JP2009282076A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of separating only a cartridge to be replaced from the other cartridges for replacement when the proper replacement time of a plurality of connected cartridges comes. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device includes: a plurality of image forming parts each composed of the first cartridge and the second cartridge, which can form image when both of them are mounted in this device, and can allow replacement of both of them when they are removed from this device; an openable and closable device case body having a structure storing them and combining a plurality of wall bodies and separating one wall body among a plurality of wall bodies from the other wall bodies; and individual biasing parts provided among a plurality of image forming parts and one wall body and moving and biasing the second cartridges in a plurality of image forming parts in the direction for letting them leave the first cartridges individually in the interlocking relationship with its opening and closing operation. The image forming device determines whether replacement of each of the first cartridge and the second cartridge is necessary or not, drives the individual biasing part in accordance with the results of determination, and lets the second cartridge requiring the replacement leave the first cartridge. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a complex machine thereof, and more particularly to a technique for improving operability in replacement operation of an image carrier, a developing unit, and the like in the image forming apparatus.

Image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers are frequently used in daily work by a wide range of users.
Therefore, it is desirable that the image forming apparatus has a structure that can be easily maintained even by a user who is not accustomed to handling the image forming apparatus.
For example, when the image forming unit is composed of a cartridge in which a photoconductor, a developing unit, a cleaning unit, etc. are integrated for each color, the cartridge can be easily replaced when the replacement time comes. It is desirable that the structure be easy to handle jams such as paper jams.

Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a transfer unit of an image forming apparatus is integrated with a door, and the transfer unit is rotated outward in accordance with an opening operation of the door.
Thus, when the door is opened, the transfer unit moves out of the image forming apparatus, and the cartridge for each color is exposed inside the apparatus, so that the user can easily attach and detach the cartridge. Jam processing can be easily performed.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-156782

  However, in the case where the image forming unit is configured with a plurality of cartridges of each color as in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, even if the user opens the door integrated with the transfer unit, It is difficult to understand which cartridge should be replaced, especially for users who are unfamiliar with the handling of the image forming apparatus. There is a problem that a situation in which it takes time and effort to exchange is likely to occur.

  Furthermore, when the image forming unit is composed of a plurality of cartridges such as a photosensitive unit and a developing unit for each color, and the image formation is performed in a state where the plurality of cartridges are connected, the replacement time has come. When exchanging only the cartridge, an operation of separating the cartridge from other cartridges connected to the cartridge is required, and accordingly, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to replace the cartridge.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention facilitates an operation of separating and replacing a cartridge to be replaced when the replacement time of the cartridge comes in an image forming apparatus in which image formation is performed in a state where a plurality of cartridges are connected. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can be performed in the same manner.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that executes an image forming process using a combination of a plurality of image forming units, and includes a developing unit and an image carrier. A cartridge, and a second cartridge that is not included in the first cartridge but includes a component element required for the image forming process. The second cartridge is detachable from the first cartridge and is in a mounted state. A plurality of image forming units configured to be capable of performing image forming processing, while being able to replace both of the first and second cartridges when in a detached state;
An apparatus housing that houses the plurality of image forming units and has a structure in which a plurality of wall bodies are combined, and one of the plurality of wall bodies is separated from the other wall body and can be opened and closed outward. And each of the second cartridges of the plurality of image forming units individually connected to the opening / closing operation of the wall member. A cartridge individual urging unit that moves and urges the first cartridge in a direction to be attached to and detached from the first cartridge, a determination unit that determines whether or not each of the plurality of image forming units needs to be replaced, and a determination by the determination unit And a controller that drives the cartridge individual urging unit according to the result and causes the second cartridge of the image forming unit that needs to be replaced to be detached from the first cartridge.

The opening / closing direction of the wall body and the attaching / detaching direction of the second cartridge are substantially the same direction, and the cartridge individual urging portion is a transmission mechanism that transmits the opening / closing operation of the wall body to each of the second cartridges. Can be.
Further, the transmission mechanism is provided on the inner surface of the wall opposite to each of the second cartridges with the wall closed, and the same number of hooks or pins as the first cartridge, and the hooks on the second cartridges. Alternatively, each hook is connected to a drive unit that is driven to switch between a state in which the pin is engaged and a state in which the pin is disengaged according to a determination result by the determination unit. Can be that.

  Further, the image forming units are arranged in the vertical direction inside the device casing, and the openable and closable wall bodies are parallel to the direction in which the image forming units are arranged. It can be a wall.

  In the image forming apparatus in which the image forming process is performed in a state where the second cartridge is mounted on the first cartridge, the present invention can replace either the first cartridge or the second cartridge of the image forming unit. Is determined to be necessary, the image forming unit is controlled so that the second cartridge is detached from the first cartridge, so that the user observes the attachment / detachment state of the second cartridge in the image forming unit. As a result, the image forming unit that needs to be replaced can be easily specified, and the replacement operation of the cartridge to be replaced can be easily performed without performing the operation of separating the first cartridge and the second cartridge.

  The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus that executes image forming processing using a combination of a plurality of image forming units, and includes a first cartridge including any one of a developing unit and an image carrier, and a first cartridge. Is included in the second cartridge including the component elements required for the image forming process, and the required image forming process can be executed when the second cartridge is detachable from the first cartridge and in the mounted state. On the other hand, when in the detached state, the plurality of image forming units configured so that both the first and second cartridges can be replaced, and the plurality of image forming units are accommodated, and a plurality of image forming units are stored. An apparatus housing having a structure in which wall bodies are combined, and one wall body among a plurality of wall bodies can be separated from the other wall body and freely opened and closed, and each of the image forming units and the openable and closable parts A connecting part that can be cut into and out of the wall. Are connected individually to each other, and in conjunction with the opening operation of the wall body, the cartridge individual urging unit that moves and urges each image forming unit in a direction to be taken out of the apparatus housing, When the cut-off state is established, the second cartridge of the image forming unit moves and urges the second cartridge in the direction away from the corresponding first cartridge, the necessity of replacement of each of the first and second cartridges, and the wall body According to a determination unit for determining opening and closing, and a determination result by the determination unit, the connection of the connection unit between the image forming unit and the wall body that requires replacement in conjunction with the opening operation of the wall body is switched to a disconnected state, And a control unit that moves the second cartridge of the image forming unit in a direction to detach from the corresponding first cartridge.

The detachment direction is a direction away from the wall body, and the cartridge individual urging unit may be a transmission mechanism that transmits an opening / closing operation of the wall body to each image forming unit.
Further, the transmission mechanism is provided on the inner surface of the wall opposite to each image forming unit with the wall closed, and the same number of hooks or pins as the image forming unit, and each image forming unit is associated with the hook or pin. Each of the hooks is connected to a driving unit that switches between a state in which the pin is engaged and a state in which the pin is disengaged according to a determination result of the determination unit. It can be.

Further, when the ammunition is a compression spring, and the connection of the connecting portion is in a disconnected state, the first cartridge is a second cartridge in a direction away from the wall body by a distance that the compression spring reaches a free length from the compression state. Can be moved.
Further, the first and second cartridges of the respective image forming units are arranged so as to be aligned in the vertical direction, and the openable / closable wall body is parallel to the alignment direction of the first and second cartridges. It can be a wall.

  Thus, in the image forming apparatus in which image forming processing is performed with the second cartridge mounted on the first cartridge, when the wall body is opened, all the first and second cartridges are interlocked with the opening operation. In the image forming unit having the first cartridge or the second cartridge that needs to be replaced and removed from the apparatus housing, the second cartridge moves in a direction away from the corresponding first cartridge. By observing the mounting / demounting state of the second cartridge in the forming unit, the image forming unit that needs to be replaced can be easily identified, and the second cartridge can be easily separated from the first cartridge. Can be easily performed.

  Here, the sheet conveyance body is positioned along the arrangement direction of the image forming units, and the transfer unit is positioned in a state of facing the image forming units through the sheet conveyance unit. Are supported by the front wall body, and when the front wall body is closed, an image can be formed in the vicinity of each image forming section, and when the front wall body is opened, it is separated from each image forming section to perform an internal inspection. On the other hand, the hook or pin may be supported by the front wall body on the outer side of the sheet conveyance body that does not interfere with the sheet conveyance body and the transfer unit.

As a result, when a jam occurs, the sheet conveying path can be separated from the first and second cartridges by opening the front wall, so that the sheet causing the jam can be easily removed. Jam processing can be easily performed.
Here, the image forming apparatus includes a notifying unit for notifying which replacement is necessary when the determination unit determines that the first or second cartridge needs to be replaced. It is good.

  As a result, the image forming unit determined to be replaced is notified as to which of the first and second cartridges should be replaced, so that the user can quickly identify the cartridge to be replaced. it can.

[1] First Embodiment (Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the image forming apparatus 1, a paper feeding unit 110 is disposed at the lower part of the apparatus housing 100, and a paper discharge tray unit 120 is disposed at the upper part of the apparatus housing 100. For example, a conveyance belt 130 is installed in the vertical direction as a sheet conveyance body, and image forming units 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K for Y, M, C, and K colors are arranged side by side along the conveyance belt 130.

Although not shown, a transfer roller is provided at a position facing the image forming units 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K via the conveyance belt 130.
A feeding roller 111 is provided in the paper feeding unit 110, and a fixing unit 140 is provided between the upper end of the conveyance belt 130 and the paper discharge tray unit 120. In addition to the above, a control unit 150, jam sensors 151, 152, and the like are provided inside the apparatus housing 100.
(Case structure)
The apparatus housing 100 is assembled from a front wall body 100a, a back wall body 100b, a bottom wall body 100c, a top wall body 100d, and left and right side wall bodies (not shown). Among these, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the front wall body 100a is configured to be freely opened and closed as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, for example, the pair of sheath portions 161a and 162a of the telescopic slide rails 161 and 162 are attached to the wall bodies on the left and right side surfaces of the apparatus housing 100 one by one per wall surface, and the end rails extended from the sheath portions 161a and 162a. 161b and 162b are attached to the front wall body 100a, and the front wall body 100a is opened and closed while the slide rails 161 and 162 are pulled out or stored with respect to the sheath portions 161a and 162a by pushing and pulling the handle 163. It works.

  The front wall body 100a is further provided with at least four columns (a pair of columns 112 and 113, respectively) standing on the inner surface side of the front wall body 100a at intervals, and a base 114 is attached to the tip of each column 112 and 113. Has been. The gantry 114 supports a pair of rollers (not shown) around which the conveyor belt 130 is wound and a transfer roller (not shown) provided for each of the colors Y, M, C, and K.

The heights of the columns 112 and 113 are such that the conveying belt 130 is close to the image forming units 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K with the front wall 100a closed, and the image forming units 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K It is set to the required height to be able to show a state where it can be created in collaboration.
(Hook configuration)
In the gantry 114, hooks 116Y, 116M, 116C, and 116K and electromagnetic solenoids 117Y, 117M, 117C, and 117K are provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a located on both outer sides of the conveyor belt 130.

Each of the hooks 116Y, 116M, 116C, and 116K comprises two levers 118Y and 119Y, 118M and 119M, 118C and 119C, 118K and 119K that can be freely opened and closed, and one of the levers 119Y, 119M, 119C, and 119K. Are connected to electromagnetic solenoids 117Y, 117M, 117C, and 117K. The electromagnetic solenoids 117Y to 117K are energized and controlled according to the determination result of the determination unit, which will be described later, whereby the hooks 116Y to 116K perform a leg opening / closing operation.
(Configuration of image forming unit)
The image forming units 101Y to 101K execute an electrostatic copying process to form an image, and have a configuration in which a charging unit, a developing unit, a charge eliminating unit, and the like are arranged around the photosensitive drum. In this embodiment, two cartridges are used in which the developing cartridges 102Y to 102K including the developing unit and the drum cartridges 103Y to 103K including all or a part of the photosensitive drum, the charging unit, and the discharging unit are separated. The two cartridges are detachable and can be exchanged separately.

Each of the image forming units 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K includes a corresponding developing cartridge and a drum cartridge, and each developing cartridge is provided in the housing 100 in a state where the corresponding drum cartridge is mounted. Each rack 109 is stored in each shelf.
An appearance of the image forming unit 101K is shown in FIG. This figure shows the black image forming unit 101K, but the other colors have the same configuration. In the figure, reference numeral 103Ka denotes a drum cartridge frame, and reference numeral 102Ka denotes a developing cartridge frame.

The drum cartridge frame 103Ka is provided on the left and right side surfaces of the drum cartridge 103K, and pins 105K and 106K and a pair of plate-shaped guide members 108K project from the respective outer surfaces as shown in the figure.
The developing cartridge frame 102Ka is provided on the left and right side surfaces of the developing cartridge 102K, and a guide portion 104K having a guide rail for slidably holding the pins 105K and 106K is projected on each inner surface thereof.

  The drum cartridge 103K is mounted on the developing cartridge 102K by inserting pins 105K and 106K provided on the left and right side surfaces of the drum cartridge 103K between the guard rails of the guide portion 104K and holding them at predetermined positions in the guide portion 104K. Then, when the drum cartridge 103K is pulled out in the direction opposite to the insertion direction (hereinafter referred to as “removal direction”), the pins 105K and 106K are extracted from the guide portion 104K and detached from the developing cartridge 102K.

The predetermined positions are the positions of the pins 105K and 106K when the guide member 108K moves in the insertion direction in accordance with the mounting operation and comes into contact with the side end face 102Kab of the developing cartridge frame 102Ka.
Further, as shown in the drawing, a pin 107K that engages with a hook 116K provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a protrudes from the outer surface of the drum cartridge frame 103Ka. The movement of the one lever 118K of the hook 116K is restricted by the guide member 108K below the outer surface of the drum cartridge frame 103Ka, so that the pin can be reliably engaged.

When the front wall body 100a is opened while the drum cartridge 103K is engaged with the hook 116K, the drum cartridge 103K is pulled out from the rack 109 in the detaching direction in conjunction with the opening operation, and is detached from the developing cartridge 102K.
Each of the image forming units 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K includes a toner end sensor and a photosensitive drum rotation counter (hereinafter simply referred to as “rotation counter”) (not shown). The toner end sensor detects that the remaining amount of toner stored in the developing cartridge has become a predetermined amount or less.

The rotation counter records the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum included in the drum cartridge. When the drum cartridge is not used (before shipment), the count value of the rotation counter is 0, and is counted up every time the drum cartridge is instructed to form an image.
Each of the image forming units 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K has an electrical contact with the rack 109, and the control unit 150 reads the detection value of the toner end sensor and the count value of the rotation counter via the contact.
(Other configurations)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an operation panel 170 is provided on the upper wall 100 d of the apparatus housing 100. The operation panel 170 includes a touch panel and hard keys, receives input from the user, and displays necessary information.

  The control unit 150 reads out detection values and count values of toner sensors, rotation counters, and jam sensors 151 and 152 included in the image forming units 101Y to 101K, receives user input from the operation panel 170, and inputs these sensor inputs. The operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 1 is controlled by changing the engagement state between the pins 107Y to 107K of the drum cartridges 103Y to 103K and the hooks provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a according to user input.

(3) Functional Configuration of Control Unit 150 Next, a functional configuration of the control unit 150 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control unit 150. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 150 includes a cartridge life determination unit 121, a jam determination unit 122, and a solenoid control unit 123.

  The cartridge life determination unit 121 refers to the toner end sensors and rotation counters of the image forming units 101Y to 101K, detects toner depletion and photoconductor drum consumption, and determines the lifespan of the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge. Specifically, when the toner end sensor detects that the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, it is determined that the developing cartridge has reached the end of its life.

Further, when the accumulated rotation number of the photosensitive drum exceeds a predetermined number by the rotation counter, it is determined that the drum cartridge has reached the end of its life. Here, “cumulative rotation speed” refers to the total rotation speed of the photosensitive drum from the time of shipment of the drum cartridge to the time of determination.
When the cartridge life determination unit 121 determines that either the drum cartridge or the development cartridge is at the end of its life, the cartridge life display unit 121 displays that fact on the operation panel 170 and at the same time displays the drum cartridge at the end of its life or the development cartridge at the end of its life. The solenoid control unit 123 is instructed so that only the drum cartridge corresponding to 1 engages with the corresponding hook provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a.

  When the jam determination unit 122 detects the occurrence of a jam based on whether or not the recording sheet that has passed the jam sensor 151 passes the jam sensor 152 within a predetermined time, the jam determination unit 122 displays a message to that effect on the operation panel 170 and the drum cartridges 103Y to 103Y. The solenoid drive control unit 123 is instructed to release the engagement between the 103K and the corresponding hook provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a.

The solenoid drive control unit 123 controls the energization states of the electromagnetic solenoids 117Y to 117K to engage / disengage the drum cartridges 103Y to 103K and the corresponding hooks provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a.
(4) Cartridge replacement The control unit 150 periodically checks whether or not each of the developing cartridges 102Y to 102K and the drum cartridges 103Y to 103K is to be replaced, and the drum cartridges 103Y to 103K are determined according to the necessity for replacement. And the engagement state of the corresponding hooks provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a.

Thus, when the front wall body 100a is opened, only the drum cartridge corresponding to the drum cartridge to be replaced or the developing cartridge to be replaced is pulled out.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation periodically executed by the control unit 150 with respect to cartridge replacement. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the cartridge life determination unit 121 refers to the detection result of the toner end sensor (step S501).

When none of the toner end sensors detect the toner end (step S502: N), the cartridge life determination unit 121 refers to the counter value of each rotation counter (step S503), and the counter values all exceed the threshold value. If not (step S504: N), the process is terminated.
If any of the toner end sensors detects the toner end (step S502: Y), a screen indicating that the developing cartridge should be replaced (FIG. 6A) is displayed. Any counter value exceeds the threshold value. If so (step S504: Y), a screen indicating that the drum cartridge should be replaced (FIG. 6B) is displayed on the operation panel 170 (steps S505 and S506).

  When an input to replace the developing cartridge is received from the user on the operation panel 170 (step S507: Y), the solenoid drive control unit 123, the drum cartridge corresponding to the developing cartridge other than the developing cartridge to be replaced, and the frame 114a. A process of releasing the engagement by energizing the electromagnetic solenoid that engages a corresponding hook provided on the outer surface (first engagement release process) is performed (step S508), and the front wall body 100a is opened. A screen to the effect (FIG. 6C) is displayed.

  When an input to replace the drum cartridge is received from the user through the operation panel 170 (step S509: Y), the solenoid drive control unit 123 is provided on the drum cartridge other than the drum cartridge to be replaced and on the outer surface of the frame 114a. A process of releasing the engagement by energizing the electromagnetic solenoid that engages the corresponding hook is performed (second disengagement process) (step S510), and the front wall body 100a may be opened. Is displayed (FIG. 6D).

(5) Jam Processing The control unit 150 monitors the presence or absence of a jam during image formation, and the engagement state between the drum cartridges 103Y to 103K and the corresponding hook provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a according to the presence or absence of the occurrence. To control.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 150 during jam processing. As shown in FIG. 7, when the recording sheet passes the jam sensor 151 (step S701: Y), the jam determination unit 122 sets a threshold value in the timer (step S702). Thereafter, when the recording sheet does not pass the jam sensor 152 (step S703: N) and a timeout occurs (step S704: Y), the solenoid drive control unit 123 energizes the electromagnetic solenoids 117Y to 117K, and the drum cartridges 103Y to 103Y. The engagement between 103K and the corresponding hook provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a is released (step S705).

Then, a screen (FIG. 6E) for notifying the occurrence of a jam is displayed on the operation panel 170 (step S706), and the process is terminated.
[2] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, only the drum cartridge corresponding to the drum cartridge that has been replaced or the developer cartridge that has been replaced is linked to the opening operation of the front wall body 100a. This allows the user to easily identify and replace the cartridge to be replaced, but in this embodiment, all the cartridges are placed on the front side with the drum cartridge mounted on the developer cartridge. In conjunction with the opening operation of the wall body 100a, the drum cartridge is moved outward from the apparatus, and the drum cartridge to be replaced or the drum cartridge corresponding to the developing cartridge to be replaced is moved away from the corresponding developing cartridge. The user is eligible for replacement based on the cartridge installation / removal status. Identify cartridges, and to easily replace the cartridge.

Hereinafter, only differences from the first embodiment will be described, and description of common points will be omitted.
(1) Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 8 according to the present embodiment. Note that, when there is a corresponding member in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given.

As shown in FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 8 includes a front wall body opening / closing sensor 801 in addition to the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the image forming units 101Y to 101K according to the present embodiment are mounted on slide rails 802Y to 802K, respectively, instead of the rack 109. The slide rails 802Y to 802K are all fixed to the side surface of the frame 114a.
The pins 107Y to 107K that engage with the hooks 116Y to 116K are projected from the outer surfaces of the developing cartridge frames 102Ya to 102Ka instead of the drum cartridge frames 103Ya to 103Ka. Further, plates 109Y to 109K for restricting the movement of one lever 118Y to 118K of the hooks 116Y to 116K are provided on the outer surfaces of the developing cartridge frames 102Ya to 102Ka.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the front wall body 100a is opened. As shown in FIG. 9, the engagement between the developing cartridge 102K and the corresponding hook 116K provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a is released. The developing cartridge 102K includes a compression spring 901K, and protrudes in a direction away from the gantry 114 by the restoring force of the compression spring 901K.
On the other hand, the developing cartridges 102Y to 102C are also provided with similar compression springs, but are placed on the slide rails 802Y to 802C in a state of being engaged with corresponding hooks provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a. Unlike the developing cartridge 102K, it does not protrude.

(2) Functional Configuration of Control Unit 150 Next, a functional configuration of the control unit 150 will be described.
The control unit 150 according to the present embodiment has a function of determining the open / closed state of the front wall body 100a in addition to the configuration of the control unit 150 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control unit 150 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 150 includes a cartridge life determination unit 121, a jam determination unit 122, a solenoid control unit 123, and a front wall body open determination unit 1001.

  The front wall body open determination unit 1001 refers to the front wall body open / close sensor 801 to determine the open / closed state of the front wall body 100a. If it is determined that the cartridge is in the open state, only the engagement between the developing cartridge that has reached the end of its life or the drum cartridge that has reached the end of its life and the corresponding hook provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a is released. The solenoid controller 123 is instructed as follows.

(3) Cartridge replacement The control unit 150 periodically checks whether or not each of the developing cartridges 102Y to 102K and the drum cartridges 103Y to 103K is to be replaced, and the developing cartridges 102Y to 102K are determined according to the necessity for replacement. And the engagement state of the corresponding hooks provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a. Thus, when the front wall body 100a is opened, only the developing cartridge corresponding to the developing cartridge to be replaced or the drum cartridge to be replaced is protruded.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation periodically executed by the control unit 150 with respect to cartridge replacement. As shown in FIG. 11, the cartridge life determination unit 121 refers to the detection result of the toner end sensor (step S1101).
When none of the toner end sensors detect the toner end (step S1102: N), the cartridge life determination unit 121 refers to the counter value of each rotation counter (step S1103), and all the counter values exceed the threshold value. If not (step S1104: N), the process is terminated.

  If any of the toner end sensors detects the toner end (step S1102: Y), a screen indicating that the developing cartridge should be replaced (FIG. 6A) is displayed. If it exceeds (step S1104: Y), a screen (FIG. 6B) indicating that the drum cartridge should be replaced is displayed on the operation panel 170 (steps S1105 and S1106).

  After the process of step S1105, when the front wall body open determination unit 1001 detects that the front wall body 100a is opened by the front wall body opening / closing sensor 801 (step S1107: Y), the solenoid drive control unit 123 should be replaced. A process (first disengagement process) for releasing the engagement by energizing the electromagnetic solenoid that engages the developing cartridge with the corresponding hook provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a (step S1108) should be replaced. The developing cartridge is protruded.

  After the process of step S1106, when the front wall body open determination unit 1001 detects that the front wall body 100a is opened by the front wall body opening / closing sensor 801 (step S1109: Y), the solenoid drive control unit 123 should be replaced. A process (second disengagement process) for releasing the engagement by energizing an electromagnetic solenoid that engages the developing cartridge corresponding to the drum cartridge and the corresponding hook provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a is performed (step S1110). ) And project the developing cartridge to be replaced.

[3] Supplement Although the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.
(1) In the above embodiment, the life of the drum cartridge is determined based on the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum, but other criteria, for example, the elapsed time from the date of manufacture, the usage time of the drum cartridge Alternatively, it may be performed based on the number of printed sheets.

In the above embodiment, the life of the developing cartridge is determined by detecting the toner end. However, other criteria, such as the elapsed time from the date of manufacture, the remaining amount of toner, the amount of toner consumed, the number of printed sheets It is good also as performing based on these.
(2) In the above embodiment, the transfer unit is also slid when the front wall body 100a is opened. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming unit is sandwiched. If the transfer unit is provided on the side opposite to the front wall 100a, the drum cartridge or the image forming unit can be pulled out without moving the transfer unit when the front wall 100a is opened. In this way, it is possible to reduce the force required to open the front wall body 100a and contribute to user convenience.

(3) In the above embodiment, the user of the image forming apparatus is notified on the display unit of the operation panel 170. However, the notification to the user is not limited to visual notification, for example, voice notification is performed. May be.
(4) In the above embodiment, the drum cartridge or the image forming unit is pulled out by sliding the front wall body 100a in the substantially horizontal direction, but it goes without saying that the method of pulling out is not limited to this. The drum cartridge or the image forming unit may be pulled out by rotating the front wall body 100a around the fulcrum.

(5) Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, the drum cartridges 103Y to 103K or the developing cartridges 102Y to 102K and the correspondence provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a by accepting user instruction input on the operation panel 170 The hook to be engaged may be disengaged.
(6) Although not particularly mentioned in the above embodiment, the drum cartridges 103Y to 103K or the developing cartridges 102Y to 102K and the outer surface of the frame 114a may be engaged only on one side of the drum cartridge or the developing cartridge. However, they may be engaged on both sides.

  (7) In the above embodiment, the rotation counter is counted up every time each drum cartridge is instructed to form an image. Instead, the following may be used. That is, the rotation of the photosensitive drum may be detected by detecting a detection mark provided outside the image forming area of the photosensitive drum with a reflective optical sensor, and the cumulative number of rotations of the photosensitive drum may be counted ( For example, refer to FIG. 8 of JP 2006-85040 A).

(8) Although not particularly mentioned in the first embodiment, the pins 107Y to 107K sandwiched between the fixing arms and the rotating arms of the hooks 116Y to 116K use the rotation shaft of the photosensitive drum as a drum cartridge frame. The part protruded on the outer surface of 103Ya-103Ka may be sufficient.
(9) In the above embodiment, the hooks 116Y to 116K for engagement and the electromagnetic solenoids 117Y to 117K for opening and closing the legs are provided on the outer surface of the frame 114a, and the drum cartridges 103Y to 103K or the developing cartridges 102Y to 102K are provided. Although a pin that engages with each hook is provided, both may be provided in reverse.

  (10) Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, the mechanism of engagement between the drum cartridge or the developing cartridge and the outer surface of the frame 114a is not limited to the mechanism used in the above embodiment. For example, a stepping motor A pinion is attached to the shaft, and the pinion is engaged with a rack that meshes with the pinion. When the pinion rotates, the rack moves up and down in conjunction with the rotation, and the leading end of the rack is a drum cartridge or a developer cartridge. It is good also as controlling cancellation | release of engagement by comprising so that it may engage with the engaging part provided in this.

  Further, a cam may be attached to the stepping motor shaft, and the engagement and release of the engagement with the engaging portion provided in the drum cartridge or the developing cartridge may be controlled by controlling the rotation of the cam.

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a complex machine thereof, and can be used as a technique for improving operability in exchanging an image carrier, a developing unit, and the like in the image forming apparatus.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a front wall body 100a of the image forming apparatus 1 is opened. FIG. It is a perspective view showing an appearance of an image forming unit 101K. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control unit 150. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation periodically executed by the control unit 150 regarding cartridge replacement. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of an operation panel 170. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part 150 at the time of jam processing. It is a figure which shows the whole schematic structure of the image forming apparatus 8 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a front wall body 100a of the image forming apparatus 8 is opened. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the control part 150 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement regularly performed by the control part 150 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment regarding replacement | exchange of a cartridge.

Explanation of symbols

1, 8 ... Image forming apparatus 100 ... Apparatus housing 100a ... Front wall body 100b ... Back wall body 100c ... ... bottom wall 100d ……………… top wall
101Y to 101K ... Image forming sections 102Y to 102K ... Developing cartridges 102Ya to 102Ka ... Developing cartridge frames 103Y to 103K ... Drum cartridges 103Ya to 103Ka ... Drum cartridge frames 104K ... ... Guide sections 105Y to 105K, 106Y to 106K, 107Y to 107K ... pins 108Y to 108K ... guide member 109 ............ rack 110 .................. feed unit 111 ............ feed rollers 112, 113 ......... post 114 ... Frame 114Y to 116K ... Hooks 117Y to 117K ... Electromagnetic solenoids 118Y to 118K, 119Y to 119K ... Lever 120 ... …………… Cartridge life judgment unit 22 …………………… Jam judgment unit 123 …………………… Solenoid drive control unit 130 …………………… Conveyor belt 140 …………………… Fixing unit 150 ……………… ... Control units 151, 152 ......... Jam sensors 161, 162, 802Y to 802K .... Slide rails 161a, 162a ... Sheath parts 161b, 162b ... Rail 163 at the tip ......... Handle 170 ......... Operation panel 801 ... Front wall body open / close sensor 901K ... Compression spring 1001 ... Front wall body open determination unit

Claims (14)

An image forming apparatus that executes image forming processing using a combination of a plurality of image forming units,
A first cartridge including either the developing unit or the image carrier, and a second cartridge that is not included in the first cartridge but includes a component element necessary for image forming processing. The second cartridge is a first cartridge. On the other hand, it is detachable, and when it is in a mounted state, it can execute a required image forming process, and when it is in a detached state, it can be replaced with either the first or second cartridge. The plurality of image forming units;
An apparatus housing that houses the plurality of image forming units and has a structure in which a plurality of wall bodies are combined, and one of the plurality of wall bodies is separated from the other wall body and can be opened and closed outward. Body,
Provided between the plurality of image forming units and the one openable / closable wall body, each second cartridge of the plurality of image forming units is individually connected to the first cartridge in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the wall body. A cartridge individual urging portion for urging and moving in the direction of attaching / detaching from
A determination unit that determines whether or not each of the plurality of image forming units needs to be replaced;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that drives the cartridge individual urging unit according to a determination result by the determination unit and causes the second cartridge of the image forming unit that needs to be replaced to be detached from the first cartridge. The opening / closing direction of the wall body and the attaching / detaching direction of the second cartridge are substantially the same direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge individual urging unit is a transmission mechanism that transmits an opening / closing operation of the wall body to each of the second cartridges. The transmission mechanism is provided on the inner surface of the wall facing the second cartridge with the wall closed, and the same number of hooks or pins as the first cartridge, and the hooks or pins on the second cartridge Consists of pins or hooks provided so as to be engageable,
The image forming according to claim 2, wherein each of the hooks is connected to a driving unit that switches between a state in which the hook is engaged and a state in which the pin is disengaged according to a determination result by the determination unit. apparatus. In the apparatus casing, the image forming units are arranged in the vertical direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the openable and closable wall body is a wall body on a front surface of the apparatus housing parallel to an arrangement direction of the image forming units. A sheet conveying body is positioned along the alignment direction of the image forming units, and a transfer unit is positioned in a state facing each image forming unit via the sheet conveying unit. Supported by the front wall, and when the front wall is closed, it is in a state where image formation is possible in the vicinity of each image forming unit, and when it is opened, it is separated from each image forming unit and is capable of internal inspection And
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the hook or the pin is supported by the front wall on the outer side of the sheet conveyance body so as not to interfere with the sheet conveyance body and the transfer unit. The first cartridge includes a developing unit, and the second cartridge includes an image carrier.
The determination unit monitors whether the effective period or driving time or developer usage amount of each first cartridge exceeds a set value, and determines that the first cartridge exceeding the set value is a first cartridge to be replaced. Furthermore, it is monitored whether the effective period or driving time of each of the second cartridges exceeds a set value, and the second cartridge exceeding the set value is determined as a second cartridge to be replaced. The image forming apparatus according to any one of? An image forming apparatus that executes image forming processing using a combination of a plurality of image forming units,
A first cartridge including either the developing unit or the image carrier, and a second cartridge that is not included in the first cartridge but includes a component element necessary for image forming processing. The second cartridge is a first cartridge. On the other hand, it is detachable, and when it is in a mounted state, it can execute a required image forming process, and when it is in a detached state, it can be replaced with either the first or second cartridge. The plurality of image forming units;
An apparatus housing that houses the plurality of image forming units and has a structure in which a plurality of wall bodies are combined, and one of the plurality of wall bodies is separated from the other wall body and can be opened and closed outward. Body,
Each of the image forming units and the one openable / closable wall are individually connected via a connecting unit that can be freely opened and closed, and each of the image forming units is linked to the opening operation of the wall. A cartridge individual urging unit that urges movement in a direction to be taken out of the body;
An ammo that moves and urges the second cartridge of the image forming unit to move away from the corresponding first cartridge when the connection of each connection unit is cut off;
A determination unit for determining whether or not each of the first and second cartridges needs to be replaced and opening and closing of the wall body;
According to the determination result by the determination unit, the connection between the image forming unit and the wall body, which requires replacement in conjunction with the opening operation of the wall body, is switched to a disconnected state, and the image forming unit of the image forming unit is An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that moves the second cartridge in a direction in which the second cartridge is detached from the corresponding first cartridge. The separation direction is a direction away from the wall body,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cartridge individual urging unit is a transmission mechanism that transmits an opening / closing operation of the wall body to each image forming unit. The same number of hooks or pins as the image forming units provided on the inner surface of the wall body facing the image forming units with the wall closed, and the hooks or pins can be engaged with the image forming units. Consists of pins or hooks provided in
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each hook is connected to a drive unit that switches between a state of engaging with a pin and a state of releasing the engagement according to a determination result of the determination unit. . When the ammunition is a compression spring and the connection of the connecting portion is cut, the first cartridge moves the second cartridge away from the wall by a distance that the compression spring reaches the free length from the compression state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9. The first and second cartridges of each of the image forming units are arranged so as to be lined up and down,
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the openable and closable wall body is a wall body on a front surface of the housing parallel to an arrangement direction of the first and second cartridges. A sheet conveyance body is positioned along the direction in which the first and second cartridges of each image forming section are arranged, and a transfer section is positioned in a state of facing the first and second cartridges via the sheet conveyance body. The sheet conveyance body and the transfer unit are supported by the front wall body. When the front wall body is closed, the sheet conveyance body and the transfer section are in a state in which image formation is possible in the vicinity of the first and second cartridges. And can be inspected inside away from the second cartridge,
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the hook or the pin is supported by a front wall on the outer side of the sheet conveyance body that does not interfere with the sheet conveyance body and the transfer unit. The first cartridge includes an image carrier, and the second cartridge includes a developing unit;
The determination unit monitors whether the effective period or drive time of each first cartridge has exceeded a set value, determines that the first cartridge that has exceeded the set value is a first cartridge to be replaced, and each second cartridge 8. The cartridge is monitored as to whether the effective period or drive time of the cartridge or the amount of developer used exceeds a set value, and the second cartridge exceeding the set value is determined as a second cartridge to be replaced. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 12. The image forming apparatus includes a notification unit that notifies which replacement is necessary when the determination unit determines that the first or second cartridge needs to be replaced. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 13.

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