JP2003255771A - Image forming apparatus, method for forcedly consuming developer, and computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, etc., for realizing the reliable expul sion of deteriorated developer and the efficient consumption of developer by selectively controlling the forced consumption level of the developer by different printing modes. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprises a plurality of developing apparatuses containing the developer and a mobile object for selectively moving these developing apparatuses to a developing position opposing a photoreceptor. The image forming apparatus is provided with: a first image forming mode for consecutively forming images on a plurality of objects to be printed in a state where the developing apparatuses are positioned at the developing position by the mobile object; and a second image forming mode for forming a color image on an object to be printed in a state where a plurality of the developing apparatuses are properly positioned at the developing position by the mobile object. By sticking the developer contained in each developing apparatus to the non image forming area of the photoreceptor, the developer is properly and forcedly consumed. A method for forced consumption by the developing apparatus to be used for the first image forming mode is different from that to be used for the second image forming mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

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, a forced developer consumption method, and a computer system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of an image forming apparatus, a plurality of developing devices for developing a latent image formed on a photoconductor with a developer such as toner are provided, and these developing devices are radially arranged around a rotation axis. One that is arranged and rotated to selectively position with respect to the photoconductor (rotary developing device), and one that is arranged in parallel and slides to face the photoconductor (sliding developing device). Are known. When these image forming apparatuses receive an image signal from an external device such as a host computer, they rotate the developing device around the rotation axis for the rotary type developing device, and the parallel type for the slide type developing device. By sliding the developing device arranged at, one of the plurality of developing devices is positioned at the developing position facing the photoconductor.

Then, the latent image formed on the photoreceptor is developed to form a toner image, which is transferred onto the intermediate medium. At this time, while sequentially switching the plurality of developing devices, the development and transfer are similarly repeated to superimpose the plurality of toner images on the intermediate medium. The toner images superposed on the intermediate medium are collectively transferred to the printing medium, and a final color image is obtained after a predetermined heating / pressurizing process. On the other hand, in the case of performing continuous printing of a single color, while the developing device containing the developer of the single color is positioned at the developing position facing the photoconductor, the development and the transfer are executed to continuously print a plurality of printing materials. An image will be formed.

In the image forming apparatus as described above, various problems such as deterioration of the quality of the formed image may occur due to deterioration of the developer used in the developing apparatus. As an example of deterioration of the developer, for example, the developer remaining on the developing roller of the developing device after development is peeled off by a developer supply roller or the like, while the peeled developer is separated from the supply roller or Some of them are caused by staying near the developing roller and being conveyed again onto the developing roller. When the same developer is repeatedly peeled off the developing roller, re-conveyed and reused, the developer is continuously subjected to stress such as temperature rise and rubbing. When the ratio of the deteriorated developer increases in the developer, the image quality deteriorates due to poor charging of the developer, the developer scatters, image unevenness and insufficient density due to fluidity deterioration, filming and developer leakage due to increased stickiness, There is a fear of causing such phenomena.

Therefore, as a means for resolving this situation and recovering and maintaining appropriate image quality and the like, a method of forcibly consuming the deteriorated developer has been proposed. The procedure will be briefly described by taking a general method in a rotary type developing device as an example. FIG. 4 is a developed view showing an image of a toner image on the photosensitive member developed by the developing roller. For example, an image area 400 recorded on a print medium such as one A4 sheet and a space between the image area 400 (example: paper). Non-image area 4 existing in
It is composed of 10 and. In this case, the above-mentioned deteriorated developer staying near the developing roller is removed from the non-image area 4
10 is consumed as the refresh image 420, and the deteriorated developer near the developing roller is appropriately discharged.
Then, instead of the deteriorated developer discharged, the undeteriorated developer occupies the same position in the developing device,
The problems described above are resolved. Note that the refreshing image 420 formed on the photosensitive drum is not transferred to the intermediate medium by applying the bias of the reverse polarity when the image 401 in the image area 400 is transferred onto the intermediate medium. Etc. are eliminated.

By the way, the above-mentioned method for forcibly consuming the developer is not applied selectively in the case of color printing and the case of single-color printing, or the method of single-color printing is not applied. It is carried out focusing on printing only. Generally, in an image forming apparatus having both a color printing mode and a single color printing mode, various operation sequences such as positioning of the developing device are different between the color printing and the single color printing. Will also be different. Normally, in the color printing mode, since the developer in the developing device is easily agitated by the operation of moving a plurality of developing devices to selectively face the photoconductor, the deteriorated developer near the developing roller is Easy to mix with non-deteriorated developer, less likely to be affected by deteriorated developer. On the other hand, in the monochromatic printing mode, the monochromatic developing device is fixed at the developing position of the photoconductor while being fixed, so that the deteriorated developer near the developing roller naturally mixes with the non-deteriorated developer. Poor opportunity,
The deteriorated developer is likely to be affected.

However, under the present circumstances where the method of forced consumption is not selectively applied in the color printing mode and the monochromatic printing mode, the deterioration of the developer is not progressing in the developing device for color printing. However, there is a fear that more developer than necessary may be forcibly consumed according to the degree of deterioration of the developer in the developing device for monochromatic printing, and conversely, a predetermined forcible consumption may be necessary in the developing device for monochromatic printing. Nevertheless, there is a fear that proper removal of the deteriorated developer cannot be executed because only forced consumption is performed according to the degree of deterioration of the developer in the developing device for color printing. That is, in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of modes such as a color print mode and a single color print mode, excess and deficiency regarding forced consumption of the developer are likely to occur, and it is difficult to appropriately remove the deteriorated developer.

Therefore, there is a demand for a method capable of selectively controlling the compulsory consumption level of the developer in different modes such as color printing and monochromatic printing to realize reliable elimination of the deteriorated developer and efficient consumption of the developer. Be done.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to selectively control the compulsory consumption level of the developer in different printing modes and to deteriorate the deterioration. An object of the present invention is to realize an image forming apparatus, a forced developer consumption method, and a computer system for realizing reliable removal of the developer and efficient consumption of the developer.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the main invention is to provide a plurality of developing devices containing a developer and the developing devices at a developing position facing these photoconductors. A first image forming mode in which an image is continuously formed on a plurality of objects to be printed while the developing device is positioned at the developing position by the moving body. And a second image forming mode in which a plurality of the developing devices are appropriately positioned at the developing position by the moving body to form a color image on the printing medium, and the developer contained in each developing device is exposed to the light. In an image forming apparatus for appropriately forcibly consuming the developer by adhering to the non-image forming area of the body, the method for the forcible consumption of the developing apparatus used in the first image forming mode and the second image forming mode for And said forced consumption method of the developing device are different from each other to be.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS At least the following will be made clear by the description in the present specification and the accompanying drawings. A plurality of developing devices containing a developer, and a moving body for selectively moving the developing devices to a developing position provided with these developing devices and facing a photoconductor are provided. A first image forming mode in which images are continuously formed on a plurality of printing materials in a state of being positioned at the developing position, and a plurality of developing devices are appropriately positioned at the developing position by the moving body to perform printing. An image forming apparatus having a second image forming mode for forming a color image on the body, and forcibly consuming the developer by adhering the developer contained in each developing device to a non-image forming area of the photoconductor. In the image formation, the method of forced consumption of the developing device used in the first image forming mode is different from the method of forced consumption of the developing device used in the second image forming mode. Location. According to such an image forming apparatus, by differentiating the forced consumption method of the developer depending on different modes such as the first image forming mode and the second image forming mode, problems such as image quality deterioration and filming due to the deteriorated developer are caused. It can be suppressed.

Further, the developing device used in the first image forming mode may be a developing device containing a black developer. According to such an image forming apparatus, the present invention can be applied in a monochrome printing mode of black printing, and at that time, reliable removal of the deteriorated developer and efficient consumption of the developer can be realized.

Further, the moving body may be rotated to selectively move the developing device to the developing position. According to such an image forming apparatus, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus including a so-called rotary type developing device, and a first image forming mode in which the developer does not easily circulate and a second image forming mode in which the developer is not so great Thus, reliable removal of the deteriorated developer and efficient consumption of the developer can be selectively realized.

The developing device used in the second image forming mode contains a developing device containing a yellow developer, a developing device containing a magenta developer, and a cyan developer. It may be a developing device. According to such an image forming apparatus, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus provided with a developing device for each color of yellow, magenta, and cyan. The efficient consumption of can be realized.

Further, the developer may include a release agent. According to such an image forming apparatus, a developer such as a wax toner or a low-melting point toner is easily deteriorated on the developer carrying member in the first image forming mode and the second image forming mode, which is not so much, to ensure the deterioration of the developer. Large elimination and efficient consumption of the developer can be selectively realized.

Further, the plurality of developing devices may not have a stirring member for stirring the developer contained in the developing devices. According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to reliably remove the deteriorated developer and efficiently consume the developer in the first image forming mode in which the developer is not easily stirred and the second image forming mode in which the developer is not so much. It can be realized selectively.

The plurality of developing devices include a developer carrying member for carrying a developer, and a developer supplying member for contacting the developer carrying member and supplying the developer to the developer carrying member. May have. According to such an image forming apparatus, in a situation where the developer carrying member such as the developing roller and the developer supplying member such as the supplying roller come into contact with each other and the rubbing of the developer is likely to occur, the deterioration of the developer is more likely to occur. It is possible to selectively realize the reliable elimination of the deteriorated developer and the efficient consumption of the developer in the first image forming mode which is easy to proceed and the second image forming mode which is not so advanced.

Further, the developing device used in the first image forming mode is in contact with the lower side of the developer carrying member in a state of being located in the developing position for executing the first image forming mode. It is also possible to have a layer thickness regulating member that regulates the layer thickness of the developer. According to such an image forming apparatus, under the condition that the deteriorated developer removed from the developer carrying member or the like by the layer thickness regulating member is likely to fall around the layer thickness regulating member or the developer carrying body and stay therein, Reliable removal of the deteriorated developer and efficient consumption of the developer can be selectively realized by the first image forming mode in which the developer deterioration is more likely to proceed and the second image forming mode in which the developer deterioration is not so large.

Further, the rotation direction of the developer carrying member may be opposite to the rotation direction of the developer supply member. According to such an image forming apparatus, when the deteriorated developer on the developer carrying member is peeled off by the developer supplying member, it is likely to fall around the layer thickness regulating member and the developer carrying member and stay there. Under the circumstances, reliable elimination of the deteriorated developer and efficient consumption of the developer can be selectively realized by the first image forming mode in which the developer deterioration is more likely to proceed and the second image forming mode in which the developer deterioration is not so much.

Further, the amount of the developer attached to the non-image forming area of the photoconductor in the developing device used in the first image forming mode when the forced consumption is performed once is The amount of the developer attached to the non-image forming area of the photoconductor in the developing device used in the second image forming mode when the forced consumption is performed once may be larger than the amount. According to such an image forming apparatus, a large amount of the developer is forcibly consumed in the first image forming mode in which the deterioration of the developer is more likely to proceed, so that not only on the developer carrier, but also on the layer thickness regulating portion and the developer supply. It is also possible to discharge the deteriorated developer around the members and the like.

The forced consumption of the developing device used in the first image forming mode is executed at the interval of the forced consumption of the developing device used in the second image forming mode. It may be shorter than the interval. According to such an image forming apparatus, it becomes possible to quickly discharge the deteriorated developer, and it becomes easy to cope with a situation in which the deteriorated developer tends to stay.

Further, the method of forcibly consuming the developing device used in the first image forming mode may be determined according to the frequency with which the developing device is used in the first image forming mode. According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to selectively control the compulsory consumption level of the developer in different printing modes, that is, the first and second image forming modes, and suppress the excess and deficiency of the compulsorily consumed developer.

Further, it is assumed that the forced consumption of the developing device used in the first image forming mode is executed when the frequency ratio of the developing device used in the first image forming mode is a predetermined value or more. Good. According to such an image forming apparatus, the forced consumption level of the developer can be selectively and easily controlled in different printing modes of the first and second image forming modes, and the excess and deficiency of the forcibly consumed developer can be suppressed. .

Further, it has a consumption amount calculating means for calculating the consumption amount of the developer accommodated in the developing device used in the first image forming mode, and according to the calculation result by the consumption amount calculating means, The method of forced consumption of the developing device used in the first image forming mode may be determined. According to such an image forming apparatus, the forced consumption level of the developer can be controlled based on the reliable amount of developer consumed in the developer used in the first image forming mode, and the excess and deficiency of the forcedly consumed developer can be controlled. Suppress.

Further, the developing device used in the first image forming mode is used more frequently than the developing device used in the first image forming mode, and the consumption amount calculating means is used. When the developer consumption amount as the calculation result is small, the developer contained in the developing device is forcibly consumed in the largest amount and the developing device used in the first image forming mode is used with respect to the frequency. When the frequency used in the one image forming mode is low and the developer consumption amount calculated by the consumption amount calculating unit is large, the developer contained in the developing device may not be forcibly consumed. According to such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to accurately determine the compulsory consumption level of the developer according to the frequency (printing frequency) at which the developing device in the first image forming mode is used and the developer consumption amount of the developing device. It enables various controls. Therefore, for example, when the frequency of printing in the first image forming mode is low and the amount of developer consumption is large, the developing device does not operate continuously for a long time, and more printing is consumed in one development. The agent does not easily stay and is easily discharged, and it is possible to eliminate the necessity of forced consumption.

Further, there are provided a plurality of developing devices containing a developer and a moving body for selectively moving the developing devices to a developing position which is provided with these developing devices and faces the photoconductor. The first image forming mode in which the developing device is positioned at the developing position to continuously form images on a plurality of printing materials, and the plurality of developing devices are appropriately moved to the developing position by the moving body. A second image forming mode in which a color image is formed on a material to be printed by being positioned, and the developer contained in each developing device is adhered to the non-image forming area of the photoconductor to force the developer appropriately. In the consuming image forming apparatus, the forced consumption method of the developing device used in the first image forming mode is different from the forced consumption method of the developing device used in the second image forming mode. The developing device used in the 1-image forming mode is a developing device containing a black developer, and the movable body rotates to selectively move the developing device to the developing position, and the second developing device is used. The developing device used in the image forming mode is a developing device containing a yellow developer, a developing device containing a magenta developer,
And a developing device containing a cyan developer, wherein the developer has a release agent, and the plurality of developing devices are agitating for agitating the developer contained in the developing device. The plurality of developing devices, each of which has no member, includes a developer carrying member for carrying a developer, and a developing device for contacting the developer carrying member and supplying the developer to the developer carrying member. The developing device, which has a developer supply member and is used in the first image forming mode, is located at the developing position in order to execute the first image forming mode, and under the developer carrier. A layer thickness regulating member that is in contact with the side to regulate the layer thickness of the developer, and the rotation direction of the developer carrying member is opposite to the rotation direction of the developer supply member. Image forming apparatus.

According to such an image forming apparatus, the compulsory consumption level of the developer is selectively controlled in the different printing modes of the first image forming mode and the second image forming mode under the above-mentioned conditions of the image forming apparatus. This enables the reliable elimination of the deteriorated developer and the efficient consumption of the developer.

Further, there are provided a plurality of developing devices for accommodating the developer, and a moving body for selectively moving the developing devices to a developing position provided with these developing devices and facing the photoconductor. The first image forming mode in which the developing device is positioned at the developing position to continuously form images on a plurality of printing materials, and the plurality of developing devices are appropriately moved to the developing position by the moving body. A second image forming mode in which a color image is formed on a material to be printed by being positioned, and the developer contained in each developing device is adhered to the non-image forming area of the photoconductor to force the developer appropriately. In the forced developer consumption method in the image forming apparatus that consumes,
A method for forcibly consuming a developer, wherein the method for forcibly consuming the developing device used in the first image forming mode is different from the method for forcibly consuming the developing device used in the second image forming mode.

According to this developing device forced consumption method, the first
The forced consumption level of the developer can be selectively controlled in different printing modes such as the image forming mode and the second image forming mode, and reliable elimination of the deteriorated developer and efficient consumption of the developer are realized.

Further, a computer main body and an image forming apparatus connected to the computer main body, wherein a plurality of developing devices containing a developer and a developing position equipped with these developing devices and facing a photoconductor are provided. A first image having a moving body for selectively moving the apparatus, wherein images are continuously formed on a plurality of substrates to be printed in a state where the developing device is positioned at the developing position by the moving body. Formation mode,
A second image forming mode in which a plurality of the developing devices are appropriately positioned at the developing position by the moving body to form a color image on the printing medium, and the developer contained in each developing device is stored in the developing device. In a computer system provided with an image forming apparatus for appropriately forcibly consuming the developer by adhering to the non-image forming area, the method for forcibly consuming the developing apparatus used in the first image forming mode, and the second method. A computer system, which is different from the forcible consumption method of the developing device used in the image forming mode.

The computer system thus realized is superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

=== Outline of Image Forming Apparatus (Laser Beam Printer) === Next, referring to FIG. 1, an outline of the laser beam printer 10 will be described as an image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the main constituent elements of the laser beam printer 10. Note that, in FIG. 1, the arrow indicates the up-down direction. For example, the paper feed tray 92 is
The fixing device 90 is arranged below the laser beam printer 10, and the fixing device 90 is arranged above the laser beam printer 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the laser beam printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes a charging device 30, a charging device 30, and a photosensitive drum 20 which is a latent image carrier for carrying a latent image.
It has an exposure device 40 and a YMCK developing device 50.
Primary transfer device 60, intermediate transfer member 70, secondary transfer device 8
0 and the fixing device 90.

The photosensitive member 20 has a cylindrical conductive base material and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is rotatable around the central axis. In the present embodiment, the photosensitive member 20 shown in FIG. Rotate clockwise as shown by the arrow.

The charging device 30 is a device for charging the photoconductor 20, and the exposure device 40 is a device for forming a latent image on the charged photoconductor 20 by irradiating a laser. The exposure device 40 has a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and charges a modulated laser based on an image signal input from a host device (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. The exposed photoconductor 20 is irradiated. Further, the pixel counter 41 can count the number of pixels for each image based on the image signal. The number of pixels counted is
It is accumulated in an appropriate storage means such as a RAM and is grasped and used as the amount of developer consumed.

The YMCK developing unit 50 includes the photoconductor 20.
This is a device for developing the latent image formed on the surface using yellow (Y) toner, magenta (M) toner, cyan (C) toner, and black (K) toner.

The YMCK developing unit 50 includes a black developing device 52a containing black (K) toner and a magenta developing device 52 containing magenta (M) toner.
b, cyan developing device 52 containing cyan (C) toner
c and a yellow developing device 52d containing yellow (Y) toner. These four developing devices
The photoconductor 20 is configured to be rotatable about the central axis, and the photoconductor 20 makes a plurality of turns, and selectively opposes the photoconductor 20 each time image formation for one page is completed, and is housed in each developing device. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 is developed with the toner. The details of each developing device will be described later.

The primary transfer device 60 is a device for transferring the monochromatic toner image formed on the photosensitive member 20 to the intermediate transfer member 70. The intermediate transfer member 70 is an endless belt, and is rotationally driven at substantially the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive member 20.
The secondary transfer device 80 is a device for transferring the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member 70 to a recording medium such as paper, film, cloth or the like. The fixing device 90 is a device for fusing a full-color toner image transferred onto a recording medium to a medium such as paper to form a permanent image.

Next, the operation of the laser beam printer 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to other components. First, when an image signal from a host device (not shown) is input to the laser beam printer 10, the photoconductor 20, the developing roller as a toner carrier provided in each developing device, and the intermediate transfer body 70 rotate. . Photoconductor 2
0 is sequentially charged by the charging device 30 at the charging position while rotating.

The charged area of the photoconductor 20 is equal to that of the photoconductor 2.
With the rotation of 0, the exposure position is reached, and the exposure device 40 forms a latent image corresponding to the image information of the first color, for example, yellow Y, in the area. Further, the YMCK developing unit 50 positions the yellow developing device 52d containing the yellow (Y) toner at the developing position facing the photoconductor 20. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 is
Reaches the developing position with the rotation of the yellow developing device 52.
It is developed with yellow toner by d. This allows
A yellow toner image is formed on the photoconductor 20. The yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the primary transfer position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer device 60. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer device 60. During this time, the secondary transfer device 8
0 is separated from the intermediate transfer member 70. Further, the cleaning unit 75 including the cleaning blade 76 removes the residual toner that is no longer needed on the photoconductor 20.

By repeating the above processing for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, the toner images of four colors corresponding to the respective image signals are superimposed on the intermediate transfer member 70. Transcribed. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70.

The full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer member 70 rotates, and is transferred to the recording medium by the secondary transfer device 80. The recording medium is conveyed from the paper feed tray 92 to the secondary transfer device 80 via the paper feed roller 94 and the registration roller 96. When performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer device 8
0 is pressed by the intermediate transfer member 70 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied.

The full-color toner image transferred onto the recording medium is heated and pressed by the fixing device 90 and fused onto the recording medium. Information regarding such a series of operations is appropriately displayed on the display unit 95, and information is provided to the user of the laser beam printer 10.

The photoconductor 20 is unitized together with the charging device 30, and this unit is attachable to and detachable from the main body of the laser beam printer 10. Further, the black developing device 52a, the magenta developing device 52b, the cyan developing device 52c, and the yellow developing device 52d can be respectively attached to and detached from the main body of the laser beam printer 10.

=== Outline of Developing Device === Next, an outline of the developing device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the main components of the developing device. Note that, similarly to FIG. 1, in FIG. 2 as well, the up and down directions are indicated by arrows. For example, the central axis of the developing roller 510 is
It is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20. Further, in FIG. 1, the yellow developing device 52d is shown in a state of being located at the developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

The YMCK developing unit 50 includes a black developing device 52a containing black (K) toner, a magenta developing device 52b containing magenta (M) toner, and
A cyan developing device 52c containing cyan (C) toner,
Also, a yellow developing device 52d containing yellow (Y) toner is provided, but since the configuration of each developing device is the same, the yellow developing device 52d will be described below.

The yellow developing device 52d includes a developing roller 510 serving as a developer carrying member, a seal member 520, a toner containing portion 530, a frame 540, a toner supplying roller 550 serving as a toner supplying member, and a regulating blade 560 serving as a layer thickness regulating member. It has a blade back member 570 for urging the regulation blade.

Developing roller 510 as a toner carrier
Carries the toner T and conveys it to a developing position facing the photoconductor 20. The developing roller 510 is made of aluminum,
It is made of stainless steel, iron, etc., and is plated with nickel, chrome, etc., if necessary.
Further, the developing roller 510 can rotate about the central axis, and as shown in FIG. 2, in a direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2) opposite to the rotation direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 2) of the photoconductor 20. Rotate. The central axis is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when the yellow developing device 52d faces the photoconductor 20, there is a gap between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20. That is, the yellow developing device 52d develops the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 in a non-contact state. When developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20,
An alternating electric field is formed between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20.

The seal member 520 is the yellow developing device 5.
The toner T in 2d is prevented from leaking out of the device, and the toner T on the developing roller 510 which has passed the developing position is also prevented.
Are collected in the developing device without being scraped off. The seal member 520 is a seal made of polyethylene film or the like. The seal member 520 is a seal support metal plate 522.
Supported by the seal support sheet metal 522 and attached to the frame 540. Further, a seal urging member 524 made of maltoprene or the like is provided on the opposite side of the seal member 520 from the developing roller 510 side, and the seal member 520 is developed by the elastic force of the seal urging member 524. It is pressed against 510. The contact position where the seal member 520 contacts the developing roller 510 is above the central axis of the developing roller 510.

The toner storage portion 530 is a portion for storing the toner T, and is constituted by a part of the frame 540. The toner T stored in the toner storage portion 530
Although a stirring member may be provided to stir the developing device, in the present embodiment, each developing device (black developing device 52a, magenta developing device 52) is rotated with the rotation of the YMCK developing unit.
b, cyan developing device 52c, yellow developing device 52d)
Is rotated and the toner T in each developing device is agitated by this, so that the toner container 530 is not provided with an agitating member.

The toner supply roller 550 supplies the toner T contained in the toner container 530 to the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 is made of polyurethane foam or the like, and is elastically deformed in the developing roller 5
It is in contact with 10. The toner supply roller 550 is disposed below the toner storage unit 530, and the toner T stored in the toner storage unit 530 is the toner storage unit 530.
At the lower part of the developing roller 5 by the toner supply member 530.
Supplied to 10. The toner supply roller 550 is rotatable about a central axis, and the central axis is below the central axis of rotation of the developing roller 510. Further, the toner supply roller 550 rotates in the opposite direction (clockwise in FIG. 2) to the rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) of the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 is
The developing roller 510 has a function of supplying the toner T accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 530 to the developing roller 510, and the toner remaining on the developing roller 510 after development is removed by the developing roller 51.
It also has the function of stripping from 0.

Control blade 560 as a layer thickness control member
Regulates the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510, and imparts an electric charge to the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. This regulation blade 560 is provided with a rubber portion 5.
It has 60a and the rubber support part 560b. The rubber portion 560a is made of silicone rubber, urethane rubber, or the like,
The rubber support portion 560b is a thin plate having a spring property such as phosphor bronze and stainless steel. The rubber portion 560a is supported by the rubber supporting portion 560b, and the rubber supporting portion 560b is supported by the blade supporting sheet metal 562 with one end thereof sandwiched and supported by the pair of blade supporting sheet metal 562. Is attached to. Further, a blade backing member 570 made of malt plane or the like is provided on the opposite side of the regulation blade 560 from the developing roller 510 side.

Here, the rubber portion 560a is pressed against the developing roller 510 by the elastic force due to the bending of the rubber supporting portion 560b. Further, the blade back member 570 is
Toner is prevented from entering between the rubber supporting portion 560b and the frame 540, the elastic force due to the bending of the rubber supporting portion 560b is stabilized, and the rubber portion 560a is moved from the back of the rubber portion 560a toward the developing roller 510. By biasing the rubber portion 560a,
Is pressed against. Therefore, the blade back member 570
Improves the uniform contact of the rubber portion 560a with the developing roller 510.

The end of the regulating blade 560 opposite to the side supported by the blade supporting sheet metal 562, that is, the tip, is not in contact with the developing roller 510, and the portion apart from the tip by a predetermined distance. , Is in contact with the developing roller 510 with a certain width. That is, the regulation blade 560 is
The developing roller 510 is not in contact with the edge at the edge but is in contact with the abdomen. Further, the regulation blade 560 is arranged so that its tip end faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roller 510, and is in contact with what is called a counter.
The contact position where the regulation blade 560 contacts the developing roller 510 is below the central axis of the developing roller 510 and below the central axis of the toner supply roller 550.

The frame 540 is manufactured by joining a plurality of integrally molded frames (upper frame, lower frame, etc.) and has an opening at the bottom. The developing roller 510 is arranged in this opening with a part thereof exposed.

The yellow developing device 5 thus constructed
In 2d, the toner supply roller 550 supplies the toner T stored in the toner storage portion 530 to the developing roller 510. The toner T supplied to the developing roller 510 is
Along with the rotation of the developing roller 510, the regulation blade 560
When reaching the contact position and passing through the contact position, the layer thickness is regulated and an electric charge is applied. The toner T on the developing roller 510 whose layer thickness is regulated is
By further rotation of 0, it reaches a developing position facing the photoconductor 20 and is used for developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 under an alternating electric field at the developing position. Developing roller 510
The toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed the developing position due to the further rotation of
It is collected in the developing device without being scraped off by the seal member 520.

=== Outline of Control Unit === Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main controller 101 of the control unit 100 is connected to a host computer via an interface 112 and includes an image memory 113 for storing an image signal input from the host computer. The unit controller 102 includes each unit (charging unit 30, exposure unit 40,
The primary transfer unit 60, the cleaning unit 75, the secondary transfer unit 80, the fixing unit 90, the display unit 95) and the YMCK developing unit 50 are electrically connected to each unit by receiving signals from the sensors provided therein. While detecting the states of the YMCK developing unit 50 and the YMCK developing unit 50, each unit and the YMCK developing unit 50 are controlled based on the signal input from the main controller 101.

The CPU 120 provided in the unit controller 102 has a serial interface (I / I).
F) 121 is connected to a nonvolatile storage element (hereinafter, referred to as main body side memory) 122 such as a serial EEPROM. Further, the CPU 120 has a main body side memory 12
2 as well as the developing devices 52a, 52b, 52c, 5
2d is also connected via the serial interface 121, and data can be transferred between the main body side memory 122 and the developing device side memories 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d, and each development is performed via the input / output port 123. The chip select signal CS can be input to the device-side memories 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d. Further, the CPU 120 is also connected to the HP detection unit 31 via the input / output port 123.

=== Control Method for Forced Consumption of Developer (Monocolor Printing: First Image Forming Mode) === Next, a control method for forced consumption of developer according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a control flow of the developer forced consumption main. The following description will be given together with the control unit shown in FIG. The control flow described above is a flow executed by the CPU of the laser printer 10. When the power of the laser printer 10 is turned on, the main controller 101 and the CPU 120 are activated, and a heater temperature increasing command is issued to the fixing unit drive control circuit to preheat the fixing device. Further, the photosensitive member 20 is rotationally driven, and a predetermined pretreatment such as adjusting the charging degree of the photosensitive member 20 by the charging device 30 is performed. When the laser printer 10 is operated (s501), the preset check timing of forced developer consumption is confirmed. The necessity check timing is, for example, 1
It is specified by the number of printed sheets such as every 000 sheets (1k) printed. However, the necessity check timing is not limited to this, and may be defined by a predetermined rotation speed of the photoconductor 20 or the intermediate transfer member 70, or simply the main controller 101.
It is also possible to specify a predetermined date with a clock function provided in the above. Further, in the case of the developing device for single-color continuous printing, and the case of the developing device for color printing,
The check timing can be divided and made variable. For example, in the case of a developing device for single-color continuous printing, it is assumed that the necessity of forced developer consumption check is performed every 1000 print frequencies. In the case of color printing, the progress of developer deterioration may be slower than in the case of single-color printing. Since it is normal, for example, 2
The check timing can be defined at a longer interval such as every 000 sheets. Therefore, this step s50
It is also preferable to form a branch flow for color printing in 2 and proceed to step s600 described later.

When the count value of the number of printed sheets stored in the EEPROM 122 or the like is referred to, it is determined whether this count value is 1000 sheets or more (s502). 10
If it is determined that the number of sheets is 00 or less, the laser printer 1
It is determined whether or not there is a compulsory consumption instruction from the user via the host device such as a personal computer connected to 0 or the interface 112 of the laser printer 10 (s502 '). If there is no instruction, keep the normal operating condition.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of printed sheets is 1000 or more, the EEPROM 122 or the EEPROMs 53a, 53b, 53c of the developing devices 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d of the YMCK developing unit 50 are provided via the serial interface 121. , 53d to obtain the data of the number of print pixels and the print frequency stored therein (s503). The number of print pixels is the basic resolution unit of the laser printer 10, and is the number of pixels of the image actually printed. By providing a pixel counter 41 that counts the number of pixels in an exposure device 40 that receives an image signal in which pixel information is collected, the number of print pixels that each developing device is responsible for is counted and stored for each print image. Can be done. Since the number of pixels reflects the amount of developer consumed, the amount of developer consumed for each printed image can be recognized.

On the other hand, the printing frequency is an index indicating which developing device has been operating and at what rate for each printing of a predetermined number of images. Therefore, for example, when an image having many characters and few color images is printed, the black developing device 52a operates a lot while the YMC developing devices 52b, 52c, and 5 are used.
The situation where 2d does not operate very much appears. In this case, the printing frequency of the black developing device 52a is relatively high.

Then, from the obtained data of the number of pixels and the printing frequency, the single-color continuous printing frequency and the printing duty during a predetermined period (every 1000 sheets are printed) are calculated (s504). Continuous printing is a state in which development is executed with one developing device fixed at the developing position and printing with the developer of the developing device is continued. For example, in a situation where a predetermined number of print images are composed of almost black originals, almost only the black developing device 52a continues to perform development, that is, continuous black printing is performed. Will be very high. The continuous printing frequency indicates the frequency with which a certain developing device performs continuous printing.

The print duty is the print ratio (Cove
Also called rage rate), it represents the ratio of the printing area of a certain developer to the entire area of the printing paper. Therefore, for example, if the total area of black characters printed on a printing paper having an area of 600 cm2 is 12 cm2, the print duty for the black developing device 52a is (12/600).
* 100 = 2%. A typical laser printer or the like is designed in consideration of a printing duty of 4 to 5% when using A4 paper, for example. In addition to the concept of the printing area on the printing paper as described above, there is a concept of converting the number of dots included in the print data for outputting the printing area, which can be appropriately selected. .

In this embodiment, the forced consumption of the developer is controlled on the basis of the continuous printing frequency and the printing duty calculated above, but the concept will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a control concept of forced developer consumption, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of control contents of forced developer consumption. When the developer deteriorates, the developer remaining on the developing roller 510 of the developing device is peeled off by the supply roller 550 or the like, while the peeled developer is conveyed again to the developing roller 510. Due to
In many cases, temperature rise and rubbing of the developer occur.

The conditions that are likely to cause such a situation are:
In some cases, the developing device does not rotate, so that the developer is not agitated and continuous monochromatic printing is frequently performed. Further, the developer is used only in very small pieces and the printing duty is low. Under such conditions, the deteriorated developer is likely to stay in the developing device, but the developer is hardly stirred, and the deteriorated developer is unevenly distributed in the vicinity of the developing roller 510. That is, the necessity of forced consumption of the developer is highest. In particular, under the condition of so-called downward regulation in which the developer contains a releasing agent and the regulating member is arranged below the developing roller 510, and the developing roller 510 and the supply roller 550 are rotated in reverse while contacting each other. Under the severe conditions, the developer is easily affected by temperature rise and rubbing, and the deteriorated developer peeled off from the developing roller 510 is likely to drop and stay in the periphery.

In the following, as shown in FIG. 7, the printing frequency of monochromatic continuous printing is high → low, the printing duty is low → high,
Since the speed of toner deterioration (developer deterioration) increases in the order of, the control content of the developer compulsory consumption is accordingly defined in order of developer consumption: large to small to nothing. In the present embodiment, as in the specific example shown in FIG. 8, the ratio (frequency) threshold of monochromatic continuous printing is 0.5, and the average printing duty threshold is 3.
%, The compulsory consumption of developer is the maximum toner deterioration ~
According to the minimum, it is specified that every 1k is 6g, 5g, 3g, and none.
It is needless to say that the threshold value and the forced consumption amount of the developer can be set arbitrarily according to the conditions.

A mode determination is performed based on whether or not the frequency of single-color continuous printing calculated in step s504 is equal to or higher than the specified value (s505). If it is equal to or higher than the specified value, the developing device is moved to the developing position. It is determined that the developing device has been used in the mode (first image forming mode) in which the image is continuously formed on the plurality of print sheets in this state. When the flow corresponding to the first image forming mode is selected, the control is branched in step s506 depending on whether or not the frequency of continuous monochrome printing is 0.5 or more. Further, it is determined whether or not the print duty of the single color is equal to or less than the specified 3% (s5
07). If the print duty is 3% or less, that is, the frequency of continuous monochromatic printing is high, and the print duty is low, which is the condition that the deterioration of the developer is most likely to proceed. Here, referring to the consumption table of the developer,
The first consumption amount of the monochrome developer is recognized (s508). Here, the consumption amount table refers to a table shown as a specific example of the control content of the forced developer consumption in FIG. The first consumption amount of the monochromatic developer means a forced consumption amount when the deterioration speed of the developer is maximum, that is, 6 g per 1 k.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step s505 that the frequency of continuous monochrome printing is 0.5 or less,
Further, it is determined whether the print duty is 3% or less (s507 '). If the print duty is 3% or less, the forced consumption amount of 3 g is recognized every 1 k according to the deterioration speed of the developer: Medium in the consumption amount table (s508 '). Further, if it is determined in step s506 that the print duty is 3% or more, the forced consumption amount of 5 g per 1 k is recognized in the consumption amount table according to the deterioration speed of the developer: large. On the other hand, the monochrome continuous printing frequency is 0.5 or less, and the printing duty is 3
If it is determined to be not less than%, it is determined that forced consumption is not necessary (s509 '), and the process ends.

The CPU, which has recognized the forced consumption amount according to the deterioration state of the developer, generates refresh image data having the number of pixels according to the forced consumption amount and sends it to the exposure unit drive control circuit (s508). In response to this, the exposure device 40 performs laser scanning on the photoconductor 20 based on the refresh image data in the non-image area to form a latent image on the photoconductor 20 (s509). Further, in the present embodiment, since the monochromatic developing device refers to the black developing device 52a, the drive control of the developing roller 510 and the supply roller 550 of the black developing device 52a is started via the serial interface 121 (s510).

Then, the YMCK developing unit 50 is rotated to position the black developing device 52a at the developing position so as to face the photoconductor 20, and a refresh image (latent image) on the photoconductor 20 is formed by using a predetermined amount of black developer. image)
Is developed. The refresh image formed on the photoconductor 20 is applied with a bias of reverse polarity when the image in the image area is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 70.
It is not transferred to the upper side and is eliminated by the cleaning unit 75 or the like (s511). When the forced consumption of the developer in the black developing device 52a is completed, the effect is notified to the EEPROM 53a of the black developing device 52a or the control unit 10.
0 is stored in the EEPROM 122 (s512), and the print sheet number counter is reset, and the process ends.

=== Control Method for Forced Consumption of Developer (Color Printing: Second Image Forming Mode) === As described above, the branch flow for color printing is formed in step s502, For example, it is stipulated that the check timing arrives after every 2000 color prints, and when it is determined that this timing has arrived, or when it is determined in step s505 that the frequency of continuous monochrome printing is below the stipulation, The YMC developing device used in the second image forming mode is determined. If it is grasped in reverse, that is, if it can be recognized that the frequency of color printing is high (s600), the flow branches to a control flow different from that for monochromatic printing. It should be noted that the control for the color printing is not performed only when the frequency of the single color continuous printing is less than the specified value, and the frequency of the single color continuous printing is set in consideration of the characteristics and use conditions of the laser printer 10 and each developing device. However, of course, there is no problem even if the control flow for color printing is started.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a control flow of forced consumption of the color developer according to this embodiment. CPU
Recognizes the print duty in each YMC developing device 52b, 52c, 52d from the print duty calculated in step s504 (s605). Then, in each of the color developing devices, it is determined whether or not there is a print duty having a print duty of 3% or less (s606). If there is no developing device with a print duty of 3% or less, it is determined that the YMC color developers in the developing devices 52b, 52c, and 52d have not deteriorated so much, and no forced consumption is determined ( s606 '), the process ends.

If there is a developing device with a print duty of 3% or less, that is, the color print frequency is high and the print duty is low, it is presumed that the color developer is likely to deteriorate. Here, when the consumption table for the color developing device is set (s
607), the consumption amount of the color developer is recognized by referring to this table (s608). In the present embodiment, the specific example (in the case of color) of the control content of the forced developer consumption in FIG. 9 corresponds to this consumption amount table, and the forced developer consumption is compared with the control content in the single color shown in FIG. The amount is low under each condition. Generally, in the color developing device, the operation of positioning the photoconductor 20 so as to face the photoconductor 20 is repeated for each developing device of each color, so that the developer is naturally easily agitated. Therefore, the progress of deterioration of the developer is considered to be slow, and excessive forced consumption is suppressed. Of course, there is no problem if the compulsory consumption amount set in the table is increased or decreased according to the progress of the deterioration of the developer in the color developing device. When the consumption amount table does not exist, the forced consumption amount of the developing device, which is specified only for the color developer, is stored in the EEPROM.
It is read out from the storage means such as recognizing (s607 ').

The CPU, which has recognized the forced consumption amount according to the deterioration state of the developer, generates refresh image data having the number of pixels according to the forced consumption amount and sends it to the exposure unit drive control circuit (s609). In response to this, the exposure device 40 performs laser scanning on the photoconductor 20 based on the refresh image data in the non-image area to form a latent image on the photoconductor 20 (s610). Then, the developing roller 5 of any of the YMC developing devices that has been subject to the forced developer consumption.
10 and the drive control of the supply roller 550 are started (s
611).

Then, the YMCK developing unit 50 is rotated, the corresponding color developing device is opposed to the photoconductor 20 and positioned at the developing position, and a predetermined amount of one of the YMC developers is used on the photoconductor 20. The refresh image (latent image) is developed. When the image in the image area is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 70, the refresh image formed on the photoconductor 20 is not transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 70 by applying a bias having a reverse polarity, and the cleaning unit 75 And so on (s612). If the forced consumption of the developer in any of the YMC developing devices is completed, a message to that effect is issued by YM.
C is stored in the EEPROM of one of the developing devices or the EEPROM 122 of the control unit 100 (s613).
At the same time, the print number counter is reset, and the process ends.

=== Other Embodiments === The developing device and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on some embodiments. However, the above-described embodiments of the present invention should be understood as an understanding of the present invention. It is for the purpose of facilitation and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

The present invention is applicable to all image forming apparatuses and the like as long as it has different image forming modes such as monochrome and color and is applied to the image forming apparatus forcibly consuming the developer.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment,
Although an intermediate transfer type full-color laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus, the present invention is applicable to various image forming apparatuses such as a full-color laser beam printer other than the intermediate transfer type, a monochrome laser beam printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, and the like. Applicable.

Further, the photosensitive member is not limited to a so-called photosensitive roller constituted by providing a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical conductive substrate, and a photosensitive layer is provided on the surface of a belt-shaped conductive substrate. A so-called photosensitive belt configured as described above may be used.

Further, the developing device according to the present invention is not limited to the device having the structure described in the above-mentioned embodiment, and there are at least a single-color developing device and a single-color developing device. As long as it is a consumable developing device, it can be applied to any developing device.

Further, the developing device according to the above-mentioned embodiment,
A computer system including a computer main body, a display device such as a CRT, and an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard can also be realized, and the computer system realized in this way is superior to the conventional system as a whole system. Becomes

[0084]

According to the present invention, it is possible to selectively control the compulsory consumption level of the developer in different printing modes, and to realize the reliable elimination of the deteriorated developer and the efficient consumption of the developer. It becomes possible to realize the image forming apparatus, the toner, and the computer system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing main components constituting a laser beam printer.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing main components of the developing device.

3 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a developed view showing an image of a toner image on a photosensitive member developed by a developing roller.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main control flow of forced developer consumption according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a control flow of forced consumption regarding the color developer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a control concept of forced developer consumption.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example (in the case of a single color) of control content of forced developer consumption.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example (in the case of color) of control contents of forced developer consumption.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Laser beam printer 20 photoconductor 30 charging device 40 exposure equipment 50 YMCK development unit 52a Black developing device 52b magenta developing device 52c Cyan developing device 52d yellow developing device 60 Primary transfer device 70 Intermediate transfer body 75 cleaning unit 76 cleaning blade 80 Secondary transfer device 90 Fixing device 92 paper feed tray 94 paper feed roller 95 display unit 96 cash register 510 developing roller 520 seal member 522 Seal support sheet metal 524 Seal biasing member 530 toner container 540 frames 550 Toner supply roller 560 regulation blade 560a rubber part 560b rubber support 562 blade support sheet metal 570 Blade back member T toner

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2H027 DA38 DA44 DA46 DB01 EA04                       EA06 EA18 EC04 EC09 EC20                       ED08 ED27 EE07 EE08 FA02                       FA28 FA35 FB07                 2H030 AD01 AD07 AD08 AD16 BB24                       BB33 BB42 BB43 BB63 BB71                 2H077 AC04 AD02 AD06 AD13 AD17                       BA03 DB14 GA04 GA13

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A moving body having a plurality of developing devices containing a developer and a moving body for selectively moving the developing devices to a developing position provided with these developing devices and facing a photoconductor. The first image forming mode in which the developing device is positioned at the developing position to continuously form images on a plurality of printing materials, and the plurality of developing devices are appropriately moved to the developing position by the moving body. And a second image forming mode in which a color image is formed on the substrate to be printed, the developer contained in each developing device is adhered to the non-image forming area of the photoconductor to appropriately force the developer. In the consuming image forming apparatus, the method of forced consumption of the developing device used in the first image forming mode and the method of forced consumption of the developing device used in the second image forming mode are different. Image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developing device used in the first image forming mode is a developing device containing a black developer. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable body rotates to selectively move the developing device to the developing position. apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developing device used in the second image forming mode is a developing device containing a yellow developer and a magenta color developing device. An image forming apparatus comprising a developing device containing a developer and a developing device containing a cyan developer. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer contains a release agent. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of developing devices has a stirring member for stirring the developer contained in the developing device. An image forming apparatus characterized in that it is not. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of developing devices has a developer carrying member for carrying a developer, and the developer carrying member contacts the developer carrying member. An image forming apparatus having a developer supply member for contacting and supplying a developer to a developer carrier. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the developing device used in the first image forming mode is located at the developing position to execute the first image forming mode, An image forming apparatus comprising a layer thickness regulating member that is in contact with a lower side of the developer carrier to regulate a layer thickness of the developer. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the rotation direction of the developer carrier is opposite to the rotation direction of the developer supply member. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developing device used in the first image forming mode when the forced consumption is performed once, The amount of the developer adhered to the non-image forming area of the photoconductor is the non-image forming of the photoconductor of the developing device used in the second image forming mode when the forced consumption is performed once. An image forming apparatus characterized in that it is larger than the amount of developer deposited on the area. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an interval at which the forcible consumption is executed for the developing device used in the first image forming mode is the second An image forming apparatus, wherein the developing device used in the image forming mode is shorter than the interval at which the forced consumption is executed. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the method of forcibly consuming the developing device used in the first image forming mode, the developing device uses the first image. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is determined according to a frequency used in a forming mode. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the forced consumption of the developing device used in the first image forming mode is a ratio of the frequency of the developing device being used in the first image forming mode. The image forming apparatus is executed when is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a consumption amount calculation for calculating a consumption amount of the developer contained in the developing device used in the first image forming mode. An image forming apparatus having means, wherein the forced consumption method of the developing device used in the first image forming mode is determined according to a calculation result by the consumption amount calculating means. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the developing device is used in the first image forming mode with respect to the frequency with which the developing device used in the first image forming mode is used. The developer stored in the developing device is forcibly consumed most and is used in the first image forming mode when the developer is consumed frequently and the developer consumption amount calculated by the consumption amount calculating unit is small. If the frequency used in the first image forming mode is lower than the frequency used by the developing device and the developer consumption amount calculated by the consumption amount calculating unit is large, the toner is stored in the developing device. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the generated developer is not forcibly consumed. 16. A plurality of developing devices containing a developer,
A moving body for selectively moving the developing device to a developing position which is provided with these developing devices and faces the photoconductor, and a plurality of the developing devices are located in the developing position by the moving body. First image forming mode for continuously forming an image on the printing medium, and second image forming for forming a color image on the printing medium by appropriately moving the plurality of developing devices to the developing position by the moving body. An image forming apparatus that includes a mode for appropriately forcibly consuming the developer by adhering the developer contained in each developing device to a non-image forming area of the photoconductor, and is used for the first image forming mode. The method of forcible consumption of the developing device and the method of forcible consumption of the developing device used in the second image forming mode are different, and the developing device used in the first image forming mode is black. A developing device containing an image agent, wherein the movable body rotates to selectively move the developing device to the developing position, and the developing device used in the second image forming mode is a yellow color developing device. A developing device containing a developer, a developing device containing a magenta developer, and a developing device containing a cyan developer, wherein the developer has a release agent, and The device does not have an agitating member for agitating the developer contained in the developing device, and the plurality of the developing devices include a developer carrier for carrying the developer, and the developer. A developing device that has a developer supply member that is in contact with the carrier to supply the developer to the developer carrier, and that is used in the first image forming mode, executes the first image forming mode. In the state where it is located in the developing position for It has a layer thickness regulating member that abuts on the lower side of the developer carrier to regulate the layer thickness of the developer, and the rotation direction of the developer carrier is opposite to the rotation direction of the developer supply member. An image forming apparatus characterized by being directional. 17. A plurality of developing devices containing a developer,
And a moving body for selectively moving the developing device to a developing position facing the photoconductor, the developing device including these developing devices,
A first image forming mode in which images are continuously formed on a plurality of print objects in a state where the developing device is positioned at the developing position by the moving body, and the plurality of developing devices are appropriately set by the moving body. A second image forming mode in which a color image is formed on an object to be printed by being placed at a developing position, and the developer contained in each developing device is attached to a non-image forming area of the photoconductor to develop the developer. In the method for forcibly consuming a developer in an image forming apparatus, the method for forcibly consuming a developing apparatus used in the first image forming mode, and the forcibly consuming the developing apparatus used in the second image forming mode. The method for forcibly consuming a developer is characterized in that it is different from the above method. 18. A computer main body, and an image forming apparatus connected to the computer main body, wherein a plurality of developing devices containing a developer and the developing device provided with these developing devices are provided at a developing position facing a photoconductor. A first image having a moving body for selectively moving the apparatus, wherein images are continuously formed on a plurality of substrates to be printed in a state where the developing device is positioned at the developing position by the moving body. A developing mode and a second image forming mode in which a plurality of the developing devices are appropriately positioned at the developing position by the moving body to form a color image on a printing medium are provided. In a computer system including an image forming apparatus for appropriately forcibly consuming the developer by adhering to the non-image forming area of the photoreceptor, a developing device used in the first image forming mode. Computer system wherein the method of forced consumption of, and the forced consumption method of the developing apparatus used in the second image forming mode are different from each other.