JP2660777B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of identifying an appropriate image carrier. 2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in copying machines and the like, consumable parts such as photoconductors can be replaced. In the case of a replacement part that can be detachably attached to the apparatus main body, such as this consumable part, the replacement part has a shape and material, mechanical properties, physical properties, and the like before the replacement within an acceptable range. And have the same functions. In the market, replacement parts such as consumable parts different from so-called genuine parts supplied by a manufacturer of a certain device are sometimes supplied at a lower cost from another manufacturer. Is, from an economic perspective,
There is a situation where non-genuine consumable parts are purchased and used. [0004] However, some of such non-genuine consumable parts are inferior.
The use of such a consumable part sometimes causes problems such as the inability to sufficiently exhibit the performance of the apparatus or damage to the apparatus. [0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of eliminating an image carrier of non-genuine quality. According to the present invention, there are provided a plurality of detection marks formed on a moving image carrier at predetermined intervals and having different physical characteristics from a material of the surface of the image carrier, and a plurality of detection marks. Detecting means for detecting the detection mark during the movement of the image carrier, and an image carrier suitable for detecting the plurality of detection marks when the detection time interval is within a predetermined range. Is determined, and in other cases, the image carrier is determined to be inappropriate, and when the determiner determines that the image carrier is appropriate, an image forming process is performed. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus includes a control unit that does not execute the image forming process when the determination unit determines that the image carrier is not appropriate. Therefore, the image forming process is started only when an appropriate image carrier is mounted, so that a poor non-genuine image carrier is mounted. Nevertheless, by executing the image forming process, it is possible to prevent inconveniences such as a decrease in the performance of the apparatus. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a belt photoreceptor;
Is a roller for driving the belt photoreceptor 1, 4 is an optical system for optically scanning an original to expose the belt photoreceptor 1, 5 is a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image on the belt photoreceptor 1 with toner,
Reference numeral 6 denotes a transfer sheet, 7 denotes a pickup roller for sending the transfer sheet 6, 8 denotes a pair of rollers for conveying the transfer sheet 6 to a transfer section, 9 denotes a guide plate, and 10 denotes a toner image on the belt photoreceptor 1.
A transfer charger 11 for transferring the transfer paper 6 to the transfer paper 6 having a curvature separated from the belt photoreceptor 1;
Denotes a fixing device for fixing the toner image on the transfer paper 6, 13 denotes a pair of rollers for transporting the transfer paper 6 after fixing, and 14 denotes a tray for storing the transfer paper 6 after fixing. Reference numeral 15 denotes a charge removing lamp for removing residual charges on the surface of the belt photoconductor 1, 16 denotes a cleaner for removing residual toner on the surface of the belt photoconductor 1, and 17 denotes a surface of the belt photoconductor 1 uniformly. The sensor 18 to be described later is charged by the charging charger 17.
It is arranged adjacent to. The belt photoreceptor 1 has, as shown in FIG.
A transparent flexible substrate 1a such as a polyester film (a so-called Mylar), a conductive layer 1b formed by evaporating aluminum or the like on the substrate 1a, and a conductive layer 1b formed by evaporating selenium or the like on the conductive layer 1b. It is composed of a photoreceptor material layer 1c. FIGS. 3A and 3B show examples of latent marks formed on the belt photoreceptor 1. FIG. This latent mark is
This is for generating a timing signal for starting the copy process control. The mark M1 shown in FIG. 1A is composed of a pinhole formed in the belt photoreceptor 1, and the mark M1 'shown in FIG. It is formed buried in the belt photoreceptor 1. The conductive layer 1b at the place where the translucent substance SL is buried is removed so that light incident from a sensor described later is not reflected by the conductive layer 1b. The thickness of the photoconductor material layer 1c that covers the translucent substance SL is such that the light incident from the sensor is not attenuated by the photoconductor material layer 1c below the intensity capable of passing through the translucent substance SL and the base 1a. Set to. These marks M1 and M1 'are so-called translucent marks, and can be detected by a transmissive sensor 18a comprising a light emitting diode LD and a phototransistor PT arranged opposite to each other as shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
a is disposed close to the belt photoreceptor 1, and as shown in FIG. 6, the output of the phototransistor PT of the sensor 18a is applied to the main body control unit (not shown) of the copying machine to start the copy process control. I take the. FIGS. 7A and 7B show other examples of latent marks. In FIG. 1A, a mark M2 is composed of a pinhole formed in the photoreceptor material layer 1c of the belt photoreceptor 1, and light output from a sensor described later passes through this pinhole. The light is reflected by the exposed conductive layer 1b and returns to the incident side. In FIG. 2B, a mark M2 'is formed by embedding a light-reflecting material RL of a predetermined size in a photoreceptor material layer 1c of the belt photoreceptor 1, and light output from the sensor is a photoreceptor material. After passing through the layer 1c, the light is reflected by the light reflecting substance RL, and returns to the incident side after passing through the photoreceptor material layer 1c again. Thus, these marks M2, M2 '
8 is a reflection type mark, and as shown in FIG. 8, a light emitting diode LD and a phototransistor PT arranged in parallel.
Is detected by a so-called reflection sensor 18b. Also in this case, the marks M1 and M1 'and the sensor 18a
In the same manner as described above, the start timing of the copy process control can be set. It is to be noted that a material having the same wavelength as the output light of the light emitting diode LD is selectively transmitted as the light transmitting material SL, and a light having the same wavelength as the output light of the light emitting diode LD is selected as the light reflecting material RL. Those that reflect light are used. FIG. 9 shows another example of a latent mark. The mark M3 is formed by forming a dielectric ST having a dielectric constant much larger (or smaller) than the electric conductivity of the belt photoconductor 1 to a predetermined size, and burying the dielectric ST in the belt photoconductor 1. Have been. In order to detect the mark M3, as shown in FIG. 10, a plate capacitor C composed of plate electrodes PL1 and PL2 is connected to a detection circuit 20 composed of a bridge circuit as shown in FIG. . Then, the capacitance of the plate capacitor C significantly changes when the mark M3 exists between the electrodes PL1 and PL2 and when the mark M3 does not exist, thereby causing the output terminal current of the detection circuit 20 to greatly change. The detection circuit 20
The mark M3 can be detected on the basis of the change in the output terminal current. Here, e0 is an AC source. In addition, a latent mark formed by embedding a material having a significantly different magnetic permeability from the belt photoreceptor 1 as a latent mark in the belt photoreceptor 1, a mark formed by embedding a magnetic tape in the belt photoreceptor 1, and the like. Some use magnetic properties,
It can be used in a similar manner. As a sensor for detecting these marks, a magnetic sensor such as a pickup coil is used. Incidentally, the characteristics of the optical system 4, the luminance of the charge removing lamp 15, the voltage of the charging charger 17, and the like are set based on the characteristics of the belt photoreceptor 1, and are therefore determined by the copying machine. When the belt photoreceptor 1 having characteristics other than the characteristics
The above-described brightness, voltage, and the like do not match the characteristics of the belt photoreceptor 1, which causes problems such as a reduction in copy image quality and recording quality and an abnormality in each part of the copying machine. An embodiment which can solve such a problem will be described below. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Two types of latent marks M1 ', M2' are formed on the belt photoreceptor 1 at a predetermined distance L, and these marks M1 ', M2
It is determined whether or not the belt photoreceptor 1 is proper based on the detection timing of 2 '. Sensor 1 for detecting marks M1 'and M2'
8c, as shown in FIG. 13, a light emitting diode LD and a phototransistor PT1 for receiving the reflected light of the output light of the light emitting diode LD are arranged at the upper edge of a housing member formed in a substantially U-shape. A phototransistor PT2 that receives the direct light (light transmitted through the mark M1 ′) of the output light of the light emitting diode LD is provided at the lower edge of the housing member. As shown in FIG. 14, the sensor 18c has a belt photosensitive member 1 between its upper edge and lower edge.
Are arranged so that the side ends of the. FIG. 15 shows an example of a circuit for outputting a star of the copying process control and a signal ST based on the output of the sensor 18c. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a monostable multivibrator that generates a pulse signal P1 having a pulse width T1 triggered by a rising edge of the output signal S1 of the phototransistor PT1, and reference numeral 22 denotes a trigger that is triggered by a falling edge of the pulse signal P1. A monostable multivibrator 23 for generating a pulse signal having a pulse width T2 and an AND circuit 23 for forming a logical product of the output signal S2 of the phototransistor PT2 and the pulse signal P2. The pulse width T1 of the pulse signal P1 is set to be slightly shorter than the time required for the belt photoconductor 1 to move a distance L at a predetermined speed, and the pulse width T2 of the pulse signal P2 is set to 1 is set to be longer than the time during which the mark M1 'is continuously detected. That is, a so-called "(time) window" is formed by the pulse signals P1 and P2 to determine whether the timing for detecting the mark M1 'is a predetermined timing. With the above arrangement, when the rollers 2 and 3 in FIG. 14 are driven to move the belt photoreceptor 1 in the direction of arrow A and the mark M2 'reaches the position of the sensor 18c, the output light of the light emitting diode LD is changed. The light is reflected by the mark M2 'and detected by the phototransistor PT1, and as shown in FIG. 16A, the output signal S1 of the phototransistor PT1 becomes logic H.
Then, the monostable multivibrator 21 is triggered to output a pulse signal P1 (see FIG. 3C). This pulse signal P1 falls immediately after the belt photoconductor 1 moves to the position where the mark M1 'detects the sensor 18c, whereby the monostable multivibrator 22 is triggered and the pulse signal P2 is output. (See FIG. 3D). Therefore, the mark M1 'is
When the output light of the light emitting diode LD is received by the phototransistor PT2 and the output signal S2 rises to the logic H level as shown in FIG. 3B, the pulse signal P2 has already been generated. AND circuit 23
Is operable. Thereby, the signal S2
Is output as a start signal ST to the next-stage main body control unit via the AND circuit 23. If there is no mark M1 'or M2', or if the distance between the marks M1 'and M2' is greatly deviated, the signal ST is not output in such a case. The main body control unit stops the copying operation. The type of the latent mark can be changed to another combination, e.g. In that case, the sensor 18d shown in FIG. 17 is used as the sensor. Also, the number of latent marks is not limited to two. Further, it is naturally possible to directly output the output of the sensor to the main body control unit and to perform the software of the quality of the belt photoreceptor. is there. Therefore, by setting the type, interval, and number of latent marks formed on the belt photoconductor 1 in accordance with the characteristics of the belt photoconductor 1, whether the belt photoconductor 1 is appropriate is determined. Can be determined. As described above, when the characteristics (standard) of the belt photoconductor mounted on the copying machine are different from those of the belt photoconductor to be used in the copying machine, particularly, a belt photoconductor other than a genuine belt photoconductor is used. When the copying machine is in use, the copying process control of the copying machine is not executed, so that the deterioration of the copying quality and the abnormality of the copying machine can be prevented. Although the above-described embodiment describes a copying machine using a belt photoreceptor, the present invention is not limited to this, but also applies to a copying machine using a drum photoreceptor or a sheet photoreceptor. The same can be applied. As described above, according to the present invention,
A plurality of detection marks formed at predetermined intervals on the moving image carrier and having different physical characteristics from the material of the surface of the image carrier; and a detection means for detecting the plurality of detection marks during the movement of the image carrier. If the detection time interval for detecting each of the plurality of detection marks by the detection means is within a predetermined range, the image carrier is determined to be appropriate. A determination unit that determines that the image carrier is not appropriate; and executes the image forming process when the determination unit determines that the image carrier is appropriate. Meanwhile, the determination unit determines that the image carrier is not appropriate. Control means that does not execute the image forming process when the image forming process is performed, so that the image forming process can be started only when the appropriate image carrier is mounted, and as a result, the image of a poor non-genuine product is obtained. By lifting body to run despite image forming process it is mounted, such an effect that performance of the device can be prevented in advance inconveniences such as reduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic partial sectional view showing a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a cross-sectional structure of a belt photoconductor. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a latent mark. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a sensor. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a belt photoconductor. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a detection circuit using the sensor of FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing another example of a latent mark. FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view showing another example of the sensor. FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view showing still another example of a latent mark. FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view showing still another example of the sensor. FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a specific example of a detection circuit 20. FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a belt photoconductor on which two latent marks are formed. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the sensor. FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a belt photoconductor. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a circuit for forming a start signal ST. 16 is an operation waveform diagram for explaining the circuit shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view showing still another example of the sensor. [Description of Signs] 1 Belt photoconductors M1, M1 ', M2, M2', M3 Latent marks 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d Sensors PL1, PL2 Plate electrodes

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of detection marks formed on the moving image carrier at predetermined intervals and having different physical characteristics from the material of the surface of the image carrier; and a detection unit for detecting the plurality of detection marks during the movement of the image carrier. If the detection time interval for detecting each of the plurality of detection marks by the detection means is within a predetermined range, the image carrier is determined to be appropriate. Determining means for determining that the image bearing member is not appropriate; and executing the image forming process when the determining means determines that the image bearing member is appropriate, while determining that the image bearing member is not appropriate. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that does not execute an image forming process when the image forming process is performed. 2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of detection marks are translucent marks, and the detection unit is a transmissive optical sensor. 3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of detection marks are reflection-type marks, and the detection unit is a reflection-type sensor. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of detection marks are marks having a different dielectric constant from the image carrier.