JP3826647B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus using a tandem method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that detects whether a process unit is new or old.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional printer (image forming apparatus). In FIG. 1, a printer apparatus 1 includes a roof 2 which is an upper part of the apparatus main body and a lower part 3 of the apparatus main body. The roof 2 is provided with a paper discharge port 5 for discharging paper on its upper surface and a paper discharge tray 6 on which the discharged paper is stacked. A paper cassette 8 that is detachable from the front cover 7 and the lower part 3 of the apparatus main body is disposed, and an MPF (multi-paper feeder) 9 that can be stored in the lower part 3 of the apparatus main body is disposed on the right side thereof. An operation display unit 4 for inputting information to 1 and displaying the status of the printer 1 is provided.
[0003]
In the printer apparatus 1, the roof 2 is opened in the direction of arrow B around the rotation axis A when performing operations such as jam handling and maintenance. FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional configuration when the above-described printer apparatus 1 is opened, and also shows an internal structure thereof. As shown in the figure, the printer apparatus 1 has a detachable paper cassette 8, a paper feed roll 12 that sequentially feeds the sheets stacked and stored in the paper cassette 8, and temporarily waits for the fed paper. A pair of standby rolls 13 that are sent to the image forming unit 11 at a predetermined timing, a fixing device 14 that fixes the toner image on the paper, and a paper discharge roll pair 18 that discharges the fixed paper to the outside of the apparatus (drive roll 18a and driven roll 18b). ), And the above-described operation display unit 4 for performing various settings and status display on the printer apparatus 1.
[0004]
In the image forming unit 11, the charger 25 charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 23 with a uniform charge, and the print head 26 selectively selects the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 23 based on the print data. Exposure is performed, a low potential portion is formed by the exposure, and an electrostatic latent image composed of the initial charging potential and the exposure low potential portion is recorded on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 23. The developing device 27 transfers the internal toner to the low potential portion of the photosensitive drum 23 via the developing roll 27a, and visualizes (develops) the electrostatic latent image. The transfer device 28 transfers the toner image on the photoconductive drum 23 to the surface of the conveyed paper by an electric field having a reverse polarity.
[0005]
Of the image forming unit 11, the photosensitive drum 23, the charger 25, the developing device 27, the transfer device 28, the cleaner 24, and the like are provided in the lower part 3 of the apparatus main body, and the print head 26 is the roof 2 that is the upper part of the apparatus main body. Is provided.
[0006]
Here, the roof 2 is configured to be openable and closable in the direction of arrow B with the hinge portion 15 as a fulcrum with respect to the apparatus main body lower portion 3. At this time, the print head 26 and the follower roll 18b described above are opened and closed together with the roof 2. The roof 2 shown by a solid line in the figure shows a closed state, and the roof 2 shown by a dotted line shows an opened state. The lock mechanism 16 for holding the roof 2 in the closed position includes a claw portion 17a provided on the apparatus body lower portion 3 side, and an engagement portion 17b provided on the roof 2 side and engaged with the claw portion 17a. It is comprised by.
[0007]
On the other hand, most of the image forming unit 11 constitutes a cartridge C that is detachable with respect to the lower part 3 of the apparatus main body, which includes a first cartridge C1 in which a photosensitive drum 23, a cleaner 24, and the like are integrated, and a developing unit. The cartridge 7 and the like can be divided and combined with the second cartridge C2 formed by integrating the cartridge 7 and the like, and these cartridges C1 and C2 can be freely attached to and detached from a predetermined mounting portion of the lower part 3 of the apparatus body with the roof 2 opened. For example, maintenance such as maintenance and inspection such as replacement of these cartridges and supply of consumables is performed due to deterioration of the photosensitive member or toner consumption.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, color printer apparatuses (color image forming apparatuses) are widely used today, and various methods are used for color printing. For example, there is a system in which a plurality of developing devices are arranged in the vicinity of the peripheral surface of one photosensitive drum, and toner images are sequentially formed on the drum surface (method (A)). There is also a method using a drum-shaped intermediate transfer medium (method (b)), and a method in which a plurality of image forming units are arranged in a predetermined direction to form a toner image directly on a sheet (so-called tandem method). ) Is also present.
[0009]
Of these, the method (a) requires the use of a photoconductor drum having a large shape, which reduces the printing speed. In the method (b), since an intermediate transfer medium is used, the shape becomes large. Therefore, a tandem color printer that has excellent printing speed and less problems in terms of shape is promising. In this type of printer, for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) image forming units are used.
[0010]
Since the image forming apparatus uses four colors as described above, four image forming units are used, and each has a cartridge C2. Further, the toner in each cartridge C2 is sequentially consumed as it is used. For this reason, when a predetermined number of printing processes are completed, the cartridge C2 is replaced. However, in the above-described color printer apparatus, the replacement work of the four cartridges C2 is necessary, and the replacement is not always performed at the same time. Therefore, it is necessary to efficiently detect toner consumption and to determine the old and new cartridge C2.
[0011]
In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can efficiently determine whether a cartridge is new or old and can easily determine the replacement time of the cartridge.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the above object the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus detachably arranged wearing image forming unit having a developing device for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member with a developer, wherein the image forming unit, the agitating member for agitating the developer in the developing device, and a stirring shaft for rotating the the stirrer拌部material, opening for transmitting light are formed at predetermined intervals along a circle circumferential direction the stirring shaft and a rotating plate provided in the developing device outer part in order to work with, the mounting portion of the image forming unit of the apparatus main body, across the rotating plate when said image forming unit is mounted The light-emitting part and the light-receiving part are arranged so as to face each other, and light is transmitted and blocked from the light- emitting part through the opening and the non-opening part with the rotation of the rotating plate interlocked with the stirring shaft by the operation of the apparatus. the is detected by the light receiving section outputs an oFF signal A sensor, the above rotary stirring shaft constant velocity with a constant load when the developer in the developing device is present sufficiently, the rotation of the stirring shaft and the developer is depleted becomes unstable, output from the optical sensor in the image forming apparatus including a detection means for determining the replacement time of the developing agent in said developing unit to detect the consumption of the developer based on the fact that the time interval is changed in that the on-off signal, to said rotating plate Has a spiral groove formed radially outward from the center, and has a pin that fits into the spiral groove and is held movably in the vicinity of the outer portion of the developing unit. The pin is disposed at the outer peripheral position of the spiral groove so that the light from the opening is blocked between the rotating plate and the optical sensor when mounted on the mounting portion, and the initial operation of the apparatus Later on the rotation of the rotating plate A detection member that moves to a position that does not interfere with the detection by said detecting means by the pin is moved toward the center of the rotary plate through the spiral grooves provided me, said detecting means, said switching This can be achieved by providing an image forming apparatus that is configured to detect whether the image forming unit is new or old through the detection member in addition to the timing determination .
[0014]
Is the image forming unit and the agitating member for agitating the developer, the order to interlock the stirring shaft for rotating the the stirrer拌部material, opening for transmitting light and the stirring shaft is formed at predetermined intervals along a circle circumferential direction and a rotation provided in the developing device outer side plate, the mounting portion of the image forming units in the apparatus main body, the light receiving portion and the light emitting portion by sandwiching the rotating plate in the image forming unit is mounted The light receiving unit detects the transmission and blocking of light from the light emitting unit through the opening and the non-opening part with the rotation of the rotating plate interlocked with the stirring shaft by the operation of the apparatus. When the developer in the developing device is sufficiently present and the developer in the developing device is sufficiently present, the stirring shaft rotates at a constant speed by a constant load, and when the developer is insufficient, the rotation of the stirring shaft becomes unstable. will, of output from the light sensor That is based on the fact that the time interval of the on-off signal is changed by detecting the consumption of the developer comprises a detection means for determining the replacement time of the developer in the developing device, the above rotating plate center A spiral groove is formed radially outward from the pin and has a pin that fits into the spiral groove and is held movably near the outside of the developing device. said pin so as to interposed a position for blocking the light from the opening between the rotating plate and the optical sensor upon mounting of the parts is disposed on the outer peripheral position of the spiral groove, after the initial operation of the apparatus By providing a detection member that moves to a position that does not interfere with the detection by the detection means by moving the pin toward the center of the rotation plate through the spiral groove as the rotation plate rotates. The detecting means is In addition to the serial replacement timing determination configured to sense also old and new of the image forming unit via the sensing member.
[0015]
With this configuration, the image forming apparatus having the above configuration can easily determine whether the image forming unit is new or old, and can determine the replacement time of the image forming unit.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows an example of a so-called tandem color printer, which is an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus of this example is also a printer for duplex printing. In the figure, a printer device 31 is connected to a host device such as a personal computer by a cable (not shown).
[0017]
The printer apparatus 31 includes an apparatus main body upper part 32 and an apparatus main body lower part 33, an operation panel 34 is disposed on the apparatus main body upper part 32, and a printing paper discharge unit 35 is formed on the upper surface. The operation panel 34 includes a key operation unit 34a having a plurality of keys and a liquid crystal display 34b that performs display based on display information output from a CPU (not shown). Further, a print output created by an image forming unit, which will be described later, is discharged to the paper discharge unit 35 by the rotation of the paper discharge roll 36 and is sequentially stacked on the paper discharge unit 35.
[0018]
Further, a duplex printing conveyance unit and a paper feed cassette, which will be described later, are set in the lower part 33 of the apparatus main body. For example, by opening a lid (not shown) provided on the side surface of the printer device 31, a duplex printing conveyance described later is performed. It is the structure which can attach or detach a unit. Further, the apparatus main body lower portion 33 is provided with a front cover 37 that can be opened and closed on the front surface thereof and a paper feed cassette 38 that is detachable from the apparatus main body lower portion 33. For example, the front cover 37 is opened for jam processing, maintenance, or the like.
[0019]
Also, an MPF tray (multi-paper feed tray) mounting portion 39 and a cover 40 are provided on the right side surface of the apparatus main body lower portion 33. However, in FIG. 1, the MPF tray is not mounted on the mounting portion 39. The cover 40 is a cover for confirming a paper conveyance path, which will be described later. The cover 40 is opened to perform maintenance such as paper jam.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is an external view of the printer device 31 showing a state in which the front cover 37 and the cover 40 are opened. Further, as described above, the paper feed cassette 38 is housed in the lowermost stage of the printer device 31 of this example. When paper is supplied to the paper feed cassette 38, for example, the paper feed cassette 38 is pulled by pulling the handle 38a toward the front. Can be pulled out in the direction of the arrow.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of the printer 31 having the above-described appearance. In FIG. 1, the printer device 31 includes an image forming unit 41, a duplex printing transport unit 42, and a paper feed unit 43. Here, the image forming unit 41 has a configuration in which four image forming units 44 to 47 are juxtaposed in the direction of the arrow, and magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow ( Y) and black (K) in this order. The magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y) image forming units 44 to 46 are configured to perform color printing by subtractive color mixing, and the black (K) image forming unit 47 is monochrome printing. Used for.
[0022]
Each of the image forming units 44 to 46 includes a drum set C1 (first process unit) and a toner set C2 (second process unit), and the developer (color) stored in the developing container. The configuration is the same except for. Therefore, the configuration will be described using the image forming unit 46 for yellow (Y) as an example. The drum set C1 contains a photosensitive drum, a charger, a print head, and a cleaner, and the toner set C2 contains a developing roll and toner. The peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 50 is made of, for example, an organic photoconductive material. In the vicinity of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 50, a charger 51a, a print head 51b, a developing roll 51c, a transfer unit 51d, and a cleaner 51e are provided. They are arranged sequentially. The photosensitive drum 50 rotates in the direction of the arrow. First, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 50 is uniformly charged by applying a charge from the charger 51a. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 50 by optical writing based on print information from the print head 51b, and a toner image is formed by development processing by the developing roll 51c. At this time, the toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 50 is made of yellow (Y) toner stored in the developing container 51c. The toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 50 in this way reaches the position of the transfer roll 51d as the photosensitive drum 50 rotates in the arrow direction, and immediately below the photosensitive drum 50 in the arrow direction. Transferred to moving paper.
[0023]
On the other hand, the paper is transported by the paper feed cassette 38, the standby roll 52, the transport belt 53, the drive roll 54, etc. constituting the paper feed unit 43. The unloaded paper is sent to the standby roll 52, and further sent onto the transport belt 53 at a timing coincident with the toner image, and reaches the transfer portion 51d. Then, the toner image is transferred in the transfer unit 51d, and the sheet on which the toner image is transferred moves on the conveyance belt 53 in the direction of the arrow in accordance with the movement of the conveyance belt 53, and a heat fixing process is performed in the fixing unit 56.
[0024]
In addition to the yellow (Y) toner image, not only the yellow (Y) toner image but also magenta (M) and cyan (C) toner images transferred by the drum set C1 and toner set C2 of other colors are transferred to the upper surface of the paper. Then, color printing according to the subtractive color mixture described above is performed.
[0025]
The above-mentioned paper includes not only the paper carried out from the paper feed cassette 38 but also the paper supplied from the MPF tray 39 ′. In this case, the paper is carried in by the paper feed roller 39a, and enters the above-mentioned path. A printing process is performed along the line.
[0026]
The fixing unit 56 includes heat rolls 56a and 56b and a cleaning roll 56c. For example, a plurality of color toner images transferred onto the paper while the paper P is nipped and conveyed between the heat rolls 56a and 56b. Is melted and thermally fixed on the paper P. The cleaning roll 56c has a function of applying release oil to the peripheral surface of the heat roll 56a and removing toner remaining on the heat roll 56a. The sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 56 is conveyed upward or leftward on the sheet surface via the switching plate 61.
[0027]
On the other hand, the duplex printing transport unit 42 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body, and is a unit to be mounted when duplex printing is performed by the printer device 31 of this example, and a plurality of transport rolls 60a to 60e are disposed therein. Has been. In the case of duplex printing, the sheet is once sent upward by the switching plate 61. For example, when the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the transport roll 62, the transport of the sheet is stopped and the sheet is transported in the opposite direction. By this control, the sheet is conveyed downward on the left side of the switching unit 61 set at the position indicated by the dotted line, is carried into the sheet conveyance path of the duplex printing conveyance unit 42, and is conveyed by the conveyance rolls 60a to 60e. It reaches the standby roll 52 and is sent to the transfer unit at the same timing as the toner image as described above, and the toner image is transferred to the back side of the paper.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the apparatus main body upper part 32 is opened. As shown in the figure, the apparatus main body upper part 32 is opened while maintaining a substantially horizontal position with respect to the apparatus main body lower part 33. Therefore, at the time of opening, the drum set C1 and the toner set C2 can be inserted and removed in a substantially horizontal direction.
[0029]
From this, when exchanging the drum set C1, as shown in FIG. 5, the drum set C1 is pulled out and a new drum set C1 is inserted. Similarly, when the toner set C2 is replaced, as shown in FIG. 6, the toner set C2 is pulled out and a new toner set C2 is inserted. Therefore, according to this example, the drum set C1 and the toner set C2 can be easily replaced. As described above, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the drum set C1 and the toner set C2 can be inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body independently.
[0030]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the toner set C2. The encoder 70 shown in the figure is provided behind the toner set C2. The encoder 70 is attached to a stirring shaft 71 that rotates the stirring member. Reference numeral 72 denotes a rotating shaft of the developing roller 51c, and reference numeral 73 denotes a rotating mechanism used when the toner set C2 is connected to the drum set C1.
[0031]
FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the encoder 70 described above. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the encoder 70, and FIG. 8B is a front view of the encoder 70. The encoder 70 has a plurality of openings 74 having the same shape near the outer periphery thereof, and the openings 74 are arranged at the same interval. The opening 74 is a hole through which light from a photosensor described later passes. Further, a hole 75 for attaching the above-described stirring shaft 71 is provided at the center of the encoder 70. Further, the encoder 70 is formed with a spiral groove 76, and a pin to be described later is fitted into the spiral groove 76.
[0032]
On the other hand, FIG. 9 shows a detection member 77 for detecting whether the toner set C2 is new or old. The detection member 77 is provided with a rib 78 and two ribs 79a and 79b provided on the back side of the rib 78. Yes. Here, the rib 78 is fitted into a spiral groove 76 formed in the encoder 70 described above. On the other hand, the ribs 79a and 79b are fitted into grooves formed in the encoder cover 80 described later.
[0033]
FIG. 10 is a front view showing a structure in which the detection member 77 having the above-described configuration is attached to the encoder 70 and the encoder cover 81, and FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional configuration thereof. As described above, the encoder 70 is attached to the stirring shaft 71, and the encoder 70 rotates according to the rotation of a stirring member (not shown). The encoder cover 81 is attached to the toner set C2, and the detection member 77 is attached to the encoder cover 81 via a holder 82 so as to be movable up and down. In addition, the arrangement | positioning structure of the developing roll 51c is also shown by the same figure.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 10, long long grooves 84a and 84b are provided on the encoder cover 81 side, and ribs 79a formed on the detection member 77 are fitted into the long groove 84a, and detection is performed in the long groove 84b. The rib 79b formed in the member 77 is fitted. The photo sensor 83 is arranged with the above-described encoder 70 interposed therebetween, and detects light transmission or light shielding through the opening 74. Further, the aforementioned detection member 77 is in a position to shield the opening 74 when it is new.
[0035]
Next, the driving operation of the detection member 77 in the above configuration will be described.
First, in the new toner set C2, the detection member 77 is positioned at the lowest position of the encoder 70 at the time of factory setting. In this case, the rib 78 of the detection member 77 is at the outer peripheral position of the spiral groove 76 shown in FIG. 8B, and the ribs 79a and 79b are at the lowest position of the long grooves 84a and 84b. In this state, when the printer device 31 is used, the stirring member rotates, and the encoder 70 is rotated via the stirring shaft 71. By this rotation, the photo sensor 83 determines the transmission of light through the opening 74. However, when the toner set C2 is new, the detection member 77 blocks the light and cannot detect the light. Therefore, it is detected by the signal output from the photosensor 83 that the toner set C2 is new.
[0036]
On the other hand, when the printer device 31 continues to be driven, the encoder 70 continues to rotate and gradually moves the rib 78 (detection member 77) fitted in the spiral groove 76 upward. Thereafter, for example, when the rib 78 reaches the innermost peripheral portion of the spiral groove 76, the detection member 77 moves upward from the position where the light of the photosensor 83 is blocked, and the photosensor 83 opens thereafter as the encoder 70 rotates. 74 is judged to pass. In this case, the signal output from the photosensor 83 is a signal that repeats ON and OFF at predetermined time intervals. Therefore, it is determined that the toner set C2 is an old product based on an on / off signal output from the photosensor 83 at regular time intervals.
[0037]
Thereafter, the printer device 31 repeats the printing process. When the toner is insufficient, the stirring shaft 71 does not rotate at a constant speed. That is, when the toner is sufficiently present, the stirring shaft 71 rotates at a constant speed with a constant load. However, when the toner is insufficient, the rotation of the stirring shaft 71 becomes unstable. Therefore, when the output of the photo sensor 83 is no longer an on / off signal with a fixed period, it is determined that it is time to replace the toner set C2.
[0038]
As described above, according to this example, it is possible to determine whether the toner set C2 is new or old and to determine the replacement time of the toner set C2 by using the encoder 70 and the detection member 77 having the above-described configuration. In addition, the output change of the photo sensor 83 can be confirmed by, for example, the CPU, and the above determination can be easily made.
<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0039]
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of encoders, detection members, and the like for explaining this example. In addition, the figure (a) is the sectional drawing, and the figure (b) is a front view. Other configurations of the printer device 31, for example, the arrangement configuration of the drum set C1 and the toner set C2, the configuration of the link mechanism, and the like are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.
[0040]
In FIG. 12, an encoder 90 has a plurality of openings 91 and a long opening (slit) 92 having the same shape in the vicinity of the outer periphery thereof. The encoder 90 is provided with a detection member 94 that is rotatably attached to a standing pin 93. Therefore, the detection member 94 is always in a state of hanging with the pin 93 as a fulcrum, and the opening (slit) 92 is divided into two in the new state shown in FIG. A photosensor 95 is also provided, and the photosensor 95 is disposed with the encoder 90 interposed therebetween, and detects transmission or blocking of light through the opening 91 and the opening (slit) 92 as described above. As described above, when the toner set C2 is new, the opening (slit) 92 is shielded by the detection member 94.
[0041]
On the other hand, the blocking member 96 for blocking the swinging when the detection member 9 4 passes under is provided in this example. The blocking member 96 has a spiral shaft 97, and for example, the driving force of the toner set C2 is transmitted to move the blocking member 96 in the direction of arrow a. The movement of the blocking member 96 moves over the one convex portion 95b of the photosensor 95 described above.
[0042]
Next, the driving operation of the detection member 94 in the above configuration will be described.
First, the new toner set C2 is in the state shown in FIG. This state is the same as the state of FIG. Thereafter, when the printer device 31 is driven and the encoder 90 rotates, the detection member 94 also moves upward via the pin 93 and rotates in a swinging state according to the rotation of the encoder 90. For example, FIG. 13B shows the state at this time. Further, during this time, the photo sensor 95 detects light transmitted through the opening 91 and the opening (slit) 92 and supplies an on / off signal with a constant period to the CPU. However, in the case of this example, the light transmitted through the opening (slit) 92 is light divided into two, which is a timing signal slightly different from the interval of the openings 91.
[0043]
Thereafter, when the driving of the printer device 31 continues, the blocking member 96 gradually moves in the direction of arrow a by the driving of the spiral shaft 97. FIGS. 14A and 14B show this state. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, the spiral shaft 97 is driven in accordance with the driving of the printer device 31, and the blocking member 96 is moved in the direction of arrow a. Thereafter, the photosensor 95 moves beyond the one convex portion 95b to the position shown in FIG. This state is a position where the outer periphery of the blocking member 96 contacts the pin 98 of the detection member 94. Therefore, when the blocking member 96 moves to the above position, the detection member 94 that moves while swinging has its pin 98 in contact with the blocking member 96 and is in the state shown in FIG.
[0044]
Therefore, while the opening (slit) 92 passes the position of the photosensor 95, the detection member 94 cannot block the light of the photosensor 95, and the output of the photosensor 95 is a signal that repeatedly turns on and off. Is a long ON signal at the position of the opening (slit) 92. Therefore, the CPU determines that the toner set C2 is an old product based on a signal output from the photosensor 95.
[0045]
Thereafter, the printer device 31 repeats the printing process, and when the toner is insufficient as described above, the stirring shaft 71 does not rotate at a constant speed. Therefore, when the output of the photo sensor 95 becomes unstable, it is determined that it is time to replace the toner set C2. As described above, also in this example, it is possible to easily determine whether the toner set C2 is new or old and determine the replacement timing of the toner set C2.
<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0046]
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of encoders, detection members, and the like for explaining this example. In addition, the figure (a) is the sectional drawing, and the figure (b) is a front view. Also in the configuration of this example, in addition to the printer device 31, for example, the arrangement configuration of the drum set C1 and the toner set C2, the configuration of the link mechanism, and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0047]
In FIG. 15, an encoder 90 has a plurality of openings 91 and long openings (slits) 92 having the same shape in the vicinity of the outer periphery thereof, and has the same configuration as that of the second embodiment. Further, the detection member 94 is also rotatably attached to a pin 93 erected on the encoder 90 and has a swingable configuration. On the other hand, the blocking member 99 is disposed at a position different from that described above, and is disposed at a position where the detection member 94 is retracted upward by abutting against the pin 98 after moving in the arrow a direction by the spiral shaft 99 ′. . The photo sensor 95 is disposed at the same position as described above.
[0048]
In the above configuration, when the encoder 90 rotates, the detection member 94 also rotates in the same manner as described above, and rotates in a swinging state according to the rotation of the encoder 90. In this state, the photosensor 95 detects light transmitted through the opening 91 and the opening (slit) 92 and supplies an ON / OFF signal with a constant period to the CPU. On the other hand, when the driving of the printer device 31 is continued, the blocking member 99 gradually moves in the direction of the arrow a by the drive of the spiral shaft 99 ′, and the outer periphery of the blocking member 99 comes into contact with the pin 98 of the detection member 94. As shown by a dotted line in FIG. 15B, 94 is retracted upward and does not shield the photosensor 95.
[0049]
Therefore, while the opening (slit) 92 passes through the position of the photosensor 95, the detection member 94 does not block the light of the photosensor 95, and the output of the photosensor 95 is a signal that repeatedly turns on and off. A long ON signal is obtained at the position of (slit) 92. Therefore, the CPU can determine that the toner set C2 is an old product based on the signal output from the photosensor 95.
[0050]
Thereafter, the printer device 31 repeats the printing process, Ri kuna stirring shaft 71, such constant velocity rotating the same manner as described above toner is depleted, the process indicating that a replacement timing of the toner set C2 is as defined above . Therefore, also in this example, it is possible to easily determine whether the toner set C2 is new or old or determine the replacement timing of the toner set C2.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily determine whether a toner set (second process unit) is new or old, and it is possible to easily determine whether a plurality of toner sets are installed.
[0052]
Further, it is possible to easily determine the replacement timing of the toner set, and to perform efficient toner set replacement determination and replacement processing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a so-called tandem color printer, which is an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an external view of the printer apparatus showing a state in which a front cover or the like is opened.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of the printer apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the upper part of the apparatus main body is opened.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a drum set is pulled out and a new drum set is inserted.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a toner set is pulled out and a new toner set is inserted.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner set.
8A is a cross-sectional view of an encoder, and FIG. 8B is a front view of the encoder.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a detection member.
FIG. 10 is a front view showing a structure in which a detection member is attached to an encoder and an encoder cover.
11 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of FIG.
FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams for explaining the arrangement of an encoder, a detection member, and the like for explaining the second embodiment.
13A is a diagram illustrating a state of a new toner set at the time of shipment from the factory, FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating a rotation state of a detection member, and FIG. 13C is a diagram illustrating a state of an old product. is there.
FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams illustrating movement of a detection member.
FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining the arrangement of an encoder, a detection member, and the like for explaining the third embodiment. FIGS.
FIG. 16 is an overall configuration diagram of a conventional printer apparatus.
FIG. 17 is an internal configuration diagram of a conventional printer apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
31 Printer device 32 Upper device body 33 Lower device body 34 Operation panel 34a Key operation unit 34b Liquid crystal display 35 Paper discharge unit 36 Paper discharge roll 37 Front cover 38 Paper feed cassette 39 MPF tray 40 Cover 41 Image forming unit 42 Transport for double-sided printing Unit 43 Paper feed unit 44 to 47 Image forming unit 50 Photosensitive drum 51a Charger 51b Print head 51c Developing roll 51d Transfer device 51e Cleaner 52 Standby roll 53 Conveying belt 54 Drive roll 55 Paper feed roller 56 Fixing units 56a and 56b 56c Cleaning rolls 60a to 60e Conveying roll 61 Switching plate 62 Conveying roll 70 Encoder 71 Stirring shaft 72 Rotating shaft 73 Rotating mechanism 74 Opening 75 Hole 76 Spiral groove 77 Detection member 78 Rib 79a, 79b Rib 80 Encoder cover 81 Encoder cover 82 Holder 83 Photo sensor 84a, 84b Long groove 90 Encoder 91 Opening 92 Opening (slit)
93 Pin 94 Detection member 95 Photo sensor 95b One convex part 96 Blocking member 97 Spiral shaft 99 Blocking member 99 'Spiral shaft

Claims (1)

An image forming apparatus detachably arranged wearing image forming unit having a developing device for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member with a developer,
The image forming unit includes a stirring member for stirring the developer in the developing device, a stirring shaft for rotating the the stirrer拌部material, opening for transmitting light are formed at predetermined intervals along a circle circumferential direction the stirring in order to work with the shaft provided with said developing device rotary plate provided on the outer part,
The image forming unit mounting portion of the apparatus main body is disposed so that the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion face each other across the rotating plate when the image forming unit is mounted. an optical sensor that outputs an on-off signal transmission and blocking of light from the light emitting portion in accordance with the rotation of the rotating plate through the opening and non-opening portion in conjunction with the shaft is detected by the light receiving unit, the developing unit When the developer is sufficiently present, the stirring shaft rotates at a constant speed with a constant load, and when the developer is insufficient, the rotation of the stirring shaft becomes unstable, and the time interval of the on / off signal output from the optical sensor in the image forming apparatus including a detection means for determining but the replacement timing of the developer changes the developing unit to detect the consumption of the developer based on the fact that,
The rotary plate has a spiral groove formed radially outward from the center, and has a pin that fits into the spiral groove, and is held movably in the vicinity of the outside of the developing device. The pin is disposed at the outer peripheral position of the spiral groove so as to be interposed between the rotating plate and the optical sensor at a position where light from the opening is blocked when mounted on the mounting portion when new. After the initial operation of the apparatus, as the rotating plate rotates, the pin moves toward the center of the rotating plate through the spiral groove to move to a position that does not hinder the detection by the detecting means. Provide a detection member ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured to detect whether the image forming unit is new or old through the detection member in addition to the determination of the replacement time.

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