JPH04145461A - Color image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a developer from being erroneously supplied and filled by an user and to improve operabilities by filling a prescribed developer into an exchangeable process cartridge constituted while incorporating plural developers at the time of production, and adjusting in the optimum condition for shipping. CONSTITUTION:A photosensitive belt 17 constituting the image forming part of a printer, an electrifier 21, the developing units 23a - 23d housing each color toner, a cleaning device 25, and each process part of a toner recovery box 26, are integrally housed in the process cartridge 15 to be unitized, and attached/ detached to a device main body 10 en bloc. The cartridge 15 is assembled, and the developers of each color are filled into a space inside a prescribed developing tank, at the time of the forwarding of manufactured goods. Then, the cartridge 15 is boarded inside the housing room of the device main body 10, test printing is carried out to check the color balance of an image and shipped when acceptance with respect to the criterion of evaluation is obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a plurality of developing devices that develop the electrostatic latent image to form a color toner image. Regarding a color image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a 7A, or a millimeter, in which a process cartridge in which a color image forming means including m is installed as a unit can be freely inserted into and removed from the main body of the apparatus. This relates to the supply of color developer into each developing device.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art As image forming apparatuses such as printers and copying machines become smaller, lighter, and more sophisticated, image forming apparatuses are becoming more dense and complex.

On the other hand, there is an image forming apparatus having a process cartridge in which an image carrier and at least one image forming means such as a developing means and a cleaning means are integrated into a unit so that maintenance and management can be easily performed by an operator who is a general user. It has been developed.

Image forming apparatuses such as printers and copying machines equipped with this process cartridge can be operated by operators without specialized knowledge by replacing the process cartridge itself when the image bearing member inside the process cartridge wears out or deteriorates. This makes it possible to easily maintain and manage the image forming apparatus.

The developing tank of the developing device of the process cartridge is filled with an initial new developer when the image forming apparatus is installed after the process cartridge is assembled.

Since a process cartridge in a color image forming apparatus is equipped with a plurality of developing devices, it is necessary to fill each developing device with a predetermined developer corresponding to the developing device.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

Before loading a new process cartridge into the color image forming apparatus, when filling a predetermined color developer into each developing tank of a plurality of developing devices of the process cartridge, an operator fills a predetermined developing device with a predetermined color developer. Correspondingly, the operation of filling a predetermined color developer may be mistakenly filled with a developer of another color, resulting in so-called developer color spacing.

To fill this kind of developer, remove the cover of the process cartridge and the image carrier, and then remove the top cover from the top of the developer, open the developer tank, and fill the developer.
Thereafter, the above-mentioned members must be reassembled to close and fix the image forming apparatus in a hermetically sealed state, which results in time-consuming work and reduced work efficiency when installing the image forming apparatus. Also,
When filling the developer, the developer scatters and scatters around, causing problems such as contaminating the surrounding floor, equipment, human body, clothing, etc.

Furthermore, when the image forming apparatus is shipped from the manufacturing department, the color image forming process cartridge having the plurality of developing units is not filled with developer, but in the conventional method of filling the developer when the apparatus is installed. Since the test pattern was not printed using the process cartridge, color balance adjustment was not performed and there is a problem with quality assurance.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent errors in supplying and loading color-specific developers that occur when filling a predetermined developer in a process cartridge of a color image forming apparatus; An object of the present invention is to provide a color image forming apparatus that improves the workability of developer filling and prevents environmental pollution caused by developer leakage, scattering, and scattering.

The above purpose is at least static %E? In a color image forming apparatus into which a replaceable process cartridge including an image bearing member on which an image is formed and a plurality of developing devices can be inserted and removed, The present invention is characterized by comprising a process cartridge configured to incorporate an image carrier disposed in the upper part of the developing device after each developing tank of the developing device is filled with a predetermined developer and the developing device is assembled. This is achieved by a color image forming device that uses

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a main sectional view of a color printer to which the present invention is applied, viewed from the left side. The device main body IO is
On the front is an operation panel 11 and an upper cover 12 that can be opened and closed.
, a toner supply cover 13, a front cover 14, etc., and a removable process cartridge 15 inside.
A paper feed cassette 16 is provided.

The process cartridge 15 includes an image carrier, a developing means, a charging means, a cleaning device, and the like.

The photosensitive belt 17, which is an image carrier, has a photosensitive layer such as organic photoconductive FJ# (OPC) coated on the surface of the flexible belt 1, and is stretched between a driving roller 18 and a driven roller 19. and rotated clockwise.

A charging means, an exposure means, a developing means, a transfer means, and a cleaning device are arranged around the photoreceptor belt 17.

The charging means is an existing charger 21 such as a corona charger or a scorotron charger.

The developing means includes a plurality of developing units 23a each containing toners (developers) of different colors, such as yellow magenta, /un, and black toners.

23b, 23c, and 23d. Each of the developing devices 23a to 23d has a function of visualizing the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor bell 1 to 17 into a toner image by a non-contact development method.

The cleaning blade of the cleaning device 25 is kept at a position apart from the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 during the image forming process, and is pressed against the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1-17 only during cleaning after transferring the toner image to the transfer material P. Clean the photoreceptor belt 17.

The toner collecting pump 26 collects and stores the residual toner on the photoreceptor belt 17 that has been removed by the cleaning device 25.

In this embodiment, the image forming section of the printer described above includes a photoreceptor belt 17, a charger 21, a storage device for storing toner of each color, developing devices 23a to 23d, and a cleaning device 2.
5 and the toner recovery pumps 26 are housed in an integrated process cartridge 15 to form a unit, and can be attached to and detached from the main body IO of the apparatus all at once.

On the other hand, on the main body side of the image forming apparatus, when the process cartridge (1) 5 is installed and an image can be formed, an exposure means, a transfer means, etc. are arranged around the photoreceptor belt 17.

The exposure means is a semiconductor laser writing optical system unit 7 (
(hereinafter referred to as an optical system unit) 22, which exposes the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 charged by the charger 21 to form an electrostatic latent image.

The transfer means transfers the toner image formed on the photoreceptor belt 17 to a transfer material P by a transfer device 24 such as a transfer corona discharger.
Transfer on top.

The color image forming process by the color image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration is performed as follows.

First, the process cartridge 15 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body I.
It is loaded in a predetermined position in O and is ready for image formation. When an image signal of the first color outputted from an image reading device separate from the apparatus main body 10 is input to the optical system unit 22, a laser beam is generated by a semiconductor laser in the optical system unit 22. . The laser beam is rotated and scanned by a polygon mirror rotated by a drive motor, passes through an fθ lens, a cylindrical lens, and a group of mirrors, and is uniformly charged to a predetermined charge by a charger 21 on the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 17. It is projected upward and forms a bright line.

On the other hand, regarding the sub-scanning direction, a belt index (not shown) corresponding to a specific position of the photoreceptor belt 17 is detected, or a print command signal is received, and based on this detection or command signal, It is determined whether the modulation of the semiconductor laser by the image signal or the main scanning line is to be started. When scanning is started, in the main scanning direction, the laser beam is detected by an index sensor (not shown), and based on this detected signal, modulation of the semiconductor laser by the image signal of the first color is started. , a modulated laser beam scans over the surface of photoreceptor belt 17. Therefore, a latent image corresponding to the first color is formed on the uniformly charged surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 by the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the conveyance of the photoreceptor belt 17. This latent image is developed by a developing device 23a containing yellow toner corresponding to the first color in the developing means, and the photoreceptor belt 17
A yellow toner image is formed on the surface. Thereafter, the photoreceptor belt 17 passes under the cleaning blade 251 which is spaced apart from the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 while holding the yellow toner image on its surface, and then begins to form an image of the second color.

That is, the photoreceptor belt 17 on which the yellow toner image has been formed is uniformly charged again by the charger 21, and then the image signal of the second color is input to the optical system unit 22, and the image signal of the first color described above is inputted to the optical system unit 22. As in the case of image signals, writing is performed on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 to form a latent image. The latent image is developed by a developer 23b containing magenta toner as the second color. A magenta toner image is formed in the presence of a previously formed yellow toner image.

Similarly, a cyan toner image is formed in the developing device 23c that accommodates cyan toner after forming a latent image based on the image signal of the third color, and further contains black toner after forming the latent image based on the image signal of the fourth color. The photoreceptor belt 1 is
A color toner image is formed on the surface of photoreceptor bell 1-17 by superimposing a black toner image on the surface of photoreceptor bell 1-17.

Developing sleeve 231a of each of these developing devices 23a to 23d
231d is applied with a direct current or even an alternating current bias, so that an inverted ring image (jumping phenomenon) is performed without contacting the photoreceptor belt 17 whose base is grounded. Incidentally, for this non-contact development, either a -component developer or a two-component developer can be used.

The color toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor bell 1-17 as described above is transferred from the paper feed cassette 16 to the paper feed roller 2.
7 and is transferred to a transfer material P by a timing roller 28 in synchronization with the color toner image. The transfer device 24 performs transfer by applying a high-voltage power output having a polarity opposite to that of the toner.

The transfer material P onto which the color toner image has been transferred in this manner is reliably separated by the photoreceptor belt 17 that changes direction rapidly (with a small diameter curvature) along the drive roller 18, and is transported upward by the transport belt 29.

After the toner is melted and fixed on the transfer material P by heating and pressure contact between the fixing roller 301 and the pressure roller 302 of the fixing device 30, the transfer material P is discharged onto the upper surface of the upper cover 12, which also serves as a paper discharge tray, by the paper discharge roller 31. .

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing a state in which the process cartridge 15 is installed in the main body of the apparatus and toner is being supplied, and a main part of the moving drive system.

The rotational force of the motor (not shown) transmitted to gear Gl is
The signal is transmitted to gear G2 that meshes with gear Gl. Then, the rotational force is transmitted to bevel gear G3 via electromagnetic clutch CI as necessary. Bevel gear G3 and bevel gear G4 are bevel gears that intersect, and the rotational force transmitted to gear G4 is transmitted to pinion gear G5. This pinion gear G5 can mesh with a rack gear G6 provided on the side surface of the process cartridge 15, and the process cartridge 15 can be moved in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. 1 by rotation of the pinion gear G5 and sliding of the rack gear G6. let

On the side surface of the process cartridge 15 provided with the rack gear G6, there are a drive gear GIL for rotating the photoreceptor belt 17, a developer drive gear G12 (a to d), and a gear for driving the waste toner screw 252 ( (not shown)
is provided.

On the other hand, the flange portion 361 of the housing 36 of the process cartridge 15 is inserted into the process cartridge housing chamber of the apparatus main body 10, so that the process cartridge 1
5 and the drive gear G11.5 of the process cartridge 15. Developer drive gear G12 (
Gear groups corresponding to a-d) and waste toner screw drive gears are provided.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the process cartridge 15, 84
The figure is a perspective view of the cartridge.

The process cartridge 15 includes developing devices 23a and 23.
b, 23C, 2:3d, charger 21. A lower unit consisting of a cleaning means 25 and the like, a photoreceptor belt 17 above it, a driving roller 18 and a driven roller 19 that rotate the image carrier, and spacing members 20a and 20.
b, 20c, 20d, an upper unit consisting of a 7quagamma grate 20ε, etc., and has a structure that can be separated and combined.

Near the bottom of the housing 36 of the lower unit are a plurality of developing devices 23a, 23b, 23c, 2.
The casing 3a is a developer tank formed into a concave shape. These developing tanks 364 (a - d), 365 (a - d)
The inner parts are developing sleeves 231a, 231b, 231c.
, 231d, and toner conveying screws 232a, 2
32b, 232c, 232d and stirring screws 233a, 233b, 233c, 233d are the housing 3
The shaft is mounted on both side surfaces of 6 so that it can be driven and rotated. A partition plate 234a is fixed between the toner conveying screw 232a and the stirring screw 233a in the developing device 23a. Similarly, developing units 23b, 23c, 23d
, partition plates 234b and 234c.

234d are fixed respectively.

These partition plates 234a, 234b, 234c
, 234d include scrapers 235a, 235
b, 235c, and 235a are attached to each other, and the tip end thereof is the developing sleeve 231a.

Apply light pressure to the cylindrical surfaces of 231b, 231c, and 231d to form the tail.

The developing sleeves 231a, 231b, 231c, 23
In the vicinity of 1d, magnetic thin layer forming rods 236a, 23
6b, 236c, and 236a are axially mounted with a predetermined minute gap maintained.

In addition, 237a, 237b, 237c, 2
37d is a shielding plate for preventing toner scattering.

In FIG. 2, the housing 36 of the process cartridge 15
On one side wall (right side in the drawing) of the developer tank formed in the recess, one shaft end side of the toner conveying screw 232d forms a protruding small cylinder part 362d, the upper part of which is an opening for toner replenishment. It has become 363d.

On the other hand, a connection means 33 (a-d) having a connector is fixed to one side wall I of the main body 1O, and its opening is the opening 363 (a-d) of the small casing 362 (a-d). d
) is located coaxially above. Further, a spiral screw 34 is provided at the upper part of the connecting means 33 (a-d).
Toner supply tubes 34(a-d) containing toners 1(a-d) are detachably provided.

The toner supply pipes 34(a-d) are connected to a toner supply device 35.
(a-d). The toner replenishing device 35 (a
~d) is the device main body I above the process cartridge 15
It is fixedly located at O. The toner replenishing device 35 (a~
d) consists of four toner horn bars 351 (a to d) containing toners of different colors, for example, yellow magenta, /un, and black toners, respectively, and opening/closing devices 352 ( It is composed of a-d). Inside the toner hopper 351a, there are a toner stirring member 353a and a toner supply screw 354a.
is rotatably provided and is intermittently driven by the drive source and clutch of the developing device 23a.

The other hops/pars 351b, 351c, and 351d have similar structures and are driven.

5(A) and (B) are exploded sectional views of the process cartridge 15. FIG.

The developer tanks 364 (a - d), 365 (a = d
), a charger 21, a slit 366 for passing incident light from the optical system unit 22, and a waste toner screw 252 are provided at the bottom (process cartridge 1
In both side walls 360 and 365 of the housing 36 of No. 5, the shaft ends of the rotational support shaft 18A of the drive roller 18 and the rotational support shaft 19A of the driven roller 19 are respectively inserted through horizontal walls 360 and 365 that can be supported and positioned. A guide groove 367 and an L-shaped guide groove 368 are bored.

The driving roller shaft 18A and the driven roller shaft 19A are rotatably attached to both side plates 151, 151 of the 7-frame 150 in parallel. The gear Gll is fixed to one shaft end of the drive roller 18A.

Also, spacer plates 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d and a backup plate 20e are installed between both side walls 360 of the casing 36.

The respective outer peripheries of the spacing plates 20a to 20d, the backup plate 20e, the drive roller 18, and the driven roller 19 are supported in a stretched state by being wound around the photoreceptor bell)-17. .

When integrating the photosensitive belt 17 into the housing 36 of the process cartridge 15, the drive roller 1
With the photoreceptor belt wound around 8 and the driven roller 19, drop the drive cooler shaft 18^ and the driven shaft 19A into the guide grooves 367 and 368 of the housing 36 and slide them, until the guide l1ll is at the innermost part. When the drive roller 18 reaches the stop position, the drive roller 18
After this is locked by a normal locking means (not shown), tension is applied to the driven roller 19 by a spring or the like to tension the photoreceptor belt J7. Alternatively, a tension roller is placed in pressure contact with a part of the photoreceptor belt.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the process of assembling the process cartridge 15.

(1) First, the first developer tank 364 (a-
d) A toner transport screw 232 (a-d) is rotatably mounted within the toner transport screw 232 (a-d). This toner conveying screw 232 (a
A driving gear G12Ca-d) is fixed to the shaft end of the gear G12Ca-d).

(2) The stirring screws 233 (a-d) are rotatably mounted in the second current @ 11365 (a-d). A driven gear (not shown) is attached to the shaft end of the stirring screw 233 (a-d), and the gear meshes with the gear G]2 (a-d).

(3) The partition plates 234 (a-d) to which the scrapers 235 (a-d) are attached are inserted into the grooves at the bottom of the housing 36 and fixed.

(4) Attach a toner concentration detection sensor (not shown) to the developer tank.

(5) The color developer of each color is transferred to the toner conveying roller 232.
(a" d) and stirring rollers 233 (a to d) are filled into the predetermined spaces in the first and second developing tanks installed in advance.

(6) The developer IJ-F 361 (a-d) is rotatably mounted above the developer tank. The developing sleeve 361(a
A gear (not shown) is fixed to each shaft end of = d), and can be connected to a drive source (not shown).

(7) The thin film forming grooves 236 (a to d) are mounted on an axis, positioned so as to come into light pressure contact with the cylindrical surface of the developing sleeve 231 (a to d), and fixed with pressing plates 238 (a to d). As a result, the upper part of the second developer tank 365(a-d) is closed.

(8) Attach a closing plate 237 (a-d). As a result, the upper portions of the first developer tanks 364(a-d) are closed except for the toner reflux slits.

(9) Remove the waste toner screw 252 from the cleaning device 2
The shaft will be mounted in the room of No.5.

(With the 10-inch photoreceptor belt 17% wound around the drive roller 18 and the driven roller 19, the drive roller 18 and the driven roller 19 are mounted on both sides of the housing 36!! is added, and the photoreceptor belt 17 is stretched.

(11) Spacing plate 20 (a-d) and Ba Noqua
Knob plates 20e are installed on both side walls 360 of the housing 36 to adjust the distance between the developing sleeve 231(a-d) and the photoreceptor belt 17.

(12) Attach the cleaning blade 251 and urge it so that its tip comes into pressure contact with the outer surface of the photoreceptor belt 17.

(13) Attach the charger 21, sensor, etc., and complete the assembly of the process cartridge 15.

(14) Attach the process cartridge top cover.

(15) Load the process cartridge 15 into the storage chamber of the image forming apparatus main body IO, perform a test print, change the color balance of the image, and if it passes the evaluation criteria, the process cartridge is determined to be ready for product shipment. Ru.

Note that when the process cartridge is shipped, the upper part of the developing device 23 (a-d) is sealed with a seal at the boundary between the developing sleeve 231 (a-d) and the photoreceptor belt 17, and the developer is sealed. It is also possible to perform leakage prevention treatment. The seal is easily peeled off before the process cartridge 7 is housed in the image forming apparatus.
It becomes available for use.

In the above embodiment, the image forming units other than the developing devices 23 (a to d), that is, the cleaning means 25 and/or the charger 21 may be separate from the process cartridge 15.

In addition, in this embodiment, as an image forming process, an image forming method is described in which a color toner image is formed on a photoreceptor belt and then transferred to a transfer material in one step, or an image forming method is described in which a color toner image is formed on a photoreceptor belt and then transferred onto a transfer material on a transfer drum. A color imaging method that transfers a toner image may also be used. Furthermore, although the non-contact development method has been described as a developing method, the present invention is not limited to this non-contact development, but can also be applied to contact development.

Furthermore, instead of the transfer device 24 of this embodiment, a transfer drum type may be used that includes a built-in charger provided to electrostatically attract the transfer material.

These various process cartridges are not limited to the inclined arrangement shown in the drawings, but may be arranged in a horizontally movable structure.

Note that the image carrier is not limited to a photoreceptor belt, and a process cartridge using a photoreceptor drum may be configured and the process cartridge may be removably attached.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described in detail above, the process cartridge of the color image forming apparatus of the present invention is filled with a predetermined developer at the time of manufacture, adjusted to optimal conditions, and shipped. When installing a new or replacement cartridge, it eliminates the need to spend time filling the color developer of each color into the process cartridge 7, and prevents errors when filling each color developer into each developing device. It can be prevented. In addition, since the process cartridge has undergone a color balance check by the manufacturer,
The quality is guaranteed and optimal color images can be created immediately.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing a process cartridge according to the present invention installed in the main body of the apparatus, FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the process cartridge, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the process cartridge, FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view of the process cartridge, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the process of assembling the process cartridge. 10.Device main body 15..Process cartridge 17..Photoconductor belt ■8..Drive roller 1
9...Followed roller 23a-23d...Developer 35(a-d)...Toner supply device 36...Casing (housing) 231a-231d...Developing sleeve 232a-23
2d... Toner conveying screws 233a to 233d.
... Stirring screws 234a to 234d... Partition plate 341... Spiral screw 360... Both side walls 362 (a - d) --- Small cylinder part 363 (a - d)
) - Opening 364a - 364d - First developer tank

Claims (1)

Scope of Claims: A color image forming apparatus into which a replaceable process cartridge including at least an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and a plurality of developing units can be inserted and removed, the process cartridge comprising: After filling each of the developing tanks of the plurality of developing devices formed in the lower part of the housing of the plurality of developing devices with a predetermined developer to assemble the developing device, the image carrier disposed in the upper part of the developing device is assembled. A color image forming apparatus characterized by being equipped with a process cartridge.