JP2578101B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting the density of a developing material used for forming a visible image in an electrostatic recording type recording apparatus such as a copying apparatus, and more particularly, to a toner and a toner carrying apparatus. The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling a toner supply amount in two-component development using a magnetic carrier.

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrostatic recording type recording apparatus, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image to be recorded is formed on a charge carrier such as a photoconductor,
The electrostatic latent image is visualized by attaching a charged toner thereto, and the visible image (toner image) is recorded on a predetermined recording medium, for example, recording paper.

In two-component development, a toner and a magnetic carrier carrying the toner are used to magnetically attract the magnetic carrier carrying the toner to the rotating peripheral surface of the developing roller to form a brush (magnetic brush). This is a developing method in which the charged toner is wiped off the surface of the charge carrier, and the charged toner is electrostatically attracted to the electrostatic latent image. This developing method is most commonly used in this type of electrostatic recording type recording apparatus.

In this case, the developing unit has a developer reservoir having a developer in which a toner and a magnetic carrier are mixed at a predetermined ratio, and the toner is charged by stirring the developer with an impeller or the like in the developer reservoir. Let me.

In this two-component development, only toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image during development, so that the developer concentration in the developer reservoir changes for each development. Therefore,
Microscopically, the density continuously changes even in one visible image. This microscopic change can be neglected if a large amount of developer is used and the amount of developer is made sufficiently large compared to the amount of toner attached to one electrostatic latent image. Since unlimited enlargement is not actually allowed, toner supply is performed by detecting the developer concentration at a predetermined cycle.
Various types of developer concentration control have been conventionally proposed, but the following is most preferable.

For example, in a conventional electrostatic recording type copying apparatus, a reference density pattern is provided outside a document leading end area on a document reading surface, the pattern is optically scanned at the time of document scanning, and the pattern is placed on a photosensitive member (charge carrier). A corresponding electrostatic latent image is formed, developed and visualized, and the light reflectance of this visible image, that is, the density, is read by a reflection type optical sensor, and the read level is determined by the conditions such as exposure light amount, charge level, and developing bias. After the correction, compared with the reference density level, when the density is low, it is determined that the developer density has decreased, and the toner corresponding to the reduced level is supplied to the developer reservoir.

This type of developer concentration control does not require a sensor for directly detecting the developer concentration in the developer reservoir, and thus has the advantage of a simple configuration.

By the way, a so-called edited copy in which a part of an image of a document is extracted, erased, or moved in a recording position may be required. This kind of edited copy reads an original image, converts it into image data, stores it in a large-capacity image memory, and activates, for example, a laser printer with the image data appropriately read from the memory based on the editing data of the operator. An image processing apparatus of the type that prints out a document image can be easily formed. However, a general copying apparatus of a type in which reflected light of an original image on an original reading table is directly guided to a photoreceptor to form an electrostatic latent image (hereinafter, referred to as a general copying apparatus) In this type of copying apparatus, the operator cuts out the necessary portion of the original document or cuts out the unnecessary portion.
Paste on an appropriate sheet (a sheet of the same size as the recording paper if it is the same size) and copy it, or if you just move the whole document image, assume an area equal to the recording paper on the document reading table Then, the original is set based on the assumed area.

For example, a procedure for copying an A4 document image at the same size at the center of an A3 size recording sheet will be described. FIG. 9 shows the appearance of an original reading table (contact glass 1 described later), assuming an area of A3 size recording paper indicated by a broken line, and a diagonal line of this area and an A4 size original indicated by a two-dot chain line. The original image is copied in the center of the A3-size recording paper by setting the original and making a copy so as to match. However, this kind of work is uncertain and troublesome, and a document set in consideration of scaling (enlargement or reduction) is very intractable to a general operator. Furthermore, in a copying machine having an automatic document feeder / discharge device (ADF device),
Due to inconvenience, such as the inability to use the ADF device, the demand for automatic processing has increased.

In order to move the position of the recording image (image to be recorded) on the recording paper in the copying apparatus, the relative relationship between the toner image on the photoconductor at the time of transfer and the recording paper may be shifted.

FIG. 11a shows the recording paper CS when there is no deviation in the relative relationship.
And the area DH of the original projected on the recording paper CS (considering magnification), the horizontal direction is the paper feeding direction (the direction in which the recording paper is fed), and the right side corresponds to the upstream. Area from recording paper CS
Since DH is small, the image located at the center of the document is recorded as the left-side recording image DP1 of the recording paper CS. In this case, the area DH
Since the recording paper CS has a size difference of 2x1 in the paper feeding direction, the recording paper CS is sent out at a timing shifted so as to advance by x1 so that the area DH is changed to the recording paper CS as shown in FIG. 11b. The recording image DP1 is recorded at the center of the recording paper CS.

FIG. 12a shows the recording paper CS when there is no deviation in the relative relationship, and an area DH (considering magnification) of a document larger than the recording paper CS projected on the same surface as the recording paper CS. The recording paper CS and the area DH have a size difference of 2y1 in the paper feeding direction.
In this case, only the left image (○) of the two images at the center of the document is barely recorded on the right side of the recording paper CS.
2 is recorded, but the other image (△) forms a latent image DI3 but is not recorded. Then, the recording paper CS is sent at a timing shifted so as to follow the recording paper CS by y1, so that the recording paper CS is located at the center of the area DH as shown in FIG. 12b, and both the recording images DP2 and DP3 are located at the center of the recording paper CS. Be recorded.

The movement of the recorded image shown in FIGS. 11b and 12b can be automatically processed by inputting the document image size, the magnification and the recording paper size as data. Further, when moving the image in a more generalized manner, any movement of the recorded image becomes possible by inputting the movement amount data.

See FIG. 13a. FIG. 13a shows the recording paper CS when there is no deviation in the relative relationship, and an area DH (considering magnification) of an original having the same size as the recording paper CS projected on the same surface as the recording paper CS ( In the drawings, they are shifted for the sake of expression.) At this time, when it is desired to move the recording image DP4 recorded by x2 to the right by x2, the recording paper CS is fed out at a timing shifted by x2 based on the input movement amount data x2 as shown in FIG. The recorded image DP4 moves rightward by x2.

Conversely, as shown in FIG.14a, when it is desired to move the recording image DP5 to the left by y2, the recording paper CS is fed out at a timing shifted by x2 based on the input movement amount data y2. As shown in FIG. 14b, the recorded image DP5 moves to the left by y2.

The movement of the recording image as described above can be performed in the conventional copying apparatus by adjusting the timing of the optical scanning and the timing of feeding the recording paper. However, when the developer concentration is detected, the following problem occurs.

As described above, in a conventional copying apparatus, a corresponding electrostatic latent image is formed on a photoreceptor by optically scanning a reference pattern when scanning a document outside a document leading end area on a document reading surface. That is, if the distance from the leading edge of the document to the pattern is 1 and the magnification is N, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the pattern is formed at a position Nl ahead of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the leading edge of the document. You. Therefore, the movement of the images shown with reference to FIGS. 11a and 11b, or FIGS. 13a and 13b
In the movement of the image shown with reference to the figure, when the movement amount x1 or x2 is larger than Nl, FIG.
As shown in the figure, a recording image PP corresponding to the pattern is formed on a recording paper CS.
1 or PP2 is recorded. This is because, in order to reduce toner consumption, an erase operation for exposing and removing charges in a non-recording area (area not recorded on the recording paper CS) on the photoconductor is performed based on the recording paper size.

Conversely, in the movement of the image shown with reference to FIGS. 12a and 12b, or in the movement of the image shown with reference to FIGS. 14a and 14b, FIG. 12d or FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4d, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the reference pattern formed on PIa or PIc is exposed and neutralized by erasing based on the recording paper size, and a part of the original image irrelevant to the pattern is removed. It will be recognized as a false reference pattern corresponding visible image PIb or PId.

As described above, in the conventional copying apparatus, when the recorded image is moved by adjusting the optical scanning timing and the recording paper sending timing, the developer concentration cannot be controlled because the reference pattern is not formed, There is a problem that a visible image corresponding to the pattern is recorded on the recording paper, and appropriate recording density control is impossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to appropriately perform recording density control in a recording apparatus capable of arbitrarily setting a recording position on a recording medium.

Configuration of the Invention In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus of the present invention includes: a charge carrier; a standard latent image potential forming means for forming a small area standard latent image potential on the charge carrier; and recording on the charge carrier. Image latent image potential forming means for forming an image latent image potential according to an image; developing means for forming a visible image according to the standard latent image potential of the charge carrier and the image latent image potential; An optical detecting means disposed downstream of the developing means; an image recording condition controlling means for controlling an image recording condition according to a detection output detected by the optical detecting means; Transfer means for transferring an image to a predetermined recording medium; input means for inputting shift information indicating a position at which the visible image of the image latent image potential is transferred to the recording medium; based on the shift information input by the input means The image Position control means for controlling a position at which a visible image of a latent image potential is recorded on the recording medium; and, in accordance with shift information input by the input means,
When it indicates that the leading end of the recording medium indicates a positive shift preceding the image latent image potential formation start position, the shift amount is added to the set amount from the leading end of the visible image of the image latent image potential. The standard latent image potential forming timing, the image latent image potential forming timing, and the transfer timing are set so that a visible image of the standard latent image potential is formed on the positive side preceding by a predetermined amount.
When the shift information indicates a shift on the negative side, the standard latent image potential is formed such that a visible image of the standard latent image potential is formed on the positive side preceding the leading end of the visible image of the image latent image potential by a set amount. Control means for setting a potential formation timing, an image latent image potential formation timing, and a transfer timing, and controlling the standard latent image potential formation means, the image latent image potential formation means, and the transfer means at the set timings. I do.

[Action]

According to the recording apparatus of the present invention, the position control means controls the position at which the visible image of the image latent image potential is recorded on the recording medium based on the shift information. Thereby, the position of the visible image of the image latent image potential with respect to the recording medium is determined in accordance with the shift information.

According to the shift information, when the shift is a positive shift, the control means sets a standard latent image on the positive side preceding the set amount by the amount of the shift from the leading end of the visible image of the image latent image potential. In order to form a visible image of the potential, and in the case of a negative shift, a visible image of the standard latent image potential is formed on the positive side preceding the leading end of the visible image of the image latent image potential by a set amount. Thus, the standard latent image potential forming timing, the image latent image potential forming timing, and the transfer timing are set, and the standard latent image potential forming unit, the image latent image potential forming unit, and the transferring unit are controlled at each set timing. As a result, with respect to the leading end of the recording medium, the developed visible image of the standard latent image potential is determined on the positive side preceding by the set amount in both the positive and negative shifts, and is not transferred to the recording medium. Further, there is no occurrence of a detection error such that the optical detection means erroneously detects the density of the developed visible image of the image to be originally recorded as the developed visible image of the standard latent image potential.

As a result, no error is caused in the control of the image recording condition control means based on the visible image density of the standard latent image potential detected by the optical detection means, and the recording position on the recording medium can be freely set. Recording devices that can be set to
Appropriate recording density control becomes possible.

For example, in FIG. 11a or FIG. 13a, if the shift on the positive side means that the recording paper CS precedes the area DH corresponding to the original image, as shown in FIG. 11c or FIG. The visible image PI corresponding to the reference pattern is on the positive side by an amount obtained by adding the moving amount (shift amount) x1 to the set amount, that is, on the positive side by the set amount further from the front end of the area to be transferred to the recording paper CS.
Is formed, the visible image is not recorded on the recording paper CS. Also, for example, in FIG. 12a or FIG. 14a,
If the shift of the negative side means that the recording paper CS is shifted from the area DH corresponding to the original image, as shown in FIG. 12c or FIG. 14c, the reference pattern can be shifted to the positive side by a set amount from the leading end of the area DH. A visual image PI is formed. Therefore, by detecting the density of the visible image PI by the optical detection means, it is possible to appropriately control the developer density even in a printing apparatus in which a printing position on a printing medium can be arbitrarily set.

Note that “positive” and “negative” described here are relative, and if they are set in reverse to the above, the above-mentioned correspondence will be obtained. For example, in the positive shift, from the rear end of the area DH Downstream by the sum of the set amount and the shift amount x1 (that is, the positive side)
Then, a visible image corresponding to the reference pattern is formed.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows a copying apparatus according to one embodiment. This will be described with reference to FIG. Roughly speaking, this copying apparatus comprises a copying apparatus main body and optional units such as an ADF (automatic document feeder / discharger) 60, a sorter 70, an automatic duplexing unit 80, and a paper feeding unit. The paper feeding system for supplying the recording sheets has five stages. That is, the first paper supply system and the second paper supply system are provided in the copying apparatus main body, and the second paper supply system, which is the third paper supply system, is provided.
A paper feeding unit and a third paper feeding unit including a fourth paper feeding system and a fifth paper feeding system are connected to the main body of the copying apparatus. 21,22,23
And 24 are cassettes provided in the first paper supply system, the second paper supply system, the third paper supply system, and the fourth paper supply system, respectively.
This is a paper feed tray.

A contact glass 1 on which a document is placed is provided at the uppermost part of the main body of the copying apparatus. FIG. 9 shows the appearance of the original setting area of the contact glass 1. As shown in FIG. The original is set at the start end of the original set area (the start end is slightly downstream in the sub-scanning direction from the left end of the contact glass 1 for displaying the size).
, Align the left edge of the original (when viewed from the back side: the following will be referred to as the leading edge of the original), and set the center of the aligned side to match the △ mark. In the copying apparatus of this embodiment, a maximum of A3 size originals are placed horizontally in the longitudinal direction (A3 vertical feeding: indicated as A3R).
You can set the original to be copied, but in that case, set the original as shown by the broken line, and set the A4 size original horizontally (A4 portrait paper: A4R). When copying, an original is set as indicated by a two-dot chain line.

An optical scanning system 30 is provided below the contact glass 1. The optical scanning system 30 includes an exposure lamp 31, a first mirror 3
2, the second mirror 33, the third mirror 34, the lens 35, the fourth mirror 36,
It has slits 37 and so on. When scanning the original, the exposure lamp 31 and the first
The first carriage on which the mirror 32 is mounted and the second carriage on which the second mirror 33 and the third mirror 34 are mounted are mechanically scanned and driven at a relative speed of 2: 1.

This scanning direction, that is, the sub-scanning direction is the horizontal direction in FIG. 1, and the sub-scanning start position of the scanning system is the left end. At the sub-scanning start position, a home position sensor (not shown)
The carriage is detected and turned on. A reference density pattern (hereinafter, referred to as a P sensor pattern) 13 is arranged at an image reading position at a sub-scanning start position of the scanning system. More specifically, referring to FIG. 5, the image reading position at the sub-scanning start position is to the left from the leading edge of the document DOC on the contact glass 1 by a distance t2. A sheet in which a black pattern having a predetermined light reflectance is formed on a surface continuous with the lower surface of the glass 1;
That is, the P sensor pattern 13 is arranged.

The lens 35 is a zoom lens, and the magnification can be changed by driving a motor.

The light emitted from the exposure lamp 31 is reflected by the image reading surface (P sensor pattern 13 or document DOC), and is reflected by a first mirror 32, a second mirror 33, a third mirror 34, a lens 35, a fourth mirror 36, and a slit 37. Is formed on the photosensitive drum 2 through the

Around the photosensitive drum 2, a main charger 3, an eraser 4, a developing cartridge 5, a toner image sensor (hereinafter referred to as a P sensor) 6, a transfer charger 7, a separation charger 8, a cleaning unit 9, and the like are arranged.

 The copying process will be briefly described.

The surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 is uniformly charged to a predetermined high potential by the discharge of the main charger 3, but the charge of the portion not used for making a copy is erased by the eraser 4 (described later). On the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 2,
When the reflected light from the document is irradiated, the potential of that portion changes (exposure and static elimination) according to the intensity of the irradiated light. The photosensitive drum 2 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, and the optical scanning system 30 sequentially scans the document surface in synchronization with the rotation. Therefore, the density of the document image (light reflectance) is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. A potential distribution according to the distribution, that is, an electrostatic latent image is formed.

When the portion on which the electrostatic latent image is formed passes near the developing cartridge 5, the toner in the developing cartridge 5 is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the photoconductor 2 in accordance with the potential distribution, and the toner corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is formed. A visual image is formed on the photosensitive drum 2 (development).

On the other hand, in synchronization with the progress of the copy process, a recording sheet is supplied from any one of the five paper feeding systems. The recording sheet is fed via a registration roller 27 so as to overlap the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 at a predetermined timing, and is transferred by the transfer charger 7 to the photosensitive drum 2.
The upper visible image (toner image) is transferred, and the recording sheet onto which the visible image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 2 by the separation charger 8. The separated recording sheet is transported to the fixing device 12 by the transport belt 11. After passing through the fixing unit 12, the toner image on the recording sheet is fixed on the recording sheet by heat in the fixing unit 12. The fixed recording sheet is discharged to the sorter 70 or the automatic duplex unit 80 through a predetermined discharge path.

In this embodiment, the length of the photosensitive drum 2 in the axial direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface: main scanning direction), that is, the maximum recording width is A3.
The length is substantially the same as the length in the short direction. Accordingly, for example, when the A4 size recording paper is copied by vertical paper feeding (paper feeding with the longitudinal direction as the paper feeding direction), the length of the recording paper in the main scanning direction is smaller than the length of the A3 size short direction. In such a case, electric charge remains in the area on the photosensitive drum 2 that is not transferred to the recording paper, and if toner adheres there, wasteful consumption of a large amount of toner and cleaning burden are inconvenient. The charge in the area on the photosensitive drum 2 which is not subjected to the exposure is removed by an eraser 4 located upstream of the developing cartridge 5 (side erase). Also,
Since the apparatus of this embodiment has an editing function of extracting a specified area of an original image (extracting and copying only that area and copying) or erasing (erasing and copying only that area) The area outside the area where the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image is formed, or the area where the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image in the designated area is formed, is subjected to exposure and static elimination by the eraser 4. When the toner image corresponding to the pattern is formed, the area where the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the pattern is formed is an area on the photosensitive drum 2 which is not transferred to the recording paper, but the area is not subjected to exposure and static elimination. . This P
The area where the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the sensor pattern 13 is formed has the same length in the main scanning direction as the A5 size in the short direction, with the center in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2 being the same. Length) is about 20mm.

The appearance of the eraser 4 is shown in FIG. 7a. In FIG. 7a, the main scanning direction is indicated by Y, but the upper side corresponds to the axial depth of the photosensitive drum 2 in FIG. Referring to this figure,
The eraser 4 is a rod-shaped device in which 80 light-emitting diodes LED1 to LED80 are arranged in a line at an interval of 4 mm along the entire length of the photosensitive drum 2 in the axial direction. Can be individually turned on / off.

That is, by the eraser 4, an arbitrary portion on the photosensitive drum 2 immediately below the eraser 4 can be exposed and neutralized in units of 4 mm. For example, in the above-described side erase in the A4 vertical sheet feeding, the LEDs 1 to 14 and the LEDs 67 to 80 are turned on to expose and remove charges in an area on the photosensitive drum 2 that is not transferred to the recording sheet. When a toner image corresponding to the P sensor pattern 13 is formed, when an area where an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the pattern is formed immediately below the eraser 4, the LEDs 1 to 22 and the LEDs 59 to 80 are turned on. Energize,
A side erase corresponding to A5 vertical sheet feeding (A5R) is performed to expose and remove charges in an area on the photosensitive drum 2 outside the area.

The eraser 4 is unitized integrally with the eraser driver 40, and is attached to and detached from the copying apparatus main body by inserting a ring-shaped (lower end) grasping finger.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the specific structure of the developing cartridge 5.
Figure, Figure 2c, Figure 2d, Figure 2e, Figure 2f, Figure 2g, and Figure 2h
Shown in the figure. The developing cartridge 5 will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the entire developing cartridge 5. No.
Referring to FIG. 2A, the case end plate 11 of the developing cartridge 5 is
1, a U-shaped handle 112 is provided. The developing cartridge 5 can be attached to and detached from the copying apparatus main body by inserting and removing the developing cartridge 5 from the near side in FIG. At the time of attachment / detachment, the handle 112 is grasped to support the developing cartridge 5. A guide rail 113 is provided on the copying apparatus main body side along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2. By sliding the developing cartridge in a state in which the guide rail 113 is engaged with the downward guiding groove 115 formed integrally with the upper case 114 of the developing cartridge, the moving direction of the developing cartridge at the time of detachment is correct. Be regulated. The positioning of the developing cartridge with respect to the photosensitive drum 2 is performed by inserting the positioning hole 116 provided in the case of the developing cartridge into the positioning fixing pin 117 on the copying apparatus main body side with the developing cartridge 5 inserted into the main body of the copying apparatus. This is mainly performed by fitting the rear end 118 of the supporting shaft of the developing sleeve to the positioning hole 119 on the copying apparatus main body side. The positioned developing cartridge is held at the mounting position by engaging a hook 112a provided at the base of the handle 112 with an engaging projection on the copying apparatus main body side.

FIG. 2b shows the developing cartridge 5 of FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner. Referring to FIG. 2B, on both end plates of the case of the developing cartridge, a non-magnetic developing sleeve 121 containing a fixed magnet group 120, a developer stirring impeller 122, a developer conveying screw 123 composed of a spiral strip, and a peripheral surface are provided. A toner supply rod 124 having a plurality of parallel vertical grooves 124a is rotatably supported.

A cylindrical case 125 formed on the shoulder of the developing cartridge 5 accommodates a toner cartridge 126 formed of a cylindrical body. Both end plates of the toner cartridge 126 have a toner supply bar rotatably supported at both ends at the center thereof.
127 are provided. An inner shaft end of the toner supply bar 127 protrudes from an end plate of the toner cartridge, and an engaged body 128 having a sawtooth piece 128a is fixed to the protruding end as shown in FIG. 2c. I have. This engaged body 128
When the toner cartridge 126 is inserted and mounted in the developing cartridge 5, the toner cartridge 126 engages with the engaging body 129 on the developing cartridge side to be integrated in the rotation direction.

The engagement body 129 is fixed to the inner end of the shaft 131 of the gear 130 mounted on the outer surface of the case of the developing cartridge. Gear 13
Numeral 0 is connected to a gear 133 fixed to the shaft end of the toner supply rod 124 via an intermediate gear 132.

Gears 134 and 135 are provided at both shaft ends of the developer stirring impeller 122.
The one gear 134 is fixed to a gear 136 fixed to one end of the toner conveying screw, and the other gear 135 is fixed to the shaft end of the developing sleeve 121 via an intermediate gear 137. The gears 138 mesh with each other. The gear 134 is provided with a knob 139 for manually rotating the developer stirring impeller 122. Each of the above gears is disposed on the outer surface of the case end plate of the developing cartridge. When the developing cartridge is mounted on the copying machine main body, the gears 133 and 138 are driven by the driving gear G1 on the copying machine main body side.
And G2, respectively, and each of the gears 130, 132 to 138 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

In FIG. 2B, the height of the magnetic brush on the developing sleeve 121 is regulated to a predetermined height by a blade 140 fixed to the developing cartridge case 114. Excess developer scraped off by the blade 140 (magnetic material carrier with toner) moves the developer transport plate 141 to the right in the figure, and as shown in FIG. 2d, a large number of inclined guide fins. Sliding down the slope 141a having 142 on the upper surface, the developer stirring impeller
Fall on 122.

The developer at one end of the transport plate 141
The developer dropped from the hole 143 formed at the end of the transport screw 123,
Is transported toward the other end, and returned to one end of the developer stirring impeller 122 from a delivery port 145 provided at the end of the tray 144. Transport plate 141 containing toner transport screw 123
The developer transport unit 146 including the tray 144 is supported above the developing sleeve 121 and the developer stirring impeller 122 by fixing both ends thereof to the case of the developing cartridge.

In FIG. 2B, the toner supply rod 124 is disposed so as to close the lower opening 151 of the hopper 150. On the inner surfaces on both sides of the lower opening 151 of the hopper 150, elongated elastic members 152 and 153 that contact the peripheral surface of the supply rod 124 are provided. These elastic members 152 and 153 are made of a synthetic resin material. At an upper portion of the hopper 150, a feeler 154 is provided to be swingable. The feeler 154 is supported on one end plate of the hopper 150 in a cantilever manner, and as shown in FIG.
A boss 156 of the arm 156a is fixed to an outer end of the 155.

The feeler 154 is given a swinging habit by the elasticity of a relatively weak spring 158, and the arm 156a is connected to one end 1 of the lever 159.
It is lightly pressed against 59a from below. The other end of lever 159
A pin 160 is fixed to 159b, and the pin 160
The spring 61 acting on the lever 159 on the cam 130a integral with
Pressed by the force of The lever 159 is supported by a bar 162 on the outer surface of the end plate of the case of the developing cartridge.

In FIG. 2f, a toner supply port 165 is provided on a part of the cylindrical peripheral wall of the toner cartridge 126, and radial projections 166a are provided on part of both end plates 166 and 167 of the toner cartridge 126, respectively. , 166c, 167 are provided. One end plate 166 is integrally formed with a gripping cylinder 166b, into which a lid cylinder 168 is screwed.

With the protrusion 167a aligned with the groove 125a (FIG. 2a) formed on the inner peripheral wall of the cartridge case 125, the toner cartridge 126 is inserted into the case 125, and the protrusion 166a is inserted into the groove 125a.
With the cartridge 126 fully inserted into the
When rotated in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing, the supply port 165 of the cartridge 125 communicates with the upper opening of the hopper 150 via the opening 170a of the shutter plate 170 as described later. In this case, the groove 125
The protrusions 166a and 167a engaged with a can rotate along a circumferential groove continuous with the groove 125a provided in the case 125.

The shutter plate 170 is made of a plastic molded body having a reinforcing rib on the inner surface, and as shown in FIG. 2h, projections 71 to 74 protruding in the longitudinal direction are integrally provided at both end corners. . These projections 71 to 74 are loosely fitted into arcuate grooves (not shown) provided on the inner surfaces of both ends of the case 125, and the opening 170a of the shutter plate 170 closes the upper opening of the hopper and the open position. Within this range, the shutter plate 170 is rotatably supported along the inner wall surface of the case 121.

When the toner cartridge 126 is inserted into the case 125, one projection 167a of the cartridge 126 faces the opening of the cutout 170b of the shutter plate 170 in the case, while the projection 166c of the end plate 166 of the cartridge faces the projection 17 of the shutter plate 170.
It faces the right edge 172a of the second. In this state, when the gripping cylinder 166b of the toner cartridge 126 is gripped and rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.
When the supply port 165 of the toner cartridge 126 is aligned with the opening 170a of the shutter plate 170, and the cartridge 126 is further rotated, the opening 170a of the shutter plate 170 is moved to its final position. Coincides with the upper opening of the hopper 150.

When removing the toner cartridge 126 from the case 125,
When the toner cartridge 126 is rotated clockwise from that state in FIG.
Pushes the side edge 172a of the projection 172 of the shutter plate 170, rotates the shutter plate 170 in the same direction, and closes the upper opening of the hopper 150. The cartridge 126 is rotated to a position where its projections 166a, 167a coincide with the groove 125a of the case 125, and is pulled out at that position in the axial direction. Therefore, the toner cartridge
When 126 is removed from the case 125, the shutter plate 17
0 indicates that the opening of the hopper 150 is closed.

FIG. 3 shows an operation board arranged on the upper surface of the main body of the copying apparatus shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 3, a number of key switches K1, K2, K3, K4a, K4b, K5, K6a,
K6b, K7, Kctr, K8, K9a, K9b, K9c, K10, K11, K12a, K12b, K13, K
C, KS, K #, KI and KP, and many indicators D1, D2, D3, D4, D5,
Ds, Dg, Dd, Dp, Dt, etc. are provided.

Representative key switches provided on the operation board will be briefly described.

K1 is a key for designating the operation mode of the sorter 70, and any one of a fixed (sorter not used) mode, a sort mode and a stack mode can be designated by operating this key.

K3 is a key for designating the operation mode of the automatic document feeder / discharge device 60, and by this operation, one of the manual document set mode, ADF mode and SADF mode can be designated.

K4a and K4b are keys for designating the front and back margin positions in the duplex copy mode, respectively.

K6a, K6b, K9a, K9b and K9c are used to specify the copy magnification.

 K7 is used to specify the duplex copy mode.

 Kctr is used to specify the centering mode.

K8 is used to specify a document size, and K11 is used to specify a paper feed system.

K10 is a numeric keypad used for designating the number of copies.

 K12a and K12b are used to specify the copy density.

KC is a clear / stop key, which is used for clearing the designation of the number of copies using the numeric keypad K10 and for instructing to stop the copy operation.

 KS is a key for instructing a print start.

A representative display provided on the operation board will be briefly described.

D1 is a 7-segment, 2-digit numerical display. In a normal operation mode, the number of copies is displayed during standby and the number of copies is displayed during copying.

 D2 indicates the setting state of the copy density.

D3 indicates the paper size, paper direction, and selected paper supply system of each paper supply system.

D4 is a 7-segment, 3-digit numerical display, and displays a copy magnification in units of 1% in a normal operation mode.

 D5 displays the specified document size.

Ds indicates a sorter abnormality, Dg indicates a paper feed abnormality, Dd indicates a cover open state, Dp indicates a recording paper absence, and Dt indicates a toner absence, respectively.

FIG. 4 schematically shows an electric circuit configuration of the copying apparatus shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, the main control board 200 includes a microprocessor 210, a read only memory (ROM) 220.
A read / write memory (RAM) 230, a parallel I / O port 240, a serial I / O port 250, an A / D (analog / digital) converter 260, and a timer 270 are provided. This main control board
200, an operation board 310 (see FIG. 3), an optical system control board 320, a lamp control board 330, a heater control board 340, a high voltage power supply board 350, an automatic document feeder 60, a sorter 70, a two-sided processing device 80, The unit 360, the drivers 370 and 380, the signal processing circuit 390, and the editor board 500 are connected.

The power supply circuit 430 supplies a predetermined constant voltage to each component.

The optical system control board 320 controls the electric motor M1 for scanning drive of the optical scanning system 30 and the electric motor M2 for adjusting the magnification of the zoom lens.

The lamp control board 330 controls the exposure lamp 3 of the optical scanning system 30.
Control the light intensity of 1.

The heater control board 340 includes a fixing heater HT1 provided in the fixing device 12 and a drum heater HT2 provided in the photosensitive drum 2.
Control the temperature of the

The high-voltage power supply unit 350 generates high-voltage power to be applied to each of the main charger 3, the bias electrode 5a of the developing cartridge 5, the transfer charger 7, and the separation charger 8.

Various AC loads (400) are connected to the driver 370, various DC loads (410) are connected to the driver 380, and various sensors (42) are connected to the signal processing circuit 390.
0) is connected.

Specifically, typical examples of the various AC loads 400 are a main motor for driving the photosensitive drum 2 and the like, a motor for a developing cartridge, a conveying fan motor, and a cooling fan motor. Typical examples of the various DC loads 410 include a cleaning control solenoid, a registration roller control clutch, a separation claw control solenoid, an eraser 4, a total counter, a toner replenishment control solenoid, and an oil replenishment control solenoid.

7a and 7b show specific circuits of the eraser 4. As described above, the eraser 4 is an array of 80 light emitting diodes arranged at intervals of 4 mm. The anodes of the light emitting diodes LED1 to LED80 are connected to a power supply line (+5 V) via resistors, respectively, and the cathodes are connected to ten serial in / parallel out shift registers (hereinafter referred to as S / S) constituting the eraser driver 40, respectively. (Referred to as P registers) are connected to the corresponding parallel output terminals of SP1 to SP10. The S / P registers SP1 to SP10 are connected to the series with the higher numbered force upstream, and the S / P registers
The serial input terminal D of P10 is connected to the output terminal of the serial I / O 250 in the main control board 200 via the serial output port SDout of the main control board 200. Main control board 20
From the 0 serial output port SDout, erase data for erasing the area on the photosensitive drum 2 immediately below the eraser 4 is output in order from the light emitting diode LED1 corresponding data in synchronization with the sub-scan.

The clock input terminal CL of each S / P register SP1 to SP10 is connected to the data set clock output port CLout of the main control board 200.
The latch input terminal LA is connected to the latch signal output port LAout of the main control board 200 and the clock inhibit input terminal CI.
Is the clock inhibit output port C of the main control board 200
Each is connected in parallel to Iout.

The operation will be described. The clock inhibit output port CIout of the main control board 200 is synchronized with the sub-scanning.
When the H level (inhibit release) is output from the serial output port SD which is output in synchronization with the data set clock of the data set clock output port CLout output
The erase data from out is sequentially shifted from each bit of the S / P register SP10 toward each bit of the S / P register SP1. When erase data is set in each of the S / P registers SP1 to SP10 and the erase timing is reached, the main control board 20
A latch signal is output from the 0 latch signal output port LAout, and erase data is output in parallel. At this time, the erased bit output terminals of the S / P registers SP1 to SP10 output L level, and the non-erased bit output terminals output H level.
Only the erased light emitting diodes of the LEDs 80 are turned on.

It should be noted that each of the S / P registers SP1 to SP10 holds the data until the next update, when the single erase data is set, and repeats the same output every time there is a latch signal.
As a result, the number of erase data sets is reduced, and the burden on the main control board 200 is reduced.

Typical examples of the various sensors 420 include a timing pulse generator for generating a pulse synchronized with the rotation of the main motor, a P sensor 6, a home position sensor for detecting a home position of the optical scanning system 30, and a registration roller 27. A registration sensor for detecting recording paper in the vicinity; a paper size sensor and a paper presence / absence sensor provided in each paper feeding system.

FIG. 6 shows a specific circuit of the P sensor 6.
Please refer to FIG. The P sensor 6 includes a light emitting diode and a phototransistor. The anode of the light emitting diode is connected to the power supply line (+ 5V), and the cathode is connected to the main control board 200 via the resistor R2 and the variable resistor VR.
Connected to the output port Pout. Therefore, the light emitting diode of the sensor 6 can be turned on / off by the output of the port Pout. The output terminal of the phototransistor, that is, the emitter, is connected to the A / D in the main control board 200 through the analog input port ANin of the main control board 200.
Connected to input terminal of converter 260.

When the predetermined P sensor reading timing comes, the main control board
The L level is output from the output port Pout of 200, the light emitting diode is turned on, and the output of the phototransistor receiving the reflected light is read from the analog input port ANin. That is, as the P sensor reading timing, the P sensor 6
Is set to face the P sensor pattern toner image, the phototransistor output read from the analog input port ANin corresponds to the density (toner density) of the P sensor pattern toner image.

FIG. 8a shows a schematic block diagram of the editor board 500. This editor board 500 is an electrostatic coupling type coordinate reader using a resistance phase shift circuit.
Although not shown, a grid-like X electrode and a Y electrode, which are not shown but are insulated from each other and are formed in a flat plate shape, are provided on the back surface.
The X electrode is a group of many linear electrodes extending in the Y-axis direction (this corresponds to the main scanning direction), and the Y electrode is a group of many linear electrodes extending in the X-axis direction (this corresponds to the sub-scanning direction). is there. The X electrode group is in the phase shifter 503, and the Y electrode group is in the phase shifter 504.
The phase shifters 503 and 504 are excited by signals of different frequencies. Reference numeral 505 denotes a high-impedance light pen which picks up a signal of a pen-tip contact flower via the capacitance between the X and Y electrodes and the pen tip, and converts the signal into an X signal (output signal of the phase shifter 503) by a filter 506. ) And Y
After being separated into signals (output signals of the phase shifter 504), the phase comparator 5
At 07 and 508, a phase comparison is performed to extract X information and Y information (electric signals) in which the amount of phase change is associated with the XY coordinates of the pen tip.

The editor board 500 has a key switch 510 for inputting a signal used by the editor board, a key switch 511 for use in the area extraction mode, and a key switch for use in area erasure.
There are 512 and key switches 513 for use in the move mode. X information, Y information and key operation information are given to the editor controller 501.

How to use the editor board 500 will be briefly described. First, the original to be edited is set at the left end of the board 502 with its center aligned with a mark (the appearance of the board 502 is similar to the appearance of the original setting area of the contact glass 1 shown in FIG. 9) and set. .

When extracting an area after operating the key switch 510, the key switch 511 is operated to specify the area to be extracted diagonally. The diagonal designation will be described with reference to FIG. 8B. In the case where a rectangle ABCD is designated as an area to be extracted, the diagonal A and D or the diagonal B and C are pressed by the pen tip of the light pen 505 and input. I do. When the editor controller 501 receives this input, the X coordinate of the side AB, the X coordinate of the side CD, the side AC
Area data representing the Y coordinate of the side and the Y coordinate of the side BD, and data indicating the area extraction
Transfer to

When erasing an area, after the key switch 510 is operated, the key switch 512 is operated to designate the area to be erased diagonally in the same manner as described above. With this input, the editor controller 501 transfers the area data and the data indicating the area deletion to the main control board 200.

When moving, after operating the key switch 510, the user operates the key switch 513 to first input an arbitrary point before the movement with the light pen, and then input the position to move the point with the light pen. . However, since the movement in the present embodiment is only in the X-axis direction, the movement of the point Y
The coordinates may be arbitrary. That is, specifically, referring to FIG. 8B, the area ABCD is moved to the right and A'B'C'D '
For example, after the point A is input, an arbitrary point on the side A'B 'is input. When the user wants to move the area ABCD to the right and record it on A "B" C "D", for example, after inputting a point D, an arbitrary point on the side C "D" is input. Note that these are examples of input, and if the first input and the next input have the same relationship with respect to the X coordinate, the input point may be arbitrary. When this input is made, the editor controller 501 transfers to the main control board 200 shift data in which the rightward movement is positive and the leftward movement is negative.

The main control board 200 controls the components of the apparatus to execute the above-described pealing process. In the centering mode or the movement mode in which the movement of the recording image is specified, the main control board 200 mainly performs the recording paper sending timing and the erasing timing of the registration roller 27. The processing is executed by setting different timings with respect to the optical scanning start timing of the optical scanning system 30.
The features of this embodiment can be seen particularly in the case where the P sensor pattern toner image is formed in the centering mode or the movement mode to detect the developer density. This will be briefly described.

FIG. 10a shows a case where the recorded image does not move, that is, a normal mode. In this case, the timing at which the registration roller 27 sends out the recording paper and the timing at which the optical scanning system 30 starts optical scanning are the same as the toner image corresponding to the original image (there is no toner image when there is no image, but for convenience of explanation, they are referred to as such). )
The leading edge b and the leading edge a of the recording paper CS are set to match.
Therefore, the P sensor pattern toner image PI formed before the leading end of the toner image corresponding to the original image is not transferred to the recording paper CS. Exposure of the P sensor pattern 13 is continuously performed until the start of optical scanning (see FIG. 5). However, when a latent image corresponding to a predetermined width is formed, the eraser 4 performs full-width erasing to eliminate the charge by exposure.

FIG. 10b shows a recording paper advance mode in which the recording image is moved to the right, that is, in the positive direction of the X coordinate. In this case, the recording paper sending timing of the registration roller 27 and the optical scanning start timing of the optical scanning system 30 are set so that the leading end a of the recording paper CS is located ahead of the leading end b of the toner image corresponding to the original image by the specified shift amount x. Set. That is, the optical scanning start timing is delayed by x compared to the normal mode. At this time, P
Exposure of the sensor pattern 13 is continuously performed until the start of optical scanning. However, when a latent image corresponding to a predetermined width is formed, the eraser 4 performs full-width erasing to remove the exposure charge. That is, the full width erase by the eraser 4 is extended by x compared to the normal mode. Therefore, the P sensor pattern toner image PI is not transferred to the recording paper CS preceding the leading end of the toner image corresponding to the original image.

FIG. 10c shows a trailing mode of the recording paper in which the recording image is moved to the left, that is, in the negative direction of the X coordinate. In this case, the timing of sending the recording paper of the registration roller 27 and the timing of starting the optical scanning of the optical scanning system 30 are shifted from the leading edge b of the toner image corresponding to the original image by the designated shift amount y and the leading edge a of the recording paper CS
Set so that is located. That is, the recording paper sending timing is delayed by y compared to the normal mode. At this time, the exposure of the P sensor pattern 13 and the exposure scanning of the original are performed in the same manner as in the normal mode. However, when a latent image of the P sensor pattern corresponding to a predetermined width is formed, the image is recorded by the eraser 4 on the photosensitive drum 2. The entire width is erased up to the portion to be transferred to the leading edge a of the paper CS, and exposure and charge elimination are performed. That is,
The full width erase by the eraser 4 is extended by y compared to the normal mode. Therefore, the electrostatic latent image of the document image not transferred to the recording paper CS is erased, and the toner is used economically.

The above is a description of the centering mode. In the centering mode, the shift amount is obtained from the input document size data, recording paper size data, and magnification data. Since the original size is enlarged or reduced at the same magnification or at a set magnification, multiplying the original size data by the magnification data, an image obtained by projecting the original area on the recording paper in the copy processing is obtained. When the projected document area DH is smaller than the area of the recording paper CS as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11b, the difference 2x1 in the X coordinate of each area is distributed to the left and right of the area DH. In other words, in this case, the recorded image is distanced x1
Then, the recording paper preceding mode is set to move only in the positive direction of the X coordinate, and the area DH is moved to the center of the recording paper CS. At this time,
The P sensor pattern toner image is formed at a position preceding the leading edge of the recording paper CS as shown in FIG. 11c.

In the center rig mode, when the original document area DH projected as shown in FIG. 12a is larger than the area of the recording paper CS, the difference 2y1 between the X coordinates of each area is calculated as shown in FIG. 12b. (Y1 is indicated by a negative value). That is, in this case, the recording paper trailing mode is set to move the recording image by the distance y1 in the negative direction of the X coordinate, and the recording paper CS
Move to the center of DH. At this time, the P sensor pattern toner image is formed at a position preceding the leading end of the area DH as shown in FIG. 12c.

The edit mode will be described. In this case, shift information is given from the editor controller 501 of the editor board 500. Accordingly, when shift information for moving the recording image DP4 shown in FIG. 13a by x2 in the positive direction of the X coordinate is given, the recording paper advance mode is set, and the recording paper CS is shifted by x2 to the area DH. As shown in FIG. 13b, the recorded image D
Move P4. At this time, the P sensor pattern toner image is formed at a position preceding the leading end of the recording paper CS as shown in FIG. 13c.

Further, the recorded image DP5 shown in FIG.
Given shift information to move y2 (that is, y2
Is given as a negative value), sets the paper advance mode,
The recording image CS is moved backward by y2 with respect to the area DH, and the recording image DP5 is moved as shown in FIG. 14b. At this time, the P sensor pattern toner image is formed at a position preceding the leading end of the area DH as shown in FIG. 14c.

Next, FIG. 16, FIG. 17a, FIG. 17b, FIG. 18, FIG.
The operation of the main control board 200 will be specifically described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 16 shows the general routine of the main control board 200. Referring to FIG. 16, first, an initialization mode process (IL mode process) is performed. In this process, the contents of the read / write memory 230 are cleared, various mode settings are initially written, the output ports are reset, the state of the main control board 200 itself is initialized, and various types of boards connected to the main control board 200 are further reset. Then, the state (operation mode) of various apparatuses is initially written, and the copying apparatus is set to an initial state. At this time, the copying machine is set to the standard mode.

After that, the copy start status is set and the print start key
Wait mode processing (wait mode processing: WT mode processing) is performed in a loop until KC is pressed. In this process, the following process is performed. First, the state of the signal applied to each input port is read, and the result is stored in the memory 230.
To memorize. Next, a data group for output control stored in advance in the memory 230 is output to an output port associated with each data, and the components connected to the output port are controlled. Further, the state of various input ports read in advance and stored in the memory 230 is determined, and the presence or absence of an abnormality is checked. If there is an abnormality, a predetermined abnormality process is executed. If there is no abnormality, the state of the other input ports is determined, and, for example, an input reading process for reading an input from the operation board 310 is performed.

The main part of the input reading process will be described with reference to FIGS. 17a and 17b.

Referring to FIG. 17a, in the input reading process, the timer for determining the key-on time is cleared and started.

When the enlargement key K9b for updating the fixed magnification to the enlargement side is operated, the fixed magnification is updated and set. The fixed magnification is 1.15 times (115%) and 1.22 times (122%) in case of enlargement.
And 1.41 times (141%), one of which can be selected. Refer to the scaling factor during setting stored in register RG1,
Each time a key operation is performed, a larger scaling factor is updated and set, and the scaling factor is stored in the register RG1. However, if the scaling factor in the setting stored in the register RG1 is 1.41 or more, the scaling factor is set to 1.15 and the scaling factor is stored in the register RG1.

When the reduction key K9c for updating the fixed magnification to the reduction side is operated, the fixed magnification is updated and set. The fixed magnification is 0.93 times (93%), 0.87 times (87%), 0.
82 times (82%), 0.71 times (71%), 0.61 times (61%) and 0.
Register RG1 can be selected from 50 times (50%).
With reference to the currently set scaling factor stored in the register, each time a key operation is performed, a smaller scaling factor is updated and stored, and the scaling factor is stored in the register RG1. However, if the magnification in the setting stored in the register RG1 is 0.50 or less, 0.93 is set and the magnification is stored in the register RG1.

When the same size key K9a for specifying the same size is operated,
Set the scaling factor to 1.00 and store it in register RG1.

When the plus zoom key K6a for updating and setting the scaling factor to be higher by 1% is operated, the value of the register RG1 is increased by 0.01 for each operation. At this time, if the value of the register RG1 is 2.00, the operation is canceled. That is, the apparatus of the present embodiment can enlarge the image by 200% (linear ratio) at the maximum.

When the minus zoom key K6b for updating and setting the scaling factor to be lower by 1% is operated, the value of the register RG1 is decreased by 0.01 for each operation. At this time, the value of register RG1 is 0.50
If so, cancel the operation. That is, in the apparatus of this embodiment, enlargement of 50% (linear ratio) is possible at a minimum.

When the dimensional scaling key K5 is operated, if the dimensional scaling mode is not set at that time, the flags F1a and F1b are set (1), the flags F1a and / or F1b are set, and the dimensional scaling mode is set. If so, cancel the operation.

When the numeric keypad K10 is operated, when the flag F1a is set, the numerical value corresponding to the operation input is stored in the register RA1. Thereafter, when the #key K # is operated, the flag F1a is reset (0) in the flow shown in FIG. 17b, so that when the ten key input is performed next, the numerical value corresponding to the operation input is stored in the register RA2. (F1a reset, F1b set). Subsequently, when the #key K # is operated, the flag F1b is reset according to the flow shown in FIG. 17b, and the value obtained by dividing the value of the register RA2 by the value of the register RA1 is used as the scaling factor.
Stored in G1. In other words, when setting the magnification ratio of 200%, for example, after setting the dimensional magnification mode, input the numerical value “1” from the numeric keypad K10, operate the # key K #, and then enter the numerical value “2” from the numeric keypad K10. Is input and the # key K # is operated to immediately set a scaling factor of 200%.
However, when the magnification exceeds 200% or falls below 50%, the magnification is set to 200% or 50%, respectively.

The scaling ratio set as described above is displayed on the display D4. In an optical system control routine (not shown) in the WT mode, the optical system control board 320 is controlled at a magnification.

When the size change mode is not set, for example, in the copy number setting mode, the numerical value associated with the operated numeric keypad is stored in the copy number register.

Referring to FIG. 17b, when the centering key Kctr is operated, if the centering mode is being set (set F2), the flag F2 is reset, but if not, the flag F2 is set and described later. Flags F3 and F4
Reset.

When the document key K8 is operated, the value of the register RG2 is incremented by one. As for the value of register RG2, 1 is A3
Size 2 corresponds to B4 size, 3 corresponds to A4 size, 4 corresponds to B5 size, 5 corresponds to A5 size, and 6 corresponds to B6 size. Register RG
When the document key K8 is further operated when the value of 2 is 6, the value of the register RG2 is reset to 0 and the document size is not specified.

When the paper key K11 is operated, the value of the register RT1 is incremented by one. The values of the register RT1 correspond to 1 for the first paper feeding system, 2 for the second paper feeding system, 3 for the third paper feeding system, 4 for the fourth paper feeding system, and 5 for the fifth paper feeding system. I have. Register RT
When the original key K8 is further operated when the value of 1 is 5, the value of the register RT1 is set to 1 and the first paper feed system is selected. The recording paper size data of the selected paper feed system is stored in RG3.

When there is an editor input, X coordinate, Y
Read the coordinate area data and register RB1x, RB1y, RB2x
And RB2y, and the shift data is stored in the register RC. If there is an editor input, the centering mode is invalidated, so the flag F2 is reset. Thereafter, a flag is set in the case of area extraction according to the data indicating extraction / deletion.
F3 is set to reset the flag FS. In the case of area erasure, the flag F3 is reset and the flag F4 is set.

In addition to the above, when a key is operated, an operation mode is set according to the key operation, and display data stored in the memory 230 in advance is stored at a predetermined timing in accordance with the key operation. The data is output to the output port, and the data is displayed on various displays on the operation board 310.

If the copy is not possible or the print start key KS is not turned on, the WT mode processing is repeatedly executed. Copying is not permitted, for example, when the fixing temperature is out of a predetermined range or when some abnormality is detected.

When the pret start key KS is pressed in a copy enabled state, a pre-copy mode process (start mode process: ST mode process) is executed. In this processing, the data relating to the shift of the recorded image is arranged, and as a processing immediately before the copying process is started, a driving start of the main motor, a cleaning processing of the photosensitive drum before copying, and the like are performed. After the ST mode process, the drum clock interrupt process shown in FIG. 25 is performed with a timing pulse synchronized with the rotation of the main motor, and the later-described first timing counter TM1 and second timing counter TM2 are incremented by one.

The flowchart of FIG. 18 shows a shift set routine executed in the ST mode processing. Referring to FIG. 18, AD
In the case of the F mode or the SADF mode, an ADF start instruction is given to the automatic document feeder / discharge device 60 to execute a document setting process of setting a document at a predetermined position on the contact glass 1. At this time, scan the original size and
, And a flag indicating the distinction between long side horizontal placement and short side horizontal placement is set.

Since the flag F2 is set in the centering mode, the length data in X direction (converted into a timing pulse) of the document size indicated by the contents of the register RG2 is stored in the register RX2, and the data is indicated by the contents of the register RG3 in the register RX3. Stores X-direction length data (converted into timing pulses) of the recording paper size. Thereafter, the magnification in the register RG1 is multiplied by the value of the register RG2 to determine the length of the projected image in the document area in the X direction, and the difference between this value and the value of the register RX3 is divided by two to obtain the register value. Store in RX1. That is, the register RX1 has positive and negative values, and the shift data x1 or y
1 is stored.

In the unified size mode (set by key K2),
The document size indicated by the contents of register RG2 is set in register RG3.
Set the scaling factor to match the recording paper size indicated by the content of, and store it in the register RG1.
Display in 4. Further, in the paper selection mode (set by the key K2), the paper feeding system in which the recording paper of the same size as the original size indicated by the contents of the register RG2 is set is changed and displayed on the display D3.

When the flag F3 or F4 is set, since the shift data is stored in the register RC, the shift data is corrected by the set scaling ratio and stored in the register RX1, and based on the area data, Erase data for each sub-scan of the area to be transferred is created and written to the memory 230. Flag F3
When both F4 and F4 are reset,
Store 0 in RX1.

After that, according to the value of register RX1, registration roller 2
7, the recording paper sending start timing TR1, the recording paper sending end timing TR2, and the optical scanning start timing TC of the optical scanning system 30 are set. The timing 2000 and the timing 1930 shown here are the recording sheet sending start timing and the optical scanning start timing read from the ROM table of the memory 220 when the third sheet feeding system is selected at the same magnification ratio. is there. Therefore, if the paper feeding system is different and the magnification is different, the numerical value will naturally be different. However, for convenience of explanation, the numerical value is listed as a specific numerical value. When the value of RX1 is positive, that is, when there is a positive shift in the X direction, the recording paper sending start timing TR1 is set to a value 2000 that does not change, and the optical scanning start timing TC is added to the value 1930 by the value of the RX1 register. Set a value to delay the optical scanning start timing by the value of the RX1 register. When the value of RX1 is negative, that is, when there is a negative shift in the X direction, a value that delays the recording paper transmission start timing obtained by adding the value of the RX register to the value 2000 of the recording paper transmission start timing TR1 by the value of the RX1 register. Is set to a value 1930 that does not change the optical scanning start timing TC. Further, a value SM1 obtained by converting the recording paper size into the number of timing pulses is added to the recording paper transmission start timing TR1, and this value is set as the recording paper transmission end timing TR2.

When the ST mode processing ends, a copy mode processing (copy mode processing: CP mode processing) is executed. Here, in accordance with the values of the timing counters TM1 and TM2, the paper supply processing routine shown in FIG. 19, the registration processing routine shown in FIG. 20, the erase processing routine shown in FIG. 21, and the illumination processing routine shown in FIG. 23, and a toner supply processing routine shown in FIG. 24 is appropriately executed.

In the paper supply processing routine shown in FIG. 19, at the paper supply timing, the paper supply clutch driving the paper supply system is turned on, the flag FG1 is set, and the P sensor counter CN for counting the P sensor detection timing is set. Is incremented by one.
In this embodiment, since the toner density (developer) is detected once every ten copies, if the value of the counter CN is 10, it is reset to zero. Thereafter, the value of the first timing counter TM1 is increased to 1500 (timing 1500 is the third
It is a value when the paper feeding system is selected, but is listed as a specific numerical value for convenience of description similarly to the above: the same applies to the following), and the value of the second timing counter TM2 is changed from 1500 to RX1.
Is reset to the value obtained by subtracting the absolute value of. That is, when there is a movement of the recorded image, the element controlled by the second timing counter TM2 is delayed compared to when there is no movement.

At this time, since the flag FG1 is set, when executing this routine from now on, only the registration detection of the registration sensor (not shown) is monitored. When the registration is detected, the sheet feeding clutch is turned off and the flag FG1 is reset. .

In the registration processing routine shown in FIG. 20, when the value of the first timing counter TM1 becomes equal to the timing TR1 (that is, the above-mentioned recording sheet sending start timing), the registration clutch is turned on and the flag FG2 is set. At this time, since the flag FG2 is set, when the value of the first timing counter TM1 becomes equal to the timing TR2 (that is, the recording paper sending end timing described above) next, the registration clutch is turned off to reset the flag FG2, The sending of the recording paper ends.

In the erase processing routine shown in FIG. 21, since the flag FG3a is initially reset, the full width erase is set and the flag FG3a is set. When the erase set is performed, the eraser 4 is turned on / off in synchronization with the sub-scan as described above.
The latch signal for turning off is output, and the eraser is controlled. When the value of the P sensor counter CN is 1, a P sensor pattern toner image is formed. Therefore, when the value of the first timing counter TM1 becomes equal to the timing 1913 at which the start position of the P sensor pattern image forming area is immediately below the eraser 4, , Set the side erase equal to the A5 vertical feed, and set the flag FG3b.

Subsequently, when the value of the first timing counter TM1 becomes equal to the timing 1940 at which the end position of the P sensor pattern image forming area is immediately below the eraser 4, the erase of the full width is set again, and the flag FG3C is set.

Thereafter, when the value of the second timing counter TM2 becomes equal to the timing 1980, the original image formation start position is immediately below the eraser 4 when the recording image is not moved, and the original image is formed when the X coordinate of the recorded image is positively moved. The start position of the formation area is directly below the eraser 4, and when there is a negative movement of the X-coordinate of the recording image, the start position of the area to be transferred onto the recording paper is immediately below the eraser 4. Therefore, at this time, the flag F3 and
If F4 is not set, the side erase corresponding to the recording paper size indicated by the contents of the register RG3 is set and the flag FG3d is set. Also, flag F3 or F4
Is set, thereafter, the erase data stored in the memory 230 is read out in synchronization with the sub-scanning to perform the erase set.

When the value of the first timing counter TM1 is equal to the timing SM2 when the end position of the original image forming area is immediately below the eraser 4 when the recording image is not moved, the erase of the full width is set again, and the flags FG3a, FG3b, FG3c and Reset FG3d. In other words, at this timing, when there is a positive movement of the X-coordinate of the recording image, the end position of the area to be transferred to the recording paper is directly below the eraser 4 and the original image forming area further continues, but that part is not transferred to the recording paper. Therefore, when the recording image is moved in the negative direction of the X coordinate, the end position of the original image forming area is immediately below the eraser 4 and the area to be transferred to the recording paper further continues, but there is no original image in that part. So erase and delete.

If the value of the P sensor counter CN is not 1, there is no formation of the P sensor pattern toner image. Therefore, the erase of the full width is set until the value of the second timing counter TM2 becomes equal to the timing 1980. The same processing is performed.

In the illumination processing routine shown in FIG. 22, when the value of the P sensor counter CN is 1, a P sensor pattern toner image is formed. Therefore, when the value of the first timing counter TM1 becomes a timing 1829 earlier than usual, the exposure lamp 31 If the value of the P sensor counter CN is not 1, the P sensor pattern toner image is not formed, so that the exposure lamp 31 is turned on when the value of the first timing counter TM1 reaches the normal timing 1870. And set the flag FG4.

Thereafter, at timing SM3 (set by the recording paper size) at which the position immediately below the document end is the reading position of the optical scanning system 30, the exposure lamp 31 is turned off and the flag FG4 is reset.

In the carriage drive routine shown in FIG. 23, when the value of the first timing counter TM1 becomes equal to the timing TC (that is, the above-described optical scanning start timing), the first carriage and the second carriage are biased forward at a set speed to perform forward drive. Set the flag FG5a.

Thereafter, at timing SM3 (set according to the recording paper size) at which the reading position of the optical scanning system 30 is immediately below the end of the original, the forward drive biasing of the first carriage and the second carriage is stopped, and the reverse drive biasing is performed. Is started, the flag FG5b is set, and when the home position sensor (not shown) detects the home position, the reverse drive is stopped and the flags FG5a and FG5b are reset.

In the toner supply processing routine shown in FIG. 24, when the value of the P sensor counter CN is 1, a toner image of the P sensor pattern is formed, so when the value of the first timing counter TM1 reaches the timing 1975, first the photosensitive drum 2. The density data of the P sensor pattern toner image (at the timing 2040 at which the P sensor pattern toner image faces the P sensor 6) is read and stored in the register RD1. The P sensor 6 output is read and stored in the register RD2. Thereafter, the toner supply table in the memory 220 is stored in the register RD1 and the register RD2.
The toner replenishment amount is determined with reference to the contents of (1) and (2), and toner replenishment is performed.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing the processing executed in each of the above-described routines of the paper supply processing routine, the registration processing routine, the erase processing routine, the illumination processing routine, the carriage driving routine, and the toner supply routine.

Referring to FIG. 15, in the recording paper advance mode, the side erase and the carriage drive start (optical scanning start) corresponding to the recording paper are delayed by the shift amount x (the value of the register RX1 when positive) compared to the normal mode. It can be seen that, in the recording paper trailing mode, the bias of the registration roller (recording paper sending) and the side erase corresponding to the recording paper are delayed by the shift amount y (the value of the register RX1 when negative) in comparison with the normal mode.

In the CP mode process, a number of other processes are executed. However, since the processes are irrelevant to the features of the present embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 16 again, when the CP mode processing is repeated for the set number of times (repeat), the post-copy mode processing (end mode processing: ED mode processing) is executed. In this process,
The paper discharge processing of the paper on which the copy image has been transferred, the cleaning processing of the photosensitive drum after copying, and the like are performed. When the paper ejection is completed, the process returns to the WT mode process, and the above process is repeated.

In each of the WT mode processing, the ST mode processing, and the ED mode processing, the state of the constituent elements is monitored as needed, and when an abnormality is detected, an abnormality processing for performing an emergency stop or display of the apparatus is executed.

As described above, according to the present invention, the position where the standard latent image potential is formed is relatively moved in accordance with the shift information indicating the position where the visible image of the image latent image potential is transferred to the recording medium. The visible image of the standard latent image potential is recorded on the recording medium, or the density of the erroneous charge carrier portion is detected and recorded as the density of the visible image of the standard latent image potential. An error in density control does not occur, and appropriate recording density control can be performed even in a printing apparatus capable of arbitrarily setting a printing position on a printing medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a mechanism of a copying apparatus according to an embodiment. 2a and 2b are a perspective view and a longitudinal sectional view of the developing cartridge 5, respectively. 2c, 2e, 2f, and 2h are perspective views showing the drive system, the developer transport unit, the toner cartridge, and the shutter plate 170 inside the developing cartridge 5 shown in FIG. 2a, respectively. FIG. 2d is a perspective view showing a part of FIG. 2c in detail. FIG. 2g is a longitudinal sectional view of one end of the toner cartridge. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the operation board 310 of the copying apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing an electric circuit configuration of the copying apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing the vicinity of the optical scanning start position of the copying apparatus of FIG. 1 in detail. FIG. 6 is an electric circuit diagram showing the toner image sensor 6. FIG. 7a is a front view showing the appearance of the eraser 4, and FIG.
The figure is the electric circuit diagram. FIG. 8a is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the editor 500. FIG. 8b is a plan view for explaining area designation and movement of a recorded image by the editor 500. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the appearance of the contact glass 1 of the apparatus shown in FIG. 10a, 10b and 10c show the relationship of the recording paper CS, the toner image PI corresponding to the reference density pattern and the toner image DI corresponding to the original image to the photosensitive drum 2 in the mode for moving the recorded image. It is a schematic diagram. Figures 11a, 11b, 11c, 12a, 12b, 12c
FIGS. 13a, 13b, 13c, 14a, 14b, and 14c show the toner image PI corresponding to the reference density pattern and the area DH corresponding to the original image in the mode for moving the recorded image. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a relationship with respect to a recording paper CS. FIGS. 11d, 12d, 13d and 14d are plan views showing the disadvantages of the prior art. FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing a schematic operation of the main control board 200 of FIG. FIG. 16, FIG. 17a, FIG. 17b, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG.
FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. 23, FIG. 24 and FIG.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic operation of the main control board 200 in FIG. 1: Contact glass (optical reading table) 2: Photoconductor drum (charge carrier, photoconductor) 3: Main charger (charging means) 4: Eraser 5: Developing cartridge (developing means) 6: Toner image sensor (optical detecting means) 7: Transfer charger, 8: Separation charger 12: Fixer 13: Reference density pattern (reference pattern) 21 to 24: Paper cassette 25: Paper tray 27: Registration roller, 7, 27: (Transfer means) 30: Optical scanning system (optical reading means) 1, 3, 4, 30: (image latent image potential forming means) 3, 4, 13, 30: (standard latent image potential forming means) 31: exposure lamp, 32, 33, 34 : Mirror 35: Lens, 60: Automatic document feeder 70: Sorter, 80: Automatic duplexer 120: Fixed magnet group, 121: Developing sleeve 122: Developer stirring impeller 123: Developer transport screw 124: Toner supply Rod (developer concentration adjusting means, toner replenishing means) 125: case 126: toner cartridge 127: toner replenishing bar 200: The main control board (control unit) 310: operation board, 500: editor board 310,500 :( input means) M1: scan driving electric motor (optical reading position update means) M2: magnification adjusting electric motor

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] An image forming means for forming an image latent image potential corresponding to an image recorded on the charge carrier; a standard latent image potential forming means for forming a standard latent image potential in a small area on the charge carrier; Latent image potential forming means; developing means for forming a visible image in accordance with the standard latent image potential and the image latent image potential of the charge carrier; and disposed downstream of the developing means in opposition to the charge carrier. Optical detection means; image recording condition control means for controlling image recording conditions in accordance with the detection output detected by the optical detection means; transfer means for transferring the visible image of the image latent image potential to a predetermined recording medium; Input means for inputting shift information indicating a position at which a visible image of the image latent image potential is transferred to the recording medium; and forming the visible image of the image latent image potential based on the shift information input by the input means. Place to record on recording medium Position control means for controlling the position of the recording medium, which indicates a positive shift in which the leading end of the recording medium precedes the image latent image potential formation start position in accordance with the shift information input by the input means. when,
Standard latent image potential formation timing, image latent image so that a visible image of standard latent image potential is formed on the positive side preceding the set amount plus the shift amount from the tip of the visible image of image latent image potential. When the potential formation timing and the transfer timing are set, and the shift information indicates a shift on the negative side, the potential of the standard latent image potential is set on the positive side preceding the leading end of the visible image of the image latent image potential by a set amount. A standard latent image potential forming timing, an image latent image potential forming timing, and a transfer timing are set so as to form a visual image, and the standard latent image potential forming unit, the image latent image potential forming unit, and the transferring unit are controlled at the set timing. Control means for performing recording. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the shift information indicates that there is no shift, the leading end of the recording medium is located at an image latent image potential formation start position where the image carrier starts to form the image latent image potential. The coincident image latent image potential formation timing and transfer timing, and the standard latent image potential formation start position for starting the formation of the standard latent image potential of the charge carrier is the set amount from the image latent image potential formation start position. A standard latent image potential forming timing on the positive side is set, and when the shift information indicates a positive shift, the leading end of the recording medium is shifted from the image latent image potential forming start position on the positive side by the shift amount. Image latent image potential forming timing and transfer timing, and the standard latent image potential forming start position is set to the set amount from the image latent image potential forming start position. When the shift information indicates a negative shift, the leading end of the recording medium is positioned at the image latent image potential formation start position when the shift information indicates a negative shift. The image latent image potential forming timing and the transfer timing that are more negative by the shift amount, and the standard latent image whose standard latent image potential forming start position is more positive by the set amount than the image latent image potential forming start position The potential forming timing is set, the standard latent image potential forming unit is set at the set standard latent image potential forming timing, the image latent image potential forming unit is set at the image latent image potential forming timing, and the transfer unit is set at the transfer timing. And controlling the developer density adjusting means based on the density of the visible image at the standard latent image potential detected by the optical detection means. The recording apparatus according. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the charge carrier is a photoconductor, and the standard latent image potential forming unit illuminates the charging unit for charging the photoconductor, a reference pattern having a standard light reflectance, and a reference pattern. An optical reading unit that guides reflected light to the photoconductor, wherein the image latent image potential forming unit is a charging unit that charges the photoconductor, an optical reading table for placing a document, and an optical reading table. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an optical reading unit that illuminates an upper document and guides reflected light to the photosensitive member. 4. The charging means and the optical reading means of the standard latent image potential forming means are the same as the charging means and the optical reading means of the image latent image potential forming means, respectively.
The optical reading means has a document scanning means for updating an optical reading position for extracting reflected light guided to the photoconductor,
The recording apparatus according to claim (3). 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said reference pattern is disposed on a surface of said optical reading stand substantially continuous with a surface facing said optical reading means. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said reference pattern is disposed upstream of a leading end of the original on said optical reading table with respect to the original scanning direction of said original scanning means. . 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control means instructs said document scanning means to start document scanning when said image latent image forming timing comes. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said developer of said developing means is a mixture of toner and a carrier carrying toner, and said image recording condition control means includes a toner replenishing means for replenishing toner to said developing means. The recording device according to the above mode (2) or (3). 9. The developer of the developing means is a mixture of toner and a carrier carrying the toner, the image recording condition control means includes a toner replenishing means for replenishing the developing means with toner, and the control means comprises The method according to claim 2, wherein the toner replenishing means is controlled based on a density of the visible image having the standard latent image potential detected by the optical detecting means, and a mixing ratio between the toner and the carrier is adjusted. The recording device according to item (3).