JP7131443B2 - image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a developing roller can be separated from a photosensitive drum.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms a color image using multiple color toners, in which each developing roller can be separated from the corresponding photosensitive drum. For example, in the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, development rollers are arranged in order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black from the upstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt, and yellow, magenta, and yellow develop in accordance with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt. The cyan and black developing rollers are sequentially brought into contact with the corresponding photosensitive drums, and after the toner transfer is completed, the developing rollers are separated in the same order.

Also, there is known a technique of notifying that the development roller has reached the end of its life when the cumulative number of rotations of the development roller exceeds a threshold value (Patent Document 2).

JP 2018-45084 A JP 2013-011693 A

By the way, in an image forming apparatus in which the rotation/stop of the developing roller is controlled by a cam that rotates in one direction, if the cam is not at the initial position at the time of start-up such as when the power is turned on, the cam is first moved to the initial position. rotate. At this time, the developing roller may rotate as the cam rotates.
Conventionally, the rotation of the developing roller when the cam is returned to the initial position at the start-up of the image forming apparatus has not been considered as the life of the developing roller.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to accurately calculate the rotation time of a developing roller in an image forming apparatus that controls the rotation and stoppage of the developing roller using a cam.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention provides a photosensitive drum, a developing roller movable between a contact position in contact with the photosensitive drum and a spaced position away from the photosensitive drum, and a rotating developing roller. A cam for moving the developing roller between the contact position and the separated position, and a phase sensor for detecting the phase of the cam, when the cam is positioned within a predetermined phase range where the developing roller is at the separated position. a phase sensor that outputs a separation signal to and does not output a separation signal when the cam is not positioned within a predetermined phase range; a motor; a drive transmission mechanism configured to transmit a driving force to the developing roller when the developing roller is in the contact position and not to transmit the driving force to the developing roller when the developing roller is in the separated position. and a control unit.
When the separation signal is not acquired from the phase sensor when the image forming apparatus is started, the control unit rotates the cam until the separation signal is acquired, and stops the cam at the initial position where the separation signal is acquired. After the cam position initialization control is executed, the rotation time DR of the developing roller excluding the period during which the developing roller is stopped is calculated from the cam rotation time in the cam position initialization control.

According to this configuration, when the separation signal is not acquired from the phase sensor when the image forming apparatus is started, the control unit rotates the cam until the separation signal is acquired, and rotates the cam at the initial position where the separation signal is acquired. Execute cam position initialization control to stop. In some cases, the cam moves the developing roller to the contact position and the drive transmission mechanism transmits the driving force to the developing roller to rotate it while the cam is rotating until the separation signal is acquired by the cam position initialization control. At this time, since the control unit calculates the rotation time DR by excluding the period during which the developing roller is stopped from the time during which the cam is rotated in the cam position initialization control, the rotation time DR of the developing roller is calculated accurately. can do.

In the image forming apparatus described above, when the cam is rotated once from the initial position and stopped at the initial position, the time during which the developing roller is stopped from when the cam starts moving from the initial position to when the developing roller starts rotating. D1 is the time during which the developing roller rotates from the time the developing roller starts rotating until it stops. D2 is the time during which the developing roller stops rotating until the cam stops at the initial position. Assuming that the time spent in cam position initialization control is D3 and the time taken for cam position initialization control is D, the control unit determines the rotation time DR as follows:
if D<D3 then DR=0,
If D3≤D<D2+D3 then DR=D-D3
If D≧D2+D3 then DR=D2
It can be calculated by

Further, the cam may be a cam that rotates around an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller, and may have a first cam portion that protrudes in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller. In this case, the image forming apparatus may further include a cam follower that contacts the first cam portion of the cam and slides in the rotational axis direction to press the developing cartridge having the developing roller.

Also, the image forming apparatus can further include a support member that supports the developer cartridge. The developing cartridge has a slide member that is slidable in the rotational axis direction by being pressed by the cam follower. It can have a slope inclined with respect to the direction of the axis of rotation.

The drive transmission mechanism has a second cam portion that rotates together with the cam, and a planetary gear mechanism. a clutch switchable between a non-disconnected state and a disengaged state, and a lever pivotable and contactable with the second cam portion, the lever engaging one element of the planetary gear mechanism when spaced apart from the second cam portion. a lever that engages to bring the clutch into the transmission state and disengages from the one element to bring the clutch into the disengaged state when in contact with the second cam portion.

In the image forming apparatus described above, the control unit further calculates the amount of rotation of the developing roller from the rotation time DR, and determines that the developing roller has reached the end of its life when the integrated value of the amount of rotation exceeds a threshold value. can be done.

According to such a configuration, the amount of rotation of the developing roller can be accurately obtained by accurately obtaining the rotation time DR of the developing roller. Then, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the developing roller has reached the end of its life based on the accurate amount of rotation.

The amount of rotation described above may be the rotation angle of the developing roller, or may be the number of rotations of the developing roller.

An image forming apparatus for solving the above-described problems is movable between a contact position where the photosensitive drum is in contact with the photosensitive drum and a separated position where the photosensitive drum is separated from the photosensitive drum. a developing roller that does not rotate when it is in position; a cam that moves the developing roller between a contact position and a separated position; a phase sensor that outputs a separation signal when the cam is positioned within the phase range of and does not output a separation signal when the cam is not positioned within the predetermined phase range; and a control section.
When the separation signal is not acquired from the phase sensor when the image forming apparatus is started, the control unit rotates the cam until the separation signal is acquired, and stops the cam at the initial position where the separation signal is acquired. After the cam position initialization control is executed, the rotation time DR of the developing roller excluding the period during which the developing roller is stopped is calculated from the cam rotation time in the cam position initialization control.

Even with such a configuration, the control unit calculates the rotation time DR by excluding the period during which the developing roller is stopped from the time during which the cam is rotated in the cam position initialization control. can be calculated.

According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately calculate the rotation time of the developing roller in an image forming apparatus that controls the rotation and stoppage of the developing roller using a cam.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a support member, cam and cam follower; It is the perspective view (a) of developer cartridge, and the side view (b). 4A and 4B are schematic top views of the periphery of the developing cartridge for explaining the slide member, showing (a) when the cam follower is at the standby position and (b) when the cam follower is at the operating position; FIG. 4 is a view showing the inner surface (developing cartridge side) of the side frame of the supporting member; FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the drive transmission mechanism from the upper left. It is the figure which looked at the drive transmission mechanism from the left side along the axial direction. It is the perspective view which looked at the drive transmission mechanism from the upper right. It is the figure which looked at the drive transmission mechanism from the right side along the axial direction. It is the exploded perspective view (a) which looked at the clutch from the sun gear side, and the exploded perspective view (b) which looked at the carrier side. FIG. 10 is an axial view (a) and a perspective view (b) showing the separating mechanism, the lever, the clutch, and the coupling gear when the developing roller is in the contact position and the clutch is in the transmission state; An axial view showing the separation mechanism, lever, clutch, and coupling gear when the cam rotates from the state of FIG. 11 and the developing roller corresponding to yellow is forming an image at the contact position. It is (a) and a perspective view (b). The cam is rotated from the state of FIG. 12, the developing roller is in the separated position, and the clutch is in the transmission state. ) and a perspective view (b). The cam is rotated from the state of FIG. 13, the developing roller is in the separated position, and the clutch is in the disengaged state. ) and a perspective view (b). 14 shows the separating mechanism, the lever, the clutch, and the coupling gear when the cam is rotated from the state of FIG. 14 and is temporarily stopped just before the developing roller corresponding to yellow begins to move to the contact position. , an axial view (a) and a perspective view (b). 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when a print job is received; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of processing for color printing. 4 is a timing chart for explaining control of the YMC clutch and K clutch based on the output of each sensor when color printing is performed; 4 is a timing chart for explaining operations of a cam, a separation sensor, and developing rollers for each color when color printing is performed; 6 is a flow chart showing an example of processing for monochrome printing. 5 is a timing chart for explaining control of the K clutch and operation of the black developing roller based on the outputs of each sensor when monochrome printing is performed; 7A to 7D are diagrams (a) to (d) for explaining the separating and contacting operations of the developing rollers in the case of color printing. FIG. 23A to 23D are diagrams (a) to (d) subsequent to FIG. 22 for explaining the separating and contacting operations of the developing rollers in the case of color printing. 10A to 10C are diagrams (a) to (c) for explaining the separating and contacting operations of the developing roller in the case of monochrome printing. FIG. It is a timing chart when the cam is rotated once from the initial position. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for determining the rotation time and life of the developing roller when the image forming apparatus is started. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for calculating rotation time of a developing roller;

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment is a color printer, and mainly includes a sheet feeding section 20, an image forming section 30, and a control section 2 inside a main housing 10. there is

The sheet supply unit 20 is provided in the lower part of the main body housing 10 and includes a sheet tray 21 that stores the sheets S and a supply mechanism 22 that supplies the sheets S from the sheet tray 21 to the image forming unit 30 . The sheet tray 21 can be pulled out from the main housing 10 to the left side in FIG. 1 and removed. The supply mechanism 22 is provided in the front part inside the main body housing 10 and includes a paper feed roller 23 , a separation roller 24 , a separation pad 25 and a registration roller 27 . In this specification, for the sake of convenience, directions such as the front and rear directions are described with the left side of FIG. 1 from which the sheet tray 21 is pulled out as the front side. That is, the left side of FIG. 1 is the front, the right side is the rear, and the top and bottom are the top and bottom. A sheet S in this specification is a medium on which an image can be formed by the image forming apparatus 1, and includes plain paper, envelopes, postcards, thin paper, thick paper, glossy paper, resin sheets, stickers, and the like.

In the sheet supply unit 20 , the sheets S are fed out from the sheet tray 21 by the sheet feed roller 23 and then separated one by one between the separation roller 24 and the separation pad 25 . After that, the leading edge position of the sheet S is regulated by the registration rollers 27 that are not rotating, and then the registration rollers 27 are rotated to supply the sheet S to the image forming section 30 . A paper feed sensor 28A for detecting passage of the sheet S is provided downstream of the separation roller 24 in the sheet S conveying direction. A pre-registration sensor 28B that contacts the sheet S and detects passage of the sheet S is arranged upstream of the registration rollers 27 in the sheet S conveying direction. A post-registration sensor 28C is arranged downstream of the registration rollers 27 in the sheet S conveying direction.

The image forming section 30 includes an exposure device 40 , a plurality of photosensitive drums 50 , a plurality of developing cartridges 60 , a conveying device 70 and a fixing device 80 .

The exposure device 40 has a laser diode, a deflector, a lens and a mirror (not shown). The exposure device 40 is configured to emit a plurality of laser beams for exposing a plurality of photosensitive drums 50 to scan the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 50 .

The photosensitive drums 50 include a first photosensitive drum 50Y corresponding to yellow as an example of a first color, a second photosensitive drum 50M corresponding to magenta as an example of a second color, and a cyan as an example of a third color. A corresponding third photosensitive drum 50C and a fourth photosensitive drum 50K corresponding to black, which is an example of the fourth color, are included. In the present specification and drawings, members provided corresponding to the respective colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are denoted by Y, M, C, and K, respectively, when distinguishing the colors. is shown. On the other hand, when the description is made without distinguishing the colors, the symbols Y, M, C, and K are omitted, and the names such as first and second are omitted.

A developing cartridge 60 is provided corresponding to each photosensitive drum 50 . Specifically, the developing cartridge 60 includes a first developing cartridge 60Y having a first developing roller 61Y that supplies toner to the first photosensitive drum 50Y, and a second developing roller 61M that supplies toner to the second photosensitive drum 50M. a third developing cartridge 60C having a third developing roller 61C that supplies toner to the third photosensitive drum 50C; and a fourth developing roller 61K that supplies toner to the fourth photosensitive drum 50K. 4 developer cartridge 60K.

The first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, the third developing roller 61C, and the fourth developing roller 61K are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the sheet S movement direction.

Each developing cartridge 60 is located at a contact position where the developing roller 61 contacts the corresponding photosensitive drum 50, indicated by a solid line in FIG. It is movable to and from a position in a spaced position spaced apart from 50 . When the second developing roller 61M, the third developing roller 61C and the fourth developing roller 61K are in the separated position, the second developing cartridge 60M, the third developing cartridge 60C and the fourth developing cartridge 60K are , and the optical path of the laser beam that exposes the photosensitive drum 50 adjacent to the upstream side in the sheet S movement direction. Specifically, when the second developing roller 61M is at the spaced position, the second developing cartridge 60M overlaps the optical path of the laser beam that exposes the first photosensitive drum 50Y, and the third developing cartridge 60C is the third developing cartridge. When the roller 61C is at the separated position, it overlaps with the optical path of the laser beam that exposes the second photosensitive drum 50M. overlaps the optical path of the laser beam that exposes the .

As shown in FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 50 is rotatably supported by a supporting member 90. As shown in FIG. The supporting member 90 detachably supports the first developing cartridge 60Y, the second developing cartridge 60M, the third developing cartridge 60C, and the fourth developing cartridge 60K. The support member 90 can be attached to and detached from the main housing 10 through an opening formed by opening the front cover 11 (see FIG. 1) of the main housing 10 . The support member 90 includes a pair of side frames 91 spaced apart in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 50, a connecting frame 92 connecting the front portions of the pair of side frames 91, and the rear portions of the pair of side frames 91. and a connecting frame 93 to be connected. The pair of side frames 91 includes a right side frame 91R and a left side frame 91L. The support member 90 is provided with chargers 52 (see FIG. 1) for charging the photosensitive drums 50 arranged opposite to the respective photosensitive drums 50 .

The image forming apparatus 1 arranges the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, the third developing roller 61C, and the fourth developing roller 61K at contact positions where they contact the corresponding photosensitive drums 50 among the plurality of photosensitive drums 50, It has a separation mechanism 5 for moving between a separation position separated from the photosensitive drum 50 . The spacing mechanism 5 is provided for each of the first color, second color, third color and fourth color.

Specifically, each spacing mechanism 5 has a cam 150 (150Y, 150M, 150C, 150K) rotating around an axis parallel to the rotation axis 61X (see FIG. 1) of the developing roller 61, and a cam follower 170.
The cam 150 has a first cam portion 152A that protrudes in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 61 (hereinafter simply referred to as "the direction of the rotation axis").
The cam follower 170 comes into contact with the cam surface 152F, which is the end surface of the first cam portion 152A of the cam 150, and moves between the operating position shown in FIG. , and a standby position where the developing roller 61 is positioned at the contact position. The cam follower 170 comes into contact with the first cam portion 152A of the cam 150 and slides in the direction of the rotation axis to be positioned at the operating position. One of the developing cartridges 60K is pressed. Also, the cam follower 170 is separated from the developer cartridge 60 at the standby position.

Returning to FIG. 2, the cam 150 and cam follower 170 are provided corresponding to each developing cartridge 60 . Cam 150 and cam follower 170 are arranged laterally outside of left side frame 91L. Detailed structures of the cam 150 and the cam follower 170 will be described later.

The support member 90 is provided with a contact portion 94 that contacts a slide member 64, which will be described later, on the upper portions of the side frames 91R and 91L. The abutted portion 94 is arranged, for example, around an axis along a third direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to both a first direction parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 50 and a second direction in which the photosensitive drums 50 are arranged. It consists of rotatable rollers.

The support member 90 also includes a pressing member 95 provided corresponding to each developing cartridge 60 . The pressing members 95 are provided at both ends of the photosensitive drum 50 in the axial direction for each developing cartridge 60 . The pressing member 95 is urged rearward by a spring 95A (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). By pressing, the developing roller 61 is brought into pressure contact with the corresponding photosensitive drum 50 .

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the developer cartridge 60 (60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K) has a case 63 containing toner, a slide member 64, and a coupling 65. As shown in FIG.

The case 63 has a first protrusion 63A and a second protrusion 63B on one side surface as protrusions protruding in the rotation axis direction.
The first protrusion 63A is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis 61X of the developing roller 61 and protrudes in the direction of the rotation axis.
The second projecting portion 63B is arranged at a predetermined distance from the first projecting portion 63A. In this embodiment, the second projecting portion 63B is arranged above the first projecting portion 63A.
Both the first projecting portion 63A and the second projecting portion 63B are rollers rotatable around an axis parallel to the rotation axis direction.
Although not shown, the case 63 is also provided with a first projecting portion 63A and a second projecting portion 63B on the other side surface at positions symmetrical to the one side surface.

Further, the case 63 has a protrusion 63D pressed by the pressing member 95 on the upper portion of the front surface. The protrusions 63D are provided at both ends of the case 63 in the rotation axis direction.

The coupling 65 engages with a coupling shaft 119 to be described later, and receives rotational driving force from the coupling shaft 119 .

The slide member 64 is a member that can slide in the rotation axis direction with respect to the case 63 . The slide member 64 is slidable in the rotational axis direction by being pressed by the cam follower 170 .

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the slide member 64 includes a shaft 181, a first contact member 182, and a second contact member 183. As shown in FIGS. The first contact member 182 is fixed to one end of the shaft 181 and the second contact member 183 is fixed to the other end of the shaft 181 .

The shaft 181 is disposed through a hole formed in the case 63 and extending in the rotation axis direction, and is slidably supported by the case 63 .

The first contact member 182 has a pressing surface 182A, which is an end surface in the rotation axis direction, and an inclined surface 182B inclined with respect to the rotation axis direction.
The pressing surface 182A is a surface pressed by the cam follower 170. As shown in FIG.
When the slide member 64 is pressed in the rotation axis direction by the cam follower 170, the inclined surface 182B abuts against the abutted portion 94 of the support member 90 to move the developing cartridges 60 (60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K) to the sheet S. to move the developing cartridge 60 (see FIG. 4B). The slope 182B is inclined from one end to the other end of the shaft 181 so as to be positioned in the direction (forward) from the photosensitive drum 50 toward the corresponding developing roller 61 in the second direction.

The second contact member 183 has a slope 183B that is slanted like the slope 182B of the first contact member 182 . When the slide member 64 is pressed in the rotation axis direction by the cam follower 170, the inclined surface 183B is also brought into contact with the abutted portion 94 of the support member 90, and the developing cartridges 60 (60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K) are moved onto the sheet S. A force is applied in a direction parallel to the moving direction to move the developing cartridge 60 (see FIG. 4B).

A spring 184 is arranged between the first contact member 182 and the case 63 to bias the slide member 64 toward one side of the rotation axis direction, that is, leftward in this case. The spring 184 is a compression coil spring and is arranged outside the shaft 181 so that the shaft 181 passes through the coil.

As shown in FIG. 5, the support member 90 has a first support surface 96A and a second support surface 96B as support surfaces on the inner surface of one side frame 91L. When the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, the third developing roller 61C, and the fourth developing roller 61K move from the contact position to the separated position, the first support surface 96A and the second support surface 96B move from the contact position to the separated position. The projecting portion 63A and the second projecting portion 63B are supported from below. The first support surface 96A and the second support surface 96B extend in the sheet S moving direction.
The first support surface 96A is arranged to support the first protrusion 63A. The first support surface 96</b>A also functions to guide and vertically position the developing roller 61 when the developing cartridge 60 is attached to the supporting member 90 .
The second support surface 96B is arranged above the first support surface 96A so as to support the second protrusion 63B.
Although not shown, the support member 90 also has a first support surface 96A and a second support surface 96B on the inner surface of the other side frame 91R, which are bilaterally symmetrical with the one side frame 91L.

When the developing roller 61 is positioned at the contact position where the developing roller 61 contacts the photosensitive drum 50, the first projecting portion 63A is positioned on the first supporting surface like the first developing cartridge 60Y, the second developing cartridge 60M and the third developing cartridge 60C in FIG. It is located toward the rear in 96A. On the other hand, when the developing roller 61 is positioned at the spaced position away from the photosensitive drum 50, the first projecting portion 63A is positioned toward the front of the first support surface 96A, like the fourth developing cartridge 60K in FIG.
In this manner, the separating mechanism 5 moves the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, the third developing roller 61C, and the fourth developing roller 61K from the contact position to the separated position. 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, the third developing roller 61C, and the fourth developing roller 61K are moved from the downstream side to the upstream side in the sheet S moving direction.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the cam 150 has a disk portion 151, a gear portion 150G, an end face cam 152, and a clutch control cam 153. As shown in FIGS. The cam 150 is a member that rotates to move the corresponding developing roller 61 between the contact position and the separated position.

The disk portion 151 has a substantially disk shape and is rotatably supported by the support plate 102 (see FIG. 8).
The gear portion 150G is formed on the outer circumference of the disk portion 151. As shown in FIG.
The end face cam 152 has a first cam portion 152A that is a portion that protrudes from the disk portion 151 and constitutes the spacing mechanism 5 for the developing roller 61 . The end face cam 152 has a cam face 152F on its end face in the rotation axis direction.
The cam surface 152F has a first holding surface F1, a second holding surface F2, a first guide surface F3, and a second guide surface F4.
The first holding surface F1 holds the cam follower 170 at the standby position.
The second retaining surface F2 retains the cam follower 170 in the operating position.
The first guide surface F3 is a surface that connects the first holding surface F1 and the second holding surface F2 and is inclined with respect to the first holding surface F1. The first guide surface F3 guides the cam follower 170 from the first holding surface F1 to the second holding surface F2 as the cam 150 rotates.
The second guide surface F4 is a surface that connects the second holding surface F2 and the first holding surface F1 and is inclined with respect to the first holding surface F1. The second guide surface F4 guides the cam follower 170 from the second holding surface F2 to the first holding surface F1 as the cam 150 rotates.

The clutch control cam 153 is a part that cooperates with the lever 160 to switch transmission/disengagement of the clutch 120 . The clutch control cam 153 has a cylindrical base circular portion 153A and a second cam portion 153B protruding in the diameter direction of the cam 150 from the base circular portion 153A. The clutch control cam 153 is formed integrally with the disc portion 151 . Therefore, the second cam portion 153B rotates together with the cam 150. As shown in FIG.

The cam follower 170 has a slide shaft portion 171 and a contact portion 172 .
The slide shaft portion 171 is slidably supported by a shaft portion (not shown) fixed to the main housing 10, and is slidable in the direction of the rotation axis. The slide shaft portion 171 is biased in a direction in which the contact portion 172 contacts the cam surface 152</b>F of the cam 150 by a spring 173 that is a biasing member. The cam follower 170 is thereby urged toward the standby position. The spring 173 is a tension coil spring, one end of which is hooked to the slide shaft portion 171 and the other end of which is hooked to a spring mounting portion (not shown) provided inside the main housing 10 .
The contact portion 172 is provided to extend from the slide shaft portion 171 . The end surface of the contact portion 172 in the rotation axis direction faces the cam surface 152F and can come into contact with the cam surface 152F.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cams 150Y, 150M, 150C, and 150K differ from each other in that only the cam 150Y has a longer length in the rotational direction of the cam 150 of the first cam portion 152A than the others. are almost the same.
Each of the cams 150C and 150K has a detected portion 154 projecting axially from the disk portion 151 at a position closer to the center of rotation than the first cam portion 152A. The body housing 10 is provided with separation sensors 4K and 4C corresponding to black and cyan.
The separation sensors 4K, 4C are phase sensors that detect the phases of the cams 150C, 150K. The separation sensors 4K and 4C output separation signals when the cams 150C and 150K are positioned within a predetermined phase range in which the third developing roller 61C and the fourth developing roller 61K are separated. does not output a separation signal if it is not positioned within the phase range of In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the case of outputting the separation signal is called ON, and the case of not outputting the separation signal is called OFF. It does not matter which voltage is higher when the separation signal is output or when it is not output.

The separation sensors 4K and 4C have a light-emitting portion 4P that emits detection light and a light-receiving portion 4R that can receive the detection light from the light-emitting portion 4P. The separation sensors 4K and 4C control the ON signal when the detected portion 154 enters between the light emitting portion 4P and the light receiving portion 4R and blocks the detection light of the light emitting portion 4P and the light receiving portion 4R does not receive the detection light. 2, and outputs an OFF signal to the control unit 2 when the detection light from the light emitting unit 4P is received by the light receiving unit 4R from between the light emitting unit 4P and the light receiving unit 4R. Although the cams 150Y and 150M are also provided with the same shape as the detected portion 154, they do not function as the detected portion because no separation sensor corresponding to the cams 150Y and 150M is provided.

Returning to FIG. 1 , the conveying device 70 is provided between the sheet tray 21 and the photosensitive drum 50 . The conveying device 70 includes a driving roller 71 , a driven roller 72 , a conveying belt 73 made up of an endless belt, and four transfer rollers 74 . The conveying belt 73 is stretched between the driving roller 71 and the driven roller 72 , and the outer surface of the conveying belt 73 faces the photosensitive drums 50 . Each transfer roller 74 is arranged inside the conveying belt 73 so as to sandwich the conveying belt 73 with each photosensitive drum 50 . The conveying device 70 conveys the sheet S by moving the conveying belt 73 with the sheet S placed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper side.

The fixing device 80 is provided behind the photosensitive drum 50 and the conveying device 70 . The fixing device 80 includes a heating roller 81 and a pressure roller 82 arranged to face the heating roller 81 . A paper discharge sensor 28D that detects passage of the sheet S is provided downstream of the fixing device 80 in the sheet S conveying direction. A conveying roller 15 is provided above the fixing device 80 , and a discharge roller 16 is provided above the conveying roller 15 .

In the image forming section 30 configured as described above, the surface of each photosensitive drum 50 is first uniformly charged by the charger 52 and then exposed to light emitted from each exposure device 40 . As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on each photosensitive drum 50 based on the image data.

The toner in the case 63 is carried on the surface of the developing roller 61 and supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 50 when the developing roller 61 faces and contacts the photosensitive drum 50 . Thereby, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 50 .

Next, the sheet S supplied onto the conveying belt 73 passes between each photosensitive drum 50 and each transfer roller 74, whereby the toner image formed on each photosensitive drum 50 is transferred onto the sheet S. be. As the sheet S passes between the heating roller 81 and the pressure roller 82 , the toner image transferred onto the sheet S is thermally fixed to the sheet S.

The sheet S ejected from the fixing device 80 is accumulated on the sheet ejection tray 13 on the upper surface of the main housing 10 by the transport roller 15 and the ejection roller 16 .

Next, details of a configuration for driving/stopping the developing roller 61 and a configuration for moving the developing roller 61 into contact with/separate from the photosensitive drum 50 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the image forming apparatus 1 applies driving force to the motor 3 and the motor 3 to the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, the third developing roller 61C, and the fourth developing roller 61K. and a drive transmission mechanism 100 for transmission. The cam 150 that is part of the separation mechanism 5 is mechanically connected to the drive transmission mechanism 100 . The drive transmission mechanism 100 is configured so as not to transmit the driving force to the developing roller 61 when the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, the third developing roller 61C, and the fourth developing roller 61K are in the separated positions. ing.

The drive transmission mechanism 100 includes a drive transmission gear train 100D for transmitting the driving force of the motor 3 to the developing roller 61, as shown in FIG. It is mechanically connected to the control gear train 100C. In FIGS. 7 and 9, meshing between the gears of the drive transmission gear train 100D is indicated by thick solid lines, and meshing between the gears of the drive control gear train 100C is shown by thick dashed lines.

The drive transmission gear train 100D includes two first idle gears 110 (110A, 110B), three second idle gears 113A, 113B, 113C, a third idle gear 115 (115Y, 115M, 115C, 115K), It includes four clutches 120 and four coupling gears 117 (117Y, 117M, 117C, 117K). Each gear constituting the drive transmission gear train 100</b>D is supported by the support plate 102 or a frame (not shown) and is rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 50 .

The motor 3 has a rotationally driven output shaft 3A. A gear (not shown) is provided on the output shaft 3A.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first idle gear 110 is a two-stage gear including a large-diameter gear 110L and a small-diameter gear 110S having fewer teeth than the large-diameter gear 110L. The large-diameter gear 110L and the small-diameter gear 110S rotate together. The two first idle gears 110 include a first idle gear 110A arranged on the front side of the output shaft 3A and a first idle gear 110B arranged on the rear side of the output shaft 3A. The small diameter gear 110S of each first idle gear 110 meshes with the gear of the output shaft 3A.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second idle gear 113A meshes with the small diameter gear 110S of one of the first idle gears 110 arranged on the front side.
The second idle gear 113B meshes with the small diameter gear 110S of the other first idle gear 110 arranged on the rear side.

The third idle gears 115Y, 115M, 115C, and 115K are provided corresponding to each color and arranged in this order from front to back.
Each of the third idle gears 115Y and 115M meshes with the second idle gear 113A.
The third idle gear 115C meshes with the second idle gear 113B.
The third idle gear 115C and the third idle gear 115K are each meshed with the second idle gear 113C. As a result, the third idle gear 115K receives driving force from the third idle gear 115C via the second idle gear 113C.

The four clutches 120 each have the same configuration. Each clutch 120 meshes with one of third idle gears 115Y, 115M, 115C and 115K and receives driving force from third idle gear 115. As shown in FIG. The configuration of clutch 120 will be described later.

Each coupling gear 117 meshes with one of the clutches 120 . Each coupling gear 117 has a coaxial coupling shaft 119 that rotates together (see FIG. 6). The coupling shaft 119 is axially movable in conjunction with the opening and closing of the front cover 11, and engages with the coupling 65 (see FIG. 3A) of the developing cartridge 60 when the front cover 11 is closed.

With such drive transmission gear train 100D, yellow coupling gear 117Y receives driving force from motor 3 via first idle gear 110A, second idle gear 113A, third idle gear 115Y and clutch 120. .
Driving force is transmitted from the motor 3 to the magenta coupling gear 117M via the first idle gear 110A, the second idle gear 113A, the third idle gear 115M and the clutch 120. FIG.
Driving force is transmitted from the motor 3 to the cyan coupling gear 117C via the first idle gear 110B, the second idle gear 113B, the third idle gear 115C and the clutch 120. As shown in FIG.
Further, the black coupling gear 117K receives driving force from the motor 3 through the first idle gear 110B, the second idle gear 113B, the third idle gear 115C, the second idle gear 113C, the third idle gear 115K and the clutch 120. is transmitted.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the drive control gear train 100C includes two fourth idle gears 131 (131A, 131B), two fifth idle gears 132 (132A, 132B), and an example of a switching mechanism. a YMC clutch 140A and a K clutch 140K, two sixth idle gears 133 (133A, 133B), a seventh idle gear 134, an eighth idle gear 135, a ninth idle gear 136, and a tenth idle gear 137 and cams 150 (150Y, 150M, 150C, 150K). Each gear constituting the drive control gear train 100</b>C is supported by the support plate 102 or a frame (not shown) and is rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 50 .

The fourth idle gear 131 is a two-stage gear including a large-diameter gear 131L and a small-diameter gear 131S having fewer teeth than the large-diameter gear 131L (see FIG. 8). The large diameter gear 131L and the small diameter gear 131S rotate together. The two fourth idle gears 131 include a fourth idle gear 131A arranged on the front side of the first idle gear 110A and a fourth idle gear 131B arranged on the rear side of the first idle gear 110B. The large diameter gear 131L of each fourth idle gear 131 meshes with the small diameter gear 110S of the first idle gear 110 .

The two fifth idle gears 132 include a fifth idle gear 132A arranged on the front side of the fourth idle gear 131A and a fifth idle gear 132B arranged on the rear side of the fourth idle gear 131B. Each of the fifth idle gears 132A, 132B meshes with the small diameter gear 131S of the fourth idle gears 131A, 131B.

The YMC clutch 140A switches transmission/disconnection of the driving force of the drive control gear train 100C, which is a system that transmits the driving force to the cams 150 of yellow, magenta and cyan. That is, the YMC clutch 140A can switch rotation/stop of the cams 150Y, 150M, and 150C. The YMC clutch 140A includes a large-diameter gear 140L and a small-diameter gear 140S having fewer teeth than the large-diameter gear 140L. The YMC clutch 140A is arranged in front of the fifth idle gear 132A, and the large diameter gear 140L meshes with the fifth idle gear 132A.
The YMC clutch 140A is, for example, an electromagnetic clutch. When energized (turned ON), the large-diameter gear 140L and the small-diameter gear 140S rotate together. idling and the small diameter gear 140S does not rotate.

The K clutch 140K has the same configuration as the YMC clutch 140A. The K clutch 140K switches transmission/disconnection of the driving force of the drive control gear train 100C of the system that transmits the driving force to the cam 150 of black. The K clutch 140K includes a large-diameter gear 140L and a small-diameter gear 140S having fewer teeth than the large-diameter gear 140L. The K clutch 140K is arranged behind the fifth idle gear 132B, and the large diameter gear 140L meshes with the fifth idle gear 132B.

The sixth idle gear 133 is a two-stage gear including a large-diameter gear 133L and a small-diameter gear 133S having fewer teeth than the large-diameter gear 133L (see FIG. 6). The large diameter gear 133L and the small diameter gear 133S rotate together. The two sixth idle gears 133 include a sixth idle gear 133A arranged on the front side of the YMC clutch 140A and a sixth idle gear 133B arranged on the rear side of the K clutch 140K. The large diameter gear 133L of each sixth idle gear 133 meshes with the small diameter gear 140S of the YMC clutch 140A or K clutch 140K.

The seventh idle gear 134 is arranged between the sixth idle gear 133A and the cam 150Y. The seventh idle gear 134 meshes with the small diameter gear 133S (see FIG. 6) of the sixth idle gear 133A and the gear portion 150G of the cam 150Y.

The eighth idle gear 135 is arranged between the cam 150Y and the cam 150M. The eighth idle gear 135 meshes with the gear portion 150G of the cam 150Y and the gear portion 150G of the cam 150M.

The ninth idle gear 136 is arranged between the cam 150M and the cam 150C. The ninth idle gear 136 meshes with the gear portion 150G of the cam 150M and the gear portion 150G of the cam 150C.

The tenth idle gear 137 is arranged between the sixth idle gear 133B and the cam 150K. The tenth idle gear 137 meshes with the small diameter gear 133S (see FIG. 6) of the sixth idle gear 133B and the gear portion 150G of the cam 150Y.

With such drive control gear train 100C, yellow cam 150Y is driven from motor 3 through first idle gear 110A, fourth idle gear 131A, fifth idle gear 132A, YMC clutch 140A, sixth idle gear 133A and seventh idle gear 133A. Driving force is transmitted via an idle gear 134 .
Further, the magenta cam 150</b>M receives driving force from the yellow cam 150</b>Y through the eighth idle gear 135 .
Further, the cyan cam 150</b>C receives driving force from the magenta cam 150</b>M through the ninth idle gear 136 .
By energizing the YMC clutch 140A, the cams 150Y, 150M, 150C rotate simultaneously, and by stopping the energization of the YMC clutch 140A, the cams 150Y, 150M, 150C all stop.

On the other hand, the black cam 150K receives driving force from the motor 3 via the first idle gear 110B, fourth idle gear 131B, fifth idle gear 132B, K clutch 140K, sixth idle gear 133B and tenth idle gear 137. is transmitted.
By energizing the K clutch 140K, the cam 150K rotates, and by stopping the energization of the K clutch 140K, the cam 150K stops.

Here, the configuration and function of clutch 120 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), the clutch 120 has a planetary gear mechanism. The clutch 120 is configured to be switchable between a transmission state in which the driving force from the motor 3 is transmitted to the developing roller 61 and a disconnected state in which the driving force from the motor 3 is not transmitted to the developing roller 61 . Specifically, the clutch 120 includes a sun gear 121 , a ring gear 122 and a carrier 123 that are rotatable about one axis, and a planetary gear 124 supported by the carrier 123 .

The sun gear 121 has a disc portion 121B that rotates integrally with the gear portion 121A, and a plurality of claw portions 121C provided on the outer circumference of the disc portion 121B. The claw portion 121C has a sharp tip, and this sharp tip is inclined in one rotational direction in the circumferential direction.
The ring gear 122 has an inner gear 122A provided on the inner peripheral surface and an input gear 122B provided on the outer peripheral surface.

Carrier 123 has four shafts 123A that rotatably support planetary gear 124 . Further, the carrier 123 is provided with an output gear 123B on its outer peripheral surface.

Four planetary gears 124 are provided, and each of them is rotatably supported by the shaft portion 123A of the carrier 123 . The planetary gear 124 meshes with the gear portion 121 A of the sun gear 121 and also meshes with the inner gear 122 A of the ring gear 122 .

Clutch 120 has input gear 122B in mesh with third idle gear 115 and output gear 123B in mesh with coupling gear 117 (see FIG. 6).
In a state in which the sun gear 121 is stopped so as not to rotate, a transmission state is established in which the driving force input to the input gear 122B can be transmitted to the output gear 123B.
On the other hand, when the sun gear 121 is rotatable, it is in a disconnected state in which the driving force input to the input gear 122B cannot be transmitted to the output gear 123B.
When the driving force is input to the input gear 122B while the clutch 120 is disengaged and the load is applied to the output gear 123B, the output gear 123B does not rotate and the sun gear 121 idles.

As shown in FIG. 9, the drive transmission mechanism 100 further includes a lever 160. As shown in FIG. Lever 160 is swingably supported by support shaft 102A fixed to support plate 102 .
The lever 160 cooperates with the cam 150 to engage the sun gear 121, which is one of the elements of the planetary gear mechanism, the ring gear 122, and the carrier 123, so that the sun gear 121 does not rotate. It has a function of restricting, setting the clutch 120 to the transmitting state, disengaging from the sun gear 121, and setting the clutch 120 to the disengaged state.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11A, the lever 160 includes a rotation support portion 161, a first arm 162 extending from the rotation support portion 161, and a direction different from the first arm 162 extending from the rotation support portion 161. and a second arm 163 .

The rotation support portion 161 has a cylindrical shape, and the support shaft 102A of the support plate 102 is placed inside and supported by the support shaft 102A.

The tip of second arm 163 extends toward the outer peripheral surface of disk portion 121B of clutch 120 . The tip of the lever 160 is urged by a torsion spring (not shown) toward the outer peripheral surface of the sun gear 121 (disk portion 121B). The second arm 163 has a hook 163A at its tip. Hook 163A can engage with claw portion 121C on the outer peripheral surface of sun gear 121 to restrict rotation of sun gear 121 .

A distal end portion 162A of the first arm 162 of the lever 160 can come into contact with the second cam portion 153B. The lever 160 has an engagement position where the tip portion 162A of the first arm 162 faces the circular base portion 153A and the hook 163A engages with the pawl portion 121C of the clutch 120, and the tip portion 162A of the first arm 162 is positioned at the second position. By coming into contact with the cam portion 153B and being pushed, the hook 163A can move to a detached position from the claw portion 121C of the sun gear 121, which is one element of the planetary gear mechanism. When the lever 160 is separated from the second cam portion 153B and positioned at the engaged position, the clutch 120 is in the transmission state, and when the lever 160 contacts the second cam portion 153B and is positioned at the disengaged position, the clutch 120 is in the disengaged state. do.

This operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15. FIG. Each member shown in FIGS. 11 to 15 corresponds to yellow, but for other colors, the basic operation is the same except that the cam 150 has a different phase.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the distal end portion 162A of the first arm 162 faces the circular base portion 153A after separating from the second cam portion 153B. Then, the hook 163A of the second arm 163 is engaged with the pawl portion 121C of the sun gear 121 of the clutch 120, and the lever 160 is positioned at the engaged position. Since the rotation of the sun gear 121 is stopped by the lever 160, the clutch 120 is in a transmission state in which the output gear 123B rotates when the input gear 122B is rotated. As a result, the driving force from the motor 3 can be transmitted to the developing roller 61, and when the motor 3 rotates, the developing roller 61 rotates via the drive transmission gear train 100D. In addition, the cam follower 170 has an end surface of the contact portion 172 positioned on the first holding surface F1 of the cam surface 152F. Therefore, the slide shaft portion 171 is separated from the slide member 64 of the developing cartridge 60 (see FIG. 4A). Therefore, the developing roller 61 is positioned at the contact position.

As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, when the cam 150 rotates from the state shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the contact portion 172 of the cam follower 170 slides on the first holding surface F1, Approach the guide surface F3. Of the four cams 150, when the yellow cam 150Y is stopped while the developing roller 61 is at the contact position, the contact portion 172 as shown in FIGS. Stop at the position where it touches F3.

When the developing roller 61 is separated from the photosensitive drum 50, the cam 150Y rotates further, and the contact portion 172 slides on the first guide surface F3 and is pushed by the first guide surface F3, thereby causing a As shown in b), the contact portion 172 contacts the second holding surface F2. At this time, the slide shaft portion 171 pushes the slide member 64 of the developer cartridge 60 in the rotation axis direction. Then, the developer cartridge 60 is pushed forward by the reaction force of the support member 90 (see FIG. 4B). The developing roller 61 is separated from the photosensitive drum 50 when the contact portion 172 is located near the second holding surface F2 of the first guide surface F3. When the contact portion 172 contacts the second holding surface F2, the developing roller 61 is held at the separated position.

As shown in FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b), after the developing roller 61 is positioned at the separated position, the cam 150 rotates further, and the tip portion 162A of the first arm 162 of the lever 160 moves toward the second cam portion 153B. Contact. The lever 160 swings when the first arm 162 is pushed by the second cam portion 153B, and the hook 163A is disengaged from the claw portion 121C of the sun gear 121 and positioned at the detached position. Since the rotation of the sun gear 121 of the clutch 120 cannot be stopped by the lever 160, when the input gear 122B is rotated, the output gear 123B is in a disengaged state in which the driving force is not transmitted. As a result, the driving force from the motor 3 cannot be transmitted to the developing roller 61, and even if the motor 3 rotates, the sun gear 121 only idles and the developing roller 61 does not rotate.

When the developing roller 61 is maintained at the separated position, the cam 150 stops at the position where the lever 160 is at the disengaged position as shown in FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b). Of the four cams 150, when the yellow cam 150Y is to be temporarily stopped while the developing roller 61 is at the separated position, it is further rotated from the state of FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b). Then, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the contact portion 172 is positioned at the end of the second holding surface F2 on the second guide surface F4 side (immediately before the contact portion 172 contacts the second guide surface F4). position).

When moving the developing roller 61 from the separated position to the contact position, the cam 150 is rotated from the state shown in FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) or FIGS. Then, the contact portion 172 slides on the second guide surface F4 and is positioned to face the first holding surface F1 as shown in FIG. As a result, the slide shaft portion 171 moves in the rotation axis direction due to the biasing force of the spring 173 and is separated from the slide member 64 . The slide member 64 returns to the position shown in FIG. 4A, and the developing cartridge 60 returns to the solid line position shown in FIG. This causes the developing roller 61 to come into contact with the photosensitive drum 50 . The developing roller 61 contacts the photosensitive drum 50 when the contact portion 172 passes through a position of the second guide surface F4 near the second holding surface F2 (see FIG. 15B).

Then, as described above, the lever 160 is positioned at the engaged position where the sun gear 121 is engaged with the circular base portion 153A, so that the clutch 120 is in the transmission state.

In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 moves the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, the third developing roller 61C, and the fourth developing roller 61Y in accordance with the movement of the sheet S when the toner image is transferred onto the sheet S. The roller 61K is moved to the contact position, and after the toner image is transferred, it is sequentially moved to the separation position. Therefore, the cams 150Y, 150M, and 150C are assembled such that the phase of the first cam portion 152A is shifted by a predetermined angle (see FIG. 8). More precisely, the cams 150M and 150C use the same parts, and the cam 150Y has a longer length in the rotational direction of the first cam portion 152A than the cams 150M and 150C. The phases of the cams 150Y, 150M, and 150C at the downstream end in the rotational direction of the first cam portion 152A are shifted by a predetermined angle, and the cams 150Y and 150M are at the upstream end in the rotational direction of the first cam portion 152A. The phases are aligned.
On the other hand, the cam 150K is the same component as the cams 150M and 150C, and is controlled by the control unit 2 so as to operate with a predetermined angle and phase lag behind the cams 150M and 150C.

The control unit 2 is a device that controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1 . The control unit 2 has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input/output unit, etc., and executes each process by executing a pre-stored program.

In this embodiment, the control unit 2 controls the YMC clutch 140A and the K clutch 140K based on signals from the paper feed sensor 28A, the pre-registration sensor 28B, the post-registration sensor 28C, and the separation sensors 4K and 4C. 61 to/from the photosensitive drum 50 is controlled.

In the present embodiment, when the second developing roller 61M, the third developing roller 61C, and the fourth developing roller 61K are at the separated positions, the photosensitive drum 50 adjacent to the upstream side in the moving direction of the sheet S is exposed to a laser beam. Since it overlaps with the optical path of light, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured to be positioned at the contact position before starting the exposure of the adjacent photosensitive drum 50 on the upstream side.

Regarding the second developing roller 61M and the third developing roller 61C, the setting of the length in the rotational direction of the first cam portion 152A of the cams 150Y, 150M, and 150C and the mechanical setting of the mutual phase shift, , is positioned at the contact position before exposure of the photosensitive drum 50 adjacent on the upstream side is started. Specifically, in order to position the second developing roller 61M at the contact position before the exposure of the first developing roller 61Y, the cams 150Y and 150M are moved before the first developing roller 61Y contacts the first photosensitive drum 50Y. The second developing roller 61M is set to contact the second photosensitive drum 50M. That is, t2 is set to satisfy t2≦t1, where t1 is the time at which the first developing roller 61Y contacts the first photosensitive drum 50Y, and t2 is the time at which the second developing roller 61M contacts the second photosensitive drum 50M. . More specifically, in the present embodiment, t2=t1 is set.

On the other hand, regarding the fourth developing roller 61K, the controller 2 controls the cam 150K to lag behind the cam 150C by a predetermined angle in relation to the third developing roller 61C during color printing. That is, the control section 2 starts exposing the third photosensitive drum 50C when performing color printing using the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, the third developing roller 61C, and the fourth developing roller 61K. First, the third developing roller 61C is moved to the contact position and the fourth developing roller 61K is moved to the contact position. After the development of the third photosensitive drum 50C is completed and before the development of the fourth photosensitive drum 50K is completed, the third developing roller 61C is moved to the separated position. After the development of the fourth photosensitive drum 50K is completed, the fourth developing roller 61K is moved to the separated position.

On the other hand, when forming an image on the sheet S using only the fourth developing roller 61K, the control unit 2 maintains the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, and the third developing roller 61C at the separated positions, Before starting the exposure of the fourth photosensitive drum 50K, the fourth developing roller 61K is moved to the contact position. After the development of the fourth photosensitive drum 50K is completed, the fourth developing roller 61K is moved to the separated position.

In addition, the control unit 2 performs control to match the timing of conveying the sheet S with the contact timing of the yellow first developing roller 61Y on the most upstream side with the first photosensitive drum 50Y. That is, the control unit 2 rotates the cams 150Y, 150M, and 150C during a period after the start of conveying the sheet S and before the sheet S reaches the first photosensitive drum 50Y. Then, the first development roller 61Y comes into contact with the first photosensitive drum 50Y at the temporary stop timing after the first time T1 has elapsed from the time when the ON signal is no longer acquired from the separation sensor 4C (the time when the OFF signal is obtained). The YMC clutch 140A is controlled to stop the cams 150Y, 150M, and 150C at the temporary stop timing. Then, the YMC clutch 140A is controlled to rotate the cams 150Y, 150M, and 150C at the restart timing after the second time T2 has passed since the pre-registration sensor 28B, which is a sheet sensor, detects the passage of the front end of the sheet S. 1 The developing roller 61Y is brought into contact with the first photosensitive drum 50Y to form an image.

Here, an example of processing of the control unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 21. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 16, when receiving a print job, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the image formation of the first page included in the print job is a color image (S1). When the control unit 2 determines that the image to be formed is a color image (S1, Yes), it executes color printing processing (S2), and determines that the image to be formed is a monochrome image (not a color image). If so (S1, No), monochrome printing is executed (S3). When image formation for one page is completed in step S2 or S3, it is determined whether there is a next page in the print job (S4), and if there is a next page (S4, Yes), the process from step S1 is repeated. If there is no next page in the print job (S4, No), the process ends.

Next, color printing processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 17 and the timing chart of FIG. 17 and 18 show the process of printing one sheet. In FIG. 18, the timing chart of the operation of the uppermost yellow first developing roller 61Y is superimposed, and the line types are changed to show the magenta, cyan , and black second developing rollers 61M, third developing roller 61C, and third developing roller 61C. 4 shows the operation of the developing roller 61K.

When color printing is performed in step S2, all the developing rollers 61 are at the separated position before the image forming operation. In order to sequentially bring the developing roller 61 to the contact position, the controller 2 first turns on the YMC clutch 140A and turns on the K clutch 140K (S201, t0). As a result, the cams 150Y, 150M, 150C and 150K rotate. As soon as the cams 150Y, 150M, 150C and 150K rotate, the separation sensors 4C and 4K are turned off (t31). Then, the controller 2 moves the paper feed roller 23 for a predetermined time (t51), picks up the sheet S, and starts conveying it (S202).

After the sheet S starts to be conveyed and before the sheet S reaches the first photosensitive drum 50Y, the controller 2 determines that the first time T1 has passed since the cyan separation sensor 4C outputs the OFF signal. (S210). When the control unit 2 determines that the first time T1 has passed (S210, Yes), it turns off the YMC clutch 140A (S211, t32), and stops the cams 150Y, 150M, 150C at the temporary stop timing. The first time T1 is set to a time such that the contact portion 172 of the yellow cam follower 170 is positioned closest to the second guide surface F4 of the second holding surface F2 of the cam 150Y at the temporary stop timing. It is As a result, when the rotation of the cams 150Y, 150M, and 150C resumes, the yellow cam follower 170 immediately moves to the second guide surface F4, and the first developing roller 61Y starts moving toward the contact position.

Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the second time T2 has passed since the pre-registration sensor ON (t53, when the leading edge of the sheet S passes the pre-registration sensor 28B) (S212), and determines that it has passed. Then (S212, Yes), the YMC clutch 140A is turned ON (S213, t33), and the rotation of the cams 150Y, 150M, 150C is restarted at the restart timing. The second time T2 is set so that the development of the first photosensitive drum 50Y by the first developing roller 61Y can be completed in time for the transfer of the toner image onto the conveyed sheet S. As shown in FIG.

Further, the control unit 2 determines that the first time T21 has passed since the separation sensor 4K for black outputs the OFF signal during the period after the start of conveying the sheet S and before the sheet S reaches the fourth photosensitive drum 50K. It is determined whether or not (S220). When the control unit 2 determines that the first time T21 has passed (S220, Yes), it turns off the K clutch 140K (S221, t42), and stops the cam 150K at the temporary stop timing. This first time T21 is set to a time such that the contact portion 172 of the black cam follower 170 is positioned closest to the second guide surface F4 of the second holding surface F2 of the cam 150K at the temporary stop timing. It is As a result, when the rotation of the cam 150K resumes, the cam follower 170 immediately moves to the second guide surface F4, and the fourth developing roller 61K starts moving toward the contact position. Note that the first time T21 and the first time T1 are different times.

Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the third time T3 has elapsed since the YMC clutch 140A was turned ON (t33) at the restart timing (S222). Clutch 140A is turned OFF (S223, t36) to stop cams 150Y, 150M and 150C. This third time T3 is set to a time during which all of the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M and the third developing roller 61C are positioned at the contact position.

Next, the control unit 2 determines whether a second time T22 has elapsed since the post-registration sensor ON (t54, when the leading edge of the sheet S passes the post-registration sensor 28C) (S224). (S224, Yes), the K clutch 140K is turned ON (S225, t43), and the cam 150K is rotated. The second time T22 is set so that the development of the fourth photosensitive drum 50K by the fourth developing roller 61K can be completed in time for the toner image to be transferred onto the sheet S that has been conveyed. As a result, the timing at which the fourth developing roller 61K is positioned at the contact position is just before the exposure of the third photosensitive drum 50C is started.

Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not a predetermined time T23 has elapsed since the K clutch 140K was turned on (t43) (S226), and if it determines that it has elapsed (S226, Yes), the K clutch 140K is turned off. (S227, t44) to stop the cam 150K. This predetermined time T23 is set to a time during which the fourth developing roller 61K is positioned at the contact position.

Next, the control unit 2 determines whether a fourth time T4 has elapsed since the post-registration sensor OFF (t57, when the trailing edge of the sheet S passes the post-registration sensor 28C) (S230), and determines that it has elapsed. Then (S230, Yes), the YMC clutch 140A is turned ON (S231, t37), and the cams 150Y, 150M, 150C are rotated to sequentially separate the first developing roller 61Y, second developing roller 61M, and third developing roller 61C. start to let At the fourth time T4, the development of the first photosensitive drum 50Y by the first developing roller 61Y is completed, and immediately after the transfer from the first photosensitive drum 50Y to the sheet S is completed, the first developing roller 61Y moves to the separated position. The time is set to allow movement.

Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not a predetermined time T13 has elapsed since the post-registration sensor was turned off (t57) (S232). , t45) to rotate the cam 150K. In a predetermined time T13, the development on the fourth photosensitive drum 50K is completed by the fourth developing roller 61K, and the fourth developing roller 61K moves to the separated position immediately after the transfer from the fourth photosensitive drum 50K to the sheet S is completed. The time is set so that you can

Next, the controller 2 determines whether or not the separation sensor 4C for cyan has output an ON signal (separation signal) (S240). is turned off (S241, t40) to stop the cams 150Y, 150M and 150C.

Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the separation sensor 4K for black has output an ON signal (S242). (S243, t46), the cam 150K is stopped.

In this manner, the developing rollers 61 are sequentially moved from the separated position to the contact position during printing of one sheet, and further moved from the contact position to the separated position after printing. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the image forming apparatus 1 brings the first developing roller 61Y into contact with the first photosensitive drum 50Y at time t1, and brings the second developing roller 61M into contact with the second photosensitive drum 50M at time t2. , the third developing roller 61C is brought into contact with the third photosensitive drum 50C at time t3, and the fourth developing roller 61K is brought into contact with the fourth photosensitive drum 50K at time t4. In this embodiment, time t1=t2. Also, t1<t3, t2<t3, and t3<t4. Therefore, in the present embodiment, |t1-t2| is the time between time t1 and t2, and |t2-t3| is the time between time t2 and t3, and |t1-t2|<|t2-t3 | In the present invention, the later time is assumed to have a greater value than the previous time, the value obtained by subtracting the previous time from the later time is positive, and the value obtained by subtracting the subsequent time from the previous time is negative. and And the absolute value of the value obtained by subtracting the time and the time means the length of time. Since the relationship between t1 and t2 may be t2<t1, t2-t1 is a negative value in this case. Although it is not necessary that t2<t1, in this case the second developing roller 61M is moved to the contact position earlier.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 separates the first developing roller 61Y from the first photosensitive drum 50Y at time t11, separates the second developing roller 61M from the second photosensitive drum 50M at time t12, and separates the third developing roller 61M from the second photosensitive drum 50M at time t13. The developing roller 61C is separated from the third photosensitive drum 50C, and at time t14, the fourth developing roller 61K is separated from the fourth photosensitive drum 50K. In this embodiment, t11<t12<t13<t14. Therefore, |t1-t2| is the time between times t1 and t2, and |t11-t12| is the time between times t11 and t12, and |t1-t2|<|t11-t12| is satisfied.

Next, the monochrome printing process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 20 and the timing chart of FIG. 20 and 21 show the process of printing one sheet.

When monochrome printing is performed in step S3, all the developing rollers 61 are at the separated position before the image forming operation. During monochrome printing, the control unit 2 does not move the YMC clutch 140A at all, and keeps the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, and the third developing roller 61C positioned at the separated positions. On the other hand, the control section 2 first turns ON the K clutch 140K in order to bring the fourth developing roller 61K to the contact position (S301, t0). This causes the cam 150K to rotate. As soon as the cam 150K rotates, the separation sensor 4K for black turns OFF (t61). Then, the controller 2 moves the paper feed roller 23 for a predetermined time (t51), picks up the sheet S, and starts conveying it (S302).

After the sheet S starts to be conveyed and before the sheet S reaches the fourth photosensitive drum 50K, the controller 2 determines that the first time T21 has elapsed since the separation sensor 4K for black outputs an OFF signal. It is determined whether or not (S310). When the control unit 2 determines that the first time T21 has elapsed (S310, Yes), it turns off the K clutch 140K (S311, t62), and stops the cam 150K at the temporary stop timing. This first time T21 is set to a time such that the contact portion 172 of the black cam follower 170 is positioned closest to the second guide surface F4 of the second holding surface F2 of the cam 150K at the temporary stop timing. It is As a result, when the rotation of the cam 150K resumes, the cam follower 170 immediately moves to the second guide surface F4, and the fourth developing roller 61K starts moving toward the contact position. Note that the first time T21 in monochrome printing and the first time T1 in color printing are different times.

Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the second time T22 has passed since the post-registration sensor ON (t54, when the leading edge of the sheet S passes the post-registration sensor 28C) (S312), and determines that it has passed. Then (S312, Yes), the K clutch 140K is turned ON (S313, t63), and the rotation of the cam 150K is restarted at the restart timing. The second time T22 is set so that the development of the fourth photosensitive drum 50K by the fourth developing roller 61K can be completed in time for the toner image to be transferred onto the sheet S that has been conveyed. Note that the second time T22 in monochrome printing and the second time T2 in color printing are different times.

Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not a predetermined time T23 has passed since the K clutch 140K was turned ON (t63) (S324), and if it is determined that it has passed (S324, Yes), the K clutch 140K is turned OFF. (S325, t66) to stop the cam 150K. This predetermined time T23 is set to a time during which the fourth developing roller 61K is positioned at the contact position.

Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not a predetermined time T13 has elapsed since the post-registration sensor was turned off (t57) (S332). , t67) to rotate the cam 150K.

Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the separation sensor 4K for black has output an ON signal (S342). (S343, t70), the cam 150K is stopped.

In this manner, the fourth developing roller 61K moves from the separated position to the contact position when printing one sheet, and then moves from the contact position to the separated position after printing. At this time, since the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, and the third developing roller 61C remain positioned at the separated position, the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, and the third developing roller 61Y are kept at the separated positions. There is no useless rotation of 61C.

Specific operations of the sheet S and the developing roller 61 configured as above will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 24. FIG.
The image forming apparatus 1 performs color printing using the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, the third developing roller 61C, and the fourth developing roller 61K. Along with the movement of S, the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, the third developing roller 61C, and the fourth developing roller 61K are moved to the contact position, and after the development of each photosensitive drum 50 is completed, they are moved to the separated position. move.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22A, before the sheet S reaches the most upstream first photosensitive drum 50Y, the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, and the third developing roller 61C are rotated. and the fourth developing roller 61K are all positioned at the separated position. When the developing rollers 61 are at the separated position, the second developing cartridge 60M overlaps the optical path of the laser beam for exposing the first photosensitive drum 50Y, and the third developing cartridge 60C is for the laser beam for exposing the second photosensitive drum 50M. , and the fourth developing cartridge 60K overlaps the optical path of the laser beam that exposes the third photosensitive drum 50C.

Then, as shown in FIG. 22(b), when the sheet S approaches the first photosensitive drum 50Y, the image forming apparatus 1 releases the first developer cartridge 60Y and the first developer cartridge 60Y before exposing the first photosensitive drum 50Y. The two developing cartridges 60M are simultaneously moved to move the first developing roller 61Y and the second developing roller 61M to the contact position. As a result, the laser light for exposing the first photosensitive drum 50Y does not overlap the second developing cartridge 60M, and the first photosensitive drum 50Y can be exposed. The first developing roller 61Y develops the first photosensitive drum 50Y, and the toner image is transferred onto the sheet S from the first photosensitive drum 50Y.

Then, as shown in FIG. 22C, when the sheet S approaches the second photosensitive drum 50M, the image forming apparatus 1 moves the third developing cartridge 60C before starting the exposure of the second photosensitive drum 50M. , moves the third developing roller 61C to the contact position. As a result, the laser light for exposing the second photosensitive drum 50M does not overlap the third developing cartridge 60C, and the second photosensitive drum 50M can be exposed. The second developing roller 61M develops the second photosensitive drum 50M, and the toner image is transferred onto the sheet S from the second photosensitive drum 50M.

Then, as shown in FIG. 22D, when the sheet S approaches the third photosensitive drum 50C, the image forming apparatus 1 moves the fourth developing cartridge 60K before starting the exposure of the third photosensitive drum 50C. , the fourth developing roller 61K is moved to the contact position. As a result, the laser light for exposing the third photosensitive drum 50C does not overlap the fourth developing cartridge 60K, and the third photosensitive drum 50C can be exposed. The third developing roller 61C develops the third photosensitive drum 50C, and the toner image is transferred onto the sheet S from the third photosensitive drum 50C. Further, since the fourth developing roller 61K is positioned at the contact position, the fourth developing roller 61K can develop the fourth photosensitive drum 50K.

Then, as shown in FIG. 23A, after the development of the first photosensitive drum 50Y by the first developing roller 61Y is completed, the image forming apparatus 1 performs the development of the second photosensitive drum 50M by the second developing roller 61M. Before the development is completed, the first developing cartridge 60Y is moved to move the first developing roller 61Y to the separated position.

Then, as shown in FIG. 23B, the image forming apparatus 1 moves the third photosensitive drum 50C by the third developing roller 61C after the development of the second photosensitive drum 50M by the second developing roller 61M is completed. Before the development is completed, the second developing cartridge 60M is moved to move the second developing roller 61M to the separated position.

Then, as shown in FIG. 23C, the image forming apparatus 1 performs the development of the fourth photosensitive drum 50K by the fourth developing roller 61K after the development of the third photosensitive drum 50C by the third developing roller 61C is completed. Before the development is completed, the third developing cartridge 60C is moved to move the third developing roller 61C to the separated position.

Then, as shown in FIG. 23D, after the development of the fourth photosensitive drum 50K by the fourth developing roller 61K is completed, the image forming apparatus 1 moves the fourth developing cartridge 60K to move the fourth developing roller 61K. Move to the separated position.

On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 1 performs monochrome printing using only the fourth developing roller 61K as shown in FIGS. , the first developing roller 61Y, the second developing roller 61M, and the third developing roller 61C for colors other than black among the fourth colors are maintained at the separated positions. As the sheet S moves, the fourth developing roller 61K corresponding to black is moved to the contact position, and after the development of the fourth photosensitive drum 50K is completed, it is moved to the separated position.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24B, the image forming apparatus 1 moves the fourth developing cartridge 60K to move the fourth developing roller 61K to the contact position before starting the exposure of the fourth photosensitive drum 50K. move to Then, as shown in FIG. 24C, after the development of the fourth photosensitive drum 50K is completed, the fourth developing roller 61K is moved to the separated position.

Next, the calculation of the rotation time of the developing roller 61 when the image forming apparatus 1 is started and the control of notification of replacement of the developing cartridge 60 will be described.
In the present embodiment, when the separation signals are not acquired from the separation sensors 4C and 4K when the image forming apparatus 1 is started, the control section 2 rotates the cam 150 until the separation signals are acquired, and the initial position for acquiring the separation signals. , the cam position initialization control for stopping the cam 150 is executed. Here, the time when the image forming apparatus 1 is started means when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, when covers such as the front cover 11 are opened and closed, when the sheet tray 21 is attached and detached, and the like. include.
After the cam position initialization control is executed, the control unit 2 calculates the rotation time DR of the developing roller 61 excluding the period during which the developing roller 61 is stopped from the time during which the cam 150 is rotated in the cam position initialization control. do.

Specifically, when the cam 150 makes one turn from the initial position and stops at the initial position, the control unit 2 controls the amount of the developing roller 61 from when the cam 150 starts moving from the initial position to when the developing roller 61 starts rotating. D1 is the time during which the developing roller 61 is stopped, D2 is the time during which the developing roller 61 rotates from when the developing roller 61 starts rotating until it stops, and D2 is the time during which the developing roller 61 rotates until it stops rotating. Assuming that the time during which the developing roller 61 is stopped until it stops at D3 and the time taken for the cam position initialization control as D, the control unit 2 sets the rotation time DR as follows:
if D<D3 then DR=0,
If D3≤D<D2+D3 then DR=D-D3
If D≧D2+D3 then DR=D2
Calculated by

D1 to D3 will now be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 25 shows a state (initial position) in which the Y, M, C cams 150Y, 150M, 150C or the K cam 150K is stopped due to the ON of the separation sensors 4C, 4K, and the YMC clutches 140A and 140K are shifted. It is a timing chart when the cams 150 are rotated once while the clutch 140K is kept ON and then stopped again at the initial position.
After the YMC clutch 140A is turned on at time t80, the first developing roller 61Y stops for a period of time D1 from t80 to t81, rotates for a period of time D2 from t81 to t82, and stops for a period of time D3 from t82 to t89. .
After the YMC clutch 140A is turned on at time t80, the second developing roller 61M stops for a time D1 from t80 to t81, rotates for a time D2 from t81 to t83, and stops for a time D3 from t83 to t89. .
After the YMC clutch 140A is turned on at time t80, the third developing roller 61C stops for a period of time D1 from t80 to t84, and then rotates for a period of time D2 from t84 to t89. The third developing roller 61C stops when the separation signal is output from the separation sensor 4C, and the cam 150C is at the initial position at this time, so D3 is zero.
After turning on the K clutch 140K at time t90, the fourth developing roller 61K stops for a period of time D1 from t90 to t94, and then rotates for a period of time D2 from t94 to t99. The fourth developing roller 61K stops when the separation signal is output from the separation sensor 4K, and the cam 150K is at the initial position at this time, so D3 is zero.

These times D1 to D3 are constants stored in the storage unit corresponding to each developing roller 61 (61Y, 61M, 61C, 61K).
The operation of the cam 150 for one rotation shown in FIG. 25 is assumed to be the operation when the cam 150 is rotated once from the initial position to the initial position. In the cam position initialization control executed at startup, the cam 150 may not be at the initial position at startup. , when the separation signal of 4K is output).

Then, the control unit 2 further calculates the amount of rotation of the developing roller 61 from the rotation time DR of the developing roller 61, and determines that the developing roller 61 has reached the end of its life when the integrated value of the amount of rotation exceeds the threshold value. do. The integrated value here may be the rotation angle of the developing roller 61 or the number of rotations of the developing roller 61 . For example, by multiplying the rotation time DR by a coefficient, it can be converted into a rotation angle or the number of rotations.

Here, an example of the processing of the control section 2 will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 26 and 27. FIG.

The control unit 2 starts the process of FIG. 26 when the image forming apparatus 1 is started, such as when the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on. The controller 2 first turns on the motor 3 to rotate it (S401). At this time, YMC clutch 140A and K clutch 140K remain OFF, so each cam 150 does not rotate. After that, the control unit 2 executes the processing of steps S410 to S417 for yellow, magenta, and cyan, and the processing of steps S431 to S450 for black in parallel.

First, regarding yellow, magenta, and cyan, the controller 2 determines whether or not the separation sensor 4C is ON (S410). Since it is at the initial position, the process proceeds to step S425 without performing cam position initialization control.

When the control unit 2 determines that the separation sensor 4C is not ON (S410, No), it turns ON the YMC clutch 140A (S411) and starts measuring the time D (S412). Then, when the separation sensor 4C is turned ON (S413), the YMC clutch 140A is turned OFF (S414), and the measurement of time D is terminated (S415). Then, in step 450, the rotation time DR of the developing roller 61 is calculated.

As shown in FIG. 27, in the calculation process S450 of the rotation time DR of the developing roller 61, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the time D is shorter than the time D3 of the target color (S451), and determines that it is shorter. If so (S451, Yes), the rotation time DR is set to 0 (S452).
When determining that the time D is not shorter than the time D3 of the target color (S451, No), the control unit 2 determines whether the time D is greater than or equal to the time D3 of the target color and is shorter than D2+D3. (S453). When the control unit 2 determines that the time D satisfies D3≦D<D2+D3 (S453, Yes), the rotation time DR is set to D−D3 (S454). On the other hand, when the control unit 2 determines that the time D does not satisfy D3≦D<D2+D3 (S453, No), that is, when the time D is equal to or greater than D2+D3, the rotation time DR is set to D2.
Returning to FIG. 26, the control unit 2 executes the calculation of the rotation time DR of the developing roller 61 in step S450 for each color (S417).

The control unit 2 also calculates the rotation time DR of the developing roller 61 for black in the same manner as for yellow, magenta, and cyan.
That is, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the separation sensor 4K is ON (S431). If it is ON (S431, Yes), the cam 150K is at the initial position, so the cam position initialization control is executed. without proceeding to step S425.

When the control unit 2 determines that the separation sensor 4K is not ON (S431, No), it turns ON the K clutch 140K (S432) and starts measuring the time D (S433). Then, when the separation sensor 4K is turned ON (S434), the K clutch 140K is turned OFF (S435), and the measurement of time D is terminated (S436). Then, in step 450, the rotation time DR of the developing roller 61 is calculated.

After completing the calculation of the rotation times DR for all four colors, the controller 2 calculates the amount of rotation of each developing roller 61 from the rotation time DR of the developing roller 61 (S420). Then, the controller 2 calculates an integrated value obtained by integrating the amount of rotation for each developing roller 61 (S421).

Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the integrated value is greater than the threshold for each color (S422), and if it is greater (S422, Yes), notifies replacement of the developing cartridge 60 (S423). After determining that the integrated value is not greater than the threshold value (S422, No), or after notifying that the developing cartridge 60 has been replaced, the control unit 2 turns off the motor 3 in step S425 to perform the start-up process. finish.

Through such processing, the control unit 2 can accurately calculate the rotation time DR of each developing roller 61 in the cam position initialization control for each color, and appropriately determine the life of the developing roller 61 (developing cartridge 60). can be done.

Effects of the image forming apparatus 1 described above will be described.
During the time |t2-t3| In comparison, the time |t1-t2| between the time t1 when the first developing roller 61Y contacts the first photosensitive drum 50Y and the time t2 when the second developing roller 61M contacts the second photosensitive drum 50M is small. That is, instead of bringing the developing rollers 61 of the first to third colors into contact with the corresponding photosensitive drums 50 at regular intervals, the first developing rollers 61Y are moved as slowly as possible to catch up with the development of the first photosensitive drums 50Y. The second developing roller 61M is brought into contact with the first photosensitive drum 50Y at the timing, while the second developing roller 61M is earlier than the timing that is in time for the development of the second photosensitive drum 50M, and before the exposure of the first photosensitive drum 50Y starts, the second developing roller 61M. The cartridge 60M is brought into contact with the second photosensitive drum 50M at a timing at which the cartridge 60M can move to a position that does not overlap with the optical path of the laser beam that exposes the first photosensitive drum 50Y. Therefore, the second developing cartridge 60M can be made large enough to overlap the optical path of the laser beam that exposes the first photosensitive drum 50Y even when the second developing roller 61M is at the spaced position. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to increase the toner capacity of the developing cartridge 60 while improving the flexibility of the shape of the developing cartridge 60 and minimizing the contact time between the developing roller 61 and the photosensitive drum 50 . be.

Then, the image forming apparatus 1 sets the time t11 at which the first developing roller 61Y is separated from the first photosensitive drum 50Y, and the time t12 at which the second developing roller 61M is separated from the second photosensitive drum 50M. Since <|t11−t12| is satisfied, the contact time between the developing roller 61 and the photosensitive drum 50 can be minimized by separating the developing roller 61 from the photosensitive drum 50 immediately after the exposure/transfer of each color.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 satisfies t2≦t1. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 satisfies |t1−t2|<|t11−t12|. Even with these configurations, the first developing roller 61Y is brought into contact with the first photosensitive drum 50Y at a timing as late as possible so as to be in time for the development of the first photosensitive drum 50Y, whereas the second developing roller 61M is brought into contact with the second photosensitive drum 50Y. It is possible to contact the second photosensitive drum 50M early not only in time for the development of the drum 50M but also in time for the exposure of the first photosensitive drum 50Y.

Then, during monochrome printing, the image forming apparatus 1 brings only the fourth developing roller 61K for black into contact with and separates from the fourth photosensitive drum 50K in accordance with the movement of the sheet S, and the first developing roller 61Y for colors other than black and the fourth developing roller 61Y for black. Since the second developing roller 61M and the third developing roller 61C remain separated from the corresponding first photosensitive drum 50Y, second photosensitive drum 50M, and third photosensitive drum 50C, the first developing roller 61Y for colors other than black, the third The contact time between the second developing roller 61M and the third developing roller 61C and the first photosensitive drum 50Y, the second photosensitive drum 50M, and the third photosensitive drum 50C can be minimized, and the life of the developing cartridge 60 can be lengthened. can.

In the color printing process of the image forming apparatus 1, the control unit 2 rotates the cam 150Y during a period after the start of conveying the sheet S and before the sheet S reaches the first photosensitive drum 50Y. The cam 150Y is temporarily stopped at the temporary stop timing after the first time T1 has elapsed from the time when the separation signal is no longer acquired, and then the rotation of the cam 150Y is restarted in accordance with the movement of the sheet S. Therefore, after restarting the rotation, the first developing roller 61Y contacts the first photosensitive drum 50Y in a short time. Therefore, the waiting time for conveying the sheet S to the first photosensitive drum 50Y can be shortened.
Further, in the color printing process, the image forming apparatus 1 causes the control unit 2 to rotate the cam 150K in a period before the sheet S reaches the fourth photosensitive drum 50K after the start of conveying the sheet S, and the separation sensor 4K The cam 150K is temporarily stopped at the temporary stop timing after the first time T21 has elapsed from the point at which the separation signal is no longer acquired, and then the rotation of the cam 150K is restarted in accordance with the movement of the sheet S. Therefore, after the rotation is restarted, the fourth developing roller 61K contacts the fourth photosensitive drum 50K in a short time. Therefore, the waiting time for conveying the sheet S to the fourth photosensitive drum 50K can be shortened.

Further, the phases of the cams 150Y and 150K have a width when the separation signal is being output. The variation at the time of switching to the state in which the output is not output is small. Therefore, by temporarily stopping immediately before the developing rollers 61Y and 61K come into contact with the photosensitive drums 50Y and 50K with reference to this switching time point, it is possible to reduce the phase variation of the cams 150Y and 150K during the temporary stop. . After the temporary stop of the cam 150Y, the YMC clutch 140A is controlled at the restart timing after the second time T2 has passed since the pre-registration sensor 28B detected the passage of the front end of the sheet S to rotate the cam 150Y. By executing image formation by bringing the developing roller 61Y into contact with the first photosensitive drum 50Y, the first developing roller 61Y can be brought into contact with the first photosensitive drum 50Y at the timing of image formation on the sheet S. After the cam 150K is temporarily stopped, the K clutch 140K is controlled to rotate the cam 150K at the restart timing after the second time T22 has elapsed since the post-registration sensor 28C detected the passage of the front end of the sheet S. By executing image formation by bringing the developing roller 61K into contact with the fourth photosensitive drum 50K, the fourth developing roller 61K can be brought into contact with the fourth photosensitive drum 50K at the timing of image formation on the sheet S. That is, at the temporary stop timing before contact between the first developing roller 61Y and the fourth developing roller 61K, the variation in the phases of the cams 150Y and 150K is reduced, and the contact time between the first developing roller 61Y and the first photosensitive drum 50Y and The contact time between the fourth developing roller 61K and the fourth photosensitive drum 50K can be shortened.

The timing of contact between the second developing roller 61M and the second photosensitive drum 50M, the timing of contact between the third developing roller 61C and the third photosensitive drum 50C, and the timing of contact between the fourth developing roller 61K and the fourth photosensitive drum 50K are, respectively, Since the timing of contact between the first developing roller 61Y and the first photosensitive drum 50Y is mechanically determined, the second developing roller 61M, the third developing roller 61C and the fourth developing roller 61K are brought into contact with the corresponding photosensitive drums 50. You can also shorten the time it takes.

In addition, in the monochrome printing process, the image forming apparatus 1 rotates the cam 150K in a period before the sheet S reaches the fourth photosensitive drum 50K after the start of conveying the sheet S, and acquires a separation signal from the separation sensor 4K . The cam 150K is temporarily stopped at the temporary stop timing after the first time T21 has elapsed from the point of time when the rotation of the cam 150K is stopped. Therefore, after the rotation is restarted, the fourth developing roller 61K contacts the fourth photosensitive drum 50K in a short time. Therefore, the waiting time for conveying the sheet S to the fourth photosensitive drum 50K can be shortened.

Also, the phase of the cam 150K when the separation signal is output has a width, but when the separation signal is no longer acquired from the separation sensor 4K, that is, the state where the separation signal is output and the separation signal is not output. The variation at the time of switching is small. Therefore, by temporarily stopping immediately before the fourth developing roller 61K comes into contact with the fourth photosensitive drum 50K with reference to this switching time point, it is possible to reduce the phase variation of the cam 150K during the temporary stop. Then, after the temporary stop, the K clutch 140K is controlled to rotate the cam 150K at the restart timing after the second time T22 has passed since the pre-registration sensor 28B detected the passage of the front end of the sheet S, and the fourth developing roller 61K is rotated. is brought into contact with the fourth photosensitive drum 50K to form an image, the fourth developing roller 61K can be brought into contact with the fourth photosensitive drum 50K at the timing of image formation on the sheet S. That is, it is possible to reduce the variation in the phase of the cam 150K at the temporary stop timing before the contact of the fourth developing roller 61K starts, and shorten the contact time between the fourth developing roller 61K and the fourth photosensitive drum 50K.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, the rotation of the developing roller 61 can be stopped by the clutch 120 when the developing roller 61 is at the separated position. be able to.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 rotates the cam 150 based on the signal from the post-registration sensor 28C to separate the developing roller 61 from the photosensitive drum 50, thereby starting the separation of the developing roller 61 at an accurate timing. can.

The control unit 2 executes cam position initialization control when the image forming apparatus 1 is started, and determines the development time by excluding the period during which the developing roller 61 is stopped from the time D during which the cam is rotated in the cam position initialization control. Since the rotation time DR of the roller 61 is calculated, the rotation time DR of the developing roller 61 can be calculated accurately.
Further, by accurately obtaining the rotation time DR of the developing roller 61, the amount of rotation of the developing roller 61 can be obtained accurately. Then, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the developing roller has reached the end of its life based on the accurate amount of rotation.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 that prints a color image using toner of four colors was exemplified, but an apparatus that prints a color image using toner of three colors or five colors may be used. . Also, the image forming apparatus may be an image forming apparatus that prints a monochrome image using only one color of toner.

Also, the image forming apparatus may be a multifunction machine or a copier.

1 image forming apparatus 2 control unit 3 motor 4C, 4K separation sensor 5 separation mechanism 27 registration roller 28A paper feed sensor 28B pre-registration sensor 28C post-registration sensor 30 image forming unit 40 exposure device 50 photosensitive drum 50Y first photosensitive drum 50M 2nd photosensitive drum 50C 3rd photosensitive drum 50K 4th photosensitive drum 60 development cartridge 60Y 1st development cartridge 60M 2nd development cartridge 60C 3rd development cartridge 60K 4th development cartridge 61 development roller 61Y 1st development roller 61M 2nd development roller 61C Third developing roller 61K Fourth developing roller 61X Rotational axis 64 Slide member 90 Support member 94 Abutted portion 96A First support surface 96B Second support surface 100 Drive transmission mechanism 100C Drive control gear train 100D Drive transmission gear train 120 Clutch 121 Sun gear 140A YMC clutch 140K K clutch 150 (150Y, 150M, 150C, 150K) Cam 152 End face cam 152A First cam portion 153B Second cam portion 160 Lever 170 Cam follower 182B Slope 183B Slope S Seat

Claims (5)

a photosensitive drum;
a developing roller movable between a contact position in contact with the photosensitive drum and a spaced position away from the photosensitive drum;
a cam that rotates to move the developing roller between the contact position and the separated position;
A phase sensor for detecting the phase of the cam, wherein the cam outputs a separation signal when the cam is positioned within a predetermined phase range in which the developing roller is at the separation position, and the cam is not positioned within the predetermined phase range. a phase sensor that does not output the separation signal when
a motor;
a drive transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force from the motor to the developing roller, the driving force being mechanically connected to the cam and transmitting the driving force to the developing roller when the developing roller is in the contact position; a drive transmission mechanism configured not to transmit a driving force to the developing roller when the developing roller is at the separated position;
An image forming apparatus comprising a control unit,
The control unit
When the separation signal is not acquired from the phase sensor when the image forming apparatus is started, the cam is rotated until the separation signal is acquired, and the cam is stopped at the initial position where the separation signal is acquired. run the control,
After the cam position initialization control is executed, a rotation time DR of the developing roller excluding a period during which the developing roller is stopped is calculated from the time during which the cam is rotated in the cam position initialization control. image forming apparatus. The time during which the developing roller is stopped from when the cam starts moving from the initial position to when the developing roller starts rotating when the cam makes one turn from the initial position and stops at the initial position. D1, the time during which the developing roller rotates from when the developing roller starts rotating until it stops; D2, the development from when the rotating developing roller stops until the cam stops at the initial position; Assuming that the time during which the roller is stopped is D3 and the time taken for the cam position initialization control is D, the control section sets the rotation time DR as follows:
if D<D3 then DR=0,
If D3≤D<D2+D3 then DR=D-D3
If D≧D2+D3 then DR=D2
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation is performed by: The cam is a cam that rotates around an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller, and has a first cam portion that protrudes in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller,
2. The image forming apparatus further comprises a cam follower that contacts the first cam portion of the cam and slides in the rotational axis direction to press the developing cartridge having the developing roller. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. further comprising a support member that supports the developer cartridge;
The developing cartridge has a slide member that is slidable in the rotational axis direction by being pressed by the cam follower,
3. The slide member has a slope inclined with respect to the direction of the rotation axis, which abuts against the support member and biases the developing cartridge in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis. The image forming apparatus according to . The drive transmission mechanism is
a second cam portion that rotates together with the cam;
a clutch that has a planetary gear mechanism and is switchable between a transmission state in which the driving force from the motor is transmitted to the developing roller and a disconnected state in which the driving force from the motor is not transmitted to the motor;
A lever pivotable and contactable with the second cam portion engages one element of the planetary gear mechanism to engage the clutch with the transmission when the lever is moved away from the second cam portion. and a lever that disengages from the one element to bring the clutch into the disengaged state when it comes into contact with the second cam portion. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

Images