector 375 is connected, and the EEPROM 374 is connected to the control device of the image forming apparatus main body 14. Process cartridge 3
90 (317) and the image forming apparatus main body 14 are connected by seven lines. 601 is a power supply line, 602 is a select signal line of a serial EEPROM 374 which is data storage means provided in the process cartridge 390 (317),
603 is a clock signal line, 604 is an EEPROM 374
605, an input signal line from the EEPROM 374, 606, a developing device connection signal line, and 607, a ground line.

From the respective lines 602, 606 are connected to the I / O 376 in the image forming apparatus main body 14, and the process cartridge 390 (31) is connected by the developing device connection signal line 606.
It is possible to detect whether or not 7) is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 14.

An EEPROM clock signal (603) is generated by an output port from the image forming apparatus main body 14,
By reading or writing the input / output signals (604, 605) of the EEPROM 374 in accordance with this signal, it is possible to write and read to and from the memory address in the EEPROM 374.

FIG. 7 shows an example of setting control after replacement of the process cartridge 390 (317) which is the main object of the present invention. When the process cartridge 390 (317) is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 14, insertion is confirmed (701).
do. If the process cartridge 390 (317) is not inserted, a warning of no cartridge (702) is displayed. When the insertion of the process cartridge 390 (317) is confirmed, the status values of the inserted process cartridge 390 (317) are read (70).
3) The status information of the process cartridge 390 (317) before replacement stored in the image forming apparatus main body 14 is read (704), and the process cartridge 39 to be replaced is read.
0 (317) is compared (705), and the state of the process cartridge 390 (317) is adjusted (7).
06), the process ends.

Next, the process cartridge 390 (31)
The state adjustment of 7) will be described.

The process cartridge 390 (31)
7) has a rotation counter of the photosensitive drum 342 provided, and the image forming apparatus main body 14 has an integrated rotation number which is the inputted deterioration information of the photosensitive drum 342 in the process cartridge 390 (317) before replacement. Photosensitive drum 34 of process cartridge 390 (317) after replacement
By comparing the accumulated number of rotations of 2, the output value of the primary high voltage to the charger 321 for charging the photosensitive drum 342 is adjusted to eliminate the difference between the development level on the photosensitive drum 342 before and after replacement. For example, the rotation counter is provided with a flag outside the image forming area of the photosensitive drum 342 and reads one rotation of the photosensitive drum 342 with a sensor. Examples of the sensor include a photoelectric sensor and a magnetic sensor. The current value is written as the integrated value of the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 342 read by this sensor. At the same time, the accumulated number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 342 is recorded in the recording means of the image forming apparatus main body 14. The rotation counter of the photosensitive drum 342 is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 14, and the process cartridge 390 (3
17) may be written in the EEPROM 374.

In the above description, the yellow process cartridge 3
Although the replacement of the cartridge 90 (317) has been described as an example, the replacement is not limited to the yellow process cartridge 390 (317), and the same applies to the process cartridge 390 in another station.

In the above description, the accumulated number of rotations of the photosensitive drum is used as the state information of the process cartridge. However, the total number of pixel signals for exposing the photosensitive drum may be used as the state information.

In the above embodiment, after the process cartridge 390 is replaced, the process cartridge 39 before the replacement is replaced.
It is controlled to correct with reference to the state information of 0,
The reference information is not limited to this. For example,
It is also possible to refer to various information of the process cartridge other than the process cartridge to be replaced.

[0051]

According to the present invention, the status information of the process cartridge is stored in the process cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and when the process cartridge is replaced, the status information of the process cartridge after the replacement is stored. Since the state information of the process cartridge before the replacement is compared and the state of the process means of the process cartridge after the replacement is adjusted, an image output which does not change before and after the replacement of the process cartridge can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a color image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital image processing unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an LED driving unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a configuration inside a developing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a process cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an electrical connection between a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus main body according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm for rewriting the setting of a replacement cartridge according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14: Image forming apparatus main body 101: CCD 102: Clamp & Amp. & S / H & AD section 103 ... Shading section 104 ... Connecting & MTF correction & original detection section 105 ... Input masking section 106 ... Selector 107 ... Color space compression & background removal & LOG conversion section 108 ... Delay 109 ... Moiré removal section 110 ... Resize processing section 111 UCR & Masking & Black Character Reflection Unit 112 γ Correction Unit 113 Filter 114 External I / F 115 Background Removal Unit 116 Black Character Determination Unit 201 Binary Conversion Unit 202-205 Delay Unit 206-209 LED Drive 210 to 213 LED unit 220 to 222 Video signal counting unit 301 Document platen glass 302 Document feeder 303 Light source 304 Light source 305 Reflective umbrella 306 Reflective umbrella 307 Reflective mirror 308 Mirror 309 Mirror 310 ... Lens 311 ... Substrate 312 ... Image processing unit 313 Interface 314 First carriage 315 Second carriage 316 Driving means 317 Y image forming section 318 M image forming section 319 C image forming section 320 K image forming section 321 Charger 322 Developing device 323 (326, 329, 332) transfer charger 324 charger 325 developing unit 327 charger 328 developing unit 330 charger 331 developing unit 333 transfer belt 334 fixing unit 335 discharge tray 336 Paper feed roller 337 Paper feed roller 338 Pickup roller 339 Pickup roller 340 Paper feed cassette 341 Paper feed cassette 342-345 Photosensitive drum 346 Image forming station storage unit 347 Paper edge sensor 348 Transfer belt roller 349 ... static eliminator 350 ... peeling charger 51 ... pre-fixing chargers 352 ... Previous fixing chargers 353 ... out discharger 355-358 ... developing sleeve 374 ... memory EEPROM 390 ... process cartridge

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Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus which detachably attaches a process cartridge and forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. Mounting means for removably mounting a plurality of process cartridges having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and means for storing state information of the process cartridge; b. An image forming apparatus main body side storage means for storing state information of the process cartridge; c. Means for obtaining status information of the process cartridge; d. Means for comparing the status information of each process cartridge before replacement stored in the image forming apparatus main body storage means with the status information stored in the replaced process cartridge when the process cartridge is replaced, e. Means for adjusting the state of the process means of the process cartridge after replacement. 2. A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus which detachably attaches a process cartridge and forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. A plurality of process cartridges having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, processing means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, means for obtaining status information of the process cartridge, and means for storing status information of the process cartridge are detachably mounted. Mounting means for performing b. An image forming apparatus main body side storage means for storing state information of the process cartridge; c. Means for comparing the status information of each process cartridge before replacement stored in the image forming apparatus main body storage means with the status information stored in the replaced process cartridge when the process cartridge is replaced; d. Means for adjusting the state of the process means of the process cartridge after replacement. 3. The color electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the status information is an integrated rotation speed of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. 4. The color electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the state information is an integrated value of a pixel signal for exposing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. 5. A process device comprising: a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using toner. 5. A color electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting a state of the process cartridge for adjusting a developing voltage of the developing unit by changing a charging voltage of the charging unit in accordance with the state information. Image forming device. 6. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a process unit acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a unit for obtaining status information of the process cartridge, and the obtained process cartridge. A storage unit for storing state information of the process cartridge.