JP3208670B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a toner image is formed on an image carrier by an electrophotographic method and is transferred onto a transfer material to obtain an image. In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile in which a process cartridge in which an image carrier is integrated with at least one of a developing unit and a cleaning unit is detachably provided.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses have been widely and widely used in accordance with the trends of the times such as the advancement of information society and personalization. Previously, the number of installed image forming apparatuses was not so large, so when using the image forming apparatus, deterioration of the image carrier, consumption and deterioration of various members such as replenishment and disposal of developer,
Maintenance and management, such as adjustments and periodic inspections, were performed by service personnel. However, as described above, when the image forming apparatus is widely and widely used, the use situation and the usage form of the image forming apparatus are varied by the user, and the number of installations is enormous. Doing so for all users has been virtually difficult.

An image forming apparatus having a process cartridge in which a carrier, at least one of a developing unit and a cleaning unit is integrated has been developed. Image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers having this process cartridge, when the life of the process cartridge such as wear and deterioration of the image carrier, developer and other equipment in the process cartridge has expired, by replacing the process cartridge itself, An operator, who is a general user who does not have specialized knowledge, can easily maintain and manage the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus having this process cartridge is disclosed in, for example,
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 870, when the loading direction of the transfer material and the attaching / detaching direction of the process cartridge provided in the upper housing are made to coincide with each other, when replacing the process cartridge, the operator stands on the front of the apparatus. An image forming apparatus has been proposed that can open and remove the process cartridge from the upper housing, thereby facilitating the handling and operation of consumables and reducing the work space restriction. I have.

In an image forming apparatus having a process cartridge, when the process cartridge is replaced, that is, when the equipment in the process cartridge is worn out or deteriorated, the service life is set (the service life and service life are set in advance). When it comes, the operator has to replace it, so he has to inform the operator of the replacement time. As a method of notifying the replacement time of the process cartridge, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-163
No. 276, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-152263, and the like have been proposed. That is, these publications disclose an image forming apparatus which is provided with a mechanism for counting the number of rotations of a photosensitive drum in a process cartridge, and which can display that a process cartridge replacement time has come when a predetermined count is reached. ing.

[0005]

However, even if the life of the process cartridge is detected and displayed by the image forming apparatus disclosed in the above publication, abnormal fatigue and breakage of the image forming process section can be expected. In some cases, the process cartridge cannot be used even if the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum is less than or equal to the rotation speed corresponding to the preset life. In this case, since the operator uses the image forming apparatus despite the fact that the process cartridge cannot be used, various troubles such as formation of an image with poor image quality are caused, and a problem occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of eliminating useless image formation by an unusable process cartridge and preventing trouble beforehand. . In addition, even if the process cartridge before the end of its life is used with confidence, even if the optimum image formation cannot be performed due to an unexpected situation, the prohibition information is detected and the image formation is prohibited, thereby forming an image with poor image quality. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that does not perform the operation.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus comprising a process cartridge in which an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and at least one of a developing unit and a cleaning unit are detachably provided. In the apparatus, the process cartridge is provided with an IC card mounting portion for mounting an IC card corresponding to the process cartridge,
The IC card has a function of storing the number of times of image formation, and a function of storing use prohibition information for prohibiting use of the process cartridge when a predetermined image forming condition is not satisfied. Is a reference provided with a charging potential measuring means and / or a toner image density measuring means, and the charging potential of the image carrier measured by the charging potential measuring means is used as the use prohibition information even if the charging and image exposure are adjusted. If the toner image density measured by the toner image density measuring means does not reach the reference value as the use prohibition information even when the developing bias of the developing means is adjusted, the IC card is mounted. I attached to the part
The use prohibition information is stored on the C card , and the IC card
The number of images stored in the
Before the ridge life reaches a certain number of times
Also, the CPU of the image forming apparatus main body is stored in the IC card.
The image forming apparatus is controlled to prohibit image formation based on the use prohibition information.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Prior to the description of the color image forming apparatus of the present invention, the applicant of the present invention has a Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-75850.
A color image forming apparatus using a multicolor image forming method based on a toner superimposed developing method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-163, etc. will be described.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a main structure of a copying machine in which a color cartridge as a color image forming apparatus is loaded. This copying machine is roughly composed of an image reading system A, a laser writing system unit B, an image forming unit C, and a paper feeding unit D. A color image is formed by the following process. I have.

First, in the reading system A, the platen 11
The document stored in the carriage is slid horizontally.
Illuminated by a halogen lamp 13 attached to 12.
Mirrors 16 and 17 are mounted on the movable mirror unit 15, and are similarly slid horizontally to combine the mirror 14 mounted on the carriage 12 with a light image of the original to the image reading unit 20. Derive.

The carriage 12 and the movable mirror unit 15 are driven via wires (not shown) connected to a stepping motor, and V and 1 /
It is slid in the same direction at a speed of 2V.

The image reading section 20 has a lens 21 and a color CCD 22 at an image forming position behind the lens 21. Color CC
D22 is used for color separation when reading a document on the document table 11, and is composed of a 3-line CCD having a filter for passing red light, green light and blue light.
Yellow (Y) Magenta (M) Cyan (C) Black (B)
The color signal corrected in accordance with the color of the toner is input to the laser writing unit B which is an exposure unit.

In the laser writing unit B, a laser beam generated by a semiconductor laser (not shown)
An image carrier that is rotationally scanned by a polygon mirror 52 rotated by a drive motor 51, has an optical path bent by a mirror 54 via an fθ lens 53, and is uniformly charged to a predetermined charge by a charger 55 serving as a charging unit in advance. Is projected on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 to form a bright line.

On the other hand, in the sub-scanning direction, the photosensitive drum 30
The index provided at the specific position is detected by a photo sensor (both not shown), and based on this detection signal, the modulation of the semiconductor laser by the image signal is started, and the main scanning direction is determined. When scanning is started, a laser beam is detected by an index sensor (neither is shown) in the main scanning direction, and the modulated laser beam scans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30. Therefore, a latent image corresponding to the first color is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 by the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 30. In this embodiment, the latent image is developed by a developing unit 31Y containing, for example, yellow (Y) toner (visualizing medium) among a plurality of developing units provided in parallel, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 is A Y toner image is formed on the image. The obtained toner image, while being held on the photoconductor drum 30, passes below the cleaning device 59, which is a cleaning means, which is separated from the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 30, and continues to copy the second color. Enter the cycle.

That is, the photosensitive drum 30 on which the Y toner image has been formed is charged again by the charger 55, and then the second color signal output from the reading system A is input to the writing system unit B. Writing is performed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 in the same manner as in the case of the first color signal described above, and a latent image is formed. The latent image is developed by a developing device 31M containing, for example, magenta (M) toner as the second color. This M toner image is formed in the presence of the Y toner image already formed.

Similarly, the latent image formed by the third image signal is developed by a developing device 31C containing cyan (C) toner, and after recharging, the latent image formed by the fourth image signal is changed to black ( B) The toner is stored and developed by the developing unit 31B, and the C toner image and the B toner image are superimposed on the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 30, so that a color toner image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 30.

An AC or further DC bias is applied to the sleeve of each of these developing units 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31B.
Reversal development (jumping development) is performed without contact with the photosensitive drum 30 whose base is grounded. A developing unit not related to development stops rotation of the developing sleeve and cuts a bias to be applied to prevent a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 from being damaged, and to remove unnecessary toner from the latent image. Do not supply to.

The color toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 30 as described above is supplied from the paper supply unit D by a paper supply belt at a transfer pole 56 provided as a transfer means, and is supplied by a timing roller. The image is transferred to a recording paper, which is a recording medium synchronized with the color toner image.
This transfer is performed by applying a high-voltage power supply having a polarity opposite to that of the toner by the transfer device 56.

Thus, the recording paper on which the color toner image has been transferred is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 by the separation pole 57, and is conveyed to the fixing device 58 via the transport belt to fix the color toner image. After that, the paper is discharged.

On the other hand, after the transfer and separation of the color toner image onto the recording paper, the photosensitive drum 30 is further rotated clockwise, and the blade 59A of the cleaning device 59 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 30 to remove and clean the remaining toner. Done. After the cleaning is completed, the blade 59A is separated from the photosensitive drum 30 again, and a new color image forming process is started.

Next, the layout of each of the above-mentioned main components will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading system A is housed in an independent dedicated housing and is provided with a main body 2 to be described later.
It is mounted on top of

The main body 2 incorporates an image recording system including the writing system B, the image forming unit C, the paper feeding unit D, and the like, and reads the image through a flexible cable group connected to a housing. The color signal from the system A is received.

The main body 2 is an upper housing divided into upper and lower parts.
2A and a lower housing 2B, the photosensitive drum 30 is located at substantially the center of the main body 2, and each of the developing units faces a right peripheral surface thereof.
31Y, 31M, 31C and 31B are respectively arranged in a horizontal state, while the charger 55 and the cleaning device 59 are arranged on the left peripheral surface.
Is arranged.

The photosensitive drum 30, each of the developing units 31Y, 31M, 31
C, 31B, and the cleaning device 59 are not directly attached to a pair of front and rear substrates fixed to the main body 2, but are supported by the process cartridge 3 incorporated in the upper housing 2A of the main body 2 so as to be insertable and removable. It is attached detachably.

The process cartridge 3 is composed of three similar-shaped panels integrally fixed to each other via a stay or the like via a stay or the like. It can be easily taken out and attached.

That is, a rail 4A is fixed to the left and right side edges of the process cartridge 3, and a guide rail 4B is fixed to a position of the main body 2 corresponding to the rail 4A, and the rail 4A is engaged with the guide rail 4B. By doing so, a pair that can slide and be detached is formed.

A pair of left and right reference pins P are attached near the upper side edge of the rear surface of the panel, respectively.
(Not shown) by being engaged with a hole provided in the suspending portion Q, and in this state, the photosensitive drum 30 attached to the process cartridge 3 and the developing units 31Y,
The relative positions of 31M, 31C, 31B and the cleaning device 59 with respect to the main body 2 are set.

Accordingly, when the handle 5 on the front of the panel is pulled, the process cartridge 3 comes out of the rail 4B and is pulled out to the front of the main body 2, and when the handle 5 is pushed in, the reference pin P is suspended. The process cartridge 3 is again suspended and engaged with the hole of the portion Q, and is stored in the main body 2.

As described above, the structure in which the process cartridge 3 is held in a suspended state with respect to the substrate of the upper housing 2A of the main body 2 allows the photosensitive drum 30 and the photosensitive drum 30, Developing units 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31
B, or even if the vibrations and shocks transmitted to the cleaning device 59 are greatly reduced and absorbed, and even if the vibrations and shocks are slightly transmitted to the scale, each device receives uniform vibrations and shocks. Since it is held in a relatively uniform state with respect to the body drum, there is no major problem in image formation.

In particular, by holding the photosensitive drum 30 and the cleaning device 59 integrally with the process cartridge 3, the blade 59A which must be performed in the cleaning device for superimposed developed image formation, and for cleaning the residual toner of the cleaning blade. When the second cleaning roller 59B or the like comes into contact with or is separated from or presses against, the delicate manner of pressure bonding, the state of pressure contact, and the adverse effects of vibration and impact on the load conditions are greatly reduced and absorbed.

When the image forming process is performed by the superposition type as described above, the photosensitive drum 30 has a circumference having a length obtained by adding a margin to one page of B4 size or A3 size which is the maximum recording material. A surface length is required, and the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum must be at least about 130 mmφ to 150 mmφ. For a transfer paper size of A4 size, a photoreceptor drum of 80 to 110 mmφ is required. In this embodiment, a photosensitive drum having a diameter of 110 mm was used.

On the other hand, as for the developing units 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31B, as will be described in detail later, the outer diameter of the developing sleeve is reduced to 20 mmφ without deteriorating the image performance, and the thickness of each developing unit is reduced. ) Can be sufficiently suppressed to about 30 mm or less. As a result, three or four developing units, that is, developing units 31Y, 31M, 31
C and 31B can be further accumulated and arranged in a horizontal state in a space corresponding to the range of the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum 30.

Accordingly, the cartridge 3 affects the layout of the members directly attached to and fixed to the main body 2, particularly, the members of the transport system including the upper laser writing system B, the lower transfer pole 56, and the separation pole 57. Even if the upper and lower heights are limited to the minimum size enough to cover the photosensitive drum 30 so as not to give the same, the cleaning device 59 is, needless to say, the plurality of developing units 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31B. All of them can be mounted and accommodated sufficiently, so that the recording paper transport path can be made substantially linear, which is also effective in preventing jams.

In the present embodiment, the upper housing 2A to which the cartridge 3 is attached is of a releasable clamshell type. When the upper housing 2A is opened, the upper housing 2A is separated by the recording paper conveyance path, and a jam occurs. Even so, the processing is easy.

That is, in the color image forming apparatus having the functions described above, the process cartridge 3 of this embodiment has a two-part structure that is attached to the upper housing 2A and can be opened and closed with respect to the lower housing 2B. ing. FIG. 2 shows a state where the upper housing 2A is opened. In the color image forming apparatus of the present invention, the lower housing 2B and the upper housing 2A are arranged such that the photosensitive drum 30 is located near one end face of the photosensitive drum 30 on the side where the developing units 31Y, 31M, 31C and 31B are located. Hinge 20 that opens and closes in parallel with 30 axes
Three are provided. On the other side opposite to the hinge 203, an opening / closing member 204 is provided over the upper housing 2A and the lower housing 2B. The opening / closing fitting 204 is unlocked, and the upper housing 2A is opened by lifting it clockwise in the drawing. Lower housing
Between the upper housing 2A and the upper housing 2A, there is a balancing member and a lock member made of a biased spring member or the like (not shown), and opening the clockwise method of the upper housing 2A requires extra force. It can be easily done without anything. Further, the opened state is held by the lock member, and the opened state is maintained even when the hand is released.

In this embodiment, the process cartridge 3 including the cleaning device 39 and the developing unit 3A on the right and left sides of the photosensitive drum 30 is attached to the upper housing 2A.
When the process cartridge 3 is opened, the developing units 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31B, which are located in parallel, have the developing sleeves 313 corresponding to the openings in the upward position, and at the same time, the toner storage device 310 is in the lower position. Will be located. In this state, the process cartridge 3 can be taken out by pulling it out vertically or horizontally. At this time, since the developing devices 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31B are in an upward posture,
When the cartridge is taken out and attached to the process cartridge 3, the shock does not cause the developer to spill or the developer to be mixed into another developing device. Further, the transfer paper supply means, the transfer device 56, the separator 57 serving as a separation electrode, the transfer material conveying means, and the fixing device 58 are mounted on the lower housing 2B, so that the upper housing 2A is opened upward. By doing so, the transfer path of the transfer material is exposed, and when a transfer failure of the transfer paper occurs, the jam processing can be easily performed by directly inserting a hand.

Next, the developing devices 31Y and 31 used in this embodiment
M, 31C and 31B will be described. Developing units 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31B
Since the developing devices having the same structure and function are used in each case, the developing device 31Y shown in FIG.
The developing device used in the present invention will be described.

In FIG. 3, a toner storage device 310, a stirring impeller 311, a stirring impeller 312, a developing sleeve 313, a magnet roll 314, and a toner supply roller 315 are provided inside the developing device 31Y. A lid portion 319 is provided at the upper part of the developing device 31Y, and covers the internal toner storage device 310, the stirring impeller 311, the stirring impeller 312, the developing sleeve 313, the magnet roll 314, and the toner supply roller 315 to cover the toner. Is prevented from scattering. The developing sleeve 31
The gap between 3 and the photosensitive drum 30 is maintained by rollers (not shown) provided coaxially with the developing sleeve 313 and in contact with the photosensitive drum 30.

The toner T is stored in the bottom of the toner storage device 310, and the toner T is scooped in the upper left direction in FIG. 3 by the clockwise rotation of the wiper plate 310a. Washboard
The toner T scooped by 310a is moved leftward in FIG. 3 by the rotation of the toner supply roller 315,
It is supplied to the stirring impeller 311. The stirring impeller 311 stirs the magnetic carrier and the toner T together with the stirring impeller 312. The stirring impeller 311 and the stirring impeller 312 are rotated in opposite directions,
Thereby, the transport distance can be increased, and the magnetic carrier and the toner T are sufficiently stirred and mixed. The two-component developer D composed of the magnetic carrier and the toner T is supplied to the developing sleeve 313 after being stirred and mixed. A magnet roll 314 having fixed magnetic poles is disposed inside the developing sleeve 313, and the developing sleeve 313 and the magnet roll 314 are fixed.
As a result, the above-described magnetic brush made of the developer D is formed.

On the surface of the developing sleeve 313, a thin layer of the developer D is formed by the above-described magnetic brush, and the thickness of the thin layer is set to be smaller than the gap between the developing sleeve 313 and the photosensitive drum 30. For example, by pressing a developer thin layer forming means 317 such as a magnetic cylindrical bar provided opposite to the magnetic pole of the magnet roll 314 against the developing sleeve 313, the developer D
Are shaped into an even thin layer. From the thin layer surface of the developer, the toner T flies toward the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 30 by the AC bias, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 30 is developed. It becomes an image.

At the time of this development, a bias voltage composed of a DC component and an AC component is applied to the developing sleeve 313, and by controlling the bias voltage as described later, the developing conditions between the developing units are adjusted. I am trying to adjust for fluctuations.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a developing unit 3A in which developing units 31Y, 31M, 31C and 31B are mounted. The developing unit 3A constitutes a part of the process cartridge 3. The developing unit 3A is a housing having an opening on the side of the photosensitive drum 30, in which a guide member 39 composed of a roller or the like is provided, and developing units 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31B arranged in parallel are provided.
The photosensitive drum is guided by an elastic member 32 guided by a guide member 39 and urged behind the developing device.
The developing sleeve 313 is pressed to the side of the photosensitive drum 30 and the set distance from the photosensitive drum 30 is maintained.

The process cartridge 3 is provided with a charging device 55 in this embodiment, in addition to the photosensitive drum 30, the developing unit 3A and the cleaning device 59. When a separation claw is used to separate the transfer material from the photosensitive drum 30, the separation claw may be attached. A motor, which is a driving source of the process cartridge 3, is provided in the main body 2, and when the process cartridge 3 is mounted on the main body 2, power transmission and electrical connection are made by a coupling or the like. Of course, a motor as a drive source may be provided in the process cartridge 3. In this case, the process cartridge 3 may be attached and electrically connected to the main body 2.

The process cartridge 3 to be inserted into, removed from, or exchanged with the color image forming apparatus can be classified into the following types, for example, based on the toner colors (combinations of developing devices) contained therein.

310: yellow (Y), magenta (M),
Cyan (C), black (B) 320: red (R), blue (B), green (G), 330: red (R), blue (B), black (B), 340: red (R), Black (B), 350 ... Black (B).

The color image forming apparatus in which these process cartridges are mounted needs to perform an image forming process corresponding to the mounted process cartridges. It is necessary for the mode and the like to be displayed to the user. However, according to the present invention, the control and display means interlocked with the mounting of these process cartridges has
A C card is used, and IC cards corresponding to all types of process cartridges are provided in advance. That is, for example, an IC card CD (310) corresponds to the process cartridge 310, and an IC card CD (320) corresponds to the process cartridge 320.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the process cartridge. A card mounting portion 301 is provided on the outer wall of the process cartridge 3. FIG.
Shows an IC card CD to which the card mounting portion 301 is mounted, and its external shape (the position of the notch 302A in the illustrated case) differs depending on the type, and an IC having a function described later is provided. Is built-in. Card mounting part 30
Inside 1 is a card selection means 302 in the shape of a protrusion or the like,
Only the IC card corresponding to each of the card selection means 302 based on the positional relationship of the notch 302A of the IC card CD is attached to the process cartridge 3. That is, for example, an IC card CD (31
0) can be attached, and IC card CD (32
0) and IC card CD (330) cannot be installed.

The type of display is made on the IC card CD using characters and colors, and a similar display is also displayed near the card mounting section 301 so that the user can mount the corresponding IC card CD. It is designed to be easy to do. Process cartridge 3 with compatible IC card CD
Is attached to the color image forming apparatus, and when the upper housing 2A in the open state is closed, the cartridge 3 is electrically and mechanically connected to the main body. Further, the IC card CD is connected to the CPU of the main body, and information and control programs related to the process cartridge 3 are transmitted. When the process cartridge 3 is mounted on the apparatus main body without mounting the IC card CD, the color image forming apparatus does not perform any operation and the IC card CD is displayed on the operation / display panel of the main body.
Is displayed.

The sharing between the IC in the IC card CD and the CPU on the main body side is previously set and distributed so as to perform control and display in cooperation with each other in a connected state. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the CPU of the main body stores control programs for various process cartridges 3,
C has a function of selecting and instructing a corresponding control program. On the other hand, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the CPU of the main body stores only the common control program, and the image forming process control programs different from each other are stored in each IC on the IC card CD side. It is like that. Other functions of IC card CD 1
The first function is to accumulate and store the number of times of image formation (the number of times of image formation) for detecting the life of the process cartridge 3. The other is a function of storing the use prohibition information of the process cartridge 3 when the predetermined image forming condition is not satisfied even if the life of the process cartridge 3 has not reached its life. These two functions are common to the two embodiments, and will be described in detail later.

First, a description will be given of a case where the process cartridge 3 is used as a means for detecting the life. In the present embodiment, the means for detecting the life of the process cartridge 3 detects the life of the process cartridge 3 by a counting means for counting the number of image formation. That is, the counted number of times of image formation by the counting means is totalized, the process cartridge 3 in the control unit
When the life of (photosensitive drum 30) reaches a predetermined number of times set in advance, it is determined that the life of the process cartridge 3 is reached.

The counting integration function is performed on the photosensitive drum 30 by a paper sensor (not shown, which may also serve as a jam detection sensor) provided on the transfer material conveyance path downstream of the transfer device 56. Is counted by passing the transfer material onto which the toner image formed on the IC card is transferred, and integrated in a count memory stored in the IC card CD. The paper sensor may be a transmissive or reflective photocoupler, or an existing sensor such as a non-contact reed switch or a contact microswitch may be used. The means for counting the number of times of image formation may be determined from the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 30 as disclosed in JP-A-57-163276 and JP-A-58-152263. In other words, any method can be applied to the present invention as long as the number of times of image formation, that is, the number of times of printing can be finally counted.

Since the IC card CD is used repeatedly, when the IC card CD is mounted on a new process cartridge 3,
The structure is such that the count number can be cleared from the outside of the IC card CD so that the count number that has already been counted is cleared and the number of times of image formation is added. In order to detect that the IC card CD is mounted on the new process cartridge 3, it is preferable to detect whether or not the process cartridge 3 is new when the process cartridge 3 is mounted on the main body side. For example, the new and old detection sensors of the process cartridge 3
Is provided on the main body, and the protrusion is detected when the main body is loaded. Thereafter, the print is broken together with the start of printing to discriminate the old and new.
Information should be transmitted to the card CD. Further, it is more preferable to use the counter zero return starting means proposed by the present inventor in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-8295 as new and old sensors. Further, chemical changes may be distinguished by optical detection means as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-198879.

Next, the life detection of the process cartridge 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the process cartridge 3 on which the IC card CD is mounted is inserted into the upper housing 2A, and the upper housing 2A and the lower housing 2B are integrated by the hinge 203, and the replacement of the process cartridge 3 is completed. To step A1.
In step A1, whether or not the process cartridge 3 is new is detected by the new and old detection sensors in the process of inserting the process cartridge 3. If the process cartridge 3 is new based on the detection result, the IC card CD is detected in step A3.
Count memory and prohibition information (detailed later)
Is cleared (reset), and the process proceeds to the adjustment mode of step A5.

Conversely, if the process cartridge 3 is not new in step A1, or if the power is turned on while the process cartridge 3 is still loaded, step A2
Proceed to. In step A2, it is determined whether or not prohibition information is stored in the IC card CD. If it is stored, the process proceeds to step A12, and if not, the process proceeds to step A4. In step A4, it is determined whether or not the count number stored in the count memory of the IC card CD is equal to or more than a second predetermined number (described in detail later). , And proceeds to the adjustment mode of step A5. Conversely, if it is equal to or greater than the second predetermined number, the process proceeds to step A12.

In step A5, the image forming process unit is adjusted in accordance with a color adjustment mode routine described later, and the flow advances to step A6. In step A6, the IC card CD
It is determined whether prohibition information is stored in step A12. If the information is stored, the process proceeds to step A12, and if not, the process proceeds to step A7. In step A7, the above-described image formation is performed by pressing an operation button (neither is shown) provided on the operation panel. In step A8, the number of image formations is counted by the above-described counting means, and the IC card CD is read. And the process proceeds to step A9. The prohibition information determined in step A8 includes, in addition to the prohibition information stored in the adjustment mode in step A5, information stored in the IC card CD during image formation. At the time of normal image formation in the loop of step A9 or step A11, a reference patch is created and the image forming process unit is adjusted, and if a predetermined image forming condition in the reference patch creation at the time of the normal image formation is not satisfied, prohibition is prohibited Information is stored (whether or not image forming conditions are satisfied is performed in the same manner as in the image adjustment mode described later, that is, measurement of the charge amounts of the exposed and unexposed portions of the reference patch, the toner image density after development of the reference patch) Measurement).

In step A9, if the integrated count is a predetermined first predetermined number (for example, the number of times remaining within a few percent of the number of times of image formation life, for example, if the life is 30,000 times, It is determined whether the number is 1700 times or more (29700 times) or more, and the process returns to step A6 to repeat the image formation until the number reaches the first predetermined number or more. Conversely, when the integrated count becomes equal to or greater than the first predetermined number, the process proceeds to step 10, a warning is issued to the operator in step A10, and the process proceeds to step A11. This warning informs the operator that the life of the process cartridge 3 is near, and urges the process cartridge 3 to be replaced soon. For example, "Replace the process cartridge" may be displayed on a display unit provided on an operation panel or the like, a display lamp (not shown) may blink, or a yellow display lamp may be turned on. .

In step A11, it is determined whether or not the integrated count is equal to or greater than a second predetermined number (for example, 30,000 times of image formation) set as the life of the process cartridge 3. If the number is equal to or less than the predetermined number of 2, the process returns to step A6 and repeats image formation and warning. When the integrated count is equal to or greater than the first predetermined number, when the image is formed in step A6, the difference between the second predetermined number and the integrated count may be displayed on the display unit. That is, by counting down the number of times of image formation remaining until the life of the process cartridge 3 is reached, the operator can prepare for the replacement of the process cartridge 3 or perform the replacement before the life of the image formation for a large number of times.

When it is detected that the count number accumulated in step A11 reaches the second predetermined number, that is, when it is detected that the process cartridge 3 has reached the end of its life, the process proceeds to step A12. In step A12, the operator is notified that the process cartridge 3 has reached the end of its life or is unusable, and the image forming signal is no longer accepted, that is, the image forming operation is disabled. As a means of notifying the life or the unusability, a display prohibition (for example, "printing is impossible. Replace the process cartridge") is displayed on a display unit provided on an operation panel or the like, or a display lamp (not shown) is turned on. Or a red display lamp may be turned on.

The operator notified of the life of the process cartridge 3 in step A12 unlocks the opening / closing fitting 204, lifts the upper housing 2A, and
Pull out and replace. In addition, in a case where it is absolutely necessary to continue printing before replacing the process cartridge 3, in step A13, it is determined whether or not a forced print button (not shown) provided on the main body is pressed.
If it has been pressed, a step of forcibly setting the image in a state in which the image can be formed in step A14 to form the image and returning to step A12 may be provided.

Next, the adjustment mode in step A7 will be described. The adjustment of the image forming process
Pre-rotation of developer (stirring) and adjustment of toner concentration,
The charging of the photoreceptor belt, the adjustment of the amount of charge and exposure by the reference image exposure, and the development of the latent image obtained above are adjusted.

First, the preliminary rotation of the developing device and the adjustment of the toner density will be briefly described. As described above, since the developing units 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31B all function with the same configuration, the developing unit 31Y will be described as an example. The preliminary rotation of the developing device 31X is sufficiently stirred so that the stirring impellers 311 and 312 are rotated to sufficiently frictionally charge the developer D contained in the developing device 31Y (for example, 30 seconds to 30 seconds).
Stir for 1 minute). In the toner density adjustment, the toner density is measured by a toner density detecting means S1Y provided at the bottom of the developing device 31Y, and is compared with a preset toner density reference value. If the measured toner density is equal to or less than the toner density reference value, the toner T stored in the toner storage device 310 is moved into the developing device 31Y until the toner T stored in the toner storage device 310 reaches the toner density reference value by the rotation of the wiper plate 310a and the toner supply roller 315. Replenished. The toner density detecting means S1 can use an existing toner density detecting and detecting means such as an L detection sensor, a capacitance detection sensor, and a reflection densitometer.

Next, the charging of the photoreceptor belt, the adjustment of the charge amount and the exposure amount by the reference image exposure will be briefly described. The surface of the photoconductor drum 30 is uniformly charged by the charger 55, and a reference patch is exposed on the charged photoconductor drum 30 by the laser writing unit B. That is, an unexposed portion and an exposed portion are formed on the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 30. The surface potential of the unexposed portion and the exposed portion formed on the photosensitive drum 30 is measured by the charging potential measuring means S2. The surface potential of the measured unexposed portions and exposed portions, the unexposed portion surface conductive previously set
Position is compared with a reference value and an exposure unit surface potential reference value. Then, if the measured unexposed portion surface potential is not the unexposed portion surface potential reference value, the grid voltage of the charger 55 is adjusted to be the unexposed portion surface potential reference value. If the measured exposed portion surface potential is not the exposed portion surface potential reference value, the output of a semiconductor laser (not shown) is adjusted. In addition, charging
As the potential measuring unit S2, an existing charging potential measuring unit such as a surface potentiometer can be used.

Next, the adjustment of the developing device will be briefly described. The developing unit 31Y develops the latent image of the reference patch, which is the exposure unit adjusted and created as described above, to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 30. Then, the density of the formed toner image is measured by the toner image density measuring means S3. The measured toner image density is compared with a preset toner image density reference value. If the measured toner image density is not the toner image density reference value, the DC or further AC bias applied to the developing sleeve 313 of the developing device 31Y is adjusted. Incidentally, the toner image density measuring means S3
An existing density measuring means such as a reflection density measuring means can be used.

Next, the adjustment mode of step A5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition,
In this embodiment, an adjustment mode for adjusting a process unit of an image forming apparatus including four developing units 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31B for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black will be described.

When the adjustment mode is set in step A5, the stirring impellers 311, 3 are set as preliminary rotations of the developing units 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31B.
By rotating 12, the toner contained in the developing devices 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31B is agitated (step B2). Then, when the preliminary rotation is sufficiently performed, the toner density measuring means S1Y, S1M, S1C, 31B disposed in each of the developing devices 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31B causes the developing devices 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31B to have the same Measure the toner density.
If the measured toner densities of all the yellow, magenta, and cyan colors have reached the preset toner density reference values, the following adjustment is performed (step B3). Conversely, if the measured toner density is lower than the toner density reference value, the toner supply roller 315 for the color having the lower toner density is driven to supply the toner T to the developing device (step B5). And
Preliminary stirring and measurement of the toner density are performed again, and the measurement is repeated until the toner density measured for all colors reaches the toner density reference value.

When the adjustment of the toner density of each color is completed, the charger and the exposure are adjusted next. That is, the photoconductor drum 30 is rotated, the photoconductor drum 30 is uniformly charged by the charger 55 (step B6), and the photoconductor drum charged with the reference image set in advance by the laser writing system unit B. Exposure is performed on the surface 30 (step B7). Therefore, a latent image is formed on the exposed portion on the photosensitive drum 30. The surface potential of the unexposed portion on the photosensitive drum 30 is measured by the charging potential measuring means S2. The measured surface potentials of the unexposed portion and the exposed portion are compared with a preset reference value of an unexposed portion charging potential and a reference value of an exposed portion charging potential (Step B8). Move on. Conversely, if the measured charging potential deviates from the reference value, the grid voltage of the charger 21 and / or the output of the semiconductor laser is adjusted to adjust the surface potential and the exposure amount (Step B10, Step B11). ), again, charging, the reference image exposure, charge potential measurement was carried out, with the measured non-exposed portion and to the charging potential of the exposed portion becomes exposed portion charge potential reference value and the unexposed portion charge potential reference value charge exposure The amount adjustment is repeated.

However, j is determined to be j> 5 in step B9 if the charge amount and the exposure amount do not reach the predetermined values even if the adjustment is performed five times. It is determined that the predetermined image forming condition will not be satisfied even if the adjustment is performed many times because the image quality is deteriorated. That is, if j> 5, the process cartridge 3 is in an unusable state, meaning that an appropriate image cannot be formed. Therefore, prohibition information for prohibiting use of the process cartridge is output. (Step B13) Return to step A6. This prohibition information is stored in the IC card CD, detected by the image forming apparatus in steps A2 and A6 of FIG. 9 for determining the presence or absence of the stored information, and prohibiting use of the image forming apparatus. It should be noted that this numerical value 5 can be set arbitrarily and is not limited to this.

[0069] When the charging potential of the exposed portion charge potential of the unexposed portion becomes a predetermined value, a latent image forming section on the photoreceptor drum 30 is exposed part, first, the yellow toner as a developing device of a first color Developing is performed by the accommodated developing device 31Y to form a yellow toner image (step B14). Thereafter, the density of the yellow toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 is measured by the toner image density measuring means S3. The measured toner image density is compared with the toner image density reference value (step B15). If the measured toner image density is the toner image density reference value, the yellow toner image is held on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 while the toner image density is being held.
After passing under the cleaning blade 251, the adjustment of the developing device for the second color is started (step B22). Conversely, if the measured toner image density is not the toner image density reference value, the developing unit 31Y is adjusted by changing the developing bias voltage (step B17), and the cleaning unit 25 is adjusted.
To clean the yellow toner image (Step B).
18) The adjustment of the charge amount and the exposure amount is performed again. At this time, it is preferable to check whether the toner density in the developing device 31Y is the toner density reference value (step B3).

However, the reason why i> 5 is determined in step B16 is that if the developing device is not adjusted to the predetermined value even after performing the adjustment of the developing device five times by checking the toner image density, the photosensitive drum 30 or the developing device is initialized. It is determined that the predetermined image forming condition will not be satisfied even if the adjustment is made many times because fatigue and deterioration are progressing contrary to the prediction. That is, when i> 5, the process cartridge 3 is in an unusable state, meaning that an appropriate image cannot be formed. Therefore, prohibition information for prohibiting use of the process cartridge is output. (Step B2
0), after the photosensitive drum 30 is cleaned (step B24), the process returns to step A6. This prohibition information is stored in the IC card CD, detected by the image forming apparatus in steps A2 and A6 of FIG. 9 for determining the presence or absence of the stored information, and prohibiting use of the image forming apparatus. It should be noted that this numerical value 5 can be set arbitrarily and is not limited to this.

When the adjustment of the first color developing device 31Y is completed, the developing device 31 containing magenta toner as the second color is used.
Adjust M. This adjustment includes charging (step B6), reference image exposure (step B7), measurement of the amount of charge in the unexposed area and exposed area (step B8), development by the second color developing device 31M (step B14), The adjustment is performed in the same manner as the above-described first color developing device 31Y, such as the measurement of the toner image density of the second color (step B15). Then, when all adjustments for the second color developing device 31Y are completed, while passing through the cleaning blade 251 while holding the yellow toner image and the magenta toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 30, the third
Enter the adjustment of the developing device of the color. However, if the measured magenta toner image density is not the toner image density reference value (step B15), the charge amount and the exposure amount are adjusted again (step B10, step B11), and the developing device 31Y for the first color is adjusted. The adjustment (step B17), that is, the adjustment of the developing device 31X containing the yellow toner based on the yellow toner image density is started again.

When the adjustment of the developing device 31M for the second color is completed, the adjustment of the developing device 31C containing the cyan toner as the third color and the developing device containing the black toner as the fourth color are completed.
The adjustment of 31B is performed sequentially in the same manner as described above. However, also in these cases, if the measured toner image density is not the toner image density reference value, the adjustment of the charge amount, the exposure amount, and the developing device 31Y is performed again from the first color.

The image to be exposed and developed is generally solid, but the adjustment may be performed with an image having a gradation or an image with an intermediate gradation. Further, the exposure is performed by shifting the respective reference images so that the respective toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black do not overlap. However, an intermediate color image may be created by superimposing the respective colors.

The adjustments of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black developing units 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31B are all performed, and the measured densities of the yellow toner image, the magenta toner image, the cyan toner image, and the black toner image are respectively adjusted. If the toner image density reference value is matched, the toner on the photosensitive drum 30 is removed and cleaned by the cleaning means 25 (step B24), and an image can be formed, and the process returns to step A7 in FIG.

The adjustment mode when the color cartridge 3 is loaded has been described above. In short, since the color adjustment mode is performed by the same process as the above-described image forming process, it is possible to obtain an image having a good color balance which is the most important for a color image. If the intended image forming conditions cannot be satisfied even before the life of the process cartridge 3, the prohibition information indicating that the process cartridge 3 cannot be used is stored in the IC card CD. . Then, based on the prohibition information, the image forming apparatus prohibits the process cartridge 3 from forming an image.

In the present invention, the process cartridge
An IC card is used as storage means provided in the
The prohibition information is stored by a password. IC
When using a card, the shape of the IC card and the card surface
Display the relationship with the corresponding process cartridge.
The person in charge can be revealed and the wrong IC card is inserted
Is not performed, and the process cartridge
The effect that attachment and detachment can be easily performed
have.

[0077]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, if a process cartridge detachable from the apparatus main body does not satisfy image forming conditions even before the end of its life, the process cartridge has use prohibition information. And an image forming apparatus for prohibiting image formation based on the stored information.

As a result, useless image formation by an unusable process cartridge can be eliminated, and trouble can be prevented beforehand. Even if the process cartridge before the end of its life is used without worry, unforeseen circumstances may cause a problem. By detecting the prohibition information and prohibiting the image formation when the optimum image formation is no longer performed, there is an effect that an image with poor image quality is not formed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main configuration of a copying machine in which a color process cartridge is loaded.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which an upper housing of the copying machine of FIG. 1 is released.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main configuration of the developing device.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a developing unit to which a developing device is attached.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the IC card.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing connection and functions between the CPU of the main body and the IC of the IC card.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing connections and functions between the CPU of the main body and the IC of the IC card.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating life detection and replacement of a process cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an adjustment mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Main body (image forming apparatus) 2A Upper housing 2B Lower housing 3 Process cartridge 3A Developing unit 4 Guide member (rail) 30 Image carrier 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31B Developing device 301 Card mounting portion 302 Card selecting means CD IC card

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Masakazu Fukuchi 2970, Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Examiner in Konica Corporation Koji Higashi (56) References JP-A-1-263662 (JP, A) JP-A-63 JP-A-85763 (JP, A) JP-A-60-15651 (JP, A) JP-A-63-240564 (JP, A) JP-A-3-1106063 (JP, A) JP-A-2-36837 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/00 G03G 21/00-21/04 G03G 21/16-21/18

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a process cartridge in which an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and at least one of a developing unit and a cleaning unit are detachably provided. An IC card mounting section for mounting an IC card corresponding to the process cartridge is provided. The IC card has a function of storing the number of times of image formation and prohibits use of the process cartridge when a predetermined image forming condition is not satisfied. The image forming apparatus main body is provided with a charging potential measuring unit and / or a toner image density measuring unit; and the charging of the image carrier measured by the charging potential measuring unit is provided. When the potential does not reach the reference value as the use prohibition information even after adjusting the charging and image exposure, or the toner When the toner image density concentration measuring means has measured it does not reach the reference value to adjust the disable information even if the developing bias of the developing unit, the IC card disable information in the IC card mounted to the mounting portion Is stored, and the number of image formation stored in the IC card's count memory is
The process cartridge has reached the end of its life cycle.
Before the image forming apparatus main body side
An image forming apparatus that controls to prohibit image formation based on use prohibition information stored in a card .