JP7443152B2 - image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a wire bundle connecting a first substrate and a second substrate.

Image forming apparatuses are equipped with various sensors to maintain their quality. The output of the sensor is fed back to a control unit such as a CPU and reflected in the image forming process. Some sensors output multiple signals and are used to form high-quality images. An example of a sensor is an optical sensor for detecting the density of a toner patch on an intermediate transfer belt. The optical sensor is provided with two light receiving sections that receive specularly reflected light and diffusely reflected light, which are the light emitted from the light emitting section and reflected by the toner. The control unit controls the density of the toner patch by determining the ratio between the amount of specularly reflected light and the amount of diffusely reflected light (Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-90597 Publication

However, when the same type of sensor is used as a standard product in many models, unnecessary signals may be generated due to the circumstances of each model. In such a case, unnecessary wires (cables) are generated in the wire bundle connecting the sensor and the control unit. If unnecessary electric wires are not positioned at the ends of the array of a plurality of electric wires in the electric wire bundle, the electric wire bundle will become hollow when unnecessary electric wires for unnecessary signals are deleted. However, automatic machines that connect multiple wires to connectors cannot handle bundles of wires with holes in them. Therefore, it is necessary to connect a solid wire bundle including unnecessary wires to a connector using an automatic machine, resulting in unnecessary costs due to unnecessary wires.

Therefore, an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention is as follows:
an image carrier;
an image forming means for forming the image;
a first board provided with a first connector;
a control means provided on the first substrate;
a second board provided with a second connector;
an optical sensor that is provided on the second substrate and detects reflected light from a detection image formed on the image carrier by the image forming means;
an electric wire bundle having a third connector at one end and a fourth connector at the other end;
Equipped with
The control means controls the optical sensor,
the first connector is removably connected to the third connector,
the second connector is removably connected to the fourth connector,
First detection signal terminals are arranged at mutually corresponding one ends of the first connector, the second connector, the third connector, and the fourth connector, respectively,
second detection signal terminals are disposed at mutually corresponding other end portions of the first connector, the second connector, the third connector, and the fourth connector, respectively;
Each of the first connector, the second connector, the third connector, and the fourth connector includes a power supply terminal between the first detection signal terminal and the second detection signal terminal. It is characterized by the arrangement of terminals and grounding terminals.

According to the present invention, even if unnecessary detection signal wires are deleted from the wire bundle, the wires in the wire bundle can be driven into the connector by an automatic machine. Therefore, unnecessary cost increases can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus. An explanatory diagram of a pattern sensor. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pattern sensor. A diagram showing a pattern image. The figure which shows the reading level of the first pattern image with respect to time. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the reading level of a second pattern image of yellow (Y) with respect to time. A diagram showing a wire bundle, a first socket, and a second socket. A diagram showing an example of a wire bundle with unnecessary cables removed.

<Image forming device>
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 is a printer that forms a color image on a recording medium using toner of multiple colors using an electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus 100 includes four image forming units 101 (101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K). The image forming unit 101Y forms a yellow image using yellow toner. The image forming unit 101M forms a magenta image using magenta toner. The image forming unit 101C forms a cyan image using cyan toner. The image forming unit 101K forms a black image using black toner. The subscripts Y, M, C and K of the reference numerals indicate yellow, magenta, cyan and black, respectively. In the following description, the subscripts Y, M, C, and K of the reference numerals may be omitted unless particularly necessary. The four image forming units 101 have the same structure except for the color of the developer (toner).

The image forming section 101 includes a photosensitive drum 1 as a photosensitive member. A charger 8 , an optical scanning device (laser writing section) 15 , a developing device 16 , a primary transfer roller 10 , and a drum cleaning device 9 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 1 . An endless intermediate transfer belt (image carrier) 5 is arranged below the photosensitive drum 1 . Intermediate transfer belt 5 rotates in the direction shown by arrow R1 in FIG. The primary transfer roller 10 is arranged to face the photosensitive drum 1 with the intermediate transfer belt 5 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roller 10 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 5 . The secondary transfer roller 4 is arranged opposite to the belt support roller 3 with the intermediate transfer belt 5 interposed therebetween. The secondary transfer roller 4 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 to the recording medium S.

At the bottom of the image forming apparatus 100, a feeding cassette 20 that accommodates a recording medium S such as paper (sheet) is arranged. The recording medium S is fed out from the feeding cassette 20 by a pickup roller 21, and is conveyed to the secondary transfer roller 4 by a feeding roller 22, a conveyance roller 23, and a registration roller 24. In the conveyance direction CD of the recording medium S, a conveyance belt 12 and a fixing device 13 are arranged downstream of the secondary transfer roller 4. The fixing device 13 fixes the toner image onto the recording medium S.

Next, the image forming process of the image forming apparatus 100 will be explained. Since the image forming processes in the four image forming units 101 are the same, the image forming process in the image forming unit 101Y that forms a yellow toner image will be described. A description of the image forming process in the image forming section 101M that forms a magenta toner image, the image forming section 101C that forms a cyan toner image, and the image forming section 101K that forms a black toner image will be omitted.

The photosensitive drum 1Y rotates in the direction shown by arrow R2 in FIG. The charger 8Y uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y to a predetermined potential. The optical scanning device 15Y emits a laser beam (light beam) modulated according to yellow image information from a semiconductor laser (not shown) as a light source, and generates an electrostatic latent on the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y. form an image. The developing device 16Y develops the electrostatic latent image into a yellow toner image using yellow toner (developer). The primary transfer roller 10Y transfers the yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 1Y onto the intermediate transfer belt 5. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1Y after the primary transfer is collected by the drum cleaning device 9Y.

Similarly, the magenta toner image formed by the image forming section 101M is transferred onto the yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 in a superimposed manner with high accuracy. Thereafter, a cyan toner image and a black toner image are sequentially transferred onto the magenta toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 in an overlapping manner. As a result, the four color toner images are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 to form a color toner image 6.

The recording medium S conveyed from the feeding cassette 20 is conveyed to the secondary transfer roller 4 by a registration roller 24 so that the leading edge of the color toner image 6 on the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the leading edge of the recording medium S coincide. . The color toner images 6 on the intermediate transfer belt 5 are transferred to the recording medium S all at once by the secondary transfer roller 4. The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 5 after the secondary transfer is collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 14. The recording medium S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to a fixing device 13 by a transport belt 12 . The fixing device 13 heats and pressurizes the recording medium S to fix the toner image onto the recording medium S. The recording medium S on which the image has been formed is discharged out of the image forming apparatus 100 by a fixing exit roller 26 and a discharge roller 27.

<Pattern sensor>
The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a pattern sensor 7 . The pattern sensor 7 is arranged near the intermediate transfer belt 5. The pattern sensor 7 detects the density detection pattern of each color formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 at a predetermined timing. Based on the detection result of the pattern sensor 7, density correction is performed.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the pattern sensor 7. The pattern sensor 7 has a sensor substrate (hereinafter referred to as a second substrate) 70. On the surface of the second substrate 70, a first photodiode (hereinafter referred to as a first PD) 71 as a first light receiving means and a second photodiode (hereinafter referred to as a second PD) as a second light receiving means are disposed. 72 (referred to as PD) 72 is provided. A first light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as first LED) 73 and a second light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as second LED) 74 are further attached to the surface of the second substrate 70 as light emitting means. ing. The first PD 71, the second PD 72, the first LED 73, and the second LED 74 are surface-mounted elements, and are arranged on the same second substrate 70. An integrated circuit (hereinafter referred to as IC) 701 is provided on the back surface of the second substrate 70. The IC 701 controls the operations of the first PD 71, second PD 72, first LED 73, and second LED 74, which are optical elements.

A housing 203 is attached to the surface of the second substrate 70. The housing 203 is provided with a lens group 204 including a plurality of lenses 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d. Lenses 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d are arranged near the first PD 71, second PD 72, first LED 73, and second LED 74, respectively. In the housing 203, light guide paths are provided between the lenses 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d, the first PD 71, the second PD 72, the first LED 73, and the second LED 74, respectively.

A shutter 205 is arranged between the pattern sensor 7 and the intermediate transfer belt 5. The shutter 205 is supported by a pointing member (not shown) so as to be movable in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 2A (shutter movement direction) by a driving force from a driving source (not shown). A reference reflective sheet 211 is attached to the surface of the shutter 205 facing the pattern sensor 7.

FIG. 2(a) is a diagram showing the shutter 205 in an open state. During density detection, which will be described later, in order for the pattern sensor 7 to detect the toner pattern formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5, the shutter 205 is placed in a position where it does not block the optical path of the pattern sensor 7, as shown in FIG. 2(a). be done. When the shutter 205 is in the open state shown in FIG. ), and is irradiated onto the intermediate transfer belt 5. The specularly reflected light reflected by the intermediate transfer belt 5 passes through the lens 204a and the light guide path in the housing 203 and enters the first PD 71 as a specularly reflected light receiving section.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), the first LED 73 and the first PD 71 are arranged at positions such that the incident angle and reflection angle of the light from the first LED 73 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 5 are equal. . The first PD 71 functions as a light receiving unit that receives specularly reflected light of the light emitted from the first LED 73 to the intermediate transfer belt 5 and reflected by the intermediate transfer belt 5.

On the other hand, the light emitted from the second LED 74 as a light emitting unit for diffusely reflected light passes through the light guide path and lens 204d in the housing 203, travels in the direction of the optical axis (dotted line in the figure), and is irradiated onto the intermediate transfer belt 5. be done. The diffusely reflected light reflected by the intermediate transfer belt 5 passes through the lens 204b and the light guide path in the housing 203 and enters the second PD 72 as a light receiving section for diffusely reflected light. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the second LED 74 and the second PD 72 are arranged at positions such that the incident angle and the reflection angle of the light from the second LED 74 with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 5 are not equal. . The second PD 72 functions as a light receiving unit that receives diffusely reflected light out of the light emitted from the second LED 74 to the intermediate transfer belt 5 and reflected by the intermediate transfer belt 5.

FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing the shutter 205 in a closed state. During normal image formation, the shutter 205 closes the lens group 204 as shown in FIG. placed in a covering position. In the closed state of the shutter 205 shown in FIG. 2(b), the reference reflective sheet 211 reflects the light emitted from the second LED 74, and the diffusely reflected light of the reflected light is received by the second PD 72. It is pasted on the shutter 205 in such a position that the

<Electrical configuration of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a control board (hereinafter referred to as a first board) 170. The first board 170 is provided with a CPU 109 as a control means, a first socket (first connector) 118, a ROM 111, and an image forming control section 120. In this embodiment, the image formation control section 120 is provided on the first substrate 170, but the image formation control section 120 may be provided on another substrate. The first socket (jack) 118 of the first board 170 is connected to the pattern sensor 7 via a wire bundle 200 consisting of a plurality of cables. The pattern sensor 7 is supplied with a power supply VCC and a ground GND via a wire bundle 200.

The CPU 109 includes an I2C interface (Inter-Integrated Circuit interface) 117, an analog-digital converter (hereinafter referred to as an A/D converter) 110, and a RAM 116. The I2C interface 117 performs serial communication consisting of a clock signal SCL and a data signal SDA with the pattern sensor 7 via the first socket 118 and the wire bundle 200. Serial communication functions as a means for the CPU 109 to transmit data that determines the current values of the first LED 73 and second LED 74 of the pattern sensor 7. The CPU 109 controls lighting of the first LED 73 and the second LED 74 of the pattern sensor 7 via the I2C interface 117.

The pattern sensor 7 converts the amount of light received by a first PD 71 and a second PD 72 that receive reflected light from the intermediate transfer belt 5 or a toner pattern formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 into voltages, The detection signal P1 and the second detection signal P2 are output. The first detection signal P1 and the second detection signal P2 are converted from analog signals to digital signals by the A/D converter 110 and input into the CPU 109. The RAM 116 temporarily stores setting values used to control the image forming apparatus 100.

The image forming control section 120 includes an optical scanning device control section 112 , a developing device control section 113 , a photosensitive drum control section 114 , and an intermediate transfer belt control section 115 . The optical scanning device control unit 112 controls the optical scanning device 15. The developer control unit 113 controls the developer 16. The photosensitive drum control section 114 controls the photosensitive drum 1. Intermediate transfer belt control section 115 controls intermediate transfer belt 5 . The CPU 109 is electrically connected to the optical scanning device control section 112, the developing device control section 113, the photosensitive drum control section 114, the intermediate transfer belt control section 115, and the ROM 111.

CPU 109 controls the entire image forming apparatus 100 according to various instructions. CPU 109 executes an image forming operation according to a program stored in ROM 111. The CPU 109 controls the optical scanning device control section 112, the developing device control section 113, the photosensitive drum control section 114, and the intermediate transfer belt control section 115, and forms a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 according to the image data. Further, when executing toner density detection, the CPU 109 forms a toner pattern for toner density detection (hereinafter referred to as a pattern image) on the intermediate transfer belt 5 according to the toner density detection image data stored in the ROM 111. .

When detecting the toner concentration, the CPU 109 moves the shutter 205 to an open state and turns on the first LED 73 and the second LED 74 of the pattern sensor 7. The first LED 73 and the second LED 74 illuminate the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the pattern image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. The first PD 71 and the second PD 72 receive reflected light from the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the pattern image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5, and send the first detection signal P1 and the second detection signal P2 to A. /D converter 110. The A/D converter 110 converts the first detection signal P1 and the second detection signal P2 from analog signals to digital signals (digital values). The CPU 109 detects the toner density level from the digital signals of the first detection signal P1 and the second detection signal P2. The CPU 109 calculates a toner density correction amount based on the toner density level (detection result). The CPU 109 corrects the toner density based on the calculated correction amount.

A first socket 118 is mounted on the first board 170 on which the CPU 109 is mounted. The first socket 118 is removably connected to a first plug (third connector) 201 (FIG. 8) of a wire bundle 200, which will be described later. The first socket 118 has a plurality of terminals T ₁₁ , T ₁₂ , T ₁₃ , T ₁₄ , T ₁₅ and T ₁₆ . The arrangement (signal arrangement) of the plurality of terminals T ₁₁ , T ₁₂ , T ₁₃ , T ₁₄ , T ₁₅ and T ₁₆ of the first socket 118 is as follows. The terminal T11 to which the first detection signal P1 outputted from the first PD 71 of the pattern sensor 7 is inputted, and the terminal _T16 to which the second detection _signal P2 outputted from the second PD72 is inputted are They are arranged at both ends of one socket 118. Between the terminal T ₁₁ and the terminal T ₁₆ at both ends, there are a terminal T ₁₂ that outputs the clock signal SCL, a terminal T ₁₃ that outputs the data signal SDA, a terminal T ₁₄ that supplies the power supply VCC, and a terminal that supplies the ground GND. _T15 is located.

<Electrical configuration of pattern sensor>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pattern sensor 7. As shown in FIG. As described using FIG. 2, the second substrate 70 of the pattern sensor 7 is provided with a first LED 73, a second LED 74, a first PD 71, a second PD 72, and an IC 701. The second board 70 is further provided with a second socket (second connector) 723. The second socket (jack) 723 has a plurality of terminals T ₂₁ , T ₂₂ , T ₂₃ , T ₂₄ , T ₂₅ and T ₂₆ . The second socket 723 is removably connected to a second plug (fourth connector) (FIG. 8) 202 of the electric wire bundle 200, which will be described later. The plurality of terminals T ₂₁ , T ₂₂ , T ₂₃ , T ₂₄ , T ₂₅ and T ₂₆ of the second socket 723 are connected to the plurality of terminals T ₁₁ of the first socket 118 of the first board 170 by the wire bundle 200 . , T ₁₂ , T ₁₃ , T ₁₄ , T ₁₅ and T ₁₆ , respectively.

Inside the IC 701, there are a first current adjustment section 711, a second current adjustment section 712, a first IV conversion section 716, a second IV conversion section 717, a first output amplification section 718, and a second current adjustment section 712. A second output amplifying section 719 is provided. Inside the IC 701, a register 720, a ROM 721, and an I2C interface 722 are further provided. I2C interface 722 is electrically connected to terminals T ₂₂ and T ₂₃ . The I2C interface 722 performs serial communication with the I2C interface 117 of the CPU 109 using a clock signal SCL and a data signal SDA. Through serial communication, the I2C interface 722 receives from the CPU 109 setting values to be set in the first current adjustment section 711 and the second current adjustment section 712 in order to determine the current to be passed to the first LED 73 and the second LED 74. do. The setting values received by the I2C interface 722 are held in the register 720 and set in the first current adjustment section 711 and the second current adjustment section 712.

The first current adjustment unit 711 adjusts the amount of current of the first LED 73 according to a first light emission control signal transmitted by serial communication from the I2C interface 117 of the CPU 109. The second current adjustment unit 712 adjusts the amount of current of the second LED 74 according to a second light emission control signal transmitted by serial communication from the I2C interface 117 of the CPU 109. The first IV converter 716 converts the photocurrent output from the first PD 71 into voltage. The second IV converter 717 converts the photocurrent output from the second PD 72 into voltage. The first output amplification unit 718 amplifies the voltage converted by the first IV conversion unit 716 to an appropriate level, and outputs the first detection signal P1 to the terminal T ₂₁ of the second socket 723. . The second output amplification section 719 amplifies the voltage converted by the second IV conversion section 717 to an appropriate level, and outputs the second detection signal P2 to the terminal _T26 of the second socket 723. .

The ROM 721 stores gain data to be set for the first output amplification section 718 and the second output amplification section 719. The gain data is determined by an adjustment jig before the pattern sensor 7 is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 so that the amplified output of each of the first PD 71 and the second PD 72 becomes a predetermined value. , are stored in the ROM 721. The arrangement (signal arrangement) of the plurality of terminals T ₂₁ , T ₂₂ , T ₂₃ , T ₂₄ , T ₂₅ and T ₂₆ of the second socket 723 is as follows, similar to the above-mentioned first socket 118. . The terminal T21 that outputs the first detection signal P1 output from the first PD 71 of the pattern sensor 7 and the terminal T ₂₆ that outputs the second detection signal P2 output from the second PD ₇₂ are connected to the second They are arranged at both ends of the socket 723. Between the terminal T ₂₁ and the terminal T ₂₆ at both ends, a terminal T ₂₂ to which a clock signal SCL is input, a terminal T ₂₃ to which a data signal SDA is input, a terminal T ₂₄ to which a power supply VCC is supplied, and a ground GND are connected. A supplied terminal T ₂₅ is arranged.

<Pattern image>
Next, a pattern image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 when the CPU 109 executes toner density detection will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a pattern image. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a first pattern image 303 formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 for toner density detection. The first pattern image 303 is used for the first PD 71 to receive specularly reflected light emitted from the first LED 73 . The first pattern image 303 is formed of black (K) toner and is used when performing black (K) toner density detection. Black (K) has the property of absorbing light and cannot be detected with diffusely reflected light, so toner concentration is detected using the detection result of the first PD 71 that receives specularly reflected light.

The first pattern image 303 shown in FIG. 5A is formed of four gradation patterns of 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% in descending order of density. The CPU 109 reads the first pattern image 303 formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 with the pattern sensor 7, and obtains the first detection signal P1 from the first PD 71. The CPU 109 converts the first detection signal P1 into a digital signal using the A/D converter 110, calculates the difference between the value of the digital signal and the image density gradation characteristic to be actually output, and converts the image into an image based on the calculation result. Density correction is performed by controlling the formation control section 120.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the reading level of the first pattern image 303 with respect to time. In the 70% portion, which is a high density area, the light from the first LED 73 is absorbed by the black (K) toner, and since the amount of black (K) toner applied is large, the specularly reflected light from the intermediate transfer belt 5 is also absorbed. decrease. Therefore, the reading level of the 70% portion, which is a high concentration, is low. On the other hand, in the 10% area, which has a low density, the amount of light absorbed by the black (K) toner is lower than the amount of light absorption in the 70% area, and since the amount of black (K) toner applied is small, the intermediate transfer belt 5 The specular reflection of light increases. Therefore, the reading level of the 10% portion, which is a low concentration, is high. In the non-pattern area, the first pattern image 303 is not formed and there is a lot of specularly reflected light from the intermediate transfer belt 5, so the reading level is high.

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a second pattern image 304 formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 for toner density detection. The second pattern image 304 is used for the second PD 72 to receive diffusely reflected light emitted from the second LED 74 . The second pattern image 304 is formed by yellow (Y) toner, magenta (M) toner, and cyan (C) toner, and includes yellow (Y) toner density detection, magenta (M) toner density detection, and cyan (C) toner. Used when performing toner concentration detection. FIG. 5B shows a second pattern image 304 formed with toner of one color among yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). Since yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) have higher diffused reflectance than the intermediate transfer belt 5, toner density detection is performed using the detection result of the second PD 72 that receives the diffusely reflected light.

The second pattern image 304 shown in FIG. 5B is formed of four gradation patterns of 70%, 50%, 30%, and 10% in descending order of density. The CPU 109 reads the second pattern image 304 formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 with the pattern sensor 7, and obtains the second detection signal P2 from the second PD 72. The CPU 109 converts the second detection signal P2 into a digital signal using the A/D converter 110, calculates the difference between the value of the digital signal and the image density gradation characteristic to be actually output, and converts the image into an image based on the calculation result. Density correction is performed by controlling the formation control section 120.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the reading level of the yellow (Y) second pattern image 304 with respect to time. In the high density 70% area, the light from the second LED 74 is reflected by the yellow (Y) toner, and since the amount of yellow (Y) toner applied is large, the diffusely reflected light from the yellow (Y) toner is also reflected. increase. Therefore, the reading level of the 70% portion, which is a high concentration, is high. On the other hand, in the 10% portion, which has a low density, the reflectance due to the yellow (Y) toner is lower than the reflectance in the 70% portion, so the diffusely reflected light decreases. Therefore, the reading level of the 10% portion, which is a low concentration, is low. In the non-pattern area, the second pattern image 304 is not formed and there is little diffusely reflected light from the intermediate transfer belt 5, so the reading level is low. Toner density detection for magenta (M) toner and cyan (C) toner is also performed in the same way as toner density detection for yellow (Y) toner.

<Electrical connection members>
Hereinafter, an electrical connection member between the pattern sensor 7 as an optical sensor used for toner concentration detection and the CPU 109 that performs light emission/light reception control of the pattern sensor 7 and reception of detection output information will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the wire bundle 200, the first socket 118, and the second socket 723. The first socket 118 of the first board 170 provided with the CPU 109 is connected to the second socket 723 provided on the second board 70 of the pattern sensor 7 via the wire bundle 200 as an electrical connection member. be done. The wire bundle 200 includes a first detection signal line 200_P1, a clock line 200_SCL, a data line 200_SDA, a power line 200_VCC, a ground line 200_GND, and a second detection signal line 200_P2.

A first plug (third connector) 201 is provided at one end of the wire bundle 200. The first plug 201 has a plurality of terminals T ₃₁ , T ₃₂ , T ₃₃ , T ₃₄ , T ₃₅ and T ₃₆ . The arrangement (signal arrangement) of the plurality of terminals T ₃₁ , T ₃₂ , T ₃₃ , T ₃₄ , T ₃₅ and T ₃₆ of the first plug 201 is as follows. A terminal T 31 that outputs the first detection signal P1 output from the first PD ₇₁ and a terminal T ₃₆ that outputs the second detection signal P2 output from the second PD 72 are connected to both ends of the first plug 201. placed in the department. Between the terminal T ₃₁ and the terminal T ₃₆ at both ends, a terminal T ₃₂ to which a clock signal SCL is input, a terminal T ₃₃ to which a data signal SDA is input, a terminal T ₃₄ to which a power supply VCC is supplied, and a ground GND are connected. A supplied terminal T ₃₅ is arranged.

A second plug (fourth connector) 202 is provided at the other end of the wire bundle 200. The second plug 202 has a plurality of terminals T ₄₁ , T ₄₂ , T ₄₃ , T ₄₄ , T ₄₅ and T ₄₆ . The arrangement (signal arrangement) of the plurality of terminals T ₄₁ , T ₄₂ , T ₄₃ , T ₄₄ , T ₄₅ and T ₄₆ of the second plug 202 is as follows. The terminal T41 to which the first detection signal P1 output from the first PD ₇₁ is input and the terminal _T46 to which the second detection signal P2 output from the second PD 72 is input are connected to the second plug 202. placed at both ends of the Between the terminal T ₄₁ and the terminal T ₄₆ at both ends, there are a terminal T ₄₂ that outputs the clock signal SCL, a terminal T ₄₃ that outputs the data signal SDA, a terminal T ₄₄ that supplies the power supply VCC, and a terminal that supplies the ground GND. _T45 is located.

The first detection signal line 200_P1 of the wire bundle 200 connects the terminal T ₃₁ of the first plug 201 and the terminal T ₄₁ of the second plug 202. Clock line 200_SCL connects terminal T ₃₂ of first plug 201 and terminal T ₄₂ of second plug 202. The data line 200_SDA connects the terminal T ₃₃ of the first plug 201 and the terminal T ₄₃ of the second plug 202. Power line 200_VCC connects terminal T ₃₄ of first plug 201 and terminal T ₄₄ of second plug 202. The ground wire 200_GND connects the terminal T ₃₅ of the first plug 201 and the terminal T ₄₅ of the second plug 202. The second detection signal line 200_P2 connects the terminal T ₃₆ of the first plug 201 and the terminal T ₄₆ of the second plug 202.

The first plug 201 is inserted into the first socket 118 and fits into the first socket 118 . Thereby, the terminals T ₃₁ , T ₃₂ , T ₃₃ , T ₃₄ , T ₃₅ and T ₃₆ of the first plug 201 are connected to the terminals T ₁₁ , T ₁₂ , T ₁₃ , T ₁₄ , T ₁₅ of the first socket 118. and _T16 , respectively. The second plug 202 is inserted into the second socket 723 and fits into the second socket 723. Thereby, the terminals T ₄₁ , T ₄₂ , T ₄₃ , T ₄₄ , T ₄₅ and T ₄₆ of the second plug 202 are connected to the terminals T ₂₁ , T ₂₂ , T ₂₃ , T ₂₄ , T ₂₅ of the second socket 723. and _T26 , respectively.

The first socket 118, the second socket 723, the first plug 201, and the second plug 202 have terminals T ₁₁ , T ₂₁ , T ₃₁ and T which are first detection signal terminals at their corresponding ends. ₄₁ are arranged respectively. The first socket 118, the second socket 723, the first plug 201, and the second plug 202 have terminals T ₁₆ , T ₂₆ , T ₃₆ , which are second detection signal terminals, and terminals at the other ends corresponding to each other. T ₄₆ are arranged respectively. The first socket 118, the second socket 723, the first plug 201, and the second plug 202 are provided as power supply terminals between the first detection signal terminal and the second detection signal terminal. T ₁₄ , T ₂₄ , T ₃₄ and T ₄₄ are arranged, respectively. The first socket 118, the second socket 723, the first plug 201, and the second plug 202 are provided as a grounding terminal between the first detection signal terminal and the second detection signal terminal. T ₁₅ , T ₂₅ , T ₃₅ and T ₄₅ are arranged, respectively.

The first socket 118, the second socket 723, the first plug 201, and the second plug 202 are provided as clock signal terminals between the first detection signal terminal and the second detection signal terminal. Terminals T ₁₂ , T ₂₂ , T ₃₂ and T ₄₂ are arranged, respectively. The first socket 118, the second socket 723, the first plug 201, and the second plug 202 are provided as data signal terminals between the first detection signal terminal and the second detection signal terminal. Terminals T ₁₃ , T ₂₃ , T ₃₃ and T ₄₃ are arranged, respectively. The first detection signal terminal, clock signal terminal, data signal terminal, power supply terminal, grounding terminal, and second detection signal terminal are arranged in a line without sandwiching any terminals to which electric wires are not connected. It is located. Note that when a clock signal terminal and a data signal terminal are not provided, the first detection signal terminal, power supply terminal, grounding terminal, and second detection signal terminal should be connected with a terminal to which no electric wire is connected between them. It would be good if they were arranged in a line without any gaps.

Note that the first plug 201 may be a socket, and the first socket 118 may be a plug. The second plug 202 may be a socket, and the second socket 723 may be a plug.

By the way, depending on the model of the image forming apparatus 100, the first detection signal P1 from the first PD 71 that detects specularly reflected light is not necessary, so the image forming apparatus 100 that does not require the first detection signal line 200_P1 be. Further, depending on the model of the image forming apparatus 100, the second detection signal P2 from the second PD 72 that detects diffusely reflected light is not necessary, and therefore, the second detection signal line 200_P2 is not necessary. . Therefore, if the first socket 118, the second socket 723, the first plug 201, and the second plug 202 are commonly used in various models of the image forming apparatus 100, a wire bundle with empty pins is required. There may be cases. If unnecessary cables (wires) are removed and the wire bundle becomes hollow, the automatic machine will not be able to attach the plug of the wire bundle to the socket on the board. However, leaving unnecessary cables incurs unnecessary costs. Therefore, in this embodiment, the signal arrangement as described above is adopted so that the wire bundle does not become hollow even if unnecessary cables (wires) are deleted.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a wire bundle from which unnecessary cables have been removed. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a wire bundle 210 compatible with an image forming apparatus that does not use the second detection signal P2, which is the detection output of diffusely reflected light. The wire bundle 210 has the same configuration as the wire bundle 200 except that the second detection signal line 200_P2 does not exist. For example, when the pattern sensor 7 is installed in a monochrome image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using only black (K) toner, the wire bundle 210 without the second detection signal line 200_P2 is required. . In monochrome image forming apparatuses, color toners such as yellow (Y) toner, magenta (M) toner, and cyan (C) toner are not used, so the second detection signal P2, which is the detection output of diffusely reflected light, is unnecessary. It is.

FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a wire bundle 220 compatible with an image forming apparatus that does not use the first detection signal P1, which is a detection output of specularly reflected light. The wire bundle 220 has the same configuration as the wire bundle 200 except that the first detection signal line 200_P1 does not exist. For example, in order to speed up density detection in a color image forming apparatus, when the first pattern image 303 and the second pattern image 304 are detected by separate pattern sensors, the first detection signal line 200_P1 exists. A wire bundle 220 that does not require a wire is required. The pattern sensor that detects the second pattern image 304 of color toner such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) does not detect the first pattern image 303 of black (K) toner. Therefore, the first detection signal line 200_P1 that transmits the first detection signal P1 becomes unnecessary.

The terminal T ₃₁ and the terminal T ₄₁ for the first detection signal P1 are not the ends of the first plug 201 and the second plug 202, but are any of the inner terminals T ₃₂ to T ₃₅ and T ₄₂ to T ₄₅ . , the wire bundle becomes hollow without the first detection signal line 200_P1. The terminal T ₃₆ and the terminal T ₄₆ for the second detection signal P2 are not the ends of the first plug 201 and the second plug 202, but are any of the inner terminals T ₃₂ to T ₃₅ and T ₄₂ to T ₄₅ . , the wire bundle becomes hollow without the second detection signal line 200_P2. An automatic machine that connects a plurality of electric wires (cables) of a wire bundle to a first plug 201 and a second plug 202 drives a plurality of electric wires into terminals arranged in series. Since such automatic machines are not compatible with bundles of wires with holes in them, a plurality of wires are driven into a plurality of terminals of a plug, including unnecessary wires in the wire bundle. This creates unnecessary costs by connecting extra wires.

On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the terminal T ₃₁ and the terminal T ₄₁ for the first detection signal P1 are arranged at one end of the first plug 201 and the second plug 202, respectively. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9(b), even if the first detection signal line 200_P1 is removed, the plurality of wires in the wire bundle 220 are arranged continuously without being interrupted in the middle, so the wire bundle 220 is It is possible to produce by automatic machine. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an increase in cost due to the redundant first detection signal line 200_P1.

Similarly, according to this embodiment, the terminal T ₃₆ and the terminal T ₄₆ for the second detection signal P2 are arranged at the other ends of the first plug 201 and the second plug 202, respectively. Therefore, even if the second detection signal line 200_P2 is removed as shown in FIG. It is possible to produce by automatic machine. This can prevent an increase in cost due to the redundant second detection signal line 200_P2.

In this embodiment, wire bundles 200, 210, and 220 are used as electrical connection members between a first substrate 170 provided with a CPU 109 of an image forming apparatus 100 and a second substrate 70 of a pattern sensor 7 as an optical sensor. I listed and explained. However, this embodiment is not limited to the output signal of the pattern sensor 7, and may be applied to an electrical connection member that transmits two or more output signals.

According to this embodiment, in the signal arrangement in the first socket 118, second socket 723, first plug 201, and second plug 202 that transmit and receive two or more signals, the arrangement of the detection signals is in the signal arrangement. are located at both ends of the Therefore, even if an unnecessary detection signal is generated depending on the model, the unnecessary end wires can be deleted from the wire bundle, and the necessary wires can be driven into the first plug 201 and the second plug 202 by an automatic machine. .

According to the present invention, even if unnecessary detection signal wires are deleted from the wire bundle, the wires in the wire bundle can be driven into the connector by an automatic machine. Therefore, unnecessary cost increases can be suppressed.

70... Second board 100... Image forming device 118... First socket 170... First board 200, 210, 220... Wire bundle 201... First plug 202 ... Second plug 723 ... Second sockets T ₁₁ , T ₂₁ , T ₃₁ and T ₄₁ ... First detection signal terminals T ₁₄ , T ₂₄ , T ₃₄ and T ₄₄ ... Power supply terminals _T15 , _T25 , _T35 and _T45 ... Grounding terminals _T16 , _T26 , _T36 and _T46 ... Second detection signal terminals

Claims (11)

An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet,
an image carrier;
an image forming means for forming the image;
a first board provided with a first connector;
a control means provided on the first substrate;
a second board provided with a second connector;
an optical sensor that is provided on the second substrate and detects reflected light from a detection image formed on the image carrier by the image forming means;
an electric wire bundle having a third connector at one end and a fourth connector at the other end;
Equipped with
The control means controls the optical sensor,
the first connector is removably connected to the third connector,
the second connector is removably connected to the fourth connector,
First detection signal terminals are arranged at mutually corresponding one ends of the first connector, the second connector, the third connector, and the fourth connector, respectively,
second detection signal terminals are disposed at mutually corresponding other end portions of the first connector, the second connector, the third connector, and the fourth connector, respectively;
Each of the first connector, the second connector, the third connector, and the fourth connector includes a power supply terminal between the first detection signal terminal and the second detection signal terminal. An image forming apparatus characterized in that a terminal and a grounding terminal are arranged. In each of the first connector, the second connector, the third connector, and the fourth connector, the first detection signal terminal, the power supply terminal, the grounding terminal, and the second 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection signal terminals are arranged in a line without sandwiching any terminals to which no electric wire is connected. The wire bundle includes a first detection signal line that connects the first detection signal terminal of the third connector and the first detection signal terminal of the fourth connector, and a first detection signal line that connects the first detection signal terminal of the third connector and the first detection signal terminal of the fourth connector. a power wire connecting the power supply terminal and the power supply terminal of the fourth connector; a grounding wire connecting the grounding terminal of the third connector and the grounding terminal of the fourth connector; 3. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a second detection signal line connecting the second detection signal terminal of the third connector and the second detection signal terminal of the fourth connector. The image forming apparatus described above. The wire bundle includes a first detection signal line that connects the first detection signal terminal of the third connector and the first detection signal terminal of the fourth connector, and a first detection signal line that connects the first detection signal terminal of the third connector and the first detection signal terminal of the fourth connector. A power line that connects the power supply terminal and the power supply terminal of the fourth connector, and a ground line that connects the ground terminal of the third connector and the ground terminal of the fourth connector. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The wire bundle includes a power wire connecting the power terminal of the third connector and the power terminal of the fourth connector, a power wire connecting the power terminal of the third connector and the grounding terminal of the fourth connector, A grounding wire that connects a grounding terminal, and a second detection signal line that connects the second detection signal terminal of the third connector and the second detection signal terminal of the fourth connector. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Each of the first connector, the second connector, the third connector, and the fourth connector has a clock signal connected between the first detection signal terminal and the second detection signal terminal. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a data signal terminal and a data signal terminal. In each of the first connector, the second connector, the third connector, and the fourth connector, the first detection signal terminal, the clock signal terminal, the data signal terminal, and the power supply 7. The image forming terminal according to claim 6, wherein the grounding terminal, and the second detection signal terminal are arranged in a line without sandwiching any terminal to which no electric wire is connected. Device. The wire bundle includes a first detection signal line that connects the first detection signal terminal of the third connector and the first detection signal terminal of the fourth connector, and a first detection signal line that connects the first detection signal terminal of the third connector and the first detection signal terminal of the fourth connector. a clock line connecting the clock signal terminal and the clock signal terminal of the fourth connector; a data line connecting the data signal terminal of the third connector and the data signal terminal of the fourth connector; a power line connecting the power supply terminal of the third connector and the power supply terminal of the fourth connector; and a grounding line connecting the ground terminal of the third connector and the ground terminal of the fourth connector. and a second detection signal line connecting the second detection signal terminal of the third connector and the second detection signal terminal of the fourth connector. 8. The image forming apparatus according to 6 or 7. The wire bundle includes a first detection signal line that connects the first detection signal terminal of the third connector and the first detection signal terminal of the fourth connector, and a first detection signal line that connects the first detection signal terminal of the third connector and the first detection signal terminal of the fourth connector. a clock line connecting the clock signal terminal and the clock signal terminal of the fourth connector; a data line connecting the data signal terminal of the third connector and the data signal terminal of the fourth connector; A power line connecting the power terminal of the third connector and the power terminal of the fourth connector, and connecting the grounding terminal of the third connector and the grounding terminal of the fourth connector. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a grounding wire. The wire bundle includes a clock line connecting a clock signal terminal of the third connector and a clock signal terminal of the fourth connector, a data signal terminal of the third connector, and a data signal terminal of the fourth connector. a data line connecting the signal terminal; a power line connecting the power terminal of the third connector to the power terminal of the fourth connector; and the grounding terminal of the third connector and the fourth connector. a grounding wire connecting the grounding terminal of the connector; and a second detection connecting the second detection signal terminal of the third connector and the second detection signal terminal of the fourth connector. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a signal line. The optical sensor includes a first light receiving means that receives specularly reflected light and outputs a first detection signal, and a second light receiving means that receives diffusely reflected light and outputs a second detection signal. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images