JP2003050495A - Method for attaching and taking out developing unit in image forming device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize printing operation by an attached developing unit even when the developing unit being a part of a color image forming device is not attached. SOLUTION: In this image forming device capable of carrying out a color printing mode using toner of four colors Y, M, C and K and a monochrome printing mode using only toner of K, the attachment of a K developing unit corresponding to a K toner color is performed (step S1) preferentially to the attachment of developing units corresponding to respective M, Y and C toner colors (steps S4, S6 and S8). In the case of taking out the developing units, the K developing unit is taken out finally. Since monochrome printing operation with the K toner color is permitted when at least the K developing unit is attached, the monochrome printing is performed when other developing unit is not attached yet or even after it is detached.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine and a facsimile machine, and more particularly,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which each of a plurality of developing units can be individually attached to and detached from a unit holder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an image forming apparatus of this type, there is known an apparatus including a rotary developing section in which a plurality of developing units are radially arranged around a rotation axis. In this apparatus, one of the plurality of developing units is positioned to face the photoconductor by rotating the rotation shaft of the device, the latent image on the photoconductor is developed, and the latent image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium. . Then, if necessary, the rotary developing unit is rotationally driven to switch the developing unit, and the toner development and transfer processing are repeated for each toner color in the same manner as described above, whereby toner images of a plurality of colors are transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium. To form a color image by overlapping (color printing mode).

Further, in the image forming apparatus constructed as described above, it is possible to perform monochromatic printing by using a specific developing unit among a plurality of developing units, in many cases a black developing unit. Print mode).

In such an image forming apparatus, all the developing units for each toner color are set at predetermined positions in order to promptly respond to a print request of color or single color and obtain a desired color or single color image. Must be installed.

Therefore, in order to simplify the mounting work and prevent the erroneous mounting of the developing unit due to the user's work error, an image forming apparatus having a pre-programmed mounting sequence has been considered. In such an image forming apparatus, as the mounting sequence progresses, the user can mount all the units correctly by simply mounting the developing units in order in accordance with a predetermined order or the guidance of the apparatus. ing.

[0006]

However, the conventional image forming apparatus is configured such that the printing operation can be performed only after all the developing units are mounted. It is assumed that all developing units that can be mounted are mounted.
Therefore, if the mounting operation is interrupted midway and some of the developing units are not mounted, the apparatus cannot perform the printing operation.

Further, such an image forming apparatus can execute the monochromatic printing mode as required as described above. In the monochromatic printing mode, only the developing unit corresponding to the monochromatic printing is used. Since the printing is performed in this manner, the developing units for other toner colors need not be originally installed. However, the conventional image forming apparatus having the above-described structure cannot execute the printing operation unless all the developing units are mounted.

Such a problem can occur not only during the above-mentioned mounting work but also when the originally mounted developing unit is removed for the purpose of unit replacement or movement of the apparatus. If a monochrome image signal is input after removing one of the developing units, printing cannot be performed even if the developing unit for monochrome printing is attached to the device, and the convenience for the user is impaired. There is.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even when some of a plurality of developing units to be mounted on the image forming apparatus have not been mounted yet or have already been removed. A first object of the present invention is to provide a mounting method and a removing method of a developing unit in an image forming apparatus, which enables a printing operation. A second object is to provide an image forming apparatus that can perform a printing operation without mounting all the developing units.

[0010]

A developing unit mounting method for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a toner-containing M
It is possible to attach (M ≧ 2) developing units to the unit holding portion, and perform printing using N (M> N ≧ 1) developing units among the developing units attached to the unit holding portion. In an image forming apparatus capable of executing the N-color printing mode to be executed, a positioning step of positioning the unit holding portion for mounting one developing unit of the M developing units; A mounting method of a developing unit, wherein the mounting step of mounting the one developing unit to the unit holding portion is alternately performed to mount the M developing units to the unit holding portion in order. In order to achieve the above purpose, mounting the N developing units to the unit holding portion,
It is characterized in that the remaining developing units are preferentially attached to the unit holding portion (claim 1).

In the developing unit mounting method configured as described above, the N developing units necessary for executing the N color printing mode are mounted with priority over the other developing units. When the mounting of the unit is completed, the N-color printing mode can be executed. Therefore, the use of the image forming apparatus as the N-color printing apparatus can be started without waiting for the mounting of another developing unit. Further, for example, it is possible to use the apparatus by interrupting the subsequent mounting work and using the apparatus without mounting another developing unit. Further, each time the worker mounts one developing unit, the unit holding portion may be automatically moved to be positioned at a position for mounting the next unit. In this case, the worker Since it is only necessary to mount a plurality of developing units in a predetermined order, the mounting work can be performed easily and reliably.

Further, the image forming apparatus uses an N-color color printing mode in which N-color color printing is performed by using N (M> N ≧ 2) developing units having different toner colors, and the N developing units. When it is possible to execute a monochromatic printing mode in which monochromatic printing is performed using one of the developing units for one of the monochromatic printing toner colors, the developing unit for monochromatic printing is further selected from among the N developing units. It is also possible to attach the above to the unit holding portion with the highest priority (claim 2). In this case, the device can be used as a device for monochrome printing when the mounting of the developing unit for monochrome printing is completed.

Further, in the method for taking out the developing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, there are M (M ≧≧ M) containing toner.
The developing unit 2) can be attached to and detached from the unit holder, and N colors (M> N ≧ 1) of the developing units attached to the unit holder are used to perform printing. In an image forming apparatus capable of executing a print mode, a positioning step of positioning the unit holding portion to take out one of the M developing units from the unit holding portion; A method of taking out developing units, wherein the step of taking out the one developing unit from the unit holding section is alternately performed to take out the M developing units in order from the unit holding section.
In order to achieve the above object, the removal of the developing units other than the N developing units out of the M developing units mounted in the unit holding unit from the unit holding unit is performed by the N
It is characterized in that the individual developing units are preferentially taken out from the unit holding portion (claim 3).

In the developing unit take-out method thus constructed, the N developing units for executing the N-color printing mode are left in the unit holder, and the other developing units are taken out preferentially. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can be continuously used as an N-color printing apparatus until just before the start of taking out N developing units even during the work of taking out these developing units or after taking them all out. Becomes Moreover, every time the worker takes out one developing unit, the unit holding portion is automatically moved to be positioned at a position for taking out the next unit, so that the worker does not need to be aware of the taking-out order to perform the work. It can be performed.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is
M (M ≧ 2) developing units containing toner, a unit holder configured to be able to mount the M developing units, and N (M (M)) of the developing units mounted in the unit holding unit. > N ≧ 1), an image forming apparatus including a control unit that executes an N-color printing mode that executes printing using a developing unit, and in order to achieve the second object, the control unit includes: A mounting sequence is performed in which the mounting of the N developing units to the unit holding unit is prioritized over the mounting of the remaining developing units to the unit holding unit, and the N developing units are mounted. It is characterized in that the execution of the N-color printing mode is permitted when the mounting on the unit holding portion is completed (claim 4).

In the image forming apparatus constructed as above,
In the developing unit mounting sequence, the N developing units corresponding to the N color printing mode are mounted with priority over the other developing units, and the N color printing mode is set when these N developing units are mounted. Since the execution is permitted, the printing operation can be performed even during the mounting work of the remaining developing units or without mounting them. When N = 1 in the above,
The N-color printing mode corresponds to the single-color printing mode.

Here, the image forming apparatus uses an N-color color printing mode in which N-color color printing is performed by using N (M> N ≧ 2) developing units having different toner colors, and the N-number of color developing modes. When it is possible to execute a monochromatic printing mode in which monochromatic printing is performed using one of the developing units for one of the monochromatic printing toner colors, the control means causes the N developing units in the mounting sequence. Of the units, the mounting of the developing unit for monochromatic printing to the unit holding unit is given the highest priority, and the monochromatic printing mode is executed from the time when the mounting of the developing unit for monochromatic printing to the unit holding unit is completed. May be permitted (Claim 5).

In the image forming apparatus constructed as above,
In the developing unit mounting sequence, first, one developing unit necessary for executing the monochromatic printing mode is mounted, and when the mounting is completed, the monochromatic printing mode is permitted, so that the monochromatic printing mode is supported. It can be used as a monochromatic printing device with only the developing unit attached. Then, if necessary, N-color printing can be performed by further installing other (N-1) developing units corresponding to the N-color printing mode, and full-color images can be obtained by installing all the remaining developing units. Can be formed. As described above, the image forming apparatus can be used for various purposes according to the wishes of the user.

By the way, in many cases, such monochromatic printing is performed as black and white printing using black toner. Therefore, the toner color for monochrome printing may be black (claim 6). At this time, the color print mode and the monochrome print mode can be executed by the image forming apparatus, and the monochrome print mode among them can be changed to other modes as long as the developing unit corresponding to the black toner is attached to the apparatus. It can be executed with or without a developing unit.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, M (M ≧ 2) developing units containing a toner, a unit holding portion configured to detachably mount the M developing units, and the unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that executes an N-color printing mode in which N (M> N ≧ 1) developing units out of the developing units mounted in the holding unit are used for printing. In order to achieve the second object, the control means removes from the unit holding unit the developing units other than the N developing units out of the M developing units mounted on the unit holding unit,
A take-out sequence is performed that has priority over taking out the N developing units from the unit holding unit, and the N color units are taken out until the taking out of the N developing units from the unit holding unit is started. It is characterized in that execution of the print mode is permitted (Claim 7).

In the image forming apparatus constructed as above,
In the developing unit take-out sequence, the N developing units necessary for executing the N-color printing mode are left in the unit holding portion, and the other developing units are taken out first. Since the execution of the N-color printing mode is permitted if the individual developing units are mounted, it is possible that the developing units are being taken out by the above-mentioned taking-out sequence, or some developing units are already removed. Print operation is also possible. As in the case of the above-described apparatus, when N = 1 in the above, the N-color print mode corresponds to the single-color print mode.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 1. Configuration of Apparatus FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an engine controller of the image forming apparatus of FIG. This image forming apparatus forms a full-color image (color printing mode) by superposing four color toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), or black (K). This is a device that forms a single-color image using only the toner (1) (single-color printing mode). In this image forming apparatus, when an image signal is given to the main controller of the control unit from an external device such as a host computer, the engine controller 1 controls each section of the engine section EG in response to a command from the main controller to copy paper. ,
Sheet S such as transfer paper, paper and OHP transparent sheet
An image corresponding to the image signal is formed on.

In this engine section EG, seven units are provided: (a) photoconductor unit 2; (b) yellow developing unit (hereinafter referred to as "Y developing unit") 3Y; (c) magenta developing unit ("M developing unit"). ) 3M; (d) cyan developing unit ("C developing unit") 3C; (e) black developing unit ("K developing unit") 3K; (f) intermediate transfer unit 4 and (g) fixing unit 5 are the main body of the apparatus. 6
It is removable with respect to. And all the units 2, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, 4, 5 are the device main body 6
1, the photoconductor 21 of the photoconductor unit 2 rotates in the direction D1 of the arrow in FIG. 1 and is charged around the photoconductor 21 along the rotation direction D1. Part 22, developing units 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K
Rotary developing section 3 and cleaning section 23
Are arranged respectively.

Seven units 2, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3
Among K, 4, and 5, the photoconductor unit 2 contains the photoconductor 21, the charging unit 22, and the cleaning unit 23.
These can be integrally attached to and detached from the apparatus body 6. A charging bias is applied to the charging unit 22 to uniformly charge the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 21.

Further, the photoconductor unit 2 is provided with a cleaning unit 23 on the upstream side of the charging unit 22 in the rotation direction D1 of the photoconductor 21, which remains on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 21 after the primary transfer. Scrape off any toner that is still on.
In this way, the surface of the photoconductor 21 is cleaned.

A serial EEPROM 71 for storing data indicating the remaining life of the photoconductor unit 2 is attached to the photoconductor unit 2 constructed as described above. , Is electrically connected to the engine controller 1 of the apparatus main body 6 via a connector (not shown),
Data is transferred between the photosensor unit 2 and the device, and detection of mounting of the photoconductor unit 2 and management of consumables are performed. Similar to the photoconductor unit 2, serial EEPROMs 76 and 77 for storing various data are attached to the units 4 and 5, respectively, and are electrically connected to the engine controller 1 of the apparatus main body 6 in a unit mounted state. Then, data transfer is performed with the engine controller 1 to detect the mounting of the unit and manage consumables.

On the other hand, the developing units 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3
The K is also provided with serial EEPROMs 72 to 75 for storing various data relating to the unit.
As will be described later, these EEPROMs 72 to 75 are not connected to the connector 34 on the apparatus main body side in the unit mounted state, but are temporarily electrically connected to the engine controller 1 as necessary, and are connected to the engine controller 1. Data transfer between the developing units 3Y, 3M, 3
Detects C and 3K mounting and manages consumables.

In this image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, the exposure unit 8 irradiates the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 21 charged by the charging unit 22 with the laser beam L. The exposure unit 8 scans and exposes the laser light L on the photoconductor 21 according to an image signal from an external device to expose the photoconductor 2 to light.
An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal is formed on 1.

The electrostatic latent image thus formed is developed with toner by the rotary developing section 3. In the rotary developing section 3, a developing unit 3K for black, a developing unit 3C for cyan, a developing unit 3M for magenta,
Also, a yellow developing unit 3Y is provided rotatably around the axis. And these developing units 3
Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K are moved and positioned at a plurality of predetermined positions, and are selectively positioned at the contact or separation position with respect to the photoconductor 21 to superpose a DC component or an AC component on the DC component. The developing bias is applied to apply the selected color toner to the surface of the photoconductor 21. As described above, in this embodiment, each of the developing units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K functions as the “developing unit” of the invention, and forms a toner image on the photoconductor 21.

The toner image developed by the developing section 3 as described above is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 of the intermediate transfer unit 4 in the primary transfer region TR1. That is, the intermediate transfer unit 4 includes an intermediate transfer belt 41 that is wound around a plurality of rollers, and a drive unit (not shown) that rotationally drives the intermediate transfer belt 41, and when transferring a color image to the sheet S. In order to form a color image by superimposing the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photoconductor 21 on the intermediate transfer belt 41, a single color image is formed on the photoconductor 21 when transferred to the sheet S. Only the black toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 to form a monochromatic image.

The image thus formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is secondarily transferred onto the sheet S taken out from the cassette 9 in a predetermined secondary transfer region TR2. Then, the sheet S on which the toner image is transferred is introduced into the fixing unit 5 having a heater (not shown) built therein, and the toner is fixed on the sheet S by applying pressure while heating. The sheet S on which the image is thus formed is conveyed to a discharge tray portion provided on the upper surface of the apparatus body 6.

Next, the structure of the rotary developing section 3 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the operation of the rotary developing section 3. The rotary developing section 3 has a rotary shaft 3a at its center and a support frame 3b fixed to the rotary shaft 3a, and the above-described four color developing units 3Y, 3M,
3C and 3K are attachable to and detachable from the support frame 3b that functions as the "unit holding portion" of the present invention. That is, the developing units 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K and the support frame 3b are provided with guide rails (not shown) that engage with each other in the axial direction.
Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K are attached / detached exclusive ports 3 to the take-out side in the axial direction of the support frame 3b (the depth side orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 1).
It can be withdrawn through 21 (Fig. 3). Also,
A new developing unit can be installed by advancing in the axial direction of the support frame 3b through the attachment / detachment port 321. In this way all developing units 3
When Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K are mounted, they are arranged radially around the rotation shaft 3a.

As shown in FIG. 3, the attachment / detachment port 321 is provided on the side plate 3 arranged on the take-out side of the rotary developing section 3.
2 is provided, for example, only when the developing unit is positioned at the attachment / detachment position as shown in FIG. 7C, the developing unit is taken out through the exclusive attaching / detaching port 321 and a new developing unit is installed. It can be installed. Then, while the developing unit is positioned at a position other than the attachment / detachment position, the side plate 32 restricts the taking-out / mounting of the developing unit.

A pulse motor (not shown) is connected to the rotary shaft 3a via a clutch, and the drive of the pulse motor causes the support frame 3b to rotate, whereby the four developing units 3Y, 3M, One of the developing units 3C and 3K can be selectively positioned at the developing position facing the photoconductor 21. Note that FIG. 1 shows a state in which the K developing unit 3K is positioned at the developing position.

Further, at one end side of the rotary shaft 3a of the developing unit 3 (front side of the paper surface of FIG. 1), H for detecting the home position position of the developing unit 3 (hereinafter referred to as "HP position").
A P detector 31 (see FIG. 2) is provided. This HP
The detection unit 31 includes an HP including a signal disk 311 fixed to one end of the rotary shaft 3a and a photo interrupter.
The sensor 312 and the disk 311 are provided so that the peripheral edge of the disk 311 comes into the gap (not shown) of the HP sensor 312. When the slit formed on the disc 311 moves into the gap of the HP sensor 312, HP
The output signal from the sensor 312 changes from “L” to “H”. Then, the HP position of the developing unit 3 can be detected based on the change in the signal level and the pulse number of the pulse motor. Further, the position of the developing unit 3 can be detected based on the HP position and the pulse number of the pulse motor.

The structure of the HP detection unit 31 is not limited to this, and for example, a characteristic portion such as a protrusion provided on a part of the outer peripheral edge of the support frame 3b is detected, and H
It may be configured to detect the P position. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the rotating shaft 3a with the disc 311 and the size in the axial direction can be reduced, which is advantageous in reducing the size of the device.

Further, each developing unit 3Y, 3M, 3C,
Connectors 33Y, 33M, 33 are provided on one end side surface of 3K.
C and 33K are fixed, and when positioned at the developing position, the connector of the developing unit at a position one downstream side in the rotational movement direction (hereinafter referred to as “connector connecting position”) (for example, FIG. 3B) As shown, when the Y developing unit 3Y is positioned at the developing position, the connector 33 fixed to the K developing unit 3K, which is one downstream thereof, is fixed.
K) is a common connector 3 for the developing unit provided on the apparatus main body side.
Face 4 As shown in the figure, the common connector 34 for the developing unit is configured to be movable in and out of contact with the rotary developing unit 3. If necessary, the common connector 34 for the developing unit is moved closer to the developing unit at the connector connecting position to move the developing unit. Mate with the connector. As a result, the EEPROMs 72 to 75 attached to the developing unit are electrically connected to the engine controller 1 of the apparatus main body 6 via both connectors, data is transferred to and from the engine controller 1, and the developing unit is attached. Detects and manages consumables.

Although not shown in the drawings, a lock mechanism is provided to securely position and fix the rotary developing section 3 at the developing position, the HP position and the attaching / detaching position. Further, the apparatus main body 6 is provided with a front cover for covering the engine section EG including the units 2, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, 4, 5, and the user can attach and remove a developing unit described later. When performing, the work is performed by opening the front cover, but the normal printing operation is executed with the front cover closed.

Next, the structure of the engine controller 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The engine controller 1 functions as the "control means" of the present invention, and controls the respective parts of the apparatus by executing a program, which will be described later, by the CPU 11 based on the signal from the HP detector 31, the pulse number of the pulse motor, and the like. The CPU 11 has an RO for storing programs and other data.
An M12 and a RAM 13 for temporarily storing various data are connected.

The CPU 11 is also connected via a serial I / F (interface) 15 to a serial EEPROM 14 used for an electronic counter. The serial EEPROM 14 stores data necessary for controlling the device. Further, the CPU 11 is connected to the units 2, 4, 5 and the connector 34 via the serial I / F 15, and the developing units 3 appropriately connected to the units 2, 4, 5 and the connector 34.
Serial EEPROM provided in Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K
It becomes possible to transfer data between M71-77 and
Serial EEPROM 14 via input / output port 16,
The chip select signal CS can be input to 71 to 77.

Further, the engine controller 1 is provided with a voltage monitoring circuit 17, and when the power supply voltage falls below a predetermined voltage, the voltage monitoring circuit 17 detects the voltage drop,
A reset signal indicating that effect is sent to the CPU 11 and the peripheral device 1.
Output to 5 and 16.

Further, the CPU 11 is connected to the HP detector 31 via the input / output port 16.

2. Developing Unit Mounting Method The operation of the mounting sequence as one embodiment of the developing unit mounting method of the present invention in the image forming apparatus thus configured will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are flowcharts showing the developing unit mounting sequence and the mounting procedure of each developing unit of the image forming apparatus, respectively.

In this apparatus, when a user or the like turns on the power after the apparatus main body 6 in which all the developing units are removed due to new purchase or transfer of the apparatus is installed, the CPU 1
1 is based on the program stored in the ROM 13,
By executing the mounting sequence consisting of steps S1 to S10 shown below, the four developing units 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3
Wear K one by one. In this mounting sequence, when the user finishes mounting one developing unit, the rotary developing unit 3 is rotationally driven and positioned at the next developing unit mounting / removing position, so that the user needs to set the developing units 3Y, 3M, 3 and 3.
All the developing units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K can be mounted at predetermined positions and in a short time simply by mounting C and 3K in a predetermined order.

First, in step S1, the K developing unit 3K which is a toner color for monochromatic printing is mounted first. Specifically, the x developing unit mounting routine of steps S21 to S27 shown in FIG. 5 is executed (x = K, M, C,
Y; it should be read here as x = K).

In step S21, first, the support frame 3
The rotary developing unit 3 according to the mounting state of the unit to the b
The rotation speed n of is set. Here, the rotation speed n is one of the following three types depending on the number of developing units mounted on the support frame 3b and the positional relationship thereof: (1) When the number of developing units is 0 or 4 Rotation speed n1; (2) When the number of developing units is two and they are mounted at positions symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis, the rotation speed n1
2; (3) When none of the above (1) and (2), the rotational speed n3 is selected. In addition, between these rotational speeds, n1> n2
There is a relationship of> n3. That is, the rotation speed of the rotary developing unit 3 is the highest in the case of (1), and the lowest in (2) and (3).

The rotation speed of the rotary developing section 3 is changed according to the mounting state of each developing unit on the unit holding section 3b for the following reason.
That is, a high output motor is required to rotationally drive the rotary developing unit 3 in which some developing units are not mounted and whose symmetry with respect to the rotating shaft 3a is remarkably broken, and such a rotation is required. When driven, the reaction may cause abnormal vibration of the device. Therefore, when the asymmetry as described above occurs, the rotary developing unit 3
By rotating the motor at a speed lower than usual, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of such vibration and to drive the motor with a small output motor.

At the stage of step S1 at which the mounting sequence is started, the developing unit is not mounted on the supporting frame 3b, and therefore the above condition (1) is satisfied. Therefore, at this time, the rotation speed is set to the highest speed n1. .

Next, the pulse motor is driven to rotationally move the rotary developing section 3 at the rotational speed n1.
It is positioned at the K developing unit attachment / detachment position shown in (c) (step S22). Thus, when the rotary developing unit 3 is positioned at the K developing unit attaching / detaching position shown in FIG. 3C, the K developing unit 3K can be mounted for the first time. However, the developing unit 3 other than the K developing unit 3K
The mounting of C, 3M, and 3Y is restricted by the side plate 32. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user or the like from accidentally mounting the developing unit other than the K developing unit.

Then, in step S23, the user waits for the K developing unit 3K to be attached to the support frame 3b through the attachment / detachment port 321. Here, whether or not the user has carried out the mounting work of the unit can be determined by whether or not the front cover is opened and closed. That is, the apparatus main body 6 may be provided with an opening / closing sensor (not shown) such as a limit switch, and when the opening / closing sensor detects that the user has closed the front cover, it may be determined that the replacement work is completed. At this time, the user may close the front cover without mounting the developing unit, if necessary.

In this way, when it is detected that the front cover is closed, the rotation speed is set to n3 (step S24). Here, the rotation speed is set to the lowest speed n3, although the mounting state of the developing unit may have changed due to the opening and closing of the front cover.
This is because it cannot be determined at this point how the wearing state has changed. Next, the rotary developing section 3 is rotationally driven at the rotational speed n3 to position the K developing unit 3K at the connector connecting position (step S25). As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, the connector 33K of the K developing unit 3K becomes the common connector 3 for the developing unit on the apparatus main body 6 side.
Face 4

At the next step S26, the connector 34 is moved to the rotary developing section 3 side and fitted with the connector 33K, and the EEPROM mounted on the K developing unit 3K.
75 is electrically connected to the engine controller 1 of the apparatus main body 6 via both connectors 33K and 34, and EEPRO
Read / write data from / to M75. As a result, the data regarding the K developing unit 3K is updated and stored. Further, the data read from the EEPROM 75 is stored in the EEPROM 1 inside the engine controller 1.
CPU1 by collating with the data stored in
No. 1 can confirm whether or not the K developing unit 3K is correctly attached to the predetermined position of the support frame 3b.

Subsequently, the data concerning the K developing unit 3K is written in the EEPROM 14 provided in the engine controller 1 (step S27). Here, when the K developing unit 3K is not attached or when a developing unit of a toner color other than black is attached and the front cover is closed, data indicating that is written in the EEPROM 14.

When the K developing unit 3K mounting routine is completed in this way, the routine proceeds to step S2 in FIG. If the K developing unit 3K is not attached (nothing is attached or a developing unit of another toner color is attached), the process returns to step S1 and the K developing unit 3K
Wait for the correct installation.

On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the K developing unit 3K is attached, thereafter, the monochrome printing mode based on the print command from the external device can be executed. This monochromatic printing mode will be described later in detail.

When the K developing unit 3K is thus mounted, the M developing unit 3M is subsequently mounted (step S4). Here, the M developing unit 3M is mounted next to the K developing unit 3K because the K developing unit 3K and the M developing unit 3M are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the rotary shaft 3a of the rotary developing unit 3. Therefore (see FIG. 1), by doing so, the asymmetry seen from the rotary shaft 3a in the state where these two developing units 3K and 3M are mounted is reduced, and the load on the pulse motor that drives the rotary developing section 3 is reduced. Because you can do it.

In step S4, similarly to the mounting of the K developing unit 3K, the x developing unit mounting routine shown in FIG. 5 (here, read as x = M) is executed again to mount the M developing unit 3M. I do. In this case, the K developing unit 3K is already attached to the rotary developing section 3 (corresponding to (3) described above). Therefore, in step S21, the rotation speed n is set to the lowest speed n3, and the rotary developing unit 3 is moved to the M developing unit attachment / detachment position at the rotation speed n3.

When the mounting of the M developing unit 3M is completed in this way, similarly, the Y developing unit 3Y (step S6) and the C developing unit 3C (step S8) are sequentially mounted in the same manner. Part 3
The rotation speed n is set appropriately according to the mounting state of each developing unit at that time.

When the mounting of each developing unit is completed, in step S9, which of the above (1) to (3) the mounting state of the developing unit at that time based on the data stored in the EEPROM 14 corresponds to. Accordingly, the rotation speed n of the rotary developing unit 3 in the subsequent operation is set. For example, when only the K developing unit 3K is mounted, this corresponds to the above (3), so the rotation speed is set to n3. When the K developing unit 3K and the M developing unit 3M are mounted symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis, this corresponds to (2), so the rotation speed is set to n2. Further, when all the developing units are mounted, this corresponds to (1), so the rotation speed is n1.

Finally, the rotary motor 3 is rotated by moving the rotary motor 3 by driving the pulse motor.
The apparatus is positioned at the HP position shown in (a) and enters a standby state (step S10), and waits for an image signal from an external device such as a host computer to execute a normal image forming operation.

If the user does not need to mount the remaining developing units at the time when the mounting of the respective developing units is completed, the user can omit the subsequent mounting work and end the mounting sequence. That is, when the end of the mounting sequence is instructed by the user operation (steps S3, S5, S7), the CPU 11 does not perform the subsequent developing unit mounting routine and immediately starts the above step S3.
9 and S10 are executed to end the mounting sequence.

As described above, when the mounting of each developing unit is completed, the rotational speed n of the rotary developing section 3 is set according to the mounted state. The rotational speed n set here is set.
Is also applied in the subsequent operations. When the user takes out and replaces the developing unit, a new rotation speed is set based on the mounting state.

As described above, in the developing unit mounting sequence of this image forming apparatus, the K developing unit 3K containing the toner for monochromatic printing is changed to the developing units 3Y and 3 for other colors.
It is configured to be attached prior to M and 3C. Moreover, as will be described later, in the monochromatic printing sequence of this image forming apparatus, the K developing unit 3K has the unit holding portion 3b.
In the above mounting sequence, the single color printing mode can be executed without waiting for the mounting of other developing units since the mounting of the K developing unit 3K is completed in the above mounting sequence. ing. Then, for example, without mounting another developing unit, the K developing unit 3
This is a highly convenient device that can be used according to the usage situation of the user, such as being used as an image forming device for monochromatic printing with only K attached.

The rotation angle of the rotary developing section 3 is determined by the number of drive pulses for driving the pulse motor,
On the other hand, the rotation speed is determined by the repetition period of the drive pulse. Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, when the drive pulse having the number of pulses corresponding to the predetermined rotation angle is generated to rotationally drive the rotary developing section 3, the cycle of the drive pulse is changed depending on the mounting state of each developing unit. so,
The variable speed drive as described above is realized.

3. Monochromatic print mode Image forming operation when an external device (here, a host computer) supplies a monochromatic image signal to an image forming apparatus in a standby state after mounting of each developing unit, that is, a monochromatic print mode , Will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a single color printing sequence in this image forming apparatus. In this image forming apparatus, the four color developing units 3Y, 3M, 3
The color print mode is permitted only when all C and 3K are mounted, and the operation when a color image signal is given in this state is the operation of the conventional color image forming apparatus in which all the developing units are mounted. The description is omitted here.

In this image forming apparatus, when an image signal corresponding to monochrome printing is given from the host computer,
The CPU 11 executes steps S31 to S37 shown in FIG.
Execute the monochrome printing sequence.

First, in step S31, from the data stored in the EEPROM 14 of the engine controller 1,
It is determined whether the K developing unit 3K is properly mounted. Then, if the K developing unit 3K is not attached, the monochromatic printing sequence is ended as it is.

On the other hand, when the K developing unit 3K is installed, the fixing unit 5 is used to perform the monochrome printing operation.
The heater built in is energized to start warming up (step S32). Then, after waiting for the heater to reach a predetermined temperature (step S33), the pulse motor rotationally drives the rotary developing section 3 to position the K developing unit 3K at the developing position facing the photoconductor 21 (step). S34). Then, based on an image signal sent from the host computer, a toner image for one page is formed and transferred to the sheet S (step S35). Further, if there is an image signal for the next page or later, the process returns to S35 to execute printing again, and the above printing operation is repeated until printing of all pages is completed (step S36). When the printing is completed in this way, the rotary developing unit 3 is again rotated and moved to H
It returns to the P position and enters the standby state (step S37).

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, if the K developing unit 3K of the four developing units is mounted, the black color is used regardless of the mounting state of the developing units of other toner colors. Single color printing is possible. Therefore, in the above-described developing unit mounting sequence, this apparatus can be used as a single color printing apparatus from the time when the mounting of the K developing unit 3K is confirmed in step S2 shown in FIG.

4. Developing Unit Removal Method This image forming apparatus is one embodiment of the developing unit removal method of the present invention, for the convenience of the user when removing the developing unit, and for maintaining the function as a monochromatic printing device as long as possible. Equipped with a unit removal sequence. Based on this take-out sequence, the developing unit 3Y mounted on the support frame 3b,
A method of sequentially extracting all of 3M, 3C, and 3K will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are flowcharts showing a developing unit takeout sequence and a procedure for taking out each developing unit in the image forming apparatus, respectively.

In this image forming apparatus, when the developing unit removal is instructed by a user operation or the like, the CPU 11
Executes the developing unit removal sequence consisting of steps S41 to S57 shown in FIG. In this developing unit take-out sequence, the other developing units 3Y, 3M, 3C are taken out prior to taking out the K developing unit 3K containing the toner for single-color printing. The developing units 3Y, 3M, and 3C for other toner colors can be used as a single-color printing device even if some or all of them are removed.

First, the developing units 3Y, 3M, 3C,
The data relating to the usage status of each unit stored in the EEPROMs 72 to 75 provided in 3K is updated. Specifically, as shown in steps S41 to S48 of FIG. 7, the rotary developing unit 3 is rotationally driven to position the developing units 3K, 3C, 3M, and 3Y at the connector connection position in this order, and the apparatus is used each time. The connector 34 provided on the main body 6 and the connectors 33K and 3K attached to each unit
3C, 33M and 33Y are connected to transfer data.
As a result, the data regarding each developing unit is updated and stored. Since the order of updating the data is not restricted by the order of taking out, which will be described later, here, by adopting the above order along the rotation direction of the rotary developing unit 3,
The processing time is shortened by setting the moving distance of the rotary developing unit 3 to the shortest.

After updating the data in this way, next C
The developing unit is taken out (step S49). Specifically, x in steps S61 to S66 shown in FIG.
Execute a developing unit removal routine (x = C,
Y, M, K; can be read as x = C here).

First, in step S61, the rotation speed n of the rotary developing section 3 is set according to the mounting state of each developing unit. Here, since all the developing units are mounted, the rotation speed is set to n1. After that, the rotary developing section 3 rotates at the rotation speed n1, and the C developing unit 3C is positioned at the attachment / detachment position (see FIG. 3C) (step S62).

Then, in step S63, the user waits for the C developing unit 3C to be taken out from the support frame 3b through the attachment / detachment port 321. even here,
Whether or not the user has taken out is detected by detecting the opening / closing of the front cover. Then, the user may close the front cover with the developing unit attached, if necessary.

In this way, when it is detected that the front cover is closed, the rotation speed is set to n3 (step S64). Next, the rotary developing unit 3 is rotated at the rotation speed n3.
Is rotated to position at the C developing unit connector connecting position (that is, the K developing unit developing position) (step S65). The connector 34 is connected to the rotary developing unit 3
Move to the side. At this time, in step S63 described above, C
The developing unit 3C is not taken out, and the unit holding portion 3b
If it is still attached to the connector 34, the connector 34 is fitted with the connector 33C to read the data stored in the EEPROM 74. However, if the C developing unit 3C is already removed, this data can be read. Absent.
If another developing unit is attached after the C developing unit 3C is taken out, data different from the data read / written in step S41 will be read. From this, the CPU 11 sends the data read via the connector 34 to the EEPROM 1
By comparing with the data stored in No. 4, it is determined whether or not the user has removed the C developing unit 3C (step S66).

When the work for taking out the C developing unit 3C is completed in this manner, the Y developing unit 3 is similarly processed.
The Y, M developing unit 3M and K developing unit 3K are taken out in order (steps S51 to S55). Here, if it is confirmed that the K developing unit 3K is taken out, as described above, execution of the single color printing mode is prohibited thereafter. The color printing mode is prohibited from being executed when any one of the four developing units is removed.

When the removal of each developing unit is completed, the rotational speed of the rotary developing unit 3 is set according to the mounting state of the developing unit on the support frame 3b at that time (step S56), and then the rotary developing unit 3 is set to HP. The rotation sequence is moved to the position and the take-out sequence is ended (step S57).

As in the mounting sequence described above,
When the user does not need to take out the remaining developing units at the time when the taking-out of each developing unit is completed, the user can omit the subsequent taking-out work and end the taking-out sequence. That is, when the end of the take-out sequence is instructed by the user operation (steps S50, S52, S54), the CPU 11 does not perform the subsequent developing-unit take-out routine, but immediately executes the above-mentioned steps S56 and S57 to set the take-out sequence. finish.

As described above, in the developing unit removal sequence of this image forming apparatus, the engine controller 1
However, since the rotary developing section 3 is rotationally positioned to take out the developing units 3C, 3Y, 3M, and 3K in this order, the user does not need to be aware of the taking-out order, and the developing unit positioned at the attachment / detachment position is not necessary. All you have to do is take them out sequentially. Further, as described above, if the K developing unit 3K is attached, the monochrome printing operation based on the print request from the external device is permitted, and the K developing unit 3K is taken out from the other developing units. Since it is configured to be performed later, even while the other developing units are being taken out or after these developing units are removed, it is possible to perform monochrome printing in black until the K developing unit 3K is removed. ing.

5. Others The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Various changes other than those described above can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the four developing units 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K are used.
1 are mounted in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, but the arrangement of the developing units is not limited to this and may be another arrangement.

In the above embodiment, the rotary speed of the rotary developing section 3 is set to n depending on the mounting state of each developing unit.
Although it is changed in three stages of 1, n2, and n3, the combination of the rotation speeds may be other than this, and for example, rotation is performed when the number of attachments to the rotary developing section 3 is 0 and when it is 4. The speeds may be different, or may be different between one and three. Further, it may be changed in two stages of high speed and low speed depending on the case of 0 or 4 cases and other cases.

Further, in the above embodiment, four developing units are mounted on the support frame 3b, but the number of developing units is not limited to "4", and two or more developing units are provided. The present invention can be applied to all mounted devices.

In the above embodiment, the developing units 3Y, 3M, 3C and 3K are detachable in the axial direction of the rotary developing section 3, but the developing units are detachable in the radial direction of the rotary developing section 3. The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

Further, in the developing unit mounting sequence and the removing sequence in the above-described embodiment, the user mounts and removes the respective developing units in a predetermined order. The forming device may be further provided with a display means or a voice notifying means, and the notifying means may notify the user of work to be performed by the user according to the progress of the sequence. By doing so, the mounting / removing work becomes easier and more reliable, and the device can be made user-friendly.

In the image forming apparatus of the above embodiment,
It is possible to form a full-color image using four color full-color image toners and a single-color image using only the black color of these toners, but as an apparatus capable of forming a single-color image using other toner colors. Alternatively, multi-color (two-color or three-color) color printing using toner of two or three colors out of four colors may be performed. And
The present invention is applied to such an apparatus, and the developing unit corresponding to the toner color for the single color or multicolor printing is attached to the other developing unit with priority, or after the other developing unit is taken out. By taking out and allowing the printing operation when the developing unit corresponding to the toner color for single color or multicolor printing is attached,
The effect of the present invention can be obtained.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the color image signal is input in a state where only the single color printing is possible (that is, any developing unit other than the K developing unit 3K is not mounted), the printing is prohibited. However, at this time, for example, a color image signal may be converted into a black and white image signal as necessary, and monochromatic printing in black color may be executed.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the above embodiment is a printer for printing an image provided from an external device such as a host computer on a sheet such as copy paper, transfer paper, paper and OHP transparent sheet. The present invention can be applied to all electrophotographic image forming apparatuses including copiers and facsimile machines.

[0089]

As described above, according to the developing unit mounting method of the present invention, the N developing units necessary for executing the N color printing mode are mounted with priority over the other developing units. The N-color printing mode can be executed when the mounting of the N developing units is completed. Therefore, the use of the image forming apparatus as the N-color printing apparatus can be started without waiting for the mounting of another developing unit. Further, for example, it is possible to use the apparatus by interrupting the subsequent mounting work and using the apparatus without mounting another developing unit.

Further, in the developing unit takeout method of the present invention, the N developing units for executing the N color printing mode are left in the unit holding portion, and the other developing units are taken out preferentially. It is possible to continue to use the image forming apparatus as an N-color printing apparatus until just before the start of taking out the N developing units even during the work of taking out these developing units or after taking them all out. Become.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is configured to permit the execution of the N-color printing mode when N developing units corresponding to the toner colors for N-color printing are attached to the unit holding portion. Therefore, the apparatus can be used as an N-color printing apparatus without mounting the developing units other than the above N units.

By applying the developing unit mounting method and the developing unit removing method in such an apparatus, the N developing units are taken out from the time when the N developing units are completely mounted. Up to that point, the time available for use as an N-color printing device can be maximized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an engine controller of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an operation of a rotary developing section.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a developing unit mounting sequence of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for mounting a developing unit.

6 is a flowchart showing a monochrome printing sequence in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a developing unit removal sequence of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for taking out the developing unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Engine controller (control means) 3 ... Rotary developing part 3b ... Support frame (unit holding part) 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K ... Developing units 33Y, 33M, 33C, 33K ... (Unit side) Connector 34 ... For developing part Common connector

Continued front page    F term (reference) 2H030 AA07 AD07 AD16 BB24 BB33                       BB63                 2H071 BA03 BA13 BA16 BA29 DA08                       EA18                 2H077 BA08 BA09 BA10 DA05 DA42                       DB18 GA04 GA13

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. M (M ≧ 2) developing units containing toner can be attached to a unit holding portion, and N (M> N ≧) of the developing units attached to the unit holding portion. In the image forming apparatus capable of executing the N-color print mode in which printing is performed using the developing unit of 1), the positioning for positioning the unit holding portion for mounting one developing unit of the M developing units Developing unit for sequentially mounting the M developing units in the unit holding section by alternately performing the step and the mounting step of mounting the one developing unit in the unit holding section after the positioning step. Mounting the N developing units to the unit holder, prior to mounting the remaining developing units to the unit holder. Wherein the mounting method of the developing unit in the image forming apparatus. 2. An N-color color print mode in which the image forming apparatus executes N-color color printing by using N (M> N ≧ 2) developing units of different toner colors, and the N-color print mode.
When it is possible to execute a monochromatic printing mode in which monochromatic printing is performed using one of the developing units for one of the monochromatic printing toner colors, it is possible to execute the monochromatic printing among the N developing units. The method for mounting a developing unit in an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting of the developing unit to the unit holding portion is given the highest priority. 3. M (M ≧ 2) developing units containing toner can be attached to and detached from a unit holding portion, and N (M> N ≧) of the developing units attached to the unit holding portion. In the image forming apparatus capable of executing the N-color print mode in which printing is performed using the developing unit of 1), the unit holding unit for removing one of the M developing units from the unit holding unit. And a taking-out step of taking out the one developing unit from the unit holding section are alternately carried out to take out the M developing units in order from the unit holding section. In the method for taking out the developing unit, the developing units other than the N developing units among the M developing units mounted on the unit holding portion. The removal from the unit retaining portion, the the N feature to be carried out preferentially with respect to removal from the unit holding portion of the developing unit, taking out the method of the developing unit in the image forming apparatus. 4. M (M ≧ 2) developing units containing toner, a unit holder configured to mount the M developing units, and a developing unit attached to the unit holding unit. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that executes an N-color printing mode in which N (M> N ≧ 1) developing units are used to perform printing, wherein the control unit controls the N developing units. A mounting sequence in which the mounting of the remaining developing units is prioritized over the mounting of the remaining developing units to the unit holding unit is executed, and the mounting of the N developing units to the unit holding unit is completed. An image forming apparatus, wherein execution of the N-color printing mode is permitted from a point of time. 5. N different toner colors (M> N ≧)
2) N-color color printing mode in which N-color printing is performed using the developing unit, and monochromatic printing in which monochromatic printing is performed by using one developing unit of a toner color for monochromatic printing of the N developing units The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to execute the N mode in the mounting sequence.
Of the individual developing units, the mounting of the developing unit for monochromatic printing to the unit holding unit is performed with the highest priority, and the monochromatic printing is performed from the time when the mounting of the developing unit for monochromatic printing to the unit holding unit is completed. An image forming apparatus that permits execution of a mode. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the toner color for monochromatic printing is black. 7. M (M ≧ 2) developing units containing toner, a unit holder configured such that the M developing units are detachable, and a developing unit attached to the unit holding unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that executes an N-color print mode in which N (M> N ≧ 1) developing units are used to perform printing, wherein the control unit is attached to the unit holding unit. In addition, a taking-out sequence is performed in which taking-out of the developing units other than the N developing units out of the M developing units from the unit holding unit is prioritized over taking-out of the N developing units from the unit holding unit. The image is characterized by being executed and permitting execution of the N-color printing mode until the removal of the N developing units from the unit holding unit is started. Forming apparatus.