JP2011215541A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus to cut waste of the detaching/attaching time of image forming sections with respect to a transferred body.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: the intermediate transfer body 104 to which an image is transferred; process units 102y, 102m, 102c and 102k each including a photoreceptor drum configured to form the image thereon and transfer the formed image to the intermediate transfer body 104; an attaching/detaching mechanism 3 configured to change each of the process units 102y to 102c and the intermediate transfer body 104 in a contact state or a separation state and maintain the changed state; and a controller 5 configured to set the state of the attaching/detaching mechanism 3 in the standby state of the process units 102y to 102k, and select a full-color mode using the process units 102y to 102k or a monochrome mode using the process unit 102k. The controller 5 is configured to, if at least one of the process units 102y to 102c is not operable, select only the monochrome mode, regardless of the setting of the attaching/detaching mechanism 3.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a full color mode for forming an image by superimposing a plurality of colors and a mono color mode for forming an image with a single color.

  As an image forming apparatus having a full color mode, an apparatus that performs image formation in a color station which is an image forming unit of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) in the full color mode. Are known. In this type of image forming apparatus, as a method of forming an image in the monochrome mode, the color stations of three colors Y, M, and C are stopped, separated from the intermediate transfer member, and image formation is performed only by the Bk station. A method is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, a product provided with such a color station separation mechanism has a problem that it takes time from the start to the completion of color station desorption. In view of this, a countermeasure has been taken in which a default setting (initial setting) of the attachment / detachment state of the color station in standby (standby) can be selected.

  For example, a user who exclusively prints a black and white image sets the attached / detached state of the standby color station to the separated state. As a result, the operation time from the contact state to the separation state is not required, and the time (FCOT) until the first first sheet is output after printing on the sheet can be shortened.

  Conversely, a user who prints many full-color images sets the state of the standby color station to the contact state, so that the operation time from the separated state to the contact state becomes unnecessary, and the FCOT can be shortened. .

  Furthermore, when the toner or ink of any one of Y, M, and C is used up and a full color image cannot be formed, the full color image formation is prohibited, and the operation only in the monochrome image forming mode is enabled. It can also be set as the structure provided.

JP-A-10-142932

  However, when the color station is set to be in the contact position during standby as a default setting, in the limited operation mode, the color station is detached every time printing is started. Then, after the printing is completed, the contact operation of the color station is performed.

  In other words, in the limited operation mode, there is a waste of time for separating the color station from the intermediate transfer body to be transferred, out of the time (FCOT) from the start of black-and-white printing until the first first sheet is output. . Also, there is a waste of time for the color station to contact the intermediate transfer member within the time from the end of printing until the image forming apparatus stops. Further, the waste of time has a problem of increasing the waiting time until the next printing can be started and a problem of causing extra power consumption.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can eliminate waste of time for desorption between an image forming unit and an intermediate transfer member.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect includes a plurality of image forming units each including an image carrier that carries a toner image, and an intermediate in which a toner image is transferred from the plurality of image carriers. A transfer member, an attaching / detaching unit that switches between a contact state in which the image carrier selected from the plurality of image carriers and the intermediate transfer member are in contact with each other and a separation state in which the intermediate transfer member is separated; and the plurality of image forming units A first mode in which image formation is performed in a state where all of the plurality of image carriers and the intermediate transfer member are in contact with each other, a setting unit that sets a state of the attaching / detaching unit in a standby state, or the plurality of images A selection means for selecting a second mode for performing image formation in a state where the image carrier selected from the carrier and the intermediate transfer member are separated from each other; and an image forming unit having the selected image carrier. If it cannot be operated, the setting means Regardless of the setting that, while prohibiting the selection of the first mode by the selecting means, and having a control means for enabling selection of said second mode.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of image forming units each having an image carrier that carries a toner image; an intermediate transfer member to which a toner image is transferred from the plurality of image carriers; An attachment / detachment unit that switches between an abutting state in which the image bearing member selected from the image bearing members and the intermediate transfer member are brought into contact with each other, and a separating state in which the intermediate transfer member is separated from each other; A first mode for performing image formation in a state where all of the plurality of image carriers and the intermediate transfer member are in contact with each other; A selection unit that allows the operator to select a second mode in which image formation is performed in a state where the image carrier selected from the intermediate transfer member and the intermediate transfer member are separated from each other; and an image forming unit including the selected image carrier Is not available Characterized in that it has control means for disabling execution selection by stage, the.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of image forming units each having an image carrier that carries a toner image; an intermediate transfer member to which a toner image is transferred from the plurality of image carriers; An attachment / detachment unit that switches between an abutting state in which the image bearing member selected from the image bearing members and the intermediate transfer member are brought into contact with each other, and a separating state in which the intermediate transfer member is separated from each other; A setting unit for setting the state of the attaching / detaching unit, a first mode in which image formation is performed in a state where all of the plurality of image carriers and the intermediate transfer member are in contact with each other, or a selection from the plurality of image carriers If the selection unit that selects the second mode for forming an image with the image carrier and the intermediate transfer member separated from each other and the image forming unit having the selected image carrier cannot operate, the setting is performed. Before setting by means By detachable means, characterized in that it and a control means for maintaining said image bearing member which is the selected intermediate transfer member to the separated state.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the waste of the detachment time between the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer member. As a result, the waiting time until the next printing can be started can be shortened, and the power consumption can be reduced.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram schematically showing a state in which an intermediate transfer body is in contact with each photosensitive drum of all process units. In the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the intermediate transfer member is separated from the photosensitive drum of the Y, M, C process unit. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for setting a default print mode in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a user setting mode screen in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for setting a default print mode in a limited operation mode in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user setting mode screen in a limited operation mode in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for setting a default position of an intermediate transfer member in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit 1 that forms an image on a sheet, and an intermediate transfer member 104 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, and a detachable unit as an attaching / detaching unit for contacting and separating the photosensitive drum. A mechanism 3 is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an operation / display unit 4 that displays the state of the image forming apparatus and receives an instruction from an operator (user), and a control unit 5 for controlling these.

  FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of the image forming apparatus of FIG. Here, the image forming apparatus is assumed to be a color copying machine (color digital multifunction peripheral (MFP)), and FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the printer engine.

  The image forming apparatus includes yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) process units 102y, 102m, 102c, and 102k. Each of the process units 102y to 102k includes a photosensitive drum as an image carrier that carries a toner image, a developing device, a charging roller for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum, a photosensitive drum cleaner, and the like.

  Each process unit 102y, 102m, 102c, and 102k is supplied with toner of each color from toner bottles 101y, 101m, 101c, and 101k filled with Y, M, C, and Bk toners, respectively.

  Laser scanner units 103y, 103m, 103c, and 103k are arranged so as to correspond to the process units 102y, 102m, 102c, and 102k. The laser scanner units 103y to 103k respectively perform laser exposure according to image information on the uniformly charged photosensitive drums in the process units 102y to 102k to form electrostatic latent images. The electrostatic latent image thus formed is developed into a toner image by a developing device in the process units 102y to 102k.

  The toner bottle 101y, the process unit 102y, and the laser scanner unit 103y constitute the Y image forming unit 1 (color station), and the same applies to other colors. As described above, the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units 1.

  The primary transfer that sequentially superimposes the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums in the process units 102y to 102k and the secondary transfer that transfers the toner image created by the primary transfer onto the sheet are performed by using the intermediate transfer member 104. Done through. The toner density on the intermediate transfer member 104 is detected by measuring the reflected light amount of the intermediate transfer member 104 by the reflected light amount sensor 108.

  In the primary transfer in which the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer member 104, the primary transfer rollers 105y, 105m, 105c, and 105k apply a bias voltage to the photosensitive drum, thereby realizing stable transfer. . The toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member 104 is secondarily transferred onto the paper by the secondary transfer roller 106. The residual toner that could not be transferred by the secondary transfer roller 106 is collected by the intermediate transfer body cleaner 107.

  For example, the sheet is conveyed from the sheet cassette 109 by the sheet feeding roller 110, corrected for skew by the registration roller 112, and then sent to the secondary transfer roller 106. Note that the image forming apparatus includes two paper cassettes 109 and a manual multi-feed unit 111. For example, a maximum of 100 sheets can be set in each place.

  The paper on which the toner image has been transferred by the secondary transfer roller 106 is sent to the fixing roller 113 and the pressure roller 114, where the toner is thermally fixed, and then discharged to the paper discharge tray 148. When double-sided printing is performed, the paper is sent to the inversion reverse path by the paper discharge flapper 115, the paper discharge flapper 115 is switched, and the paper is conveyed again to the secondary transfer roller 106 by the reverse rotation of the motor.

  The image forming apparatus includes a document reading device 118 that scans a set document and reads image data. An automatic document feeding device 117 that automatically feeds and replaces the document on the document reading device 118. Can be done.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the intermediate transfer member 104 is in contact with the photosensitive drums of the process units 102y to 102k. FIG. 3B schematically shows a state in which the intermediate transfer member 104 is separated from the photosensitive drums of the process units 102y, 102m, and 102c.

  Conversion and maintenance between the states shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is performed using primary transfer rollers 105y to 105f facing the photosensitive drums in the process units 102y to 102c using a detachable motor (not shown) provided in the detachable mechanism 3 as a drive source. This can be done by moving 105c downward. Thus, by separating the primary transfer rollers 105y to 105c from the process units 102y to 102c, it is possible to prevent consumption of the photosensitive drum that is not used in the monochrome mode.

  On the other hand, the primary transfer roller 105k facing the photosensitive drum in the process unit 102k is not separated from the photosensitive drum in the process unit 102k.

  In the state where the four-color photosensitive drums shown in FIG. 3A are in contact with the intermediate transfer member 104, full-color image formation is performed. That is, toner images are formed by the four color process units 102y to 102k of Y, M, C, and Bk, and after each toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member 104, the toner is transferred by the secondary transfer roller 106. The image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member 104 to the sheet. The printing mode in the state shown in FIG. 3A is called a full color mode (first mode). Further, the state shown in FIG. 3A is referred to as a “contact state”.

  In the state where only the Bk photosensitive drum shown in FIG. 3B is in contact with the intermediate transfer member 104, monochrome image formation is performed. A toner image is formed by the process unit 102k. The toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member 104, and then transferred from the intermediate transfer member 104 to the sheet by the secondary transfer roller 106. The printing mode in the state shown in FIG. 3B is referred to as a black and white mode (second mode). The state shown in FIG. 3B is referred to as a “separated state”.

  When the image forming apparatus is in the standby state (standby), if the intermediate transfer member 104 is kept in the separated state, the image formation in the black and white mode can be started immediately. However, when the image is formed in the full color mode, the intermediate transfer member It is necessary to bring 104 into contact with the drum. On the other hand, when the intermediate transfer member 104 is kept in contact, image formation in the full color mode can be started immediately, but when forming an image in the monochrome mode, the intermediate transfer member 104 needs to be separated from the drum. . Therefore, the default setting (initial setting) of the attachment / detachment state of the intermediate transfer member 104 during standby of the image forming apparatus is performed as follows.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for setting a default print mode in the image forming apparatus. On this screen, whether to give priority to the full color mode in which the intermediate transfer member 104 waits in the contact state or in priority to the monochrome mode in which the intermediate transfer member 104 waits in the separated state during standby of the image forming apparatus is selected. Can do. This screen is displayed on the operation / display unit 4 of the image forming apparatus by the control unit 5, and the control unit 5 functions as a selection unit for selecting a print mode.

  When the operator selects “color” in FIG. 4A, the intermediate transfer member 104 stands by in the contact state shown in FIG. 3A by the attachment / detachment mechanism 3, while when “monochrome” is selected, the intermediate transfer member 104 is Wait in the separated state shown in 3B. Thus, setting the printing mode also means setting whether the intermediate transfer member 104 is maintained in the contact state or in the separated state, and the control unit 5 sets the intermediate transfer member 104 in the contact state. It functions as a setting means for setting whether to maintain in a separated state.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of a user setting mode screen in the image forming apparatus. The print mode selection screen shown in FIG. 4A is one of the upper user setting modes. By pressing the “default color mode selection” button on this user setting mode screen, the screen shown in FIG. 4A is displayed. Transition.

  In the image forming apparatus, even when “color” is selected in FIG. 4A, if any of the toners of Y, M, and C runs out, full color image formation cannot be performed. Lost process units can no longer operate. That is, full-color image formation is prohibited, and the “limited operation mode” is possible in which image formation can be performed only in the monochrome mode.

  FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for setting a default print mode in the limited operation mode. In the “limited operation mode”, the selection screen in FIG. 4A is changed so that “color” cannot be selected and only “monochrome” can be selected.

  FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating an example of a user setting mode screen in the limited operation mode. When the “restricted operation mode” is selected, the “default color mode selection” button is not displayed on the user setting mode screen of FIG. 4B.

  Note that the operator (user) may be notified of the fact that the full color mode cannot be selected in the “limited operation mode” as follows. That is, instead of the display in FIGS. 4C and 4D, when the “color” button in FIG. 4A or the “default color mode selection” button in FIG. 4B is pressed, a message such as “Cannot be set during the limited operation mode” is displayed. You may be made to do.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, it will be described whether the default position of the intermediate transfer member 104 is set to the contact state or the separation state. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a default position setting process for the intermediate transfer member 104. Here, the operation including the “limited operation mode” is also described.

  First, it is confirmed whether or not the “limited operation mode” is set (step S1). When the limited operation mode is set (“YES” in step S1), it is confirmed whether or not the intermediate transfer member 104 is in the separated state (step S5). If the intermediate transfer member 104 is in the separated state (“YES” in step S5), the process ends. On the other hand, when the intermediate transfer member 104 is in the contact state (“NO” in step S5), the intermediate transfer member 104 is shifted to the separated state (step S6), and then the process ends.

  If the limited operation mode is not set in step S1 ("NO" in step S1), it is confirmed whether or not the default print mode is the full color mode (step S2).

  When the default printing mode is the monochrome mode (“NO” in step S2), it is confirmed whether or not the intermediate transfer member 104 is in the separated state (step S5). If the intermediate transfer member 104 is in the separated state (“YES” in step S5), the process ends. On the other hand, when the intermediate transfer member 104 is in the contact state (“NO” in step S5), the intermediate transfer member 104 is shifted to the separated state (step S6), and then the process ends.

  In step S2, if the default print mode is the full color mode (“YES” in step S2), it is confirmed whether or not the intermediate transfer member 104 is in contact (step S3). If the intermediate transfer member 104 is in a contact state (“YES” in step S3), the process ends. On the other hand, if the intermediate transfer member 104 is in the separated state (“NO” in step S3), the intermediate transfer member 104 is shifted to the contact state (step S4), and then the process ends.

  Although the default position setting of the intermediate transfer member 104 is performed when the image forming apparatus is turned on, the same operation can be performed at the start of printing or at the end of printing. Since the limited operation mode can operate only in the black and white mode, the separation state is maintained after the intermediate transfer member 104 is once separated, so that the operation for bringing the intermediate transfer member 104 into contact with the process units 102y to 102c is unnecessary. become.

  For example, when the toner runs out during printing (during image formation in the process units 102y to 102k), the intermediate transfer member 104 is shifted from the contact state to the separated state at the end of printing (after completion of image formation). Or at the start of the next printing (before the start of image formation). In either case, after the transition to the separated state, it is not necessary to perform the same operation over and over again.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to such embodiment. For example, the present invention can be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. To be executed.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and the like having a full color mode for forming an image by superimposing a plurality of colors and a mono color mode for forming an image with a single color (particularly black). is there.

1: Image forming unit 3: Desorption mechanism 4: Operation / display unit 5: Control unit 102y to 102k: Process unit 103y to 103k: Laser scanner unit 104: Intermediate transfer member 105y to 105k: Primary transfer roller 106: Secondary transfer roller 109: Paper feed tray 110: Paper feed roller 118: Document reader 117: Automatic document feeder

Claims (8)

A plurality of image forming units each including an image carrier that carries a toner image;
An intermediate transfer member onto which toner images are transferred from the plurality of image carriers;
An attaching / detaching means for switching between a contact state in which the image carrier selected from the plurality of image carriers and the intermediate transfer member are in contact with each other and a separated state in which the intermediate transfer member is separated;
Setting means for setting a state of the attaching / detaching means when the plurality of image forming units are in a standby state;
A first mode in which image formation is performed in a state where all of the plurality of image carriers are in contact with the intermediate transfer member, or an image carrier selected from the plurality of image carriers and the intermediate transfer member; Selecting means for selecting a second mode in which image formation is performed in a separated state;
When the image forming unit having the selected image carrier cannot operate, the selection of the first mode by the selection unit is prohibited and the selection of the second mode is performed regardless of the setting by the setting unit. Control means to enable;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A plurality of image forming units each including an image carrier that carries a toner image;
An intermediate transfer member onto which toner images are transferred from the plurality of image carriers;
An attaching / detaching means for switching between a contact state in which the image carrier selected from the plurality of image carriers and the intermediate transfer member are in contact with each other and a separated state in which the intermediate transfer member is separated;
Setting means for causing an operator to set the state of the attaching / detaching means when the plurality of image forming units are in a standby state;
A first mode in which image formation is performed in a state where all of the plurality of image carriers are in contact with the intermediate transfer member, or an image carrier selected from the plurality of image carriers and the intermediate transfer member; Selecting means for causing the operator to select a second mode in which image formation is performed in a separated state;
Control means for disabling selection by the selection means when the image forming unit having the selected image carrier cannot operate;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The selection means includes an operation / display unit for displaying a button for causing the operator to select the first mode or the second mode,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit hides the button displayed on the operation / display unit so that selection by the operator cannot be performed.   The control unit notifies the operator that the first mode cannot be selected when the operator selects the first mode using the selection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. A plurality of image forming units each including an image carrier that carries a toner image;
An intermediate transfer member onto which toner images are transferred from the plurality of image carriers;
An attaching / detaching means for switching between a contact state in which the image carrier selected from the plurality of image carriers and the intermediate transfer member are in contact with each other and a separated state in which the intermediate transfer member is separated;
Setting means for setting a state of the attaching / detaching means when the plurality of image forming units are in a standby state;
A first mode in which image formation is performed in a state where all of the plurality of image carriers are in contact with the intermediate transfer member, or an image carrier selected from the plurality of image carriers and the intermediate transfer member; Selecting means for selecting a second mode in which image formation is performed in a separated state;
Control that maintains the selected image carrier and the intermediate transfer member in a separated state by the attaching / detaching unit, regardless of the setting by the setting unit, when the image forming unit having the selected image carrier is not operable. Means,
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The control means is configured to provide the plurality of image carriers when an image forming unit having an image carrier selected from the plurality of image carriers becomes inoperable during image formation in the plurality of image forming units. When all of the body and the intermediate transfer body are in contact with each other, the image selected from the plurality of image carriers by the attaching / detaching means after completion of image formation, regardless of the setting by the setting means. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the carrier and the intermediate transfer member are separated from each other.   If the image forming unit having the selected image carrier becomes inoperable during image formation in the plurality of image forming units, the control unit follows the setting by the setting unit after the image formation is completed. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the attaching / detaching unit is operated.   When the image forming unit having the selected image carrier becomes inoperable during image formation in the plurality of image forming units, the control unit is configured to start after the image formation is completed and before the next image formation is started. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the selected image carrier and the intermediate transfer member are separated by the attaching / detaching unit regardless of the setting by the setting unit.

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