JPH01300270A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute the operation without being aware of a developing device containing device in the main body side and the body side in the developing device containing device side, respectively by exchanging a developing device color of each inside and existence information between the main body and the developing device containing device. CONSTITUTION:First of all, a color of a developing device contained in a main body is detected, and a result of this detection is transmitted to a control part 200 by executing serial communication. A main body control part 203 lights the one concerned in a color display LED on a main body operating part 204, based on information transmitted from the control part 200 and information of a color developing device placed in the inside of the main body, and useable color information is transmitted to a user thereby. In such a way, an operator can recognize easily existence and a kind in the main body and the developing device containing device, and the operability is improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and particularly relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a developing device storage device capable of storing a plurality of developing devices. be.

[Related technology]

Some image forming apparatuses of this type include a plurality of color developing devices in the main body and are switched by a rotary mechanism.

On the other hand, it has also been proposed to provide a plurality of color developing devices in a storage device outside the main body. Moving operations such as moving the container into the main body are required.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] Since a plurality of developing devices can be stored in the main body and the storage device in this type of device, it is necessary to easily recognize which color developing device is stored. This is desirable from the viewpoint of operability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to improve operability by allowing an operator to easily recognize the presence/absence and type of a developer in the main body and developer storage device. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can perform the following operations.

[Means and effects for solving the problem] According to the present invention, a plurality of storage means capable of storing developing devices and a first detection means for detecting the presence or absence and type of the development devices in the plurality of storage means are provided. an image forming means capable of forming an image on a recording material using the developing device transferred from the developing device storage unit, the image forming device comprising: a developing device storing means; and a second detecting device for detecting the presence or absence and type of the developing device inside; A communication means for exchanging data regarding the presence or absence and type of the developing device between the developing device storage means and the image forming means; a first display means for displaying the presence or absence and type of a developing device based on the data transmitted from the developing device storage means; By having a second display means for displaying the presence or absence and type of the container, it is possible to improve the operability.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained below based on examples.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus (copying machine) to which a multiple developing device storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus shown here has a structure that enables double-sided image formation and multiple image formation using different colors.

First, before explaining the multiple developer storage device of the embodiment, the main body of the image forming apparatus to which the multiple developer storage device is applied will be described.

The original 2 placed on the original placing glass l is illuminated by a lamp 3, and this light source is connected to reflecting mirrors 4°5, 6.7.
8.9 and zoom lens 10 (hereinafter referred to as 7″’)
) 1-1' is guided onto the photosensitive drum 11 by an optical system. The lamp 3, mirror 4, and mirror 5.6 each move at a predetermined speed in the six directions of arrows to scan the original 2. On the other hand, since the photosensitive drum 11 is also rotated in the direction of arrow B after its outer surface has been uniformly charged by the primary charger 12, the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 1 has electrostatic potential that corresponds to the original image. An image is formed. Around the photosensitive drum 11, there is a color developer (green developer 13) containing color toner (for example, green).
c) and a black developing device 14 containing black toner are provided. These developing devices 13c and 14 are respectively indicated by the arrow C1.
It is movable in five directions, approaches the photosensitive drum 11 and visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 according to a desired color image.

In the case of this figure, the color developer (!! developer 13C) is separated,
Since the black developing device 14 is close to the photosensitive drum 11, a black image is formed on the photosensitive drum 11. This image is transferred onto a transfer material (transfer paper) 17 by a transfer band Ti device 15. Thereafter, the photosensitive drum 11 reaches a cleaner 16, where residual toner on the outer surface of the drum is removed, and the process proceeds to the next image forming step in the same manner.

The transfer material 17 is supplied as follows, and a document image is formed. The following methods are available for supplying the transfer material 17 to the image forming means mainly composed of the photosensitive drum 11. In the first method, the transfer material 17 loaded in the cassette 18 is fed to the roller pair 20 by the paper feed roller 19. roller vs 2
0 is designed so that when a plurality of overlapping transfer materials 17 are sent in, only the transfer material 17 containing soil is separated and fed to the image forming means. Transfer material 1 after passing through the roller pair 20
7, guide plates 21, 22, 28, paper feed roller pair 50,
Registration roller 23 via guide plates 51, 52, 53
leading to. In the second method, the transfer material 17 loaded in the cassette 24 is fed by the paper feed roller 25 to the roller pair 26 .

The roller pair 26 has the same function as the previous roller pair 20, and after the transfer material 17 passes through the roller pair 26, it passes through the guide plate 27.
, 28, 21, paper feed roller pair 50, guide plates 51, 52
．． 53 to the registration roller 23. The registration roller 23 starts rotating at a timing such that the visible image on the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer material 17 match, and transfers the transfer material 17 to the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 11 via an upper transfer guide 31 and a lower transfer guide 32. Send it in. As described above, the image on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the transfer material 17 by the transfer charger 15, separated from the outer surface of the drum 11 by the separation charger 33, and transferred to the heating roller via the conveyance section 34. and a pressure roller. The image on the transfer material 17 heated and pressurized by the fixing device 35 is fixed as a permanent image. Next, the transfer material 17 is sent to the first ejection roller 36, then reaches the second ejection roller 39 via flappers 37, 38, and is ejected out of the machine. In this figure, the flapper 38 is blocking the transfer material path, but this flapper 38 is made of a light material and is rotatable in the direction of the arrow. The transfer material 17 is pushed up by the tip of the transfer material 17.
Since the transfer material 17 is in a retracted state, no hindrance occurs to the passage of the transfer material 17.

Next, the flow of the transfer material 17 in the double-sided image forming mode and the multiple image forming mode will be described.

When the double-sided image forming mode is instructed to the image forming apparatus, the i-striped image is transferred and fixed on one side (first side) of the transfer material 17 in the same manner as in the single-sided image forming mode described above, and the second The transfer material is sent to the discharge roller 39 and discharged onto a tray outside the machine (not shown). The rear end of the transfer material 17 is detected by a transfer material detection mechanism consisting of a detection lever 40 and an optical sensor 41, and then the rear end of the transfer material 17 is
! When the time required for # to pass through the 7 bumper 38 has elapsed, the second discharge roller 39 starts rotating in the reverse direction and feeds the transfer material 17 into the machine again. Then, the transfer material 17 is sent to the roller 45 with its rear end first via the flapper 38, the left slope of the flapper 37, the guide plate 42, and further via the guide plates 43 and 44. After that, the transfer material 17 is transferred to the roller 46.
and then reaches the horizontal registration rollers 47. At this point, the lateral registration roller 47 has stopped, and after the transfer material 17 has completely abutted against this roller 47, the roller pair 45, 46 also stops. The transfer material 17 is now on standby for the image forming operation on the second surface. Then, when an image forming signal for the second side is issued, the lateral registration roller 47 starts rotating and sends the transfer material 17 to the registration roller 23 via the guide plate 49.

Before the transfer material 17 arrives at the registration rollers 23, the side edges of the transfer material 17 are detected by an optical sensor (not shown), and the lateral registration rollers 47 are moved so that the side edges are at the same position as when forming the image on the first surface. The lateral position of the transfer material 17 is corrected by moving in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the transfer material 17, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the drawing. The transfer material 17 is the registration roller 23
The operation after reaching the point is the same as in the case of single-sided image formation, and the transfer material 17 with the image formed on the second side is finally discharged onto a tray outside the machine by the second discharge roller 39. Ru.

Further, when the image forming apparatus is instructed to perform the multiple image forming mode, the operation during the first image forming is performed in the same manner as in the case of single-sided image forming. After the first image formation, the flapper 37 is located in the state shown by the broken line, and therefore, the transfer material 17 is placed in the first tJ position with the front end first.
The paper is sent out by the j output roller 36, sent to the guides 42, 43 along the right slope of the flapper 37, turned over, and further sent to the roller 45 via the guides 43, 44.

Thereafter, the transfer material 17 passes through the rollers 46 and reaches the horizontal registration rollers 47. The rear end of the transfer material 17 is detected by the detection lever 40 and the optical sensor 41, and after a predetermined period of time, the flapper 37 returns to the position indicated by the solid line. Then, when the second image forming signal is issued, the horizontal registration roller 47 starts rotating, but the movement of the transfer material 17 at this time is the same as in the case of image formation on the second side of double-sided image formation. It is. The transfer material 17 on which the second image has been formed in this way is finally discharged onto a tray outside the machine by the second discharge roller 39. Note that although the explanation has been given regarding multiple image formation twice, the movement of the transfer material 17 is basically the same even in the case of multiple image formation with a larger number of times. However, in such a case, the return of the flapper 37 from the broken line position to the solid line position is performed at the final image formation stage.

Next, the main body 10 of the image forming apparatus has a bipedal configuration.
The multiple developing device storage device 150 of this embodiment, which is optionally installed outside of 0, will be described.

This multiple developer storage device 150 is provided as an option in the main body 100 of the image forming apparatus when it is desired to form a color image using color developing devices other than the black developing device 14 fixedly installed in the main body 100 of the image forming apparatus. It is installed outside the image forming apparatus 100 and supplies and transports a desired color developing device to the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 11 inside the main body 100 of the image forming apparatus.

Storage case 15 which is the main body of multiple developer storage device 150
1 includes a partition (developing device housing section) 151 that divides the interior.
a, 151b, and 151c are provided, and the partition 151
On the a, 151b, and 151c, there are color developing devices containing different color toners, such as a red developing device 13a containing red toner, a blue developing device 13b containing blue toner, and an edge developer @ containing edge toner. Container 13c or main body] Storage a is placed in Wakademachi f1 and 00 side direction. In the illustrated case, the green developing device 13c is not inside the storage case 151, but is supplied and transferred to the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 11 inside the main body 100, and is in a state of preparation for developing an electrostatic image. Such supply and transportation of the color developing device (green developing device 13C) is performed by a developing device transporting means X shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later. In this case, storage case 15
The developing devices for each color in the main body 100 are carried into the main body 100 through an inlet (developing device inlet/outlet) 55a provided in the main body ioo.

Such a multiple developer storage device 151 is further provided with case moving means Y shown in FIG. 2, which will be described later.
The storage case 151 is moved to the main body 1 by the case moving means Y.
It is movable in the vertical direction with respect to 00. Therefore, the partitions 151a to 151C on which the desired color developing device is mounted by the case moving means Y coincide with the loading port 55a on the main body 100 side, and in the illustrated case, the partition 151c coincides with the loading port 55a). As a result, it is possible to carry a desired color developing device into the main body 100.For example, when the red developing device 13a is selected from the image forming device 1, first, the green developing device 13c is shown in FIG. The developer is transferred and placed on the partition 151c of the storage case 151 by the developing device transfer means X. The green developing device 13c is stored in the storage case 151c.
When the green developing device 13c is returned, the presence of the green developing device 13c is confirmed by a developing device lock sensor shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later. When the presence of the green developing device 13c is confirmed, the storage case 151 starts moving vertically (downward in this case) with respect to the main body 100 by the case moving means Y shown in FIG. When the partition 151a on which the developing device 13a is mounted moves to a position (developing device loading/unloading section 55b) that coincides with the loading port 55a of the main body 100, it stops. Next, the red developing device 13a is transferred to the vicinity of the photosensitive tram 11 by the developing device transporting means X shown in FIG. 3, and becomes ready for developing an electrostatic image. Note that even when another color developer in the storage case 151 is selected, the same operation as when the red developer RY 13 a is selected is performed.

Means for guiding the green developing device 13c shown in FIG. 1 from the storage case 151C to the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 11, the storage case from the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 11! Regarding the means leading to 51C, Part 3
This will be explained using figures.

The developing device horizontal moving means A and B shown in FIG. 3 perform color development by rotating color developing device driving teeth $178c and 179c.
513 c in the illustrated F direction (Forward) and B
It is configured to be transferred in the direction (Back). In the horizontal movement means A, B, the drive transmission gears 173a, 173b are rotated by the rotation of the horizontal motor 172, and the rotation of the gear 173a is transferred to the gears 178a, 178b.
is used to transmit the color developing device 13 to the horizontally moving gear 178c, and similarly, the rotation of the gear 173b is transmitted to the gears 179a and 179.
9b is used to transmit the information to the gear 179c.

Gears that transmit the rotation of the horizontal motor 172 to the gears 173a and 173b are not shown.

1) The means A and B for horizontally moving the developing unit are connected to storage cases by springs (not shown). Color developer 13c in 51C
is being pressurized. By the developer vertical moving means Y,
When moving the developing device storage case 151 in the up and left directions and down directions shown in FIG. There is. This configuration prevents the horizontal moving means A and B from interfering with the color developing unit vertical moving means Y. Sensors 170a and 170b are arranged to detect that the horizontal moving means A and B are sufficiently separated from the storage case 151. The sensors 170a and 170b are known photointerrupters, and detect separation of the horizontal moving means A and B.

A case will be described in which the green developing device 13c is guided from the partition 151C of the storage case to the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 11. (6th
(See figure) It is assumed that the partition 151C of the storage case is stationary at the position of the main body loading port 55a. The green developer 13c is fixed to the partition 151c of the storage case by developer lock tabs 230a and 230b. The developing device locking pawls 230a and 230b have a mechanism in which the color developing device 13c is released by a color developing device lock release solenoid 180 (see FIG. 4). After driving the color developer lock release solenoid 18o, the horizontal motor is rotated, and the horizontal moving means A is rotated.

Drive B. At this time, the horizontal moving means A and B are
The edge developing device 13c inside the storage case 151 is pressurized. (By releasing the drive of the solenoid, the horizontal moving means A and B are pressurized by the spring against the green developing device 13c in the storage case 151) Rotating the drive gears 178c and 179c in the f direction. Therefore, the pre-recording developing device 13c is inserted into the main body entrance 5.
5a. After being transferred to the main body entrance 55a, the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 11 by the gear 56 inside the main body.

The gear 56 rotates through the drive transmission gear 181 due to rotation of the horizontal motor 172.

The horizontal motor 172 drives the gear 181 by controlling a clutch 183.

At this time, the developer pressure levers 60a and 60b inside the main body
pressurizes the black developing device inside the main body, and does not interfere with the transfer of the green developing device. In this state, the developer connector 57 inside the main body and the green developer 13c are connected (
(see FIG. 7a), a human power signal from the developer connector 57 is transmitted to the main body control section 203, which will be described later. After that, when the main body control section 204 performs image formation with the green developing device 13c, the black developing device 14 is separated from the photoreceptor 17 by rotating the pressure levers 60a and 60b, and the green developing device 13c is moved away from the photoconductor 17. Pressurized.

Next, a case will be described in which the edge developing device 13c located near the photoreceptor 11 inside the main body is transferred to the partition 151C of the developing device storage case.

(See FIG. 8) If the prerecording developing device 13c is pressurizing the photoreceptor 11 inside the main body, the pressure levers 60a and 60b are rotated to release the pressure on the green developing device 13c. Horizontal motor 17
2, and the clutch 183 rotates the rk wheel 56 for transporting the developing device.

Along with the rotation of the developing device conveying gear 56, the horizontal moving means A and B also rotate to convey the pre-recording developing device 13c into the storage case 151. developer lock lever 230a,
230b detects, with the developer lock sensor 175, that the green developer 13c moves from inside the main body in the direction B shown in the figure, and that the claw of the storage case 151 is not pressed against the predetermined position of the developer by the spring; Green developer 1 in the state of
3c is fixed to the storage case 151. The horizontal home sensor 160 is connected to the color developing unit 1 by the horizontal moving means A and H.
3 in the directions B and F shown in the figure. This horizontal home sensor 160 is configured to detect passage of the developing device 13 using a photointerrupter.

Next, move the color developer 13 to the door! The case where the device is manually imported from 52 will be described. (See FIG. 9) When the color developing device 13 is manually inserted into the storage case 151, the opening/closing of the door 152 is detected by the door switch 161 and inputted to the control section 200, which will be described later. The door 152
If the color developing device 13 is closed, the developing device detection sensors 164a and 164b detect whether the color developing device 13 has been manually carried in (see FIG. 1), and if the color developing device 13 has been carried in, the conveying gear 163
It is transferred into the storage case 151 at steps a and b. The sequence shown in FIG. 9 is always executed as a guarantee sequence immediately before the vertical sequence. Furthermore, when the door is opened, the drive source for each motor is cut off and becomes immobile.

Next, a case will be described in which the color developing device 13 is taken out of the multi-developing device storage device of the wooden embodiment.

(See FIG. 10) The horizontal moving means A and B move the object a predetermined distance in the B direction. In this way, the color developing device 13 is
By transferring the color developing device to the vicinity of the M door 152, the color developing device can be easily replaced.

FIG. 3(b) shows a developing device detection sensor 164a.

The configuration of 164b, 165a, and 165b is shown. Reference numeral 177 denotes a photointerrupter, which detects the presence or absence of the color developing device 13 based on the movement of the developing device detection lever 176.

The storage case moving means Y will be described using FIG.

The storage case 151 is driven by a vertical motor 171. The rotation of the vertical motor 171 is transmitted to a pinion 185 by a gear 184. Rack 18 (not shown) on the side of the storage case
6 and pinion 185, the storage case 151 moves in the illustrated up force direction and down direction. The vertical home position sensor 159 positions the storage case 151. The position of each stage is determined by the output count of the encoder of the vertical motor 171 or the count of the timer from this sensor position.

Color! ! A color detection mark 166 is provided for identification. Each time the color developing devices 13a, 13b, 13c pass the color detection sensor 167 by the case moving means Y, the partition 151a of the storage case is removed.

The colors of the developing devices 13 in 151b and 151c are recognized.

The sequence described below is constructed by sequential operations in the horizontal and vertical directions.

First, the operation of the developer exchange sequence when the copy color is specified on the main body side will be explained. Main body operation section 20 in Fig. 5
When a color is specified using the developer color selection key 4, the designated color developer is inserted into the main body according to the developer exchange sequence shown in FIG.

Color code signal 57a input to main body control unit 203;
The color of the in-body color developing device determined by 57b and 57c is compared with the designated color. If the color is equal to the designated color, this developer replacement sequence ends (step 529).
). If there is no color developing device in the main body, the process jumps to 534 in the figure. If there is a developing device for a color different from the designated color in the main body, an empty stage is searched for in the storage case 151 (step 530).

At this time, there is a method to preferentially search from the upper and lower rows,
Searching from the bottom has the advantage that the distance to move the storage case 151 is shorter. Subsequently, an unloading sequence is performed (step 532). Next, carry the color developing device into the main body (
step 535). Main body side and multiple developer storage device 150
Since the communication between the two ends here, there is no problem for the main unit to start moving on its own. Thereafter, the storage case 151 is returned to the vertical home position. By replacing the developing devices in this way, all the developing devices stored in the multiple developing device storage device 150 can be sequentially installed in the main body. Type copying is also possible.

Next, the sequence of taking out the developing device from the main body and storage device will be explained based on FIG. 12. Select the color of the developing device to be taken out using the 5 select key 220 (see FIG. 5) on the storage device operating section 225, which will be described later. E
By pressing the eject key 221, the color developing device to be taken out is determined, and it is determined whether it is in the main body or in the storage device (step 538). If it is inside the main unit, storage case 15! Step 539) to move the empty space inside to the unloading position (developing device loading/unloading section) 55b using the vertical moving means, and perform the horizontal unloading sequence (step 539) shown in FIG.
In step 540), the developing device is moved into the storage case 151. If the item is in the storage device, move the corresponding item in the same way. In both cases, the horizontal extraction sequence shown in FIG.
Move it to the front of 0.

Next, when the power is turned on and the door 152 is opened/closed, an initialization sequence operation is performed to check the color of each stage or the presence or absence of a developing device when there is a possibility that a developing device has been replaced or newly inserted. The description will be made based on FIG. 13. First, the developing device is fixed at a predetermined position within the storage case by the door closing sequence shown in FIG. Next, it is determined by the vertical home sensor 159 whether the storage case is at the home position (step 545), and if it is not, the vertical motor 171 is driven vertically upward to return it to the home position. Next, the vertical sensor 171 is driven downward until the count up, and at this time the color detection sensor 167 is driven downward.
The color of the developing device at each stage is detected and inputted to the control section 200. Finally, the vertical motor 171 is driven upward to return the storage case to the home position.

As described above, the basic sequence of the developing device storage device is that if the home sensor cannot detect the occurrence of an abnormal situation within a predetermined time during vertical or horizontal movement, the main unit is notified of the occurrence of an abnormal situation and the operation of the storage device is stopped. Contains sequences.

Next, a case will be described in which it is operated in conjunction with a copying operation.

Color selection keys 2 to 7 on the main body operation section 204 are used to select a color, and other keys are used to set a copy mode. If you replace the one-color developer at this point, there is a possibility that the color will be changed before the copy key 207 is pressed.
When you press 7, confirm the color developer to be used and select the 11th color developer.
The process moves to the developing device replacement sequence shown in the figure. When using two or more colors, the time required to replace the developing device can be shortened by giving priority to the color developing device inside the main body. In addition, only when the main unit is in a wait-up period such as immediately after power-on, the color developer selected with the color selection key can be replaced, or the color developer in the main unit can be pressurized and pre-stirred. It is also effective to shorten the time required to use the developing device.

When a new developing device is brought in when replacing the developing device, the movement of the storage case 150 becomes unrelated to the copying sequence of the main body. Therefore, the copying sequence can be started before the storage case 150 returns to the vertical home position. If it becomes necessary to replenish copy paper and toner during the copying sequence, the color selection key 217 of the main body operation section 204 and the storage device 150 are pressed to prohibit the replacement of the developing devices in the main body 100 and the storage device 150. Manual operation of the Eject key 221 of the operation unit 225 is prohibited. This is to ensure a developer for the designated color when restarting the copying sequence.

The multiple developer storage device 150 includes paper feed rollers 157, 158 and guide plates 154, 15 for manual paper feeding.
5,156 are provided, and the main body manual feed roller 5
The configuration is such that paper that is manually fed to No. 4 is sent. A door 153 and a door opening/closing detection switch 162 are provided for maintenance of the manual paper feed section.

The manual feed paper detection sensor 168 shown in FIG. 2 detects that paper is inserted into the manual feed entrance 167.
14), the horizontal motor 172 is driven, and the paper feed rollers 157, 158 are driven by a clutch (not shown). During the manual feed drive, the drive of the horizontal motor 172 is not transmitted to the color developer transfer gear 56 and the horizontal movement means X by a clutch (not shown).

Also, vertical motor 171. When driving the horizontal motor 172, it is always driven after the determination shown in FIG. 15 is made. This makes it impossible to drive the developing device in the horizontal and vertical directions simultaneously, but it becomes possible to drive the manual feed roller and the vertical direction simultaneously.

If the specified color developing device is not in the main body, the paper feed roller 157 pulls the manually fed paper to the position of the paper feeding roller 158, and then the driving of the horizontal motor 172 is switched to the developing device conveying side, and then the drive of the horizontal motor 172 is switched to the developing device conveying side, as shown in FIG. Replace the developer according to the developer replacement sequence shown in . After pre-stirring the color developing device, manually fed paper is fed into the main body by paper feeding rollers 157 and 158.

In the case of FIG. 15 above, the interlock is applied by software within the control unit 200, but the interlock may be applied by hardware using a switching element as shown in FIG. 16.

In the figure, 565 is the horizontal motor controller 201
Alternatively, when an ON signal input to the vertical motor 202 is input to the terminal 3, it is a switching element that has a function of cutting off the conduction between 1 and 2. In this configuration, if an ON signal is input to one of the motor controllers, the ON signal of the other motor controller is interrupted, so the two motors will never move at the same time. Motor ON (
It also serves as a protection measure in case the control unit 200 that controls No. 3 goes out of control.

Note that in both Figures 15 and 16, the driving sources of Chiyo and others are interlocked, but they are gears.

It goes without saying that the interlock may be applied by shifting the moving means such as rollers.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus including the multiple developer storage device of this embodiment and the control section of the multiple developer storage device as an option. Regarding the control of the image forming apparatus, only the part related to this embodiment is specified.

Control unit 203 (hereinafter referred to as main body control unit 20) of the image forming apparatus
3) and the multiple developer storage device 15 in this embodiment.
0 control section 200. The main body control section 2
03 and the control unit 200 perform control by exchanging abnormality data, the color Mt of the color developing device, etc. through known data communication (serial communication). The main body control unit 203 receives color development information input by connecting the pressure drive clutch 216 and the developer connector 57 for pressurizing the color developer 13 transferred into the main body by the control unit 200 to the photoreceptor drum 11. Color code signals 57a, 57b, 57 of the device 13
c and the main body operation section 204. The main body operation unit 204 has a start key (copy key) for image formation.
This is a man-machine interface for inputting and outputting information and information, and its configuration is shown in FIG. 5(a).

The control section 200 of the multiple developing device storage device of this embodiment has a control section 9 near the main body photoconductor drum 11 that carries the color developing device 13 into the vicinity of the main body photoconductor tram 11 based on the communication data sent from the main body control section. control for carrying out the color developing device 13 to the storage case 151.
control for transferring the color developing device 13 to the vicinity of the door 152 and taking out the color developing device 13; The fIIJ control which reads the color detection mark 166 of the color developing device 13 from the output from the color detection sensor and transmits the data to the main body control section and the display operation section 205 to be described later.The storage case's partitions 151a and 151
b, LED 224a, 224 that displays the color in 151c
Control is performed to turn on lights b, 224c, and 224d. Also,
The control unit 200 detects abnormalities in the motors 171 and 172 and sends error data to the main body control unit 203. The color coat sensor 167 is configured to read and output information from the color detection mark using a reflective photointerlacer.

) control unit 200 includes a known input circuit and drive circuit for controlling the inputs of the sensors, solenoids and clutches, and a controller 20 for the horizontal motor 172.
1. I/F with controller 202 of vertical unit 171
(Interface) Circuit 1 A circuit for communicating with the main body control unit 3, and the LED of the operation unit 205) Live circuit, key input circuit 1. ) has been completed.

The underwater motor controller 201 includes a known PLL circuit that controls the speed of the horizontal motor 172 and a circuit that drives the horizontal motor 172. +b from the control unit 200 to the horizontal motor controller 201
Turn on the signal to start rotating the motor as control number 3.
, a signal F/B that determines the direction of rotation of the motor, a signal BLK that applies a brake to the rotation of the motor, and a clock signal CLK of a frequency that determines the rotation of the motor are manually input. a signal F/B that determines the rotational direction of the motor; and a signal F/B that determines the rotation direction of the motor;
It corresponds to the ward and back directions.

The vertical motor controller 202 receives the following information from the control unit 200:
The signal ON to drive the vertical motor 171, the signal U/D that determines the rotation direction of the motor (this No. 13 corresponds to the up and down directions of the moving means Y), and the signal similar to the horizontal motor controller. BLK and CLK are input.

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) show the operation section 2 of the main image forming apparatus.
04 and the operation unit 205 of the multiple developer storage device of this embodiment
shows.

The manual switches (keys) in the main body operation section 204 in Fig. 5 (a) include the power switch 213, the numeric keypad 2053,
Clear/stop key 209 for manually inputting numerical values and stopping image formation; key for inputting special mode such as multiple copy mode; reset key 206 for canceling modes input by human caniglia 214; Bowl color selection key 217. A cassette for storing the image transfer material 17 and a cassette for selecting the paper feed of the 24 (selection)
It is composed of keys 208 and the like.

Also, as a man-machine interface, it displays the size of paper stored in the cassette 18, 24, copies (
A liquid crystal display unit 2151 that displays the status of image formation, etc. LEDs 210 and 21 that display the color of the selected developing device
(red), 211b (blue), 211c (green), 211d
(brown).

Operation section 2 of the multiple developer storage device shown in FIG. 5(b)
25 denotes each partition section, that is, the storage section 151 of the storage case.
Key 5ele for selecting a, 151b, 151c
ct key 220. Door 15 of case 150 storing the developing device
Eject key 211 .
5 select display LEDs 223a, 223b that display the storage section specified by the Qii 5 select key 220,
223c, a color display LED 22 that displays the color of the developing device in the storage case specified by the 5 select key 220;
4a (red), 224b (blue), 224c (green), 2
24d (brown) and LED 2 to indicate that the color developing device is being transferred
It consists of 22.

FIG. 7(a) shows the color developer 13 and main body developer connector 57.
The relationship between the connector 6 of the developing device 13 and FIG.
0 circuit is shown.

The connector 60 of the developing unit 13 makes contact with the connector 57 inside the main body to read the color code.

Connect the toner amount and developing bias signals to the main unit. The color detection mark 166 has a reflective part 166-a and a non-reflective part 1 on the side surface of the color developing device 13, like a known barcode coat.
66-b, and as described later, the storage case 1
51 is moved up and down by a moving means Y, and the code of the color detection mark is read to identify the color of the developing device 13. As is known in the known electrostatic image forming process, the developing sleeve 61 is used to uniformly place color toner on the surface, apply a developing bias, and perform the image forming process.

FIG. 9(b) shows the connect signal within the connector 60. The signal line 62 is for adding the image bias, and is output from a high voltage generation power source (not shown). signal! ! 1163 to 65 are signal lines for detecting the remaining amount of toner, and the light emitting element 70
．． This is a signal line for a reflection sensor composed of a light receiving element 71.

Signal lines 66 to 69 are output signals for color code identification, and switches 72 to 74 enable eight different distinctions.

Next, the means for detecting the color detection mark 166 will be described using FIG. 17. The signal in FIG. 17 is the output signal P from the color detection means (color detection sensor 167). The color detection sensor 167 is constituted by a known reflective sensor, and outputs an output signal "1" when there is a reflective mark and "0" when there is a non-reflective mark. Also shown is a pulse output (encoder output) E proportional to the rotation speed of the vertical motor 171.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of developing device color detection by code analysis of the color detection sensor output signal P.

Step 11-b is a control in which the storage case 151 is vertically moved to a predetermined home position and then stopped.

Next, in step 11-c, the storage case 151 begins to move in the down direction until the partition 151a of the developer storage case moves to the developer loading/unloading section 55b, that is, the main developer loading port j5a. When the down stop is detected in 11-d, the storage case 151 is moved to the home position in 11-h, and the process ends. When a predetermined encoder pulse count (predetermined position) is reached at step 11-e, the width of the color detection output signal "1" is counted by the encoder pulse E and marks s, L, and M are shown in FIG. is being detected. The color code and the number of color developing units 13 are memorized by the marks S, L, and M.

Next, the operation of displaying the colors of the developing devices stored in the water and in the multiple developing device storage device will be described with reference to FIG. 19. Figure 19 (1) is a flowchart showing the color recognition and display operation of the developing device in the main body, Figure 19 (2)
1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for recognizing and displaying the color of a developing device in a multiple developing device storage device.

First, let's look at the recognition and display operations on the main unit as shown in Figure 19 (
This will be explained with reference to 1). First, the color of the developing device housed in the main body is detected (Step 601), and the detection result is transmitted to the control unit 200 through serial communication (Step 602). The main body control section 203 is connected to the control section 2 as described above.
Based on the information transmitted from 00 and the information on the color developing device inside the main body detected in step 601, the corresponding one of the color display LEDs 211a to 211d on the main body operation section 204 is turned on (step 604). This informs the user of available color information. When a desired color is selected using the color selection switch 217 and the copy start key 207 is pressed, the copying operation begins after replacing the developer according to the developer replacement sequence shown in FIG.

Next, the recognition and display operations in the multiple developer storage device will be explained with reference to FIG. 19(2).

When the color and presence/absence of the developing devices inside the multiple developing device storage device 1150 are detected by the initialization sequence shown in FIG. 13 (step 611), the control unit 2 of the multiple developing device storage device 2
00 performs serial communication with the main body control unit 203 using a known data communication means, and transmits the detection results to the main body control unit 2.
03 (step 612).

Further, as described later, the main body control unit 203 executes step 60.
The color information inside the main body detected in step 1 is transmitted via serial communication, and the control unit 200 receives this (
step 613). Then, based on the detection result in step 611 and information from the main body control unit 203, the operation unit 20
The lighting of the color display LEDs 224a to 224d of No. 5 is controlled (step 614).

Next, specific display operations performed on the operation units 204 and 205 will be described. First, the display operation on the operation unit 205 will be explained. The relationship between the storage stage and the color in the developer storage device 150 is such that by moving the select display 223a to 223c (■) and the ED lighting section using the select key 220, the LED of the corresponding color is lit. That is, in the standard state, the colors of all the developers stored in the main body and the multiple developer storage device are displayed by the LEDs 224a to 22.
4d. From this state select key 220
When is pressed once, the LED 223a lights up, and the LED corresponding to the color developing device stored in the first storage section is selected from 224a to 224d and lights up. Similarly, if you press the select key 220 twice, the LED
When the button 223b is pressed again three times, the LEDs 223c light up, and the LEDs corresponding to the color developing devices stored in the second and third storage sections are selected and turned on, respectively. Further, when the select key 220 is pressed four times, the original state is returned, and the LEDs corresponding to all the developers present in the main body and the multiple developer storage device are lit.

Next, the display operation on the operation unit 204 will be explained.

In the main body, it is determined whether a developing device of the color selected by the select key 217 is present in the main body or in a plurality of developing devices, and if so, the corresponding LED lights up, and if not, the LED blinks.

In addition, black is selected in the standard state of the developing device.
From this state, each time the select key 217 is pressed, the color changes in the order of red → blue → green-brown → black.

In this way, when the vacant multiple developer storage device g150 is selected, by lighting the LED corresponding to the color of the developer device in the main body among the LEDs 224a to 224d, it is possible to select whether the developer device is in the storage device. It becomes possible to have the user handle it as That is, when the developing device is used for copying, it is possible to perform operations only from the main body side, and when the developing device is to be taken in and out, it is possible to perform processing only by operating from the storage device side.

Furthermore, if the in-body developing device is treated as being in a vacant position in the storage device 150, only the vacant positions within the allowable number of developing devices are displayed on the display section, so that the user can store more developing devices. It becomes possible to avoid the situation where the device is inserted into the device.

In this embodiment, the main body side is configured to display the color of the selected developing device, but similarly to the developing device storage device side, the colors of all the developing devices existing in the main body and storage device are displayed. It may be configured to display. In this case, the main body may be configured to light up the LED corresponding to the selected color only when the developing device of the selected color is stored in the main body or the developing device storage device.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, by communicating between the main body and the developer storage device to exchange the color and presence/absence information of each internal developer and displaying them, the main body can control the developer storage device and the developer storage device. The device side can be operated without being aware of the main body side.

Furthermore, if an empty storage section in the storage device is displayed as having an in-body developing device, it is possible to prevent more than the allowable number of developing devices from being inserted into the storage device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus equipped with a "multiple developing device storage device" according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the same embodiment in longitudinal section, and FIG. (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the same embodiment, FIG. 3(b) is a configuration diagram of the developing unit position sensor, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control section, and FIG. 5(a) is the main body. Operation keys on the operation panel, layout diagram of the display,
FIG. 5(b) shows the operation keys of the multiple developer housing device operation section;
6 is a flowchart showing the horizontal loading sequence, FIG. 7(a) is a relationship diagram between the color developing device and the main body connector, FIG. 7(b) is a circuit diagram of the developing device connector, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the horizontal unloading sequence, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the horizontal door closing sequence, FIG. 1O is a flowchart showing the horizontal external removal sequence, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the developer replacement sequence , FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the developing device external extraction sequence, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the initialization sequence, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the initialization sequence.
The figure is a flowchart showing the manual feed sequence, Figure 15 is a flowchart of the horizontal and vertical simultaneous drive prohibition operation, and Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the manual feed sequence.
Figure 6 is a block diagram of the interlock mechanism, Figure 17 is a time chart of the color detection output signal, Figure 18 is a flowchart of the color detection operation, and Figure 19 (1) shows the color recognition and display operation of the developing unit in the main body. Flowchart shown in Figure 19 (2)
) is a flowchart showing the operation of recognizing and displaying the colors of the developing devices in the multiple developing device storage device. l3... Developing device 55a... Loading port (developing device loading/unloading port) 55b...
・Developer loading/unloading section 100...Image forming apparatus main body 151...Storage case

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A developing device storage means comprising a plurality of storage means capable of storing developing devices and a first detection means for detecting the presence or absence and type of the developing devices in the plurality of storage means, the presence or absence of the developing devices inside the storage means, an image forming means that includes a second detection means for detecting the type and is capable of forming an image on a recording material using the developing device transferred from the developing device storage section; communication means for exchanging data regarding the presence or absence and type of the developing device; displaying the presence or absence and type of the developing device based on the detection result by the first detection means and the data transmitted from the image forming means by the communication means; and a second display means for displaying the presence or absence and type of the developing device based on the detection result by the second detecting device and the data transmitted from the developing device storage device by the communication device. An image forming apparatus characterized by: