JP2006227583A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of using information stored in a storage element, with high reliability, by preventing the storage element set in each developing cartridge from being affected by a high voltage member disposed in the apparatus main body. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is constituted so that an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a photoreceptor drum 12 is developed with toner by each developing cartridge 14 facing the photoreceptor drum 12, and the toner image is transferred and fixed to recording paper, wherein shield members 71 and 72, each made of a conductive material, such as a metal plate, and grounded, are disposed between an intermediate transfer belt 16 and an electrifying device 13 or the like, to which a memory tag 41 faces. The memory tag 41 stores various information so as to be rewritable by communicating with transmitting/receiving circuits via a main body side antenna 51 in a non-contact state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an apparatus capable of reliably using stored information in a storage element installed for each cartridge containing toner.

  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 support member 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 carrying member carried in this manner is transferred to a recording medium such as recording paper to form an image. The toner image is developed by rotating the developing roller facing the surface of the carrying member and selectively transferring the toner on the outer peripheral surface of the roller to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the carrying member and attaching it. To do.

  In an image forming apparatus employing this electrophotographic recording system, a developing cartridge (developing device) including a developing roller or the like that faces a carrying member and a container for storing toner is detachably mounted. The developing cartridge is developed. There are also devices that are configured to be housed in a rotary unit. In this image forming apparatus, the developing cartridge at the developing position where the developing roller faces the carrying member can be switched by rotating the developing rotary unit about the rotation shaft.

  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 carrying member. By configuring the cartridge so that it can be stored (attached) in the developing rotary unit, it is possible to sequentially switch the developing cartridge and form a color image in which the respective color toners are superimposed. In this configuration, it is needless to say that a monochrome image using a single color toner, for example, a black and white monochrome image (hereinafter also simply referred to as a monochrome image) using black (K) toner can be formed.

The image forming apparatus including the developing rotary unit can arbitrarily select the color of the toner for each of the plurality of developing cartridges, and the remaining amount of toner is different. It has been proposed to use a memory (storage element) for storing and holding it by reading and writing stored information in the memory by non-contact communication via an antenna (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this case, by accessing the memory of the developing cartridge, it is possible to check the type of the developing cartridge by reading the information in the memory or rewriting the remaining amount of toner to be stored in the developing cartridge. Various kinds of information can be attached.
International Publication WO03 / 098356

  However, in such a conventional electrophotographic recording type image forming apparatus, when developing with an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the carrying member, the toner is applied using a potential difference. I will transfer you. For this reason, in this image forming apparatus, it is necessary to charge one or both of the members for transferring the toner to a high voltage, and noise may be emitted during charging or from the member to be charged. For this reason, for example, if the noise is unnecessarily input to an antenna that performs non-contact communication for rewriting the stored information in the memory installed in the developing cartridge, the stored information in the memory is not erased. There is a risk of becoming accurate.

  In view of this, the present invention prevents the memory element installed for each developing cartridge from being affected by the presence of the high-voltage member in the apparatus main body, and makes it possible to use the stored information in the memory element with high reliability. An object is to provide a forming apparatus.

  The main invention for achieving the above object is to provide a supporting member for carrying a toner image in which an electrostatic latent image based on image data is formed on the surface and developing the electrostatic latent image, and an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the supporting member. A developing cartridge that develops the electrostatic latent image by selectively attaching toner to an image, and a plurality of the developing cartridges are detachably accommodated around a rotating shaft and rotated around the rotating shaft. A developing rotary unit that causes any one of the developing cartridges to face the surface of the carrying member, and a control unit that controls driving of each part of the apparatus including the carrying member and the developing cartridge based on the received image data and various information. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by transferring a toner image on a member surface to a recording medium and fixing the image on a recording medium. At least information in the storage element as information to be processed by the control unit having a storage element for storing and holding information, and a function for non-contact communication by installing an antenna at a position where the developer cartridge side and the apparatus main body side can face each other Communication means for performing non-contact communication for reading, and between the high voltage member that has a voltage higher than the voltage required for toner adhesion and transfer and the rotation locus of the storage element on the outer surface of the developing cartridge, the high voltage member A shielding member that restricts the noise caused by the memory element from being affected is provided.

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

=== Summary of disclosure ===
At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a support member for supporting a toner image formed by developing an electrostatic latent image based on image data; and a surface of the support member A developing cartridge for developing the electrostatic latent image by selectively attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image, and a plurality of the developing cartridges are detachably accommodated around the rotating shaft, with the rotating shaft as a center. A developing rotary unit that rotates one of the developing cartridges against the surface of the carrying member, and a control unit that controls driving of each unit including the carrying member and the developing cartridge based on received image data and various information. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by transferring and fixing a toner image on a surface of a support member onto a recording medium, the developer forming cart being installed on an outer surface of a developing cartridge At least in the storage element as information to be processed by the control unit with a storage element for storing information on the wedge and a function for non-contact communication by installing an antenna at a position where the developing cartridge side and the apparatus main body side can face each other A non-contact communication means for reading out information, and the high voltage between the high voltage member that is higher than the voltage required for toner adhesion / transfer and the rotation trajectory of the storage element on the outer surface of the developing cartridge. A shielding member that restricts the noise caused by the member from affecting the memory element is provided.

  In this invention, even if noise flows from the high voltage member installed to adopt the electrophotographic recording method toward the storage element, the noise is absorbed by the shielding member before reaching the storage element, and has an adverse effect. Is restricted. Therefore, it is possible to avoid rewriting (destructing) / erasing stored information in the storage element.

According to a second aspect of the image forming apparatus for solving the above problem, in addition to the specific matters of the first aspect, the storage element is disposed on the outer surface of the developing cartridge adjacent to the antenna on the developing cartridge side. It is characterized by this.
In the present invention, it is limited that the antenna picks up noise from the high voltage member and adversely affects the stored information of the storage element. Therefore, even if the antenna is close to the memory element and easily picks up noise from the high-voltage member, the stored information in the memory element is prevented from being rewritten (destroyed) or erased.

According to a third aspect of the image forming apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problems, in addition to the specific matter of the first or second aspect, the high voltage member is a voltage applying member for charging a member to be contacted to a high voltage or the subject. It is one or both of the charging members.
In this invention, since the member for transferring the toner is in a charged state and the voltage applying member applies a high voltage to the member to be charged, when noise is emitted to the surroundings, Before the noise reaches the memory element or the like, it is limited that the noise is absorbed by the shielding member and adversely affected. Therefore, the voltage applying member and the member to be charged can be laid out in the apparatus without any limitation by installing the storage element on the outer surface of the developing cartridge.

According to a fourth aspect of the image forming apparatus for solving the above problem, in addition to the specific matters of the third aspect, the member to be charged is a carrying member that carries a toner image obtained by developing an electrostatic latent image. The voltage applying member is a member that charges the surface of the carrying member to a potential that forms an electrostatic latent image and attaches toner.
According to the present invention, noise from a supporting member for supporting a toner image formed by developing an electrostatic latent image and a member for charging the supporting member so that the electrostatic latent image can be formed or the toner image can be supported by the shielding member. It is limited that the storage element is adversely affected by absorption or the like. Therefore, it is possible to avoid rewriting (destroying) / erasing stored information in the storage element around the carrying member.

According to a fifth aspect of the image forming apparatus for solving the above problem, in addition to the specific matters of the third or fourth aspect, the toner image on the surface of the supporting member is primarily transferred and supported, and then the toner image is recorded. An intermediate transfer member for secondary transfer to a medium, wherein the member to be charged is the intermediate transfer member, and the voltage application member charges the intermediate transfer member to a potential for receiving and carrying a toner image from the carrying member. It is a member to be made to feature.
In this invention, the noise from the intermediate transfer member that receives the toner image carried by the carrying member and transfers it to the recording medium and the member that charges the intermediate transfer member so that the toner image can be carried is absorbed and stored in the shielding member. An adverse effect on the device is limited. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid rewriting (destructing) / erasing stored information in the storage element around the intermediate transfer member.

According to a sixth invention of an image forming apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problems, in addition to the specific matters of any of the first to fifth inventions, the shielding member is a position where the antenna or the storage element and the high voltage member face each other. It is characterized by being installed in.
In the present invention, a shielding member is installed at a position where the antenna and the storage element are substantially facing each other on the high voltage member, and noise from the high voltage member is absorbed and the like is limited. . Therefore, it is limited that the noise is picked up at the timing when the storage element or the like is rotated and moved to a place susceptible to the influence of noise, and the stored information in the storage element may be rewritten (destroyed) or erased. It is effectively avoided.

=== Image Forming Apparatus ===
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  1 and 2, the image forming apparatus is a printer that is used by connecting to an external device such as a personal computer PC that creates and outputs an image such as a character. An image recording apparatus 10 that receives image data and records and forms it on one side or both sides of a recording sheet (recording medium) by an electrophotographic method, and transports a plurality of stacked recording sheets to the image recording apparatus 10 and images. The entire apparatus including the sheet conveying apparatus 20 that carries the recording sheet that has been recorded out of the apparatus and stacked thereon, and the image recording apparatus 10 and the sheet conveying apparatus 20 based on image data received by being connected to the personal computer PC And a control unit 30 that forms an image on a recording sheet and prints it out. That.

  In brief, the image recording apparatus 10 irradiates the laser beam L from the laser beam scanning apparatus 11 that scans the laser beam L based on the image data and the laser beam L from the laser beam scanning apparatus 11 as shown in FIG. A photosensitive drum (supporting member) 12 that is scanned and exposed to an electrostatic latent image based on image data, and an outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 12 so that an electrostatic latent image can be formed by irradiation with laser light L And a developing roller 14a that stores yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) toner and faces the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 with a gap therebetween. , And a developing cartridge 14 for each color (only one place is shown) for developing the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 by selectively adhering the contained toner. The wedge 14 is accommodated in the installation space 15a for each color, and the developing rotary unit 15 that rotates about the rotation shaft 15b and the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 12 are received and recorded on the recording paper. By pressing (niping) the intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member) 16 that forms a possible toner image (monochrome image or color image) and the recording paper that has been conveyed between the intermediate transfer belt 16. By transferring the toner image carried by the intermediate transfer belt 16 and conveying the recording paper to the downstream while sandwiching the recording paper, the recording paper to which the toner image has been transferred is heated and pressed. A fixing roller pair 18 that fixes the toner image and sandwiches and conveys the recording paper further downstream, and the remaining on the photosensitive drum 12. And a waste toner tank 19 for storing recovered toner by a blade 19a which is provided with a. The toner is supplied to the developing roller 14a of the developing cartridge 14 by a supply roller 14b that rotates in the toner accommodating space of the developing cartridge 14 while being pressed against the developing roller 14a. The unit of the intermediate transfer belt 16 is also provided with a waste toner tank that collects and stores toner remaining on the belt 16 with a blade.

  As a result, the image recording apparatus 10 develops the electrostatic latent image based on the image data formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 by the laser beam scanning device 11 in the development rotary unit 15 switched according to the image data. The toner is developed on the cartridge 14, and thereafter, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 12 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16 and secondarily transferred to the recording paper conveyed by the paper conveying device 20. After recording, the fixing roller pair 18 is heated and pressed to fix the image.

  Here, when the developing roller 14a that rotates while facing the photosensitive drum 12 with a gap moves the attached toner onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 and attaches it to the surface of the photosensitive drum 12, the developer cartridge 14 has its toner poles. Since some of the air is scattered and floats on the downstream side in the rotation direction, the exhaust duct 60 sucks the upper portion of the developing position where the developing roller 14a and the photosensitive drum 12 face each other from the suction port 61 by a suction fan (not shown). The exhaust gas is exhausted from the exhaust port 63 via the exhaust path 62, and the toner contained in the sucked air is prevented from being adsorbed and removed by the filter 64 in the exhaust path 62 and contaminating the outside of the apparatus. is doing.

  Briefly, as shown in FIG. 1, the paper transport device 20 is detachably set at the lower part of the main body of the device, a paper cassette 21 on which a plurality of recording papers are stacked, and a lifting plate on the bottom surface of the paper cassette 21 A pickup roller 22 that pulls out the uppermost recording sheet by feeding and rotating on the recording sheet bundle raised by 21a and sends it to the conveyance path f, and receives the recording sheet sent out by this pickup roller 22 and further downstream The intermediate transfer belt 16 and the transfer of the image recording apparatus 10 are received by receiving the pair of relay conveyance rollers 23a and 23b that are nipped and conveyed to the conveyance path f of the image recording medium and the recording paper in the conveyance path f that is conveyed by the pair of relay conveyance rollers 23a and 23b. A registration roller pair 24 that is nipped and conveyed to an image recording position by the roller 17, and this registration roller pair 24 Then, a recording sheet on which a fixed image is formed is received by being conveyed through a conveyance path f passing between the intermediate transfer belt 16 and the transfer roller 17 or between the fixing roller pair 18, and a discharge table 29 on the upper part of the apparatus main body. A pair of discharge rollers 25a and 25b that are carried out and discharged and stacked thereon are provided. Note that the intermediate transfer belt 16 and the transfer roller 17 and the fixing roller pair 18 of the image recording apparatus also have a function of conveying a recording sheet, and thus constitute a part of the sheet conveying apparatus 20.

  As a result, the sheet conveying apparatus 20 delivers the recording sheet pulled out from the sheet cassette 21 by the pickup roller 22 to the registration roller pair 24 via the relay conveying roller pair 23a, 23b, and then the registration roller pair 24 In synchronization with the operation of the image recording apparatus 10, the intermediate transfer belt 16 and the transfer roller 17 are fed to an image recording position where the image is pressed, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transferred and recorded. Then, the recording paper on which the image based on the image data is fixed (recorded and formed) via the fixing roller pair 18 is received by the paper discharge roller pairs 25a and 25b, and is discharged and discharged onto the paper discharge table 29 and stacked. .

  Here, the sheet conveying device 20 is disposed in a re-conveying path r for reversing a recording sheet on which an image is formed on one side and sending it to the conveying path f on the upstream side of the registration roller pair 24 and the path r. The intermediate conveyance roller pair 27 is provided, and the intermediate conveyance roller pair 27 receives the recording sheet sent into the re-conveyance path r when the paper discharge roller pairs 25a and 25b are reversed, and is received by the registration roller pair 24. By passing, it is possible to form an image on both sides of the recording paper. In addition, the sheet conveying device 20 includes a manual feeding path m for sending a manually fed recording sheet to a conveying path f on the upstream side of the registration roller pair 24 and a manual feeding roller pair 28 disposed in the path m. The recording paper inserted into the manual feed path m is received by the pair of manual feeding rollers 28 and transferred to the registration roller pair 24, whereby an image can be formed on one side or both sides of the recording paper.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 30 is composed of a controller unit 31 and an engine control unit 32 constructed on a circuit board mounted in the apparatus main body. Data processing control and drive control of each part of the apparatus are executed.

  Briefly described, the controller unit 31 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. The image data such as text to be formed (printed) on the recording paper is received and temporarily stored in a memory (not shown). The controller unit 31 receives 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 so-called YMCK image data, read out from the memory, and transferred to the engine control unit 32.

  In the engine control unit 32, the CPU 33 receives image data, for example, in units of pages from the controller unit 31 according to a control program stored in the ROM 34, temporarily stores it in the main body memory 35, and uses the RAM 36 as a work area. While various information is exchanged between the image recording apparatus 10 and the sheet conveying apparatus 20, an image based on the image data is formed on the recording sheet. At this time, when executing this image formation control, the CPU 33 operates each part of the apparatus optimally by measuring various processing times by a built-in timer function (timer) 33a.

  Thus, when the control unit 30 receives image data from a personal computer PC or the like, the controller unit 31 outputs the image data converted from RGB data to YMCK data to the engine control unit 32 while being primarily stored. The CPU 33 of the engine control unit 32 controls the image recording device 10 and the paper transport device 20 based on the image data from the controller unit 31 stored in the main unit memory 35 in units of pages, thereby converting the image data into the image data. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 is developed with toner by the developing cartridge 14, and the toner image is transferred and fixed to one or both sides of the recording paper conveyed from the paper cassette 21 to form an image. Then, the recording paper is carried out and stacked on the paper discharge table 29.

  In FIG. 2, the I / O interface 37 connects the image recording device 10, the paper transport device 20, the controller unit 31, and the engine control unit 32 so that various types of information can be exchanged. The D / A converter 38 and the A / D converter 39 are configured so that the engine control unit 32 can process various types of information exchanged between the image recording device 10, the paper transport device 20, and the controller unit 31, respectively. The digital signal (D) is converted into an analog signal (A), or the analog signal is converted into a digital signal.

  The developing cartridge 14 of the image recording apparatus 10 has a similar outer shape so that the developing cartridge 14 can be stored in a plurality of installation spaces 15 a partitioned by a partition frame 15 c that rotates about the rotation shaft 15 b of the developing rotary unit 15. The CPU (control unit) 33 of the engine control unit 32 rotates the developing rotary unit 15 around the rotation shaft 15b on the basis of a print command including image data from the personal computer PC, thereby causing the photosensitive drum 12 to move. The developing cartridge 14 facing is switched to develop and transfer a toner image to be formed on one or both sides of the recording paper.

  For example, the image recording apparatus 10 includes a developing cartridge 14 that stores toner of each color of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) in a developing rotary unit 15 and a photosensitive drum. By switching the color of the toner that develops the electrostatic latent image on the image 12, the toner of each color can be overlaid or selected based on the received image data to print from a color image to a single color image. .

  Further, the image recording apparatus 10 can form an image even if toner of the same color is stored in all the developing cartridges 14 and stored in the developing rotary unit 15. For example, black (K) toner of the same color is used. By storing the four developing cartridges 14 to be stored, the developing cartridge 14 for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 12 is sequentially switched and used as a dedicated machine for continuously printing and forming monochrome images. Can do.

  A so-called memory tag 41 that is extremely small and thin as a whole is affixed to the developing cartridge 14 on a predetermined outer surface with a single-sided adhesive surface. The memory tag 41 is connected to the apparatus main body side shown in FIG. When it moves to the rotation position (communication position) that faces the main body antenna 51, it faces the outer cover 100 in a position along the outer cover 100, that is, the position closest to the outer cover 100 in an upward posture. Is installed (attached) to the outer surface of the developing cartridge 14. The memory tag 41 stores and holds necessary information by exchanging various kinds of information through non-contact communication with the transmission / reception circuit 52 on the apparatus main body via the main body antenna 51 and the engine control unit 32. It is designed to deliver necessary information to the CPU 33. Here, the main body side antenna 51 is installed so as to have a downward posture on the apparatus main body side, and is manufactured in substantially the same manner as the development side antenna 43 described later so that non-contact communication with the memory tag 41 is possible. The facing distance to the memory tag 41 is set to be within 10 mm, for example. A circuit board that forms a transmission / reception circuit 52 and performs non-contact communication with the memory tag 41 is connected to the main body side antenna 51, and the transmission / reception circuit 52 is connected to a device via an I / O interface 37. It is connected to the CPU 33 of the engine control unit 32 on the main body side.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3A, the memory tag 41 on the developing cartridge 14 side stores and holds various types of information on the basis of commands from the transmission / reception circuit 52 via the main body side antenna 51 and the various types of information. A non-contact IC chip 42 that reads out necessary information and passes it to the transmission / reception circuit 52, and a resonance capacitor 43a formed by etching the non-contact IC chip 42 and the metal film are connected in parallel. And a development-side antenna 43 made of a planar coil formed so as to be adjacent to each other a plurality of times are mounted on a plastic film and covered with a transparent cover sheet. As a result, the memory tag 41 receives (absorbs) the high frequency magnetic field induced through the main body side antenna 51 by the high frequency signal generated by the transmission / reception circuit 52 on the main body side of the apparatus, so that the connector It is possible to quickly access and input to the non-contact IC chip 42 without moving and directly connecting.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the non-contact IC chip 42 of the memory tag 41 rectifies a high-frequency magnetic field (high-frequency signal) from the transmission / reception circuit 52 on the apparatus main body side received via the development-side antenna 43. A rectifier 44 serving as a DC power source for driving each circuit in the circuit and a high-frequency signal of a high-frequency magnetic field received via the development-side antenna 43 are analyzed and based on various signals transferred to the transmission / reception circuit 52 on the apparatus main body side. A signal analysis RF (Radi Frequency) 45 that generates a high-frequency magnetic field that can be absorbed by the main-body-side antenna 51 by generating a high-frequency signal and inputting it to the developing-side antenna 43, and the written information are stored and retained. Storage information can be read from the outside and is nonvolatile, for example, a memory cell 46 such as a NAND flash ROM. The stored information in the memory cell 46 is rewritten and the read stored information is exchanged by transmitting / receiving various signals to / from the transmission / reception circuit 52 on the apparatus body side via the signal analysis RF 45 while being driven by a DC power source via the device 44. And a control unit 47 that delivers the data to the transmission / reception circuit 52. In other words, the memory cell 46 constitutes a storage element, and the development side antenna 43 and the main body side antenna 51 constitute a connection part that can be contactlessly communicated. The contactless IC chip 42 incorporating the memory cell 46 is formed. The development side antenna 43 forms a communication means on the developing cartridge 14 for non-contact communication, and the main body side antenna 51 and the transmission / reception circuit 52 constitute a communication means on the apparatus main body side.

  Here, in the memory cell 46 of the non-contact IC chip 42, unique ID information such as a serial number for each memory tag 41, manufacturing information such as the manufacturing date and manufacturing number of the developing cartridge 14, the developing cartridge 14 Destination information, model information on which the developing cartridge 14 can be mounted, toner information such as the color and remaining amount of toner contained in the developing cartridge 14, and the number of recycling and mounting / demounting times of the developing cartridge 14. Various information is stored and held. As a result, the engine control unit 32 of the control unit 30 causes the CPU 33 to store various information such as the color information of the toner of the developing cartridge 14 along with the presence or absence of the developing cartridge 14 at the storage position of the developing rotary unit 15. It is possible to execute optimal image formation control by storing it in the memory and grasping it appropriately. Also, if an error occurs, various information is displayed and output on the operation port, etc. Can be useful.

  Information stored in the memory cell 46 of the non-contact IC chip 42 is stored in the apparatus main body side (via the main body side antenna 51) via the development side antenna 43 of the memory tag 41 by the CPU 33 of the engine control unit 32 according to the control program in the ROM 34. Rewriting or reading is performed by causing the control unit 47 to perform non-contact communication with the transmission / reception circuit 52). For example, when the power is turned on or the developing cartridge 14 is replaced, the CPU 33 develops the memory tag 41 (developing side antenna 43) for each developing cartridge 14 so as to face the main body side antenna 51 for a time required for non-contact communication. The rewriting / reading process is executed by rotating the rotary unit 15 at least once. In the steady operation, when the CPU 33 receives an image data printing command, the developing rotary unit 15 starts rotating from the home position where the black (K) developing cartridge 14K is at the lowest position. The developing cartridge 14K containing black (K) toner is positioned at the image recording position P facing the photosensitive drum 12 shown in FIG. 4, and the electrostatic cartridge formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 by the developing cartridge 14K. The toner development of the latent image is performed. Thereafter, the CPU 33 similarly includes a developing cartridge 14M that stores magenta (M) toner, a developing cartridge 14C that stores cyan (C) toner, and a developing cartridge 14Y that stores yellow (Y) toner. By sequentially positioning (switching) the image at the image recording position P and performing toner development, a color toner image based on the image data is formed and transferred and fixed on the recording paper to perform image data printing processing. Do.

  In parallel with this print control or before and after the print control, the CPU 33, for example, when the developing cartridge 14M of magenta (M) is located at the image recording position P as shown in FIG. Since the memory tag 41 of the black (K) developing cartridge 14K that has been performing the developing operation immediately before is located at the communication position facing the main body side antenna 51, there is no contact via the transmission / reception circuit 52 on the main body side. By executing communication with the memory tag 41, rewriting and reading of stored information in the memory cell 46 of the memory tag 41 are performed. Thereafter, the CPU 33 similarly sets the magenta (M) developing cartridge 14M, the cyan (C) developing cartridge 14C, and the yellow (Y) developing cartridge 14Y to the black ( Since the developing cartridge 14K of K) is rotated to the home position which is the lowest position again and shifts to the standby state, it is sequentially positioned at the communication position facing the main body side antenna 51. The memory information in the memory cell 46 is continuously rewritten and read out. Thereby, the CPU 33 completes rewriting and reading of the stored information in the memory cells 46 of all the memory tags 41, and thereafter, rotates the developing rotary unit 15 to the home position and shifts to a standby state.

  Here, the memory tag 41 performs non-contact communication for exchanging signals with the main body side antenna 51 via the development side antenna 43, thereby storing the stored information in the memory cell 46 of the non-contact IC chip 42. Since reading or rewriting is performed, there is a case where information stored in the memory cell 46 is directly or indirectly rewritten / erased unnecessarily and damaged by noise of a certain intensity or more. At this time, the noise may easily enter from the development-side antenna 43 rather than directly entering the memory cell 46, and the stored information in the memory cell 46 may be indirectly inaccurate. . In particular, the memory tag 41 has a developing antenna 43 formed on the same plane as the non-contact IC chip 42 containing the memory cell 46 and is attached to the outer surface of the developing cartridge 14. Depending on the position, it is in an attitude that substantially faces the noise generation source, and noise from there tends to enter from the developing antenna 43 (easy to pick up noise).

  On the other hand, in the apparatus disposed around the developing rotary unit 15, the photosensitive drum 12 has a laser beam when the roller-shaped charger 13 contacts the outer peripheral surface and applies a high voltage. Since the laser beam L from the scanning device 11 is scanned and charged to a potential at which an electrostatic latent image to which toner adheres can be formed (to a high voltage to which toner does not adhere before exposure), the charger 13 is charged with the photosensitive drum. There is a possibility that noise may be emitted to the surroundings from a location where a high voltage is applied to 12 or from the photosensitive drum 12 itself. That is, the photosensitive drum 12 itself constitutes a high-voltage member that is higher than the voltage required for toner adhesion of the member to be charged, and the charger 13 is higher than the voltage required for toner adhesion of the voltage application member. A high voltage member is formed. Further, the intermediate transfer belt 16 can primarily transfer a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 by applying a high voltage by rotating a roller member (not shown) in contact with an electrode portion exposed at the edge of the belt ( Since the toner is attracted to a high voltage, noise may be emitted from the roller member to which the high voltage is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 16 or from the intermediate transfer belt 16 itself. That is, the intermediate transfer belt 16 itself constitutes a high-voltage member that is higher than the voltage required for transfer of the member to be charged, and the roller member constitutes a high-voltage member that becomes higher than the voltage required for transfer of the voltage application member. To do. Here, a case will be described in which the charging unit 13 uses a method in which a roller-shaped portion is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 12 to be charged, but a method in which a high voltage is applied to the electrode wire to charge the photosensitive drum 12. The present invention can also be applied to those employing the above.

  For this reason, the memory tag 41 installed on the outer surface of the developing cartridge 14 faces a position facing the photosensitive drum 12 and the intermediate transfer belt 16 and a position charging the photosensitive drum 12 and the intermediate transfer belt 16. In particular, during the development in which the developing roller 14a of the developing cartridge 14 faces the photosensitive drum 12 at a certain timing, the noise emitted from the noise is picked up at a certain time. There is the highest risk of picking up the noise emitted from the face-to-face state.

  On the other hand, a sheet metal or the like connected to the ground is provided around the developing roller unit 15 on both the upstream side and the downstream side with respect to the rotation direction of the developing cartridge 14 adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 12. Shielding members 71 and 72 made of a conductive material are provided. That is, the shielding members 71 and 72 are disposed between the rotation trajectory of the memory tag 41 on the outer surface of the developing cartridge 14 and a portion facing the photosensitive drum 12 and the intermediate transfer belt 16 and a portion where they are charged. When the developing cartridge 14 stops rotating and performs a developing operation, the developing cartridge 14 faces the memory tag 41 facing in a substantially flat posture and is disposed so as to be interposed between noise generation sources. Since the developing cartridge 14 faces the developing roller 14a to the photosensitive drum 12 through a minute gap, the shielding members 71 and 72 are positioned close to the photosensitive drum 12 so as not to interfere with the facing. Install.

  As a result, even if noise is emitted from a portion facing the photosensitive drum 12 and the intermediate transfer belt 16 or a portion where they are charged, the noise is absorbed by the shielding members 71 and 72 and the memory tag 41 (development side antenna). 43 and the memory cell 46), and it can be avoided that the stored information in the memory cell 46 is adversely affected by rewriting (destruction) or erasure.

  As described above, in this embodiment, noise emitted from a portion facing the photosensitive drum 12 and the intermediate transfer belt 16 or a portion charging the memory tag 41 that rotates and moves on the outer surface of the developing cartridge 14 enters. It is possible to prevent the stored information in the memory cell 46 from being rewritten / erased unusable. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 12 is designed to have a small diameter, and the charger 13 is laid out at a position approaching the developing rotary unit 15 (developing cartridge 14). Similarly, the intermediate transfer belt 16 has the developing rotary unit. Even in the arrangement close to 15, the reliability of the stored information in the memory tag 41 (memory cell 46) on the outer surface of the developing cartridge 14 can be ensured. As a result, accurate stored information in the memory tag 41 can be comfortably used for drive control.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent noise from a high-voltage member from entering a storage element or an antenna that rotates and moves on the outer surface of the developing cartridge, and stored information in the storage element can be stored. It is possible to avoid rewriting and erasing such that it cannot be used. Accordingly, the storage information in the storage element can be used with high reliability, and the storage information in the storage element can be comfortably used for drive control such as image processing.

  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. For example, in the present embodiment, a case where a plurality of developing cartridges 14 are accommodated in the developing rotary unit 15 and a configuration including the intermediate transfer belt 16 is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, the present invention can be suitably applied to a case where a member that is charged to transfer toner is provided.

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 control part. It is a figure which shows the principal part structure, (a) is a perspective plan view which shows the memory tag (storage element) installed in the developing cartridge side, (b) is a related block diagram which shows the communication means. FIG. 4 is a conceptual perspective view showing a positional relationship of a memory tag (storage element) on the outer surface of the developing cartridge with another device.

Explanation of symbols

10 image recording device, 11 laser beam scanning device, 12 photosensitive drum,
13 charger, 14 developing cartridge, 14a developing roller,
15 Development rotary unit, 16 Intermediate transfer belt, 17 Transfer roller,
18 fixing roller pair, 20 paper transport device, 30 control unit,
31 controller unit, 32 engine control unit, 33 CPU, 35 main unit memory,
41 memory tag, 42 non-contact IC chip, 43 development side antenna,
44 rectifier, 45 signal analysis RF, 46 memory cell, 47 control unit,
51 Body side antenna, 52 Transmission / reception circuit, 71, 72 Shielding member

Claims (6)

An electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on the surface, and a supporting member that supports the toner image obtained by developing the electrostatic latent image; and the toner is selectively attached to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the supporting member. A developing cartridge that develops an electrostatic latent image, and a plurality of the developing cartridges are detachably accommodated around a rotating shaft, and one of the developing cartridges faces the carrying member surface by rotating about the rotating shaft. A developing rotary unit that controls the driving of each part of the apparatus including the supporting member and the developing cartridge based on the received image data and various information, and transfers the toner image on the surface of the supporting member to the recording medium. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by fixing the image,
A storage element installed on the outer surface of the developing cartridge for storing and holding information about the developing cartridge, and a function for non-contact communication by installing an antenna at a position where the developing cartridge side and the apparatus main body side can face each other. Communication means for executing non-contact communication for reading at least information in the storage element as information to be processed,
A shielding member that restricts the noise caused by the high-voltage member from affecting the storage element between the high-voltage member that has a voltage higher than that necessary for toner adhesion and transfer and the rotation trajectory of the storage element on the outer surface of the developing cartridge. An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage element is disposed on an outer surface of the developing cartridge adjacent to an antenna on the developing cartridge side.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the high-voltage member is one or both of a voltage applying member and a member to be charged for charging a member to be contacted to a high voltage.   The member to be charged is a carrier member that carries a toner image obtained by developing an electrostatic latent image, and the voltage application member charges the surface of the carrier member to a potential that forms an electrostatic latent image and attaches toner. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a member. An intermediate transfer member for secondarily transferring the toner image to a recording medium after the toner image on the surface of the carrying member is primarily transferred and carried;
4. The charged member is the intermediate transfer member, and the voltage applying member is a member that charges the intermediate transfer member to a potential for receiving and carrying a toner image from the carrying member. 5. The image forming apparatus according to 4. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shielding member is installed at a position where the antenna or the storage element and the high voltage member face each other.

Images