JPH0484156A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the exchange of consumables, the maintenance and exchange of materials and jam treatment by constituting the above device in such a manner that the connecting parts of the developer replenishing pipes of plural developer replenishing sections are coupled, in an open state, to each of plural developing devices in a 1st position and that the coupling state of the connecting parts is released and the connecting parts are put into an open state in a 2nd position. CONSTITUTION:A shutter plate 1000 on a connecting plate PA side is slid to mate shutter holes 1000A with respective toner falling ports and is put into the open state when a process cartridge 30 exists in the position where image formation is possible. In addition, the shutter plate 2000 on a connecting plate PB side is slid to mate the shutter holes 2000A with respective toner accepting ports and is put into the open state. On the other hand, the shutter plate 1000 resets to shield the respective toner falling ports and is put into the open state and the shutter plate 2000 is reset to shield the respective toner accepting ports and is put into the open state when the process cartridge is moved to the position where the attachment and detachment thereof are possible. The exchange of the process materials and the jam treatment of the transfer materials are facilitated in this way.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an image on a transfer material such as a copying machine or a printer.

[Background of the invention]

There are many ways to obtain color images using electrophotography.
A device has been proposed. For example, JP-A-61-10077
As disclosed in Publication No. 0, a latent image is formed and developed in accordance with the number of separated colors of an original image on a photoreceptor drum serving as an image forming member, and is transferred onto a transfer drum each time the development is performed. There is a method in which a multicolor image is formed on a paper and then transferred onto a transfer material to obtain a color copy. A device using this method requires a transfer drum large enough to transfer one sheet of image onto its circumferential surface in addition to the photoreceptor drum, and the device does not have a large and complicated structure. Inevitable.

Furthermore, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-149972, a latent image is formed and developed on a photoreceptor drum according to the number of separated colors of the original image, and is transferred onto a transfer material each time it is developed. There is a way to obtain a multicolor copy. With this method, it is difficult to overlay multicolored images with high precision,
It is not possible to obtain a good quality color copy.

Another method is to repeatedly form a latent image on a photoconductor drum according to the number of separated colors of the original image and develop it with color toner, and then overlap the color toner images on the photoconductor drum and transfer the images to obtain a color image. . The basic process of forming a multicolor image is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 60-75850 and No. 60-75850 by the present applicant.
-76766, 60-95456, 60-95
No. 458, No. 60-158475, and the like.

In a multicolor image forming apparatus that obtains a color image through such superimposition, a plurality of developing devices containing different color toners are arranged around the periphery of the photoreceptor drum. The photosensitive drum is rotated multiple times to develop the latent image on the photosensitive drum to obtain a color image.

On the other hand, in image forming apparatuses such as monochrome analog copying machines using electrophotography and copying machines and printers using semiconductor laser/LED scanning systems, various photoreceptors, developer carriers, cleaning members, and developer toners that have a useful life are used. A part of the image forming means is made into a cartridge for replenishment and replacement when the image forming means is worn out, and the member that integrates the main parts of the image forming means is taken out of the apparatus for maintenance or replacement. Something has been proposed. Furthermore, various configurations have been proposed in which the conveyance path of the transfer material on which an image is formed by the image forming means is opened to make it easier to take out the transfer material when clearing a jam.

A typical configuration of these is as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-54392, in which the photoreceptor drum, developer, cleaner, etc. are integrally attached to a support member, and can be pulled out from the main body of the apparatus, and each unit is Proposals have been made to make replacement and repair easier, and the next step was to integrate the main parts of these image forming means and make them disposable in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-15.
4255, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 147366/1989 discloses a printer configuration that uses a similar disposable cartridge and forms a latent image on a photosensitive drum by dot exposure scanning writing using a semiconductor laser. There is.

Furthermore, these publications disclose a configuration in which the upper housing of the divided structure is opened to open the transfer material conveyance path and take out the transfer material in the event of a jam, and the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-154255 discloses adopts a configuration in which a disposable process cartridge is replaceably disposed in an upper housing with a two-part structure, and attempts to improve the workability of cartridge replacement and ease of jam removal. In addition, we have designed a two-part structure with emphasis on the ease of replacing the process cartridges, which are mainly replenishment toner cartridges and recovered toner lining cartridges. JP-A-58-1161 discloses a method for improving workability.

In addition, the above structure is made vertical, and JP-A-63-2
No. 44058, No. 63-244059, No. 63-24
No. 4064, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-179168, etc., have been proposed, and these are aimed at improving the same direction operation and jam handling.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, if the developing device, image carrier, etc. are made into a process cartridge and are replaceable with respect to the apparatus main body, the process cartridge can be easily loaded into and removed from the apparatus main body.
In addition, there is no need to worry about leakage of toner or developer from the developing unit or shavings when inserting or removing it from the main body of the device, and there is no need to worry about these problems when dealing with transfer material jams. No compact printer has been proposed.

In addition, a proposal was made in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-190961 for a printer with a two-part structure, in which the process cartridge installed in the upper housing is kept horizontal at all times as a countermeasure against waste toner clumps when the upper housing is opened. It is disclosed in the publication No. Although efforts were made to make it easier to load and clear jams, the structure did not solve problems such as toner smudges and leaks when loading cartridges, clearing jams, and replacing minced meat. .

In particular, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-2003 has a structure in which a disposable cartridge is provided in the upper casing with a two-part structure that facilitates jam handling.
72159, and a process cartridge is provided in the lower housing to facilitate replenishment and replacement of collected toner, and when handling jams, the process cartridge for developing, cleaning, photoconductor drums, etc. is lifted upwards. All of the proposals in JP-A-58-1161 conflict with the workability of process cartridge replacement and the ease of jam removal. Furthermore, in these process cartridges, the developing section and cleaning section are on the bottom, facing the transfer pole across the paper feed and conveyance path, so the cartridge must be carefully protected when replacing the process cartridge ring or when the device body is subject to external vibration impact. Even if the toner is sealed, toner spills from the developing device and cleaner section, causing stains inside the machine and staining the transfer paper.

Furthermore, the printer disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-195357 has a process cartridge built-in and a flat feeding and conveying path formed at the top. The problem with the transport section has not been solved because there are restrictions on the transport path between the parts. Furthermore, it is not easy to clear jams when divided into two parts, it is not compact as a whole due to the stacked paper feeding configuration of the upstand, and the opening angle of the upper housing is restricted when divided into two parts, making it difficult for users to operate. However, it has not yet been possible to provide a device with excellent performance.

Regarding color image forming bodies, as explained above, there are photoconductor drums with a photoconductor coated or vapor-deposited on the peripheral surface of the drum, as well as belts with a photoconductor coated on or mounted on a flexible belt. For example, a patent application filed in 1983 by the applicant
4-192874, etc. The shape of the belt-shaped image forming body (hereinafter also referred to as a photoconductor belt) is determined by stretching it between rotating rollers including a drive roller, so that space can be used effectively to construct a compact color image forming apparatus. It is valid in some cases. In addition, since the photoreceptor belt can run along a small curvature, it is possible to prevent poor separation of the transfer material by using a rotating roller with a small diameter and using this curvature to separate the transfer material. can.

In a color image forming apparatus using such a photoreceptor belt, each image forming means such as a charging means, an image exposure means, a plurality of developing device groups, and a cleaning means are connected to the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor belt. Although these image forming means are mainly installed facing the lower circumferential surface, each of these image forming means, including the aforementioned photoreceptor belt, is housed as a unitized process cartridge in a state that can be freely attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus. Ru.

In addition, the transfer material with the color toner image transferred to it is ejected onto a paper ejection tray installed on the top of the device with the copy side facing down, allowing the device to be installed in a small space. ing.

In recent years, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publications No. 64-40850 and No. 63-244059 have disclosed configurations that use compact cartridges to solve the problems of transportability and jam handling, and that enable operations in the same direction.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-85763 discloses a control concept in which display output is performed when the toner in the process cartridge is exhausted or when the photoreceptor has reached the end of its lifespan.
The above-mentioned jam processing is easy, there is no toner dust during operation and operation of the cartridge, and the cartridge is easy to replace.
In addition, there has been no image forming apparatus that is compact and has easy-to-use functions that allow all operations to be performed from one direction on the front of the apparatus body.

As a result of solving and improving this point, the present invention facilitates the replacement of consumables, maintenance and replacement of materials, and jam handling.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus configured such that all of the above operations can be performed from the same side of the apparatus.

[Failure to solve the problem]

The above object is to provide an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge consisting of at least a replaceable image bearing member and a plurality of developing units provided on the periphery of the image bearing member can be inserted into the main body of the apparatus, wherein the process cartridge is capable of forming an image. The process cartridge can be moved from a first position where the process cartridge can be inserted and removed to a second position where the process cartridge can be inserted and removed; is coupled to the front and each of the plurality of developing devices in an open state, and in the second position, the coupled state of the coupling portion is released and the coupling portion is in a closed state. This is accomplished by an image forming device.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 9.

In FIG. 1, l is a flexible photoreceptor belt that is a belt-like image carrier, and the photoreceptor belt l is installed between rotating rollers 2 and 3, and is driven clockwise by rotating roller 2. transported to.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a support member or guide member fixed to the main body of the apparatus so as to be inscribed in the photoreceptor belt 1, and the photoreceptor belt 1 is brought into a tensioned state by the outward biasing action of the rotary roller 3. The inner peripheral surface of the guide member 4
Let it rub.

Therefore, the photoreceptors on the outer circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt l are always maintained at a constant position relative to the surface of the guide member 4 even during conveyance, making it possible to form a stable image forming surface.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a scorotron charger as a charging means, 7 a laser writing system unit as an image exposure means, and 8 to 11 a plurality of developing means, that is, developing devices, each containing a developer of a specific color. The means is disposed facing the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor belt l with the guide member 4 on the back side.

The laser writing system unit 7 is housed in a holding casing 70 having a slit-shaped exposure opening 70A on its upper surface, and is incorporated into the main body of the apparatus.

In addition to the optical system shown in the drawings, the laser writing system unit 7 may also include an optical system that integrates a light emitting section and a convergent light transmission body.

Each of the developing units 8.9.10.11 accommodates, for example, yellow magenta, cyan, and black developers, respectively, and includes developing sleeves that maintain a predetermined gap from the photosensitive belt 1. It has the function of making the upper latent image visible using a non-contact development method. Unlike contact development, this non-contact development has the advantage of not interfering with the movement of the photoreceptor belt.

12 is a transfer device, 12A is a static elimination bar, 13 is a cleaning device, and the blade 13A and toner conveying roller 13B of the cleaning device I3 are kept at a position apart from the surface of the photoreceptor belt l during image formation, and are cleaned after image transfer. Only when the photoreceptor belt 1 is pressed against the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 as shown in the figure.

The process of forming a color image by the color image forming apparatus is performed as follows.

First, the formation of a multicolor image according to this embodiment is performed according to the following image forming system. That is, data obtained by a color image data input section in which an image sensor scans an original image is processed by an image data processing section to create image data, which is stored in a star image memory. The image memory is then taken out during recording and input to a recording section, for example, the color image forming apparatus shown in the embodiment of FIG.

That is, when a color signal output from an image reading device separate from the printer is input to the laser writing system unit 7, the laser writing system unit 7 outputs a laser beam generated by a semiconductor laser (not shown). is rotated and scanned by a polygon mirror 7B rotated by a drive motor 7A, and passes through an fθ lens 7C to mirrors 7D and 7E.
, 7F, the optical path is bent, and the light is projected onto the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 1, which has been charged in advance by the charger 6, which is a charging means, to form a bright line.

On the other hand, when scanning is started, the beam is detected by the index sensor, modulation of the beam by the first color signal is started, and the modulated beam scans the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt l. Therefore, a latent image corresponding to the first color is formed on the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 by the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the conveyance of the photoreceptor belt l-1. This latent image is created using yellow (Y) toner (
The toner image is developed by the developing device 8 loaded with a developing medium (developing medium), and a toner image is formed on the drum surface. The obtained toner image, while being held on the drum surface, passes under a cleaning device 13, which is a cleaning means, which is separated from the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 1, and enters the next copy cycle.

That is, the photoreceptor belt 1 is charged again by the charger 6, and then the second color signal output from the signal processing section is input to the writing system unit 7, and the second color signal is inputted to the writing system unit 7, and the second color signal is inputted to the writing system unit 7. Writing is performed on the drum surface in a similar manner to form a latent image. The latent image is developed by a developing device 9 loaded with magenta (M) toner as a second color.

This magenta (M) toner image is formed in the presence of the previously formed yellow (Y) toner image.

IO is a developing device having cyan (C) toner, which forms a cyan (C) toner image on the drum surface based on a control signal generated by a signal processing section.

Furthermore, 11 is a developing device having black toner, and forms a black toner image superimposed on the belt surface by the same process. A direct current or even an alternating current bias is applied to each sleeve of these developing devices 8, 91O and 11, and jumping development is performed using a two-component developer, which is a developing means, and the photoreceptor bell l whose base body is grounded. -1 is designed to be developed without contact. Incidentally, as the development, non-contact development using a -component developer can also be used.

The color toner image thus formed on the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 is transferred to a transfer material fed from the paper feed cassette 14 via the paper feed guide 15 at the transfer section.

That is, the top layer of the transfer material stored in the paper feed cassette 14 is carried out by the rotation of the paper feed roller I6, and transferred to the transfer device 12 via the timing roller 17 in synchronization with the image formation on the photoreceptor belt l. supplied to.

The transfer material that has undergone image transfer and static electricity removal is transferred to the rotating roller 2.
It separates from the photoreceptor belt L, which suddenly changes direction along the direction of the photoreceptor belt L, moves upward via the suction type conveyor belt 17A, fuses the image with the fixing roller 18, passes through the paper ejection roller 19, and then passes through the upper lid 20. The paper is discharged onto a tray formed on the tray.

On the other hand, the photoconductor bell (1) which has completed the transfer to the transfer material continues to be conveyed to the blade 13A and the toner conveying roller 13B.
The remaining toner was removed in the cleaning device 13 which was brought into pressure contact with the blade 13A, and the blade 13A was removed again after the cleaning was completed. A little later, the toner supply roller 13B smoothed out the toner accumulated on the tip of the blade 13A. Afterwards, the toner supply roller 13B is separated and a new image forming process begins.

The photosensitive drum 1, the charger 6, each developing device, and the cleaning device 13 are incorporated into an independent process cartridge 30 as process materials for image formation, and are integrally attached to and removed from the main body of the apparatus.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3 showing the AA cross section, inside the device, a pedestal 50 is provided which is slidably supported by engaging a pair of fixed guide rails 40 with legs 50A on the bottom surface. The process cartridge 30 is placed on the pedestal 50 and housed in the apparatus.

The pedestal 50 is connected to the pinion Pi of the motor M1 on the device main body side.
As shown in FIG. 2, the rack plate 51 is integrally meshed with the rack plate 51, and when the motor Ml rotates, the rack plate 51 is moved diagonally upward in parallel as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the upper lid 20 is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body via a shaft 20A, and is opened by rotating counterclockwise to open an opening in the upper part of the apparatus main body.

That is, the upper cover 20 has a sector gear 21 integrated in its rotating base that meshes with a pinion P2 of a motor M2 on the apparatus main body side, and is rotated counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 2 by the rotation of the motor M2 to a predetermined position. is held at an angle of

The movement of the pedestal 50 and the opening of the upper cover 20, that is, the rotation of the motors M1 and M2, are automatically started at the time of the process material replacement, inspection, or replenishment cycle and at the timing of transfer material transport trouble. .

The process cartridge 30 has a counter function that adds up the frequency of use of the process materials it accommodates, and when it is newly installed in the apparatus main body, the protrusion member 31 on the side of the cartridge shown in FIG. 3 is installed on the apparatus main body side. Press the reset lever 35 of the counter C to return the display to 0, and record the number of uses from then on. When the frequency (reference value) is reached, the counter C outputs a signal S.

〔example〕

Cleaning durability replacement...20,0OOC Drum life replacement...60,0OOC cleaning...
...20,000C, 40,000C1 exchange signal 60,000
Signal S or drum replacement signal... 60,000 C When the output is 60,000 C, the counter C is reset again by inserting a new process unit.

Based on this signal, the cycle of replacement and inspection of the photosensitive drum 1, the charger 6, each developing device, and the cleaning device 13 is detected.

Note that the protruding member 31 is described in the present inventor's actual publication No. 2-82.
The proposal according to Japanese Patent No. 95 is applied, thereby preventing the counter C from being reset again by the same cartridge 30.

The process cartridge 30 is also equipped with a sensor that detects the amount of toner collected in the built-in waste toner cartridge 30A. A signal is transmitted to the main body of the device, and the time for replacement is detected.

Furthermore, a developer replenishment section 80 is installed above the pedestal 50 and is comprised of four toner replenishment hoppers for replenishing toner to each developing device in the cartridge.

The toner replenishment hoppers mentioned above are arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper, and each is connected to each developing device by a developer replenishment pipe with a built-in conveyance screw, so that toner replenishment can be performed in response to a decrease in image density. It is about to be done.

On the other hand, photosensors S l , 52, S3, etc. for detecting the passage of the transfer material are arranged at key points on the conveyance path of the transfer material, and the sensors located on the upstream side of each conveyance detect the passage of the transfer material. After that, if the downstream sensor cannot detect the transfer material even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the jam detection signal S'
(not shown) is output to detect the occurrence of a jam in the transfer material.

Each of the detected signals described above is input to a control section of the main body of the apparatus, and output as a signal for controlling the rotation of the motors M1 and M2.

Hereinafter, the process of controlling the rotation of the motors M1 and M2 using the above-mentioned signals will be explained with reference to the control circuit diagram in FIG. 7 and the 70-chart shown in FIG.

The image forming apparatus described above has a lamp Ll for indicating the occurrence of a jam of a transfer material as shown in FIG. Lamp L2 that displays the material replacement cycle
Furthermore, a reset button 61 for starting driving the motors M1 and M2 in the reverse direction and an eject button 62 for starting driving the motors M1 and M2 in the forward direction are provided.

When the jam detection signal (S') and process material replacement detection signal (S) are input to the control section of the main body of the apparatus, the lamps Ll and L2 are lit and displayed, respectively.

Furthermore, upon input of one of the detection signals, a signal is outputted to the power supply unit to supply power for forward rotation to the motors M1 and M2 at the same time as the lighting.

The forward rotation of the motor M1 moves the pedestal 50 from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG.
At the position F, the rotation of the motor M1 is stopped.

As a result, the process cartridge 30 is moved from the first position in the apparatus, where image formation is possible, to the second position, where it is possible to remove it from the apparatus and clear the jam, and is in a state where it can be easily removed from the pedestal 50. Material replacement and inspections are carried out efficiently.

On the other hand, continuing or in parallel with this, the motor M2 rotates forward, the upper cover 20 rotates from the angle shown in FIG. 1 to the angle shown in FIG. 2, opening the opening of the device body, and the flat gear 21 The rotation of the motor M2 is stopped at the angle at which the switch MS2 on the device main body is pressed and switched from OFF to ON.

Therefore, in conjunction with the movement of the process cartridge 30 described above, jamming of the transfer material can also be easily performed.

Further, as the process cartridge 30 moves, the connections between each toner replenishing hopper and each developing device of the developer replenishing section 80 are automatically released and separated.

Figures 4 and 5 show each developer 8.9.10 and 1.
1 and each corresponding toner supply hopper 808.8
4(a) is a plan view of the process cartridge 30 and the developer replenishing section 80 as seen from the direction of arrow C in FIG. 1, and FIG. (b) is a sectional view taken along the arrow.

Developer replenishment hoppers 808A, 809A, 810A, and 811A each having a built-in conveyance screw connected to each of the toner replenishment hoppers are arranged in parallel in a plane at the top of the process cartridge 30, and arranged in parallel in a horizontal manner within vertical sides at the side. A conveyance screw is rotated by a motor m at each end to convey and replenish toner to each developing device.

Each of the supply pipes further includes a vertical supply pipe 8.
Upper connecting plate P to which 08B, 809B, 810B and 811B are connected and each lower end is fixed to the main body of the device
Connect to A and toner drop ports 808G, 809G, 810
G and 811G are each opened.

On the other hand, developer conveyance pipes 8A, 9A, IOA, and llA protrude from the side surface of the process cartridge 30 and include conveyance screws extending from inside each developing device.
The upper end of the rising portion is connected to a lower connecting plate PB disposed opposite to the lower surface of the upper connecting plate PA, and opens toner receiving ports 8B, 9B, IOB and IIB, respectively.

Each of the above-mentioned toner drop ports is provided with guide rails 1001 and 100.
2A and 1002BJ are covered by a shirt shirt plate 1000 that is slidably supported.

The shutter plate 1000 has four shutter holes 1000A at equal intervals corresponding to each of the toner drop ports.
However, due to the biasing force in the opposite direction of the arrow by the tension spring 1003, each toner falling port is kept closed at all times without aligning with each of the toner falling ports.

On the other hand, each of the above-mentioned toner receiving ports has guide rails 2001 and 2.
It is covered by a shirt shirt plate 2000 which is slidably supported by 002A and 2002B.

Four 7-hole holes 2000A are opened in the shirt plate 2000 at equal intervals corresponding to each toner receiving port, and these holes can be aligned with each of the toner receiving ports by being biased in the direction of the arrow by a tension bar 42003. Each toner receiving port is kept closed at all times.

When the process cartridge 30 is in the first position, that is, the position where image formation is possible as shown in FIG. Located directly below the board PA,
As a result, the pin 2004 presses the rising portion 1004 of the shutter plate 1000 on the connecting plate PA side, and slides the shutter plate 1000 so that the spring hook on the connecting plate PB side aligns with the shutter hole 10 CIOA and each toner drop port and opens. state, and on the other hand, the shirt top plate 2 on the connecting plate PB side.
The spring hook on the connecting plate PA side of the rising portion 2005 of 000 is pressed by the bottle 1005, and the shutter plate 2000 slides, and the shutter hole 2000 aligns with each toner receiving port and opens to enable toner replenishment. There is.

When the process cartridge 30 is moved to the second position, that is, the position shown in FIG. 2 where it can be attached and detached by inputting the detection signal (S) or (S''), the connection plate PB is moved at the beginning of the movement. slides and retreats together with the process cartridge 30 in the opposite direction of the arrow. Therefore, first, the shutter plate 1000 on the connecting plate PA side returns to the position shown in the figure, shielding each toner drop port and closing it, and then closing the connecting plate PB. The shutter plate 2000 on the side returns to the illustrated position to cover each toner receiving port and close it, thereby preventing toner from being washed away, scattered, or mixed with foreign matter.

Furthermore, a tray-shaped receiving member 300 is provided at the bottom of the connecting plate PA.
The receiving member 3 receives and collects a small amount of toner that falls with the operation of each shirt plate.
As shown in FIG. 4(b), 000 is arranged diagonally with the end in the drawing direction of the developing unit facing upward and has a reservoir at the other end of the lower part, so that the fallen toner does not scatter and accumulates on the toner receiving member according to the inclination. Prevents contamination of the inside of the device by toner.

The supply of toner to each toner replenishment hopper is performed manually by opening the top cover 90 above each toner replenishment hopper.

When the process cartridge 30 is removed from the pedestal 50 for replacing or replenishing process materials, the process cartridge exposure opening 30B is formed with a transparent filter or the like above the pedestal exposure opening 50A on the pedestal 50. are aligned and the process cartridge 30 is placed on the pedestal 50. By placing the process cartridge 30 on the pedestal 50 again as shown in FIG. 8(a), the bottom of the cartridge 30 presses the switch MS3 and turns it from OFF to ON. A storage detection signal of the switching process cartridge 30 is input, and the motor M
Signals are output for supplying power for reverse rotation to l and M2, respectively.

As a result, the process cartridge 30 moves from the second position to the original first position again, and the motor M1 stops at the position where the light shielding plate 52 switches the seven sensors S4 of the apparatus main body from OFF to ON, and each The process material is maintained in an imageable condition. At this time, the process cartridge exposure opening 30B, which is aligned with the gantry exposure opening 50A, overlaps the exposure opening 70A of the laser writing system unit 7 again, so that the state in which laser writing is possible is restored.

When the process cartridge 30 returns to the first position, the connecting plate PA opens and aligns each toner drop opening, and the connecting plate PB opens and aligns each toner receiving opening. It is believed that replenishment is possible.

On the other hand, the upper cover 20 rotates clockwise due to the reverse rotation of the motor M2, and the switch MSI is turned on with the sector gear 21.
The device stops at the angle required to switch from FF to ON, and the opening at the top of the device body is closed to enable copying.

In addition, when only the jam removal of the transfer material is performed and the process cartridge 30 remains placed on the pedestal 50, the reset function provided in the operation/display section 60 is reset as shown in FIG. 8(b). By pressing the button 6I, a signal for supplying power for reverse rotation to the motors M1 and M2 is output in place of the action of the switch MS3.

The above-mentioned jam indicator lamp L1 and replacement/replenishment indicator lamp L2 are turned off automatically after the process cartridge returns to the first position and the top cover 20 is closed.

In addition, as mentioned above, the eject button 6 is provided on the operation/display section 60.
It is also possible to specifically provide a motor 2 and rotate the motors Ml and M2 in the normal direction by pressing the motor 2.
Furthermore, by pressing the reset button 61 after attaching the process cartridge 30, the motors M1 and M2 can be started to reverse rotation at an arbitrary timing.

Therefore, after confirming that the lamp L1 or L2 is lit, the process cartridge 30 is moved and the upper cover 20 is opened and closed by button operations, which simplifies the mechanism and allows work to be carried out safely.

FIG. 9 shows a transfer drum type image forming apparatus as another embodiment of the present invention. The photoreceptor belt 101 and the process cartridge portion disposed around its periphery are roughly the same as in the previous embodiment, but the transfer drum 200 is brought into contact with the transfer portion of the photoreceptor belt 101, and the transfer drum 200 is placed in contact with the transfer portion. The drum 200 rotates in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise) in synchronization with the photoreceptor belt lO1. A transfer material is wrapped around the outer periphery of the transfer drum 200, a toner image is transferred onto the wrapped transfer material, the transferred toner images are superimposed, and then separated from the transfer drum 200 and fixed after fixing. This is what was discharged.

A charger 201 is provided at the peripheral edge of the transfer drum 200 to electrostatically attract the transfer material, and a wrapping member 202 is provided to mechanically wrap the transfer material around the transfer drum 200. 202 has a roller at its tip and comes into contact only when it is first wound around the transfer drum 200. Further, a gripper 203 is provided on the peripheral surface of the transfer drum 200, and acts to hold the leading edge of the transfer material that is synchronously conveyed. 204 is a transfer device, and the photosensitive belt 101
Electrostatically transfer the upper toner image onto a transfer material. 205
206 is a separation and removal electrode, and 206 is a separation claw. Further, 207 is a cleaner that can be brought into contact with and separated from the transfer drum 200, and removes toner deposited on the transfer drum 200 (17) after the transfer material has been separated.

The transfer material discharged from the paper feed cassette l14 is transferred to the transfer drum 200, which is charged by the charger 201 while maintaining synchronization.
The yellow (Y ) Transfer the image onto the transfer material. After completing the first transfer, the transfer drum 200 continues to rotate, producing a magenta (M) toner image in the second rotation, a cyan (C) toner image in the third rotation, and a black (BK) toner image in the fourth rotation.
The toner images are transferred one after the other. When the transfer of the four-color toner image is completed, the transfer material is transferred to the separation electrode 20.
In step 5, static electricity is removed, and the leading edge of the transfer material is released from being held by the separating claw 206, separated, and conveyed to the fixing roller 118.

In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the transfer drum 200 is located on the apparatus main body side and is not included in the process cartridge 130, which is movable and removable. Therefore, the insertion and removal of the process cartridge 130, jam handling, installation of the developer replenishing section 180, formation of toner replenishment, structure, etc. can be performed in exactly the same manner as in the previous embodiment.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, operations such as replacing, inspecting, and replenishing process materials in an image forming section can be carried out at appropriate intervals, and troubles such as transfer material jams can be easily and promptly dealt with without missing an opportunity. In addition, even though it has a built-in large-capacity developer replenishment section, there is no developer leakage or scattering during the aforementioned processing operations, making it easy to handle and producing high-quality images. An image forming apparatus is now provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1, 2, and 9 are cross-sectional configuration diagrams of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, FIGS. 3 to 6 are sectional views, a plan view, and a perspective view showing essential parts of the apparatus, and FIG. The figure is a control circuit diagram, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control process. ]... Photosensitive drum 6... Charger 7... Laser writing system units 8-11... Developing units 8A, 9A, IOA, IIA... Supply pipe 8B,
9B, 10B, lIB...Toner intake port 14...Paper feed cassette 2o...Top lid 21...Flat gear 30.130...Process cartridge 40, 140
... Guide rail 50 ... Frame 51,151 ... Rack board 60 ... Operation/display section 7o ... Holding housing 70
A...Exposure opening 80,180...Developer supply section 808.809,810,811...Toner supply hopper 808A, 809A, 810A, 811A...Supplement pipe 808G, 809C, 810C, 811C -1
--1-One drop opening 1000.2000...Shutter plate 1000A, 200OA...Shutter hole PA (P
B)...Upper (lower) connecting plate Ll, L2...Indication lamp S1-S...Foot sensor SI, MS2...Switch...Motor

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge consisting of at least a replaceable image bearing member and a plurality of developing units provided on the peripheral edge thereof can be inserted into the main body of the apparatus, the process cartridge is capable of forming an image. The process cartridge can be moved from the first position to the second position where the process cartridge can be inserted and removed. An image forming method characterized in that the plurality of developing devices are connected to each other in an open state, and in the second position, the connected state of the connecting portion is released and the connecting portion is in a closed state. Device. (2) Claim (2) characterized in that a receiving member for the fallen developer is provided at the lower part of the apparatus main body facing the connecting part (
1) The image forming apparatus described above.