JP2003228212A - Exchange part for image forming apparatus and image forming apparatus using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low cost and high precision exchange part identifying means which can detect and eliminate an unauthorized use of an exchange part for storing consumables and an image forming apparatus adopting the means. <P>SOLUTION: The exchange part for the image forming apparatus 1 for receiving consumables consumed by image formation is provided with a storing opening 3 to store the consumables. An identifying shape part 2 having a specifically identifying shape is fixed in a position sealing the receiving opening 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a printer,
The present invention relates to a replacement part used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and an inkjet recording device, and particularly to a replacement part identification technique for determining whether or not a proper replacement part is used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, when a counterfeit product other than a genuine product is used as a consumable product such as a toner and a replacement part such as a toner cartridge containing the toner, not only proper performance is not obtained but also an image forming apparatus There is a problem that causes a serious accident such as a failure. As such a consumables mounting management means, there is a proposal described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-167287.

This is to attach a recognition label to a toner cartridge or an ink cartridge containing a consumable product of toner or ink used in a copying machine, a printer, etc., and optically read the information printed on it with a reading sensor. An identification device is used to compare data with pre-registered data to determine whether it is genuine or not.

[0004]

However, the identification by the recognition label is such that when the label is dirty or the like, it is determined that the replacement part is a genuine product even though it is a genuine product, and the image forming apparatus cannot be used. There is a great deal of trouble to the user.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, to detect and eliminate improper use of imitation replacement parts, and to replace the replacement parts for an image forming apparatus with high accuracy at low cost and image formation using the replacement parts. To provide a device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the first means of the present invention is to store a consumable item such as toner, which is consumed with image formation, and to store the consumable item. In a replacement part for an image forming apparatus such as a cartridge type developing device having a storage opening, an identification shape portion having a unique identification shape is fixed to a position closing the storage opening by, for example, bonding or fusing. To do.

A second means of the present invention stores a consumable item that is consumed by image formation, and a replacement part having a storage port for storing the consumable part, and the replacement part that is replaceably mounted. In the image forming apparatus including a mounting part, the replacement part is fixed with an identification shape part having a unique identification shape at a position closing the storage port, and the mounting part reads the unique identification shape of the replacement part, for example, a plurality of parts. It is characterized in that it has a shape reading means composed of a convex portion and the like, and has a judging means for permitting the image forming operation only when the unique identification shape read by the shape reading means is a predetermined predetermined shape. It is a thing.

A third means of the present invention stores a consumable item that is consumed by image formation, and a replacement part having a storage port for storing the consumable part, and the replacement part that is replaceably mounted. In the image forming apparatus having a mounting portion, the replacement part has an identification shape part having a unique identification shape fixed to a position closing the storage port, and the mounting part reads the unique identification shape of the replacement part. And the replacement part can be mounted on the mounting part only when the unique identification shape read by the shape reading means is a predetermined shape.

A fourth means of the present invention is to store toner,
Each color has a toner replacement part such as a cartridge-type developing device or a toner bottle having a storage port for storing the toner, and the toner replacement parts of each color are individually and replaceably mounted in a plurality of colors. In the image forming apparatus including the mounting portion, the toner replacement component has an identification shape portion having a unique identification shape that is different for each color fixed to a position that closes the storage port, and the mounting portion for each color replaces the toner replacement portion. Judgment to allow the image forming operation only when each of the unique reading shapes for reading the unique identifying shape of the part is provided, and all the unique identifying shapes read by the respective shape reading means are predetermined respective predetermined shapes. It is characterized by having means.

A fifth means of the present invention stores toner,
An image forming apparatus having a plurality of toner replacement parts each having a storage port for storing the toner for each color, and a plurality of mounting parts for each color for individually mounting the toner replacement parts of the respective colors , The toner replacement part has an identification shape part having a unique identification shape different for each color fixed to a position that closes the storage port, and the mounting part for each color reads the unique identification shape of the toner replacement part It is characterized in that each of the toner replacement parts can be mounted on the mounting portion of that color only when the unique identification shape read by the shape reading means has a predetermined shape.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electrophotographic apparatus including a fixing device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device thereof, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the developing device.

The electrophotographic apparatus includes a photosensitive belt 102.
On the right side of the drawing (latent image holding means) in the drawing, developing devices 1Y (yellow) and 1M that store toners of four different colors, respectively.
(Magenta), 1C (cyan), and 1K (black) are arranged at predetermined positions. An exposure device 104 for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive belt 102 is provided below the developing device 1C, a charging device 105 is provided below the photosensitive belt 102, and recording of paper or the like is performed below the exposure device 104. A paper feed cassette 106 on which media 106a are stacked is arranged.
The intermediate transfer drum 107 is provided on the left side of the photosensitive belt 102 in the figure.
(Intermediate transfer member) is arranged, and the fixing device 101 is provided above it.
Is provided.

Next, the operation of this electrophotographic apparatus will be described. The photosensitive belt 102 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 102a, and the photosensitive layer on the surface thereof is uniformly charged by the charging device 105. Next, based on an image and character information from a personal computer or an image scanner, exposure is performed in dot units by the exposure device 104, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive belt 102. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive belt 102 is developed with toner attached by any of the developing devices 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. The toner image formed on the photosensitive belt 102 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer drum 107 that rotates in the direction of the arrow 107a.

Such a cycle is carried out by the developing devices 1Y, 1
By sequentially performing M, 1C, and 1K, a color toner image in which toners of respective colors are superimposed is formed on the transfer drum 107.
Formed on. In accordance with this, the recording medium 106a such as paper or OHP is sent from the paper feeding cassette 106, so that the toner images are collectively transferred onto the recording medium 106a. When the recording medium 106a on which the toner image is transferred passes through the fixing device 101, the toner is melted by heat and pressure,
It is pressure-bonded and fixed on the recording medium 106a, and is discharged onto the upper portion of the electrophotographic apparatus.

Next, the developing device 1 which is one of the replacement parts of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the developing device 1, in which a toner storage port 3 is formed on the side surface of the developing device 1 which is a cartridge type. After the toner of a predetermined color is stored in the toner storage port 3, the plate-shaped identification shape portion 2 is fixed so as to close the toner storage port 3. The stored toner enters the toner chamber 4, and the toner is conveyed leftward in the drawing by the toner feeding blade 5 during printing. The toner that has reached the left end of the toner chamber 4 is supplied by the toner supply roller 6 in a fixed amount, and is formed into a thin film on the developing roller 7. The toner formed as a thin film on the developing roller 7 is the photosensitive belt 10
The electrostatic latent image formed on 2 is developed and conveyed in the direction of 102a.

Next, the identification shape portion 2 will be described. Figure 3
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part showing an example of an identification shape part 2. After the toner is stored in the developing device 1 as described above, the identification shape portion 2 having a closed area larger than the toner storage opening 3 is fixed to the place where the toner storage opening 3 is closed. The fixing method may be adhesion, fusion, or the like, but it is necessary to fix the toner so that the toner does not spill from the fixing portion, there is no gap, and the toner does not easily come off. On the identification shape portion 2, a plurality of protrusions 8 (8a to 8c) having a rectangular side surface are provided at front, rear, left and right intervals. This protrusion 8 (8a-8
The unique identification shape of the developing device 1 is configured by the shape, the number, the arrangement state, etc. of c).

Next, the mounting portion having the shape reading means will be described with reference to FIG. The mounting portions are provided at the mounting positions of the developing devices 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K of the image forming apparatus main body. As shown in the figure, the shape reading means includes guide rails 9a and 9b provided in the upper and lower portions and extending in the inserting / removing direction of the developing device 1, and the guide rails 9a and 9a.
It is composed of a plurality of convex portions 10 (10a to 10e) provided between 9b and corresponding to the identification shape portion 2.

5 to 7 are a perspective view and an enlarged side view of an essential part showing how the developing device 1 is mounted on the mounting part shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the developing device 1 is inserted into the device along the guide rails 9a and 9b in the direction of the arrow, the protrusion 8a at the forefront passes between the convex portion 10d and the convex portion 10e (see FIG. 5, see FIG. 6), the next protrusion 8b passes between the protrusion 10d and the guide rail 9a, the last protrusion 8c passes between the protrusion 10e and the guide rail 9b, and the protrusion 8b is the inner surface of the guide rail 9a. Although the projection 8c is guided by the inner surface of the guide rail 9b, the projection 8c is smoothly inserted without rattling.

Then, as shown in FIG.
0a, the projection 8b is on the convex portion 10b, and the projection 8c is on the convex portion 10b.
When the developing device 1 comes into contact with c, the mounting of the developing device 1 is completed and the developing device 1 is positioned. In this embodiment, the protrusion 8 (8a to 8c) thus matches the convex portion 10 (10a to 10e), that is, the developing device 1 is properly inserted up to a predetermined position, so that the shape reading unit performs The read unique identification shape is determined to be a predetermined shape. When the developing device 1 is pulled out from the image forming apparatus for replacement, it is pulled out by the operation completely opposite to the above-described mounting.

In this embodiment, the protrusion 8 of the identification shape portion 2
(8a to 8c) and the convex portion 10 (10a to 1) of the mounting portion.
0e), the arrangement state and the number of installations, etc. of the developing device 1 for each color
Different for Y, 1M, 1C and 1K.
Therefore, the projections 8 and the convex portions 10 also function as erroneous insertion prevention of the developing device 1, and for example, the developing device 1Y cannot be inserted into the mounting portion of the developing device 1M.

When the projection 8 is provided at a position other than the predetermined position, or when the identification shape portion 2 is provided at a position other than the predetermined position, it is blocked by the guide rail 9 and the convex portion 10 and the developing device 1 is provided. It can be seen that the developing device 1 cannot be mounted on the main body of the device and is an unauthorized developing device 1.

In the multicolor image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the unique identification shape portions 2 that are different for each color are fixed to the developing devices 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, and the shape reading means reads them in the mounting portion for each color. The developing device 1 is mounted on the mounting portion of that color only when the unique identification shape part 2 thus obtained has a predetermined shape, and all the unique identification shapes read by the shape reading means are previously set. The image forming operation is permitted only when each of the predetermined shapes is determined.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of an essential part for explaining the second embodiment. Similar to the above-described embodiment, the identification shape portion 2 is fixed to the place where the toner storage port 3 is closed, and the protrusion 8 having a predetermined height is provided at a predetermined position of the identification shape portion 2. On the other hand, a movable lever 11 is arranged at a position corresponding to the protrusion 8 on the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus.
The switch 12 is provided in the movable area of the.

When the developing device 1 is inserted into the developing device mounting portion along the arrow, the lever 11 is pushed by the protrusion 8 and the switch 12 is pushed accordingly. Switch 1
The signal generated by pressing 2 is sent to a judgment means (CPU) (not shown), and the judgment means permits the image forming operation. If the protrusion 8 is not in place,
Alternatively, when the projection 8 does not have a predetermined height, the lever 11 is not pushed in, and therefore the image forming operation by the judging means is not permitted.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a mounting portion provided with shape reading means for explaining the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, the lever 11 (11a) is provided between the guide rails 9a and 9b.
11c) and switches 12 (12a-12c) are provided side by side in plural pairs (3 pairs in this embodiment). Then, only when the lever 11 and the switch 12 arranged at the positions corresponding to the protrusions 8 are pushed in, and the other levers 11 and the switch 12 are not pushed in, the judging means permits the image forming operation. In this way, the reliability of shape reading is improved.

For example, the developing device 1Y is provided with one protrusion 8 for pushing only the lever 11a.
When the switch 12a is turned on by pushing 1a and the other switches 12b and 12c are turned off, the unique identification shape read by the shape reading means is a predetermined shape. The developing device 1M is provided with one protrusion 8 for pushing only the lever 11b. Therefore, if the switch 12b is turned on by pushing the lever 11b and the other switches 12a and 12c are turned off, it is read by the shape reading means. The unique identification shape is a predetermined shape determined in advance. Lever 11 for developing device 1C
One protrusion 8 for pushing in only c is provided. Therefore, if the switch 12c is turned on by pushing the lever 11c and the other switches 12a and 12b are turned off, the unique identification shape read by the shape reading means is The shape is a predetermined shape. The developing device 1K is provided with two protrusions 8 for pushing the lever 11a and the lever 11c. Therefore, if the switch 12a and the switch 12c are turned on and the other switch 12b is turned off by pushing the lever 11a and the lever 11c, the shape is set. The unique identification shape read by the reading means is a predetermined shape. When all of the on and off conditions of these switches 12a to 12c are satisfied, the image forming operation is permitted.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a mounting portion provided with shape reading means for explaining the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 11 is its shape reading circuit. The difference between the present embodiment shown in FIG. 10 and the mounting portion of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is that the pair of the lever 11a and the switch 12a is near the convex portion 10a,
A pair of the lever 11b and the switch 12b is provided in the vicinity of 0b, and a lever 11c and the switch 1 are provided in the vicinity of the convex portion 10c.
A pair of 2c is provided respectively. On the other hand, on the side surface of the developing device 1, as in FIG.
Protrusions 8a to 8c corresponding to a to 10c are provided.

When the developing device 1 is inserted into the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus, the switches 12a-12 are turned on by the protrusions 8a-8c.
c is all turned on, and the detection signal is the judgment means (CPU)
15 (see FIG. 11), whereby the determination means 15
Outputs the shape matching signal 16 to the control unit of the image forming apparatus (not shown). Therefore, in this embodiment, each of the protrusions 8a to 8c
As a result, all the switches 12a to 12c are turned on, so that the unique identification shape read by the shape reading means has a predetermined shape. With this structure, the reliability of shape reading is further improved.

The shape reading means is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and for example, the projection 8 is coated with a reflection paint or a reflection member is attached, and the reflected light is optically detected by using an image pickup device such as a CCD camera. You may. The image pattern read by the image sensor is sent to the determination means, and the image formation is permitted only when the image pattern is similar to the shape pattern registered in advance.

Further, a scanning type sensor such as a laser scanner is used, and the shape pattern read by the sensor is sent to the judging means, and image printing is permitted only when the shape pattern is similar to the shape pattern registered in advance.

In the above-described embodiment, the developing device of the electrophotographic apparatus has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the fixing oil bottle 108, the toner bottle of the fixing device 101, the ink cartridge of the ink jet recording apparatus, etc. It can also be applied to replacement parts of.

According to the present invention, only a legitimate manufacturer who owns the proper identification shape portion 2 and can fix the identification shape portion 2 at the proper place of the developing device 1 (replacement part) can perform cutting, cutting and the like. By removing the identification shape portion 2 from the developing device 1 (replacement part) by means, the consumables such as toner are stored again, and the predetermined identification shape portion 2 is attached again, so that the product can be reshipped as a recycled product.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the genuine replacement part is recognized by the identification shape portion having the unique shape, it is possible to prevent the use of the unauthorized replacement part, and thus it is possible to prevent unauthorized use. Accidents such as breakdown of the image forming apparatus due to the use of various replacement parts can be prevented.

Further, since only the manufacturer who owns the proper identification shape portion can reconstitute the consumable item in the replacement part, an accident such as a failure of the image forming apparatus due to an illegal reconstitution of the consumable item can occur. It has features such as prevention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electrophotographic apparatus using a developing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the developing device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the developing device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of a mounting portion including a shape recognition unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a main part perspective view showing a state in which the developing device is mounted on the mounting portion.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a state in which the developing device is being mounted on the mounting portion.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing a state in which a developing device is mounted on the mounting portion.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of an essential part for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a main part of a mounting portion including a shape recognition unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part of a mounting unit including a shape recognition unit according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the shape recognition circuit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Development device 2 Identification shape part 3 Toner storage port 4 Toner chamber 5 Toner feed blade 6 Toner supply roller 7 developing roller 8, 8a-8c protrusion 9, 9a, 9b Guide rail 10, 10a to 10e convex portion 11, 11a-11c lever 12, 12a-12c switch 15 Judgment means 16 Shape matching signal 101 fixing device 102 photosensitive belt 104 Optical device 105 charger 106 paper feed cassette 106a recording medium 107 Intermediate transfer drum 108 fixing oil bottle

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Tomoshi Yoshida             1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture             Ceremony Company Hitachi Ltd. Electric Appliance Division (72) Inventor Shoji Takeya             1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture             Ceremony Company Hitachi Ltd. Electric Appliance Division (72) Inventor Motoyuki Suzuki             1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture             Ceremony Company Hitachi Ltd. Electric Appliance Division F-term (reference) 2H027 DD05 DE02 DE04 DE07 DE10                       EJ01 HA02 HA12                 2H030 AA07 AD01 AD16 BB22                 2H071 BA03 BA13 BA23 BA32 BA37                       DA08 DA32 EA18

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A replacement part for an image forming apparatus, which stores a consumable item that is consumed by image formation and has a storage port for storing the consumable item, wherein a unique identification shape is provided at a position where the storage port is closed. A replacement part for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that the identification shape portion thereof is fixed. 2. An image forming apparatus comprising: a replacement part that stores a consumable item that is consumed by image formation, and a replacement part that has a storage opening for storing the consumable part; and a mounting part that replaceably mounts the replacement part. In the apparatus, the replacement part has an identification shape part having a unique identification shape fixed to a position that closes the storage port, and the mounting part has a shape reading unit for reading the unique identification shape of the replacement part. An image forming apparatus comprising: a determining unit that permits an image forming operation only when the unique identification shape read by the unit is a predetermined shape. 3. An image forming apparatus comprising: a replacement part that stores a consumable product that is consumed by image formation, and a replacement part having a storage opening for storing the consumable product; and a mounting portion that replaceably mounts the replacement part. In the apparatus, the replacement part has an identification shape part having a unique identification shape fixed to a position that closes the storage port, and the mounting part has a shape reading unit for reading the unique identification shape of the replacement part. An image forming apparatus, wherein the replacement part can be mounted on the mounting portion only when the unique identification shape read by the means is a predetermined shape. 4. A plurality of toner replacement parts for storing colors, each of which has a toner replacement part having a storage port for storing the toner, and which is individually replaceably mounted with the toner replacement part of each color. In the image forming apparatus having the mounting portion of the above, the toner replacement component has an identification shape portion having a unique identification shape that is different for each color fixed to a position that closes the storage port, and the mounting portion for each color is the toner replacement portion. Judgment to allow the image forming operation only when each of the unique reading shapes for reading the unique identifying shape of the part is provided, and all the unique identifying shapes read by the respective shape reading means are predetermined respective predetermined shapes. An image forming apparatus comprising means. 5. A plurality of toner replacement parts for storing colors, each of which has a toner replacement part having a storage port for storing the toner, and which is individually replaceably mounted with the toner replacement part of each color. In the image forming apparatus having the mounting portion of the above, the toner replacement component has an identification shape portion having a unique identification shape that is different for each color fixed to a position that closes the storage port, and the mounting portion for each color is the toner replacement portion. Each of the toner replacement parts has a shape reading means for reading the unique identification shape of the part, and the toner replacement part is attached to the mounting portion of that color only when the unique identification shape read by the shape reading means is a predetermined shape. An image forming apparatus that can be mounted. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shape reading unit includes a plurality of switches. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shape reading unit includes an image sensor. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shape reading unit is a scanning type sensor.