JP2006293282A - Toner concentration sensor, development device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain image quality and to improve the maintainability and recyclability by holding various kinds of information so that the information can be written to a toner concentration sensor for detecting the toner concentration of the developer. <P>SOLUTION: The toner concentration sensor 34, for detecting the concentration of two-component developer containing non-magnetic toner and magnetic carrier from the change of magnetic permeability, is equipped with an EEPROM 121 where data inherent to the sensor are stored to be rewritten. The EEPROM 121 can be constituted to be detachable from the toner concentration sensor 34. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner density sensor that is used in a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and the like and detects the toner density of a two-component developer, a developing device and a process cartridge including the toner density sensor, and the developing device or the process cartridge. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided.

Conventionally, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 or 2 is known as this type of technology. Among these, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus has a memory function, and density information is input to the memory function, so that the process cartridge can be used in a plurality of apparatuses. ing. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-228561 discloses a technique for providing a process cartridge with a memory function and correcting the toner density detection output and reducing the correction sequence time by inputting density information into the memory function.
JP 2000-56554 A JP 2001-154543 A

  However, in the conventional technology as described above, for example, in the case of a color image forming apparatus having four color developing devices, the toner consumption of each color developing device is different, so the toner end is reached. The timing for replacing the developing device or the process cartridge is also different. In this case, it is usually replaced with a new developing device or process cartridge, but there is a concern that it is set incorrectly. In addition, when image quality abnormalities due to developer / toner occur, it is difficult to accurately determine the cause because the developer or process cartridge itself does not have data such as usage status or manufacturing information. Met. In addition, the developing device or the process cartridge is reused for environmental consideration. Even in this case, since the developing device or the process cartridge itself does not have data such as usage status and manufacturing information, it often takes time to perform smooth reproduction. In this way, information unique to the developer or process cartridge (developer / toner information, proper density values, usage status, manufacturing information, etc.) is not retained, so in addition to maintaining quality, maintainability, recyclability, etc. There were problems as described above.

  Further, although the conventional technology has a memory (storage) function, image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers may not require a memory function in the toner density sensor due to the variety of service forms. For example, a machine or the like that is maintained by a service person is unlikely to be erroneously set in the wrong color, unlike a case where a user performs maintenance. In addition, when many models are provided with the same density sensor, a stationary machine or the like having the same lifetime between the developing device and the image forming apparatus may not require a storage function.

  Furthermore, there are cases where the density sensor storage area is large or small. In particular, the memory used when investigating the usage in the market by memorizing every momentary output for the toner concentration and the value that determines the target of the toner concentration is large for machines that do not conduct such investigation. A storage area is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to hold a control value unique to the sensor in a toner concentration detection sensor for detecting the toner concentration of the developer in a writable manner. It is to improve image quality maintenance, maintainability, and recyclability.

  In addition to the above object, another object is to respond to the necessity of the storage function and to easily correspond to the required storage capacity.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object of the present invention, the first means is a storage means for storing information on control values unique to the toner density sensor in a rewritable manner in the toner density sensor for detecting the toner density. It is characterized by having.

  The second usual feature is a toner density sensor for detecting the toner density, which is provided with a rewritable and removable storage means.

  3. The toner density sensor according to claim 2, wherein the storage means stores information on a control value unique to the toner density sensor.

  A fourth means is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third means, the toner concentration of the two-component developer containing a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier is detected from a change in magnetic permeability.

  A fifth means is the fourth means wherein the change in the magnetic permeability is caused by the first coil of the first resonance circuit and the second coil of the second resonance circuit magnetically coupled to the first coil. And being extracted from an inductance change of the first coil and the second coil.

  A sixth means is characterized in that, in the fifth means, the first resonance circuit and the second resonance circuit comprise the same capacitor.

  According to a seventh means, in any one of the first to third means, the storage means comprises a nonvolatile memory.

  The eighth means is characterized in that, in the seventh means, the information stored in the non-volatile memory is binary coded bits.

  A ninth means is the eighth means wherein the information stored in the non-volatile memory includes the color of the developer or toner, the type of the developer, the type of the developing device or the process cartridge, and the usage status of the developing device or the process cartridge. Or it is at least 1 information among the information showing an operation condition, a serial number, and manufacturing base information, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The tenth means is connected to the process cartridge or the image forming apparatus in any one of the first to ninth means through the power supply, ground, sensor output, sensor control, memory data reading, and memory data clock lines. It is characterized by being.

  The eleventh means is characterized in that the developing device includes a toner concentration sensor according to any one of the first to tenth means.

  A twelfth means is characterized in that, in the eleventh means, the toner density sensor is attached in contact with the surface of the outer wall of the developing device.

  A thirteenth means is a process in which a developing device including a toner concentration sensor according to any one of the first to tenth means and at least one of a photoconductor, a charging means, and a cleaning means are integrally provided. Features a cartridge.

  The fourteenth means is characterized in that, in the thirteenth means, the toner density sensor is attached in contact with the surface of the outer wall of the developing device.

  The fifteenth means is characterized in that the image forming apparatus includes the developing device according to the eleventh means.

  A sixteenth means is the fifteenth means characterized in that a plurality of the developing devices are provided.

  The seventeenth means is the developing apparatus according to the fifteenth or sixteenth means, wherein at least one of information indicating the color of the developer or toner, the type of the developer, the type of the developing apparatus, and the usage status of the developing apparatus is used. It is characterized in that whether or not the operation is possible is determined. If the operation is impossible, the image forming operation is suppressed.

  According to an eighteenth means, in the sixteenth means, whether or not the developing device can be operated is compared with the stored unique control value and the information to determine whether or not the developing device is operable in the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by determining.

  The nineteenth means is characterized by an image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge according to the thirteenth or fourteenth means is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  A twentieth means is characterized in that, in the nineteenth means, a plurality of the process cartridges are provided.

  The twenty-first means is the process according to the nineteenth or twentieth means, wherein at least one of the information indicating the color of the developer or toner, the type of the developer, the type of the process cartridge, and the usage status of the process cartridge. Whether the operation of the cartridge is possible or not is determined. When the operation is impossible, the image forming operation is suppressed.

  According to a twenty-second aspect, in the twenty-first means, whether or not the process cartridge is operable is determined by comparing the stored unique control value with the information to determine whether or not the process cartridge is operable in the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by determining.

  A twenty-third means is characterized in that when the image forming operation is suppressed in the seventeenth or twenty-first means, a message to that effect is displayed.

  According to a twenty-fourth means, in the seventeenth or twenty-first means, the information indicating the use state is based on a development drive connection time.

  According to a twenty-fifth means, in the seventeenth or twenty-first means, the information indicating the use status is based on the number of images formed.

  In the embodiment described later, the toner density sensor is denoted by reference numeral 34, the storage means is denoted by reference numeral 200, the first resonance circuit is denoted by the primary coil L1 and the shared capacitor C3 constituting the first resonance circuit, 2 is a secondary coil L2 and a shared capacitor C3 constituting the first resonance circuit, a developing device is a developing unit 4, an outer wall of the developing device is a reference 4d, a photosensitive member is a reference 28, and a charging unit is charged. The roller 36, the cleaning means correspond to the cleaning brush 39 and the counter blade 38, the process cartridge corresponds to reference numeral 110, and the image forming apparatus corresponds to reference numeral 100.

  According to the present invention, various types of information can be writable in the toner density detection sensor that detects the toner density of the developer, so that maintenance of image quality, maintainability, and recyclability are improved based on the information. be able to.

  In addition, since the storage means is detachable, it is possible to easily cope with the necessity of the storage function and the required storage capacity.

  Exemplary embodiments of a toner density sensor, a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
In this embodiment, a data storage unit is provided in a toner concentration sensor that detects the concentration of a two-component developer containing a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier from a change in magnetic permeability, and the developer / toner information and type are stored in the data storage unit. By storing rewritable sensor-specific data (various control values) such as history, image quality is ensured, and in particular, maintainability is improved, recycling is easier, and mis-setting is prevented. To do. This will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is a tandem digital color printer that employs an electrophotographic system, and includes an optical unit 1, a photosensitive unit 3, a developing unit 4, a transfer unit 5, a fixing unit 46, and a paper feeding unit 10. It has.

  At the time of image formation, a sheet-like recording medium (printing recording paper, OHP sheet, and other recording sheets) housed in a paper feeding unit 10 disposed at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 100 is included. Is conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path that rises from the lower right side to the upper left side of the figure, and an image is formed between them. While the recording paper is being conveyed, the recording paper passes between the four photosensitive units 3, the developing unit 4 and the transfer unit 5 arranged side by side along the conveying path, and a predetermined image is transferred. The recording paper onto which the image has been transferred in this manner is conveyed to a fixing unit 46 disposed further obliquely to the left of the photosensitive unit 3, the developing unit 4 and the transfer unit 5, and the transferred image is heated by the fixing unit 46. Pressurized and fixed on recording paper.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the optical unit 1 is a unit arranged along a recording paper conveyance path that is an oblique direction such as a lower right direction to an upper left direction in FIG. 2, and a housing 11 arranged along that direction. have. A laser diode (hereinafter also referred to as LD) 17 (Bk: black), 18 (C: cyan), 19 (M: magenta), 20 (Y: yellow) for each of four colors is attached to the upper portion of the housing 11. It has been. The housing 11 includes a polygon mirror motor 2 for scanning in the main scanning line direction, two-layer f / θ lenses 21 and 22 for dot position correction, and a long WTL lens 23 for surface tilt correction. , 24, 25, 26, a cylinder lens (not shown) for correcting the laser beam diameter is attached.

  Two upper and lower six-sided mirrors 27 are integrally attached to the rotating shaft of the polygon mirror motor 2, and laser light L emitted from the LDs 17, 18, 19, and 20 on the polygon mirror 27 (see FIG. 17). ) Is irradiated. The LDs 17, 18, 19, 20 corresponding to the respective colors emit light in accordance with the conveyance timing of the recording paper, and the light (indicated by bold lines in the figure) is the cylinder lens, the polygon mirror 27, the two-layer f / θ lenses 21, 22. The photosensitive drum 28 of each color is irradiated through the long WTL lenses 23, 24, 25, and 26, respectively.

  As the LD unit 17 corresponding to black, it is preferable to adopt a two-beam type. That is, by adopting a two-beam LD, two beams can be written simultaneously when forming a monochrome image, and rapid writing can be performed while suppressing the number of rotations of the polygon mirror motor 2. By reducing the rotation speed of the polygon mirror motor 2 in this way, it is possible to obtain an effect of suppressing noise and an effect of extending the life of the motor. For example, when printing in the color mode, the rotation speed of the polygon mirror 27 is 29528 rpm (revolution per minute) and the printing speed is 28 ppm (pages per minute), but the rotation speed of the polygon mirror 27 is 21850 rpm and the rotation speed is monochrome printing. Despite being small, the printing speed is 38 ppm.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is an image forming apparatus that employs a tandem image forming system of four drums. By adopting this system, printing in a full color printing mode and a monochrome printing mode is performed. The speed is improved. Further, as described above, the photoconductor unit 3, the developing unit 4 and the transfer unit 5 are disposed obliquely, thereby reducing the installation space, thereby reducing the size of the entire apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, the photosensitive unit 3 and the developing unit 4 are independent units for each color. That is, the photosensitive unit 3 and developing unit 4 for magenta (M), the photosensitive unit 3 and developing unit 4 for cyan (C), the photosensitive unit 3 and developing unit 4 for yellow (Y), and black (Bk). Photoconductor unit 3 and developing unit 4 are arranged in the above order from the lower right side to the upper left side of the transport path as shown in FIG. The M, C, and Y photoconductor units 3 except for Bk have exactly the same configuration, so that any new unit (M, C, Y) may be used. Good.

  The transfer unit 5 is installed along the oblique direction below the photoconductor unit 3 and the developing unit 4. The transfer unit 5 includes a plurality of rollers and an endless transfer belt 29 wound around the rollers. When the roller is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), the transfer belt 29 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, and the recording paper fed from the paper supply unit 10 is adsorbed by the transfer belt 29 in the right side of the figure. Move from bottom to top left. A toner concentration sensor 6 used for detecting the toner concentration of the image is provided on the downstream side (upper left side in the figure) of the transfer unit 5 in the transport direction. Details of the toner density sensor 6 will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of one of the four photoconductor units 3 and the developing unit 4. As shown in the figure, the photosensitive unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum 28 (for example, an outer diameter φ30) as a constituent element. The photosensitive drum 28 has a hollow cylindrical shape and is rotated clockwise in the drawing by a driving mechanism described later. A charging roller 36 (for example, an outer diameter φ11) is provided above the photosensitive drum 28. The surface of the charging roller 36 is disposed at a position separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 28 by about 0.05 mm. The charging roller 36 rotates in the opposite direction to the photosensitive drum 28, that is, counterclockwise in the drawing, and applies a uniform charge on the surface of the photosensitive drum 28.

  A cleaning brush 37 is disposed above the charging roller 36. A cleaning brush 39 and a counter blade 38 are disposed on the upper left side of the photoconductive drum 28, and thereby cleaning for removing residual toner and the like on the surface of the photoconductive drum 28 is performed. A waste toner collecting coil 40 is installed on the left side of the cleaning brush 39, and the waste toner collected by the waste toner collecting coil 40 is conveyed to the waste toner bottle 16 shown in FIG.

  The developing unit 4 employs a dry two-component magnetic brush developing system, and includes a developing roller 30, a developing doctor 31, a conveying screw left 32, a conveying screw right 33, a toner concentration sensor 34, and a toner cartridge 35. .

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part showing a driving mechanism of the photosensitive unit 3. In the figure, a photosensitive unit 3 is provided for each color, and there are four units. Three photosensitive units 3 for M, C, and Y (for color), and a photosensitive member for Bk. The unit 3 is driven by a different driving mechanism. That is, the color photoconductor unit 3 is driven by the color drum drive motor 41 as a drive source and the gears 43 and 44 and the joint 45 that transmit this drive force. On the other hand, the black photoconductor unit 3 is driven by a gear 44 and a joint 45 dedicated to the black photoconductor that transmits the driving force using another black drum drive motor 42 as a drive source. Accordingly, during color mode printing, only the color drum drive motor 41 operates and the black drum drive motor 42 stops. On the other hand, during monochrome mode printing, only the black drum drive motor 42 operates and the color drum drive motor 41 stops. The color drum drive motor 41 and the black drum drive motor 42 are stepping motors.

  5 is a perspective view of the fixing unit 46 and FIG. 6 is a side view thereof. As shown in these drawings, the fixing unit 46 employs a belt fixing system. Since the belt has a smaller heat capacity than the fixing roller, using this method has advantages such as shortening the warm-up time and lowering the roller setting temperature during standby than the method using the fixing roller. . The fixing unit 46 includes a fixing belt 13 and an oil application unit 47, and heats and presses the recording paper on which the image has been transferred to fix the toner image on the recording paper. In the oil application unit 47, the gel exudes from the oil, and this is supplied from the application felt 48 to the application roller 49. A small amount of silicone oil is applied to the fixing belt 13 while the application roller 49 rotates.

  In this way, the oil is applied to the fixing belt 13 so that the fixing belt 13 and the recording paper are smoothly separated. That is, the releasability of the surface of the fixing belt 13 is improved. The application operation by the oil application unit 47 is executed every time one recording sheet is conveyed, and the oil application unit 47 is activated each time one recording sheet is conveyed by a mechanism having a solenoid or a spring (not shown). Driven to contact the fixing belt 13. On the other hand, after one sheet of recording paper passes, the oil application unit 47 is separated from the fixing belt 13 by the mechanism. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a cleaning roller 50 is provided on the upstream side of the fixing belt 13 in the recording paper conveyance direction. The cleaning roller 50 adsorbs dirt on the fixing belt 13, thereby cleaning the belt. Is performed to prevent image contamination of the recording paper due to contamination of the fixing belt 13. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 46 in this manner is transported to the paper discharge tray 15 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the paper feeding unit 10. The paper feed unit 10 includes three trays, a first tray 9 a, a second tray 9 b, and a manual paper feed tray 8. Each of these trays 8, 9 a, 9 b feeds recording paper by FRR (feed reverse roller paper feeding method: friction separation paper feeding method). This FRR paper feed system feed mechanism is driven to rotate in the paper feed direction in order to separate the recording paper fed from the stack of recording papers stacked in the paper feed trays 8, 9a, 9b one by one. The reversing roller is in contact with the sheet feeding roller to be used. In this configuration, the reverse roller has a weak torque applied in the opposite direction to the paper feed roller via the torque limiter, so that the reverse roller is in contact with the paper feed roller or one recording sheet is in contact with both rollers. When the sheet enters between the rollers, the sheet rotates with the sheet feeding roller. On the other hand, when the recording sheet is separated from the sheet feeding roller or when two or more recording sheets enter between the rollers, the sheet rotates reversely. For this reason, when the multi-feed recording paper enters, the recording paper on the side in contact with the reversing roller is returned to the downstream side in the paper feeding direction to prevent double feeding.

  The recording paper stored in the first tray 9a is separated by the first paper feed unit 51 and sent out from the first tray 9a. The fed recording paper is conveyed by the relay roller 53 and reaches the conveyance roller 55. Here, the recording paper is conveyed toward the upper left registration roller 7 while being turned by the conveyance roller 55. The conveyed recording paper hits the nip of the resist roller 7 that is stopped, and the skew of the recording paper is corrected (skew correction). Then, timing adjustment with the image forming process by the photoconductor unit 3 or the like is performed, a registration clutch (not shown) is connected at a predetermined timing, the registration roller 7 is driven, and the recording paper is conveyed toward the transfer unit 5 for transfer. The image is transferred in the unit 5 and an image is formed on the recording paper.

  The recording paper stored in the second tray 9b is transported toward the transporting roller 55 by the second paper feeding unit 52 and the relay roller 54, and the subsequent operation is the recording paper stored in the first tray 9a. Same as paper. The recording paper set on the manual feed tray 8 is conveyed toward the registration roller 7 by the paper feeding unit 56, and image transfer is performed in the same manner.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part showing a driving mechanism of the first paper feeding unit 51 and the second paper feeding unit 52. As shown in FIG. 8, these units 51 and 52 are driven by a single stepping motor 59, and the driving force transmitted to each unit 51 and 52 is transmitted through the first paper feed clutch 57 and the second paper feed clutch 58. Done through. That is, when the recording paper is sent out from the first tray 9a, only the first paper feed clutch 57 is connected to transmit the drive, and when the recording paper is sent out from the second tray 9b, only the second paper feed clutch 58 is provided. It becomes a connected state.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a process system in which the toner density sensor of the image forming apparatus 100 is mounted. As shown in FIG. 9, the image forming apparatus 100 is a color image forming apparatus that uses four color developers (toners) of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black, BK). is there. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with process cartridges 110BK, 110Y, 110M, and 110C as detachable image forming bodies for the respective colors. This process cartridge integrally contains an image forming system centered on the above-described photoreceptor shown in FIG. The process cartridges 110BK, 110Y, 110M, and 110C accommodate the corresponding developing devices 4BK, 4Y, 4M, and 4C, and further detect the toner density in the developer in each of the developing devices 4BK, 4Y, 4M, and 4C. A toner density sensor 34 is provided. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a control unit 101, an operation display unit 102, a memory 103, a communication I / F unit 104, and an I / O port 105. The control unit 101 controls the apparatus according to a control program by a microcomputer, and the operation display unit 102 displays the operation settings of the image forming apparatus 100 and the state of the apparatus on a panel. The memory 103 stores device status information (additional information to be transmitted together with jam alarm information) based on sequence control and signals from each sensor, and the communication I / F (interface) 14 transmits and receives signals to and from external devices that are in contact therewith. Do. The I / O port 105 is connected to each of the toner density sensors 34 in each of the process cartridges 110BK, 110Y, 110M, and 110C, and functions as an interface for performing data writing and data transmission to the control unit 101, which will be described later. .

  Each developer 4BK, 4Y, 4M, 4C contains a developer composed of non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier as described above, and the toner concentration sensor 34 detects the toner concentration in the developer. The control unit 101 instructs the toner replenishing device to replenish the toner based on the detected toner concentration, and the insufficient toner is automatically supplied.

  10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the toner concentration sensor according to the present embodiment, FIG. 11 is an outline view of the toner concentration sensor, FIG. 12 is a wiring chart thereof, and FIG. 13 shows details of the magnetic substance detection circuit in FIG. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the toner density sensor. FIG. 14 shows a block portion of a contact type IC as a toner concentration sensor, which shows only the IC tag portion of the toner concentration sensor 34. Vcc and Vss of the toner concentration sensor in FIG. 14 are commonly used. Note that the number of pins is reduced by making the grounding and power supply of the toner density sensor 34 and the process cartridge 110 or the image forming apparatus 100 the same. Although FIG. 11 illustrates an example in which signal transmission / reception is connected, a wireless system can also be employed (see FIG. 15).

  In FIG. 10 and FIG. 14, communication with the outside is performed with respect to the CPU 116 and the I / O port 117 by a communication protocol conforming to ISO 7816 by communication interface signals (Vcc, CLK, REM, Vss). The CPU 116 reads / writes data from / to the EEPROM 121 by a ROM (program) 119 stored therein, in accordance with external communication or an external command. The I / O port 117 is an ISO 7816-3 communication interface circuit. The system controller 118 is a circuit that controls the inside of the IC chip. The ROM 119 is a program memory, and the RAM 120 is a working memory for executing a program. The EEPROM 121 is a non-volatile memory that stores information necessary to control the process cartridge. The stored data will be described later. The E-EEPROM 122 is a memory that stores a dedicated command to be written to the EEPROM 121.

The data stored in the EEPROM 121 is, for example, as shown below.
[1] Color of developer [2] Type of developer [3] Type of developing device or process cartridge on the side where the toner density sensor is placed [4] Use of developing device or process cartridge on the side where the toner density sensor is placed [5] Serial number [6] Production site, lot number [7] Information specific to toner density sensor [8] Information regarding the aim of toner density, etc. These data are stored as binary code data, for example.

  Among the stored data in the above, for [1] to [4], the image forming device (copier or printer) compares with the information for the specific identification, and the developing device or process cartridge operates in the image forming device. Determine if it is possible. When it is determined that the operation is impossible, the image forming apparatus performs an operation for suppressing the image formation, or displays an image formation suppression or inability display to the user. With regard to [4], there is information relating to the usage time (for example, drive integration time, etc.) or information relating to the number of recording media on which an image has been formed, that is, the number of images to be formed. It is possible to show to the user even after replacing the unit. It is also useful when analyzing market return units.

  For the serial number of [5] and the manufacturing base of [6], after analyzing the sales logistics such as how the developing device or process cartridge arrived to the user, investigation of troubled lots, after shipment to market use. It can be used as production plan data such as how long it will be collected at the collection site. Further, the information specific to the toner density sensor of [7] can be recycled without correcting the response variation of each sensor by adding information specific to the sensor. The cost of the sensor is high, the lifetime is very long compared to the developer and the photoconductor, and the merit by recycling is high, so the economic effect is high.

  Further, with this configuration, the toner density can be adjusted in advance after being transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100, so that the downtime for adjustment when the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on or when the developing device is attached / detached is greatly reduced. be able to. The variation in individual response of the magnetic density sensor type toner density sensor is the difference in output characteristics between multiple sensors even when the same permeability test piece is inspected due to variations in internal coil placement and resistance. Means. Conventionally, such a difference is accepted, and the toner density adjustment operation is performed by repeating toner replenishment and density detection when the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on or after the developing device is detached. At that time, since there was no information on sensor variation, adjustment usually took time. In this configuration, the response variation is verified in advance using the test piece in the non-defective product inspection at the time of manufacture, and this is written in the memory as data. Information can be transmitted to the CPU of the main body of the forming apparatus 100 and the toner density can be adjusted in the response area, so that the time for feedback control can be greatly reduced.

  As for the information related to the aim of the toner density in [8], the image forming apparatus has a function of writing a target control value for the toner density into the toner density sensor. Conventionally, only the image forming apparatus has the control information. However, when the developing device or the process cartridge is replaced, it is difficult to immediately detect the information on the machine side. An operation for obtaining control information (for example, an operation of detecting the amount of adhesion on the transfer unit and changing the density by changing the developing bias) has been performed. Such work is particularly troublesome in the market when a serviceman replaces the developing device or the process cartridge with a developing device or process cartridge, and in the worst case, the work is broken. By inputting information on the respective toner density or the purpose of toner density control to the toner density sensor, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the mistake even in the case of such unit replacement in the market.

  The magnetic substance detection circuit (toner concentration sensor) 115 shown in FIG. 13 basically includes a transmission circuit 123, a resonance circuit 124, a phase comparison circuit 125, an integration circuit 2126, and an impedance conversion circuit 127. The transmission circuit 123 oscillates using a solid oscillator such as crystal or ceramic, and the oscillation frequency is determined based on the inherent frequency of the solid oscillator such as crystal or ceramic. It is not easily affected by the usage environment or power supply voltage, and enables stable and accurate detection as a position component of toner density detection.

  The resonance circuit (detection circuit) 124 inputs the output from the oscillation circuit 123 to the primary coil L1 through the resistor R3. The resonance circuit 123 includes a first resonance circuit including a primary coil L1 and a shared capacitor C3 sharing a capacitor, a secondary coil L2 magnetically coupled to the primary coil L1 with a coupling constant K, and the shared capacitor C3. A second resonance circuit comprising: In the vicinity of the primary coil L1 and the secondary coil L2, a developer in which a magnetic carrier and nonmagnetic toner in the developing device are mixed in a non-contact manner is disposed, and the substantial inductance of the coils L1 and L2 is increased depending on the toner concentration in the developer. Influence. Therefore, by sharing (that is, sharing and sharing) the capacitor C3 of the first and second resonance circuits, the difference between the primary and secondary resonance frequencies can be easily minimized. Since the inductances of both coils can be made equal by the devised winding manner of the secondary coil and secondary coil, which will be described later, it becomes possible to make the primary and secondary resonance frequencies equal in combination with the common capacitor C3. A large phase difference output can be obtained. Further, by sharing the capacitor C3, it is possible to maintain the same resonance characteristics as those in which each capacitor is provided in each resonance circuit. As a result, the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of capacitors.

  The coil structure of the toner concentration sensor 34 may be a ribbon structure in which two conductive wires are covered with an insulating film and integrated, and a coil structure in which the parallel lines are wound up. Moreover, the coil structure which wound up the welding conducting wire and the said welding conducting wire can be taken. In these, since the first coil and the second coil are wound at the same position, the first and second inductances are substantially equal, and the magnetic coupling constant of both the coils is large. As a result, the detection accuracy of the toner density close to the coil is improved. Moreover, it can also be set as the structure which attached the coil to the magnetic core. By providing the magnetic core, the magnetic resistance is lowered, and the number of turns of the coil can be reduced by that amount, and the size can be reduced. Further, the coil structure is not limited to a flat coil shape having a single vertical shape, and may be a coil structure in which ribbon-shaped parallel lines of two conductive wires are wound several times vertically and several times horizontally. Moreover, it can also be set as the coil shape using the ribbon-shaped parallel wire of 4 conducting wires. By stacking a plurality of stages vertically and winding a plurality of times horizontally, the vertical and horizontal shapes of the entire coil can be arbitrarily selected, and the required inductance can be acquired. The coil structure may have a shape including rectangles or ovals having different aspect ratios.

In this way, a rewritable storage device (EEPROM) 121 is provided in the toner density sensor for detecting the toner density in the developing unit 4 of the two-component developer containing the non-magnetic toner and the magnetic carrier, and is specific to each toner density sensor. By adding information (control value-information used for control), there are advantages as described below. That is,
1) The sensor cost is expensive, and the lifetime is very long compared to the developer and the photoreceptor, and the merit by recycling is high. By adding the number of times of recycling as information unique to the sensor, it is possible to simplify the inspection of whether the sensor has exceeded its lifetime.
2) Each storage device (EEPROM) 121 stores information on the type of the developing device or the process cartridge including the developing device and information on use, and the information is acquired and rewritten on the image forming apparatus 100 side. An inexpensive and small image forming apparatus that can enjoy various merits can be provided. Benefits are, for example,
2-1) The specifications of copiers, printers, etc. are different, but many of them are in the market for consumables composed of common parts. For example, in the case of toner, the toner containers such as pulverized toner, oilless fixing toner, and small particle size toner are almost the same, but the contents are different, and the user may set them incorrectly. On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 100 is not appropriate after setting, it is possible to prevent a machine failure by prohibiting the use.
2-2) The usage status data of the toner and the process cartridge is written from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 to the respective storage device EEPROM or IC tag (wireless tag), so that the consumables can be attached and removed or exchanged with another image forming apparatus 100. Even in such a case, the remaining amount information and the like are appropriately retained.
Etc.

  When an IC tag (wireless tag) is used, data is written to the toner density sensor 34 in a non-contact manner using wireless communication using an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system. FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the wireless tag and the reader / writer. The wireless tag 220 includes a memory 221, a data processing circuit 222, a modulation circuit 223, a transmission driver 224, an antenna input circuit 225, a power generation circuit 226, a demodulation circuit 227, and a transmission / reception antenna 228. Note that the IC tag is a generic name of an IC chip with an antenna processed into a tag or a label in the RFID.

  In FIG. 15, a wireless tag 220 basically includes a memory 221, a data processing circuit 222, a modulation circuit 223, a transmission driver 224, an antenna input circuit 225, a power generation circuit 226, a demodulation circuit 227, and a transmission / reception antenna 228. . The memory 221 corresponds to the EEPROM 121 in FIGS. 10 and 14, and stores the identification number of the wireless tag 220, the content of the wireless tag, and the like. The data processing circuit 222 is a circuit that performs various types of data processing, and the modulation circuit 223 is a circuit that performs modulation processing on transmission data. The transmission driver 224 performs transmission processing on the signal modulated by the modulation circuit, and the antenna input circuit 225 controls the transmission / reception antenna 228. The power generation circuit 226 rectifies and smoothes the received power wave to generate a stable DC voltage and supplies it to each circuit as an operating voltage. The demodulation circuit 227 receives the received signal received from the transmission / reception antenna 228. This circuit performs demodulation processing.

  The reader / writer 214 includes a data processing circuit 130, a modulation circuit 131, a transmission driver 132, an antenna input circuit 133, and a demodulation circuit 134. The data processing circuit 130 performs various types of data processing and transfers the received information to a wireless tag information determination device (not shown). The modulation circuit 131 is a circuit that performs modulation processing on transmission data, and the transmission driver 132 is a circuit that performs transmission processing. The antenna input circuit 133 is a circuit that controls the transmission / reception antenna 135, and the demodulation circuit 134 is a circuit that performs demodulation processing on the received signal.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

1) By providing the toner density sensor with data storage means for storing rewritable data unique to the sensor, it is possible to maintain image quality, improve maintainability and recyclability by using the information. Become.

2) The data storage means is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory, the color of the developer or toner, the type of developer, the type of developing device or process cartridge provided, and the use of the developing device or process cartridge provided By storing at least one of information representing the status or operating status, serial number, and manufacturing base information in binary encoded bits, it is possible to accurately perform a desired treatment for each developing device or process cartridge. Become.

3) The toner density sensor is connected to the process cartridge or the image forming apparatus through the power supply, ground, sensor output, sensor control, memory data reading, and memory data clock lines, thereby minimizing the toner with the pin arrangement. Density detection and data writing / holding are possible.

4) Image formation for at least one of the color of the developer or toner, the type of developer, the type of the developing device or process cartridge provided, and the information indicating the usage status or operating status of the provided developing device or process cartridge. The apparatus determines whether or not the developing device or the process cartridge can be used or not. If the developing device or the process cartridge cannot be used, the image forming operation is stopped or (and / or) is displayed to indicate that the developing device or process cartridge is not used. It becomes possible.

5) Information to be stored in the storage function of the toner density sensor, and whether or not the image forming apparatus can be used is determined based on the information. If the image forming apparatus cannot be used, an operation disabled display or operation is performed. It becomes possible to prevent. In addition, the load on the serviceman when dealing with the market can be reduced.

6) Information indicating the use status or operation status of the developing device or process cartridge is input by the development drive connection time, so that it can be used as valid data during recycling or the like.

7) By inputting information indicating the usage status or operating status of the developing device or process cartridge according to the number of sheets on which the image has been formed, it is used as valid data during maintenance by a service person or at the time of recycling. It becomes possible.

8) By using the unique information of the toner density sensor, it is possible to maintain image quality, improve maintainability and recyclability.

9) By having at least two or more developing devices, when the replacement time is different, it is possible to improve image quality maintenance, maintainability, and recyclability by using unique information of the toner density sensor. It becomes possible.

10) Since at least two process cartridges are provided, if the replacement timing is different, the image quality can be maintained, maintainability, and recyclability can be improved by using unique information of the toner density sensor. .

<Second Embodiment>
16 to 18 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the storage device (EEPROM) 121 or the wireless tag (IC tag) 220 in the first embodiment is basically detachable from the toner density sensor 34. . Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the overlapping description will be omitted.

  FIG. 16 is a view showing the periphery of the photosensitive body and its unit of the image forming unit of the tandem image forming system of the four-drum according to this embodiment, and shows the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 in more detail. It is. In the figure, each photoconductor unit 3 (in this embodiment, it is equivalent to the process cartridge unit 110 and will be described as the photoconductor unit 3 hereinafter), the photoconductor drum 28, the charging roller 36, the developing roller 30, and the cleaning brush. 39 is integrally connected. Each photoconductor unit 3 can be replaced by releasing each stopper. Each photoconductor unit 3 is arranged in the order of MCYK from the lower right in the drawing in the order of paper conveyance. Each photoconductor unit 3 is incompatible with each color and cannot be interchanged between colors. Similarly to the photosensitive unit 3, the transfer unit 5 is also laid out in an oblique direction, and transfers the image on the photosensitive drum 28 while conveying the sheet from the lower right. Further, the transfer unit 5 can be pulled out by tilting the release lever, and the transfer unit 5 can be detached when the transfer unit is replaced.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing in detail the photosensitive unit 3 in which the photosensitive drum 3, the charging roller 36, the developing roller 30, and the cleaning brush 39 are integrally coupled. The photoreceptor unit 3 is configured to be detachable from an image forming apparatus main body such as a copying machine or a printer. In the present embodiment, toner conveyance from the photosensitive unit 3 to the developing unit 4 is performed by an air pump (not shown). In addition, an optical sensor (not shown) is incorporated in a conveying nozzle (not shown), and toner near-end detection (not shown) is also performed.
The toner conveyed from the toner cartridge 35 a to the developing unit 4 is agitated with the developer by the two screws (conveying screw left 32 and conveying screw right 33), and is conveyed to the developing roller 30. The amount of the agent on the developing roller 30 is supplied onto the photosensitive drum 28 with the amount of adhesion being regulated by the developing doctor blade 31. A toner density sensor 34 is provided on the front side of the developing unit 4 to detect the toner density in the agent, and toner density control is performed based on the detected toner density. The present invention is characterized in that a non-volatile IC tag is detachably mounted on the toner concentration sensor 34. Charging of the photosensitive drum 28 is performed by a charging roller 36. The charging roller 36 rotates in the opposite direction to the photosensitive drum 28, and enables uniform charge on the drum surface. On the upper side of the charging roller 36, a charging cleaning roller 37 is attached in a state of being always in contact with the charging roller 36, and the charging roller 7 is cleaned. Untransferred toner on the photosensitive drum 28 is collected by the cleaning blade 38 and the cleaning brush 39 in the cleaning unit. The cleaning blade 38 is attached in the counter direction with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 28 and is always in contact with the photosensitive drum 28. On the other hand, the cleaning brush 39 rotates in the opposite direction to the photosensitive drum 28, collects untransferred toner together with the cleaning blade 38, and sends it to the waste toner conveying coil 40 side. Waste toner is transported to a waste toner discharge port by a waste toner transport coil 40 and collected by a waste toner bottle (not shown).

  The toner concentration sensor 34 is composed of a magnetic permeability sensor, and detects the toner concentration in the encapsulated developer. In this embodiment, toner is supplied from the toner supply device according to the detected toner concentration. FIG. 18 is an external view of the toner concentration sensor 34 according to the present embodiment, and a storage device 200 constituted by a slot-in type nonvolatile memory is detachably provided to the toner concentration sensor 34. For example, an IC tag (wireless tag 220) is used as the storage device 200. The toner density sensor 34 is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the storage device (integrated IC tag portion) is removed. The toner density sensor 34 has one pin based on the wiring table shown in FIG. To 6 pins are set. As can be seen from the wiring table, the number of pins is reduced by making the ground and power of the toner density sensor 34 and the storage device 200 the same. In the present embodiment, an example in which signal transmission / reception is connected has been described, but a wireless system can also be employed. The IC tag 200 itself is as described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14 in the first embodiment, and the configuration of data transmission / reception by the wireless tag 220 is equivalent to that described with reference to FIG. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the toner concentration sensor 34 is fixed so that a head portion (not shown) of the toner concentration sensor 34 is in close contact with the outer wall near the right side 33 of the developer stirring screw of the developer accommodating portion 4a of the developing unit 4. As described above, the toner density sensor 34 has a large magnetic substance detection output and good magnetic substance detection sensitivity. For this reason, the head portion 31 facing the coil of the toner density sensor 34 may be disposed in the vicinity of the developer, and the developer is accommodated only by fixing the head portion in close contact with the outer wall 4d of the developer accommodating portion 4a. It is possible to detect the toner concentration of the developer in the portion 4a. Here, the thickness of the developer accommodating portion 4a to which the toner concentration sensor 34 is attached is about 0.8 mm, for example, and the thickness including the detection portion of the toner concentration sensor 34 is 5 mm. As in the case of using the toner density sensor 34 as described above, an attachment method is adopted in which a through hole is formed in the outer wall of the developer accommodating portion 4a in order to contact the developer, and the detection surface of the toner density sensor is inserted into the through hole. There is no need. Therefore, the toner concentration sensor 34 can be installed by a simple and inexpensive method. Further, since it is only brought into close contact with the outer wall 4d, there is no possibility that uneven portions are formed by the toner concentration sensor in the developer accommodating portion 4a, and therefore, the adverse effect on the circulation of the developer due to the uneven portions can be eliminated.

  As a specific means for closely fixing the toner concentration sensor 34 to the outer wall of the developer accommodating portion 4a, an elastic locking member that elastically locks the toner concentration sensor 27 integrally with the outer wall portion can be used. . Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, a snap fit 4b can be used. Further, as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, one side is fixed with a snap fit 4b, and the convex portion of the toner density sensor 34 is inserted into a hole provided on the developing device 4 side so as to be engaged therewith. The other one side may be fixed. In this way, by installing the toner concentration detection sensor 34 in the developing device 4 with the snap fit 4b without using fastening parts such as screws, the man-hours and the number of parts can be reduced, and the mounting workability is further improved. You can also.

As another specific means for fixing the toner concentration sensor 27 to the outer wall of the developer accommodating portion 41, as shown in FIG. 21, a sheet-like double-sided adhesive member (so-called double-sided tape) 4c having elasticity is provided. Can be used. This method can also reduce man-hours and the number of parts without using fastening parts such as screws, and can also improve the workability of attachment.
In this manner, a rewritable storage device 200 (for example, a wireless tag 220) is detachably provided in the toner concentration sensor 34 that detects the toner concentration in the developing device of a two-component developer containing a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier. In addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the following effects are further achieved. Note that the storage function itself of the storage device 200 is the same as that of the EEPROM 121 in the first embodiment.

1) Since the storage device 200 (wireless tag 220) is detachable, it can be easily handled when a storage function is not required, and when many models have the same density sensor, the developing device and the image forming device The parts can be supplied smoothly in response to a request for making a separate device, such as when a storage function is not required, such as a stationary machine having the same lifetime.

2) When the toner density sensor 34 has a large storage area or a small storage area, it is possible to easily cope with it.

3) Since the wireless tag 220 is detachable from the toner concentration sensor 34, the data itself stored in the wireless tag 200 can be easily read into a personal computer or the like. Thus, data sampling can be performed even from the middle by replacing the storage density of the toner density sensor 34 with a larger one at the user. As a result, it can be useful for eliminating image defects in the market.

4) Since the toner concentration sensor 34 is attached along the outer wall surface of the developer accommodating portion 4c by the snap fit 4b or the double-sided tape 4c without making a hole in the developer accommodating portion 4c of the developing device 4, a fastening part such as a screw is attached. It can be installed without using it, reducing the number of steps and the number of parts, and improving the workability of installation.

1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the optical unit in FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating configurations of a photosensitive unit, a charging roller, a developing device, and a cleaning device in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a driving mechanism of the photosensitive unit in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a fixing unit in FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the oil application unit of the fixing unit in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the paper feed part in FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a sheet feeding mechanism of a sheet feeding unit in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a toner density sensor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an outline view illustrating a configuration of a toner concentration sensor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a wiring state of the toner density sensor in FIG. 11. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a magnetic body detection circuit of the toner concentration sensor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of data storage and control of the toner concentration sensor according to the first embodiment. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of data input / output by a wireless tag of the toner concentration sensor according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows the photosensitive body circumference and its unit of the image formation part of the tandem image formation system of the 4-drum which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the photoconductor unit (process cartridge) in 2nd Embodiment in detail. FIG. 6 is an external view of a toner concentration sensor according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a mounting structure of a toner density sensor according to a second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other example of the attachment structure of the toner concentration sensor in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the attachment structure of the toner concentration sensor in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

3 Photosensitive unit 4 Developing unit 4BK, 4Y, 4M, 4C Developer 34 Toner density sensor 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Control unit 102 Operation display unit 105 I / O port 110BK, 110Y, 110M, 110C Process cartridge 115 Magnetic body detection circuit 116 CPU
121 EEPROM
200 Storage Device 214 Reader / Writer 220 Wireless Tag

Claims (25)

In the toner concentration sensor for detecting the toner concentration,
A toner concentration sensor comprising storage means for storing rewritable control value information unique to the toner concentration sensor. In the toner concentration sensor for detecting the toner concentration,
A toner density sensor comprising a rewritable and removable storage means.   3. The toner concentration sensor according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit stores information on a control value unique to the toner concentration sensor.   4. The toner concentration sensor according to claim 1, wherein the toner concentration of a two-component developer containing a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier is detected from a change in magnetic permeability.   The change in magnetic permeability includes a first coil of a first resonance circuit and a second coil of a second resonance circuit magnetically coupled to the first coil, wherein the first coil and the second coil The toner density sensor according to claim 4, wherein the toner density sensor is extracted from an inductance change. 6. The toner density sensor according to claim 5, wherein the first resonance circuit and the second resonance circuit are made of the same capacitor.   4. The toner density sensor according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a non-volatile memory.   8. The toner density sensor according to claim 7, wherein the information stored in the nonvolatile memory is binary coded bits.   Information stored in the non-volatile memory includes developer or toner color, developer type, type of developing device or process cartridge, information indicating the usage status or operating status of the developing device or process cartridge, serial number, and manufacturing base. 9. The toner density sensor according to claim 8, wherein the toner density sensor is at least one piece of information.   10. The process cartridge or the image forming apparatus is connected to each line of a power source, ground, sensor output, sensor control, memory data reading, and memory data clock. The toner concentration sensor described in 1.   A developing device comprising the toner density sensor according to claim 1.   12. The developing device according to claim 11, wherein the toner density sensor is attached in contact with the surface of the outer wall of the developing device.   A developing device including the toner density sensor according to claim 1 and at least one of a photosensitive member, a charging unit, and a cleaning unit are integrally provided. Process cartridge.   14. The process cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the toner concentration sensor is attached in contact with the surface of the outer wall of the developing device.   An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 11.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein there are a plurality of the developing devices.   If at least one of the information indicating the color of the developer or toner, the type of the developer, the type of the developing device, and the usage status of the developing device is determined, whether or not the developing device can be operated is determined. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the operation is suppressed. 17. The propriety of the operation of the developing device is determined by comparing the stored unique control value and the information to determine whether or not the developing device is operable in the image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatus.   15. An image forming apparatus, wherein the process cartridge according to claim 13 or 14 is detachably attached to a main body.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein there are a plurality of process cartridges.   When at least one of the information indicating the color of the developer or toner, the type of developer, the type of the process cartridge, and the usage status of the process cartridge is determined, the operation of the process cartridge is determined. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the image forming operation is suppressed. The determination as to whether or not the process cartridge is operable is performed by comparing the stored unique control value with the information to determine whether or not the process cartridge is operable in the image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17 or 21, wherein when the image forming operation is suppressed, a message to that effect is displayed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 17 or 21, wherein the information indicating the usage status is based on a development drive connection time.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 17 or 21, wherein the information indicating the use status is based on a number of image forming sheets.

Images