JP2005292815A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the same color according to the user's convenience when equipped with a configuration in which both a developing cartridge that requires rotation of a rotary unit and an unnecessary developing cartridge can be mounted in order to stir stored toner, etc. Provided is an image forming apparatus with improved usability by realizing the mounting of a developing cartridge containing toner.
[Solution]
A developing cartridge for storing black (K) toner without the adjusting fin 45, including a storing position of the developing cartridge 37k for storing black (K) toner with an adjusting fin 45 for stirring and replenishing the stored toner. 37K can be attached to all the storage positions of the developing rotary unit 33, and the developing rotary unit 33 is appropriately rotated to form an image while stirring and replenishing the stored toner.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, a dedicated machine for forming a single color image by mounting a plurality of developing cartridges containing toner of the same color in place of a developing cartridge containing toner for forming a color image. As to what can be used.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrophotographic recording type image forming apparatus that exposes and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a carrier made of a photoreceptor is known. In this image forming apparatus, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner. The toner image on the surface of the carrier carried in this manner is transferred to a recording medium such as recording paper to form an image. The electrostatic latent image is developed by rotating the developing roller facing the surface of the carrier and transferring the toner on the surface to adhere the toner. The supply roller that rotates in the space rotates by pressure to supply toner.

  An image forming apparatus that employs this electrophotographic recording system includes an apparatus that can store a plurality of developing cartridges including a developing roller and a supply roller facing a carrier together with a container for storing toner in a rotary unit. . In this image forming apparatus, the developing cartridge at the developing position facing the carrier can be switched by rotating the rotary unit about the rotation axis.

  For this reason, such an image forming apparatus is a developing cartridge that contains toner of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) as a developing cartridge that attaches toner to the surface of the carrier. By configuring the cartridge so that it can be stored (mounted) in the rotary unit, it is possible to sequentially switch the developing cartridges and form a color image in which the respective colors are superimposed.

  The electrophotographic recording type image forming apparatus needs to maintain image quality by refreshing the toner contained in the container by stirring or the like. For this reason, an image forming apparatus including a rotary unit is configured so that the toner in the container can be brought together once and refreshed by rotating the rotary unit and rotating the top and bottom of the developing cartridge after forming a certain amount of image. Some are.

  That is, in such an image forming apparatus, when a color image is formed, the developing cartridges are sequentially switched. Therefore, the developing cartridge switching operation in which the rotary unit rotates and the developing roller faces the carrier. In parallel with this, the toner to be developed can be appropriately refreshed to maintain the image quality.

  However, when a single color image is formed, the same developing cartridge is continuously used. Therefore, when the image forming operation (developing operation) is continuously performed, the rotary unit is rotated once during the operation. There are times when it must be done. In order to rotate the rotary unit once in this way, it takes a long time to interrupt the image forming operation. Therefore, it is conceivable that a stirrer that stirs (adjusts) the toner and refreshes it is placed in the developing cartridge. It is done. However, if the developing device that accommodates a toner that contains toner with little chance of forming a monochromatic image is provided with the stirring device, the cost becomes useless. For this reason, it has been proposed to provide a stirrer only in a developing cartridge that contains black (K) toner, which is often used to form a monochromatic image such as a document (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, in an image forming apparatus including a rotary unit, a partition plate for partitioning a space in which a supply roller rotates is provided in a developing cartridge (container), and the rotary unit is rotated after a certain amount of image is formed. In some cases, by reversing the top and bottom, the toner in the container is once brought together (refreshed) to replenish (adjust) the toner in the space where the supply roller rotates.

  That is, in such an image forming apparatus, when a color image is formed, the developing cartridges are sequentially switched. Therefore, even before the toner in the developing cartridge runs out, in parallel with the switching operation of the developing cartridge. The operation of replenishing toner to the space where the supply roller rotates is performed.

  For this reason, even in the developing cartridge having the partition plate as described above, it is necessary to provide a replenishing device that replenishes toner to the supply roller without rotation, in the developing cartridge that frequently forms a monochromatic image.

Here, it has been proposed that the image forming apparatus including the rotary unit as described above is configured so that a plurality of developing cartridges that store toner of the same color (mainly black) can be mounted. In this configuration, by rotating the rotary unit at each timing such as toner exhaustion and sequentially switching the developing cartridge to be used, the number of toner replenishment operations for replacing the developing cartridge is reduced, and monochromatic image formation is continued over a long period of time. Can be realized (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-255562 JP 2002-351190 A JP 2003-316106 A

  However, in an image forming apparatus in which a device that performs adjustment operations such as stirring and replenishment of stored toner is provided only in a developing cartridge that stores toner for a single color image, all the developing cartridges that store toner of the same color are used. When mounting in the storage position is realized, if the storage position of the developing cartridge is limited depending on the presence or absence of a stirring device or the like, the usability is deteriorated. On the other hand, if all of the developing cartridges that store toner of the same color are equipped with a stirring device or the like, there are members that cannot be operated in the toner storage space, so that the amount of toner stored can be reduced. End up.

  Therefore, the present invention is used in the case where the developing cartridge that requires rotation of the rotary unit and the developing cartridge that does not require rotation of the rotary unit are provided in order to stir the contained toner. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with improved usability by realizing the mounting of a developing cartridge that accommodates toner of the same color according to the user's convenience.

  An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes a carrier for carrying a toner image in which an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface and developing the electrostatic latent image, and an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the carrier. A plurality of developing cartridges for forming a toner image to be transferred onto the surface of a recording medium by attaching toner to the image and developing, and storing the plurality of developing cartridges around a rotating shaft and rotating about the rotating shaft And a control unit for controlling the rotation of the rotary unit and the driving of the developing cartridge to form a toner image. By storing the developing cartridge that stores the toner in the rotary unit, a color image, a multicolor image, or a single color image can be formed, and a single color image is formed. Only the developing cartridge that contains the toner is provided with adjusting means for adjusting the contained toner so that the image can be continuously formed. On the other hand, the toner contained in the other developing cartridges is accompanied by the rotation of the rotary unit during image formation. An image forming apparatus that performs an adjustment operation of the stored toner by reversing the top and bottom, wherein a developing cartridge that does not include the adjusting device can be stored in a storage position of the developing cartridge that includes the adjusting unit. It is what.

  In the present invention, the developing cartridge mounted in the storage position where the adjusting means cannot be operated can be commonly used, and the developing unit can be mounted in the storage position where the adjusting means can be operated. Therefore, by switching the developing cartridges that store toner of the same color, it is possible to continuously form single-color images and increase the number of single-color image developing cartridges to be stored (mounted). Here, since the developing cartridge does not include the adjusting unit, more toner can be accommodated than the developing cartridge including the adjusting unit.

  In addition to the specific matters of the first invention, the second invention of the image forming apparatus that solves the above-described problem is capable of storing developer cartridges that store toner of the same color without the adjustment means in all storage positions. It is characterized by that.

  In the present invention, the developing cartridge that contains the toner of the same color without providing the adjusting means can be mounted in all the storing positions of the rotary unit including the storing position where the adjusting means can be operated. Therefore, a dedicated machine capable of forming a large amount of single-color images can be obtained. At this time, it is possible to quickly switch to the adjacent developing cartridge, and the image forming operation can be continued comfortably.

  A third invention of an image forming apparatus that solves the above-described problem has a confirmation means for confirming a developing cartridge housed in the rotary unit in addition to the specific matters of the first or second invention, and the control means Is characterized in that the rotation operation of the rotary unit is controlled based on the information from the confirmation means.

  In the present invention, the mounted developing cartridge is confirmed, and the rotary unit is appropriately rotated in accordance with the color image or single color image, or the timing of adjustment of the stored toner depending on the presence or absence of the adjusting means. Therefore, it is possible to perform a desired image forming operation without performing a setting operation or the like with the mounting of the developing cartridge.

  According to a fourth aspect of the image forming apparatus for solving the above-described problem, in addition to the specific matter of the third aspect, the control unit does not include an adjustment unit, and a plurality of developing cartridges that store toner of the same color are provided as a rotary unit. In the case where image formation that requires adjustment of the toner contained in the developing cartridge is performed when the toner is contained in the toner cartridge, the rotary toner is rotated to adjust the toner contained therein. .

  According to the present invention, when it is confirmed that a plurality of single color image developing cartridges that contain toner of the same color are provided without the adjusting means, for example, a single color image is continuously processed while adjusting the contained toner. When performing the image forming operation of the amount to be formed, the image forming operation is performed by appropriately rotating the rotary unit. Therefore, when a plurality of developing cartridges that store toner of the same color are mounted, it is possible to continuously form single color images without performing different control depending on the presence or absence of the adjusting means.

  Here, the adjusting means is means for applying the same adjustment to the stored toner as when the rotary unit is rotated. For example, the stored toner supplied to the developing roller is agitated, or the stored toner is used as the developing roller. Supply to the side.

  According to the present invention, a developing cartridge that contains toner of the same color (toner for a single color image) can be attached to all or a part of the storage position of the rotary unit without providing an adjustment means. Compared with the case where one developing cartridge is mounted, the number of replacement operations for replenishing the developing cartridge can be reduced, and a large amount of single-color images can be formed.

  This rotary unit rotates appropriately according to the color and number of toner contained in the confirmed developer cartridge, thereby continuously forming a color image or a single color image without particularly setting the type of the installed developer cartridge. The operator's operation burden is not increased. For example, when an image forming operation that requires an adjustment operation of the stored toner is executed, an image can be formed while adjusting the stored toner by rotating the rotary unit.

  Therefore, it is only necessary to prepare and mount the developing cartridge according to the convenience of the user, such as whether there are many opportunities to form a single color image or many color images, and the usability can be improved. .

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 9 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  1 and 2, the image forming apparatus creates and outputs an image such as a character. For example, the image forming apparatus is used by being connected to a personal computer PC, and the control unit 10 connected to the personal computer PC has a paper sheet. By comprehensively controlling the conveyance device 20 and the image recording device 30, an image is formed on a recording sheet (recording medium) and printed out.

  The control unit 10 includes a controller unit 11 and an engine control unit 12 which are constructed on a circuit board mounted in the apparatus main body. These units perform various data processing controls and various parts of the apparatus according to a program prepared in advance. The drive control is executed.

  Briefly, the controller unit 11 executes various processing procedures according to a processing program stored in a memory by a CPU (not shown), thereby various information such as a print command with a printer driver of the personal computer PC. Are received, and image data such as text to be formed by printing on a recording sheet is received and temporarily stored in a memory (not shown). The controller unit 11 is so-called RGB data of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) because the image data (image information signal) received from the personal computer PC is yellow (which can be printed). Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are converted into image data of so-called YMCK data, read out from the memory, and transferred to the engine control unit 12.

  In the engine control unit 12, the CPU 13 receives image data, for example, in units of pages from the controller unit 11 according to a control program stored in the ROM 14, temporarily stores it in the main body memory 15, and uses the RAM 16 as a work area. While exchanging various types of information between the paper transport device 20 and the image recording device 30, an image based on the image data is formed on the recording paper. At this time, when executing this image formation control, the CPU 13 causes each unit of the apparatus to operate optimally by measuring various processing times with a built-in timer function (timer) 13a.

  In FIG. 2, the I / O interface 17 connects the controller unit 11, the sheet transport device 20, the image recording device 30, and the engine control unit 12 so that various types of information can be exchanged. The D / A converter 18 and the A / D converter 19 are configured so that the engine control unit 12 can process various information exchanged between the controller unit 11, the sheet conveying device 20, and the image recording device 30, respectively. A digital signal is converted into an analog signal, or an analog signal is converted into a digital signal.

  In addition to the paper cassette 21, the paper discharge table 22, the pickup roller 23, the transport roller pair 24, the registration roller pair 25, the switching roller pair 26, the paper discharge roller pair 27, and the reverse roller pairs 28 and 29. The intermediate transfer belt 34, which is also a component of the image recording apparatus 30, the transfer roller 35, and the fixing roller pair 36 are constructed. The sheet conveying apparatus 20 separates and conveys a plurality of recording sheets stacked in the sheet cassette 21 one by one and feeds them to the image recording position P of the image recording apparatus 30, thereby After image data such as characters received on one side or both sides is recorded and formed, this image-formed recording paper is carried out of the apparatus and stacked on the paper discharge table 22.

  Briefly, the pickup roller 23 pulls out the recording sheet by rotating against the recording sheet loaded on the lifting plate 21a in the sheet cassette 21 and cooperates with a separating means (not shown). The sheets are separated one by one and fed to the conveyance path f. The conveyance roller pair 24 nips and conveys the recording paper and corrects the skew by abutting the front end against the nip portion of the registration roller pair 25 on the downstream side. The registration roller pair 25 feeds the recording sheet to the image recording position P so as to be synchronized with the operation of the image recording apparatus 30.

  At the image recording position P, the intermediate transfer belt 34 and the transfer roller 35 are conveyed by rotating while sandwiching the fed recording paper, and the image is recorded and formed on one side of the recording paper. . Further, the fixing roller pair 36 rotates while sandwiching the recording paper, thereby conveying the recording paper further downstream and fixing the image on the recording paper.

  Thereafter, the switching roller pair 26 and the discharge roller pair 27 carry the recording paper from the fixing roller pair 36 onto the discharge table 22 and stack it. As a result, the recording sheet is fed to the image recording formation position P by the image recording apparatus 30 with one side being the image recording formation surface, formed on one side, and then discharged onto the discharge table 22. The

  At this time, when the engine control unit 12 has instructed the duplex control mode for forming an image on both sides of the recording paper, the paper transport device 20 records the paper discharge roller pair 27 carried onto the paper discharge table 22. After temporarily stopping at a position where the trailing edge of the sheet is sandwiched, the recording sheet on which an image is recorded on one side is sent out to the reverse path r by being reversely driven together with the switching roller pair 26.

  Thereafter, the reversing roller pair 28, 29 sandwiches the recording paper and passes and conveys the recording paper in the reversing path r, so that the rear end side at the time of image formation on one side is reversed to the front side. The recording paper having the reversed image is fed again to the conveyance path f and delivered to the registration roller pair 25. Thus, the recording sheet is fed again to the image recording position P by the image recording device 30 with the other side (one side where no image is recorded) as the image recording surface, and image formation is performed on both sides. Then, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge table 22.

  On the other hand, the image recording apparatus 30 includes an exposure unit 31, a photosensitive cartridge 32, a developing rotary unit 33, an intermediate transfer belt 34, a transfer roller 35, and a fixing roller pair 36. The image recording apparatus 30 records received image data such as characters on one side or both sides of a recording sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying apparatus 20 and fed to the image recording position P by an electrophotographic method. Form.

  Briefly, the exposure unit 31 selectively irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 32a in the photosensitive cartridge 32 with laser light based on the image data received by the laser beam scanning device (polygon mirror) 31a provided therein. By performing exposure scanning, an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed (image formation) on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32a. The developing rotary unit 33 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 32a with yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) toners for each color. 37y, 37m, 37c, and 37k) are housed therein, and toner that accommodates the developing cartridge 37 corresponding to the image data for forming the electrostatic latent image is attached to the photosensitive drum 32a. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner.

  For example, in the case of a black and white monochrome image (hereinafter also simply referred to as a monochrome image), the intermediate transfer belt 34 receives a toner image of black (K) toner formed on the photosensitive drum 32a, and receives the toner image on the belt surface. A toner image (toner image) to be transferred onto a recording sheet is held. In addition, in the case of a color image, the intermediate transfer belt 34 sequentially forms toner images with yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) toner formed on the photosensitive drum 32a (the order is the same). (Not limited) A color toner image that is received in a superimposed manner and transferred onto a recording sheet is formed and held on the belt surface. The transfer roller 35 presses (nips) the recording paper fed between the intermediate transfer belt 34 (image recording position P) and sandwiches and conveys the toner image, thereby recording the toner image. Transfer to paper. That is, in this embodiment, a transfer method in which the intermediate transfer belt 34 mediates transfer of the toner image onto the recording paper is employed. Needless to say, the toner is transferred from the developing cartridge 37 to the recording sheet via the photosensitive drum 32a and the intermediate transfer belt 34 in accordance with the bias voltage between the members.

  The fixing roller pair 36 heats and presses the recording paper that has been transferred from the image recording position P to which the toner image has been transferred, and fixes the toner image, and further nipping and conveying the recording paper further downstream. . As a result, a monochrome image or a color image based on the received image data is recorded and fixed (fixed) on one side or both sides of the recording paper. By repeating such operations, images are continuously recorded on a plurality of sheets. Can be formed.

  Note that the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 32a after being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 34 is discharged and collected by a cleaning device (not shown), and thereafter the toner is received from the developing cartridge 37 of the developing rotary unit 33 by a charger. Charged to the potential to be attached. Similarly, the intermediate transfer belt 34 is discharged and charged, and toner transfer (attachment) and recovery are repeated. Further, the toner scattered at the time of collection is collected by a filter 39 a attached to the exhaust duct 39 when the suction fan 38 sucks the apparatus main body side through the exhaust duct 39.

In the developing rotary unit 33, as shown in FIG. 3, a developing cartridge 37 that develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32a with toner is partitioned by a partition frame 33b that rotates about a rotating shaft 33a. It is configured by being housed (mounted) in a storage position. The developing rotary unit 33 is rotated around a rotation shaft 33 a based on a print command including image data from the personal computer PC received by the CPU (control means) 13 of the engine control unit 12 via the controller unit 11. As a result, the developing cartridge 37 facing the photosensitive drum 32a is switched to develop the toner image to be transferred onto one or both sides of the recording paper to form an image.
In this embodiment, as a basic configuration of the developing cartridge 37, as will be described later, a first developing cartridge 37 ′ having an adjusting fin 45 serving as toner adjusting means and a partition plate 37e without an adjusting fin are provided. It can be divided into two types, that is, a second developing cartridge 37 ″ that stirs toner accommodated by rotation of the developing cartridge itself by rotation of the rotary unit. (Hereinafter, when the developing cartridge 37 is simply referred to, there is no particular mention as to whether the developing cartridge is first or second.)

  For example, the image forming apparatus stores developing cartridges 37y, 37m, 37c, and 37k that store yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) toners in the developing rotary unit 33. At the same time, the developing rotary unit 33 is rotated to switch the developing cartridge 37 that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 32a so as to superimpose or select the respective color-accommodating toners. It can be used as an apparatus capable of forming up to a monochrome image.

  Specifically, the developing cartridge 37 (corresponding to the second developing cartridge 37 ″ of the present application) includes a container 37a, a developing roller 37b, a supply roller 37d, and a partition plate 37e. The container 37a is formed in a similar shape so as to be housed in each housing space (position) partitioned by the partition frame 33b of the developing rotary unit 33, and stores the toner. The developing roller 37b is rotatably supported on the outer peripheral side of the container 37a that is separated from the rotation shaft 33a of the developing rotary unit 33, and causes the toner delivered from the supply roller 37d to adhere to the opposing photosensitive drum 32a. The supply roller 37d is rotatably supported by the container 37a so as to be adjacent to the developing roller 37b on the rotating shaft 33a side of the developing rotary unit 33, and wears and charges surrounding toner by rotating in pressure contact with the developing roller 37b. To supply. The partition plate 37e is installed so as to surround the supply roller 37d, and partitions the toner storage space in the container 37a in a state where the space on the rotating shaft 33a side communicates with the upper portion in the rotation direction of the installation space of the supply roller 37d. Yes.

  With this configuration, the second developing cartridge 37 ″ supplies the toner in the outer space of the container 37 a partitioned by the partition plate 37 e to the developing roller 37 b in which the supply roller 37 d is pressed and rotated. In addition, when the developing rotary unit 33 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise in FIG. 3 and rotated 180 degrees, the developing cartridge 37 ″ is accommodated on the rotating shaft 33a side and the supply roller 37d side of the container 37a. Are combined together at the upper part of the partition plate 37e (the lower part in FIG. 3), and further rotated by 90 degrees to stir and refresh the toner contained in the container 37a and supply the toner to the developing roller 37b. Collect on the supply roller 37d side as possible. That is, in the developing cartridge 37 ″ mounted on the developing rotary unit 33 rotating in this way, the stored toner is replenished while being agitated toward the supply roller 37d by the rotation. An adjusting device (so-called agitator device or auger device) for performing the operation can be omitted as appropriate. However, in the case where the developing cartridge 37 is omitted, for example, before the toner supplied to the developing roller 37b runs out of the periphery of the supply roller 37d, for example, the count value by the toner counter, the number of dots of the image, the integration The developing rotary unit 33 is rotated when the toner usage detected by the developing operation (image formation) time, the total number of developed images, or the actually measured toner remaining amount exceeds a preset value. It is necessary to replenish and stir toner.

  The developing cartridge 37 includes a nonvolatile memory 42 and a developing side connector 43, and a control side connector 44 is disposed on the developing rotary unit 33 side. The nonvolatile memory 42 rewritably stores various information such as the color of toner to be stored, the date of manufacture, and the amount of consumption, along with identification information such as a manufacturing number. The development-side connector 43 is connected to the nonvolatile memory 42 and reads and rewrites information stored therein. The control-side connector 44 is arranged so as not to move to the outer periphery of the developing rotary unit 33. When facing the developing-side connector 43 of any of the developing cartridges 37, various types of information are contacted or non-contactedly communicated. Interact. Accordingly, the engine control unit 12 of the control unit 10 appropriately grasps various information such as the toner color information of the developing cartridge 37 together with the presence or absence and position of the developing cartridge 37 stored in the storage position of the developing rotary unit 33. be able to.

  On the other hand, the developing cartridge 37 and the developing rotary unit 33 are in the storage positions of the developing cartridges 37y, 37m, and 37c that store toners of yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) that form a color image. Since the developing rotary unit 33 is rotated to select each color toner and the contained toner can be agitated and replenished (adjusted), the developing roller 37b and the supply roller 37d are provided without an agitator device or an auger device. Is driven to rotate. In addition, the developing cartridge 37k containing black (K) toner for forming a monochrome image may continuously form images of text or the like, so that the first developing cartridge 37 ′ of the present application is used as the developing cartridge 37 ′. It has a configuration. That is, an adjusting fin device (adjusting means) as an agitator / auger device is provided to stir and replenish the stored toner without rotating the developing rotary unit 33, and the developing roller 37b and the supply roller 37d that are provided internally are provided. At the same time, the adjusting fin 45 is driven to rotate to stir and replenish the stored toner.

  Briefly, in the housing position of the developing cartridges 37y, 37m, 37c constituting the second developing cartridge 37 '' of the present application, the developing drive main body gear 51, the developing drive rotary gear 52, and the developing drive transmission gear 53 are provided. The developing roller 37b and the supply roller 37d are rotated and operated by a wheel train structure in which the developing roller gear 54 and the supply roller gear 55 are engaged with each other. The developing roller 37b is driven in response to a control signal from the engine control unit 12 and a driving force from a developing drive motor (drive source) (not shown) is transmitted through the gear trains 51 to 53 so that the developing roller gear 54 rotates. To drive. The supply roller 37d is driven by the rotation of the supply roller gear 55 that meshes with the developing roller gear 54.

  In addition, in the housing position of the developing cartridge 37k constituting the first developing cartridge 37 ′ of the present application, in addition to the gear trains 51 to 55 having the same wheel train configuration, the drive relay gear 56, the adjustment drive transmission gear 57, The adjustment fin 45 is rotated and operated by a gear train structure in which the adjustment fin gear 58 is engaged with each other and connected. The adjustment fin 45 receives the driving force from the developing drive motor via the gear trains 51 to 55 to rotate the developing roller 37b and the supply roller 37d, and at the same time, the gear train 56 that meshes with the supply roller gear 55. , 57 is driven by rotation of the adjusting fin gear 58.

  Here, the development rotary unit 33 is attached to a rotary frame 33c (shown in FIG. 4) that rotates about a rotation shaft 33a, and similarly, rotary drive that is driven according to a control signal from the engine control unit 12. When the rotary frame 33c is rotated by the driving force from the motor, the mounted developing cartridge 37 is sequentially moved to the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 32a.

  Specifically, the development drive transmission gear 53, the development roller gear 54, and the supply roller gear 55 are arranged on the side of each development cartridge 37, and a total of four sets are attached. The roller gears 54 and 55 are fixed to one end side of the respective rollers 37b and 37d so as to be coaxial with each other, and are rotatably supported by the container 37a so as to mesh with each other. It meshes with the developing roller gear 54 and is rotatably supported by the container 37a. A set of the drive relay gear 56, the adjustment drive transmission gear 57, and the adjustment fin gear 58 is arranged on the developing cartridge 37k side. Similarly, the adjustment fin gear 58 is fixed so as to be coaxial with one end side of the adjustment fin 45 that is the first developing cartridge 37 ′, and is rotatably supported by the container 37a. The adjustment drive transmission gear 57 meshes with the supply roller gear 55, and meshes with the drive relay gear 56, and is rotatably supported by the container 37a.

  On the other hand, the development drive main body gear 51 and the development drive rotary gear 52 are arranged on the development rotary unit 33 side. A total of four development drive rotary gears 52 are attached so as to correspond to the storage positions of the development cartridges 37 attached to the development rotary unit 33, and the development drive transmission gears 53 for the development cartridges 37 to be inserted / removed. Are rotatably supported by a rotary frame 33c that rotates integrally with the developing rotary unit 33. Although not shown, the development drive main body gear 51 is attached to correspond to the development drive motor, and meshes with the motor pinion of the development drive motor. Further, the developing drive main body gear 51 is pivotally supported on a main body frame 59 (shown in FIG. 5) at a position where the developing driving main body gear 51 meshes with the rotating development driving rotary gear 52. By connecting the developing roller gear 54 and the developing drive transmission gear 53 of the developing cartridge 37 to be operated, a train wheel of a transmission path for transmitting the driving force of the developing drive motor is constructed.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the developing cartridge 37 is replaced, the developing roller gear 54 and the like disposed on the developing cartridge 37 side are inserted and removed from the developing rotary unit 33 together. Exchanged. When the developing cartridge 37 is attached to the developing rotary unit 33, as shown in FIG. 4B, the container 37a is placed on the support shaft 52a coaxial with the rotating shaft of the developing drive rotary gear 52 on the rotary frame 33c side. Both end surfaces of the developing device are swingably supported and biased in one direction, whereby the developing drive transmission gear 53 is engaged with and connected to the developing drive rotary gear 52.

  Therefore, in the developing cartridges 37y, 37m, and 37c that are the second developing cartridges 37 ″ that are not provided with the adjusting fins 45, the developing driving rotary gear 52 meshes with the developing driving main body gear 51 at the developing position. A gear train (transmission path) that transmits the driving force of the developing drive motor that rotationally drives the developing roller 37b and the supply roller 37d via the gear trains 51 to 55 shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the developing cartridge 37k that is the first developing cartridge 37 ′ including the adjusting fin 45, the developing drive rotary gear 52 meshes with the developing drive main body gear 51 at the developing position, whereby the gear trains 51 to 51 shown in FIG. A train wheel (transmission path) that transmits the driving force of the developing drive motor that rotates the adjustment fin 45 together with the developing roller 37b and the supply roller 37d via 58 is constructed. That is, the adjustment fin 45 is rotationally driven by using the developing roller 37b and the supply roller 37d in common with the drive source. Here, the development drive main body gear 51 has a built-in one-way clutch so as to idle in the reverse rotation direction of the development roller 37b, and can escape when meshing with the rotating development drive rotary gear 52. It is avoided that it is damaged by the collision of the tooth tip. 5 and 6 illustrate the meshing relationship of the gear train, and do not indicate the actual positional relationship. As described above, the developing drive main body gear 51 is located on the developing cartridge side even if it is the first developing cartridge 37 ′ having the adjusting fin 45 or the second developing cartridge 37 ″ having no adjusting fin 45. It is configured to be able to mesh with a development driving rotary gear 52 provided. The development drive rotary gear 52 driven by the development drive main body gear 51 has a different torque required for driving depending on whether or not the development cartridge 37 includes the adjustment fin 45. For this reason, the development drive motor can change the supply torque to the development drive main body gear 51 in accordance with the meshed development drive rotary gear 52. That is, although the configuration of the development drive rotary gear 52 is the same, the drive torque of the first development cartridge 37 ′ having the adjustment fin 45 and the development drive rotary in the second development cartridge 37 ″ not having the adjustment fin 45. Different drive torques for the gear 52 are supplied. As will be described later, the CPU 13 executes toner agitation control corresponding to the developing cartridge based on the information of the accommodated developing cartridge. At this time, it is possible to determine the type of the developing cartridge accommodated in the CPU 13 by detecting the torque required for the driving.

  In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the developing rotary unit 33 is configured so that all developing cartridges 37 contain toner of the same color and can form an image. For example, in the developing cartridge 37K that is the second developing cartridge 37 ″ that can be stored in the storing position of the developing cartridges 37y, 37m, and 37c, that is, not provided with the adjusting fin 45, the first developing cartridge 37 ′. A black (K) toner of the same color as that of a certain developing cartridge 37k is accommodated, and as shown in FIG. 7, the developing cartridge 37K can be mounted including the accommodating position of the developing cartridge 37k. In this case, by rotating the developing rotary unit 33 and sequentially switching the developing cartridge 37K that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 32a, it can be used as a dedicated machine for forming a monochrome image. In the developing rotary unit 33, as shown in FIG. 8, the developing cartridge 37k is mounted as it is, and all or a part of the developing cartridges 37y, 37m, and 37c are replaced with the developing cartridge 37K, and each color toner is used. It can also be used as an apparatus capable of forming a color-coded multicolor image or a single color image.

  Specifically, the CPU 13 of the engine control unit 12 executes various control operations according to the control program in the ROM 14 after the power is turned on. When the power is turned on or when the developing cartridge 37 is replaced, the connectors 43 and 44 are used. By performing non-contact communication via the, the presence / absence of the developing cartridge 37 at the storage position of the developing rotary unit 33 is held (stored) in the main body memory 15. Further, the CPU 13 sequentially reads out various information written in the nonvolatile memory 42 of each developing cartridge 37 via the connectors 43 and 44, and provides positional information for each developing cartridge 37 and the presence / absence of the adjustment fin 45 ( Determination of the type of developing cartridge), toner color information, consumption (remaining amount), and the like are held in the main body memory 15. Further, the CPU 13 writes various information such as the amount of toner consumed by the image formation into the nonvolatile memory 42 of each developing cartridge 37 via the connectors 43 and 44 during the image forming operation or after the image formation is completed. rewrite. That is, the CPU 13 constitutes confirmation means together with the control means. Since the developing cartridges 37y, 37m, and 37c mounted on the developing rotary unit 33 have an optimum color overlapping order when forming a color image, the positions where they can be stored may be mechanically limited. In this case, the developing cartridge 37K may be stored without being restricted.

  At this time, the CPU 13 has set the developing cartridges 37y, 37m, 37c, and 37k containing toners of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) in the developing rotary unit 33. In the case of grasping the image, a general image formation control is executed, and the developing rotary unit 33 is rotated in accordance with the image data sent from the controller unit 11, so that a color image, a multicolor image, A monochrome image is recorded and formed on one or both sides of a recording sheet. In other words, each color toner developing cartridge 37 attached to the developing rotary unit 33 operates by being appropriately switched according to the type of image based on the image data every time it receives an image data print command. As a result, in the developing cartridges 37y, 37m, and 37c, the stored toner is appropriately replenished to the supply roller 37d that supplies the stored toner to the developing roller 37b as the developing rotary unit 33 rotates. On the other hand, the developing cartridge 37k that develops the toner image of the monochrome image continues the image forming operation without rotation of the developing rotary unit 33. Therefore, the adjusting fin 45 together with the developing roller 37b is located at the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 32a. Also, the supply toner is replenished to the supply roller 37d while being rotated and agitated.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, instead of the developing cartridges 37y, 37m, 37c, and 37k in the developing rotary unit 33, a developing cartridge 37K (not provided with the adjusting fin 45 and containing black (K) toner ( That is, it can accommodate a second developing cartridge 37 ″ and can form a monochromatic image. In this case, the CPU 13 has set the developing cartridge 37 ″ that contains the black (K) toner without the adjusting fin 45 in place of the developing cartridges 37y, 37m, 37c, and 37k in the developing rotary unit 33. If the developing cartridge 37K containing toner of the same color (black K) is mounted in all the storage positions, image formation control is executed. That is, the development rotary unit 33 is appropriately rotated according to the image data sent from the controller unit 11 to record and form a single color image on one side or both sides of the recording paper. In this case, since the toner color and the required agitation control in each developing cartridge 37K are the same, it is not necessary to select a predetermined developing cartridge to be started based on printing depending on the number of printed sheets and toner consumption. .

  Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, when a print command for monochrome image data is received from the controller unit 11 (step S11), the developing rotary unit 33 is rotated to place the next developing cartridge 37K on the photosensitive member. After switching to the development position opposite to the drum 32a (step S12), drive control of the paper conveying device 20 and the image recording device 30 for printing the received image data is executed to perform one side or both sides of the recording paper. Then, an image is formed (step S13).

  Next, every time the printing process for each recording sheet is completed, it is confirmed whether or not the printing process for the received image data has been completed (step S14). Exit. On the other hand, if it has not been completed, the image forming amount that can complete the image forming operation by using the same developing cartridge 37K without replenishing the toner contained in the installation space of the supply roller 37d is exceeded. Whether or not, for example, when A4 size recording paper is used, the number of printed sheets is still 40 or less (AND condition), and the toner consumption based on the number of dots in the image is still 10 g or less. (Step S15). In the present embodiment, the determination is made with an AND condition that satisfies both conditions, but it is needless to say that the determination is based on an OR condition that satisfies one of the conditions. You may do it.

  If both conditions are satisfied, the process returns to step S13, and the printing process using the same developing cartridge 37K is continued without rotating the developing rotary unit 33. On the other hand, if either one of the conditions is not satisfied and the printing process of the received image data using the same developing cartridge 37K cannot be completed, the process returns to step S12 and the developing rotary unit 33 is rotated. After performing the switching operation for moving the next developing cartridge 37K to the developing position, the printing process of the remaining image data is continued. At this time, the switching of the developing cartridge 37K only needs to move the adjacent developing cartridge 37K to the developing position, so that the switching operation can be quickly completed, for example, between continuous recording sheets (so-called sheet spacing). ) During the conveyance timing, and the apparent image forming speed (so-called throughput) is not reduced. Further, since all of the developing cartridges 37K to be used are of a type that does not include the same adjustment fin 45, the printing process can be continued without changing the image forming control.

  Therefore, a developing cartridge 37K that contains black (K) toner can be mounted in all the storage positions of the developing rotary unit 33 without the adjustment fin 45, and the number of mounted developing cartridges 37K for monochrome images can be mounted. Can be increased. That is, the amount of black (K) toner that forms a monochrome image can be increased, and a larger amount of image can be formed than when only the developing cartridge 37k is used. Then, the CPU 13 automatically recognizes the developing cartridge 37 attached to the developing rotary unit 33 without requiring the operator to perform setting work from an operation panel or the like, and moves the developing rotary unit 33 during the image forming operation. By appropriately rotating, a color image or a large amount of monochrome image can be formed on the recording paper.

  Specifically, for example, in the case of the developing cartridge 37k provided with the adjusting fin 45, 230 g of black (K) toner is accommodated, and dot printing is performed on 5% of the image recording surface. The image can be formed on about 5,500 sheets of recording paper. On the other hand, in the case of the developing cartridge 37K that does not include the adjustment fin 45, there is no reduction in the storage amount due to the inhibition of the fluidity of the mechanism portion such as the adjustment fin 45 and the toner, and 250 g of black (K) toner is stored. If the same dot printing is performed, an image can be formed on about 6,000 sheets with A4 size recording paper. As a result, when four developing cartridges 37K are mounted on the developing rotary unit 33, a total of 24,000 sheets of images can be formed continuously.

  As described above, in this embodiment, by automatically recognizing the mounted developing cartridge 37 and appropriately rotating the developing rotary unit 33, a color image or a single color image can be formed without performing a special setting operation. When the developing cartridge 37K containing black (K) toner of the same color is attached to all the storage positions of the developing rotary unit 33, the toner replenishment work by replacing the developing cartridge 37 is made small. A large amount of monochrome images can be formed on one side or both sides of a recording sheet without doing so. Although the embodiment has been described in which the developing cartridge 37K is attached to all the housing positions of the developing rotary unit 33 as described above, the present application is not limited to this. That is, the developing cartridge 37K having the black (K) toner without the adjustment fin 45 can be accommodated in the rotary unit, and the CPU 13 determines whether or not the agitated toner needs to be agitated based on the print command, and What is necessary is just to be comprised so that stirring operation may be performed using the rotation of the unit 33 suitably. With this configuration, since a relatively large amount of toner can be secured in a single developing cartridge, it goes without saying that a large amount of monochrome images can be formed. In particular, a plurality of developing cartridges 37K that do not include a plurality of adjusting fins 45 are accommodated, and the cartridge used for development is appropriately replaced by using the rotation of the rotary unit 33 for stirring, so that the toner can be replenished. A large amount of monochrome images can be formed on one side or both sides of a recording sheet without requiring a small amount of work.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described so far, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented in various forms within the scope of the technical idea.

1 is a perspective front view showing a schematic overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a related block diagram explaining the drive control. FIG. 6 is a transparent front view showing a developing rotary unit that houses the developing cartridge. It is a figure which shows the insertion / removal of the developing cartridge with respect to the developing rotary unit, (a) is a side view showing a state in the middle of the insertion and removal, and (b) is a side view showing the state at the time of mounting. FIG. 6 is a development view showing transmission of driving force to the developing cartridge. FIG. 6 is a development view showing transmission of driving force to the developing cartridge different from FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a transparent front view showing a state where a developing cartridge that contains toner of the same color is attached to the developing rotary unit. FIG. 10 is a transparent front view showing another example of a state in which a developing cartridge containing toner of the same color is mounted in the developing rotary unit. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the image formation control.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Control unit 11 Controller part 12 Engine control part 13 CPU
14 RAM
15 Main body memory 16 RAM
20 Paper transport device 30 Image recording device 31 Exposure unit 32a Photosensitive drum 33 Development rotary unit 33a Rotating shaft 34 Intermediate transfer belt 35 Transfer roller 36 Fixing roller pair 37, 37y, 37m, 37c, 37k, 37K Development cartridge 37a Container 37b Development Roller 37d Supply roller 37e Partition plate 42 Non-volatile memory 43 Development side connector 44 Control side connector 45 Adjustment fin 51 Development drive body gear 52 Development drive rotary gear 53 Development drive transmission gear 54 Development roller gear 55 Supply roller gear 56 Drive relay gear 57 Adjustment drive Transmission gear 58 Adjustment fin gear 59 Main body frame P Recording position

Claims (4)

A surface of the recording medium formed by forming a latent electrostatic image on the surface and carrying a toner image obtained by developing the latent electrostatic image, and developing the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the carrier with toner attached thereto A plurality of developing cartridges for forming a toner image to be transferred to the toner cartridge, and the plurality of developing cartridges are housed around a rotation shaft and rotated around the rotation shaft so that any one of the developing cartridges faces the surface of the carrier. A rotary unit, and a control means for controlling the rotation of the rotary unit and the driving of the developing cartridge to form a toner image,
A developer cartridge that accommodates toner of a color that forms a single-color image while being capable of forming a color image, a multicolor image, or a single-color image by housing a developer cartridge that contains toner of different colors in a rotary unit Only the adjustment means for continuously adjusting the accommodated toner so that the image can be formed is provided, while the accommodated toner of the other developing cartridges is reversed by rotating the top and bottom with the rotation of the rotary unit at the time of image formation. An image forming apparatus that performs an adjustment operation of stored toner,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that a developing cartridge not equipped with the adjusting device can be accommodated in a housing position of a developing cartridge equipped with adjusting means.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a developing cartridge that stores toner of the same color without being provided with the adjusting unit can be stored in all storage positions. Having confirmation means for confirming the developing cartridge stored in the rotary unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls a rotation operation of the rotary unit based on information from the confirmation unit.   The control unit does not include an adjusting unit, and when a plurality of developing cartridges that store toner of the same color are stored in the rotary unit, the control unit performs image formation that requires adjustment of the toner stored in the developing cartridge. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when performing, the rotary toner is rotated to adjust the stored toner.

Images