JP2007140266A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To know the appropriateness of cartridge installation before completing the installation of a cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: A transmitting chip 6 for transmitting the identification information of a cartridge 3 is provided on the installation direction side tip side of the cartridge 3, a non-contact receiving tag 7 for receiving the identification information from the transmitting chip 6 is provided on the aperture side of an installed part. A judgment part collates received identification information with registered identification information to judge coincidence/non-coincidence of both the identification information and displays the judged result by the lighting control of an LED 8 or 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge such as a toner cartridge is detachably mounted on a mounted portion of the apparatus main body, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of preventing erroneous cartridge mounting.

As this type of image forming apparatus, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. That is, in this image forming apparatus, a magnet provided in an arrangement unique to the toner cartridge on the toner cartridge side and a detection unit provided on the cover on the image forming apparatus side are provided, and the arrangement of the magnet is determined after the cover is closed. It is determined whether the toner cartridge is suitable.
JP-A-10-161411

  However, in the above-described image forming apparatus, when the toner cartridge is mounted on the main body of the apparatus, it is found that the toner cartridge is mounted incorrectly, and the mounted toner cartridge is removed by pulling it out, and another toner cartridge is mounted again. It was necessary and very troublesome.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of knowing whether or not a cartridge is erroneously installed in the middle of installation.

  The present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above points.

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge is detachably mounted on a mounted portion of the apparatus body.

  In an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge is detachably mounted on at least one mounted portion of the apparatus main body, an identification chip provided on the leading end side in the cartridge mounting direction and including identification information of the cartridge, and the mounted portion A non-contact receiving means that is provided on the opening side for receiving identification information from the identification chip, and a matching means for comparing the received identification information with the registered identification information of the cartridge to be mounted to determine whether they match or not And notifying means for notifying the determined result before the completion of the cartridge mounting.

  According to the present invention, on the one hand, the cartridge is provided with the identification chip at the tip in the mounting direction, and on the other hand, the non-contact receiving means is provided on the opening side for starting the mounting of the mounted portion. It is possible to know whether or not there is an erroneous mounting, and therefore it is possible to mount another correct cartridge on the mounted portion without mounting the wrong cartridge.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 11 shows the overall configuration of a tandem type image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 11, a paper feed cassette 10 is disposed below the apparatus main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1. The paper feed cassette 10 contains a recording medium 10A. The recording medium 10 </ b> A in the paper feed cassette 10 is fed between the separation piece 12 and the paper feed roller 11, separated one by one by the separation piece 12, and separated between the transport rollers 13 a and 13 b by the paper feed roller 11. It is paid out.

  The recording medium 10A is transported to the transport belt unit 5 by the pair of transport rollers 13a and 13b.

The transport belt unit 5 includes a transfer belt 19 wound around a driving roller 17b and a driven roller 17a, and transfer rollers 18k, 18y, 18m, and 18c disposed on the inside of the transfer belt 19. An image forming unit 4k for forming a black toner image is opposed to the transfer roller 18k, and an image forming unit 4y for forming a yellow toner image is opposed to the transfer roller 18m. Is an image forming unit 4m for forming a magenta toner image, and an image forming unit 4c for forming a cyan toner image is opposed to the transfer roller 18c.
The recording medium 10A is conveyed to the image forming units 4c, 4m, 4y, and 4k in this order by the transfer belt 19, and an image (toner) is transferred by the transfer roller every time a toner image of each color is formed in each unit. The

  The above-described image forming units 4k, 4y, 4m, and 4c have the same configuration, and FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the image forming unit 4k that uses black toner. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 22 denotes a photosensitive drum, and a charging roller 23 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22. On the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22, a cleaning blade 24 for scraping off toner remaining without being transferred, a recovery spiral 25 for recovering scraped toner, and a cleaning brush for scraping assistance 26 is arranged. Then, a developing roller 21 of a toner cartridge 3k described later is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 22.

  Therefore, when the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22 is charged by the charging roller 23 and exposed by an exposure unit (not shown) to form an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the drum, the toner adheres via the developing roller 21 and thus the toner. An image can be obtained.

  As described above, this toner image is transferred onto the recording medium 10A via the transfer roller 18k.

  Returning to FIG. 11 again, reference numeral 14 denotes a fixing device. The toner image is fixed on the recording medium 10A by the fixing device 14, and the recording medium 10A is conveyed by the conveying rollers 15 and 16, and is discharged out of the apparatus.

  FIG. 1 shows a toner cartridge 3k for supplying black toner and a mounted portion 51K of the apparatus main body 2 according to the present invention. 2A and 2B show cross sections of the mounted portion 51K and the toner cartridge 3k.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the toner cartridge 3k includes a supply roller 20 for supplying toner, and a developing roller 21 for supplying the toner supplied by the roller 20 to the photosensitive drum 22. The rollers 20 and 21 are arranged in the casing 27.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an identification indication “k” (indicating black) is displayed on the rear end surface of the casing 27 in the mounting direction. This display “k” is formed by applying a stamp or a printed label.

  An openable / closable shutter portion 30 for accommodating toner is provided on the upper surface on the distal end side in the mounting direction of the casing 27. The shutter portion 30 is closed by the elastic force of the spring 32, and is opened and closed on the distal end side. A projection 31 is provided. Reference numeral 33 denotes an arrow indicating the mounting direction.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A, the mounted portion 51K extends in the vertical direction from the guide rail 17 for guiding the cartridge projecting below the mounting opening 17a and the top wall surface. And a guide rib 18b that is bent inwardly in the horizontal direction.

  Therefore, by inserting the front end portion of the casing 27 so as to be aligned with the opening 17a of the mounted portion 51K, the side wall of the casing 27 is inserted through the guide rail 17 and the guide ribs 18a and 18b as shown in FIG. It can be mounted in the mounted portion 51K.

  In addition, a toner supply unit 39 is attached to the inner top wall of the mounted portion 51K, and a switching unit 37 for detecting completion of the mounting is disposed at the inner mounting position.

  Therefore, when the casing 27 is inserted into the mounted portion 51K as described above, the projection 31 comes into contact with the toner supply portion 39 and the shutter portion 30 resists the elastic force of the spring 32 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the toner introduction port that is opened by sliding the shutter portion of the casing 27 in a state where the casing 27 is mounted is aligned with the supply port of the toner supply unit 39. When the casing 27 is attached, the switching portion 37 is pressed and closed by the tip thereof, so that a signal indicating completion of attachment is output from the switch portion, so that toner is supplied from the toner supply portion 39 into the casing 27. Will be.

  An erroneous insertion prevention plate 29 is provided on the upper surface on the rear end side of the casing 27, and an erroneous insertion prevention piece 38 is provided at the set position on the top wall on the opening 17a side of the mounted portion 51K. The erroneous insertion preventing plate 29 is formed with an engaging recess 29a for engaging the erroneous insertion preventing piece 38 therein.

  As shown in FIG. 3, misplacement prevention pieces 38 are provided at different positions in the other mounted parts 51Y, 20M, and 20C, and the wrong insertion prevention plates 29 of the corresponding toner cartridges 3y, 3m, and 3c Engaging recesses 29a are formed at corresponding positions. Therefore, for example, when the toner cartridge 3k is inserted into the mounted portion 51Y, the erroneous insertion preventing piece 38 is not inserted into the engaging recess 29a, so that erroneous mounting can be prevented and erroneous mounting can be known.

  Now, at the tip of the casing 27 of the toner cartridge 3k, the transmitting chip 6k is attached to the side surface. A receiving tag 7k is attached to the inner wall of the mounted portion 51K on the opening 17a side.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission chip 6 k includes a storage unit 40 and a reception / transmission unit 41. The storage unit 40 stores, for example, toner color information (black) used in the cartridge, information indicating the type of toner, and information indicating the model to which the cartridge is applied as identification information. The receiving / sending unit 41 sends out the identification information toward the receiving tag 7k.

  The reception tag 7k includes a transmission / reception unit 42, a control unit 45, a memory 43, and a determination unit 44. The memory 43 stores the same identification information as described above. The receiving tag 7k is supplied with electric power from a power source (not shown) on the apparatus body side, and is provided with a primary coil. On the other hand, the transmitting chip 6k is provided with a secondary side coil, so that power can be received by the secondary side coil through the primary side coil of the receiving tag 7k.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the receiving tags 7k, 7y, 7m, and 7c provided at the above-described positions of the mounted portions 51K, 20Y, 20M, and 20C are connected to the CPU 46. A display controller 47 is connected to the CPU 46, and a pair of LEDs 8k, 9k, LEDs 8y, 9y, LEDs 8m, 9m, and LEDs 8c, 9c, which are arranged in each mounted part, are connected to the display controller 47.

  One LED 8k, 8y, 8m, 8c is lit in green, thereby indicating normal mounting, and the other LED 9k, 9y, 9m, 9c is lit in orange, thereby indicating erroneous mounting.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The lifetime of the toner cartridges 3k, 3y, 3m, and 3c is generally set by the number of rotations of the developing roller or the like. In such a case, when the CPU 46 detects the roller set rotation speed, the CPU 46 shifts to the mounting detection mode and displays a “cartridge” replacement instruction on the display panel 48 (FIG. 5).

  As a result, the user opens the side cover of the apparatus main body (not shown) and removes, for example, the toner cartridge 3k from the mounted portion 51K.

  When the old toner cartridge 3k is removed, an opening signal is output from the switching unit 37 of the mounted portion 51K, so that the CPU 46 can detect the removal position (mounted portion 51K) (S1).

  The CPU 46 controls a power supply circuit (not shown) to supply power to the receiving tag 7k of the mounted part 51K.

  On the other hand, when the user prepares a new toner cartridge 3k and inserts the leading end side of the toner cartridge 3k into the opening 17a of the mounted portion 51K, as shown in FIG. Since it faces 7k, power is supplied from the tag 7k to the transmitting chip 6k. As a result, the transmitting chip 6k starts operating.

  When the receiving tag 7k is supplied with power, the control unit 45 outputs an information request signal via the transmitting / receiving unit 42 (S2), so that the receiving / transmitting unit 41 in the transmitting chip 6k is stored in the storage unit 40. The identification information is read out and the identification information is transmitted.

  When the reception tag 7k receives this identification information (S3), the control unit 45 outputs the identification information to the determination unit 44. The determination unit 44 reads the identification information from the memory 43 (S4), and collates both identification information.

  In this case, since it is normally mounted, the determination unit 44 determines whether both pieces of identification information match (S5), and outputs a match signal to the CPU 46.

  When the CPU 46 receives the coincidence signal, it notifies the display control unit 47 of the normal mounting of the mounted portion 51K. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9A, the display control unit 47 controls the lighting of the LED 8k of the mounted portion 51K (S7).

  Since the user can know the normal mounting by turning on the LED 8k, a new toner cartridge 3k is further inserted and completely mounted on the mounted portion 51K. Thus, since the closing signal is received from the switching unit 37 (S8), the CPU 46 gives an instruction to turn off the display control unit 47 (S9), turns off the LED 8k, and determines whether the conversion of all the toner cartridges is completed. (S10).

  On the other hand, for example, when a new toner cartridge 3y is prepared and the leading end side of the toner cartridge 3y starts to be inserted into the mounted portion 51K as shown in FIG. 6, the transmitting chip 6y receives as shown in FIG. 9B. Since it faces the tag 7k, the CPU 46 receives a mismatch signal from the determination unit 44 (S6). In this case, since the CPU 46 notifies the display control unit 47 of the erroneous mounting, the control unit 47 turns on the LED 9k (S11) (see FIG. 9B).

  Since the user can know the erroneous mounting by turning on the LED 9k, the insertion of the cartridge 3y is stopped and pulled out. That is, the toner cartridge 3y is pulled out without being attached.

  When the user inserts (starts) a new toner cartridge 3k due to incorrect mounting, the CPU 46 receives a match signal after the mismatch signal as described above (S6), so the LED 9k is turned off and the LED 8k is turned on to the display control unit 47. To be notified. As a result, the LED 9k is turned off and the LED 8k is turned on, so that the user further inserts the toner cartridge 3k to complete the mounting. Accordingly, since the closing signal is output from the switching unit 37 (S8), the LED 8k is turned off (S9).

  In the above-described embodiment, the erroneous mounting may be displayed on the display panel 48 under the control of the display control unit 47, or may be notified by voice or warning sound.

  Further, in the reception tag 7k, when the determination unit 44 determines that there is a mismatch, the control unit 45 may output the identification information (sending chip 6y) received together with the mismatch signal. In this case, when the CPU 46 receives the mismatch signal and the identification information, as shown in FIG. 10 (A), the LED 9k is turned on and the mounted portion 51Y is determined based on the identification information. The LED 8y is turned on (see FIG. 10B).

  Therefore, the user can know the correct mounting position (the mounted portion 51Y) of the toner cartridge 3y that has been erroneously inserted, so that the conversion operation can be performed smoothly.

  The present invention can be applied to an MFP (multifunctional apparatus), a facsimile apparatus, and a copying apparatus for exchanging cartridges in addition to a color image forming apparatus. The present invention can also be applied to a mounting operation when there are a plurality of cartridges having the same shape but different toner types in the monochrome image forming apparatus.

  In addition to the toner cartridge, the present invention can be applied to a drum cartridge, a belt cartridge, and a fixing cartridge.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the toner cartridge 50 of this embodiment is formed in a box shape and has a symmetrical structure. On the other hand, the apparatus main body 2 is provided with a mounted portion 51 that opens upward. There is a possibility that the toner cartridge 50 is erroneously mounted on the mounted portion 51 in the left-right direction.

  In this embodiment, the transmitting chips 6a and 6b are attached to the recesses on the lower sides of both ends of the toner cartridge 50, respectively. In these sending chips 6a and 6b, identification information including toner color information, toner type information, and information indicating the model is stored in a storage unit (see FIG. 4), and in the storage unit of one sending chip 6a. “Left” information indicating the mounting position, and “right” information indicating the reverse mounting position is further stored in the storage unit of the other transmitting chip 6b.

  Reception tags 7a and 7b are attached to recesses provided on the inner wall surfaces on both sides near the opening of the mounted portion 51. In each of the reception tags 7a and 7b, the above-described identification information is stored, and in the memory of one reception tag 7a, “left” information indicating position information is stored in the memory of the other reception tag 7b. Further stores “write” information indicating the reverse position information.

  The other configurations of the transmitting chips 6a and 6b and the receiving tags 7a and 7b are the same as those of the chip and tag shown in FIG.

  Now, as shown in FIG. 13, when the toner cartridge 50 is inserted (started) into the mounted portion 51 from above, the transmitting chip 6a faces the receiving tag 7a while maintaining a predetermined distance X, as described above. Similarly to the above, identification information and “left” information are transmitted from the transmitting chip 6a to the receiving tag 7a. In this case, the determination unit of the reception tag 7a determines that the identification information and the “left” information match, and therefore outputs a match signal from the reception tag 7a. Further, since the transmitting chip 6b faces the receiving tag 7b, the coincidence signal is similarly output from the receiving tag 7b.

  When the CPU (not shown) receives the coincidence signal, it controls the display control unit to turn on the LED indicating normal mounting, or to display normal mounting on the display panel.

  On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 50 is inserted (started) upside down, as shown in FIG. 14, the transmission chip 6b faces the reception tag 7a and the transmission chip 6a faces the reception tag 7b. Resulting in. Accordingly, the determination unit of the receiving tags 7a and 7b outputs a mismatch signal because the “right” information and the “left” information do not match.

  As a result, a CPU (not shown) turns on an LED indicating erroneous mounting or displays erroneous mounting on the display panel, so that the user can stop erroneous insertion before mounting is completed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a toner cartridge and a mounted portion according to the present invention. (A) is a side view on the opening side of the mounting portion according to the present invention, (B) is a side view showing a section of the toner cartridge according to the present invention, and (C) is a mounting view of the toner cartridge. It is a figure which shows the state inserted in the part. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an erroneous insertion prevention mechanism for each toner cartridge and each mounted portion according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of a chip for transmission and a tag for reception according to the present invention. It is a control block diagram concerning the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the start of insertion of the toner cartridge according to the present invention into a mounted portion. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the toner cartridge of the present invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the lighting example of normal mounting | wearing and incorrect mounting | wearing. It is a figure which shows the example of lighting of an incorrect mounting | wearing and a mounting position. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an image forming unit and a toner cartridge of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge and a mounted portion according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

3k, 3y, 3m, 3c Toner cartridge 20K, 20Y, 20M, 20C Mounted part 6k, 6y, 6m, 6c, 6a, 6b Transmitting chip 7k, 7y, 7m, 7c, 7a, 7b Receiving tag 8k, 8y 8m, 8c LED
9k, 9y, 9m, 9c LED

Claims (10)

In the image forming apparatus in which the cartridge is detachably attached to at least one attached portion of the apparatus main body,
An identification chip provided on the front end side in the mounting direction of the cartridge, and comprising identification information of the cartridge;
Non-contact receiving means provided on the opening side of the mounted portion for receiving identification information from the identification chip;
Collating means for comparing the received identification information with the registered identification information of the cartridge to be mounted to determine a match and a mismatch;
Informing means for informing the determined result before completion of the mounting of the cartridge;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   When the collating means determines that they do not match, the apparatus further comprises a determining means for determining another mounted part to which the cartridge is to be mounted, and a position notifying means for notifying the determined position of the mounted part. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is a toner cartridge, and the identification information of the toner cartridge includes toner color information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is a toner cartridge, and the identification information of the toner cartridge includes information on a type of toner.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge identification information includes information related to an applicable model of the cartridge.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is a drum cartridge, and the identification information of the drum cartridge is color information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is a drum cartridge, and the identification information of the drum cartridge is information relating to an applicable model of the cartridge.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is a fixing cartridge, and the identification information of the fixing cartridge is information relating to an applicable model.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is a fixing cartridge, and the identification information of the fixing cartridge is information regarding a voltage. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is a belt cartridge, and the identification information of the belt cartridge is information relating to an applicable model.

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