JP2006276415A - Image forming apparatus and developing cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the color of developer stored in a developing cartridge with simple constitution in a color laser printer. <P>SOLUTION: Each toner storing chamber 92 is provided with an incoming/outgoing part 190 for a color having the relation of a complementary color to the color of toner to be stored in each developing cartridge 32, and a light emitting part 180a irradiates the incoming/outgoing part 190 with light and also a light receiving part 180b receives the light which is reflected inside the toner storing chamber 92 after it is radiated to the incoming/outgoing part 190 by the light emitting part 180a, and emitted from the incoming/outgoing part 190 to the outside. A CPU decides the color of the toner stored in the toner storing chamber 92 on the basis of the received quantity of the light received by the light receiving part 180b with respect to the radiated quantity of the light by the light emitting part 180a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, and a developing cartridge attached to the image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, a plurality of colors (yellow, cyan, magenta, black) of developers are stored in different developing cartridges, and each color developer is superimposed on one recording medium to enable color printing. There is a forming device. In such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to detect the color of the developer contained in the developing cartridge by using a light source of a plurality of colors (red, green, blue) and a combination of transmission of light emitted from each light source. (See, for example, “0021” and “0022” of Patent Document 1 and FIG. 9).

  In addition, while using a single light source, each developer cartridge is provided with a filter of multiple colors (red, green, and blue), and the color of the developer contained in the developer cartridge is determined by the combination of light transmission from each filter. Can be detected (see, for example, FIG. 10 of Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, in recent years, when the developer inside such a developing cartridge is worn out, it is reused by refilling the developer inside. Detection of the color of the developer contained in the developing cartridge is also desired from the viewpoint of preventing refilling errors.
JP-A-8-146701

  However, in the image forming apparatus as described above, in order to be able to detect the color of the developer accommodated in the developing cartridge, it is necessary to provide a large number of light sources, or a plurality of colors (red, green, blue). A configuration for matching the filter to the irradiation position of a single light source is required, and there is a problem that the apparatus becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can detect the color of the developer contained in the developing cartridge with a simple configuration. .

  An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above-described problems, has a developing cartridge that stores each developer of different colors, and each color developer stored in the developing cartridge is a recording medium. An image forming apparatus that forms an image by superimposing the developer cartridge on the developer cartridge, wherein the developer cartridge stores a developer container that can store a developer of a specific color that is a predetermined color, and the specific color. A first incident / exit portion made of a light-transmitting material having a complementary color relationship and allowing light to enter from the outside to the inside of the developer accommodating portion and light from the inside to the outside of the developer accommodating portion And a first light emitting unit for irradiating the first light incident / exiting unit with white light from the outside of the developer containing unit, and the first light emitting unit After irradiating the exit A first light receiving portion that receives light reflected from the inside of the developer accommodating portion and emitted from the first incident / exit portion to the outside; and the first light receiving amount with respect to an amount of light emitted by the first light emitting portion. And determining means for determining the color of the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion based on the amount of light received by the light receiving portion.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, the first incident / exit portions of colors having a complementary color relationship with the color of the developer to be accommodated in each developer cartridge are accommodated in the respective developers. After the first light emitting part irradiates the first incident / exit part with white light and the first light receiving part is irradiated by the first light emitting part to the first incident / exit part Light reflected from the inside of the developer accommodating portion and emitted from the first incident / exiting portion to the outside is received. Then, the determining means determines the color of the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion based on the amount of light received by the first light receiving portion with respect to the amount of light irradiated by the first light emitting portion. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a large number of light sources as in the conventional configuration or to provide a configuration for adjusting the filters of a plurality of colors to the irradiation position of a single light source. The color of the developer stored in the developer storage unit can be detected.

In this case, as a specific example of the first comparison value, there is a “ratio” of the amount of light received by the first light receiving unit with respect to the amount of light irradiated by the first light emitting unit (claim 2). It is done.
By the way, it can be known as follows that the developer other than the regular color is accommodated in the developer accommodating portion. That is, as in the third aspect, when the above-described “first comparison value” is larger than the first threshold value, the developer other than the specific color is accommodated in the developer accommodating portion. It is possible to judge that. The first threshold is a value set for determining that a developer of a specific color is stored in the developer storage unit, and is defined in advance by experiments or the like in consideration of other configurations. Yes. With this configuration, it is possible to detect whether a developer other than the regular color is stored in the developer storage unit with a simple configuration.

  Further, the fact that the regular color developer is accommodated in the developer accommodating portion can be known as follows. That is, as in the fourth aspect, when the determination means has the first comparison value smaller than the first threshold and larger than the second threshold, the developer of the specific color is stored in the developer accommodating portion. It is possible to judge that it is contained. The second threshold is a value set for determining that the developer of a specific color is stored up to the position of the first entrance / exit section in the developer storage section, and considers other configurations. Thus, it is defined in advance by experiments or the like. With this configuration, it is possible to detect whether or not the regular color developer is stored in the developer storage unit with a simple configuration.

  In this case, if the installation position of the first entrance / exit part in the developer accommodating part is taken into consideration, various amounts of the developer in the developer accommodating part can be detected. As an example, toner empty is detected by providing the first input / output portion near the bottom of the developer accommodating portion. Specifically, as in claim 5, when the first incident / exit section is provided near the bottom of the developer accommodating section and the determination means has a first comparison value smaller than the second threshold value It is conceivable that the developer containing portion is determined to be toner empty. With this configuration, toner empty can be detected with a simple configuration.

  Note that there may be four of the plurality of developing cartridges described above. In such a case, the developer accommodating portions of the four developing cartridges can each accommodate a predetermined color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black developers, respectively. The first entrance / exit part of each developer cartridge is blue for yellow developer, green, cyan for magenta developer, depending on the color of the developer contained in the developer containing part. It is conceivable that the developer is made of a light-transmitting material that is red for black developer or colorless for black developer.

  By the way, it can be known as follows that the black developer is accommodated in the developer accommodating portion whose specific color is a color other than black. That is, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 7, the developing cartridge is made of a light-transmitting material having colorlessness, and light is incident from the outside to the inside of the developer accommodating portion and from the inside to the outside of the developer accommodating portion. It has a “second incident / exit section” that permits the emission of light to the. Then, a “second light emitting portion” that irradiates the second light incident / exit portion with white light from the outside of the developer accommodating portion, and the second light emitting portion irradiates the second light incident portion with the second light emitting portion. A “second light receiving portion” that receives the light reflected from the inside of the agent containing portion and emitted from the second incident / exiting portion to the outside. Further, the determination means determines whether or not the black developer is accommodated in the developer accommodating portion based on the amount of light received by the second light receiving portion with respect to the amount of light emitted by the second light emitting portion. to decide.

  In addition, it is possible to provide a notification means for notifying the determination result by the determination means described above (claim 8). Specific examples of the notification method in the above-described notification means include displaying on a display device, informing by voice, turning on a lamp, and sounding a buzzer. If comprised in this way, a detection result as mentioned above can be notified to a user, and a user's convenience can be improved.

  In the meantime, a developing cartridge according to a ninth aspect made to solve the above-described problem is mounted in an image forming apparatus and is previously selected from among a plurality of color developers for forming an image by being superimposed on a recording medium. A developing cartridge for storing a specific developer of a specific color, comprising a developer storage portion capable of storing a specific color developer, and a light transmissive material having a complementary color relationship to the specific color, and developing And a first incident / exit section that allows light to enter from the outside to the inside of the developer container and to emit light from the inside of the developer container to the outside.

  According to the developing cartridge of the present invention configured as described above, by mounting the developing cartridge of the present invention on the image forming apparatus including the first light emitting unit, the first light receiving unit, and the determining unit as described above, There are the following effects. That is, the first light emitting unit of the image forming apparatus irradiates the first incident / exiting unit with white light, and the first light receiving unit of the image forming apparatus is After being irradiated, the light reflected inside the developer accommodating portion and emitted from the first incident / exiting portion to the outside is received. The determination unit of the image forming apparatus determines the color of the developer stored in the developer storage unit based on the amount of light received by the first light receiving unit with respect to the amount of light irradiated by the first light emitting unit. to decide. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a large number of light sources as in the conventional configuration or to provide a configuration for adjusting the filters of a plurality of colors to the irradiation position of a single light source. The color of the developer stored in the developer storage unit can be detected.

  As for the developing cartridge of the present invention, as in claim 10, the developer containing portion can contain a developer of any one color of yellow, magenta, cyan or black, which is a predetermined color, Depending on the color of the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion, the first incident / exiting portion is blue for the yellow developer, green for the magenta developer, and green for the cyan developer. Is considered to be made of a colorless light-transmitting material for a red or black developer.

  Further, the developing cartridge of the present invention is made of a light-transmitting material having colorlessness, as in claim 11, and the incidence of light from the outside to the inside of the developer accommodating portion and from the inside to the outside of the developer accommodating portion. It is conceivable to include a second incident / exit section that permits emission of the light.

  According to the developing cartridge of the present invention configured as described above, by mounting the developing cartridge of the present invention on the image forming apparatus including the second light emitting unit, the second light receiving unit, and the determining unit as described above, There are the following effects. That is, the second light emitting unit of the image forming apparatus irradiates the second light incident / exiting unit with white light, and the second light receiving unit of the image forming apparatus is After receiving the light, the light reflected inside the developer accommodating portion and emitted from the second incident / exiting portion to the outside is received. The determination unit of the image forming apparatus determines whether the black developer is accommodated based on the amount of light received by the second light receiving unit with respect to the amount of light irradiated by the second light emitting unit. To do. According to this configuration, it is possible to detect that a developer of a color other than black is stored in the developer storage unit whose specific color is black with a simple configuration.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a main part of a color laser printer 1 as an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. 2 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the color laser printer 1 as viewed from above the front side. FIG. 3 is a side view for explaining the mounting of the drum cartridge 31 and the developing cartridge 32 to the main casing 2. is there. 4 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the developing cartridge 32 is mounted in the process accommodating portion 12, and FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a state in which the developing cartridge 32 is mounted in the process accommodating portion 12. is there.

[Description of Configuration of Color Laser Printer 1]
As shown in FIG. 1, the color laser printer 1 is a horizontal tandem color laser printer in which a plurality of process units 27 are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. A sheet feeding unit 4 for feeding the sheet 3, an image forming unit 5 for forming an image on the fed sheet 3, and a sheet discharge unit 6 for discharging the sheet 3 on which the image is formed. Yes. Hereinafter, the main casing 2, the paper feed unit 4, the image forming unit 5, and the paper discharge unit 6 will be described in order.

[Description of Configuration of Main Body Casing 2]
The main casing 2 has a box-like shape that is substantially rectangular in a side view with the upper side opened, and a top cover 7 is provided on the upper side. The top cover 7 is rotatable via a hinge (not shown) provided on the back side of the main casing 2 (in the following description, the left side in FIG. 1 is the back side and the right side is the front side). The main casing 2 is openable and closable.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the main body casing 2 is in the width direction (the normal direction (the direction extending between the front side and the back side) and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the same applies hereinafter). A left side plate 8 and a right side plate 9 which are arranged to face each other with a space therebetween, and a plurality of (four) partition plates 10 and a front side plate 11 which are installed between them. Each partition plate 10 and the front side plate 11 are provided so that each partition plate 10 partitions the normal back space between the left side plate 8 and the right side plate 9 for each process unit 27 described later. In the middle of the direction, the front side plates 11 are provided at intervals from each other, and the front side plates 11 are provided on the front side of the partition plates 10.

  In each of the partition plates 10 and the front side plate 11 described above, the upper end portion is the front side and the lower end portion is the rear side with respect to the normal direction (the same as the conveyance direction of the paper 3 at the image forming position described later) and the vertical direction. Are arranged so as to be inclined. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, each partition plate 10 and front side plate 11 are arranged such that their upper end portions are spaced apart from the top cover 7 in the vertical direction, and the lower end portions thereof are the upper and lower portions of the transfer portion 28 described later. It arrange | positions so that the space | interval may be separated in the direction.

  In the main body casing 2, a plurality of (four) process housing units in which the process units 27 for each color are arranged by the partition plates 10 and the front side plates 11, the left side plate 8 and the right side plate 9 which are adjacent to each other. 12 is partitioned.

  Each of these process accommodating portions 12 accommodates a drum cartridge 31 described later and a developing cartridge 32 described later, and a drum accommodating portion 13 in which a holder portion 43 of the drum cartridge 31 described later is mounted and a developing cartridge 32 described later are mounted. And a developing container 14.

  Among these, the drum accommodating part 13 is provided below each partition plate 10, and is divided by the virtual extension plane which extended each partition plate 10 and the front side plate 11 as it was in the inclination direction downward in the front-back direction. In the direction, it is divided by the left side plate 8 and the right side plate 9. The internal space partitioned by them is a drum housing space 15 for housing a holder portion 43 of the drum cartridge 31 described later.

  On the other hand, the developing container 14 is mounted upstream of the drum cartridge 31 (described later) with respect to the drum container 13, that is, above the drum container 13, in the mounting direction of the drum cartridge 31 (described later) and the developing cartridge 32 (described later). Are provided so as to be continuous with the drum accommodating portion 13, and are partitioned by the respective partition plates 10 and the front side plate 11 in the normal direction, and are partitioned by the left side plate 8 and the right side plate 9 in the width direction. . The internal space partitioned by them is a developing storage space 16 for storing a developing cartridge 32 described later. In addition, the developing container 14 is provided with rails 17 that rub against each of the horns 51 of the drum cartridge 31 described later at both ends in the width direction of the partition plate 10. Each rail portion 17 is formed in a strip shape having a thickness along the attaching / detaching direction of the drum cartridge 31.

  Each process accommodating portion 12 is formed with a guide groove 101 through which the drum shaft 60 of the drum cartridge 31 is inserted in order to guide the attachment and detachment of the drum cartridge 31. The guide groove 101 is provided in the left side plate 8 and the right side plate 9 so as to be opposed to each other so as to be recessed outward in the width direction, and along the attaching / detaching direction of the drum cartridge 31 so as to incline rearward from the upper side to the lower side. Has been placed.

  Further, the lower end portion (deepest portion) of each guide groove 101 is a receiving portion 102 (see FIG. 3) that receives the drum shaft 60. The receiving portion 102 is formed in a concave shape in which the drum shaft 60 is just fitted in the front-back direction, and is arranged so that the photosensitive drum 42 and a conveyance belt 168 described later come into contact when the drum shaft 60 abuts. ing.

  A drum positioning groove 103 is formed in the middle of each guide groove 101 in the longitudinal direction. The drum positioning groove 103 is recessed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the side. The drum positioning grooves 103 are formed at positions facing the left side plate 8 and the right side plate 9 in the width direction so that the drum boss portion 56 can be received.

  A boss insertion groove 133 into which the developing boss portion 95 of the developing cartridge 32 is inserted is formed above each guide groove 101 so as to cut out the left side plate 8 and the right side plate 9. The boss insertion groove 133 extends from the upper end of the left side plate 8 and the right side plate 9 in the attaching / detaching direction of the developing cartridge 32, more specifically, when the developing cartridge 32 is attached / detached, Along the moving path, it is formed so as to be cut out in a straight U-shape on the oblique back side.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the left and right plates 8 and 9 are provided with an approach / separation mechanism 106 for bringing the developing cartridge 32 into and out of contact with the drum cartridge 31. The detailed description of the configuration of each part of the contact / separation mechanism 106 is omitted here.

[Description of Configuration of Optical Sensors 180, 181 of Main Body Casing 2]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a light emitting unit 180a and a light receiving unit 180b are provided on the inner side surface of the left side plate 8 of the main body casing 2, respectively. 180 is configured.

  The light emitting unit 180a and the light receiving unit 180b are arranged side by side in the vertical direction (vertical direction) and are arranged so as to face an incident / exiting unit 190 of the developing cartridge 32 described later, and also in the width direction. It arrange | positions so that the part 190 may be opposed.

  In addition, the light emitting unit 180a includes a light emitting element, and white light having strong directivity such as a laser is incident on the incident light emitting / emitting unit 190 as detection light. On the other hand, the light receiving unit 180b is formed of a light receiving element, and receives the detection light that is incident from the incident / exiting unit 190, reflected by the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 92, and output from the incident / exiting unit 190.

  Further, a light emitting part 181a and a light receiving part 181b are respectively provided on the inner side surface of the right side plate 9 of the main casing 2, and the light in the toner storage chamber 92 of the developing cartridge 32 is provided by the light emitting part 181a and the light receiving part 181b. A sensor 181 is configured. In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 181a and the light receiving unit 181b are not installed at a location facing the developing cartridge 32 that stores black toner.

  The light emitting unit 181a and the light receiving unit 181b are arranged side by side in the vertical direction (vertical direction), and are arranged so as to face the incident / exiting unit 191, and also face the incident / exiting unit 191 in the width direction. Is arranged.

  In addition, the light emitting unit 181a is formed of a light emitting element similarly to the light emitting unit 180a, and white light having a strong directivity such as a laser is incident on the opposing incident / exiting unit 191 as detection light. On the other hand, the light receiving unit 181b is composed of a light receiving element similarly to the light receiving unit 180b, and receives the detection light that is incident from the incident / exiting unit 191 and reflected by the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 92 and emitted from the incident / exiting unit 191. To do.

  The light emitting unit 180a corresponds to the first light emitting unit. In addition, the light receiving unit 180b corresponds to a first light receiving unit. The light emitting unit 181a corresponds to a second light emitting unit. The light receiving unit 181b corresponds to a second light receiving unit.

[Description of Configuration of Paper Feed Unit 4]
Next, the paper feeding unit 4 provided in the color laser printer 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the paper feed unit 4 includes a paper feed tray 21 that is detachably attached to the main body casing 2 from the front side in the horizontal direction at the bottom in the main body casing 2, and the paper feed tray 21. Pickup roller 22 and paper feed roller 23 as supply means provided above the front side of the paper, a paper feed side U-shaped path 24 provided above the front side of the paper feed roller 23, and the middle of the paper feed-side U-shaped path 24 A conveying roller 25 and a registration roller 26 provided in the apparatus.

  The paper 3 is stacked in the paper feed tray 21, and the paper 3 at the top is first picked up by the pickup roller 22 and conveyed to the front side, and then fed by the paper feed roller 23. Paper is fed to the side U-shaped path 24.

  The upstream end of the paper feed side U-shaped path 24 is adjacent to the paper feed roller 23 at the lower side, and the downstream side end is described later at the upper side so that the paper 3 is fed toward the front side. Adjacent to the conveyance belt 168, it is formed as a conveyance path for the substantially U-shaped sheet 3 such that the sheet 3 is discharged toward the back side.

  The paper 3 fed toward the front side by the paper feed roller 23 at the upstream end of the paper feed U-shaped path 24 is transported by the transport roller 25 in the paper feed U-shaped path 24. The sheet is conveyed, the conveyance direction is reversed, and after registration, the sheet is discharged toward the back side by the registration roller 26.

[Description of Configuration of Image Forming Unit 5]
Next, the image forming unit 5 provided in the color laser printer 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 5 includes a process unit 27, a transfer unit 28, and a fixing unit 29. Hereinafter, it demonstrates in order.

  FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of the main part of the process unit 27. In the description of the drum cartridge 31 with reference to FIG. 6, in the state in which the drum cartridge 31 is mounted, the side located on the back side in the thickness direction of the drum cartridge 31 is the “top side” and is located on the front side. The bottom side is the “bottom side”, the downstream side in the mounting direction of the drum cartridge 31 is “front side”, and the upstream side in the mounting direction of the drum cartridge 31 is “back side”.

  7 is a perspective view seen from the front top surface side of the developing cartridge 32, FIG. 8 is a perspective view seen from the rear bottom surface side of the developing cartridge 32, and FIG. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view, and FIG.

[Description of Configuration of Process Unit 27 of Image Forming Unit 5]
The process unit 27 is provided for each color of a plurality of colors of toner. In other words, the process unit 27 includes four units, that is, a yellow process unit 27Y, a magenta process unit 27M, a cyan process unit 27C, and a black process unit 27K. These process units 27 are arranged in the respective process accommodating units 12 of the main casing 2 and are sequentially arranged in parallel so as to be overlapped in the horizontal direction at intervals from the front side to the back side.

  Each process unit 27 includes a scanner unit 30, a drum cartridge 31 as a photosensitive cartridge, and a developing cartridge 32 that is detachably attached to the drum cartridge 31. The drum cartridge 31 and the developing cartridge 32 attached to the drum cartridge 31 constitute a process cartridge.

Hereinafter, the scanner unit 30, the drum cartridge 31, and the developing cartridge 32 will be described in order.
[Description of Configuration of Scanner Unit 30 of Process Unit 27]
The scanner unit 30 included in the process unit 27 includes a scanner casing 35, and a laser light emitting unit (not shown), a polygon mirror 36, two lenses 37 and 38, and a reflecting mirror 39 in the scanner casing 35. .

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the scanner casing 35 is disposed at the center in the width direction of each partition plate 10 so that the rail portions 17 face each other with the scanner casing 35 sandwiched in the width direction. The rear wall of the casing 35 is in contact with the front surface of the partition plate 10, and the front wall 34 of the scanner casing 35 is provided on each partition plate 10 so as to bulge from the partition plate 10 toward the front side. Thus, since the scanner casing 35 is arranged so as to bulge from the partition plate 10 toward the front side, the scanner unit 30, the drum cartridge 31, and the developing cartridge 32 can be arranged close to each other. . Therefore, the apparatus can be reduced in size.

  In addition, since the scanner casing 35 is arranged so as to bulge from the partition plate 10 toward the front side, in the state where the developing cartridge 32 is attached to the drum cartridge 31 in the developing container 14, In a state in which the passage of the drum cartridge 31 in the developing container 14 is restricted and the developing cartridge 32 is separated from the drum cartridge 31, the drum cartridge 31 is allowed to pass through the developing container space 16 in the developing container 14. It becomes like this.

  That is, the developing container 14 is scanned by the scanner casing 35 in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction and the width direction of the drum cartridge 31 and the developing cartridge 32 (the thickness direction of the mounted drum cartridge 31 and the developing cartridge 32, hereinafter simply “ In the “thickness direction”), it is formed narrower than the drum accommodating portion 13.

  Further, both the widthwise sides and the upper side of the scanner casing 35 in the developing container 14 and the vicinity of the front wall 34 of the scanner casing 35 (between the front wall 34 of the scanner casing 35 and the developing container space 16, which will be described later) In the space in which the plate 54 is disposed, an extension portion accommodation space 18 in which an extension portion 44 described later of the drum cartridge 31 is accommodated is formed (see FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 1, an emission window 40 for emitting laser light is opened on the front wall 34 of the scanner casing 35.
In the scanner unit 30, the laser light based on the image data emitted from the laser light emitting unit is reflected by the polygon mirror 36, and sequentially passes or reflects through the lens 37, the reflecting mirror 39, and the lens 38, and the exit window 40. It is emitted from.

[Description of Configuration of Drum Cartridge 31 of Process Unit 27]
As shown in FIG. 6, the drum cartridge 31 included in the process unit 27 includes a drum casing 41, a photosensitive drum 42 as a photosensitive member provided in the drum casing 41, and a scorotron charger 62 (see FIG. 1). It has. Hereinafter, the drum casing 41, the photosensitive drum 42, and the scorotron charger 62 will be described in order.

(1) Description of Configuration of Drum Housing 41 Among these, the drum casing 41 includes a holder portion 43 and an extending portion 44 extending from the holder portion 43, and is integrally formed from a resin material.

  The holder portion 43 includes two holder side walls 45 that are opposed to each other with a gap in the width direction, a holder ceiling wall 46 that is installed on the upper end of each holder sidewall 45, and each holder from the front end portion of the holder ceiling wall 46. A holder front wall 47 provided halfway in the thickness direction of the side wall 45 is provided.

Note that the holder portion 43 is formed to be thicker than the developing housing 64 of the developing cartridge 32.
Further, the thickness of the holder portion 43 is formed to be thicker than the thickness of the extending portion 44. By forming the holder portion 43 to be thicker than the extending portion 44, the photosensitive drum 42 and the scorotron charger 62 can be reliably accommodated.

  Each holder side wall 45 is formed with a substantially U-shaped development positioning groove 48 opened rearward on the bottom side portion thereof. Further, an insertion portion 49 through which the drum shaft 60 of the photosensitive drum 42 is inserted is formed in front of the development positioning groove 48.

  The holder ceiling wall 46 is formed with a cleaner fitting portion 50 in which a cleaner 63 described later is slidably fitted over the width direction. Further, at both end portions in the width direction of the holder ceiling wall 46, horn portions 51 having a substantially triangular shape in a side view projecting to the top surface side are formed at the front end portion, respectively.

  The extending portion 44 is rearward from the holder portion 43 so as to extend upward from the upper end portion of the scanner casing 35 in the developing housing portion 14 in a state where the holder portion 43 is attached to the drum housing portion 13. It is extended.

  The extending portion 44 includes two extending side portions 52 that are opposed to each other with an interval in the width direction, an extending rear wall 53 that is installed at the rear end portion of each extending side portion 52, and a holder portion 43. And an intermediate plate 54 provided at a portion surrounded by each extended side portion 52 and the extended rear wall 53.

  Each extension side portion 52 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section with the bottom surface open, and each outer surface continuously extends rearward from the top surface side of the development positioning groove 48 of each holder side wall 45. It is formed so as to extend backward from both sides in the width direction of the portion 43.

In addition, a drum boss portion 56 that protrudes outward in the width direction is provided on the outer surface of each extending side portion 52 in the middle of the longitudinal direction.
The extended rear wall 53 extends along the width direction so as to connect the rear end portions of the extended side portions 52, and the drum cartridge 31 is gripped at the center portion in the width direction. A drum handle 57 for operating the attachment / detachment with respect to the accommodating portion 13 is provided.

  The intermediate plate 54 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape in a plan view, and in the portion surrounded by the holder portion 43, the extended side portions 52, and the extended rear wall 53, the extended side portions 52 and the extended rear wall 53 are formed. It is provided so as to be connected to the holder portion 43, each extending side portion 52, and the extending rear wall 53 at a position recessed from the top surface side surface toward the bottom surface side. The middle plate 54 is formed with an opening 58 for allowing light emitted from the emission window 40 of the scanner casing 35 to pass therethrough. As shown in FIG. 6, the opening 58 is formed in a trapezoidal shape in plan view with a wide front side and a narrow rear side.

(2) Description of Configuration of Photosensitive Drum 42 The photosensitive drum 42 is accommodated in the holder portion 43 along the width direction. The photosensitive drum 42 has a cylindrical shape, and a drum main body 59 formed by a positively chargeable photosensitive layer whose outermost layer is made of polycarbonate or the like, and an axial center of the drum main body 59 along the axial direction of the drum main body 59. And a drum shaft 60 extending in the direction. The drum shaft 60 is supported at each holder side wall 45 so as not to rotate so that both end portions in the axial direction are inserted into the insertion portions 49 of the holder side walls 45 and protrude outward in the width direction of the holder side walls 45. .

  At both ends in the axial direction of the drum main body 59, rotation support members 61 are fitted so as not to be relatively rotatable, and each rotation support member 61 is supported around the drum shaft 60 so as to be relatively rotatable. Thereby, the drum main body 59 is rotatably supported with respect to the drum shaft 60. In this state, as shown in FIG. 5, the photosensitive drum 42 is arranged in the holder portion 43 so that the front surface is exposed from the bottom surface side of the holder front wall 47.

(3) Description of Configuration of Scorotron Charger 62 As shown in FIG. 1, the scorotron charger 62 is accommodated in the holder portion 43 along the width direction above the horn portion 51. The scorotron charger 62 is a positively charged scorotron charger that includes a wire and a grid and generates corona discharge. The scorotron charger 62 is supported by a holder ceiling wall 46 behind the photosensitive drum 42. So as not to contact with each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the scorotron charger 62 is provided with a cleaner 63 for cleaning the wire so as to be slidably fitted to the cleaner fitting portion 50 of the holder ceiling wall 46. ing.

[Description of Configuration of Developing Cartridge 32 of Process Unit 27]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the developing cartridge 32 provided in the process unit 27 includes a developing case 64 and an agitator 69, a supply roller 66, and a developer carrying member provided in the developing case 64. A roller 67 and a layer thickness regulating blade 68 are provided. Hereinafter, the developing case 64, the agitator 69, the supply roller 66, the developing roller 67, and the layer thickness regulating blade 68 will be described in order.

  In the description of the developing cartridge 32 with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, in the state where the developing cartridge 32 is mounted, the side positioned on the back side in the thickness direction of the developing cartridge 32 is referred to as the “top side”, and the front side. The side positioned on the side is referred to as “bottom side”, the downstream side in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge 32 is referred to as “front side”, and the upstream side in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge 32 is referred to as “rear side”.

(1) Description of Configuration of Developing Case 64 As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the developing case 64 is formed as a thin box shape whose front side is opened, and a box member 70 whose top side is opened. And a lid member 71 which is formed separately from the box member 70 and closes the top surface side where the box member 70 is opened (see FIG. 9).

  The box member 70 is surrounded by a pair of side walls 72 that are arranged to face each other at intervals along the width direction, a rear wall 73 that connects the rear ends of the side walls 72, and the side walls 72 and the rear wall 73. Each side wall 72 and a bottom wall 74 connected to the bottom side end of the rear wall 73 are integrally provided so as to cover the portion to be covered.

The pair of side walls 72 has a flat plate shape extending in the front-rear direction, and integrally includes a front side wall 75, an inclined wall 76, and a rear side wall 77 so as to be continuous in the front-rear direction.
Each front side wall 75 extends partway in the front-rear direction from the front end edge, and is at both ends of the developing roller 67, the layer thickness regulating blade 68, the supply roller 66, and the agitator 69, and at the front position sandwiching them, the front-rear facing distance Are arranged in parallel so that they are equal to each other.

  Each rear side wall 77 extends from the rear end edge to the middle in the front-rear direction (in the front-rear direction halfway from the rear end edge of each front side wall 75 in the front-rear direction), and on the opposite side of the developing roller 67 from the agitator 69. In the rear position, they are arranged in parallel so that the opposing distances in the front-rear direction are equal to each other at an opposing distance longer than the opposing distance between the front side walls 75.

  Each inclined wall 76 is disposed between the front wall 75 in the front-rear direction so that each front end edge is continuous with each front side wall 75 and each rear end edge is continuous with each rear side wall 77. It is inclined and arranged so as to gradually become longer from each front end edge toward each rear end edge. As shown in FIG. 9, the inner wall surface of each inclined wall 76 is an inclined surface 178 for guiding the discharge of toner. Even if the facing distance between the front side walls 75 is shorter than the facing distance between the back side walls 77 by the inclined surfaces 178, there is no step between them, and the toner is not retained between them. It can be smoothly guided and discharged from a toner storage chamber 92 described later.

A developing boss portion 95 that protrudes outward in the width direction is provided on the top surface side of the rear end portion of the rear side wall 77 of each side wall 72, as shown in FIG.
The rear wall 73 is formed in an elongated rectangular plate shape extending in the width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the bottom wall 74 has a flat plate shape, and the front wall (that is, the upstream side portion of the developing cartridge 32 in the mounting direction where each front side wall 75 faces) A discharge wall 78 that protrudes in a circular arc shape toward the top surface, a supply roller housing wall 79 that curves in a circular arc shape along the outer diameter of the supply roller 66, and a developing roller 67 so as to correspond to the rotation trajectory. And a tongue wall 80 that inclines toward the front side of the oblique bottom surface that exposes.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the outer wall surface of the bottom wall 74 has a front position and a rear position from a rear position (that is, a downstream portion in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge 32 facing each rear wall 77). A bottom side grip 96 for indicating the grip region of the user is provided at the center in the width direction between the gaps (that is, in the middle of the mounting direction of the developing cartridge 32 facing each inclined wall 76). The bottom side grip portion 96 is formed of an uneven portion formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the bottom, and is provided as a mark so that the user can easily grip the developing cartridge 32.

The outer wall surface of the bottom wall 74 is formed with contact protrusions 94 that protrude small toward the bottom surface at both rear end portions.
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the inner wall surface of the bottom wall 74 is provided with a column member 81 that stands between the front position and the rear position and at the center in the width direction. Yes.

  This support member 81 is provided on the inner wall surface of the bottom wall 74 facing the bottom side grip portion 96 provided on the outer wall surface of the bottom wall 74, and as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the width direction and the front-rear direction of the toner storage chamber 92 to be described later are separated from each of the side walls 72, the rear wall 73, and the partition wall 83 to be described later. It is arranged at the center of the. Moreover, this support | pillar member 81 is formed in the cylindrical shape of cross-sectional substantially bowl shape, and the one side edge part made into the taper shape of the substantially cross-section hook shape is arrange | positioned in the back side, and the round bottom of the substantially cross-section hook shape It is provided so that the other side edge part made into a shape may be arrange | positioned at the front side. Then, at both end portions arranged on the rear side, both substantially V-shaped tapered surfaces formed in a tapered shape guide the toner in the discharging direction (downward in the mounted state of the developing cartridge 32). A guide surface 82 is provided. Since the guide surface 82 can smoothly guide the toner toward the downstream side in the discharge direction, it is possible to prevent the toner from being caught by the reinforcing column 65 and staying there.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a partition wall 83 provided between the front side walls 75 is provided in the middle of the front side walls 75 in the front-rear direction.
The partition wall 83 has an elongated rectangular plate shape extending in the width direction, is provided from the top surface side edge of each front side wall 75 to the middle in the thickness direction, and protrudes toward the top surface side. It is formed so as to face the connecting portion between the portion and the rear end portion of the supply roller accommodating wall 79 with a gap in the thickness direction.

  A discharge port 84 extending in the width direction is formed between the bottom end of the partition wall 83 and the connecting portion between the front end of the discharge wall 78 and the rear end of the supply roller accommodating wall 79. Is formed.

  In this box member 70, the top surface side edge of each side wall 72, the top surface side edge of the partition wall 83, and the top surface side edge of the rear wall 73, as shown in FIG. A collar portion 85 for contacting the peripheral edge portion of the lid member 71 is formed.

  The lid member 71 has a substantially flat plate shape corresponding to the space surrounded by the partition wall 83, the side walls 72, and the rear wall 73, and the peripheral edge thereof is in contact with the flange portion 85 of the box member 70 and is formed flush with each other. The abutting portion 86 and the top wall 87 surrounded by the abutting portion 86 and formed so as to be recessed toward the top surface side are integrally provided.

  The ceiling wall 87 has a narrow rectangular flat plate-shaped front ceiling wall 88 that is opposed to the front position, a wide rectangular flat plate-shaped rear ceiling wall 89 that is opposed to the rear position and is deeper than the front ceiling wall 88, and A substantially trapezoidal flat plate shaped central wall 90 provided between them in the front-rear direction is integrally provided.

  On the outer wall surface of the ceiling wall 87, a ceiling side grip 97 for indicating the gripping area of the user is provided at the center in the width direction from the back ceiling wall 89 to the middle ceiling wall 90 as shown in FIG. . The top gripping portion 97 is composed of an uneven portion formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and is provided as a mark so that the user can easily grip the developing cartridge 32.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the inner wall surface of the ceiling wall 87 is provided with a fitting cylinder portion 91 that fits the top surface side end portion of the column member 81 at the center in the width direction of the middle ceiling wall 90. ing. The fitting cylinder portion 91 is provided on the inner wall surface of the ceiling wall 87 facing the ceiling side grip portion 97 provided on the outer wall surface of the ceiling wall 87, and as shown in FIG. In this way, the rear ceiling wall 89 is formed so as to protrude longer than the depression distance with respect to the contact portion 86. In addition, the fitting tube portion 91 has a cross-sectional shape that is slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of the column member 81 and is substantially cylindrical, so that the fitting tube portion 91 can be fitted. It is formed in a shape. In addition, a guide surface 82 is formed in the fitting tube portion 91 corresponding to the guide surface 82 of the support column 81.

  The developing casing 64 is welded by covering the box member 70 with the lid member 71, bringing the abutting portion 86 of the lid member 71 into contact with the flange 85 of the box member 70, and welding the top of the column member 81. It is formed by inserting the surface side end portion into the fitting tube portion 91 and fitting it.

  The developing case 64 is formed in a thin shape in which the bottom side grip part 96 and the top side grip part 97 are arranged to face each other in the thickness direction, and the user can select the bottom side grip part 96 and the top side grip part 97. Can be held and held with one hand.

  In addition, since the support member 81 is fitted into the fitting cylinder portion 91, the reinforcing column 65 provided between the bottom wall 74 and the top wall 87 is formed by the support member 81 and the fitting cylinder portion 91. It is formed. As a result, even if a stress in the compression direction acts between the top wall 87 and the bottom wall 74, the stress can be received by the reinforcing column 65. As a result, the rigidity of the toner storage chamber 92 described below can be improved.

(1-1) Description of Configuration of Toner Storage Chamber 92 of Developing Housing 64 In such a developing housing 64, the top wall 87 and the top wall 87 are opposed to each other with a gap in the thickness direction. The bottom wall 74 of the part including the discharge wall 78, each side wall 72 arranged between them (that is, from the rear side wall 77 to the middle part in the front-rear direction of the front side wall 75), the rear wall 73, and the partition wall 83 Thus, a toner storage chamber 92 as a developer storage section is formed.

  Further, a bottom wall 74 including the supply roller housing wall 79 and the tongue wall 80 in front of the toner housing chamber 92 and each side wall 72 continuous with the front bottom wall 74 (that is, from the front edge of the front side wall 75 in the front-rear direction). The developing chamber 93 is formed by the intermediate wall) and the partition wall 83.

  In the toner storage chamber 92, the front ceiling wall 88 and the rear ceiling wall 89 are opposed to the bottom wall 74 so that the distance between the rear ceiling wall 89 and the bottom wall 74 is longer than the distance between the front ceiling wall 88 and the bottom wall 74. And arranged so as to be parallel to the bottom wall 74. Further, the middle ceiling wall 90 is disposed so as to incline toward the top surface from the front toward the rear with respect to the bottom wall 74.

Further, in the toner storage chamber 92, a toner filling port 98 is formed on one of the rear side walls 77 as a filling port having a substantially circular shape in side view penetrating in the thickness direction.
The toner filling port 98 is normally closed by a cap 165 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, the developing chamber 93 is adjacently disposed in front of the toner storage chamber 92 so as to communicate with the toner storage chamber 92 via the discharge port 84.
The developing chamber 93 is formed with an opening 159 that is open from the top surface to the front.

  Further, in the developing chamber 93, as shown in FIG. 7, the front end portion of the tongue wall 80 is disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the developing roller 67 from the bottom surface side in order to prevent toner leakage. The jaw portion 153 is formed over the entire width direction.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bottom side front end portion of each front side wall 75 facing the jaw portion 153 in the width direction protrudes from the front side to the bottom side of the jaw portion 153 in a side view. In addition, a curved substantially L-shaped warped portion 154 is formed.

(1-2) Description of Toner Accommodated in Toner Storage Chamber 92 In addition, toner as a developer for each color is stored in the toner storage chamber 92 described above. That is, as toner in the toner storage chamber 92, for each process unit 27, yellow for the yellow process unit 27Y, magenta for the magenta process unit 27M, cyan for the cyan process unit 27C, and cyan for the black process unit 27K. A positively chargeable nonmagnetic one-component polymerized toner having a black color is accommodated.

  More specifically, as the toner for each color, a substantially spherical polymerized toner obtained by a polymerization method is used. The polymerization toner is a known polymerization such as a suspension polymerization of a styrene monomer such as styrene or an acrylic monomer such as acrylic acid, alkyl (C1 to C4) acrylate, or alkyl (C1 to C4) methacrylate. The main component is a binder resin obtained by copolymerization according to the method, and a toner base particle is formed by adding a colorant, a charge control agent, a wax, etc. to this, and further improves the fluidity. In order to achieve this, an external additive is added.

  As the colorant, the above-mentioned yellow, magenta, cyan and black colorants are blended. Moreover, as a charge control agent, for example, an ionic monomer having an ionic functional group such as an ammonium salt and an ionic monomer such as a styrene monomer or an acrylic monomer can be copolymerized. A charge control resin obtained by copolymerization with a monomer is blended. As external additives, for example, powders of metal oxides such as silica, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, strontium titanate, cerium oxide and magnesium oxide, inorganic powders such as carbide powders and metal salt powders are blended. Has been.

(1-3) Description of Configuration of the Incident / Ejecting Portion 190 of the Developing Housing 64 In addition, in the vicinity of the bottom of the toner storage chamber 92, the color of toner stored in the toner storage chamber 92 is detected. An incident / exit section 190 that allows detection light to pass through is formed on the front side wall 75 facing the left side plate 8 of the main casing 2 so as to face the light emitting section 180a and the light receiving section 180b in the width direction.

  The entrance / exit section 190 has a front wall 75 cut out, and a light transmissive material (resin plate) having a complementary color relationship corresponding to the color of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 92 is fitted into the cut-out portion. As a result, it is formed in a substantially oval shape in a side view long in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the input / output unit 190 is a blue resin plate for yellow toner, green for magenta toner, red for cyan toner, or colorless resin plate for black toner. Is formed by fitting.

The entrance / exit section 190 configured as described above has a function of permitting the incidence of light from the outside to the inside of the toner storage chamber 92 and the emission of light from the inside of the toner storage chamber 92 to the outside.
Note that each color toner absorbs light of a specific wavelength well, and a member of a color that transmits a specific wavelength well absorbed by the toner, that is, a complementary color relationship with the color of the toner. If a member having a certain color is used as the incident / exit section 190, the following effects are obtained. That is, the incident / exit section 190 transmits only light having a wavelength that is well absorbed by the toner out of the light irradiated by the light emitting section 180a. The light transmitted through the incident / exit section 190 is mainly absorbed by light having a wavelength that is well absorbed by the toner, so that most of the light is absorbed by the toner. Further, light having a wavelength that is not absorbed well by the toner among the light transmitted through the incident / exiting portion 190 is reflected by the toner, and a part thereof is emitted from the incident / exiting portion 190. The light receiving unit 180b receives the light emitted from the incident / exiting unit 190. Note that the amount of light emitted from the incident / exiting unit 190 and received by the light receiving unit 180b is irradiated by the light emitting unit 180a if the color of the toner and the color of the incident / exiting unit 190 have a complementary relationship. Compared to the amount of light, the above-described absorption effect by the toner significantly decreases. Further, by measuring the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b, if the amount of light is less than a reference value (described later) set in advance by a test or the like, the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 92 is removed. It can be determined that the toner is a regular color toner.

  Further, in the vicinity of the bottom of the toner storage chamber 92 of the developing cartridge in which the color of the stored toner is yellow, magenta or cyan other than black, the color of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 92 is detected. An incident / exit portion 191 that allows detection light to pass is formed on the front side wall 75 facing the right side plate 9 of the main casing 2 so as to face the light emitting portion 181a and the light receiving portion 181b in the width direction.

  This entrance / exit part 191 is formed in a substantially elliptical shape in side view long in the front-rear direction by cutting out the front side wall 75 and fitting a colorless light-transmitting material (transparent resin plate) into the cut-out part. Has been.

  The input / output unit 191 configured as described above has a function of permitting the incidence of light from the outside to the inside of the toner storage chamber 92 and the emission of light from the inside of the toner storage chamber 92 to the outside, similarly to the input / output unit 190. Have

  The above-described entrance / exit section 190 is in a state in which the developing cartridge 32 is mounted in the developer accommodating section 14 (that is, a state where the toner in the toner accommodating chamber 92 has moved to the discharge port 84 side vertically below due to its own weight). When the toner in the toner storage chamber 92 is consumed up to the remaining amount for replacing the developing cartridge 32, the detection light is disposed at a position where the toner does not irradiate the toner.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the incident / exit portions 190 and 191 overlap in the front-rear direction with the projection surface of the rotation locus of the stirring member 152 of the agitator 69 described below and overlap in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 151. In the direction, the front side walls 75 are formed so as to face each other in the width direction so as to overlap with a rotation shaft 151 of the agitator 69 described below.

In addition, the entrance / exit part 190 corresponds to a 1st entrance / exit part. Moreover, the incident / exit part 191 corresponds to a second incident / exit part.
(2) Description of Configuration of Agitator 69 The agitator 69 is disposed in the vicinity of the discharge port 84 in the toner storage chamber 92. The agitator 69 is provided with a rotating shaft 151 rotatably supported on each front side wall 75 and a lattice frame plate shape (see FIG. 9) that extends from the rotating shaft 151 in the radial direction. And a stirring member 152 of FIG. The agitator 69 is disposed in the vicinity of the discharge port 84 so that the stirring member 152 is rotationally driven along the discharge wall 78, and is within the projection plane of the rotation locus of the stirring member 152 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 151. In addition, as described above, the incident / exit portions 190 and 191 are arranged.

  Further, the reinforcing column 65 is disposed behind the agitator 69 so that it does not overlap the projection surface of the rotation locus of the stirring member 152 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 151 and does not come into contact with the rotating stirring member 152. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the toner filling port 98 is also arranged behind the agitator 69 so as to overlap the projection surface of the rotation locus of the stirring member 152 in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 151. .

(3) Description of Configuration of Supply Roller 66 As shown in FIG. 10, the supply roller 66 is disposed in front of the discharge port 84 in the developing chamber 93 and has a width so as to be stored in the supply roller storage wall 79. It is provided along the direction.

  The supply roller 66 includes a metal supply roller shaft 155 that is rotatably supported on each front side wall 75, and a supply roller layer 156 made of a conductive sponge member that covers the periphery of the supply roller shaft 155. ing.

(4) Description of the Configuration of the Developing Roller 67 The developing roller 67 is disposed in front of the supply roller 66 obliquely on the top surface side in the developing chamber 93 and extends in the width direction so as to face the tongue wall 80. Is provided. The developing roller 67 includes a metal developing roller shaft 157 rotatably supported on each front side wall 75 and a developing roller layer 158 made of a conductive rubber member that covers the periphery of the developing roller shaft 157. ing. More specifically, the developing roller layer 158 is coated with an elastic roller layer made of conductive urethane rubber, silicone rubber, EPDM rubber or the like containing carbon fine particles, and the surface of the roller layer. It has a two-layer structure with a coat layer mainly composed of urethane resin, polyimide resin or the like.

  Further, the developing roller 67 is disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the supply roller 66, and as shown in FIG. 7, the front surface of the developing chamber 93 is exposed from the opening 159 as shown in FIG. The exposed bottom face side end portion is in pressure contact with the jaw portion 153 as described above.

(5) Description of Configuration of Layer Thickness Restricting Blade 68 The layer thickness restricting blade 68 is provided on the entire front surface of the partition wall 83 in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the layer thickness regulating blade 68 includes a blade 160 made of a metal leaf spring member and a fixing member that fixes the top surface side end of the blade 160 to the front wall surface of the partition wall 83. 161 and a pressing portion 162 having a semicircular cross section made of insulating silicone rubber provided at the bottom side end portion of the blade 160. The layer thickness regulating blade 68 is provided in the bottom surface side end portion thereof, while the blade 160 is disposed in the thickness direction, and the top surface side end portion is fixed to the front wall surface of the partition wall 83 by the fixing member 161. The pressing portion 162 is provided so as to press the developing roller layer 158 of the developing roller 67 from the rear side by the spring force of the blade 160.

(5) Description of Other Configurations of Developing Cartridge 32 As shown in FIG. 7, the developing cartridge 32 has an agitator drive (not shown) provided at the end of the rotating shaft 151 protruding from the outer wall surface of one side wall 72. A gear, a supply roller driving gear (not shown) provided at the end of the supply roller shaft 155 protruding from the outer wall surface of the one side wall 72, and an end of the developing roller shaft 157 protruding from the outer wall surface of the one side wall 72 are provided. A gear train (not shown) for transmitting a driving force to a developing roller driving gear (not shown) and a coupling female portion 163 for inputting the driving force to the gear row are provided outside the front side wall 75 of one side wall 72. It is provided on the wall. The gear train and the coupling female portion 163 are held by the gear cover 164 in a gear cover 164 provided on the outer wall surface of the front side wall 75.

  The gear cover 164 is formed with a cover detection hole 179 having a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from the side in the front-rear direction corresponding to the input / output part 190 at a position facing the input / output part 190 in the width direction.

  In the process unit 27 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 3, in each process storage unit 12, first, the drum cartridge 31 for each color is mounted in the corresponding drum storage unit 13, respectively. Each drum cartridge 31 is mounted on the main casing 2, and then each developing cartridge 32 for each color is mounted in the corresponding developing container 14, whereby each drum cartridge 31 mounted on the main casing 2 is loaded with each developing cartridge 32. A cartridge 32 is mounted.

[Description of Configuration of Transfer Unit 28 of Image Forming Unit 5]
As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer unit 28 included in the above-described image forming unit 5 is located above the sheet feeding unit 4 and below each process storage unit 12 in the main body casing 2 along the normal direction. A driving roller 166, a driven roller 167, a conveyor belt 168, and a transfer roller 169 are provided.

  The drive roller 166 is disposed on the front side of the process storage unit 12 in which the yellow process unit 27Y is stored. The driven roller 167 is disposed on the back side of the process accommodating portion 12 in which the black process portion 27K is accommodated.

  The conveyor belt 168 is made of an endless belt and is made of a resin such as conductive polycarbonate or polyimide in which conductive particles such as carbon are dispersed. The conveyor belt 168 is wound between the driving roller 166 and the driven roller 167.

  The driven roller 167 is driven by the driving roller 166, and the image forming position where the conveying belt 168 contacts the photosensitive drum 42 of each process unit 27 between the driving roller 166 and the driven roller 167. In FIG. 2, it is moved so as to rotate in the same direction as the photosensitive drum 42.

  Further, the transfer roller 169 faces the photosensitive drum 42 of each process unit 16 with the conveyance belt 168 interposed therebetween in the conveyance belt 168 wound between the driving roller 166 and the driven roller 167. Is provided. In this transfer roller 169, a metal roller shaft is covered with a roller layer made of an elastic member such as a conductive rubber material. Further, the transfer roller 169 is rotatably provided so as to rotate in the same direction as the circumferential movement direction of the transport belt 168 at an image forming position where the transfer roller 169 faces and contacts the transport belt 168. Is applied.

  Then, the sheet 3 fed from the sheet feeding unit 4 is conveyed from the front side to the back side by the conveyor belt 168 that is circulated by driving of the driving roller 166 and driven of the driven roller 167. The image forming position between the process unit 27 and the photosensitive drum 42 is conveyed so as to sequentially pass. During the conveyance, the toner images of the respective colors carried on the photosensitive drums 42 of the respective process units 27 are sequentially transferred. As a result, a color image is formed on the sheet 3.

  That is, for example, when the yellow toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 42 of the yellow process unit 27Y is transferred to the paper 3, the magenta toner carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 42 of the magenta process unit 27M is then transferred. The toner image is transferred onto the paper 3 on which the yellow toner image has already been transferred, and the cyan toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 42 of the cyan process unit 27C and the black process unit 16 are similarly operated. The black toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 42 is transferred in a superimposed manner, whereby a color image is formed on the paper 3.

  In the formation of such a color image, this color laser printer 1 is a tandem type apparatus in which a plurality of sets corresponding to different colors are provided in each process unit 27 with the drum cartridge 31 and the developing cartridge 32 as one set. Due to the configuration, it is possible to form a toner image for each color at a speed almost the same as a speed for forming a monochrome image, thereby achieving a rapid color image formation. Therefore, it is possible to form a color image while reducing the size.

[Description of Configuration of Fixing Unit 29 of Image Forming Unit 5]
The fixing unit 29 included in the above-described image forming unit 5 is on the back side of the main casing 2 with respect to the process storage unit 12 in which the black process unit 27K is stored. It arrange | positions so that it may oppose in a position in a straight back direction. The fixing unit 29 includes a heating roller 170 and a pressure roller 171.

  The heating roller 170 is made of a metal base tube having a release layer formed on the surface thereof, and a halogen lamp is provided along the axial direction thereof. Then, the surface of the heating roller 170 is heated to the fixing temperature by the halogen lamp. The pressure roller 171 is provided so as to press the heating roller 170.

The color image transferred onto the paper 3 is then conveyed to the fixing unit 29 and thermally fixed while the paper 3 passes between the heating roller 170 and the pressure roller 171.
[Description of Configuration of Paper Discharge Unit 6]
Next, the paper discharge unit 6 provided in the color laser printer 1 will be described.

The paper discharge unit 6 includes a paper discharge side U-shaped path 172, a paper discharge roller 173 as a discharge unit, and a paper discharge tray 174.
The discharge-side U-shaped path 172 has an upstream end adjacent to the fixing unit 29 at the lower side and a downstream end at the upper side so that the sheet 3 is fed toward the back side. Adjacent to 174, it is formed as a transport path for the substantially U-shaped sheet 3 so that the sheet 3 is discharged toward the front side.

The paper discharge roller 173 is provided as a pair of rollers at the downstream end of the paper discharge side U-shaped path 172.
The sheet discharge tray 174 is formed on the upper surface of the main casing 2 as an inclined wall that is inclined downward from the front side toward the back side.

  The sheet conveyed from the fixing unit 29 is fed toward the back side at the upstream end of the discharge side U-shaped path 172, and the conveyance direction is reversed in the sheet-feeding U-shaped path 84. The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 174 by the paper discharge roller 173 toward the front side.

[Description of Printing Operation of Color Laser Printer 1]
Next, an image printing operation on the paper 3 performed by the color laser printer 1 will be described.

  When the photosensitive drum 42 of each process unit 27 is rotated and moved in the circumferential direction, first, the surface of the photosensitive drum 42 is uniformly positively charged by the scorotron charger 62. Thereafter, as the photosensitive drum 42 rotates, the surface of the photosensitive drum 42 is scanned with laser light from the scanner unit 30 at a high speed, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image based on the image data. Thereafter, the toner carried on the developing roller 67 and positively charged toner is an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 42, that is, among the uniformly positively charged surface of the photosensitive drum 42. The image is visualized by being moved and carried by the portion exposed to the laser beam and the potential is lowered, and reversal development is achieved. As a result, a toner image of each color is formed on each photosensitive drum 42.

  On the other hand, the sheet 3 fed from the sheet feeding unit 4 is transported by the transporting roller 25 and transported by the transporting belt 168 that is circulated by the driving of the driving roller 166 and the driven of the driven roller 167. The photosensitive drum 42 of the unit 27 is sequentially contacted. At that time, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 42 of the respective process units 27 are sequentially electrically transferred and superposed on the paper 3 as a transfer target, so that the multicolor color is applied to the paper 3. The toner image is formed.

  Here, when a multicolor toner image is formed on the paper 3 as described above, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 42 without being transferred from the photosensitive drum 42 onto the paper 3 (transfer residual toner) The toner is collected in the toner storage chamber 92 of the developing cartridge 32 by the developing roller 67. That is, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 42 is charged by the scorotron charger 62 and then exposed to the laser light from the scanner unit 30 to form an electrostatic latent image. The toner remaining in the non-exposed portion is electrically moved to the developing roller 67 side, scraped off by the supply roller 66, and collected in the toner storage chamber 92. Thus, the color laser printer 1 has a configuration employing a so-called cleanerless system. The remaining toner and the toner moved from the developing roller 67 adhere to the exposed portion on the surface of the photosensitive drum 42, and this toner is transferred from the photosensitive drum 42 to the paper 3 at the transfer position.

On the other hand, residual toner adhering to the conveyor belt 168 is removed by a belt cleaning device (not shown).
The multicolor toner image transferred onto the paper 3 is heat-fixed in the fixing unit 29 while the paper 3 passes between the heating roller 170 and the pressure roller 171.

The sheet 3 on which the image has been printed is discharged to the outside of the main casing 2 by the discharge roller 173 and stacked on the discharge tray 174.
[Description of Configuration of CPU 183 of Color Laser Printer 1]
Next, the CPU 183 provided in the color laser printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control system for determining the color of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 92.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the light emitting unit 180a and the light receiving unit 180b constituting the optical sensor 180, and the light emitting unit 181a and the light receiving unit 181b constituting the optical sensor 181 are connected to a CPU 183 serving as a determination unit.

  The CPU 183 includes a ROM 184 that stores various control programs, and a RAM 185 that stores temporary numerical values when the control programs are executed. The ROM 184 stores a toner color determination program for determining the toner color.

  The CPU 183 inputs a light emission signal to the light emitting unit 180a, receives a light reception signal from the light receiving unit 180b, inputs a light emission signal to the light emitting unit 181a, and receives a light reception signal from the light receiving unit 181b.

  In addition, the CPU 183 performs toner detection processing (1), toner detection processing (2), and toner detection processing (3), which will be described later, to determine the color and toner empty of the toner stored in each toner storage chamber 92. To do.

  The CPU 183 is connected to a display unit 186 as a notification unit. The display unit 186 is provided on an operation panel (not shown) provided above the main body casing 2. The display unit 186 includes an empty lamp 187 and a toner color abnormality lamp 188, and receives a first lighting signal and a second lighting signal from the CPU 183.

  The empty lamp 187 is lit at an empty level at which the toner in the toner storage chamber 92 is consumed up to the remaining amount to replace the developing cartridge 32 in response to the input of the first lighting signal from the CPU 183. On the other hand, the toner color abnormality lamp 188 is turned on when the toner in the toner storage chamber 92 is a non-regular color toner in response to the input of the second lighting signal from the CPU 183.

In addition, since the other structure of the color laser printer 1 of this embodiment is based on a well-known technique, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
[Explanation of test concerning threshold for determining toner color]
By the way, the applicant of the present invention has the relationship shown in FIG. 14 between the color of the incident / exit portions 190 and 191 formed in the toner storage chamber 92 and the color of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 92. Confirmed by testing. Here, the contents of this test will be described.

The test conditions are as follows.
・ Sensor: Amorphous silicon semiconductor ・ Incoming / outgoing part: 1mm thick colorless, blue, green, red glass ・ Measuring instrument: MACBETH914
The test method is as follows.

  (A) In the color laser printer 1 of the present embodiment, toner is filled in the developing cartridge 32 attached with colorless glass having a thickness of 1 mm as the incident / exit section 190. Next, the detection light emitted from the light emitting part 180a is incident on the toner accommodating chamber 92 from the incident / exiting part, and the amount of the detection light reflected from the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating chamber 92 and emitted from the incident / exiting part 190 is calculated. taking measurement. Such a test is performed on toners of four colors, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

  (B) In addition, a colored glass having a thickness of 1 mm is attached as the incident / exit section 190 instead of the colorless glass having a thickness of 1 mm. Similarly, the detection light is incident from the incident / exit section, reflected by the toner, and emitted from the incident / exit section Measure the amount of detected light. Such a test is performed on four color toners of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black by attaching colored glass of each color of blue, green, and red to the developing cartridge 32 as the incident portion 190.

(C) In the above (A) and (B), the ratio of the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b to the detection light emitted by the light emitting unit 180a is calculated.
Such a test was conducted to obtain the table of FIG.

Based on the test results described above, in the color laser printer 1 of the present embodiment, the threshold value for determining the color and amount of toner stored in the toner storage chamber 92 and the colors of the light input / output units 190 and 191 are the same. For each toner storage chamber 92, the following values are set in advance. Hereinafter, each toner color stored in the toner storage chamber 92 will be described in order.
(A) In the case of the toner storage chamber 92 in which yellow toner is stored:
(E1) About the optical sensor 180:
Color of input / output unit 190: Blue First threshold Y1 = 3.0
Second threshold Y2 = 0.5
Thus, in the toner storage chamber 92 in which yellow toner is stored, if the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b of the optical sensor 180 is larger than the numerical value “3.0” that is the first threshold Y1, the CPU 183 Therefore, it is determined that the toner storage chamber 92 stores magenta toner or cyan toner which is not a regular color, and the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is equal to or less than the numerical value “3.0” which is the first threshold Y1. In some cases, the CPU 183 determines that the toner storage chamber 92 stores yellow toner which is a normal color or black toner which is not a normal color. Note that, as described above, “black toner that is not a regular color is contained” is determined because black toner absorbs light in the same manner as yellow, which is a regular color, although it is not a regular color. Because.

  When the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is equal to or less than the numerical value “0.5” that is the second threshold value Y2, the CPU 183 is “toner empty” in which no toner is stored in the toner storage chamber 92. Judge that there is.

(E2) About the optical sensor 181:
Input / output portion 191 color: colorless (transparent)
Third threshold Y3 = 3.0
Thus, in the toner storage chamber 92 in which yellow toner is stored, if the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 181a of the optical sensor 181 is larger than the third threshold value Y3, which is “3.0”, the CPU 183 Therefore, it is determined that any one of yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner is stored in the toner storage chamber 92, and the light receiving amount by the light receiving unit 181a is the third threshold value Y3. If it is equal to or less than this, the CPU 183 determines that the toner storage chamber 92 stores black toner that is not a regular color.
(B) In the case of the toner storage chamber 92 in which magenta toner is stored:
(Row 1) About the optical sensor 180:
Color of input / output unit 190: Green First threshold value M1 = 5.0
Second threshold value M2 = 0.5
As a result, in the toner storage chamber 92 in which magenta toner is stored, when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b of the optical sensor 180 is larger than the numerical value “5.0” that is the first threshold value M1, the CPU 183 Therefore, it is determined that yellow toner or cyan toner that is not a regular color is stored in the toner storage chamber 92, and the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is equal to or less than the numerical value “5.0” that is the first threshold value M1. In some cases, the CPU 183 determines that the toner storage chamber 92 stores magenta toner that is a normal color or black toner that is not a normal color. As described above, it is determined that “black toner that is not a regular color is contained” because black toner absorbs light in the same manner as magenta that is a regular color, although it is not a regular color. Because.

  When the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is equal to or smaller than the numerical value “0.5”, which is the second threshold value M2, the CPU 183 is “toner empty” in which no toner is stored in the toner storage chamber 92. Judge that there is.

(Row 2) About the optical sensor 181:
Input / output portion 191 color: colorless (transparent)
Third threshold M3 = 3.0
As a result, when the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 181a of the optical sensor 181 is larger than the value “3.0” that is the third threshold value M3 in the toner storage chamber 92 in which yellow toner is stored, this toner is stored. It is determined that any one of yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner is stored in the storage chamber 92, and the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 181a is equal to or less than the numerical value “3.0” that is the third threshold value M3. In some cases, the CPU 183 determines that the toner storage chamber 92 stores black toner that is not a regular color.
(C) In the case of the toner storage chamber 92 in which cyan toner is stored:
(Her 1) About the optical sensor 180:
Color of input / output unit 190: Red First threshold C1 = 20.0
Second threshold C2 = 0.5
Thus, in the toner storage chamber 92 in which cyan toner is stored, if the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b of the optical sensor 180 is larger than the numerical value “20.0” that is the first threshold value C1, the CPU 183 The toner storage chamber 92 determines that yellow or magenta toner that is not a regular color is stored, and the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is equal to or less than the numerical value “20.0” that is the first threshold value M1. In some cases, the CPU 183 determines that the toner storage chamber 92 stores cyan toner that is a normal color or black toner that is not a normal color. Note that, as described above, “black toner that is not a regular color is contained” is determined because black toner absorbs light in the same manner as cyan, which is a regular color, although it is not a regular color. Because.

  When the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is equal to or smaller than the numerical value “0.5” that is the second threshold value C2, the CPU 183 is “toner empty” in which no toner is stored in the toner storage chamber 92. Judge that there is.

(Her 2) About the optical sensor 181:
Input / output portion 191 color: colorless (transparent)
Third threshold C3 = 3.0
As a result, in the toner storage chamber 92 in which yellow toner is stored, if the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 181a of the optical sensor 181 is larger than the numerical value “3.0” that is the third threshold value M3, the CPU 183 Therefore, it is determined that any one of yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner is stored in the toner storage chamber 92, and the light reception amount by the light receiving unit 181a is a numerical value “3.0” that is the third threshold value M3. If it is equal to or less than this, it is determined that the toner storage chamber 92 stores black toner that is not a regular color.
(D) In the toner storage chamber 92 in which black toner is stored:
(Knee 1) About the optical sensor 180:
Color of input / output part 190: colorless (transparent)
First threshold B1 = 3.0
Second threshold B2 = 0.5
Thus, in the toner storage chamber 92 in which black toner is stored, if the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b of the optical sensor 180 is larger than the numerical value “3.0” that is the first threshold value B1, the CPU 183 The toner storage chamber 92 determines that any one of yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner that is not a regular color is stored, and the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is the first threshold value B1. When the numerical value is “3.0” or less and is larger than the numerical value “0.5” which is the second threshold B2, the CPU 183 stores black toner which is a regular color in the toner storage chamber 92. Judge that it has been.

  When the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is equal to or less than the numerical value “0.5” that is the second threshold B2, the CPU 183 is in “toner empty” in which no toner is stored in the toner storage chamber 92. Judge that there is.

  Unlike the case of yellow toner or the like, the toner storage chamber 92 in which the black toner is stored does not have the optical sensor 181, and the toner storage chamber 92 is normally in the toner storage chamber 92 by the optical sensor 180 as described above. Since it is possible to determine whether or not black toner, which is a color, is stored (see FIG. 14), the optical sensor 181 is not provided as described above.

[Description of Toner Detection Processing (1) of Color Laser Printer 1]
Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the toner detection process (1) executed by the CPU 183 of the color laser printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This toner detection process (1) is executed for the developing cartridge 32 containing toner other than black, and is repeatedly executed while the color laser printer 1 is activated.

  First, the light emitting unit 180a is controlled to irradiate the incident / exiting unit 190 with detection light (step S210). The detection light emitted by the light emitting unit 180 a is incident on the inside of the toner storage chamber 92 from the input / output unit 190, and a part of the detection light is reflected by the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 92 and is output from the input / output unit 190. .

  Subsequently, a signal indicating the amount of detection light received from the light receiving unit 180b is detected (S220). Specifically, the light receiving unit 180b detects a signal indicating the amount of received light that is output when the detection light emitted from the incident / exiting unit 190 is received.

  Subsequently, based on the input signal, it is determined whether the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is equal to or smaller than a second threshold (S230). If the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is less than or equal to the second threshold (S230: y), it is determined that the toner is empty (S240), and the empty lamp 187 is turned on to notify that effect (S250). Then return.

  On the other hand, when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is larger than the second threshold (S230: n), it is determined whether or not the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is equal to or less than the first threshold (S260). If the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is larger than the first threshold (S260: n), it is determined that the regular color toner is not contained in the developing cartridge (S270), and the toner color abnormality lamp 188 is turned on. To that effect (S280). Then return. On the other hand, when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is equal to or smaller than the first threshold value (S260: y), it is determined that normal color toner or black toner is contained in the developing cartridge (S290). Then return.

[Description of Toner Detection Processing (2) of Color Laser Printer 1]
Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the toner detection process (2) executed by the CPU 183 of the color laser printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This toner detection process (2) is executed for the developing cartridge 32 containing toner other than black, and is executed subsequent to the above-described toner detection process (1) when the color laser printer 1 is activated. The

  First, the light emitting unit 181a is controlled to irradiate the incident / exiting unit 191 with detection light (step S310). The detection light emitted by the light emitting unit 181a is incident on the inside of the toner accommodating chamber 92 from the incident / exiting unit 191, and a part thereof is reflected by the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating chamber 92 and is emitted from the incident / exiting unit 191. .

  Subsequently, a signal indicating the amount of detection light received from the light receiving unit 181b is detected (S320). Specifically, the light receiving unit 181b detects a signal indicating the amount of received light that is output when the detection light emitted from the incident / exiting unit 191 is received.

  Subsequently, based on the input signal, it is determined whether the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 181b is equal to or smaller than a third threshold value (S330). If the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 181b is equal to or smaller than the third threshold (S330: y), it is determined that the black toner is contained in the developing cartridge (S340), and a notification to that effect is made (S350). Then return.

  On the other hand, if the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 181b is larger than the third threshold value (S330: n), it is determined that normal color toner is contained in the developing cartridge (S360). Then return.

  As described above, the development that includes the optical sensor 181 and determines that the regular color toner or the black toner is contained in the toner detection process (1) described above by executing the toner detection process (2). It can be determined whether the toner of regular color or black toner is contained in the cartridge.

[Description of Toner Detection Processing (3) of Color Laser Printer 1]
Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the toner detection process (3) executed by the CPU 183 of the color laser printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This toner detection process (3) is executed for the developing cartridge 32 containing black toner, and is repeatedly executed while the color laser printer 1 is activated.

  First, the light emitting unit 180a is controlled to irradiate the incident / exiting unit 190 with the detection light (step S410). The detection light emitted by the light emitting unit 180 a is incident on the inside of the toner storage chamber 92 from the input / output unit 190, and a part of the detection light is reflected by the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 92 and is output from the input / output unit 190. .

  Subsequently, a signal indicating the amount of detection light received from the light receiving unit 180b is detected (S420). Specifically, the light receiving unit 180b detects a signal indicating the amount of received light that is output when the detection light emitted from the incident / exiting unit 190 is received.

  Subsequently, based on the input signal, it is determined whether or not the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is equal to or smaller than a second threshold (S430). If the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is equal to or smaller than the second threshold (S430: y), it is determined that the toner is empty (S440), and the empty lamp 187 is turned on to notify that effect (S450). Then return.

  On the other hand, when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is larger than the second threshold (S430: n), it is determined whether or not the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is equal to or less than the first threshold (S460). If the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is larger than the first threshold value (S460: n), it is determined that the regular color black toner is not contained in the developing cartridge (S470), and the toner color abnormality lamp 188 is set. This is notified by turning on the light (S480). Then return. On the other hand, when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b is equal to or smaller than the first threshold value (S460: y), it is determined that black toner as a regular color is contained in the developing cartridge (S490). Then return.

[effect]
(1) As described above, according to the color laser printer 1 of the first embodiment, the color input / output units 190 having a complementary color relationship with the color of the toner to be stored in each developing cartridge 32 are stored in the respective toners. The light emitting unit 180a irradiates the incident / exiting unit 190 with light, and the light receiving unit 180b is reflected on the incident / exiting unit 190 by the light emitting unit 180a and then reflected inside the toner containing chamber 92. Light emitted to the outside from the emitting unit 190 is received. Then, the CPU 183 executes toner detection processing to determine the color of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 92 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b with respect to the amount of light irradiated by the light emitting unit 180a. To do. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a large number of light sources or a configuration for adjusting a plurality of color filters to the irradiation position of a single light source as in the conventional configuration. Therefore, the developing cartridge 32 has a simple configuration. The color of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 92 can be detected.

  (2) Further, according to the color laser printer 1 of the first embodiment, the CPU 183 has a light receiving amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b larger than a first threshold value with respect to an amount of light irradiated by the light emitting unit 180a. Is determined that toner other than the specific color is stored in the toner storage chamber 92. As a result, it is possible to detect whether toner other than regular colors is stored in the toner storage chamber 92 with a simple configuration.

  (3) Further, according to the color laser printer 1 of the first embodiment, the CPU 183 has a light receiving amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b with respect to an irradiation amount of light by the light emitting unit 180a smaller than the first threshold value. If it is larger than the second threshold, it is determined that the toner of the specific color is stored in the toner storage chamber 92. Accordingly, it is possible to detect whether or not regular color toner is stored in the toner storage chamber 92 with a simple configuration.

  (4) In addition, according to the color laser printer 1 of the first embodiment, the input / output unit 190 is provided near the bottom of the toner storage chamber 92, and the CPU 183 is a light receiving unit for the amount of light irradiated by the light emitting unit 180 a. If the amount of light received by the light 180b is smaller than the second threshold value, it is determined that the toner storage chamber 92 is toner empty. Thus, toner empty can be detected with a simple configuration.

  (5) Further, according to the color laser printer 1 of the first embodiment, when the CPU 183 receives the light received by the light receiving unit 181b with respect to the amount of light irradiated by the light emitting unit 181a, it is smaller than the third threshold value. In this case, it is determined that the black toner is stored in the toner storage chamber 92. Thus, it is possible to detect that black toner is stored in the toner storage chamber 92 whose specific color is a color other than black with a simple configuration.

  (7) Further, according to the color laser printer 1 of the first embodiment, the CPU 183 notifies the result of the toner detection process by the display unit 186, so that the user can be notified of the detection result, and the convenience of the user. Can increase the sex.

  (8) Further, according to the developing cartridge 32 of the first embodiment, the developing cartridge 32 is supplied to the color laser printer 1 including the optical sensor 180 (the light emitting unit 180a and the light receiving unit 180b) and the incident / exiting unit 190 as described above. The following operational effects can be obtained by mounting the. That is, the light emitting unit 180a of the color laser printer 1 irradiates the incident / exiting unit 190 with light, and the light receiving unit 180b is reflected by the light emitting unit 180a on the incident / exiting unit 190 and then reflected inside the toner storage chamber 92. Then, the light emitted from the incident / exit section 190 to the outside is received. Then, the CPU 183 of the color laser printer 1 executes the toner detection process, and is accommodated in the toner accommodating chamber 92 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b with respect to the amount of light emitted by the light emitting unit 180a. Determine the color of the toner. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a large number of light sources or a configuration for adjusting a plurality of color filters to the irradiation position of a single light source as in the conventional configuration. Therefore, the developing cartridge 32 has a simple configuration. The color of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 92 can be detected.

  (9) Further, according to the developing cartridge 32 of the first embodiment, the developing cartridge 32 is supplied to the color laser printer 1 including the optical sensor 181 (the light emitting unit 181a and the light receiving unit 181b) and the incident / exiting unit 191 as described above. The following operational effects can be obtained by mounting the. That is, when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 181b with respect to the amount of light irradiated by the light emitting unit 181a of the color laser printer 1 is smaller than the third threshold value, the CPU 183 of the color laser printer 1 causes the black toner. Is stored in the toner storage chamber 92. Thus, it is possible to detect that black toner is stored in the toner storage chamber 92 whose specific color is a color other than black with a simple configuration.

[Other Embodiments]
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It is possible to implement in the following various aspects.

  (1) In the above embodiment, “the ratio of the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b to the detection light emitted by the light emitting unit 180a” is calculated, and the above-described threshold is set based on the calculated ratio. The above-described threshold value may be set by calculating “the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 180b with respect to the detection light emitted by the light emitting unit 180a” itself instead of a simple ratio.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the empty lamp 187 and the toner color abnormality lamp 188 provided in the display unit 186 are turned on by the first lighting signal and the second lighting signal from the CPU 183, thereby notifying the determination result by the CPU 183. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the above determination result may be displayed on a display device such as a monitor, the above determination result may be notified by voice, or a buzzer may be sounded to notify the above determination result.

It is principal part side sectional drawing of the color laser printer of 1st embodiment. It is the perspective view which looked at the internal structure of the color laser printer from the front side upper part. It is a side view for demonstrating mounting | wearing with respect to the main body casing of a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the developing cartridge is mounted in the process storage unit. FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a state in which the developing cartridge is mounted in a process housing unit. It is principal part sectional drawing of a process part. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge as viewed from the front top side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge as viewed from the bottom side on the rear side. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a developing cartridge. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a main part of the developing cartridge. It is a block diagram showing a control system for determining the color of toner. (A) A flowchart of the toner detection process (1), and (b) a flowchart of the toner detection process (2). It is a flowchart of a toner detection process (3). 6 is a table showing a relationship between a color of an incident / exit section formed in a toner storage chamber and a color of toner stored in the toner storage chamber.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Color laser printer, 2 ... Main body casing, 3 ... Paper, 4 ... Paper feed part, 5 ... Image formation part, 6 ... Paper discharge part, 7 ... Top cover, 8 ... Left side plate, 9 ... Right side plate, 10 ... Partition plate, 11 ... Front side plate, 12 ... Process housing portion, 13 ... Drum housing portion, 14 ... Development housing portion, 15 ... Drum housing space, 16 ... Development housing space, 17 ... Rail portion, 18 ... Extension portion housing space 21 ... feed tray, 22 ... pickup roller, 23 ... feed roller, 24 ... feed path U-shaped path, 25 ... conveying roller, 26 ... registration roller, 27 ... process section, 27C ... cyan process section, 27K ... Black process section, 27M ... Magenta process section, 27Y ... Yellow process section, 28 ... Transfer section, 29 ... Fixing section, 30 ... Scanner unit, 31 ... Drum cartridge, 32 ... Developer cartridge, 34 Front wall, 35 ... scanner casing, 36 ... polygon mirror, 37, 38 ... lens, 39 ... reflecting mirror, 40 ... exit window, 41 ... drum casing, 42 ... photosensitive drum, 43 ... holder part, 44 ... extension part 45 ... Holder side wall, 46 ... Holder top wall, 47 ... Holder front wall, 48 ... Development positioning groove, 49 ... Insertion part, 50 ... Cleaner fitting part, 51 ... Horn part, 52 ... Extension side part, 53 ... Extending rear wall, 54 ... middle plate, 56 ... drum boss, 57 ... drum handle, 58 ... opening, 59 ... drum body, 60 ... drum shaft, 61 ... rotating support member, 62 ... scorotron charger, 63 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Cleaner, 64 ... Developing housing, 65 ... Reinforcing column, 66 ... Supply roller, 67 ... Developing roller, 68 ... Layer thickness regulating blade, 69 ... Agitator, 70 ... Box member, 71 ... Lid member, 72 ... Side wall, 73 ... rear wall, 74 ... bottom wall, 5 ... Front side wall, 76 ... Inclined wall, 77 ... Rear side wall, 78 ... Discharge wall, 79 ... Supply roller accommodation wall, 80 ... Tongue wall, 81 ... Post, 81 ... Post member, 82 ... Guide surface, 83 ... Partition wall , 84 ... discharge port, 85 ... collar part, 86 ... abutting part, 87 ... top wall, 88 ... front ceiling wall, 89 ... back ceiling wall, 90 ... middle ceiling wall, 91 ... fitting cylinder part, 92 ... toner storage chamber 93 ... Development chamber, 94 ... Abutting protrusion, 95 ... Development boss part, 96 ... Bottom side grip part, 97 ... Top side grip part, 98 ... Toner filling port, 101 ... Guide groove, 102 ... Receiving part, 103 ... Drum positioning groove, 106 ... contact / separation mechanism, 133 ... boss insertion groove, 151 ... rotating shaft, 152 ... stirring member, 153 ... jaw part, 154 ... warp part, 155 ... supply roller shaft, 156 ... supply roller layer, 157 ... Developing roller shaft, 158... Developing roller layer, 159... Opening, 160. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 61 ... Fixed member, 162 ... Press part, 163 ... Coupling female part, 164 ... Gear cover, 165 ... Cap, 166 ... Drive roller, 167 ... Driven roller, 168 ... Conveyor belt, 169 ... Transfer roller, 170 ... Heating roller, 171 ... Pressure roller, 172 ... Discharge side U-shaped path, 173 ... Discharge roller, 174 ... Discharge tray, 178 ... Inclined surface, 179 ... Cover detection hole, 180,181 ... Light sensor, 180a, 181a ... Light emission , 180b, 181b ... light receiving unit, 186 ... display unit, 187 ... empty lamp, 188 ... toner color abnormal lamp, 190,191 ... input / output unit

Claims (11)

An image forming apparatus having a developing cartridge for storing each developer of different colors and forming an image by superimposing the developers of each color stored by the developing cartridge on a recording medium,
The developing cartridge is
A developer accommodating portion capable of accommodating a developer of a specific color which is a predetermined color;
It is made of a light transmissive material having a complementary color relationship with respect to the specific color, and allows light to enter from the outside to the inside of the developer container and light from the inside to the outside of the developer container. A first input / output unit;
Each has
A first light emitting unit that emits white light from the outside of the developer containing unit to the first incident / exit unit;
A first light receiving the light emitted from the first incident / exit part to the outside after being irradiated on the first incident / exit part by the first light emitting part and then reflected inside the developer accommodating part. A light receiver;
Determining means for determining the color of the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion based on the amount of light received by the first light receiving portion relative to the amount of light irradiated by the first light emitting portion;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The determination means is accommodated in the developer accommodating portion based on a first comparison value that is a ratio of the amount of light received by the first light receiving portion to the amount of light irradiated by the first light emitting portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color of the developed developer is determined.   When the first comparison value is larger than a first threshold for determining that a developer other than the specific color is stored in the developer storage unit, the determination unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it is determined that a developer other than the above is accommodated in the developer accommodating portion.   The determination means has the first comparison value smaller than a first threshold value for determining that a developer other than the specific color is stored in the developer storage section, and the development of the specific color. When the developer is larger than a second threshold value for determining that the developer is accommodated in the developer accommodating portion, it is determined that the developer of the specific color is accommodated in the developer accommodating portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. The first incident / exit section is provided near the bottom of the developer accommodating section,
5. The determination unit according to claim 2, wherein when the first comparison value is smaller than the second threshold value, the developer storage unit determines that the toner is empty. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. There are four developing cartridges,
Each of the four developer cartridges has a developer storage section that can store a predetermined color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black developer, respectively.
The first input / output portions of the four developer cartridges are blue for the yellow developer and magenta developer according to the color of the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion. It consists of green for the developer of cyan, red for the developer of cyan, or a colorless light-transmitting material for the developer of black. The image forming apparatus described. The developing cartridge is made of a light-transmitting material having colorlessness, and allows the light from the outside to the inside of the developer accommodating portion and the light to be emitted from the inside to the outside of the developer accommodating portion. It has an input / output part,
further,
A second light emitting unit that emits white light from the outside of the developer containing unit to the second incident / exit unit;
A second light receiving portion of the light incident on the second incident / exiting portion by the second light emitting portion and then reflected on the inside of the developer accommodating portion and emitted to the outside from the second incident / exiting portion; A light receiver;
With
The determination means determines whether or not black developer is stored in the developer storage portion based on the amount of light received by the second light receiving portion with respect to the amount of light irradiated by the second light emitting portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies a determination result by the determination unit. A developer cartridge that is mounted on an image forming apparatus and stores a predetermined color developer among a plurality of color developers for image formation by being superimposed on a recording medium,
A developer accommodating portion capable of accommodating the developer of the specific color;
It is made of a light transmissive material having a complementary color relationship with respect to the specific color, and allows light to enter from the outside to the inside of the developer container and light from the inside to the outside of the developer container. A first input / output unit;
A developing cartridge comprising: The developer accommodating portion can accommodate a developer of any one of yellow, magenta, cyan or black, which is a predetermined color,
The first entrance / exit section is blue for the yellow developer, green for the magenta developer, and cyan for the developer accommodated by the developer accommodating section. The developing cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the developing cartridge is made of a light-transmitting material that is red for the developer or colorless to the black developer.   It is made of a light-transmitting material having colorlessness, and includes a second incident / exit section that allows light to enter from the outside to the inside of the developer container and emit light from the inside of the developer container to the outside. The developing cartridge according to claim 10.

Images