JPH03212656A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect whether a developing device is unused or already-used just by attaching the developing device by providing an oldness and newness detecting means for detecting whether the developing device attached to an image forming device is unused or already-used. CONSTITUTION:In the case that the developing device 5 is new, a filler 27 is previously set at a 1st rightmost position shown by a continuous line. When the device 5 is attached to a copying machine main body, the filler 27 shields the detection part of a photointerrupter 30 from light. Then, that the new devel oping device 5 is attached is detected. When the developing device 5 is driven, an elliptical gear 25 rotates by a driving gear 2 through a developing roller gear 22, a conveying screw gear 23 and a paddle gear 24, and the filler 27 moves and comes to a 2nd position shown by a chain line with the rotation of the gear 25. When the developing device 5 already used is taken out from the copying machine main body and attached thereto again, the photointerrupter 30 is not shielded from the light because the filler 27 moves to the 2nd position shown by the chain line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a developing device that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Image forming apparatuses of the above type, such as copying machines, are removable from the main body of the copying machine so that they can be replaced when the developing device reaches the end of its service life. The developing device is also attached and detached when changing colors in a copying machine or the like that is capable of changing colors.

Therefore, when replacing due to end of life, a new developing device is installed, but when changing the color, etc., a used developing device must be reinstalled.

However, the control, management, etc. are different between when an unused developing device is installed and when a used developing device is installed. That is, for example, in the case of a new two-component developing device, there is a difference in that the developer must be charged uniformly and sufficiently.

For this reason, conventionally, when a new developing device is installed, the electrical switch is reset to detect whether the device is new or old, but this method requires the work of resetting.

Moreover, there was a problem in that it was possible to forget to reset it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide an image forming apparatus that can detect whether a developing device is unused or used simply by installing the developing device.

to solve the problem The structure of the present invention that achieves the above object is as follows.

In an image forming apparatus having a developing device that is removably attached to the image forming apparatus main body, a new/old detecting means for detecting whether the developing device attached to the image forming apparatus main body is unused or used is provided, and the new/old detecting means It includes a detected member that moves from a first position to a second position by driving of a developing device, and a sensor that can detect the detected member when it is in the first position and cannot detect it when it is in the second position. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

Operation-1- According to the above configuration, the new phenomenon device detects the detected member in the first
By placing the developing device in the position shown in FIG. Additionally, when a developing device whose detected member has moved to the second position due to use is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the sensor cannot detect the detected member, and this may result in the developing device being unused or used. It is possible to determine whether

Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, when a photoreceptor drum 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow by a drive device (not shown), the surface of the photoreceptor is charged by a charger 2. As shown in FIG. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged portion by exposing an optical image of the document placed on the contact glass 3 via the optical system 4 . The latent image thus formed is visualized by the developing device 5 and reaches the transfer section as a toner image. In synchronization with this toner image, a transfer sheet is conveyed from the paper feed section 8 to the transfer section, the toner image is transferred to the transfer sheet under the action of the transfer charger 6, and then separated from the photoreceptor drum 1 under the action of the separation charger 7. be done.

The transfer paper on which the toner image has been transferred and has been separated from the photoreceptor drum 1 is sent to a fixing device 10 via a conveyor belt 9, where the toner image is fixed as a permanent image. After the fixing, the transfer paper is discharged to the outside of the machine or conveyed to the double-sided tray 12. On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer and separation is cleaned by a cleaning device 11 and prepared for the next copying.

As shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 5 includes a developing roller 13,
The developing chamber 19 includes an elliptical plate 14, a paddle 15, a developing doctor 16, a separator 17, and a conveying screw 18, and a toner hopper 20 as a storage chamber storing toner to be supplied to the developing chamber 19.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the gear arrangement of the developing device 5, in which the drive gear 2 is driven by a drive device (not shown).
Drive is transmitted from 1 to the developing roller gear 22, the conveying screw gear 23, the paddle gear 24, and the elliptical plate gear 25 in this order, and each gear is rotated in the direction of the arrow.

In FIG. 4, a thread groove 26 is formed on the outer periphery of the shaft of one of the gears of the developing device, in this example an elliptical plate gear 25. The threaded portion 28 is threaded. This fish 2
7 is formed to protrude to the right in the figure so as to shield a photointerrupter 30 as a sensor provided on the side plate 29 from light. Note that the fish 27 may have a protrusion that engages with the thread groove 26 instead of the threaded portion 28. Further, reference numeral 31 is a stopper that prevents the fish 27 from being rotated.

In the copying machine having such a structure, when the developing device 5 is new, the fixing device 27 is pre-positioned at the first position on the rightmost side, as shown by the solid line in FIG. When this developing device 5 is attached to the copying machine main body, the fish 27 is connected to the photo interrupter 3.
The detection unit 0 is shielded from light, thereby detecting that a new developing device 5 is installed.

Next, when the developing device 5 is driven, the elliptical plate gear 25 is rotated by the driving gear 22 via the developing roller gear 22, the conveying screw gear 23, and the paddle gear 24, and along with this rotation, the fish 27 moves in the direction of arrow B. and the second one shown by the chain line.
come to the position. Then, when the used developing device 5 is taken out of the copying machine main body and reinstalled, the fiber 27 has moved to the second position indicated by the chain line, so it does not reach the photointerrupter 30, and the photointerrupter 30 is not shielded from light.

In this way, the frame 27, which moves from the first position to the second position when the developing device 5 is driven, and the Phong interrupter 30 constitute a new/old detecting means for detecting whether the developing device 5 is unused or used. It is possible to determine whether the developing device 5 is new or old based on the presence or absence of the signal No. 30.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an idle gear 32 is provided in the drive system of the developing device 5,
A thread groove 26 is formed in the gear to engage a fish 27.

Since the fish 27 having such a configuration also moves in the direction of arrow B by the rotation of the idle gear 32, it is possible to determine whether the developing device 5 is new or old.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the present invention, in which a threaded groove 26' is formed on the inner peripheral side of an elliptical plate gear 25', into which a threaded portion 28' of a fin 27' is screwed.

Even with this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the developing device 5 is new or old.

Effects According to the above configuration, the present invention can detect whether the developing device is unused or used simply by installing the developing device in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and can be provided at low cost with a simple configuration.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the developing device, Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the gear arrangement of the developing device, and Fig. 4 is an illustration of the old and new detection means. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification thereof. 5...Developing device 21...Drive gear 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, elliptical plate gear, toner hopper, thread groove, fissure, threaded portion, photo interrupter

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An image forming apparatus having a developing device that is removably attached to the image forming apparatus main body is provided with a new/old detecting means for detecting whether the developing device attached to the image forming apparatus main body is unused or used, The old/new detecting means includes a member to be detected that moves from a first position to a second position by driving of a developing device, and a member to be detected that is detectable when the member is in the first position and undetectable in the second position. An image forming apparatus characterized in that it is equipped with a capable sensor.