JP2001142267A - Method for adjusting tower mark forming position, printer engine and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely detect a toner mark without increasing toner consumption and also without highly accurately adjusting the attaching position of an optical detection system in a toner mark forming position adjusting method, a printer engine and an image forming device. SOLUTION: In the image forming device by which the toner mark is detected by the optical detection system by forming the toner mark at a photoreceptor or a medium carrying means, it incorporates a detection process to detect the deviation of the toner mark against the optical axis of the optical detection system and an adjusting process to adjust the forming position of the toner mark based on the deviation detected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner mark forming position adjusting method, a printer engine and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to forming a toner mark for recording paper registration or color registration on a photosensitive member or a medium conveying means. The present invention relates to a toner mark forming position adjusting method used in an image forming apparatus having a configuration for optically detecting a toner mark, a printer engine and an image forming apparatus employing such a toner mark forming position adjusting method.

[0002] In this specification, an image forming apparatus refers to an electrophotographic apparatus such as a printer, a copying apparatus, and a facsimile apparatus that forms image information on a medium such as recording paper.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In a color printer, color registration is performed in order to correct a shift in an image printing position by a recording unit for each color. According to the color registration, the recording unit for each color forms a toner mark at a predetermined position along the main scanning direction on the photosensitive drum or the recording paper transport belt. The main scanning direction is substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the recording paper is transported by the recording paper transport belt. The toner mark thus formed is detected by the optical detection system, and the recording timing of the recording unit of each color is controlled according to the detection result, so that the image printing positions of the recording units of each color are matched. Such a color printer is proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-157134.

The positions detected by the optical detection system vary in the main scanning direction due to dimensional variations of components constituting the printer, component mounting errors, temperature changes, and the like.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining variations in detection positions by the optical detection system. In the figure, (a) shows the variation of the detection position caused by the variation of the height position of the recording paper transport belt, and (b) shows the variation of the detection position caused by the variation of the optical axis pitch of the optical detection system. In the figure, LD and P
D is the laser diode and photodiode of the optical detection system, S is the surface of the recording paper transport belt on which the toner mark is formed, h is the amount of displacement of the height of the recording paper transport belt,
p indicates a shift amount of the optical axis pitch of the optical detection system, θ indicates an incident angle of light emitted from the laser diode LD of the optical detection system with respect to the surface S of the recording paper transport belt, and MS indicates a main scanning direction.

As shown in FIG. 1A, if the height position of the recording paper transport belt is shifted by a shift amount h as shown by a broken line, the detection position shifts along the main scanning direction MS.
If the optical axis pitch of the optical detection system shifts by the shift amount p as shown in FIG. 2B, the detection position similarly shifts along the main scanning direction MS. The shift of the detection position becomes remarkable especially when the incident angle θ is large. If the detection positions vary as described above, in the worst case, the toner mark cannot be detected.

Therefore, conventionally, a first method for setting the width of the toner mark in the main scanning direction MS large in order to enable the detection of the toner mark irrespective of the variation of the detection position, and an optical method at the time of assembling the printer. The second method of adjusting the mounting position of the detection system has been adopted.

[0007]

However, according to the first method, since the width of the toner mark is set to be large, the amount of toner consumption other than for printing increases. The toner mark is formed not only for color registration, but also for recording paper registration, toner adhesion amount detection, writing start position detection, and the like. Frequent replenishment of toner is required, which increases running costs, increases the size of a waste toner tank for collecting waste toner, and reduces the degree of freedom in design due to an increase in printer size. Was.

In the second method, it is necessary to adjust the mounting position of the optical detection system with high accuracy, so that the number of man-hours for assembling the printer increases, and the cost of the printer increases due to the increase in manufacturing cost. There was a problem that would be. Furthermore, particularly when the incident angle θ of the light emitted from the laser diode LD of the optical detection system is large, the displacement of the detection position becomes remarkable accordingly, so the mounting position of the optical detection system is adjusted with very high accuracy. I needed to.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a toner mark forming position adjusting method capable of reliably detecting a toner mark without increasing the amount of toner consumption and adjusting the mounting position of the optical detection system with high accuracy. It is an object to provide a method, a printer engine and an image forming apparatus.

[0010]

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which a toner mark is formed on a photosensitive member or a medium conveying means, and the toner mark is detected by an optical detection system. Can be achieved by a toner mark forming position adjusting method including a detecting step of detecting a shift of the toner mark with respect to the optical axis, and an adjusting step of adjusting a forming position of the toner mark based on the detected shift.

In the adjusting step, the formation position of a toner mark for recording paper registration, color registration, toner adhesion amount detection, or writing start position detection may be adjusted. The above-described object is to provide a forming unit that forms a toner mark on a photoconductor or a medium conveyance unit,
A printer engine for controlling based on an output of an optical detection system for detecting the toner mark, wherein the detection unit detects a deviation of the toner mark from an optical axis of the optical detection system based on an output of the optical detection system. And an adjusting means for adjusting the formation position of the toner mark by the forming unit based on the detected deviation.

The detection of the displacement by the detecting means and the adjustment of the toner mark forming position by the adjusting means may be performed a plurality of times. The printer engine is
The image forming apparatus may further include a memory for storing the data of the toner mark, and the adjusting unit may adjust a position of the toner mark formation by the forming unit by controlling a writing and / or reading position of the data with respect to the memory.

The adjusting means may adjust the formation position of a toner mark for recording paper registration, color registration, toner adhesion amount detection, or writing start position detection. The above object is to provide at least one forming unit for forming a toner mark on a photoconductor or a medium transporting unit, an optical detection system for detecting the toner mark, and the toner mark based on an output of the optical detection system. The present invention can also be achieved by an image forming apparatus including: a control unit that detects a shift of an optical detection system with respect to an optical axis and adjusts a forming position of a toner mark by the forming unit based on the detected shift.

[0014] The control section may detect the deviation and adjust the formation position of the toner mark a plurality of times. The image forming apparatus further includes a memory for storing data of the toner mark, and the control unit adjusts a toner mark forming position by the forming unit by controlling a writing and / or reading position of the data with respect to the memory. It is good also as composition.

The control section may adjust the formation position of a toner mark for recording paper registration, color registration, toner adhesion amount detection, or writing start position detection. A plurality of the forming units may be provided, and the control unit may adjust a toner mark forming position with respect to at least one forming unit.

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a toner mark forming method capable of reliably detecting a toner mark without increasing the amount of toner consumption and without adjusting the mounting position of the optical detection system with high accuracy. A position adjusting method, a printer engine, and an image forming apparatus can be realized.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A description will be given of embodiments of a toner mark forming position adjusting method, a printer engine and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, by referring to FIG.

[0018]

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. One embodiment of the image forming apparatus uses one embodiment of the toner mark forming position adjusting method according to the present invention and one embodiment of the printer engine according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a color printer.

In FIG. 2, a transport belt unit 11 for transporting a medium such as a recording paper is provided inside an apparatus main body 10 of a color printer. The transport belt unit 11 is provided with an endless belt 12 made of a transparent dielectric material such as a suitable synthetic resin material so as to be rotatable. The endless belt 12 has four rollers 22-1, 22-
2,22-3,22-4. The transport belt unit 11 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 10.

The roller 22-1 functions as a driving roller, and drives the endless belt 12 to run at a constant speed clockwise as indicated by an arrow by a driving mechanism (not shown). The drive roller 22-1 is used to remove the electric charge from the endless belt 12.
It also functions as a C neutralizing roller. The roller 22-2 functions as a driven roller, and also functions as a charging roller that applies electric charges to the endless belt 12.

The rollers 22-3 and 22-4 function as guide rollers, respectively, and the corresponding rollers 22-1 and 22-2.
2 are arranged close to each other. Rollers 22-2, 22-
The upper running portion of the endless belt 12 between the two forms a moving path of the recording paper. The recording paper is accumulated in the hopper 14, is fed out one by one from the recording paper at the uppermost portion of the hopper 14 by the pickup roller 16, passes through the recording paper guide passage 18, and is driven by the pair of recording paper feed rollers 20 to the rollers 22 of the endless belt 12. -2 is introduced into the recording paper movement path on the upper side of the belt, and passes through the recording paper movement path.
Emitted from 1.

Since the endless belt 12 is charged by the roller 22-2, when the recording paper is introduced into the recording paper moving path from the roller 22-2 side, the recording paper is electrostatically attracted to the endless belt 12 and the recording paper being moved. Paper displacement is prevented. On the other hand,
Since the discharge-side roller 22-1 functions as a charge removing roller, the charge of the endless belt 12 is removed at a portion in contact with the roller 22-1. For this reason, the recording paper is
−1, the charge is removed and the endless belt 12
Is easily separated from the endless belt 12 without being caught in the lower part of the belt and discharged.

In the apparatus body 10, four of Y, M, C, and K
Units of electrostatic recording units 24-1, 24-2, 24-3,
24-4 are provided. The color printer includes four electrostatic recording units 24-1, 24-2, 24-3, and 24.
-4 are connected in series in the order of Y, M, C, and K from upstream to downstream along the recording paper moving path on the upper side of the belt defined between the rollers 22-2 and 22-1 of the endless belt 12. Have a tandem structure.

The electrostatic recording units 24-1 to 24-4 are
The difference is that a yellow toner component (Y), a magenta toner component (M), a cyan toner component (C), and a black toner component (K) are used as developers, and the other structures are the same. Therefore, the electrostatic recording units 24-1 and 24-2
4-4, a yellow toner image, a magenta toner image, a cyan toner image, and a black toner image are sequentially transferred and recorded on a recording sheet moving along a recording sheet moving path above the endless belt 12, and a full-color toner Form an image.

FIG. 3 shows the electrostatic recording unit 24 shown in FIG.
It is a figure which extracts and shows one of -1 to 24-4. The electrostatic recording unit 24 includes a photosensitive drum 32 that constitutes a photosensitive member.
During the recording operation, the photosensitive drum 32 is driven to rotate clockwise. Above the photosensitive drum 32, a pre-charger 34 composed of, for example, a corona charger or a scoroothron charger is disposed. The rotating surface of the photosensitive drum 32 is charged with a uniform charge by the pre-charger 34.

An LED array 36 functioning as an optical writing unit is arranged in the charged area of the photosensitive drum 32.
An electrostatic latent image is written by the light emitted by the scanning of the LED array 36. That is, the light emitting elements arranged in the main scanning direction of the LED array 36 are based on the gradation values of pixel data (dot data) developed from image data provided as print information from an information processing device such as a computer or a word processor. Driven, and the electrostatic latent image is written as a dot image.

The electrostatic latent image written on the photosensitive drum 32 is transferred to a developing device 40 provided in the information of the photosensitive drum 32.
Is electrostatically developed as a charged toner image of a predetermined color toner. The charged toner image on the photosensitive drum 32 is electrostatically transferred to recording paper by a conductive transfer roller 42 located below. That is, since the conductive transfer roller 42 is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 32 via the endless belt 12 and a small gap between the conductive transfer roller 42 and the photosensitive drum 32, the conductive transfer roller 42 is A charge having a polarity opposite to that of the charged toner image is applied to the recording paper conveyed by the printer, and the charged toner image on the photosensitive drum 32 is electrostatically transferred onto the recording paper.

After the transfer process, residual toner that has not been transferred to the recording paper and adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum 32. This residual toner is supplied to a toner cleaner 43 provided downstream of the photosensitive drum 32 on the recording paper moving path.
To be removed. The removed residual toner is returned to the developing device 40 by the screw conveyor 38, and is used again as the developing toner.

Returning to the description of FIG. 2, when the recording paper passes through the recording paper moving path between the rollers 22-2 and 22-1 of the endless belt 12, the electrostatic recording units 24-1 and
Y, M, C, K according to 24-2, 24-3, 24-4
Is transferred by superimposing the four color toner images to form a full color image. After that, the recording paper is
From the -1 side, the sheet is fed toward the heat roller type heat fixing device 26, and heat fixing of a full-color image on recording paper is performed. The recording paper that has been heat-fixed passes through a guide roller and is accumulated on a stacker 28 provided at an upper portion of the apparatus main body 10.

Endless belt 12 of conveyor belt unit 11
On the lower belt surface, a pair of sensors 30-1 and 30-2 is installed in a direction orthogonal to the belt moving direction, and only the near sensor 30-1 is visible in the state shown in FIG. The sensors 30-1 and 30-2 are used to optically read a toner mark (registration mark) for detecting a displacement transferred onto the endless belt 12, and constitute an optical detection system.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the conveyor belt unit 11 provided inside the apparatus main body 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a structure for attaching and detaching electrostatic recording units 24-1 to 24-4 provided in a conveyor belt unit 11; At the upper part of the apparatus main body 10, a cover 54 is provided which can be opened and closed with the left side in FIG. A frame 55 is disposed in the apparatus main body 10, and pins 5 are provided at two upper portions of the frame 55.
6 are arranged.

On the other hand, a frame 58 facing the frame 55 of the apparatus main body 10 is provided on the side surface of the conveyor belt unit 11 taken out and shown in the upper part of FIG. A pin hole is formed at the position. For this reason, by opening the cover 54 and pulling up the conveyor belt unit 11 upward, the conveyor belt unit 11 can be pulled out from the pin 56 on the apparatus main body 10 side.

The electrostatic recording units 24-1 to 24-4 mounted on the transport belt unit 11 are mounted in mounting grooves 52 opened at the top of mounting plates 51 arranged on both sides of the side.
The electrostatic recording units 24-1 to 24-4 are attached by fitting pins 50 attached to side surfaces thereof. The mounting groove 52 is formed with a straight groove having a width similar to that of the pin 50 on the lower side following the upper V-shaped open portion, and the pin 50 is pressed down in accordance with the mounting groove 52. Thereby, it can be accurately positioned at a predetermined position on the transport belt unit 11. Also, the electrostatic recording units 24-1 to 24-
When it is desired to replenish the toner or perform maintenance, it can be easily removed by pulling it upward, for example, as in the electrostatic recording unit 24-3.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the color printer. The color printer generally includes a printer engine unit 60 and a controller unit 62. The engine unit 60 includes the transport belt unit 11 and the electrostatic recording units 24-1 to 24-4 shown in FIG.
And the like, a mechanical controller 64 for controlling the operation of the printing mechanism, and an MPU 66 for sensor processing. In the mechanical controller 64,
A memory such as a ROM for storing toner mark data to be described later is provided.

For the mechanical controller 64,
An MPU 66 for sensor processing that executes the displacement detection processing is provided. For the MPU 66 for sensor processing,
A pair of sensors 3 installed below the endless belt 12
Detection signals from 0-1 and 30-2 are input. The mechanical controller 64 is connected to the controller 62 via an engine connector 70. FIG.
, The printing mechanism provided in the engine unit 60 includes an endless belt 12 and Y, M,
Only the LED arrays 36-1 to 36-4 provided in the electrostatic recording units 24-1 to 24-4 of C and K colors are shown.

The controller unit 62 is provided with a control MPU 72. MPU7 for controller
2, a higher-level device such as a personal computer 92 is connected via an interface processing unit 74 and a control unit connector 76. The personal computer 92 includes a driver 96 for printing color image data provided from an arbitrary application program 94. The driver 96 is connected to the control section connector 76 of the controller section 62 via the personal computer section connector 98. I have.

MP for controller of controller section 62
For the U72, the image memory 82- develops and stores each of the Y, M, C, and K image data transferred from the personal computer 92 into pixel data (dot data).
1, 82-2, 82-3, and 82-4 are provided.
The controller MPU 72 includes an interface processing unit 7
8 and the engine unit 60 via the controller unit connector 80. Therefore, the controller MPU
72, the interface processing unit 78 receives the displacement information detected on the engine unit 60 side,
The positional deviation correction can be performed on the pixel data of each image developed in 1 to 82-4.

For the controller MPU 72, an address specifying section 8 for specifying an address when each color pixel data is developed in the image memories 82-1 to 82-4.
4 is also provided. An address conversion unit 86 is connected to the address designation unit 84. Address conversion unit 86
Is connected to the engine unit 60 via the interface processing unit 78.
Based on the position shift information provided from the side, address conversion for position shift correction is performed.

FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of the sensors 30-1 and 30-2 provided on the side of the engine section 60 shown in FIG. FIG. In FIG. 6, below the endless belt 12, two sensors 30-1 and 30-2 arranged in a direction orthogonal to the belt conveyance direction are arranged. The sensors 30-1 and 30-2 each have a wavelength of 780 nm.
Laser diodes 100-1 and 100-2 and photodiodes 106-1 and 106-2. The laser diodes 100-1 and 100-2 are connected to the driver 11
Light emission is driven by 0.

Photodiodes 106-1 and 106-2
Are received by amplifiers 108-1 and 108-2, respectively.
After that, the signal is taken into an MPU 66 for sensor processing via an AD converter (ADC) 68. Driver 1
Reference numeral 10 denotes a MPU 66 for sensor processing to a DA converter (DA
C) In response to a signal obtained via 69, the laser diodes 100-1 and 100-2 are driven to emit light.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of the sensor 30-1 shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, a laser diode 100-1 is disposed on the right side of the housing 105.
An imaging lens 102 with a collimator is arranged in front of the laser diode 100-1. Imaging lens 10
2 condenses the laser beam from the laser diode 100-1 and forms a minute beam spot at the imaging position 101 on the surface of the endless belt 12 by the incident angle θ1.

The diameter of the beam spot of the laser beam applied to the image forming position 101 is reduced to, for example, about several tens μm. Emission angle θ of endless belt 12 from imaging position 101
The photodiode 106-1 is disposed in the optical axis direction 2 via the condenser lens 104. In the position shift detection of the present embodiment, a toner mark using K, C, M, and Y toners for position detection is transferred to the surface of the endless belt 12, and the toner mark is transferred to the sensor 30-1,
Detect at 30-2. In this case, the toner mark transferred to the surface of the endless belt 12 is made of unfixed toner and has almost no gloss, so that it cannot be optically detected by reflection.

Then, the sensors 30-1 and 30-2 irradiate a small beam spot irradiated from the laser diode 100-1 to the unfixed transfer toner as shown in FIG. The light is received by the photodiode 106-1. The belt 12 is guided along a guide plate 107 located on the back side. However, when the guide plate 107 is positioned behind the image forming position 101 where the beam spot from the laser diode 100-1 is formed, the beam spot irradiated on the translucent endless belt 12 is positioned on the back side.
07, the scattered light is reflected by the photodiode 106-1.
And becomes noise light.

In view of this, the guide plate 107 located behind the endless belt 12 is provided with a transmission hole 109 at a portion where noise-like scattered light centering on the image forming position 101 is provided. Preventing light. Note that the recording and detection of the toner mark (registration mark) for detecting the positional deviation of the recording by each of the electrostatic recording units 24-1 to 24-4 and the positional deviation correction itself based on the detection result are described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Since a well-known method proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. -157134 can be used, description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, each electrostatic recording unit 24-
Prior to recording of a toner mark (registration mark) for detecting a recording positional deviation by 1 to 24-4, a toner mark for adjusting the optical axis of the optical detection system is recorded, and based on the detection result of the toner mark. By adjusting the recording position of the toner mark (registration mark) for detecting the positional deviation, it is possible to reliably detect the toner mark (registration mark). The recording and detection of the optical axis adjustment toner mark may be performed in the same manner as the recording and detection of the toner mark (registration mark) for detecting the positional deviation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of this embodiment. In the figure, step S1 is to read out the pattern data of the toner mark for optical axis adjustment stored in the memory in the mechanical controller 64 and supply it to, for example, the electrostatic recording unit 24-4 to perform the electrostatic recording. A toner mark is written on the photosensitive drum 32 in the unit 24-4. In step S2, a toner mark for optical axis adjustment is recorded by developing and transferring the toner mark written on the photosensitive drum 32 onto the endless belt 12.
In step S3, the toner marks recorded on the endless belt 12 are read from the outputs of the sensors 30-1 and 30-2.

FIG. 9A shows a first embodiment of a toner mark for optical axis adjustment, and FIG. 9B shows a case where the toner mark shown in FIG. 9A is read by, for example, the sensor 30-1. 5 shows the sensor output of the first embodiment. 1st toner mark for optical axis adjustment
In the embodiment, the toner mark includes a pattern parallel to the main scanning direction MS and a pattern inclined with respect to the main scanning direction MS.

In FIG. 9, the optical axis of the sensor 30-1 has a width W2 along the main scanning direction MS of the toner mark as indicated by X1.
, It is assumed that the reference value of the distance between the pulses of the sensor output is X0. Therefore, the sensor 30-
When the optical axis 1 is shifted within the range of the width W1 (W1 <W2) along the main scanning direction MS of the toner mark as shown by the broken line, the detection value X of the distance between the pulses of the sensor output is Xa
<X <Xb is satisfied, and the toner mark can be reliably detected even if a toner mark is recorded with this setting. In contrast, the sensor 30-
The detected value X of the distance between the pulses of the sensor output when the optical axis 1 is shifted as indicated by X2 is X <Xa, and it is impossible to detect the toner mark by recording the toner mark with this setting. . Therefore, when the detection value X does not satisfy Xa <X <Xb, the offset Xs = X0−X is calculated, and
An adjustment is performed such that the recording position of the toner mark is shifted by the offset Xs along the main scanning direction MS.

That is, in FIG. 8, step S4 is
Based on the sensor output of the sensor 30-1, the detected value X
Is calculated as the writing start position in the main scanning direction MS. A step S5 decides whether or not the detected value X satisfies Xa <X <Xb. If the decision result in the step S5 is YES, the process proceeds to a step S6. In this case, since it is not necessary to shift the recording position of the toner mark along the main scanning direction MS, a step S6 transmits the reference value X0 to the mechanical controller 64. In step S7, the writing and / or reading position of the data of the toner mark with respect to the memory in the mechanical controller 64 is controlled based on the reference value X0, and the position shift of the recording by each of the electrostatic recording units 24-1 to 24-4. Recording and detection of a toner mark (registration mark) for detection and misregistration correction based on the detection result are performed, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S5 is NO, a step S11 calculates an offset Xs = X0-X, and a step S12 transmits the offset Xs to the mechanical controller 64. In step S13, the writing and / or reading position of the data of the toner mark with respect to the memory in the mechanical controller 64 is adjusted by shifting based on the offset Xs. Thereafter, in step S7, based on the shifted writing and / or reading position of the data of the toner mark with respect to the memory in the mechanical controller 64, the position shift of the recording by each of the electrostatic recording units 24-1 to 24-4 is detected. The recording and the detection of the toner mark (registration mark) for this purpose and the misregistration correction based on the detection result are performed, and the process ends. As a result, each of the electrostatic recording units 24-1 to 24-2
Assured detection of the toner mark (registration mark) without making the width of the toner mark (registration mark) along the main scanning direction MS unnecessarily large for the detection of the recording positional deviation according to 4-4. Can be.

The process shown in FIG. 8 may be repeated a plurality of times if one adjustment is not sufficient. The recording and detection of the toner mark for optical axis adjustment and the adjustment of the toner mark recording position based on the detection result may be performed for two or more electrostatic recording units. 1 to 24-4.

FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment of the toner mark for optical axis adjustment. In the second embodiment of the toner mark for adjusting the optical axis, the toner mark includes a pattern parallel to the main scanning direction MS and a pattern inclined stepwise with respect to the main scanning direction MS. The sensor output in this case is also shown in FIG.
Is the same as Incidentally, the recording and detection of the toner mark for optical axis adjustment and the adjustment of the toner mark recording position based on the detection result may be performed at an arbitrary timing. In other words, the processing shown in FIG. 8 is performed when the power of the color printer is turned on and the maintenance and the maintenance of the electrostatic recording unit and the sensor (optical detection system) are performed.
It can be performed at the time of replacement, at the time of temperature change, or at a certain time interval.

FIG. 11 is a view showing another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 2, the same parts as those of FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 11, the cover 54 of the apparatus
0, the LED array 36 of the electrostatic recording units 24-1 to 24-4 is attached to the cover 54.
When opening and closing 0, the relative position of the LED array 36 to the photosensitive drum 32 may be slightly shifted. Therefore, in such a case, the process shown in FIG. 8 may be performed each time the cover 540 is opened and closed.

In each of the above embodiments, the toner marks for optical axis adjustment are recorded and detected, and based on the detection result, the positional deviation of the recording by each of the electrostatic recording units 24-1 to 24-4 is detected. The recording position of the toner mark (registration mark) is adjusted. However, the toner mark (registration mark) is not limited to the one for detecting the positional deviation of recording by each of the electrostatic recording units 24-1 to 24-4, that is, is not limited to the one for color registration. That is, based on the detection result of the toner mark for optical axis adjustment, the formation position of the toner mark for medium (recording paper) registration, toner adhesion amount detection, or writing start position detection is adjusted in the same manner as described above. You can also.

The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications and improvements can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0056]

According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably form a toner mark without increasing the amount of consumed toner and adjusting the mounting position of the optical detection system with high accuracy. A position adjusting method, a printer engine, and an image forming apparatus can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a variation in a detection position by an optical detection system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one of the electrostatic recording units shown in FIG. 2 taken out.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the transport belt unit shown in FIG. 2 is taken out and a structure for attaching and detaching the electrostatic recording unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the color printer.

6 is a diagram showing an arrangement structure of a sensor provided on an engine unit side shown in FIG. 5 and a drive circuit unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of the sensor shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a toner mark for optical axis adjustment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a toner mark for adjusting an optical axis.

FIG. 11 is a view showing another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Conveying belt unit 12 Endless belt 24-1-24-4 Electrostatic recording unit 30-1, 30-2 Sensor 60 Engine part 64 Mechanical controller 66 MPU for sensor processing

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 21/14 F-term (Reference) 2C162 AE05 AE12 AE21 AE28 AE47 AE74 AF10 AF62 AF83 AF84 FA17 2H027 DA09 DA33 DA41 DE02 DE07 EA18 EB04 EB06 EC03 EC06 ED06 ED16 EE02 EF09 FD08 HB07 ZA07 2H030 AA01 AA07 AB02 AD05 AD17 BB02 BB16 BB36 BB56

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus which forms a toner mark on a photoconductor or a medium transporting means and detects the toner mark by an optical detection system, wherein a detection of detecting a deviation of the toner mark from an optical axis of the optical detection system is performed. A toner mark forming position adjusting method, comprising: adjusting a toner mark forming position based on the detected deviation. 2. The toner mark forming position according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting step adjusts a forming position of a toner mark for medium registration, color registration, toner adhesion amount detection, or writing start position detection. Adjustment method. 3. A printer engine for controlling a forming section for forming a toner mark on a photoconductor or a medium transporting means based on an output of an optical detection system for detecting the toner mark, wherein the printer engine controls an output of the optical detection system. A detection unit for detecting a deviation of the toner mark from the optical axis of the optical detection system based on the detected deviation, and an adjustment unit for adjusting a formation position of the toner mark by the forming unit based on the detected deviation. engine. 4. The printer engine according to claim 3, wherein the detection of the displacement by the detection unit and the adjustment of the toner mark forming position by the adjustment unit are performed a plurality of times, respectively. 5. A memory for storing data of the toner mark, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts a toner mark forming position by the forming unit by controlling a writing and / or reading position of the data with respect to the memory. The printer engine according to claim 3 or 4. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the adjusting unit adjusts a formation position of a toner mark for medium registration, color registration, toner adhesion amount detection, or writing start position detection. Printer engine according to the item. 7. An at least one forming unit for forming a toner mark on a photoconductor or a medium transporting unit; an optical detection system for detecting the toner mark; and an optical detection system for detecting the toner mark based on an output of the optical detection system. An image forming apparatus comprising: a controller configured to detect a shift of an optical detection system with respect to an optical axis and to adjust a formation position of a toner mark by the forming unit based on the detected shift. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit detects the deviation and adjusts the formation position of the toner mark a plurality of times. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a memory configured to store data of the toner mark, wherein the control unit adjusts a toner mark forming position by the forming unit by controlling a writing and / or reading position of the data with respect to the memory. , Claim 7 or 8
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 10. The control unit according to claim 7, wherein the control unit adjusts a formation position of a toner mark for medium registration, color registration, toner adhesion amount detection, or writing start position detection. An image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of said forming units are provided, and said control unit adjusts a toner mark forming position with respect to at least one forming unit. .