JP5183103B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a page printer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which a developing cartridge or a process cartridge is detachable.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, there is a process cartridge system in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. It has been adopted. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself / herself without depending on the service person, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses. FIG. 2 shows an example of such a process cartridge.

  In this example shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge P includes a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive drum”) 1 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image is provided with a developer (hereinafter simply referred to as “toner”) by a developing device 11 as developing means, and is made a visible image (that is, a toner image).

  The developing device 11 includes a developing roller 2 that is a developer carrying member that sends toner to the photosensitive drum 1, a toner regulating member 4 that regulates the amount of toner on the developing roller 2, and the like. Yes. The developing container 7 is integrally coupled with a toner container 8 that contains toner and a stirring member 6 for stirring the toner. A seal member 5 (hereinafter simply referred to as “toner seal”) is provided in an opening 18 provided at a coupling portion between the toner container 8 and the developing container 7 so that the toner does not leak when the process cartridge P is transported before use. .) Is provided.

  When the process cartridge P is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the new state of the cartridge is judged using a memory or the like provided in the cartridge, and the toner seal 5 sealing the opening 18 of the toner container 8 is automatically wound up. Process cartridges that are opened are known. An example thereof is described in Patent Document 1. In this process cartridge, the toner seal winding shaft fixed to one end is rotated and automatically wound in the longitudinal direction, thereby eliminating the need for the user to open the toner seal or to discard the toner seal. it can.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a method for optically detecting the toner seal in order to determine whether or not the automatic winding of the toner seal has been completely taken up. According to this method, if it is determined that the automatic winding of the toner seal has failed, the user is notified.

  In addition, an apparatus for forming an image by mounting a process cartridge or a developing cartridge is provided with a cartridge mounting presence / absence detection mechanism in order to prevent confusion such as printing out without a cartridge. An example of this is described in Patent Document 3, which informs the user of whether or not a cartridge is mounted. According to this detection method, a protrusion is provided on the exterior of the cartridge, and the presence or absence of the cartridge is detected by pressing a switch provided on the main body with the protrusion when the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body.

As described above, it is possible to perform a toner seal automatic winding operation by detecting a new cartridge state, or to notify the user of the presence or absence of a cartridge by detecting the presence or absence of the cartridge. As a result, the user does not need toner seal pulling when a new cartridge is mounted, and can accurately determine the absence of a cartridge.
JP 2001-305839 A JP 9-197945 A JP-A-5-265264

  However, the image forming apparatus described above requires separate detection mechanisms for detecting whether or not a cartridge is mounted and for detecting whether a new cartridge is necessary for determining whether or not a toner seal winding operation is necessary. Further, in the toner seal winding operation, the toner seal may not be wound during the winding operation. In order to install these detection mechanisms, it is necessary to increase the number of components and installation space, or cause problems such as no image generated when toner seal winding is incomplete. There were issues such as being difficult for users to understand.

An object of the present invention, such that the separately provided a detection mechanism such cartridges new sensing mechanism Ku, determine the cartridges state, you to select the appropriate sequence to form an image according to the determination result It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above.

The above object is achieved by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In summary, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
It can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus,
A developing chamber having a developer carrier for supplying the developer onto the image carrier;
A developer storage chamber for storing the developer;
An opening for sending developer from the developer storage chamber to the developer chamber;
A seal member that seals the opening,
In the image forming apparatus having a seal member removing means for providing a drive for opening the seal member along the axial direction of the developer carrier.
Control means for forming a detection image for detecting whether or not the seal member has been removed at a plurality of times including both before and after completion of the removal operation of the seal member;
First detection means for detecting whether or not the detection image is formed on the downstream side of the image forming region by the image forming apparatus in the opening direction of the seal member ;
With
When the detection image is detected by the first detection means before completion of the removal operation of the seal member, a predetermined first sequence is performed in order to form an image,
The detection image is not detected by the first detection means before completion of the removal operation of the seal member, and the detection image is detected by the first detection means after completion of the removal operation of the seal member. In this case, an image forming apparatus is provided that performs a second sequence different from the first sequence in order to perform image formation.

According to a second aspect of the invention,
It can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus,
A developing chamber having a developer carrier for supplying the developer onto the image carrier;
A developer storage chamber for storing the developer;
An opening for sending developer from the developer storage chamber to the developer chamber;
A seal member that seals the opening,
In the image forming apparatus having a seal member removing means for providing a drive for opening the seal member along the axial direction of the developer carrier.
Control means for forming a detection image for detecting whether or not the seal member has been removed at a plurality of times including both before and after completion of the removal operation of the seal member;
First detection means for detecting whether or not the detection image is formed on the downstream side of the image forming region by the image forming apparatus in the opening direction of the seal member ;
On the upstream side in the opening direction of the first sensing means prior Symbol sealing member from the position for detecting the detecting image, a second detecting means for detecting whether said detecting image is formed ,
With
When the detection image is detected by the first detection means and the second detection means before completion of the removal operation of the seal member, a predetermined first sequence is performed in order to form an image. ,
Prior to completion of the removal operation of the seal member, the detection image is not detected by the first detection unit, the detection image is detected by the second detection unit, and the removal operation of the seal member is completed. Later, when the detection image is detected by the first detection unit and the second detection unit, a second sequence different from the first sequence is performed in order to form an image. An image forming apparatus is provided.

According to the present invention, the detection image is provided on the image carrier, and the detection image is detected . Thus, without separately providing a detecting mechanism such as the cartridge new sensing mechanism, to determine the cartridges state, to select an appropriate sequence for the image forming in accordance with the discrimination result.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes four image forming units P (PY, PM, PC, and PK) that form images of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black) colors. have. In this embodiment, each image forming unit P (PY, PM, PC, PK) is constituted by a process cartridge, and each process cartridge P is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100A by a mounting means (not shown). Removably attached.

  The process cartridge P (PY, PM, PC, PK) has a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member as an image carrier that rotates at a constant speed, that is, a photosensitive drum 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K). Yes.

  In this embodiment, an intermediate transfer belt 13 as an intermediate transfer member is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K). The intermediate transfer belt 13 is suspended from a drive roller 13a and support rollers 13b and 13c, and is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow.

  The toner image formed by each process cartridge P (PY, PM, PC, PK) is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13.

  In this embodiment, a secondary transfer roller 16 is disposed at a position facing the support roller 13c, and is pressed against the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13 with a predetermined pressure to form a secondary transfer portion.

  The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 13 are transferred from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13 to the recording material S.

  Thereafter, the recording material S that has received the transfer of the unfixed toner image is conveyed and introduced into a fixing unit (not shown), subjected to a heating / pressure fixing process of the toner image, and discharged outside the apparatus.

  Next, the configuration of each part of the image forming apparatus will be sequentially described in detail.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a process cartridge as an image forming unit used in the image forming apparatus. Since each process cartridge P (PY, PM, PC, PK) has the same structure, in FIG. 2, each process cartridge PY, PM, PC, PK is collectively referred to as a process cartridge P. The members are shown without being labeled with Y, M, C, K.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the process cartridge P has a photosensitive drum 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K) as an image carrier supported rotatably at the approximate center of the process cartridge P in the direction of the arrow. When the image forming operation starts, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K) is uniformly charged by the charging roller 10 (10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K) as a charging unit. Thereafter, for example, laser irradiation means 12 (12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K) as exposure means performs exposure corresponding to image information on the surface, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. This electrostatic latent image is then visualized by the developer supplied to the photosensitive drum 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K) by the developing device 11 (11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K), and a so-called toner image is formed. The

  Next, the toner image is electrostatically transferred intermediately by a transfer electric field formed between the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer roller 15 by a transfer roller 15 (15Y, 15M, 15C, 15K), for example, as a primary transfer unit. Transferred onto the belt 13. Thereafter, the toner image is transferred onto the recording material S by the secondary transfer roller 16 which is a secondary transfer unit. The unfixed toner image on the recording material S is permanently fixed on the recording material P by heat and pressure by a fixing device (not shown).

  The transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 13 after the transfer of the toner image is, for example, a cleaning device 9 (9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K) including a blade-shaped cleaning member, And it is removed by the cleaning device 26. After cleaning, the photosensitive drum 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K) and the intermediate transfer belt 13 are in a state where image formation can be continued.

  The developer used in this embodiment is a negatively charged nonmagnetic one-component developer (toner). Further, the process speed of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, that is, the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K) is 150 mm / sec. On the other hand, the peripheral speed of the developing roller 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K) as the developer carrying member is 225 mm / sec.

  Next, the developing device 11 (11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K) will be described with reference to FIG.

  The developing devices 11 (11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K) have the same configuration. Accordingly, the developing devices 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K will be collectively referred to as the developing device 11 without adding the symbols Y, M, C, and K to the constituent members.

  The developing device 11 holds a developing roller 2 as a developer carrying member, stores a developing container 7 constituting a developing chamber, a developer (toner), and a stirring member 6 for stirring the toner. The toner container 8 constituting the agent storage chamber is coupled.

  The developing container 7 is partially supported on the side facing the photosensitive drum 1, and is supported by the developing container 7 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow so that the developing roller 2 is partially exposed from the opening 7a. Yes.

The developing roller 2 has an outer diameter composed of a low-hardness rubber material or foamed material such as silicone or urethane having a volume resistivity of 10 ² Ωcm to ^{10 10} Ωcm in which a conductive agent such as carbon is dispersed, and a combination thereof. A 20 mm conductive elastic roller. The developing roller 2 includes an elastic body and is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined contact pressure. The supply roller 3 as a developer supply and recovery means is an elastic roller including an elastic body, and is disposed in contact with the development roller 2 with a sponge roller having an outer diameter of 16 mm.

  The developing container 7 is provided with a blade 4 as a developer layer thickness regulating member so as to pressurize the developing roller 2. The blade 4 is a leaf spring member made of SUS, and is in contact with the developing roller 2 with a predetermined contact pressure. The toner supplied onto the developing roller 2 by the supply roller 3 is subjected to layer thickness regulation and charge application by the blade 4, and a thin layer of toner is formed on the developing roller 2 and supplied to the developing region. Further, the toner that does not contribute to the development and remains carried on the developing roller 2 is peeled off from the developing roller 2 by the rubbing by the supply roller 3. A part of the toner is supplied again onto the developing roller 2 by the supplying roller 3 together with the toner newly supplied onto the supplying roller 3, and the rest is returned to the developing container 7.

  To prevent the toner in the toner container 8 of the new cartridge P from leaking from the developing container 7 due to vibrations caused by transportation or the like, a seal member (in the opening formed in the joint between the developing container 7 and the toner container 8) A toner seal) 5 is provided and sealed (sealed) (see also FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 3, one end of the toner seal 5 is fixed to a take-up shaft 17 as a seal member removing unit that is rotatably supported by the toner container 8. Accordingly, the take-up shaft 17 is rotated by a driving means (motor) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus. As a result, a driving force for opening the toner seal 5 along the axial direction of the developing roller 2 can be applied, and the toner seal can be wound on the winding shaft 17 (FIG. 5), and the toner seal is automatically opened. .

  As a method for transmitting the drive to the winding shaft 17 in this embodiment, the driving force input from the image forming apparatus to the developing device 11 is transferred to the winding shaft 17 via the driven gear 17a by an idler gear (not shown). The driving force is obtained by dividing and rotating the winding shaft. For this reason, the take-up shaft 17 continues to rotate while the driving force is transmitted to the developing device 11.

  In the cartridge of this embodiment, the time T for completely winding the toner seal 5 requires 60 seconds. The toner seal can be completely wound up after a predetermined winding shaft rotation time T = 60 seconds (FIG. 5), and the sealed opening 18 can be exposed. Thereby, toner can be supplied from the toner container 8 to the developing container 7.

  Next, a cartridge discrimination method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus using functional blocks shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the cartridge P may be detached from the image forming apparatus main body 100A when the power supply 26 is turned on or when the cartridge access door detecting means 27 is closed. Therefore, in this embodiment, at this time, the CPU 28 transmits a signal for driving the developing device 11 to the image forming operation control means 30.

  After a predetermined time, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the CPU 28 is positioned downstream in the toner seal winding direction in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1 to create a detection image, that is, a patch image. An exposure signal is transmitted to the image processing circuit 29. Then, the photosensitive drum 1 is exposed to form a latent image. This latent image is developed by the developing device 11 to form a patch image 21 on the photosensitive drum 1. Next, the patch image 21 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 13 by the transfer unit 15.

  The patch image 21 on the intermediate transfer belt 13 is detected by a toner concentration detection sensor 14 serving as a patch image detection unit that is arranged on the downstream side in the toner seal removal direction in the axial direction of the developing roller 2. Then, the CPU 28 receives the detection result, and the CPU 28 determines the cartridge determination result. The position downstream of the toner seal removal direction is preferably a position corresponding to the downstream side of the center of the opening sealed by the toner seal in the toner seal removal direction, and more preferably the downstream end of the opening. The position corresponding to the vicinity of the part is good.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the cartridge discrimination method of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  The power supply 26 of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on, the cartridge P is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100A, and the door for accessing the cartridge P is closed (S101). Thereafter, the toner seal winding operation is executed along with the driving of the cartridge P (S102). In this embodiment, since there is a common door for accessing each process cartridge PY, PM, PC, PK, a toner seal winding operation is executed for each process cartridge PY, PM, PC, PK. However, when there is a separate door for each process cartridge PY, PM, PC, PK, the toner seal winding operation is performed only for the process cartridge corresponding to the opened / closed door among the plurality of doors. Just do it.

  After a predetermined time, a patch image 21 is created on one end of the photosensitive drum 1 and is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13, and the patch image on the intermediate transfer belt 13 is detected by the toner density detection sensor 14 (S103).

  In this embodiment, the patch image detection sequence is basically performed twice, and the patch image 21 is created only on the downstream side of the toner seal winding as shown in FIGS.

  The first patch image detection is Tp1 = 30 sec after the start of winding in which the opening is half-sealed. The second patch image detection is time T = time required for the toner seal to be completely wound. At the same time as Tp2 = 60 sec.

  In this embodiment, since the developing device 11 is driven even during the patch image detection sequence, a toner seal winding operation is included. Also, the first patch image detection timing may be set to a short value such as Tp1 = 15 sec when it is desired to notify the user of the presence of the cartridge as soon as possible with a cartridge whose toner seal has already been removed.

  The toner concentration sensor 14 includes an infrared light emitting element such as an LED, a light receiving element such as a photodiode or a phototransistor, an integrated circuit that processes light reception data, and a folder that accommodates these. Only one toner density sensor 14 is provided on the downstream side of the toner seal winding. The toner concentration sensor 14 may be provided at a position corresponding to the downstream side of the center of the opening sealed by the toner seal, and more preferably provided at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the downstream end of the opening. The toner density sensor 14 is configured to measure the toner density on the intermediate transfer belt 13 transferred from the photosensitive drum 1, and is used for image density control in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. . In this embodiment, an image density control sensor is used as the toner density sensor 14.

If the patch image can be detected in the first patch image detection (S103) (Yes in S104), it is determined that the cartridge P is normally mounted because the developed toner has been successfully transferred. (S105). At this time, the execution of the second patch image detection sequence is not requested, and it is determined that the used toner cartridge has already been used and has been used (S106). Thereafter, the normal sequence is executed. (S107). In this case, the toner seal winding time Tp1 required for the first patch image detection is shorter than the time T for completely winding the toner seal (Tp1 <T). A downstream patch image is detected. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, it can be determined that the toner seal has already been used (second-hand goods) in a state where the toner seal has been wound up. That is, if a patch image can be detected by the first patch image detection,
(1) The cartridge P is normally mounted (S105),
(2) A used cartridge in which the toner seal is normally wound (S106).
A plurality of states of the cartridge can be simultaneously determined.

  Table 1 shows a list of patch image detection results. This case corresponds to case 1 in Table 1. Further, in this embodiment, by setting Tp1 = 30 sec, it can be determined that the toner seal is completely wound in half the time of T = 60 sec, and even when the cartridge P may be detached or attached. The toner seal winding time T may not be required. Thereby, the waiting time of the user can be shortened.

  Also, in the first patch image detection (S104), as shown in FIG. 4, when the patch image 21 cannot be detected (No in S104), the toner seal is not completely wound. Judge that there is. Therefore, the second patch image detection sequence is requested, and the second patch image detection is performed after the time T = Tp2 = 60 sec when the toner seal starts to be completely wound and the toner seal is completely wound (S108). At this time, if the patch image 21 can be detected (Yes in S109), it is determined that the toner seal has been completely wound.

In this case, the patch image 21 can be detected by performing the second patch image detection after the patch image 21 on the downstream side of the toner seal winding cannot be detected by the first patch image detection. . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the toner seal 5 is in a new state in which the toner container 8 and the developing container 7 are sealed, and after a proper toner seal winding time T is required, after the state of FIG. 4 has elapsed, The patch image can be detected in the state shown in FIG. for that reason,
(1) The cartridge is installed normally.
(2) It is a new cartridge.
(3) The toner seal was wound up normally.
These three points can be discriminated simultaneously (S111). This case corresponds to case 2 in Table 1.

  Thereafter, an initial sequence as a new cartridge such as density control is executed (S112).

If the patch image 21 cannot be detected in both the first and second patch image detections (in the case of No in S109),
(1) No cartridge is installed,
(2) no toner
(3) Toner seal winding incomplete,
In any of the above, there is no toner in the developing chamber 7 for creating a patch (S113). Accordingly, the user is informed as a cartridge mounting state warning as being unusable (S114). This case corresponds to case 3 in Table 1.

  In this way, by creating and detecting the patch image 21 at a plurality of timings on the downstream side of the toner seal winding on the photosensitive drum 1, it is possible to simultaneously determine a plurality of states such as new and old cartridges and whether or not a cartridge is installed.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, the patch image 21 is created at a plurality of timings in the downstream position in the toner seal winding direction on the photosensitive drum 1, that is, in the toner seal removal direction. Then, it is detected whether or not the toner seal has been removed from the patch image 21 at a plurality of times including both before and after completion of the toner seal removal operation. Accordingly, it is possible to determine the presence / absence of a cartridge, the presence / absence of a developer, the success or failure of removal of a seal member, and whether the cartridge is a new cartridge or an already used cartridge (new and old cartridge). . Specifically, for example, based on the detection result of the detection means, the presence or absence of the cartridge or the presence or absence of the developer or the success or failure of the removal of the seal member, whether the cartridge is a new cartridge or a cartridge that is already in use, Can be determined.

  In this embodiment, the operation when detecting whether the cartridge is new or old is used to determine whether the toner seal winding operation needs to be executed. For example, an initial sequence such as density control, color misregistration correction control, and toner agitation control is used. It may be used to determine the implementation. Further, when a new cartridge is detected, it may be used for resetting each of the detection counters such as resetting the cartridge life counter, developing roller rotation number used for bias control, and photosensitive drum film thickness used for transfer control.

Example 2
A second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the patch image detection is performed only after the toner seal winding operation completion time, and the control is simplified.

  The configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge according to the present invention are the same as those of the image forming apparatus including the process cartridge according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. . FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of toner density sensors are provided for image density control as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, two toner density sensors 14a and 14b are provided so that the toner density on the intermediate transfer belt transferred from the vicinity of both longitudinal ends of the drum can be measured. When there is a possibility that the cartridge is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 100A, such as when the power is turned on or when the door is closed, two patch images are created on the photosensitive drum length corresponding to the toner density sensors 14a and 14b.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the power supply 26 of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on, the cartridge P is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100A, and the door for accessing the cartridge P is closed (S201). Thereafter, the toner seal winding operation is executed along with the driving of the cartridge P (S202).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the first patch image 21a is simultaneously created on the upstream side of the toner seal winding, and the second patch image 21b is simultaneously created on the downstream side of the toner seal winding. The two patch images transferred onto the transfer belt 13 are detected. The position on the upstream side of the toner seal winding is preferably a position corresponding to the upstream side of the center of the opening sealed by the toner seal in the toner seal removal direction. Is preferably a position corresponding to the downstream side of the center of the opening.

  The patch image detection (S204) of the present embodiment is performed T = 60 seconds after the toner seal completely completes the winding operation (S203). At this time, if the patch image 21a can be detected (Yes in S205), it is determined that the cartridge P is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100A (S206). If both the patch images 21a and 21b can be detected as in the state of FIG. 9 (Yes in S207), since the developed toner has been transferred normally, the cartridge P is normally mounted. In step S208, it is determined that the toner seal winding is normally completed.

  Thereafter, the normal sequence is executed (S209). Table 2 shows a list of patch image detection results. This case corresponds to Case 4 in Table 2.

  In the patch image detection (S207), the patch image 21a can be detected, but if the patch image 21b cannot be detected (No in S207), the following determination is made. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, since the toner seal is not completely wound, it is determined that the toner seal cannot be properly developed downstream and the patch image 21b cannot be detected (S210). In this case, it is determined that the cartridge is normally mounted, but the toner seal has not been normally wound up, and the user is informed as a toner seal winding incomplete warning (S211). This case corresponds to case 5 in Table 2.

  Further, when the patch image 21a cannot be detected in the patch image detection (S205) (No in S205), it is determined that the cartridge mounting state is abnormal such as no cartridge mounting, no toner, or toner seal winding incomplete (S212). . Then, a cartridge mounting state warning is notified to the user as an unusable cartridge state (S213). This case corresponds to case 6 in Table 2. When the patch image 21a cannot be detected, the patch image 21b cannot be detected.

  As described above, after the toner seal winding completion time is created, patch images are created on both ends of the photosensitive drum, and by detecting the patch images, it is possible to simultaneously determine the presence or absence of the cartridge, a plurality of states such as the toner seal winding state, and the like.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to determine the presence / absence of the cartridge, the presence / absence of the developer, and the success or failure of the removal of the seal member based on the detection result of the detection unit. Specifically, for example, the presence or absence of the cartridge or the presence or absence of the developer and the success or failure of the removal of the seal member can be determined based on the detection result of the detection means.

  In this embodiment, when the toner winding incomplete is detected, the user is informed of the toner seal winding incomplete warning. For example, in order to return the winding mechanism, the drive system is once rotated in the reverse direction, and then forward rotated. Then, a control for returning the winding operation such as re-engaging the drive system gear teeth of the toner seal winding mechanism may be performed.

Example 3
A third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. The third embodiment is configured to determine the cartridge state in more detail by executing the patch image detection of the second embodiment even during winding of the toner seal.

  The configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus, the process cartridge, etc. of the present invention are substantially the same as those of the image forming apparatus provided with the process cartridge in the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. The description to be omitted is omitted. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  In this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, two toner density sensors 14a and 14b are provided for image density control, and the toner on the intermediate transfer belt transferred from the vicinity of both longitudinal ends of the drum is transferred. The concentration can be measured. Further, when there is a possibility that the cartridge is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 100A, such as when the power is turned on or when the door is closed, two patch images are created on the photosensitive drum length. As shown in FIG. 9, the first patch image 21a is simultaneously created on the upstream side of the toner seal winding, and the second patch image 21b is simultaneously created on the downstream side of the toner seal winding, and the intermediate transfer belt 13 is created by the sensors 14a and 14b. The two patch images transferred above are detected.

  In this embodiment, the patch image detection sequence is basically performed twice. In the first patch image detection, as shown in FIG. 10, the second patch image detection is performed as shown in FIG. 9 after Tp1 = 30 sec from the start of winding in which the opening 18 is half sealed. This is performed at the same time as the time T = Tp2 = 60 sec required for the toner seal 5 to be completely wound.

  In this embodiment, since the developing device 11 is driven even during the patch image detection sequence, a toner seal winding operation is included.

  The power supply 26 of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on, the cartridge P is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100A, and the door for accessing the cartridge P is closed (S301). Thereafter, the toner seal winding operation is executed together with the driving of the cartridge P (S302). After a predetermined time Tp1, patch images 21a and 21b are created on both ends of the photosensitive drum 1, transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13, and the patch images 21a and 21b on the intermediate transfer belt are provided in the toner density detection sensor 14a provided in the image forming apparatus. , 14b (S303).

  In this embodiment, two toner density sensors, that is, sensors 14a and 14b, are provided for image density control so that the toner density on the intermediate transfer belt 13 transferred from the vicinity of both longitudinal ends of the drum can be measured.

  If the patch image 21a can be detected in the first patch image detection (S303) (Yes in S304), it is determined that the developed toner has been transferred normally and the cartridge is normally mounted. (S305). At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, when the patch image 21b can also be detected (Yes in S306), the second-time patch image detection sequence is not requested to be executed, and the used product that has been wound up with the toner seal is completed. (S307). Thereafter, the normal sequence is executed (S308).

In this case, although the toner seal winding time Tp1 required for the first patch image detection is shorter than the time T for completely winding the toner seal (Tp1 <T), the patch images at both ends are used. Can be detected. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, it can be determined that the used toner cartridge is a used cartridge that has been wound up from the beginning. That is, when both the patch image 21a and the patch image 21b are detected by the first patch image detection,
(1) The cartridge is normally mounted (S305),
(2) Used cartridge (S307)
(3) The toner seal is normally wound (S307),
The states of a plurality of cartridges can be simultaneously determined. Table 3 shows a list of patch image detection results, which corresponds to case 7 in Table 3.

  In this embodiment, by setting Tp1 = 30 sec, it can be determined that the toner seal is completely wound up in half the time of T = 60 sec, and the toner can be removed even when the cartridge may be attached or detached. The seal winding time T may not be required. Thereby, the waiting time of the user can be shortened.

  In the first patch image detection, as shown in FIG. 10, when the patch image 21a can be detected but the patch image 21b cannot be detected (No in S306), the toner seal is completely wound. Judge that it is not. Therefore, the second patch image detection sequence is requested, and the second patch image detection is performed after the time T = Tp2 = 60 sec when the toner seal is completely wound and the toner seal is completely wound (S309). At this time, if the patch image 21b can be detected (Yes in S312), it is determined that the toner seal is completely wound.

In this case, the patch image 21b on the downstream side of the toner seal winding cannot be detected by the first patch image detection, and then the patch image 21b can be detected by performing the second patch image detection. . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the toner seal is a new state in which the toner container and the developer container are sealed, and it takes a proper toner seal winding time T, and after the state of FIG. The patch image 21b is detected. for that reason,
(1) The cartridge is installed normally.
(2) It is a new cartridge.
(3) The toner seal was wound up normally.
These three points can be discriminated simultaneously (S313). This case corresponds to Case 8 in Table 3.

  Thereafter, an initial sequence as a new cartridge such as density control is executed (S314).

In the second patch image detection, the patch image 21a can be detected (Yes in S310), but if the patch image 21b cannot be detected (No in S312), the time T for completely winding the toner seal T Since Tp2 = 60 sec has elapsed, the cartridge state is as follows.
(1) The cartridge is normally installed (S311),
(2) The toner seal cannot be taken up due to a problem with the take-up shaft gear or the like, or the toner seal is cut off halfway and cannot be taken up thereafter (S315).
Judge. This is the state shown in FIG. 10, and is notified to the user as a toner seal winding incomplete warning (S316). This case corresponds to Case 9 in Table 3.

  If both the patch image 21a and the patch image 21b cannot be detected in both the first and second patch image detections (No in S310), there is no toner for creating the patch image, or Then, it is determined that the patch image cannot be created because the cartridge is not mounted (S317), and the user is notified as a cartridge mounting state warning (S318). This case corresponds to case 10 in Table 3.

  In this way, patch images are created on both ends of the photosensitive drum at a plurality of timings, and by detecting the patch image, whether or not the cartridge is installed, whether the cartridge is new or old, the state where the toner seal is wound (that is, whether or not the toner seal is removed), etc. A plurality of states can be discriminated simultaneously.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, based on the detection result of the detection means, the presence / absence of a cartridge, the presence / absence of a developer, the success or failure of removal of a seal member, and whether the cartridge is a new cartridge or an already used cartridge. It is possible to determine whether it exists. Specifically, for example, based on the detection result of the detection means, the presence or absence of a cartridge or the presence or absence of a developer, the success or failure of removal of the seal member, and whether the cartridge is a new cartridge or a cartridge that is already in use. Can be discriminated.

  In the first to third embodiments, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has been described as being an intermediate transfer type electrophotographic full-color image forming apparatus using the intermediate transfer belt 13. However, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this.

  The principle of the present invention is also applied to a direct transfer type image forming apparatus that directly transfers a toner image onto a recording material conveyed by a recording material carrier, which is an image forming apparatus well known to those skilled in the art. By applying the principle of the present invention described in Example 3, a similar effect can be achieved. In the direct transfer type image forming apparatus, the detection image is formed on a recording material carrier, such as a conveyance belt, instead of the intermediate transfer belt 13 in the first to third embodiments. This detection image may be detected by a detection sensor).

  Of course, the principle of the present invention is not applied to an electrophotographic full-color image forming apparatus, but also to a monocolor image forming apparatus known to those skilled in the art, and the principle of the present invention described in the first to third embodiments is applied. A similar effect can be achieved. When the mono-color image forming apparatus does not include an intermediate transfer member or a recording material carrier, a detection image (toner density detection sensor) may be directly detected by the detection means formed on the photosensitive drum.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a schematic structure sectional view of one example of a process cartridge. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a toner seal sealing state and a state of a photosensitive drum. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating toner seal automatic winding operation and patch image formation on a photosensitive drum according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a toner seal automatic winding operation and patch image formation on a photosensitive drum. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of another embodiment for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating toner seal automatic winding operation and patch image formation on a photosensitive drum according to another embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating toner seal automatic winding operation and patch image formation on a photosensitive drum according to another embodiment. 6 is a flowchart of another embodiment for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
2 Development roller (developer carrier)
3 Supply roller 4 Blade (developer layer thickness regulating member)
5 Toner seal (seal member)
6 Stirring member 7 Developing container (developing chamber)
8 Toner container (developer storage chamber)
9 Cleaning blade 10 Charging roller (charging means)
11 Developing device (developing means)
12 Exposure equipment (exposure means)
13 Intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member)
14 (14a, 14b) Toner density detection sensor (detection means)
15 Transfer roller 16 Secondary transfer roller 17 Toner seal winding shaft (seal member removing means)
18 Opening 19 Rolled up toner seal 21 (21a, 21b) Patch image (detection image)
26 Cleaning Device 100 Image Forming Device 100A Image Forming Device Body

Claims (9)

It can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus,
A developing chamber having a developer carrier for supplying the developer onto the image carrier;
A developer storage chamber for storing the developer;
An opening for sending developer from the developer storage chamber to the developer chamber;
A seal member that seals the opening,
In the image forming apparatus having a seal member removing means for providing a drive for opening the seal member along the axial direction of the developer carrier.
Control means for forming a detection image for detecting whether or not the seal member has been removed at a plurality of times including both before and after completion of the removal operation of the seal member;
First detection means for detecting whether or not the detection image is formed on the downstream side of the image forming region by the image forming apparatus in the opening direction of the seal member ;
With
When the detection image is detected by the first detection means before completion of the removal operation of the seal member, a predetermined first sequence is performed in order to form an image,
The detection image is not detected by the first detection means before completion of the removal operation of the seal member, and the detection image is detected by the first detection means after completion of the removal operation of the seal member. In this case, in order to perform image formation, a second sequence different from the first sequence is performed. It can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus,
A developing chamber having a developer carrier for supplying the developer onto the image carrier;
A developer storage chamber for storing the developer;
An opening for sending developer from the developer storage chamber to the developer chamber;
A seal member that seals the opening,
In the image forming apparatus having a seal member removing means for providing a drive for opening the seal member along the axial direction of the developer carrier.
Control means for forming a detection image for detecting whether or not the seal member has been removed at a plurality of times including both before and after completion of the removal operation of the seal member;
First detection means for detecting whether or not the detection image is formed on the downstream side of the image forming region by the image forming apparatus in the opening direction of the seal member ;
On the upstream side in the opening direction of the first sensing means prior Symbol sealing member from the position for detecting the detecting image, a second detecting means for detecting whether said detecting image is formed ,
With
When the detection image is detected by the first detection means and the second detection means before completion of the removal operation of the seal member, a predetermined first sequence is performed in order to form an image. ,
Prior to completion of the removal operation of the seal member, the detection image is not detected by the first detection unit, the detection image is detected by the second detection unit, and the removal operation of the seal member is completed. Later, when the detection image is detected by the first detection unit and the second detection unit, a second sequence different from the first sequence is performed in order to form an image. An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image density control is performed based on a detection result by the first detection unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein image density control is performed based on a detection result of at least one of the first detection unit and the second detection unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second sequence includes image density control.   The detection image is not detected by the first detection means before completion of the removal operation of the seal member, and the detection image is not detected by the first detection means after completion of the removal operation of the seal member. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein no image is formed when the image is formed.   7. The detection image according to claim 1, wherein the detection image is formed on the image bearing member, transferred to an intermediate transfer member, and detected on the intermediate transfer member. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection image is formed on the image carrier and detected on the image carrier.   7. The detection image according to claim 1, wherein the detection image is formed on the image carrier and then transferred to a recording material carrier that conveys a recording material and detected on the recording material carrier. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

Images