JP4476751B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus including a printing position correction unit for each color image forming unit, such as a color electrophotographic printer.

  In a color image recording apparatus such as a color electronic printer, four color image forming units are arranged in the recording medium conveyance direction. The four color image forming units respectively form color images of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) on the recording medium in a tandem state. Therefore, rotation unevenness occurs due to the eccentricity of the photosensitive drum and the driving gear for driving the photosensitive drum. This uneven rotation leads to the occurrence of periodic positional deviation of each color image on the recording medium, that is, the occurrence of periodic color deviation.

Various techniques for preventing this periodic color misregistration have been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
In this Patent Document 1, periodic marking is performed by providing marking in the eccentric direction of the photosensitive drum, detecting the mark, and adjusting the rotational phase of the photosensitive drum corresponding to the detected position of the mark. The color shift is reduced by synchronizing the color shift between the colors.
However, in the above technique, the eccentric direction of the photosensitive drum needs to be measured in advance at the time of manufacture or the like, which is a major factor in increasing the cost. Furthermore, the implementation involves considerable difficulties such as calculations based on complex mathematical expressions.
JP-A-10-333398 (summary)

  The problem to be solved is that it becomes a major factor of cost increase and is accompanied by considerable difficulty in implementation.

In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, a rotating body phase difference setting unit capable of individually setting a rotating phase of a rotating body respectively included in a plurality of color image forming units, and the rotating body phase difference setting unit sets a predetermined relative phase difference. A misregistration detecting means for detecting print misregistration values at a plurality of positions between the pair of color image forming means from a misregistration detection pattern formed by a pair of color image forming means on a predetermined recording medium; A displacement detection unit that stores displacement detection values at a plurality of positions detected by the detection unit and a predetermined relative phase difference between the pair of color image forming units is changed a plurality of times by the rotating body phase difference setting unit, thereby detecting the displacement. The printing position deviation value at a plurality of positions is detected every time a plurality of changes are made, and the variation in the printing position deviation value at a plurality of positions is the largest from the position deviation detection values stored at the storage means for each of the plurality of changes. To determine the relative phase difference to be as variations optimum value, and the print position correcting means for correcting said relative phase difference to the fluctuation optimum value, the idle gear to the photosensitive drum to transmit the rotational force of the driving motor to the photosensitive drum The drum phase / idle gear dissociation unit that physically dissociates the transmission of the rotational force is provided, and by dissociating the transmission of the rotational force from the idle gear to the photosensitive drum by the drum gear / idle gear dissociation unit, the rotating body phase difference setting unit is The relative phase difference of the photosensitive drum constituting the rotating body and the relative phase difference of the idle gear can be individually set.

  There is an effect that it is possible to easily suppress the positional deviation of the periodic printing position based on the eccentricity of the photosensitive drum and the eccentricity of the idle gear easily without increasing the cost.

  A rotational phase difference of the photosensitive drum between a pair of color image forming units, for example, the image forming unit K (black) and the image forming unit Y (yellow) is set to, for example, 0 degrees (initial state), and a predetermined printing position shift Five detection patterns are printed in tandem on the conveyor belt. These five patterns are printed at equal intervals in a length corresponding to twice the circumference of the photosensitive drum. The printing position deviation value for each of the five printing position deviation detection patterns is detected.

Subsequently, the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit K is rotated to set the rotational phase difference between the two photosensitive drums to 120 degrees, for example, and the printing position deviation value for each of the five printing position deviation detection patterns is set as in the case of 0 degree. Detected.
Subsequently, the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit K is rotated to set the rotational phase difference between the two photosensitive drums to, for example, 240 degrees, and the printing position deviation value for each of the five printing position deviation detection patterns is set as in the case of 0 degree. Detected.

Among the three sets (0 degrees, 120 degrees, and 240 degrees) of detected printing position deviations detected in this way, the set with the smallest positional deviation value fluctuation of the five detected patterns is selected. The rotational phase difference of the drum is determined to be the fluctuation optimum value.
Next, the image forming unit K is fixed, the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit Y is rotated, and the rotational phase difference between the two photosensitive drums is set to the above-described optimal fluctuation value.
The same process is performed between the image forming unit K (black) and the image forming unit M (magenta) and between the image forming unit K (black) and the image forming unit C (cyan).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control system of the present invention.
1, the control system of the present invention includes a host interface unit 1, a command / image processing unit 2, an LED head interface unit 3, a high voltage control unit 4, a CH generation unit 5, a DB generation unit 6, TR generator 7, hopping motor 8, registration motor 9, belt motor 10, heater motor 11, drum drive motor (K, Y, M, C) 12, sensor 13, thermistor 14, environment A temperature sensor 15, a color misregistration detection sensor 16, a heater 17, image forming units 21K, 21Y, 21M, and 21C, LED heads 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C, and a mechanism control unit 18 are provided.

Before describing details of these components, an outline of a printing mechanism to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the printing mechanism.
As shown in the drawing, four image forming units 21K, 21Y, 21M, and 21C are arranged in the printing mechanism unit along a conveyance path from the recording medium insertion side to the discharge side. Here, K, Y, M, and C represent black, yellow, magenta, and cyan colors, respectively (hereinafter the same). The inside includes photosensitive drums 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C whose surfaces are uniformly charged by charging rollers 22K, 22Y, 22M, and 22C. An electrostatic latent image according to the image data is formed on the surface by the LED heads 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C.

  The electrostatic latent image is supplied from the toner cartridges 27K, 27Y, 27M, and 27C by the developing rollers 24K, 24Y, 24M, and 24C, the developing blades 25K, 25Y, 25M, and 25C, the sponge rollers 26K, 26Y, 26M, and 26C, and the like. Color toner is supplied and developed.

  The toner that has developed the electrostatic latent image is transferred onto a recording medium that is conveyed in the direction from the image forming unit 21K to the image forming unit 21C on the conveying belt 29 by the transfer rollers 28K, 28Y, 28M, and 28C. The conveyor belt 29 is circulated by a driving roller 30 and a driven roller 31.

  Around the transport belt 29, a color misregistration detection sensor 16 for detecting color misregistration, a cleaning blade 33, and a waste toner tank 34 are arranged. The color misregistration detection sensor 16 is a sensor that irradiates a later-described misregistration detection pattern formed on the conveyor belt 29 with a predetermined light beam and receives the reflected light to detect a print misregistration value. The cleaning blade 33 is a part that removes a later-described positional deviation detection pattern formed on the conveyor belt 29, and the waste toner tank 34 is a part that stores the removed waste toner.

  When the recording medium at the time of printing is taken out from the paper storage cassette 35 by the hopping roller 36, the recording medium is guided by the guide 37 and reaches the registration roller 38. The oblique feeding of the recording medium is corrected by the registration roller 38 and the opposing pinch roller 39. The recording medium is then guided between the suction roller 40 and the conveyance belt 29 by the registration roller 38. The suction roller 40 charges the recording medium together by being pressed against the driven roller 31, and electrostatically attracts the recording medium onto the transport belt 29.

  The recording medium on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer rollers 28K, 28Y, 28M, and 28C is sent to the heat roller 41 and the pressure roller 42. Here, the toner image is heated and fixed on the recording medium. Here, the temperature of the heat roller 41 is detected by the thermistor 14.

The recording medium after fixing is stored in the stacker 44 through the guide 43, and the printing process is completed.
In order to detect the position of the recording medium in the process described above, position sensors 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, and 13-4 are arranged at predetermined positions.
Now, the description of the outline of the printing mechanism is finished, and the control system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The host interface unit 1 serves as an interface with an external device, that is, a host computer.
The command / image processing unit 2 is a part that analyzes, edits, develops a print job received from an external apparatus, and outputs bitmap data and various control instructions.
The LED head interface unit 3 is a part for sending one line of bitmap data output from the command / image processing unit 2 to the LED heads 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C.

  As described above, the LED heads 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C receive bitmap data for one line from the LED head interface unit 3 and turn on the LEDs corresponding to the bitmap data, and the photosensitive drums 23K, 23Y. , 23M and 23C are portions that generate electrostatic latent images on the surface.

The high voltage control unit 4 is a part that controls the generation of the charge voltage (CH), the developing bias voltage (DB), and the transfer voltage (TR) based on the control of the mechanism control unit 18.
The CH generating unit 5 is a part that supplies a charge voltage (CH) to the image forming units 21K, 21Y, 21M, and 21C based on the control of the high voltage control unit 4. This charge voltage (CH) is applied to the charging rollers 22K, 22Y, 22M, and 22C (FIG. 2).

The DB generation unit 6 is a part that supplies a developing bias voltage (DB) to the image forming units 21K, 21Y, 21M, and 21C based on the control of the high-voltage control unit 4. The developing bias voltage (DB) is applied to the developing rollers 24K, 24Y, 24M, and 24C (FIG. 2).
The TR generation unit 7 is a part that supplies a transfer voltage (TR) to the image forming units 21K, 21Y, 21M, and 21C based on the control of the high-voltage control unit 4. This transfer voltage (TR) is applied to the transfer rollers 28K, 28Y, 28M, and 28C (FIG. 2).

The hopping motor 8 is a motor that drives the hopping roller 36 (FIG. 2) based on the control of the mechanism control unit 18.
The registration motor 9 is a motor that drives the registration roller 38 (FIG. 2) based on the control of the mechanism control unit 18.
The heater motor 11 is a motor that drives the heat roller 41 (FIG. 2) based on the control of the mechanism control unit 18.
The drum drive motors (K, Y, M, C) 12 are motors that drive the photosensitive drums 23K, 23Y, 23M, 23C (FIG. 2) based on the control of the mechanism control unit 18.

Sensors 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, and 13-4 are position sensors for detecting the position of the print medium during the printing process. This detection signal is sent to the mechanism control unit 18.
The thermistor 14 is a temperature sensor that detects the fixing temperature of the heat roller 41 (FIG. 2). This detected temperature is sent to the mechanism control unit 18.
The environmental temperature sensor 15 is a sensor that detects the temperature inside the apparatus.

  The color misregistration detection sensor 16 is a reflection type optical sensor, and measures the reflection intensity of the print misregistration detection pattern printed on the conveyor belt 29 (FIG. 2), and a plurality of image forming units 21K, 21Y, 21M, 21C. This is a sensor for detecting a printing position deviation value (hereinafter referred to as a color deviation and the same concept). Here, a printing misregistration value detection method using a plurality of image forming units 21K, 21Y, 21M, and 21C employed in the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a print position deviation detection pattern.
(A) shows a K pattern serving as a reference for the printing position deviation, and (b) shows a subsequent Y pattern (same for M and C).
The K pattern shown in (a) is obtained by drawing four (one example) striped patterns of 5 dot width (one example) perpendicularly to the sub-scanning direction at intervals of five dots. Nine blocks (one example) are arranged in a straight line with a fixed interval a in the sub-scanning direction with four striped patterns as one block.

  The Y pattern shown in (b) starts with a relative phase difference of 4 bits behind the K pattern, and four striped patterns (one example) perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction are provided at intervals of 5 dots. (Example) It is drawn. Four striped patterns are arranged as one block and arranged in 9 blocks (one example) in a straight line with a constant interval b in the sub-scanning direction. However, the block interval b is set to be one dot narrower than the K pattern.

  Accordingly, the relative position between the K pattern and the Y pattern is set in a state where the Y pattern is delayed by 4 dots as a relative phase difference from the K pattern in the most upstream direction (first block) in the belt traveling direction. The second block is delayed by 3 dots, the third block is delayed by 2 dots, and so on. In the ninth block, the Y pattern is advanced by 4 dots relative to the K pattern in the relative position.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a printing position deviation detection result.
It is a block diagram of the pattern when the K pattern and the Y pattern are printed in tandem by the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y.

(A) represents a printing result when there is no print position deviation between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y.
That is, the K pattern precedes the belt travel direction upstream (first block), and the Y pattern precedes the belt travel downstream (9th block), and the fifth block (center block). ), The K pattern matches the Y pattern. Therefore, the area where the conveyance belt having the highest light reflectance appears directly on the surface is larger than all other blocks.

  Further, since the Y toner and the underlying K toner only cover the conveying belt (not fixed), the conveying belt is not seen through. As a result, the output of the color misregistration detection sensor 16 becomes maximum at the position of the fifth block.

(B) represents a printing result when the image forming unit 21K is displaced by 2 dots in the belt traveling direction between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y.
That is, the K pattern precedes the belt travel direction most upstream (first block), and the Y pattern precedes the belt travel direction most downstream (9th block). In the third block, the K pattern matches the Y pattern.

By detecting a block in which the K pattern and the Y pattern match from the print result reproduced as shown in FIG. 4 using the color misregistration detection sensor 16, the relative relationship between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y is detected. It is possible to easily detect a typical misalignment value.
Hereinafter, the relative positional deviation between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21M and the relative positional deviation value between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21C are detected in the same manner.

Returning to FIG. 1, the heater 17 is a heater for heating the heat roller 41.
The mechanism control unit 18 is a part that controls the entire control system described above, and has the following internal configuration.
FIG. 5 is an internal configuration diagram of the mechanism control unit.
As shown in the figure, the mechanism control unit 18 is necessary for executing a CPU (Central Processing Control Unit) 18-1, a program ROM 18-2 for storing a control program for executing the control means, and the control means. A memory 18-3 for storing various data and the like, and a custom LSI 18-4 for dividing the control system into four systems of K, Y, M, and C.

  Further, the control system is divided into four colors from the custom LSI 18-4. Each control system includes a drum drive motor 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C, and a motor drive IC 18- that outputs a drive pulse to the drum drive motor. 6K, 18-6Y, 18-6M, and 18-6C are connected. Further, pulse counters 18-5K, 18-5Y, 18-5M, and 18-5C for counting the number of drive pulses output from the motor drive IC are arranged.

Returning to FIG. 1 again, in the present invention, the mechanism control unit 18 particularly includes the rotator phase difference setting means 18-1-1, the position deviation detection means 18-1-2, and the position deviation storage means 18-1-3. And a printing position correcting means 18-1-4.
The rotator phase difference setting unit 18-1-1 is configured to individually set the rotation phases of the rotators respectively included in the image forming unit 21K, the image forming unit 21Y, the image forming unit 21M, and the image forming unit 21C. Means.

  Here, the rotating body includes the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2), the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2), the photosensitive drum 23M (FIG. 2), the photosensitive drum 23C (FIG. 2), and the drum motors (K, Y, M, C) An idle gear (described later in Embodiment 2) for transmitting a driving force from 12 (FIG. 2) to the photosensitive drum.

  The misregistration detection unit 18-1-2 is a pair of image forming units, for example, the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y, to which the rotating body phase difference setting unit 18-1-1 sets a predetermined relative phase difference. It is a control means for detecting a printing misregistration value between the pair of color image forming units from a misregistration detection pattern formed on a predetermined recording medium. That is, a control unit that prints a pair of print misregistration detection patterns (FIG. 3) on the conveyance belt 29 (FIG. 2) and detects a print misregistration value (FIG. 4) using the color misregistration detection sensor 16 (FIG. 2). It is.

  The misregistration storage unit 18-1-3 is a storage unit that stores the misregistration value detected by the misregistration detection unit 18-1-2. That is, a printing position deviation value detected between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y, a printing position deviation value between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21M detected by the position deviation detection unit 18-1-2, This is a storage unit (the memory 18-3 in FIG. 5 corresponds) that stores a print position deviation value between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21C. As shown in FIG. 5, this storage unit may be provided exclusively inside the mechanism control unit 18 or may be used in combination with a RAM (random access memory) provided for controlling the entire apparatus. Also good.

  The printing position correcting unit 18-1-4 causes the rotating body phase difference setting unit 18-1-1 to change the relative phase difference of the rotating body between the pair of color image forming units a plurality of times, so that the positional deviation detecting unit 18- The print position deviation value is detected every time the change is made 1-2, and the relative position where the fluctuation of the print position deviation value is the smallest from the position deviation value stored every time the change is stored in the position deviation storage unit 18-1-3. Control means for detecting a phase difference. That is, the relative phase difference between the photosensitive drum 23K and the photosensitive drum 23Y (or 23M, 23C) is changed to 0 degrees, 120 degrees, and 240 degrees, and the fluctuation of the printing position deviation value is detected from a plurality of detected position deviation values. Is a control means for detecting the minimum phase difference.

The rotating body phase difference setting means 18-1-1, the position deviation detection means 18-1-2, the position deviation storage means 18-1-3, and the print position correction means 18-1-4 are computer programs. It is a control means of the mechanism control part 18 controlled by these. This computer program may be provided exclusively in the mechanism control unit 18 (corresponding to the program ROM 18-2 in FIG. 5) or a ROM (read) that is provided for controlling the entire apparatus. Only memory) and RAM (random access memory) may be used in combination.
With the control system described above, the image recording apparatus of the present invention operates as follows.

  When the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) starts the printing position correction control by the printing position correction unit 18-1-4 (FIG. 1), the image forming unit 3K (FIG. 2) moves on the transport belt 29 (FIG. 2). A K pattern shown in FIG. The five K patterns are printed in succession at predetermined intervals. This predetermined interval is set so that five K patterns are printed at equal intervals in a length twice the circumference of the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2).

  Similarly, the image forming unit 3Y (FIG. 2) also prints the Y pattern shown in FIG. 3B in tandem on the transport belt 29 (FIG. 2). Five Y patterns are continuously printed at predetermined intervals. This predetermined interval is set so as to be printed at equal intervals within a length twice the circumference of the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2). However, as described in FIG. 3, the Y pattern starts with a relative phase difference of 4 dots delayed from the K pattern, and the block interval is set narrower by 1 dot than the K pattern. An example of a result obtained by measuring the printing result with the color misregistration detection sensor 16 (FIG. 5) will be described below.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the detection result of the printing position deviation.
(A) is a figure showing the position shift value when the K pattern and the Y pattern are printed in tandem in the initial state, and (b) is a diagram of the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2). A state in which the rotational phase is advanced 120 degrees from the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2), that is, after the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) is rotated 120 degrees in the same direction as during printing, the K pattern and the Y pattern (C) is a state in which the rotational phase of the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) is advanced by 240 degrees from the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2), that is, FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a positional deviation value when the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) is rotated 240 degrees in the same direction as that during printing and then the K pattern and the Y pattern are printed in tandem.

  FIG. 2D is an enlarged view of a state in which one K pattern and one Y pattern are printed in tandem on the conveyor belt 29 (FIG. 2). In addition, the hatched portions of (a), (b), and (c) indicate the maximum output position of the color misregistration detection sensor 16 (FIG. 5), that is, the block in which both detection patterns are accurately overlapped. The block number that is accurately overlapped on the upper side of the detection pattern is shown, and the printing position deviation value (number of dots) at that time is shown on the lower side of the detection pattern.

  From the figure (a), when the phase difference between the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) and the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2) is in the initial state, the fourth block is the first pattern and the eighth block is the second pattern. The third block is the maximum output position of the color misregistration detection sensor 16 (FIG. 5), the second block is the fourth pattern, the eighth block is the fourth pattern, and the fourth block is the fifth pattern. From this value, as already described with reference to FIG. 4, the relative print position deviation values of the image forming unit 21 </ b> K (FIG. 2) and the image forming unit 21 </ b> Y vary (−1, +3, −3, +3, − 1) Find a dot. The module for executing the operations so far corresponds to the misregistration detection means 18-1-2.

The values (−1, +3, −3, +3, −1) of the printing position deviation fluctuation are stored in the memory 18-3 (FIG. 5). A module for executing this operation corresponds to the misregistration storage means 18-1-3 (FIG. 1).
When the misregistration detection means 18-1-2 (FIG. 1) and misregistration storage means 18-1-3 (FIG. 1) are finished, the K pattern and Y pattern printed on the conveyor belt 29 (FIG. 2) are completed. The pattern is removed from the transport belt 29 (FIG. 2) by the cleaning blade 33 (FIG. 2) and stored in the waste toner tank 34.

  Next, from the state where all the photosensitive drums (23K, 23Y, 23M, 23C) (FIG. 2) and the conveying belt 29 (FIG. 2) are stopped, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 5) starts the drum drive motor 12K (FIG. 5). 5) is driven, and only the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 1) is rotated 120 degrees from the immediately preceding state (corresponding to the initial state here) in the same direction as during normal printing. This operation is executed by outputting a predetermined number of pulses from the motor drive IC 18-6K (FIG. 5) to the drum drive motor 12K (FIG. 5) based on the control of the CPU 18-1 (FIG. 5).

  The predetermined number of pulses is easily obtained from the unit step angle of the drum drive motor K12 (FIG. 2) and the gear ratio of the drive force transmission path (for example, idle gear) to the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2). . The module that executes this operation is the rotating body phase difference setting means 18-1-1 (FIG. 1).

Hereinafter, in the same manner as the detection of the printing position deviation in the initial state, the printing position deviation in the case where the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) is advanced by 120 degrees in the rotational phase angle from the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2). To detect.
From FIG. 5B, when the relative phase difference between the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) and the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2) is 120 degrees, the fourth block is the first pattern and the sixth block is the second pattern. However, the fourth block is the maximum output position of the color misregistration detection sensor 16 (FIG. 5), the fourth block is the fourth pattern, the fifth block is the fourth pattern, and the sixth block is the fifth pattern.

  From this value, as already described with reference to FIG. 4, the relative print position deviation values of the image forming unit 21 </ b> K (FIG. 2) and the image forming unit 21 </ b> Y vary (−1, +1, −1, 0, +1). ) Find the dot. The module for executing the operations up to here corresponds to the misregistration detection means 18-3 (FIG. 1).

The variation of the printing position deviation value is stored in the (-1, +1, -1, 0, +1) memory 18-3 (FIG. 5). A module for executing this operation corresponds to the misregistration storage means 18-1-3 (FIG. 1).
The K pattern and Y pattern printed on the conveyor belt 29 (FIG. 2) are removed from the conveyor belt 29 (FIG. 2) by the cleaning blade 33 (FIG. 2) and stored in the waste toner tank.

  Next, from the state where all the photosensitive drums (23K, 23Y, 23M, 23C) (FIG. 2) and the conveying belt 29 (FIG. 2) are stopped, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 5) starts the drum drive motor 12K (FIG. 5). 5) is driven, and only the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 1) is rotated 120 degrees from the immediately preceding state (here, corresponding to the state rotated 120 degrees from the initial state). This operation is executed by outputting a predetermined number of pulses from the motor drive IC 18-6K (FIG. 5) to the drum drive motor 12K (FIG. 5) based on the control of the CPU 18-1 (FIG. 5).

  The predetermined number of pulses is easily obtained from the unit step angle of the drum drive motor K12 (FIG. 2) and the gear ratio of the drive force transmission path (for example, idle gear) to the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2). . The module that executes this operation is the rotating body phase difference setting means 18-1-1 (FIG. 1).

Hereinafter, in the same manner as the detection of the printing position deviation in the initial state, the printing position deviation when the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) is advanced by a rotational phase angle of 240 degrees from the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2). Is detected.
From FIG. 5C, when the relative phase difference between the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) and the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2) is 240 degrees, the seventh block is the first pattern and the fifth block is the second pattern. However, the third block is the maximum output position of the color misregistration detection sensor 16 (FIG. 5), the third block is the third pattern, the eighth block is the fourth pattern, and the second block is the fifth pattern.

  From this value, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the fluctuations in the relative print position deviation values between the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 2) and the image forming unit 21Y are (+2, 0, −2, +3, −3). ) Find the dot. The module for executing the operations up to here corresponds to the misregistration detection means 18-3 (FIG. 1).

The detected value of the printing position deviation variation is stored in the (+2, 0, -2, +3, -3) memory 18-3 (FIG. 5). A module for executing this operation corresponds to the misregistration storage means 18-1-3 (FIG. 1).
The K pattern and Y pattern printed on the conveyor belt 29 (FIG. 2) are removed from the conveyor belt 29 (FIG. 2) by the cleaning blade 33 (FIG. 2) and stored in the waste toner tank.

As a result of the above, the detected value of the printing position deviation fluctuation between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y in the initial state is (−1, +3, −3, +3, −1).
Further, the fluctuations in the printing position deviation values between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y in the relative phase difference of 120 degrees (the state in which the image forming unit K has advanced) are (−1, +1, −1, 0, +1).
Furthermore, the detected values of the printing position deviation fluctuations between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y at a relative phase difference of 240 degrees (a state in which the image forming unit K has advanced) are (+2, 0, -2, +3, -3).

From the fluctuations in the three sets of printing position deviation values, the value with the smallest fluctuation in the printing position deviation values between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y is determined.
In this determination method, the set with the smallest standard deviation of the five detected values in the parentheses may be determined as the optimum value, or the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the five detected values in the parentheses is the minimum. A correct set may be determined as the optimum value.
From the results shown in FIG. 6, the variation in the printing position deviation between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y in the relative phase difference 120 degrees (the state in which the image forming unit K has advanced) is determined by any method. It is judged that.

Next, adjustment of the printing position deviation between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y will be described.
When the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) has a 120-degree rotational phase angle advanced from the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2), the relative phase difference between the photosensitive drum 23K and the photosensitive drum Y23Y (FIG. 2) is returned to the initial state. The mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 5) drives the drum drive motor 12Y (FIG. 5) from the state where the transport belt 29 (FIG. 2) is stopped, and only the photosensitive drum 2Y (FIG. 1) is 360-120 = It is obtained by rotating 240 degrees in the same direction as in normal printing.

Similarly, the optimum value of the printing position deviation value fluctuation between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21M is obtained, the image forming unit 21K is fixed, the image forming unit 21M is rotated, and the printing position deviation of the image forming unit 21M is detected. Make adjustments.
Further, an optimum value of the printing position deviation fluctuation between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21C is obtained, and the image forming unit 21K is fixed and the image forming unit 21C is rotated to adjust the printing position deviation of the image forming unit 21M. Do.

In this way, it is possible to correct the periodic positional deviation of each color image on the recording medium, that is, the periodic color unevenness caused by the eccentricity of the photosensitive drums 21K, 21Y, 21M, and 21C. .
In the above description, the rotational phase difference that can be set by the rotating body phase difference setting procedure is limited to 120 degrees and 240 degrees, and the number of changes including the initial phase is limited to three times. It is not limited to examples. That is, the amount of phase shift may be any number as long as it is within 120 degrees, and may be any number as long as the number of changes is three or more. By detecting the printing position shift while changing the angle more finely, more accurate control can be realized.

  In the above description, the rotator phase difference setting unit 18-1-1, the positional deviation detection unit 18-1-2, the positional deviation storage unit 18-1-3, and the printing position correction unit 18-1-4 Is described as the control means of the mechanism control unit 18 controlled by the computer program, but the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, each of the above means may be a dedicated circuit block or a dedicated functional element provided for each means.

  As described above, the predetermined relative phase difference between the pair of color image forming units is changed by the rotating body phase difference setting unit a plurality of times, the printing position shift value is detected every time the position shift detection unit is changed, and the storage unit Printing position correction means for determining the relative phase difference with the minimum printing positional deviation as the fluctuation optimum value from the positional deviation detection values stored every time the change is made, and correcting the relative phase difference to the fluctuation optimum value. As a result, it is possible to minimize the periodic fluctuation of the printing position based on the eccentricity of the photosensitive drum.

In the first embodiment, the description has been given focusing on only the periodic positional deviation of each color image on the recording medium, which is caused by the eccentricity of only the photosensitive drums 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C (FIG. 2).
However, the periodic misalignment is not only caused by the eccentricity of the photosensitive drums 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C (FIG. 2).

  That is, an idle gear for reducing the rotational speed of the drum drive motor is provided between the drum drive motors 12K, 12Y, 12M, and 12C (FIG. 1) and the photosensitive drums 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C (FIG. 2). Exists. Of course, even when the idle gear is eccentric, periodic positional deviations occur. In this embodiment, periodic positional deviation is corrected by paying attention to the eccentricity of the idle gear.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the photosensitive drum gear and the idle gear.
The horizontal axis represents the print position in the print medium transport direction, and the vertical axis represents the sub-transport direction print position deviation. A curve A represents the position shift characteristic of the photosensitive drum, and a curve B represents the position shift characteristic of the idle gear. A curve C represents a characteristic obtained by combining the position shift of the photosensitive drum and the position shift of the idle gear.

  As shown in the figure, in the curve A and the curve B, positional deviation fluctuations occur at different periods. Therefore, the curve C, which is a combination of the curve A and the curve B, generates a very complicated displacement. As a result, it is almost impossible to perform sufficient correction using only the printing position correcting means described in the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, a drum gear / idle gear dissociating means described below is provided.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of drum gear / idle gear dissociation means.
Here, only the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 2) will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, the rotational force for driving the photosensitive drum 23K is supplied from the drum drive motor 12K to the drum motor gear 12Ka fixed to the rotation shaft of the drum drive motor 12K, and the drum motor gear 12Ka. Is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 23K via an idle gear 51K that meshes with the rotation gear, a reduction gear 51Ka that is fixed to the rotation shaft of the idle gear 51K, and a photosensitive drum gear 23Ka that is fixed to the photosensitive drum 23K. Since the image forming unit 21Y (FIG. 2), the image forming unit 21M (FIG. 2), and the image forming unit 21C (FIG. 2) are exactly the same as the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 2), description thereof is omitted.

Here, a drum gear / idle gear dissociating means 52K for releasing the engagement between the reduction gear 51Ka and the photosensitive drum gear 23Ka is further provided. As a result, the rotational phase of the photosensitive drum 23K and the idle gear 51K can be set independently. Since the image forming unit 21Y (FIG. 2), the image forming unit 21M (FIG. 2), and the image forming unit 21C (FIG. 2) are exactly the same as the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 2), description thereof is omitted.
The operation will be described below.

The operation of the second embodiment is broken down into two stages: phase optimization of the photosensitive drum and phase optimization of the idle gear. First, the phase optimization operation of the photosensitive drum will be described, and then the phase optimization of the idle gear will be described.
In the phase optimization of the photosensitive drum, the relative phase difference is detected and optimized only for the photosensitive drum without changing the relative phase difference between the colors of the idle gear. In order to achieve this object, the drum and gear dissociation means 52 (K, Y, M, C) (FIG. 8) is used to reduce the speed with the photosensitive drum gear 23 (Ka, Ya, Ma, Ca) (FIG. 8). The gear 51 (Ka, Ya, Ma, Ca) (FIG. 8) is dissociated.

  In this state, when the photosensitive drum 23 (K, Y, M, C) (FIG. 8) is rotated by a predetermined angle in the normal printing direction, the idle gear 51 (K, Y, M, C) (FIG. 8) is turned on. The angle of the rotating wrinkles is previously rotated in the direction opposite to the direction during normal printing. Here, the angle at which the idle gear 51 (K, Y, M, C) (FIG. 8) is rotated is a predetermined angle × (the number of teeth of the photosensitive drum gear 23 (Ka, Ya, Ma, Ca) (FIG. 8) / reduction gear. 51 (number of teeth of K, Y, M, C) (FIG. 8)).

  Thereafter, the photosensitive drum gear 23 (Ka, Ya, Ma, Ca) (FIG. 8) and the reduction gear 51 (Ka, Ya, Ma, Ca) (FIG. 8) are meshed again. By rotating the photosensitive drum 23 (K, Y, M, C) by a predetermined angle from this state in the direction of normal printing, the idle gear 23 (Ka, Ya, Ma, Ca) (FIG. 8) Detection can be performed in a state where the relative phase difference of only the photosensitive drums 23 (K, Y, M, C) (FIG. 8) is changed by a predetermined angle without changing the phase difference. Details of the phase optimization operation of the photosensitive drum in the second embodiment will be described below.

  When the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) starts the printing position correction control by the printing position correction unit 18-1-4 (FIG. 1), the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 2) moves on the conveyor belt 29 (FIG. 2). A K pattern shown in FIG. The five K patterns are printed in succession at predetermined intervals. This predetermined interval is set so that five K patterns are printed at equal intervals in a length twice the circumference of the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2). Thereafter, in the same manner as in the operation of the first embodiment, the variation in the printing position deviation value between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y in the initial state is obtained.

  Next, all the photosensitive drums 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C (FIG. 2) and the conveying belt 29 (FIG. 2) are stopped. Further, in the image forming unit 21K, the drum gear / idle gear disengaging means 52K (FIG. 8) is moved upward in the drawing to disengage the photosensitive drum gear 23Ka and the reduction gear 51Ka. While maintaining this state, the rotating body phase difference setting means 18-1-1 (FIG. 1) of the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) drives the drum drive motor 12K (FIG. 5), and the photosensitive drum gear 23Ka and the reduction gear. If 51 Ka (FIG. 8) is in mesh, the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 1) will rotate 120 degrees in the same direction as during normal printing from the previous state (which corresponds to the initial state here). The idle gear 51K (FIG. 8) is rotated by the angle in the opposite direction to that during normal printing, the drum gear / idle gear dissociating means 52K is returned to the original position, and the photosensitive drum gear 23Ka and the reduction gear 51Ka are engaged.

  By rotating the photosensitive drum 23 (K, Y, M, C) from this state in the direction of normal printing by 120 degrees, the idle gear 23 (Ka, Ya, Ma, Ca) (FIG. 8) relative positions between the colors. This means that the relative phase difference of only the photosensitive drum 23 (K, Y, M, C) (FIG. 8) is changed by 120 degrees without changing the phase difference. The rotation angle of the idle gear 51K is easily obtained as 120 × (the number of teeth of the photosensitive drum gear 23Ka / the number of teeth of the reduction gear 51K). Hereinafter, the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) and the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2) are detected in the same manner as the detection of the printing position deviation at the relative phase difference of 120 degrees between the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 1) and the photosensitive drum 23Y in the first embodiment. The printing position deviation value in 2) is detected.

  Next, all the photosensitive drums 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C (FIG. 2) and the conveying belt 29 (FIG. 2) are stopped. Further, in the image forming unit 21K, the drum gear / idle gear disengaging means 52K is moved upward in the drawing to disengage the photosensitive drum gear 23Ka (FIG. 8) and the reduction gear 51Ka (FIG. 8). While maintaining this state, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 5) drives the drum drive motor 12K (FIG. 5), and the photosensitive drum gear 23Ka (FIG. 8) and the reduction gear 51Ka (FIG. 8) mesh. If the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 1) is rotated from the previous state (which corresponds to a state rotated 120 degrees from the initial state here) to 120 degrees in the same direction as normal printing, the idle gear is rotated. 51K (FIG. 8) is rotated in the opposite direction to that during normal printing, the drum gear / idle gear disengaging means 52K is returned to its original position, and the photosensitive drum gear 23Ka (FIG. 5) and the reduction gear 51Ka (FIG. 8) are engaged.

  By rotating the photosensitive drum 23 (K, Y, M, C) from this state in the direction of normal printing by 120 degrees, the idle gear 23 (Ka, Ya, Ma, Ca) (FIG. 8) relative positions between the colors. This means that the relative phase difference of only the photosensitive drum 23 (K, Y, M, C) (FIG. 8) is changed by 240 degrees without changing the phase difference. The rotation angle of the idle gear 51K (FIG. 5) is easily obtained as 120 × (the number of teeth of the photosensitive drum gear 23Ka / the number of teeth of the reduction gear 51K). Hereinafter, in the same manner as the detection of the printing position shift at the relative phase difference of 240 degrees in the first embodiment, only the photosensitive drum 23Y in the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) and the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2) is caused. To detect the position shift value. From these print position deviation detection values, a value with the smallest print position deviation variation between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y, that is, a print position deviation variation optimum value is determined. Since this determination method is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

Next, adjustment of the printing position deviation between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y will be described.
First, all the photosensitive drums (23K, 23Y, 23M, 23C) (FIG. 2) and the conveyance belt 29 (FIG. 2) are stopped. Further, in the image forming unit 21Y, the drum gear / idle gear disengaging means 52Y (FIG. 8) is moved upward in the drawing to disengage the photosensitive drum gear 23Ya (FIG. 8) and the reduction gear 51Ya (FIG. 8). .

  While maintaining this state, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 5) drives the drum drive motor 12Y (FIG. 5) to rotate the idle gear 51Y by a predetermined angle in the direction opposite to that during normal printing, and the drum gear / idle The gear dissociating means 52Y (FIG. 8) is returned to its original position, and the photosensitive drum gear 23Ya (FIG. 8) and the reduction gear 51Ya (FIG. 8) are engaged. This predetermined angle is set to (360 degrees-phase difference angle indicating the optimum value of positional deviation fluctuation) x (number of teeth of the drum gear / number of teeth of the reduction gear). Next, in a state where the photosensitive drum gear 23Ya (FIG. 8) and the reduction gear 51Ya (FIG. 8) are engaged, the idle gear 51Y is rotated by the above-mentioned angle in the normal printing direction, thereby the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 8). And the optimum relative phase difference between the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 8) can be set.

  Similarly, the optimum relative phase difference between the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 8) and the photosensitive drum 23M (FIG. 8) and the optimum relative phase difference between the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 8) and the photosensitive drum 23C (FIG. 8) are set. I can do it.

Next, phase optimization of the idle gear will be described.
When the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) starts the printing position correction control by the printing position correction unit 18-1-4 (FIG. 1), the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 2) moves on the conveyor belt 29 (FIG. 2). A K pattern shown in FIG. The five K patterns are printed in succession at predetermined intervals. This predetermined interval is set so that five K patterns are printed at equal intervals in a length twice the circumference of the idle gear 51K (FIG. 2). Thereafter, in the same manner as in the operation of the first embodiment, the variation in the printing position deviation value between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y in the initial state is obtained.

  Next, all the photosensitive drums 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C (FIG. 2) and the conveying belt 29 (FIG. 2) are stopped. Further, in the image forming unit 21K, the drum gear / idle gear disengaging means 52K (FIG. 8) is moved upward in the drawing to disengage the photosensitive drum gear 23Ka and the reduction gear 51Ka. While maintaining this state, the rotating body phase difference setting means 18-1-1 (FIG. 1) of the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) drives the drum drive motor 12K (FIG. 5) and idle gear 51K (FIG. 2). ) Is rotated 120 degrees in the same direction as during normal printing from the previous state (which corresponds to the initial state in this case), the drum gear / idle gear disengaging means 52K is returned to its original position, and the photosensitive drum gear 23Ka and the reduction gear 51Ka are engaged. Let

  Hereinafter, the idle gear 51K (FIG. 2) and the idle gear are detected in the same manner as in the case of detecting the printing position deviation at the relative phase difference of 120 degrees between the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 1) and the photosensitive drum 23Y in the first embodiment. A print position deviation value at a relative phase difference of 120 degrees of 51Y (FIG. 2) is detected.

  Next, all the photosensitive drums 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C (FIG. 2) and the conveying belt 29 (FIG. 2) are stopped. Further, in the image forming unit 21K, the drum gear / idle gear disengaging means 52K is moved upward in the drawing to disengage the photosensitive drum gear 23Ka (FIG. 8) and the reduction gear 51Ka (FIG. 8). While maintaining this state, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 5) drives the drum drive motor 12K (FIG. 5) and rotates the idle gear 51K (FIG. 2) 120 degrees from the previous state (here, the initial state). The drum gear / idle gear disengaging means 52K is returned to its original position, and the photosensitive drum gear 23Ka and the reduction gear 51Ka are engaged with each other.

  Hereinafter, the idle gear 51K (FIG. 2) and the idle gear are detected in the same manner as in the case of detecting the printing position deviation at the relative phase difference of 240 degrees between the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 1) and the photosensitive drum 23Y in the first embodiment. The printing position deviation value at 51Y (FIG. 2) is detected. When the detection at 240 degrees is finished, the engine is dissociated again, and the idle gear 51K (FIG. 2) is rotated 120 degrees in the same direction as during normal printing from the previous state (which corresponds to a state rotated 240 degrees from the initial state here). Return to the initial state.

  From these print position deviation detection values, a value with the smallest print position deviation variation between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y, that is, a print position deviation variation optimum value is determined. Since this determination method is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

Next, adjustment of the printing position deviation between the image forming unit 21K and the image forming unit 21Y will be described.
First, all the photosensitive drums (23K, 23Y, 23M, 23C) (FIG. 2) and the conveyance belt 29 (FIG. 2) are stopped. Further, in the image forming unit 21Y, the drum gear / idle gear disengaging means 52Y (FIG. 8) is moved upward in the drawing to disengage the photosensitive drum gear 23Ya (FIG. 8) and the reduction gear 51Ya (FIG. 8). .

  While maintaining this state, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 5) drives the drum drive motor 12Y (FIG. 5) to rotate the idle gear 51Y by a predetermined angle in the direction opposite to that during normal printing, and the drum gear / idle The gear dissociating means 52Y (FIG. 8) is returned to its original position, and the photosensitive drum gear 23Ya (FIG. 8) and the reduction gear 51Ya (FIG. 8) are engaged. This predetermined angle is set to (360−phase difference angle indicating an optimum value of positional deviation fluctuation). In this way, the optimum relative phase difference between the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 8) and the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 8) can be set.

  Similarly, the optimum relative phase difference between the idle gear 51K (FIG. 8) and the idle gear 51M (FIG. 8) and the optimum relative phase difference between the idle gear 51K (FIG. 8) and the idle gear 51C (FIG. 8) are set. I can do it.

In this way, it is possible to correct the periodic positional deviation of each color image on the recording medium, that is, the periodic color unevenness caused by the eccentricity of the idle gears 51K, 51Y, 51M, and 51C. .
In the above description, the rotational phase difference that can be set by the rotating body phase difference setting procedure is limited to a predetermined angle, and the number of changes including the initial phase is limited to three. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. It is not limited.

  That is, if the photosensitive drum gears 23Ka, 23Ya, 23Ma, and 23Ca are in mesh with the reduction gears 51Ka, 51Ya, 51Ma, and 51Ca, the photosensitive drums 23K, 23Y, 23M, and 23C are rotated 120 degrees. Any number of rotations may be used as long as the rotation angle is within the range. By detecting the print misregistration value while changing the angle more finely, more accurate control is possible.

  Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described. In Example 2, since the number of teeth of the photosensitive drum gear 23 (Ka, Ya, Ma, Ca) and the number of teeth of the reduction gear 51 (Ka, Ya, Ma, Ca) are different as shown in FIG. The absolute value of the rotational phase of the drum 23 (K, Y, M, C) is different from the absolute value of the rotational phase of the idle gear 51 (K, Y, M, C). As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the synthesized misalignment characteristic represents a complicated variation (curve C). In order to eliminate this inconvenience, the modification of the second embodiment is configured as follows.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the gear ratio.
As shown in the figure, in the modification of the second embodiment, the number of teeth of the photosensitive drum gear 23 (Ka, Ya, Ma, Ca) and the number of teeth of the reduction gear 51 (Ka, Ya, Ma, Ca) are configured to be equal. . By doing so, the absolute value of the rotational phase of the photosensitive drum 23 (K, Y, M, C) and the absolute value of the rotational phase of the idle gear 51 (K, Y, M, C) become equal. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the positional deviation characteristic obtained by combining the photosensitive drum 23 (K, Y, M, C) and the idle gear 51 (K, Y, M, C) represents a complicated variation.

As described above, by further providing the drum gear / idle gear dissociating means for dissociating the transmission of the rotational force from the idle gear to the photosensitive drum, periodic printing due to the eccentricity of the idle gear in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. The effect is obtained that the positional deviation can be minimized.
Furthermore, since the absolute value of the rotational phase of the photosensitive drum and the absolute value of the rotational phase of the idle gear are equalized by setting the gear ratio of the rotational force transmission from the idle gear to the photosensitive drum to 1: 1, the photosensitive drum Thus, it is possible to correct the periodic printing position deviation due to the eccentricity of the gear and the periodic printing position deviation due to the eccentricity of the idle gear together.

  In the first embodiment, the image forming units 21K, 21Y, 21M, and 21C include the rotator phase difference setting unit 18-1-1, the positional deviation detection unit 18-1-2, and the positional deviation storage unit 18-1-3. By providing the printing position correcting means 18-1-4, it is possible to minimize the periodic fluctuation of the printing position deviation to the minimum.

  However, a deviation has occurred from the true optimum value in order to detect the optimum value (relative phase difference) of the fluctuation of the printing position deviation at predetermined angular increments. For example, when the optimum value is obtained from the periodic variation of the printing position deviation of 0 degrees, 120 degrees, and 240 degrees of relative phase shift, there is a problem that a deviation of 60 degrees at maximum from the true optimum value occurs. If the angle increment is reduced in order to solve this problem, the number of evaluations increases, and the required time and toner consumption increase, resulting in many practical problems. In order to solve this problem, the image recording apparatus according to the third embodiment is configured as follows.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of home position detection of the drum gear.
Here, only the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 2) will be described.
The home position mark 55K is a mark that is attached to the end (rotation plane) of the photosensitive drum and sets the home position (reference position) of the rotation angle. This mark is made of a material that can reflect light, such as a metal film or a glass piece.
The home position detection sensor 56K is a light detection sensor that is disposed at a fixed portion inside the apparatus, irradiates a home position mark 55K that rotates with the photosensitive drum at a predetermined position (reference position), and receives the reflected light. is there.
The other components are exactly the same as those in the first embodiment, so that the description thereof will be omitted and only the operation will be described.

  At the start of operation, home position marks 55K, 55Y, 55M, and 55C (FIG. 10) are attached to the end (rotation plane) of the photosensitive drum. The positions are usually attached to the positions where the home position detection sensors 56K, 56Y, 56M, and 56C (FIG. 10) respectively irradiate the corresponding home position marks with light rays and the amount of received light is maximized. This position is defined as a reference position (home position).

  Further, storage areas corresponding to the home position marks 55K, 55Y, 55M, and 55C are set in the memory 18-3 (FIG. 5) in the mechanism control unit 18 so as to store the data history during the control. Alternatively, a dedicated memory for storing data history during control may be newly arranged. Here, the memory 18-3 (FIG. 5) is used.

"First control"
When the image recording device is newly purchased and used for the first time, or when it is used for the first time after replacement of a predetermined rotating part, the control that becomes the reference of the subsequent control is the first control, and the control that follows this is the first control. The second control, the third control, and so on are defined.
In the first and second embodiments, the relative phase difference between the two photosensitive drums is mainly described. However, in this embodiment, the home position marks 55K, 55Y, 55M, and 55C are provided to provide the respective photosensitive drums. Since the reference position of rotation is clarified for each drum, the explanation will be made mainly using the absolute phase. Here, the absolute phase refers to the rotational phase from the home position mark 55K, 55Y, 55M, 55C for each photosensitive drum.

  The mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) starts the printing position correction control by the printing position correction unit 18-1-4 (FIG. 1). In the first control, the absolute phase of the photosensitive drum between the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) and the image forming unit 21Y (FIG. 1) is set to 0 degrees (initially) in the same manner as the operation of the first embodiment. 5), a predetermined printing position deviation detection pattern is printed in a tandem state on the conveyor belt. These five patterns are printed at equal intervals in a length corresponding to twice the circumference of the photosensitive drum. The printing position deviation value for each of the five printing position deviation detection patterns is detected.

Subsequently, the absolute phase of the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) of the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) is rotated by 120 degrees by the rotating body phase difference setting unit 18-1-1 (FIG. 1). This state is a state in which the relative phase difference between the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) and the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2) is set to 120 degrees (the state in which the image forming unit K has advanced). As in the case of 0 degree, the printing position deviation value for each of the five printing position deviation detection patterns is detected.
Subsequently, the absolute phase of the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) of the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) is further rotated by 120 degrees by the rotating body phase difference setting unit 18-1-1 (FIG. 1). This state is a state in which the relative phase difference between the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) and the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2) is set to 240 degrees (the state in which the image forming unit K has advanced). As in the case of 0 degree, the printing position deviation value for each of the five printing position deviation detection patterns is detected.

Of the three sets (0 degrees, 120 degrees, and 240 degrees) of print misregistration detection values detected in this way, a set with the smallest variation in misregistration value of five detection patterns is selected. At this time, the relative phase difference between the two photosensitive drums is determined to be the optimum value of fluctuation between the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) and the image forming unit 21Y (FIG. 1). Assume that the fluctuation optimum value is 0 degree, and the positional deviation values of the five detection patterns at this time are (αy1, βy1, γy1, δy1, εy1).
Next, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) sets the relative phase difference between the two photosensitive drums to the above-described fluctuation optimum value in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Here, since the relative phase difference is 0 degree, it is not necessary to rotate the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit 21Y (FIG. 1) only by returning the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) of the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) to the initial state. .

The process is similarly executed between the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) and the image forming unit 21M (FIG. 1) and between the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) and the image forming unit 21C (FIG. 1). At this time, it is assumed that the optimum variation value between the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) and the image forming unit 21M (FIG. 1) is 120 degrees, and the positional deviation value variation of the five detection patterns at this time is (αm1, βm1, γm1, δm1, εm1). Next, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) sets the relative phase difference between the two photosensitive drums to the above-described fluctuation optimum value in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
Similarly, it is assumed that the optimum variation value between the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) and the image forming unit 21C (FIG. 1) is 240 degrees, and the positional deviation value variation of the five detection patterns at this time is (αc1, βc1, γc1, δc1, εc1). Next, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) sets the relative phase difference between the two photosensitive drums to the above-described fluctuation optimum value in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  When the first control is completed, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) stores the inside of the memory 18-3 (FIG. 5) provided for each of the home position marks 55K, 55Y, 55M, and 55C (FIG. 10). In this area, the phase angles of the image forming units 21K, 21Y, 21M, and 21C (FIG. 1) from the reference position (home position) and the positional deviation value fluctuations of the five detection patterns at that time are stored.

  Here, as the first control data, based on the above assumption, the home position mark 55K in the memory 18-3 (FIG. 5) has an area of 0 (degrees) and the home position mark in the memory 18-3 (FIG. 5). In the area of 55Y, 0 (degrees) and (αy1, βy1, γy1, δy1, εy1), and in the area of the home position mark 55M in the memory 18-3 (FIG. 5), 120 (degrees) and (αm1, βm1 , Γm1, δm1, εm1), 240 (degrees) and (αc1, βc1, γc1, δc1, εc1) are stored in the area of the home position mark 55C in the memory 18-3 (FIG. 5), respectively.

"Second control"
The mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) starts the second printing position correction control by the printing position correction unit 18-1-4 (FIG. 1). First, the absolute phases of the photosensitive drums of both the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) and the image forming unit 21Y (FIG. 1) are set to 0 degrees (initial state). The mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) reads the previous control data from the memory 18-3 (FIG. 5), and sets the reference phase of the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) of the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) as the absolute phase 30. Set to degrees.

  As described above, since the reference phase of the previous (first) photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) was 0 degrees, this time, the value increased by 30 degrees with respect to the previous reference phase, that is, the absolute phase of 30 degrees is a reference. Set as This setting is easily set by detecting the home position mark 55K (FIG. 10) by the home position detection sensor 56K (FIG. 10) and advancing the phase of the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) by 30 degrees from that position. .

  Next, the absolute phase of the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2) is set to 30 degrees. In this state, the relative phase difference between the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) and the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2) is 0 degree. Five predetermined printing position deviation detection patterns are printed in tandem on the conveyor belt. These five patterns are printed at equal intervals in a length corresponding to twice the circumference of the photosensitive drum. The printing position deviation value for each of the five printing position deviation detection patterns is detected.

Subsequently, the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) is rotated 120 degrees by the rotating body phase difference setting means 18-1-1 (FIG. 1) to set the absolute phase to 120 degrees + 30 degrees. This state is a state in which the relative phase difference between the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) and the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2) is 120 degrees. As in the case of 0 degree, the printing position deviation for each of the five printing position deviation detection patterns is detected.
Subsequently, the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2) is further rotated 120 degrees by the rotating body phase difference setting means 18-1-1 (FIG. 1), and the absolute phase of the photosensitive drum 23K is set to 240 degrees + 30 degrees. In this state, the relative phase difference between the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) and the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2) is 240 degrees. As in the case of 0 degree, the printing position deviation value for each of the five printing position deviation detection patterns is detected.

Of the three sets (0 degree + 30 degrees, 120 degrees + 30 degrees, 240 degrees + 30 degrees) detected in this way, the set with the smallest variation in the position deviation values of the five detection patterns is selected. Is done. Assume that the fluctuation value is 120 degrees + 30 degrees, and the positional deviation fluctuations of the five detection patterns at this time are assumed to be (αy2, βy2, γy2, δy2, εy2).

  Here, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) compares the previous positional deviation fluctuations (αy1, βy1, γy1, δy1, εy1) with the current positional deviation fluctuations (αy2, βy2, γy2, δy2, εy2), and The one with the smaller fluctuation of the positional deviation value is selected, and the relative phase difference at that time is determined as the fluctuation optimum value. Here, if the previous positional deviation variation (αy1, βy1, γy1, δy1, εy1) is selected, the optimum variation value is 0 degree. Next, after returning the absolute phase of the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) to 0 degrees, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) rotates the photosensitive drum 23Y (FIG. 2) to determine the relative phase difference between the two photosensitive drums. The fluctuation optimum value (in this case, 0 degree) is set.

  The process is similarly executed between the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) and the image forming unit 21M (FIG. 1). At this time, it is assumed that the absolute phase angle at which the minimum fluctuation value between the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) and the image forming unit 21M (FIG. 1) is generated is 240 ° + 30 °. The positional deviation fluctuation is assumed to be (αm2, βm2, γm2, δm2, εm2). Here, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) compares the previous positional deviation fluctuations (αm1, βm1, γm1, δm1, εm1) with the current positional deviation fluctuations (αm2, βm2, γm2, δm2, εm2) to determine the position. The one with the smaller deviation value variation is selected, and the relative phase difference is determined as the variation optimum value. Here, assuming that the current positional deviation variation (αm2, βm2, γm2, δm2, εm2) is selected, the variation optimum value is 30 degrees + 240 degrees = 270 degrees. Next, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) returns the absolute phase of the photosensitive drum 23K to 0 degrees, and then rotates the photosensitive drum 23M (FIG. 2) to set the relative phase difference between the two photosensitive drums to the above-described fluctuation optimum value. Set to 270 degrees.

  The process is similarly executed between the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) and the image forming unit 21C (FIG. 1). At this time, it is assumed that the absolute phase at which the minimum fluctuation value occurs between the image forming unit 21K (FIG. 1) and the image forming unit 21C (FIG. 1) is 30 degrees, and the positional deviation fluctuations of the five detection patterns at this time Are (αc2, βc2, γc2, δc2, εc2). Here, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) compares the previous positional deviation fluctuations (αc1, βc1, γc1, δc1, εc1,) with the current positional deviation fluctuations (αc2, βc2, γc2, δc2, εc2), and The one with less positional deviation variation is selected, and the relative phase difference at that time is determined as the variation optimum value. Here, if the current positional deviation fluctuations (αc2, βc2, γc2, δc2, εc2) are selected, the optimum fluctuation value is 30 degrees. Next, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) returns the absolute phase of the photosensitive drum 21K to 0 degrees, and then rotates the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit 21C (FIG. 1) to determine the relative phase difference between the two photosensitive drums. The fluctuation optimum value is set to 30 degrees.

  When the second control is completed, the mechanism control unit 18 (FIG. 1) stores in the memory 18-3 (FIG. 5) provided for each of the home position marks 55K, 55Y, 55M, and 55C (FIG. 10). In the area, the phase angle from the reference position (home position) (that is, the absolute phase) and the positional deviation fluctuation of the five detection patterns at that time are stored.

  Here, as the second control data, in the area of the home position mark 55K in the memory 18-3 (FIG. 5), 30 (degrees), in the area of the home position mark 55Y in the memory 18-3 (FIG. 5). Is 0 degrees and positional deviation fluctuations (αy1, βy1, γy1, δy1, εy1) are 270 degrees in the area of the home position mark 55M in the memory 18-3 (FIG. 5), and positional deviation fluctuations (αm2, βm2,. (γm2, δm2, εm2) are stored in the area of the home position mark 55C in the memory 18-3 (FIG. 5), and positional deviation fluctuations (αc2, βc2, γc2, δc2, εc2) are stored.

  In the same manner, “the third control”, “the fourth control”,... “The Nth control” and the absolute phase of the photosensitive drum 23K (FIG. 2) were added in 30 degrees. Set the absolute phase as the reference phase and obtain the optimum value of fluctuation. By selecting a value with the least fluctuation from those histories, the optimum fluctuation value can be obtained in steps of 30 degrees. In the above description, the fluctuation optimum value is obtained in increments of 30 degrees, but the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, it may be greater than 30 degrees, smaller, or a different value each time. Furthermore, an average value of history may be taken.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the home position mark is attached to the end (rotation plane) of the photosensitive drum of Embodiment 1, the home position detection sensor 56K is disposed in the fixed portion inside the apparatus, and the variation is optimized. By securing a memory area for storing a value and a history of its misregistration value, phase optimization control is repeated several times during operation of the apparatus without taking time for one misregistration correction operation. In the meantime, it is possible to obtain an effect that phase optimization with higher accuracy can be achieved. In the first and second embodiments, since it is difficult to clarify the reference position of the photosensitive drum, the control is performed based on the relative angle. However, in this embodiment, the home position mark is attached. As a result, the reference position (absolute angle 0 degree) of the photosensitive drum can be clarified, and control with higher reproducibility becomes possible.

  In the above embodiments, only the electrophotographic printer has been described as an example of application of the present invention, but the present invention is not applied only to this electrophotographic printer. That is, any tandem printing apparatus can be easily applied.

It is a block diagram of the control system of this invention. It is a principal part cross-sectional view of a printing mechanism part. It is a block diagram of a printing position shift detection pattern. It is a block diagram showing a printing position shift detection result. It is an internal block diagram of a mechanism control part. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a detection result of printing position deviation. It is a related explanatory drawing of a photosensitive drum gear and an idle gear. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of drum gear / idle gear dissociation means. It is gear ratio explanatory drawing. It is a drum gear home position detection explanatory diagram.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host interface part 2 Command / image processing part 3 LED interface part 4 High voltage | pressure control part 5 CH generation part 6 DB generation part 7 TR generation part 8 Hopping motor 9 Registration motor 10 Belt motor 11 Heater motor 12 Drum drive motor (K, Y) , M, C, K)
13-1 Sensor 13-2 Sensor 13-3 Sensor 13-4 Sensor 14 Thermistor 15 Environmental temperature sensor 16 Color shift detection sensor 17 Heater 18 Mechanism control section 18-1-1 Rotating body phase difference setting means 18-1-2 Position shift Detection means 18-3 Misregistration storage means 18-4 Printing position correction means 21K, 21Y, 21M, 21C Image forming unit 3K, 3Y, 3M, 3C LED head

Claims (6)

An image recording apparatus including a plurality of color image forming means,
Rotator phase difference setting means capable of individually setting the rotation phase of the rotator each of the plurality of color image forming means;
At a plurality of positions between the pair of color image forming units from the misregistration detection pattern formed on the predetermined recording medium by the pair of color image forming units set by the rotating body phase difference setting unit with a predetermined relative phase difference. A misregistration detection means for detecting a print misregistration value of
A misregistration storage means for storing misregistration detection values at the plurality of positions detected by the misregistration detection means;
The predetermined relative phase difference of the pair of color image forming units is changed by the rotating body phase difference setting unit a plurality of times, and the positional deviation detection unit detects printing position deviation values at a plurality of positions every time the plurality of changes are made. And determining the relative phase difference that minimizes the fluctuation of the printing position deviation value at the plurality of positions as the fluctuation optimum value from the position deviation detection value stored at the plurality of times stored in the storage unit, and determining the relative position. Printing position correction means for correcting the phase difference to the fluctuation optimum value ;
A drum gear / idle gear dissociation means for physically dissociating the transmission of the rotational force from the idle gear that transmits the rotational force of the drive motor to the photosensitive drum;
By dissociating the transmission of rotational force from the idle gear to the photosensitive drum by the drum gear / idle gear dissociating means,
The rotator phase difference setting means, an image recording apparatus, wherein the relative phase difference between the photosensitive drum constituting the rotating body and can be set individually the relative phase difference between the idle gears. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The printing position correction means includes
One of the pair of color image forming units is fixed as a reference color image forming unit, and the variation optimum value is set for each pair for a plurality of pairs that are combined by changing other color image forming units. An image recording apparatus comprising: means for determining and correcting the relative phase difference to the fluctuation optimum value. In the image recording device according to claim 1 or 2,
The printing position correction means includes
An image recording apparatus characterized by causing the rotating body phase difference setting means to set the relative phase difference of the rotating body so that the relative phase difference after being changed a plurality of times coincides with an initial relative phase difference. In the image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
By dissociating the transmission of rotational force from the idle gear to the photosensitive drum by the drum gear / idle gear dissociating means,
The rotating body phase difference setting means includes:
An image recording apparatus, wherein the rotational phase of the photosensitive drum is fixed and only the rotational phase of the idle gear can be set. In the image recording apparatus according to claim 4,
An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gear ratio of rotational force transmission from the idle gear to the photosensitive drum is 1: 1. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1,
An initial rotation phase specifying means for specifying an initial rotation phase of a photosensitive drum in each of the color image forming means;
A storage unit that changes a phase difference of the reference color image forming unit with respect to the initial rotation phase, and stores a history of the determined variation optimum value and a printing misregistration value at the variation optimum value for each change; Further comprising
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print position correction unit sets the relative phase difference that minimizes the fluctuation of the print position deviation value including the history every time the change is made to the fluctuation optimum value.

Images