JP2014202847A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that prevents incorrect replacement of cartridges to prevent damage to a drive gear due to abnormal attachment of the cartridge, so as to achieve stable operability in attachment and detachment of the cartridges for a long period.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus (100) is attached with a plurality of process cartridges (2), and comprises: a safety switch (180) that detects open and close of a front cover (150); a push switch (190) that detects positions of the process cartridges (2); and a display unit (131) and a speaker (132). A control unit (201) comprises: a cartridge information notification function (2011) to notify a user of first notification information to replace the process cartridges (2); a cartridge moving function (2012) to move the process cartridges (2) with moving means (170); and a cartridge information notification nullification function (2013) to nullify the notification of the first notification information.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus configured such that a plurality of process cartridges can be attached to and detached from an apparatus main body.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer is detachably mounted with a toner cartridge (process cartridge), and forms an image on a recording medium such as printing paper using toner (recording material) filled in the toner cartridge. Has been.

  As a conventional technique, for example, in an image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of cartridges 7 (7 a, 7 b, 7 c, 7 d) are detachably mounted, and the mounting unit is rotated to rotate. An opening / closing member 121 that opens and closes, a plurality of biased portions 71 (71a, 71b, 71c, 71d) respectively corresponding to the plurality of cartridges 7 and the opening / closing member 121 are provided. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration including a plurality of urging portions 31 (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) for urging the urging portions 71, respectively.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 10, it is generated when the opening / closing member 121 is closed by changing the intervals between the plurality of urging portions 31 and the shutter members 105 (105a, 105b, 105c, 105d). A configuration is disclosed in which the timings of reaction force peaks from a plurality of shutter members 105 to a plurality of urging portions 31 are different from each other.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a user-friendly image forming apparatus that reduces the force required to close the opening / closing member 121 and improves the operability of the opening / closing member 121.

  Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, when closing the opening / closing member 121, the fixing member (biasing member) 106 is pushed by the biasing portion 31, thereby fixing the fixing member. The cartridge 106 is operated so as to fix the cartridge 7.

  As another prior art, in the image forming apparatus, when the recording material cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting portion is pulled out, the cover is opened by the cover opening / closing driving means and the recording material cartridge is moved in the pulling direction by the cartridge driving means. When the recording material cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion, the cartridge driving means moves the recording material cartridge in a direction opposite to the pulling direction until the recording material cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion, and the cover opening / closing driving means closes the cover. And an instruction receiving means for receiving an operation input of a recording material cartridge movement instruction is disclosed (see Patent Document 2).

  Thereby, the replacement work of the recording material cartridge can be simplified.

JP 2008-216331 A JP 2011-186194 A

  However, in the method as in Patent Document 1, the front right lower end of the cartridge housing is urged, so that the urging force is difficult to be transmitted to the entire cartridge housing, and there is a possibility that the cartridge housing can be cantilevered. Further, since the urging portions 31a to 31d are arranged on the front cover, when the cartridge replacement frequency is increased, the front cover is bent or the backlash is increased, and the urging portions 31a to 31d are properly It is assumed that there is a problem that it cannot be biased to the position.

  Further, in the method as in Patent Document 2, it is determined whether or not the rotation angle of a servo motor that drives a gear meshing with a cartridge is detected to move to a cartridge mounting position, or a position for detecting a cartridge mounting position. It describes that a sensor is provided in the toner box to detect the mounting position of the cartridge.

  However, in the control of the rotation angle of the servo motor, the gear engagement play cannot be accurately controlled on the order of several millimeters or less, and the cartridge may be pushed more than necessary to damage the drive gear of the cartridge. There is.

  In Patent Document 2, a position sensor for detecting the mounting position of the cartridge is provided in the toner box. However, the specific configuration is not disclosed and is unclear, and the cartridge is on the order of several mm or less. The position detection is not considered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems. When the cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus, the cartridge to be replaced is clarified to prevent an erroneous cartridge replacement, and the cartridge is normal. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a drive gear or the like from being damaged due to abnormal mounting of a cartridge and realizing stable mounting and dismounting operability for a long period of time. .

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention for solving the above-described problems is as follows.

  The present invention relates to a plurality of cartridges, a mounting portion for detachably mounting the plurality of cartridges, an opening / closing member for opening and closing the mounting portion, a moving means for moving the cartridge, and a control for controlling the operation of each portion. And an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using a recording material accommodated in the cartridge, and detects the open / close member (for example, detects an open / closed state of the open / close member) ) A first detection means; a second detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the cartridge; and a notification means for notifying the user of the state of the cartridge. The control means replaces the cartridge with the notification means. When a function of notifying the first notification information (cartridge information notification function) and the opening of the opening / closing member is detected by the first detection means When the moving means detects the function of moving the cartridge from the image forming position to the outside (outside) of the image forming apparatus (cartridge moving function) and the first detecting means detects that the opening / closing member is closed, A function of moving the cartridge from the outside of the image forming apparatus to the image forming position by a moving means (cartridge moving function); and the second detecting means causes the moving means to move the cartridge from the outside of the image forming apparatus to the image forming position. A function of canceling the notification of the first notification information (cartridge information notification cancellation function) when it is detected.

  According to the present invention, as the control means, when the moving means detects that the moving means has moved the cartridge from the outside (outside) of the image forming apparatus to the image forming position by the second detecting means, the cartridge is appropriate. It is preferable to provide a function of canceling the notification of the first notification information after notifying the notification means of the second notification information that informs that the image has been placed at a proper image forming position.

  Moreover, it is preferable that this invention contains the selection area | region (icon) which a user can select as said 1st notification information.

  Moreover, it is preferable that this invention is equipped with a movement suppression means (torque limiter) as a structure of the said moving means.

  In the present invention, the cartridge preferably includes at least one of a toner container, a photoreceptor, a charging device, and a developing device.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the moving means is in contact with at least a part of the support means for supporting the cartridge.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of the cartridges are provided, and the plurality of cartridges are arranged in an oblique direction with respect to a horizontal direction of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of cartridges, a mounting portion that detachably mounts the plurality of cartridges, an opening / closing member that opens and closes the mounting portion, a moving unit that moves the cartridge, and each portion An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using a recording material accommodated in the cartridge, the first detecting means detecting the opening / closing member, A second detection unit configured to detect the presence or absence of the cartridge; and a notification unit configured to notify the user of the state of the cartridge. The control unit notifies the notification unit of first notification information for replacing the cartridge. And when the first detecting means detects that the opening / closing member is opened, the moving means moves the cartridge to the image forming position. When the first detecting means detects that the opening / closing member is closed, and the moving means detects that the cartridge is moved from the outside of the image forming apparatus to the image forming position. A function of moving, and a function of canceling the notification of the first notification information when the moving unit detects that the moving unit has moved the cartridge from the outside of the image forming apparatus to the image forming position by the second detecting unit. When the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the cartridge to be replaced becomes clear, so that an erroneous replacement of the cartridge can be prevented and the replaced cartridge is automatically guided to an appropriate image forming position. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the drive gear from being damaged due to abnormal mounting of the cartridge, and to attach and detach the cartridge stably for a long time. It is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus capable of achieving create resistance.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a main part of the image forming apparatus, and (b) is an explanatory view of a process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus. (A) is an explanatory view showing a state where the process cartridge is moved to the outside of the apparatus by the moving means of the image forming apparatus, and (b) is an explanatory view showing a state where the process cartridge is stored by the moving means. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the said process cartridge and the said moving means. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the 1st notification information of the cartridge information displayed on the display part of the said image forming apparatus, (b) is the 2nd notification information of the cartridge information displayed on the said display part. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example. 4 is a flowchart showing a part of a cartridge confirmation procedure when replacing a process cartridge in the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart following the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a front cover and a cartridge mounting unit of a conventional image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of a configuration of a front cover and a cartridge mounting portion of a conventional image forming apparatus. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state which mounted the cartridge in the cartridge mounting part of the conventional image forming apparatus, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows an example which fixes a cartridge to the said cartridge mounting part.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an example of an embodiment of the invention, and is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows the configuration of the main part of the image forming apparatus. Explanatory drawing, (b) is explanatory drawing of the process cartridge used for the said image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of process cartridges (cartridges) 2 and a cartridge mounting unit 111 that detachably mounts the plurality of process cartridges 2. (See FIGS. 3A and 3B), a front cover (opening / closing member) 150 for opening and closing the cartridge mounting portion 111, a moving means for moving the process cartridge 2, a control means for controlling the operation of each part, And an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using a recording material accommodated in the process cartridge 2, and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is configured as a characteristic configuration of the image forming apparatus. Is adopted.

First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.
In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 forms multicolor and single color images on a predetermined sheet (for example, recording sheet) in accordance with image data transmitted from the outside. 110 and an automatic document processing apparatus (ADF) 120.

An operation panel 130 is provided on the operation side upper portion of the apparatus main body 110.
The operation panel 130 is provided with a display unit (display unit) 131 and a speaker (notification unit) 132.

  The display unit 131 includes a backlit liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display), a display such as electronic paper using electrophoresis, a plasma display (PDP), a plasma tube array display (PTAD), an electronic It is a display device such as a display (FED, SED) using an emission element, and displays a screen including an instruction menu such as a setting screen for a user and information about acquired image data.

A paper discharge tray 140 is configured below the operation panel 130.
A front cover (opening / closing member) 150 that opens and closes a mounting portion in which the cartridge is mounted inside the apparatus is provided in the central portion on the operation side of the apparatus main body 110. A paper feed cassette (recording medium storage unit) 160 is provided below the apparatus main body 110.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, the apparatus main body 110 includes a photosensitive drum 3, a cleaner unit 4, a process cartridge 2 including a charging roller 5, an exposure unit 1, a transfer unit 6, a fixing unit 8, and a discharge unit. It has a paper tray 140, a paper feed cassette 160, and the like.
Reference numeral 1a in the figure indicates an exposure optical path.

  An automatic document processing apparatus 120 is attached to the upper part of the apparatus main body 110.

  The automatic document processor 120 automatically conveys a document on a platen glass (not shown) on the upper part of the apparatus main body 110.

Image data handled in the image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to a color image using each color of black (B), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y).
Accordingly, four process cartridges 2 are provided so as to form four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors, and are set to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively, thereby forming four image stations. Yes.

In addition to black (B), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), for example, light cyan (LC) having the same hue as cyan (C) and magenta (M) and a lighter density. ) And light magenta (LM) may be used.
By using these six colors, a clearer high-quality full-color image can be obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the four process cartridges 2 are arranged obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction of the image forming apparatus 100 so that one side of the four arranged in parallel is high and the other side is low (FIG. 2A ) Are arranged side by side so that the left process cartridge 2 is high and the right process cartridge 2 is low.

  The charging roller 5 is a charging unit for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential.

  The exposure unit 1 exposes the charged photosensitive drum 3 in accordance with image data input from the outside or image data obtained by reading from a document, thereby generating an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the photosensitive body. This is an image writing device formed on the surface of the drum 3. The exposure unit 1 is provided with a polygon mirror that scans the laser beam and optical elements such as a lens and a mirror for guiding the laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror to the photosensitive drum 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the process cartridge 2 includes a photosensitive drum 3, a cleaner unit 4, a charging roller 5, and a developing device 20, and electrostatic latent images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 3 are displayed. The image is visualized with toner of four colors (Y, M, C, B).

  The developing device 20 includes a developing roller 21, a first toner conveying roller 22, a second toner conveying roller 23, a developing tank (toner accommodating portion) 24, and a doctor blade 25.

  The toner is supplied to the developing roller 21 by the frictional charging between the second toner conveying roller 23 and the toner, so that the toner adheres to the surface of the second toner conveying roller 23 and the toner on the surface of the second toner conveying roller 23 is frictionally charged. The toner adhering to the surface of the first toner conveying roller 22 is finally regulated to an appropriate toner layer thickness by the doctor blade 25 and supplied to the surface of the developing roller 21 by frictional charging. Is done.

  In the present embodiment, the second toner transport roller 23 has a roller shape, but any shape can be used as long as the toner accumulated on the bottom of the developing tank 24 can be lifted and supplied to the surface of the first toner transport roller 22. The shape is not limited.

  Further, the developer used in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment may be a two-component developer in which toner and a carrier are mixed.

  The photosensitive drum 3 has a cylindrical shape and is disposed above the exposure unit 1. The surface of the photosensitive drum 3 is cleaned by the cleaner unit 4, and the cleaned surface is uniformly charged by the charging roller 5.

  The cleaner unit 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

  The transfer unit 6 disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 includes an endless intermediate transfer belt (endless belt) 61, an intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, an intermediate transfer roller 64, and an intermediate transfer roller. A belt support roller 65 is provided. Four intermediate transfer rollers 64 are provided corresponding to the respective colors Y, M, C, and B.

  The intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62, the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, the intermediate transfer roller 64, and the intermediate transfer belt support roller 65 are configured so as to rotate and drive the intermediate transfer belt 61.

  The intermediate transfer belt 61 is formed in an endless shape using a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm, and is provided so as to contact each photosensitive drum 3. A function of forming a color toner image (multicolor toner image) on the intermediate transfer belt 61 by sequentially superimposing and transferring the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 61. have.

  The intermediate transfer roller 64 is a roller whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, etc.). The intermediate transfer belt 61 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 61. A transfer bias for transferring the image onto the image 61 is applied. Specifically, a high voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 64 in order to transfer the toner image.

  As described above, the toner images visualized according to the hues on the photosensitive drums 3 are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 61. The stacked toner images as image information are transported together with the intermediate transfer belt 61, moved to a contact position (secondary transfer position, predetermined position) between the transported paper and the intermediate transfer belt 61, and moved to this contact position. The image is transferred onto the paper by the arranged transfer roller 10.

The paper feed cassette 160 is a tray for accumulating sheets used for image formation, and is provided below the exposure unit 1 of the apparatus main body 110.
Above the apparatus main body 110, a paper discharge tray 140 for stacking printed sheets face down is provided.

  In addition, the apparatus main body 110 is provided with a substantially vertical sheet conveyance path S for sending the sheets in the sheet feeding cassette 160 to the sheet discharge tray 140 via the transfer roller 10 and the fixing unit 8. In the vicinity of the paper conveyance path S from the paper feed cassette 160 to the paper discharge tray 140, a pickup roller 11a, a plurality of conveyance rollers 12, a registration roller 13, a transfer roller 10, a fixing unit 8, and the like are arranged.

  The transport roller 12 is a small roller for promoting and assisting the transport of paper, and is provided along the paper transport path S.

  The pickup roller 11 a is provided near the end of the paper feed cassette 160, picks up paper one by one from the paper feed cassette 160, and supplies it to the paper transport path S.

  The registration roller 13 temporarily holds the paper conveyed through the paper conveyance path S. The sheet has a function of conveying the sheet to the transfer roller 10 at the timing when the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 is aligned with the leading edge of the sheet.

  The fixing unit 8 includes a pair of a heat roller 81 and a pressure roller 82 as a fixing roller 80, and the heat roller 81 and the pressure roller 82 are rotated and conveyed with a sheet interposed therebetween.

  The heat roller 81 and the pressure roller 82 are arranged to face each other, and a fixing nip portion is formed at a pressure contact portion between the heat roller 81 and the pressure roller 82.

  The temperature of the heat roller 81 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) so as to reach a predetermined fixing temperature. The controller controls the surface temperature of the heat roller 81 based on a detection signal from a temperature detector (non-contact type thermistor) (not shown) that detects the temperature of the heat roller 81 provided around the heat roller 81. It controls so that it may become the range of 200 degreeC.

  The heat roller 81 has a function of fusing, mixing, and pressing the multicolor toner image transferred to the paper and thermally fixing the paper with the pressure roller 82 by thermally pressing the toner onto the paper. ing.

  On the other hand, like the heat roller 81, the pressure roller 82 is also configured by providing an elastic layer on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical metal core. The heat roller 81 is brought into contact with a predetermined pressure.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is connected to a PC, FAX, and a data management server such as a manufacturer, a sales destination or a lease destination via a network line (LAN, telephone line, etc.) not shown.

Next, a characteristic configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is moved to the outside of the apparatus by the moving unit of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is stored by the moving unit. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the process cartridge and the moving means.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes a moving unit 170 that moves the process cartridge 2 to a cartridge mounting portion (mounting portion) 111 inside the apparatus main body 110, and A front cover 150 that opens and closes the cartridge mounting portion 111, a safety switch (first detection means) 180 that detects the front cover 150, and a push switch (second detection means) 190 that detects the presence or absence of the process cartridge 2 are provided. ing.

  The front cover 150 may be configured such that one side is a fixed end, a rotation fulcrum is provided on the fixed end side, the other side is a free end, and the free end side is rotatable. Specifically, the front cover 150 may be configured such that the front cover 150 can be rotated in the vertical direction by disposing the rotation fulcrum on the lower side and the free end on the upper side.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the moving means 170 is provided in the cartridge mounting portion 111 and introduces the process cartridge 2 placed thereon to move to a predetermined position. It is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the moving unit 170 includes a process cartridge support base 171 that supports the process cartridge 2 and drive gears 172 and 173 that move the process cartridge support base 171.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the process cartridge support base 171 has a groove 174 that engages with the drive gears 172 and 173 continuously along the process cartridge insertion direction (process cartridge longitudinal direction). Is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of support portions 171 a that support the process cartridge 2 are provided on the bottom surface on which the process cartridge 2 is placed along the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge. With this configuration, the sliding friction between the process cartridge 2 and the mounting surface (bottom surface) can be reduced as compared with the structure in which the process cartridge 2 is supported by surface contact, and the process cartridge 2 can be smoothly and stably. Can be supported.

The process cartridge support 171 is provided with a laser transmission port 171 b at a position facing the laser transmission port 2 a provided on the bottom surface of the process cartridge 2.
The laser transmitting ports 2a and 171b are formed in a long hole shape along the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the drive gear 172 is rotationally driven clockwise by a drive motor (not shown) to move the process cartridge 2 from the image forming position S1 to the outer position of the image forming apparatus (left in the figure). From right to right), a timer (not shown) is rotated for a predetermined time to stop.

  The drive gear 173 is configured to transmit drive from a drive motor (not shown) via a torque limiter (movable restraining means) (not shown). Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, the drive gear 173 is rotated counterclockwise by a drive motor (not shown) and moved from the outer position of the image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge 2 is inserted to the image forming position S1. Thus (from right to left in the figure), when the process cartridge support base 171 contacts a movement restricting member (not shown), the torque limiter is activated to stop the rotational drive at the image forming position S1.

  The drive gears 172 and 173 incorporate a 1WAY electromagnetic clutch 175 to regulate the rotational direction in which the drive is applied. In addition, it is good also as a structure using a 2WAY electromagnetic clutch.

  In the present embodiment, the drive gears 172 and 173 are set to a size that causes no practical problem. Thus, the gap between the process cartridge support base 171 and the laser optics can be set short, so that a compact image forming apparatus that is low in the height direction can be provided.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the moving means 170 is located directly below the center of the housing of the process cartridge 2, the process cartridge 2 can be moved by a smooth linear motion. Stable movement is possible without being in a cantilever state.

  The safety switch 180 is disposed at a position where it comes into contact with the front cover 150 when the front cover 150 closes the cartridge mounting portion 111.

  The push switch 190 is disposed at a position where the push switch 190 contacts the process cartridge support 171 when the process cartridge 2 is normally stored in the cartridge mounting portion 111.

  The push switch 190 detects that the process cartridge 2 is disposed at an appropriate position (image forming position S1) in the cartridge mounting portion 111 when the push switch 190 contacts a part of the process cartridge support base 171. To output signals.

  In this embodiment, the push switch 190 detects that the process cartridge 2 is disposed at the image forming position S1 in the apparatus within an allowable range of several millimeters or less.

  The safety switch 180 may be any switch that can detect the closed state of the front cover 150. For example, a push switch (SDP-106A-21) manufactured by Shinden Co. can be used. The push switch 190 may be the same as the safety switch 180.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the process cartridge 2 is provided with a handle 20 a on the side opposite to the insertion side to the cartridge mounting portion 111. This facilitates manual operation by the user.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 configures the display unit 131 as a notification unit that visually notifies the user of the state of the image forming apparatus 100, and the speaker 132 forms an image. It is configured as a notification means that audibly notifies the user of the state of the device 100.

In the present embodiment, in addition to the drive gears 172 and 173, the moving means 170 is configured to drive two of them, two drive motors, two WAY electromagnetic clutches 175, one torque limiter, and a timer. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.
As a modification of the present embodiment, for example, as a configuration of the moving means, one drive gear, one drive motor, one torque limiter, and one timer may be used.

  Further, as the moving means, a transport belt (for example, a rubber (NBR) belt) may be used instead of the drive gear.

Next, a characteristic electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a block diagram.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 100 has, as an electrical configuration, a control unit 201 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100, a high voltage unit 202, an exposure unit 203, a transfer unit 204, a fixing unit 205, and a paper feeding unit. 206, a transport unit 207, a paper discharge unit 208, a power supply unit 210, a drive unit 211, a communication unit 212, a storage unit 213, a voice transmission unit (voice transmission unit) 214, an alarm transmission unit (alarm transmission unit) 215, and the like. Yes.

  In the present embodiment, the speaker 132 is configured to function as the voice transmission unit 214 and the alarm transmission unit 215.

  In addition to the configuration described above, the control unit 201 is connected to the automatic document processing device 120, the display unit 131, the safety switch 180, the push switch 190, the process cartridge 2, the moving unit 170, and the like, and controls the entire image forming apparatus 100. To do.

  The control unit 201 includes a cartridge information notification function 2011, a cartridge movement function 2012, and a cartridge information notification release function 2013.

  The cartridge information notification function 2011 notifies the first notification information indicating that the process cartridge 2 is to be replaced by display and sound through the display unit 131 and the speaker 132 when the process cartridge 2 needs to be replaced.

  For replacement detection of the process cartridge 2, toner empty detection may be performed by a photosensor (not shown) in the developing tank (toner storage unit) 24.

  The cartridge moving function 2012 is a function (first cartridge) for moving the process cartridge 2 from the image forming position to the outside (outside) of the image forming apparatus by the moving means 170 when the safety switch 180 detects that the front cover 150 is opened. Moving function) and a function of moving the process cartridge 2 from the outside of the image forming apparatus to the image forming position by the moving means 170 when the safety switch 180 detects that the front cover 150 is closed (second cartridge moving function). And.

  The cartridge information notification release function 2013 is a function for canceling the notification of the first notification information when the moving unit 170 detects that the process cartridge 2 has been moved from the outside of the image forming apparatus to the image forming position by the push switch 190 ( The first cartridge information notification release function) and the push switch 190 detects that the moving means 170 has moved the process cartridge 2 from the outside (outside) of the image forming apparatus to the image forming position. A function (second cartridge information notification canceling function) for canceling the notification of the first notification information after notifying the second notification information notifying that it is arranged at the image forming position by display and sound by the display unit 131 and the speaker 132 ) And.

Here, an example in which cartridge information is displayed on the display unit 131 of the operation panel 130 in the notification process by the cartridge information notification function 2011 of the control unit 201 of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of first notification information of cartridge information displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating cartridge information displayed on the display unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of 2 notification information.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, for example, when the toner of the black process cartridge 2 runs out, as shown in FIG. 6A, “black” is displayed on the display unit 131 of the operation panel 130 as the first notification information. The message m1 is displayed, indicating that there is no toner in the cartridge.

  At this time, an icon (selection area) 1311 “replace cartridge” is displayed on the display unit 131.

  If the replacement of the black process cartridge 2 is correctly completed, as shown in FIG. 6B, the display unit 131 of the operation panel 130 displays “Black cartridge is correctly mounted” as the second notification information. The message m2 is displayed.

  Here, as means for notifying the cartridge information to the user, the cartridge information is displayed visually by displaying a message on the display unit 131, but the cartridge information is audibly notified by voice guidance. You may do it.

The voice guidance is transmitted from the speaker 132 as shown in FIG.
The number of times of voice guidance may be one time or multiple times.
For example, the user may set the number of times of voice guidance by operating the operation panel 130. Alternatively, it may be set so that the transmission is performed until the front cover 150 is closed and the safety switch 180 is turned on again after the cartridge replacement is completed.

  Further, as a means for notifying the user of cartridge information, an alarm may be set in the same manner as the voice guidance.

Next, in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, a cartridge confirmation processing procedure when the process cartridge 2 is replaced will be described with reference to a flowchart.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a part of the cartridge confirmation procedure when the process cartridge is replaced in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG.

  In the present embodiment, when the process cartridge 2 is replaced in the image forming apparatus 100, the cartridge information is notified as to whether or not the target process cartridge 2 is properly mounted.

  First, when the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on (step S1), information indicating that the process cartridge 2 is to be replaced (first notification information) is notified when the process cartridge 2 needs to be replaced. (Step S2). The first notification information is notified by a message display on the display unit 131, voice guidance by the speaker 132, or an alarm.

  In the present embodiment, on the display unit 131 of the operation panel 130, as the first notification information, a message m1 “There is no toner in the black cartridge. Replace it” and an icon (selection area) ) 1311 is displayed.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the icon 1311 “replace cartridge” is selected (step S3).

  If the icon 1311 is not selected in step S3, the process returns to step S2 to repeat the notification for cartridge replacement.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the icon 1311 has been selected, a timer relating to the process of moving the process cartridge 2 to be replaced is turned on (step S4), and the target process cartridge 2 is It is moved outside the mounting part 111.

  When the target process cartridge 2 is moved outside the cartridge mounting portion 111, the front cover 150 is opened in conjunction with the operation of the moving means 170.

Then, it is determined whether or not the front cover 150 has been opened (step S5).
If it is determined in step S5 that the front cover 150 is not opened, the confirmation of opening the front cover 150 is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the front cover 150 has been opened, the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned off (step S6), and the rotation of the drive gear 172 of the moving unit 170 is stopped by the timer being turned off (step S6). S7).

  Then, the user replaces the target process cartridge 2 and mounts the process cartridge 2 in the cartridge mounting portion 111 (step S8).

Then, it is determined whether or not the front cover 150 is closed (step S9).
If it is determined in step S9 that the front cover 150 is not closed, the confirmation of closing of the front cover 150 is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the front cover 150 is closed, the timer is reset (step S10), and the moving means 170 moves the process cartridge 2 to reach the image forming position S1 in the cartridge mounting portion 111. Then, the torque limiter is activated, the drive motor is turned off, and the rotation of the drive gear 173 is stopped (step S11).

  Then, the power supply of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on (step S12), information indicating that the process cartridge 2 is correctly attached (second notification information) is notified, and the notification of the first notification information is received. It is canceled (step S13). The second notification information is notified by a message display on the display unit 131, voice guidance by the speaker 132, or an alarm.

Here, the detection of the replaced process cartridge 2 will be specifically described.
Which process cartridge 2 has been replaced among the plural types of process cartridges 2 is detected, for example, by detecting a detection signal of a photo sensor (not shown) that detects toner in the toner container of the process cartridge 2 empty. The push switch 190 at a position corresponding to the process cartridge 2 is stored in the storage unit 213 of the image forming apparatus 100.

  Thus, the push process 190 detects that the emptied process cartridge 2 is removed from the image forming apparatus 100 and reinserted, thereby confirming that the target process cartridge 2 has been replaced.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 100 is set in a standby state (step S14), and the process cartridge 2 replacement process in the image forming apparatus 100 is ended.

  In this way, the target process cartridge 2 can be reliably replaced in the image forming apparatus 100.

  With the configuration as described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of process cartridges 2 are mounted, and a cartridge mounting portion 111 for detachably mounting the plurality of process cartridges 2 and the cartridge mounting portion 111 are opened and closed. A front cover 150, a moving unit 170 that moves the process cartridge 2, and a control unit 201 that controls the operation of each unit are provided, and an image is formed on a recording medium using the recording material accommodated in the process cartridge 2. In the image forming apparatus 100, a safety switch (first detection means) 180 for detecting the front cover 150, a push switch (second detection means) 190 for detecting the presence or absence of the process cartridge 2, and the state of the process cartridge 2 to the user A display unit 131 and a speaker 132 are provided as notification means for notification, and control is provided. As a function of 201, the front cover 150 is detected by the cartridge information notification function 2011 for notifying the display unit 131 and the speaker 132 of the first notification information for replacing the process cartridge 2 and the safety switch 180, and the moving unit 170 detects the process. A cartridge movement function 2012 for moving the cartridge 2; a cartridge information notification release function 2013 for releasing the notification of the first notification information when the movement means 170 detects that the process cartridge 2 has been moved by the push switch 190; When the process cartridge 2 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100, the process cartridge 2 to be replaced becomes clear, so that an erroneous replacement of the process cartridge 2 can be prevented and the process replaced by the moving unit 170 is performed. Since the cartridge 2 is automatically guided to the appropriate image forming position S1, damage to the drive gear due to abnormal mounting of the process cartridge 2 can be prevented, and stable detachability of the process cartridge 2 can be realized over a long period of time. The image forming apparatus 100 can be obtained.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the cartridge information notification canceling function 2013 detects that the moving unit 170 has moved the process cartridge 2 from the outside of the image forming apparatus to the image forming position by the push switch 190, the first information is released. A function of canceling notification of notification information (first cartridge information notification canceling function) and a push switch 190 detects that the moving unit 170 has moved the process cartridge 2 from the outside (outside) of the image forming apparatus to the image forming position. A function of canceling the notification of the first notification information after the second notification information for notifying that the process cartridge 2 is arranged at an appropriate image forming position is displayed by the display unit 131 and the speaker 132 and notified by sound. (Second cartridge information notification canceling function), the user can I can understand that the process cartridge 2 that conversion is set normally to the image forming apparatus 100 can use the image forming apparatus 100 with confidence.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, by displaying the icon (selection area) 1311 that can be selected by the user as the first notification information displayed on the display unit 131, the user can replace the process cartridge 2. It can be easily grasped.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the configuration of the moving unit 170 includes a torque limiter (movable suppressing unit), thereby suppressing the process cartridge 2 from being pushed beyond the image forming position S1 more than necessary. Further, it is possible to prevent the process gear 2 from being damaged.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the process cartridge 2 has a unit configuration including the photosensitive drum 3, the cleaner unit 4, the charging roller 5, and the developing device 20, thereby forming a plurality of images on the process cartridge 2. By providing the means, the image forming section can be made compact and a space-saving image forming apparatus can be obtained.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the moving means 170 is configured such that the groove 174 of the process cartridge support base 171 that supports the process cartridge 2 and the drive gears 172 and 173 are brought into contact with each other and moved to a predetermined position. Since it can move without directly contacting the process cartridge 2, the process cartridge 2 is not directly subjected to the load from the transfer means (drive gears 172, 173), and the cartridge body is prevented from being deformed, bent and scratched. Therefore, the process cartridge 2 can be moved to the image forming position S1 without difficulty, and the cartridge main body can be reused.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is configured such that a plurality of process cartridges 2 are provided, and the plurality of process cartridges 2 are arranged in an oblique direction with respect to the horizontal direction of the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, the size of the image forming apparatus 100 in the width direction can be suppressed, and the space-saving image forming apparatus 100 can be realized.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the display unit (display unit) 131 and the speaker (speech transmission unit, alarm transmission unit) 132 are provided so as to function as notification units, so that, for example, the user is visually impaired. Can also communicate the notification content reliably.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various change is possible in the range shown to the claim. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately changed within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Exposure unit 2 Process cartridge 3 Photosensitive drum 4 Cleaner unit 5 Charging roller 20 Developing apparatus 100 Image forming apparatus 110 Apparatus main body 111 Cartridge mounting part 120 Automatic document processing apparatus 130 Operation panel 131 Display part (display means)
132 Speaker (notification means)
150 Front cover (opening / closing member)
170 Movement means 171 Process cartridge support bases 172, 173 Drive gear 174 Groove 180 Safety switch (first detection means)
190 Push switch (second detecting means)
201 Control unit (control means)
214 Voice transmitter (voice transmitter)
215 Alarm transmitter (alarm transmitter)
1311 icon (selected area)
2011 Cartridge information notification function 2012 Cartridge movement function 2013 Cartridge information notification release function

Claims (5)

A plurality of cartridges, a mounting portion for detachably mounting the plurality of cartridges, an opening / closing member for opening and closing the mounting portion, a moving means for moving the cartridge, and a control means for controlling the operation of each portion. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium using a recording material accommodated in the cartridge,
First detecting means for detecting the opening and closing member;
Second detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the cartridge;
Notification means for notifying the user of the state of the cartridge,
The control means includes
A function of notifying the notification means of first notification information for exchanging the cartridge;
A function of moving the cartridge from the image forming position to the outside of the image forming apparatus by the moving means when the first detecting means detects that the opening / closing member is opened;
A function of moving the cartridge from the outside of the image forming apparatus to the image forming position by the moving means when the first detecting means detects that the opening / closing member is closed;
A function of canceling the notification of the first notification information when the second detecting unit detects that the moving unit has moved the cartridge from the outside of the image forming apparatus to the image forming position;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   When the control unit detects that the moving unit has moved the cartridge from the outside of the image forming apparatus to the image forming position by the second detecting unit, the cartridge is disposed at an appropriate image forming position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a function of canceling the notification of the first notification information after notifying the notification unit of the second notification information to be notified.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first notification information includes a selection area selectable by a user.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit includes a movement suppressing unit.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes at least one of a toner container, a photoreceptor, a charging device, and a developing device.

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