JPH04145455A - Image quality adjusting parameter setting device for image forming device using photosensitive unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily initialize and adjust an image adjusting parameter by transferring the initial value of a 1st storage means to a 2nd storage means based on a unit exchange detection signal, setting it as the image adjusting parameter, changing the parameter based on input information from an input means and controlling impressed voltage on respective equipments around a photosensitive body. CONSTITUTION:By referring to the state of a unit exchange detection mechanism 16, a CPU 12 judges whether or not a photosensitive unit 10 is exchanged for a new one. When it judges that the unit is exchanged, the initial value stored in the 1st storage means ROM 13 is transferred to the 2nd storage means NVM 14 and set as the value of the image quality adjusting parameter. Thereafter, whether or not a command for changing the image quality adjusting parameter is given is judged by referring to a key input device 15. In the case of judging that the command for changing is given, the value of the image quality adjusting parameter stored in the NVM 14 is replaced by the command value from the key input device 15. In the case of copying, a power source device 11 is controlled so that the voltage respectively impressed on a main electrostatic charger 2, developing devices 3a and 3b, a transfer charger 4, and a destaticizing device 5 for peeling a paper may be the value stored in the NVM 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine that uses toner to develop an electrostatic latent image, and which is equipped with, for example, a cleaning device etc. integrally. Regarding an image quality adjustment parameter setting device for an image forming apparatus using a replaceable photoconductor unit, in particular, the main charger, transfer charger, paper stripping static eliminator, developer, etc. arranged around the photoconductor. The present invention relates to an image quality adjustment parameter setting device for an image forming apparatus, which resets applied voltages to initial values when a photoreceptor unit is replaced, and adjusts the applied voltages after the photoreceptor unit is replaced.

[Conventional technology]

Recently, copying machines have become popular in which a latent image carrier such as a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a cleaning device, etc. are integrated into a replaceable unit, and the user replaces this unit with a new one after making a predetermined number of copies. In such a copying machine, if copying is continued after the photoreceptor unit is replaced with a new one, the photoreceptor will wear out or become fatigued, causing changes in the characteristics of the photoreceptor. In order to compensate for such changes and obtain optimal image quality, conventionally, adjustments have been made to change the voltages applied to the main charger, transfer charger, paper stripping static eliminator, developer, etc. from their initial values. There is. For example, a service person uses a special jig to measure the current flowing into the photoreceptor from a corona discharger, while manually adjusting the voltage value of the applied power source using a screwdriver or the like.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, even if the user replaces the photoconductor unit with a new one after such adjustment by a service technician, these applied voltages will remain as they are and will not be initialized to a value that corresponds to the characteristics of the new photoconductor. , the quality of the image formed will not be optimal. Therefore, it is necessary to call a service person and readjust these voltages.

Therefore, even if the photoreceptor can be replaced by the user himself/herself, the advantages of having the photoreceptor as a replaceable unit cannot be utilized because such adjustment by a service person is required.

The present invention was made in view of this situation, and
The purpose of this is to reset image quality adjustment parameters such as the voltage applied to the main charger, transfer charger, paper stripping static eliminator, developer, etc. placed around the photoreceptor to their initial values when the photoreceptor unit is replaced. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image quality adjustment parameter setting device for an image forming apparatus in which the image quality adjustment parameters can be adjusted while the photoreceptor unit is in use.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention has been made to achieve the above object, and an image quality adjustment parameter setting device for an image forming apparatus using a photoconductor unit according to the present invention has a photoconductor that forms an electrostatic latent image, Image quality adjustment for an image forming apparatus that forms an image by developing a toner image obtained by developing an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor onto paper, and that uses a replaceable photoreceptor unit. In the parameter setting device, the first storage means stores the initial value of the image quality adjustment parameter, the second storage means stores the value of the image adjustment parameter, and the unit exchange detection means detects that the photoreceptor unit has been replaced. and input means for changing the value of the image adjustment parameter, the initial value stored in the first storage means is transferred to the second storage means based on the detection signal of the unit replacement detection means, and the value of the image adjustment parameter is changed. and is configured to change the value of the image adjustment parameter stored in the second storage means based on the input information from the input means, and to change the value of the image adjustment parameter stored in the second storage means to change the value of the image adjustment parameter stored in the second storage means. The present invention is characterized in that the voltage applied to any one or more of the surrounding main charger, transfer charger, paper peeling static eliminator, and developer is controlled.

In this case, the image adjustment parameters further include at least one of an energization control signal for the pre-transfer neutralization means and a voltage application control signal to the paper guide chute, and initial values of these are also stored in the first storage means and inputted. These control signals stored in the second storage means are also configured to be changeable, and these control signals stored in the second storage means are used to control the energization of the pre-transfer neutralization means and to send the paper to the paper guide chute. It is also possible to perform at least one of voltage application control.

[Effect]

According to the image quality adjustment parameter setting device for an image forming apparatus using a photoreceptor unit of the present invention, the initial value stored in the first storage means is transferred to the second storage means based on the detection signal of the unit replacement detection means. The image adjustment parameter is configured to change the value of the image adjustment parameter stored in the second memory hand based on the input information from the input means, and is stored in the second memory means. Since the voltage applied to one or more of the main charger, transfer charger, paper stripping static eliminator, and developer around the photoreceptor is controlled by the value of the parameter, the user can control the voltage applied to the photoreceptor unit. When you replace the photoconductor with a new one, the image adjustment parameters, which are the voltage values applied to the main charger, transfer charger, paper separation gap, and developer, are automatically set to values suitable for the characteristics of the new photoreceptor. It resets so you get the best possible image without having to call a service person to readjust it. In addition, as the photoreceptor unit is used, the image adjustment parameters can be changed to the most suitable value at each time by simple adjustment by the user using input means rather than by a service technician. can.

〔Example〕

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The overall configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus using the image quality adjustment parameter setting device of the present invention includes, in addition to an exposure device fixed to the device, a photoconductor unit including a photoconductor drum, a cleaning device, and a main charger, a developer unit, transfer unit,
It includes a fuser unit and a paper tray, and each of these units can be pulled out toward the front of the device independently, making it possible to remove each unit from the device for maintenance such as cleaning paper jams, etc. ing. The photoreceptor unit is configured to be replaced with a new one every 100,000 copies, for example.

During 100,000 copies, the residual toner collected from the photoconductor drum by the cleaning device is automatically collected and contained in the photoconductor unit, ensuring that the user is exposed to the residual toner collected in the photoconductor unit. Never.

By the way, FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus equipped with an image quality adjustment parameter setting device of the present invention and its control device. Charger 2, developing devices 3a, 3b, transfer charger 4, paper peeling static eliminator 5, cleaning device 6,
It includes a pre-transfer static elimination lamp 7, a paper guide chute 8 for guiding the paper to the transfer position, a static elimination lamp 9, etc., and other exposure systems, fixing devices, paper conveyance systems, etc. are not shown. and,
The portion surrounded by the dotted line in the figure constitutes the photoreceptor unit 10, which can be replaced by extending it toward the front of the apparatus as described above. The main charger 2 is configured as a scorotron, the transfer charger 4 is configured as a DC corotron, and the paper stripping static eliminator 5 is configured as an AC corotron. Among the two developing devices, developing device 3a constitutes a main developing device and is a developing device using black toner, and developing device 3b is a sub-developing device and is a developing device using color toner. This is a dry two-component developing device that uses a developing sleeve. Furthermore, when transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor 1 to paper, the pre-transfer static elimination lamp 7 shines light onto the photoconductor 1 to eliminate the static electricity, and the toner image generated by the transfer charger 4 is removed. It facilitates the transfer of images onto paper, especially when the paper is thin and stiff, and prevents the paper from curling during the second copy in double-sided copying, multiple copying, composite copying, etc. In such cases, using the pre-transfer static elimination lamp 7 to eliminate static electricity from the photoconductor before transfer can prevent the toner image, which was first transferred onto the paper, from being retransferred onto the photoconductor, resulting in white spots, etc. This is effective in preventing transfer defects. Instead of the pre-transfer static elimination lamp 7, a pre-transfer static elimination corotron having a similar function may be used. The paper guide chute 8 guides the paper to a transfer position between the photoreceptor and the transfer corotron, and by applying a voltage of the same polarity as the transfer corotron to this chute 8, it is possible to guide the paper to a transfer position between the photoreceptor and the transfer corotron. This prevents the leakage of the transfer charge and ensures the reliable transfer of the toner image. and the discharge wire and grid of the main charger 2,
The developing sleeves of the developing units 3a and 3b, the discharge wire of the transfer charger 4, the discharge wire of the paper stripping static eliminator 5, the pre-transfer static elimination lamp 7, and the paper guide chute 8 are connected to the power supply device 11, and the power supply The device 11 includes the main charger 2 and the developer 3a.
, 3b, the voltages applied to the transfer charger 4 and the paper peeling static eliminator 5 and the timing of their application can be adjusted by commands from the CPU 12. In addition, power supply device 1
The sequence in which 1 applies voltage to the pre-transfer static elimination lamp 7 and paper guide chute 8 to operate them is also executed by the CPU 12.
It can be changed by instructions from.

By the way, the CPU 12 has a ROM1 as a storage device.
3 and a non-volatile memo+J-(NVM)L 4 are connected, and a key input device 15 through which predetermined data can be input manually is also connected. Furthermore, photoreceptor unit 1
A unit replacement detection mechanism 16 is connected to the CPU 12 to detect whether or not 0 has been reset to a new one.

Although not shown, the CPU 12 detects the state of each part of the image forming apparatus and controls the operation sequence and operating parameters of each part based on control information stored in the ROM 13. By the way, ROM13
Also stored are initial values of image adjustment parameters that match the photoconductor characteristics of the new photoconductor unit. These parameters include the values of the voltages applied to each of the main charger 2, the developing devices 3a and 3b, the transfer charger 4, and the paper peeling static eliminator 5. When the photoconductor unit 10 is replaced with a new one, the initial values of the image quality adjustment parameters stored in the ROM 13 are transferred and stored in the NVMI, and when the photoconductor unit 10 is replaced and is being used. When the user changes the parameter using the key input device 15, the initial value is changed and the newly changed value of the image quality adjustment parameter is stored. Also,
The unit replacement detection mechanism 16 consists of known means such as an optical sensor, a drawer connector, a fuse, and a ROM.
It has the function of detecting and transmitting this to the CPU 12 when the photoreceptor unit 10 is replaced with a new one, and various other types can be used.

Now, in an image forming apparatus having such a configuration, the image quality adjustment parameters are reset to the initial values when the photoreceptor unit 10 is replaced, and are changed during use after the photoreceptor unit 10 is set, and the image quality adjustment parameters are adjusted based on the values. The flowchart in FIG. 2 shows the procedure for performing an image forming operation. That is, in STI, the CPU 12 refers to the state of the unit replacement detection mechanism 16 to determine whether the photoreceptor unit 10 has been replaced with a new one. When it is determined that it has been replaced with a new one, in Sr1, the initial value stored in the ROM 13 is transferred to the NVMI 4 and used as the value of the image quality adjustment parameter. Thereafter, in Sr1, it is determined with reference to the key input device 15 whether there is an instruction to change the image quality adjustment parameter.

Incidentally, in the STI, if it is determined that the photoconductor unit 10 has not been replaced with a new one, the process advances to Sr1, and it is similarly determined whether or not there is an instruction to change the image quality adjustment parameter. When it is determined that there is a command to change the image quality adjustment parameters,
At Sr1, the value of the image quality adjustment parameter stored in the NVMI 4 is replaced with a command value input from the key input device 15. Thereafter, in Sr1, during copying by this image forming apparatus, the main charger 2, the developing devices 3a, 3b, the transfer charger 4, the paper peeling static eliminator 5,
The power supply device 11 is controlled so that the voltage applied to each becomes the value stored in the NVMI 4. If it is determined in Sr1 that there is no command to change the image quality adjustment parameters, the process proceeds to Sr5, and the voltage applied during copying is similarly controlled based on the initial value stored in NVMI4.

The above cycle is then repeated all the time.

In Sr1, in addition to the above-mentioned image quality adjustment parameters, the operation sequence control code for whether or not to turn on the pre-transfer static eliminator lamp 7 (if a pre-transfer static eliminator corotron is used instead of the pre-transfer static eliminator lamp 70, the voltage It is also possible to input an operation sequence control signal for determining whether to apply a voltage to the paper guide chute 8) and an operation sequence control signal for determining whether to apply a voltage to the paper guide chute 8.
I4, and based on it, the operations of the pre-transfer static elimination lamp 7 and paper guide chute 8 are controlled during copying. This signal is also reset to the initial setting value when Sr1 is reset to the initial value.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to one embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be modified in various ways.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the image quality adjustment parameter setting device for an image forming apparatus using a photoreceptor unit of the present invention, the initial value stored in the first storage means is transferred to the second storage means based on the detection signal of the unit replacement detection means. is configured to change the value of the image adjustment parameter stored in the second storage means based on the input information from the input means, and the image adjustment stored in the second storage means Since the voltage applied to one or more of the main charger, transfer charger, paper stripping static eliminator, and developer around the photoreceptor is controlled by the value of the parameter, the user can control the voltage applied to the photoreceptor unit. When you replace the photoconductor with a new one, the image adjustment parameters, which are the voltage values applied to the main charger, transfer charger, paper stripping static eliminator, and developer, are automatically reset to values appropriate for the characteristics of the new photoreceptor. This allows you to get the best possible image without having to call a service person for readjustment. In addition, as the photoreceptor unit is used, the image adjustment parameters can be changed to the most suitable value at each time by simple adjustment by the user using input means rather than by a service technician. can.

As described above, according to the present invention, a user can easily initialize image adjustment parameters and make subsequent adjustments by himself/herself without the help of a service person, which is an advantage of unitizing the photoreceptor. can be fully utilized.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus equipped with the image quality adjustment parameter setting device of the present invention and its control device, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of image forming operation. 1... Photosensitive drum, 2... Main charger, 3a, 3b.
...Developer, 4...Charger for transfer, 5...Static eliminator for paper peeling, 6...Cleaning device, 7...Pre-transfer static elimination lamp, 8...Paper guide chute, 9. ... Static elimination lamp, 10... Photoreceptor unit, 11... Power supply device, 12... CPU. 13...ROM, 14...Nonvolatile memo! J-(N
VM), 15... Key input device, 16... Unit replacement detection mechanism Applicant: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney: Hiroshi Nirasawa (7 others) Figure

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A surface image forming device that has a photoconductor that forms an electrostatic latent image, and that forms an image by transferring a toner image obtained by developing the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor onto paper. , an image quality adjustment parameter setting device for an image forming apparatus using a replaceable photoreceptor unit, comprising: a first storage means for storing initial values of the image quality adjustment parameters; and a second storage means for storing values of the image adjustment parameters. unit exchange detection means for detecting that the photoreceptor unit has been replaced; and input means for changing the value of the image adjustment parameter; the initial value is transferred to the second storage means as the value of the image adjustment parameter, and the value of the image adjustment parameter stored in the second storage means is changed based on input information from the input means; The voltage applied to one or more of the main charger around the photoconductor, the transfer charger, the paper stripping static eliminator, and the developing device is controlled by the value of the image adjustment parameter stored in the second storage means. An image quality adjustment parameter setting device for an image forming apparatus using a photoreceptor unit, characterized in that: (2) The image adjustment parameters further include at least one of an energization control signal for the pre-transfer neutralization means and a voltage application control signal to the paper guide chute, and initial values of these are also stored in the first storage means and inputted. These control signals stored in the second storage means from the means are also configured to be changeable,
2. The photosensitive material according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the energization of the pre-transfer neutralization means and the voltage application control to the paper guide chute are performed based on these control signals stored in the second storage means. An image quality adjustment parameter setting device for an image forming apparatus using a body unit.