JP4821528B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of imaging cartridges containing at least toner are detachably attached to an apparatus main body.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers, a plurality of imaging cartridges containing toners of different colors are detachably attached to the apparatus main body to perform color image formation or the like. in use.

  In such an image forming apparatus, when confirming the replacement of the imaging cartridge as described above, when the cover of the image forming apparatus is opened or closed, an arbitrary image is formed on the photosensitive member by the imaging cartridge. Then, there has been proposed an apparatus in which the density of the formed image is measured by a photosensor, and the mounting or replacement of the imaging cartridge is confirmed based on the measured density (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, when the cover is opened and closed in this way, an arbitrary image is formed on the photosensitive member by the imaging cartridge, the density of the formed image is measured by a photosensor, and the mounting or replacement of the imaging cartridge is performed. When checking, it is necessary to perform a series of image forming operations each time, and it takes time to check the mounting and replacement of the imaging cartridge, and power consumption and consumption of consumables such as toner and photoconductors are large. Therefore, there is a problem that efficient image formation cannot be performed.

  For this reason, in recent years, an imaging cartridge equipped with a memory is used as the imaging cartridge as described above, and various types of information such as the type of imaging cartridge and the amount of toner contained therein are written in the memory of the imaging cartridge. When the imaging cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, communication is performed between the image forming apparatus and the memory provided in the imaging cartridge, and the mounting of the imaging cartridge is confirmed and written in the memory. Information is read by the image forming device, the type of the imaging cartridge is determined to form an image, and the amount of toner stored is rewritten to detect the replacement time of the imaging cartridge. It has been used.

  However, if the memory is mounted on all the imaging cartridges in this way, there is a problem that the cost of the imaging cartridge is high.

  For this reason, an imaging cartridge without a memory is used as the imaging cartridge to be mounted when the image forming apparatus is shipped. When the imaging cartridge is replaced, an imaging cartridge with a memory is mounted. Has been done.

However, in this case, an imaging cartridge without a memory and an imaging cartridge with a memory are mixed, and the imaging cartridge with a memory is communicated with the memory as described above. For imaging cartridges that do not have an IC chip mounted, an arbitrary image is formed on the photosensitive member by the imaging cartridge as described above, and the density of the formed image is measured by a photosensor. In this case, it was necessary to confirm the mounting or replacement of the imaging cartridge on which the IC chip is not mounted, and there was a problem similar to the above case.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-90734

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described various problems in an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of imaging cartridges containing at least toner are detachably attached to an apparatus main body.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when there is an imaging cartridge not equipped with a memory and an imaging cartridge equipped with a memory as described above, it is necessary to check whether the imaging cartridge is mounted or replaced. Therefore, an object is to enable efficient image formation.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problems, at least a plurality of imaging cartridges containing toner are detachably attached to the apparatus main body, and a memory is mounted as the imaging cartridge. A memory-equipped imaging cartridge and a memory-uninstalled imaging cartridge in which no memory is mounted are used. First confirmation means for confirming the mounting of the memory-mounted imaging cartridge, and an image holding member from the memory-uninstalled imaging cartridge In the image forming apparatus provided with the second confirmation means for confirming the mounting of the imaging cartridge without the memory by supplying the toner to the image forming information, only the imaging cartridge with the memory confirmed by the first confirmation means According A determination unit that determines whether image formation can be performed is provided. If the determination unit determines that image formation is possible, image formation is performed without confirming the mounting of the imaging cartridge without memory by the second verification unit. I did it.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when there are a plurality of pieces of image forming information, after the image forming determined that the image forming is possible by the determining unit, the second confirming unit stores the memory. It is preferable to confirm the mounting of the non-mounted imaging cartridge.

  Further, when confirming the mounting of the imaging cartridge without memory by the second confirmation means, the confirmation operation is performed between images formed by the imaging cartridge with memory. Is preferred.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the same color toner is contained in the memory-mounted imaging cartridge and the memory-uninstalled imaging cartridge, the second confirmation unit described above When the mounting is confirmed, it is preferable to perform image formation using this imaging cartridge without memory.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, as described above, in the case where a memory-mounted imaging cartridge with a memory mounted and an imaging cartridge without a memory without a memory mounted are used as the imaging cartridge, the first confirmation means The determination means determines whether image formation according to the image formation information can be performed only with the memory-mounted imaging cartridge confirmed by the above. If it is determined that image formation is possible, the memory-non-installed imaging cartridge by the second confirmation means Since the image formation is performed without confirming the mounting of the toner, the waste of time for confirming the mounting of the imaging cartridge without the memory and the consumption of consumables such as toner are suppressed, so that an efficient image formation can be performed. become.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of pieces of image formation information, after the image formation that is determined to be possible by the determination unit is performed, the second confirmation unit is configured to confirm the mounting of the imaging cartridge without the memory. In addition, if the confirmation of the mounting of the imaging cartridge without memory is performed between the images formed by the above-mentioned imaging cartridge with memory, the image can be formed more efficiently. It becomes like this.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the same color toner is contained in the memory-mounted imaging cartridge and the memory-uninstalled imaging cartridge, the memory-unequipped imaging cartridge is mounted by the second confirmation unit. If it is confirmed that if image formation is performed using the imaging cartridge without memory, the toner in the imaging cartridge without memory is consumed first, and the imaging cartridge without memory is used as the imaging cartridge without memory. After that, the time for replacement becomes earlier, after which the confirmation by the second confirmation means becomes unnecessary, and more efficient image formation can be performed.

  Next, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the one shown in the following embodiment, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not changing the gist thereof.

  In the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, four imaging cartridges 10 </ b> A to 10 </ b> D are mounted in the apparatus main body 1.

  Here, each of the imaging cartridges 10A to 10D is exposed to the photoconductor 11, the charging device 12 for charging the surface of the photoconductor 11, and the surface of the charged photoconductor 11 according to image information. An exposure device 13 that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 11, a developing device 14 that supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11 to form a toner image, and a photoconductor A cleaning device 15 is provided for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 11 after the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21.

  In the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, when full-color image formation is performed, toners having different colors of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan are added to the developing device 14 in each of the imaging cartridges 10A to 10D. In each of the imaging cartridges 10A to 10D, a toner image of each color is formed on the surface of each photoconductor 11.

  Next, the toner images of each color formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11 in each of the imaging cartridges 10 </ b> A to 10 </ b> D are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21, and a full color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21. Form.

  On the other hand, the recording medium S is fed by the paper feed roller 22, and this recording medium S is guided between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the transfer roller 24 at an appropriate timing by the timing roller 23, and on the intermediate transfer belt 21. The formed full color toner image is transferred to the recording medium S, and the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 21 without being transferred to the recording medium S is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 21 by the second cleaning device 25. .

  Then, the recording medium S on which the full-color toner image is transferred as described above is guided between the pair of fixing rollers 26, and the full-color toner image is fixed on the recording medium S, and then the recording medium S is discharged. Paper is discharged by a paper roller 27.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus in this embodiment, as the four imaging cartridges 10A to 10D to be mounted in the apparatus main body 1, at the beginning of use, as shown in FIG. The mounted imaging cartridges 10A1 to 10D1 are mounted.

  When the toner stored in each developing device 14 in the imaging cartridges 10A1 to 10D1 without memory is consumed, the imaging cartridges 10A1 to 10D1 without memory and the memories 16A to 16D are sequentially mounted. For example, when the toner contained in the developing device 14 in the imaging cartridges 10A1 and 10B1 without memory is consumed, these two imaging cartridges without memory are mounted. As shown in FIG. 3, 10A1 and 10B1 are replaced with memory-mounted imaging cartridges 10A2 and 10B2 in which the memories 16A and 16B are mounted. The cartridge 10A1～10D1, as shown in FIG. 4, so as to replace in the memory mounted imaging cartridge 10A2~10D2 memory 16A~16D is mounted.

  Here, when the second confirmation means confirms whether or not the above-described imaging cartridges 10A1 to 10D1 without memory are mounted, the CPU 2 provided in the apparatus main body 1 performs the above-described imaging cartridges 10A1 to 10 without memory. The developing device 14 in 10D1 forms a detection toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 11, and transfers each detection toner image thus formed to a different position on the intermediate transfer belt 21, thereby detecting the mutual detection toner image. The detection toner images are detected by the detection sensors 28 to check whether the imaging cartridges 10A1 to 10D1 without memory are mounted. In this embodiment, the detection toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21 and detected by the detection sensor 28. The position where the detection toner image is detected is particularly shown in this embodiment. Although not limited to the position, and not shown, it is also possible to detect a detection toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor in each imaging cartridge without memory with a detection sensor.

  On the other hand, when confirming by the first confirmation means whether or not the memory-mounted imaging cartridges 10A2 to 10D2 loaded with the memories 16A to 16D are mounted, the CPU 2 provided in the apparatus main body 1 and each memory-mounted imaging cartridge Communication is performed with each of the memories 16A to 16D mounted on 10A2 to 10D2, and it is confirmed whether each of the memory mounted imaging cartridges 10A2 to 10D2 is mounted.

  Here, when performing image formation by the image forming apparatus in this embodiment, the first confirmation unit confirms the state in which the memory-mounted imaging cartridges 10A2 to 10D2 loaded with the memories 16A to 16D are mounted, Based on the image information requested to form an image, it is determined whether the above-described image formation can be performed only with the mounted memory-mounted imaging cartridges 10A2 to 10D2.

  If image formation is possible only with the mounted memory-mounted imaging cartridges 10A2 to 10D2, image formation is performed without confirming the mounting of the memory-free imaging cartridges 10A1 to 10D1 by the second confirmation unit. To do. On the other hand, when the above-described image formation cannot be performed only with the mounted memory-mounted imaging cartridges 10A2 to 10D2, the mounting of the memory-free imaging cartridges 10A1 to 10D1 is confirmed by the second confirmation unit, and the memory-less mounted imaging is performed. When the mounting of the cartridges 10A1 to 10D1 is confirmed, image stabilization control is performed to perform the above-described image formation.

  Here, when image formation is possible only with the memory-mounted imaging cartridges 10A2 to 10D2 mounted as described above, without confirming the mounting of the memory-uninstalled imaging cartridges 10A1 to 10D1 by the second confirmation unit, When image formation is performed, waste of time for confirming the mounting of the imaging cartridges 10A1 to 10D1 without memory and consumption of consumables such as toner in the imaging cartridges 10A1 to 10D1 without memory are suppressed, which is efficient. Image formation can be performed.

  Next, an operation for forming an image by the above-described image forming apparatus will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, when the power is turned on and started, in step S1, the first confirmation means communicates with each imaging cartridge to confirm the mounting state of the memory-mounted imaging cartridge on which the memory is mounted. Go ahead and wait for an image formation request.

  If there is an image formation request in step S2, the process proceeds to step 3 to start an image forming operation such as confirmation of the open / close state of the cover, warm-up, drive operation confirmation, etc. It is determined whether or not a memory-mounted imaging cartridge is mounted.

  If it is determined in step 4 that all memory-mounted imaging cartridges are mounted, the process proceeds to step 5 to perform image formation, and then in step S6, it is determined whether there is a next image formation request. If there is an image formation request, the process returns to step 5 to perform image formation, and image formation is repeated as long as there is an image formation request. If it is determined in step S6 that there is no next image formation request, the process proceeds to step S7 to stop the image forming operation and end the image formation.

  On the other hand, if it is not determined in step 4 that all of the memory-mounted imaging cartridges are mounted, the process proceeds to step S8, and the requested image formation is performed only with the mounted memory-mounted imaging cartridge. It is determined whether or not image formation is possible. If image formation is possible, the process proceeds to step S9 to perform image formation. Next, in step S10, it is determined whether or not there is an image formation request. If there is an image formation request, the process returns to step 8 above, and the requested image formation can be performed only with the mounted memory-mounted imaging cartridge. In such a case, such image formation is repeated. If it is determined in step S10 that there is no next image formation request, the process proceeds to step S7 to stop the image forming operation and end the image formation.

  In step S8, if the requested image formation cannot be performed only with the mounted memory-mounted imaging cartridge, in step S11, a detection toner image is formed by the second confirmation unit as described above. An operation for confirming an imaging cartridge not equipped with a memory is performed. In step S12, it is determined whether an imaging cartridge not equipped with a memory is installed.

  If an imaging cartridge without memory is mounted, the process proceeds to step S13 to perform image formation, and then in step S14, it is determined whether there is a next image formation request, and if there is an image formation request. Returns to step 13 and repeats image formation. On the other hand, if there is no next image formation request in step S14, the process proceeds to step S7 to stop the image forming operation and end the image formation.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the imaging cartridge without memory is not installed, the requested image formation cannot be performed, and the process proceeds to step S7 to stop the image forming operation. To finish.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, when the requested image formation cannot be performed only with the mounted memory-mounted imaging cartridge in step S8 as described above, the second confirmation unit as described above. Although the confirmation operation of the non-mounted imaging cartridge such as the formation of the detection toner image is performed, the point of time when the confirmation operation of the non-mounted imaging cartridge is performed by the second confirmation unit is not particularly limited to such a point.

  For example, the detection toner image is detected by the second confirmation unit at the intermediate portion between the formed images in the middle of image formation by the mounted memory-mounted imaging cartridge. The operation of checking the imaging cartridge without memory, such as forming the image, is performed to determine whether the imaging cartridge without memory is installed, or when there is no next image formation request in step S10, the process proceeds to step S7. Before the image forming operation is stopped, the confirmation operation of the imaging cartridge not equipped with a memory such as formation of a detection toner image is performed by the second confirmation unit to determine whether the imaging cartridge without a memory is installed. Is also possible.

  When it is confirmed that the imaging cartridge without memory is mounted as described above, for example, the mounting confirmation flag indicating the mounting of the imaging cartridge without memory is set to 1, and it is confirmed that the mounting confirmation flag is 1. It is also possible to perform image formation using an imaging cartridge without a memory.

  In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, in order to form a full-color image, the developing device 14 stores toners having different colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black as described above. The types of imaging cartridges 10A to 10D are used. For example, four imaging cartridges 10A containing toner of the same color, for example, black toner as shown in FIG. This image forming apparatus can also be used for monochrome images.

  In the case where a monochrome image is formed by mounting four imaging cartridges 10A each containing black toner in the developing device 14 as described above, the first confirmation unit confirms the memory-equipped imaging cartridge 10A2 and the first one. As a result of confirming the imaging cartridge 10A1 not equipped with the memory by the two confirmation means, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the imaging cartridge 10A1 not equipped with the memory and the imaging cartridge 10A2 loaded with the memory 16A exist. Is used from the imaging cartridge 10A1 without memory.

  As described above, when used from the imaging cartridge 10A1 without memory, the toner in the imaging cartridge 10A1 without memory is consumed first, and the time to replace the imaging cartridge 10A1 without memory with the imaging cartridge 10A2 with memory is advanced. Thereafter, the confirmation by the second confirmation means is not necessary.

1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the image forming apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, all the imaging cartridges mounted on the apparatus main body are schematic explanatory diagrams illustrating a state in which all of the imaging cartridges do not have a memory. In the image forming apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, the imaging cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body is a schematic explanatory view showing a state in which an imaging cartridge without memory and an imaging cartridge with memory are mixed. In the image forming apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, all the imaging cartridges mounted on the apparatus main body are schematic explanatory views showing a state in which they are all memory-mounted imaging cartridges. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for performing image formation in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a state in which two imaging cartridges containing black toner are mounted in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a state where an imaging cartridge without memory and an imaging cartridge with memory are present in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

1 Device body 2 CPU
10A to 10D Imaging cartridge 10A1 to 10D1 Imaging cartridge without memory 10A2 to 10D2 Imaging cartridge with memory 11 Photoconductor 12 Charging device 13 Exposure device 14 Developing device 15 Cleaning device 16A to 16D Memory 21 Intermediate transfer belt 22 Paper feed roller 23 Timing roller 24 Transfer Roller 25 Second Cleaning Device 26 Fixing Roller 27 Paper Discharge Roller S Recording Medium

Claims (4)

  A plurality of imaging cartridges containing at least toner are detachably attached to the apparatus main body. As the imaging cartridge, there are a memory-mounted imaging cartridge with a memory and a memory-free imaging cartridge without a memory. A first confirmation unit for confirming the mounting of the above-mentioned memory-mounted imaging cartridge and a second confirmation for confirming the mounting of the imaging cartridge without a memory by supplying toner from the above-mentioned imaging cartridge without a memory to the image holding member; The image forming apparatus is provided with a determination unit that determines whether image formation according to the image formation information can be performed only with the memory-mounted imaging cartridge confirmed by the first confirmation unit. Image form If it is determined to be an image forming apparatus and performs image formation without checking the attachment of the memory not mounted imaging cartridge according to the second confirming means described above.   In the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, when there are a plurality of pieces of image formation information, after the image formation that is determined to be possible by the determination unit is performed, the second confirmation unit does not store the memory. An image forming apparatus for confirming mounting of an on-board imaging cartridge.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second confirmation unit confirms the mounting of the imaging cartridge without a memory between the images formed by the memory mounting imaging cartridge. An image forming apparatus, which is performed between images.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the same color toner is contained in the memory-mounted imaging cartridge and the memory-free imaging cartridge. An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the confirmation means confirms the mounting of the imaging cartridge without memory, image formation is performed by the imaging cartridge without memory.

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