JPH0484170A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable an operator to move and exchange a process cartridge which has run out of its life with a simple operation and to improve the ease of maintenance by providing a service life detecting means which outputs a service life signal and a control means for controlling a process cartridge moving means in accordance with the service life signal. CONSTITUTION:The service life detecting means outputs a warning signal to announce that the process cartridge 15 is near the end of its service life to a control section upon detection that a residual toner amt. attains a 1st prescribed amt. or below. The control section upon receipt of this signal displays warning on a display section and cautions and urges the operator to exchange the process cartridge in an early period. The operator who is informed of the service life of the process cartridge 15 checks this service life by pushing a check button provided on a device body 10. The control section outputs a movement signal to the process cartridge moving means when inputted with the check signal from the check button. The operator is able to move and exchange the process cartridge with the simple operation n this way and the ease of maintenance is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on an image carrier using an electrophotographic method and transfers it onto a transfer material to obtain an image. . In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc., which is provided with a removably attached process cartridge that integrates an image carrier and at least one of a developing means and a cleaning means.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses have become widely popular in response to the trends of the times, such as advanced information society and personalization.

In the past, the number of image forming apparatuses installed was not so large, so when using an image forming apparatus, maintenance such as deterioration of the image carrier, wear and tear of various parts such as replenishment and disposal of developer, deterioration, adjustment, periodic inspection, etc.・Management was carried out by a service person. However, as image forming apparatuses have become widely popular as described above, the usage conditions and usage patterns of image forming apparatuses have become diverse depending on the user, and since the number of installed apparatuses has been enormous, service personnel have had to maintain and manage them. It is practically difficult to do this for all users.
.

Therefore, an image forming apparatus has been developed that has a process cartridge that integrates a carrier and at least one of a developing means and a cleaning means. Image forming apparatuses such as printers and copying machines equipped with this process cartridge can replace the process cartridge itself when the image bearing member, developer, and other materials inside the process cartridge reach the end of their service life due to consumption or deterioration. Operators and operators, who are general users without specialized knowledge, can easily maintain and manage the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus having this process cartridge is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 61-27987, for example.
As disclosed in Publication No. 0, by aligning the loading direction of the transfer material with the loading/unloading direction of the process cartridge provided in the upper housing, the operator can stand at the front of the device when replacing the process cartridge. , an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which the upper housing can be opened and the floss cartridge can be taken out from the upper housing, making it easier to handle and operate consumables and reducing work space constraints. ing.

By the way, in an image forming apparatus that has a process cartridge, when the process cartridge is replaced, that is, when the equipment inside the process cartridge reaches the end of its lifespan (endurable life, usable life, etc.) due to wear and deterioration, the operator must replace the process cartridge himself. Therefore, the operator must be informed of the timing of replacement. As a method of notifying the time to replace the process cartridge, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-163276, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-152
Publication No. 263 etc. were proposed. That is, these publications disclose an image forming apparatus that is equipped with a mechanism that counts the number of rotations of a photosensitive drum in a process cartridge, and that can display a message that it is time to replace the process cartridge when a predetermined count is reached. ing.

[Purpose of the invention]

However, JP-A-57-163276, JP-A-58
Even if the image forming apparatus disclosed in Publication No. 152263 detects and displays the lifespan of the process cartridge, an operator who sees the display may open the exterior of the image forming apparatus, pull out the process cartridge from inside, and then , must be taken out and replaced. That is, although it is good to detect and display the lifespan of the process cartridge, when the process cartridge is subsequently replaced, the replacement work is performed only by the operator's hands.

Such an operation is not only very troublesome and troublesome, but also requires considerable force from the operator if the process cartridge is heavy and large due to the increased functionality and colorization of image forming apparatuses. Moreover, when pulling out the process cartridge to take it out, it is necessary to change hands, which has the drawback that there is a high risk of not only accidentally dropping the process cartridge and causing the developer to scatter, but also causing injury. There is.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is to automatically detect the life of a process cartridge so that an operator can easily move or replace the process cartridge that has reached the end of its life. able to do it, and
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with excellent maintainability. Furthermore, even if the process cartridge for a color image forming apparatus is relatively heavy, it is intended to provide an image forming apparatus that can be replaced safely and easily when the process cartridge reaches the end of its service life. .

[Means for solving problems]

The above object is to removably provide a process cartridge in which an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and at least one of a developing means and a cleaning means is integrated, and to attach the process cartridge to a first part capable of forming an image. a process cartridge moving means for moving the process cartridge from a position to a second position in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the process cartridge; a life detecting means for detecting the service life of the process cartridge and outputting a life signal; This is achieved by an image forming apparatus characterized by having a control means for controlling the process cartridge moving means based on a signal.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 1 shows a main cross section of a color printer to which the present invention is applied, viewed from the left side. The apparatus main body 10 is surrounded by an operation panel 11, an openable and closable upper cover 12, a toner supply cover 13, a front cover 14, etc. on the front thereof, and a removable process cartridge 15 and a paper feed cassette 16 are provided inside. There is.

In FIG. 1, the photoreceptor belt 17, which is an image carrier, is
A photosensitive layer is coated on the surface of a flexible belt, and the belt is stretched between a driving roller 18 and a driven roller 19. The drive roller 18 rotates (not shown) and conveys the photoreceptor belt 17 in a clockwise direction via a drive gear meshing with a gear provided in the apparatus main body IO. Furthermore, the distance maintaining member 20 keeps the distance between the developing device 23 and the photoreceptor belt 17 constant, making it possible to form a stable and good image.

In this embodiment, the photoreceptor belt 17 is used as the image carrier, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to existing image carriers having a photosensitive layer such as a photoreceptor drum.

Around the photoreceptor belt 17, a charging means 2L and an exposing means 2 are arranged.
2, a developing means 23, a transferring means 24, and a cleaning means 25 are provided.

The charging means is provided to uniformly charge the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 with a predetermined polarity, and is an existing charger 2I such as a corona charger or a scorotron charger. A scorotron charger is preferably used.

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

The developing means includes a plurality of developing devices 23a to 23d each containing different color developers, for example, yellow magenta, cyan, and black toners (developer). Each of the developing devices 23a to 23d includes a developing sleeve 231a to 231d that maintains a predetermined gap with the photoreceptor belt 17, and a stirring screw 232a to 232d that stirs the toner of each color, and the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor belt 17. It has the function of making a toner image visible using a non-contact development method. Unlike the contact development method, this non-contact development method does not damage the toner image previously formed on the photoreceptor belt 17 and does not hinder the movement of the photoreceptor belt 17, so that good color images can be obtained. be able to. The developing means is not limited to color development using four different color toners as in this embodiment, but is also applicable to monochromatic, two-color toner, etc.
Color or three color toners may be used, and in this case, the developing means includes as many developing devices as there are toner colors on the photoreceptor belt 1.
It may be arranged around 7.

The transfer means uses a transfer device 24 such as a transfer corona discharger to transfer the toner image formed on the photoreceptor belt 17 onto a transfer material. As this transfer means, an existing transfer member such as a transfer drum may be used instead of the transfer device 24.

The cleaning means 25 includes a cleaning blade 251
During the image forming process, the photoreceptor belt 17
The photoreceptor belt 17 is maintained at a position apart from the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17, and is provided so as to come into pressure contact with the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 to clean the photoreceptor belt 17 only during cleaning after transferring the toner image to the transfer material.

The collection box 26 is for collecting and storing the residual toner on the photoreceptor bell 17 removed by the cleaning means 25 via a toner collection pipe 262 by a waste toner screw 261.

In this embodiment, the image forming section of the printer described above includes a photoreceptor belt 17, a charger 21, developing devices 23a to 23d1 containing toner of each color, and a cleaning means 2.
58 and the toner collection box 26 are housed in the integrated process cartridge 15 to form a unit, and can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 10 all at once. However, the process section unitized in the process cartridge 15 is not limited to this, and at least the photoreceptor belt 17 and the developing units 23a to 23d.
Alternatively, the photoreceptor belt 17 and the cleaning means 25 may be integrated into a unit, and other process sections may also be integrated into a unit.

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 loaded in a first position (described later) and is ready for image formation.

When the first color image signal output from the image reading device separate from the main body 10 is input to the laser writing system unit 22, a semiconductor laser (not shown) in the laser writing system unit 22 is used. A laser beam is generated.

The laser beam is rotated and scanned by a polygon mirror 221 rotated by a drive motor (not shown), and f
O lens 222, cylindrical lenses 224 and 3
The light is projected onto the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 17, which has been uniformly charged to a predetermined charge by the charger 21, through a mirror 223 to form 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 the image signal is determined based on this detection or command signal. A main scanning line on which modulation of the semiconductor laser starts is determined. 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, the semiconductor laser is modulated by the image signal of the first color. A modulated laser beam is initiated and scanned over the surface of photoreceptor belt 17 . Therefore, the photoreceptor belt l-1 is uniformly charged by the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the conveyance of the photoreceptor belt 17.
A latent image corresponding to the first color is formed on the surface of 7. This latent image is developed by a developing device 23 a containing yellow toner corresponding to the first color among the developing means, and a yellow toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 . 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 laser writing system unit 22, and the image signal of the above-mentioned first color is inputted to the laser writing system unit 22. Similarly to the case of the image signal, the photoreceptor belt 1
Writing is performed on the surface of 7 to form a latent image. The latent image is produced by a developer 2 containing magenta toner as the second color.
3b. 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 black toner image is superimposed on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 by the developing device 23d, thereby forming a color toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17.

Developing sleeve 231a of each of these developing devices 23a to 23d
A direct current or even alternating current bias is applied to 231d, and reversal development (jumping development) is performed in a non-contact manner on the photoreceptor belt 17 whose base is grounded. Note that for this non-contact development, either a one-component developer or a two-component developer can be used. In addition, when using the (2) component developer, the toner hopper 35, which will be described later, is not required and the size can be reduced, but the development method using the two-component developer is superior in terms of the stability of the developer. Preferred for color reproduction.

The color toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 17 as described above is transferred from the paper feed cassette 16 to the paper feed roller 27.
The color toner image is supplied by the timing roller 28 and transferred onto a transfer material 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 onto which the color toner image has been transferred in this way 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. Note that this conveyor belt 2
9 is provided with a suction means 291 to reliably convey the material upward while sucking it. After the toner on the transfer material is melted and fixed by the fixing roller 30, the transfer material is discharged onto the upper surface of the upper cover 11, which also serves as a paper discharge tray, by the paper discharge roller 31.

On the other hand, the photoreceptor belt I7 that has finished transferring the color toner image to the transfer material is further conveyed clockwise, and the cleaning means 25 brings the cleaning blade 251 into pressure contact with the photoreceptor belt I7.
The remaining toner is removed and cleaned. After cleaning is completed, the cleaning blade 251 separates from the photoreceptor belt 17 again and begins a new image forming process.

Next, the life detection means will be explained.

In this embodiment, the lifespan detecting means of the process cartridge 15 detects the lifespan based on the remaining amount of supply toner contained in the toner hopper 35 .

That is, remaining toner amount sensors 40a to 40d installed in toner hoppers 35a to 35d of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black detect the remaining amount of toner, and the detected remaining amount of toner is sent to a life detection section (to be described later). is output, and when the life detection section detects that the amount has fallen below a predetermined amount, it is determined that the life of the process cartridge 15 has come to an end.

This means that the remaining amount of toner (amount used), developer, developer 2
3 and the service life of the process cartridge I5, in this embodiment, the remaining amount of toner is measured as the life of the process cartridge 15 and used as a life detection means. Note that the toner remaining amount sensors 40a to 40d
An existing toner remaining amount detection sensor such as a piezo element, a magnetic sensor, a capacitance detection sensor, a weight detection sensor, or an optical detection method such as an OTO coupler can be used.

Also, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 59-126568, there is a method of continuously detecting the remaining amount of one-component toner by integrating a developing device and a hopper, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-195673.
As disclosed in the above publication, an intermittent electrode may be provided inside the hopper to intermittently detect the remaining amount of toner at a plurality of levels. That is, any method can be used in the present invention as long as the remaining amount of toner is detected.

Next, a process from the life detection means of the process cartridge 15 outputting a life signal to the control unit outputting a process cartridge movement signal will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2 and the control block diagram of FIG. 3.

First, when a new process cartridge 15 is inserted, it is checked whether the process cartridge 15 is in the first position (described in detail later).

That is, if the process cartridge 15 is not in the first position, a message (for example, "Please set the process cartridge") will be displayed on the display provided on the operation panel 11.
indicate. Further, if the process cartridge 15 is in the first position, the process advances to the latter stage.

Then, the toner remaining amount sensors 40a to 40d determine whether there is a sufficient amount of toner remaining. If there is not enough toner to supply, the display section displays (for example, "Please replenish toner"). In this case, in a color image forming apparatus, there must be sufficient supply toner for all of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Here, the sufficient amount is preferably an amount of toner equivalent to reaching the end of the life of the process cartridge 15.

If there is sufficient toner, it is possible to receive a print signal from the print button provided on the operation panel 11, that is, it is possible to form an image.

When the image is formed, the remaining amount of toner to be supplied in the toner hoppers 35a to 35d is detected continuously or intermittently by the toner remaining amount sensors 40a to 40d, and the remaining amount of toner to be supplied is detected. Image formation can be repeated until the amount becomes equal to or less than a first predetermined amount (for example, the amount of remaining supply toner in the toner hoppers 35a to 35d is 20 mg, enough to make 20 sheets of niblint).

Conversely, when the life detection means determines that the remaining amount of toner has become less than the first predetermined amount, it outputs a warning signal to the control unit to inform that the life of the process cartridge I5 is nearing the end. Upon receiving this, the control unit displays a warning (for example, [Please replace the process cartridge]) on the display unit, and
Instruct the operator to be careful and prompt replacement.

This warning may be provided by flashing an indicator lamp (not shown) or by lighting a yellow indicator lamp.

Further, upon receiving the warning signal, the control unit determines that the remaining amount of toner is a second predetermined amount (for example, in the toner hoppers 35a to 35a).
Image formation can be continued until the supply toner runs out within 35d. When the life detection section detects that the remaining toner amount detected by the remaining toner amount sensors 40a to 40d has become equal to or less than the second predetermined amount, it outputs a life signal to the control section. Upon receiving the life signal, the control unit displays a print prohibition message on the display unit (for example, "Printing will not work. Replace the process cartridge") to notify the operator that the life of the process cartridge 15 has come to an end, and also prevents image formation. Receiving signals no longer receiving them, i.e.
Disables imaging operation. This prohibition may be achieved by turning on an indicator lamp (not shown) or by turning on a red indicator lamp.

The operator who has been informed of the lifespan of the process cartridge 15 confirms this by pressing a confirmation button (not shown) provided on the main body 10 of the apparatus. When the control section receives a confirmation signal from the confirmation button, it outputs a movement signal to the process cartridge movement means. Note that if you really want to continue printing before replacing the process cartridge 15, it is desirable to be able to force the printer into a printable state using a forced print button (not shown) provided on the main body 10 of the apparatus. Note that in the color image forming apparatus, toner hoppers 35a to 35d for each color are provided.
When any one of the toner remaining amounts detected by the toner remaining amount sensors 40a to 40d in the inner toner sensor 40a to 40d becomes less than the first predetermined amount or the second predetermined amount, the life detection section issues a warning signal or Outputs the life signal to the control unit. Also,
If the capacity of the toner hopper 35 is too small to accommodate enough toner for the life of the process cartridge 15, fill the toner hopper 35 2.3 times.
It is recommended to detect the remaining amount of toner after replenishing. In addition, as in this embodiment, the life of the process cartridge 15 (the life of the developing means 23 or the developer) is determined by the remaining amount of toner to be supplied.
However, the same result can be obtained by detecting the lifespan based on the amount of toner used. Furthermore, the lifespan may be detected when the sum of the usage amounts of each top color toner becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

Next, regarding the movement of the process cartridge based on the above-described life detection means of the process cartridge 15, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the movement of the process cartridge 15. Explain using.

The process cartridge 15 is provided with a protruding member 36 for movement and a rack R on its side, and also includes a drive gear G14 for image formation and a developing unit drive gear G27a.
-G27d and waste toner screw drive gear G37
is provided.

On the other hand, inside the process cartridge storage chamber of the apparatus main body 10, there are a guide member 37 on which the process cartridge 15 can be suspended, a gear G13, a gear G26a''G26
d and a gear G36. Further, a motor M for moving the process cartridge and a pinion P that can be engaged with the rack R are provided.

First, the process cartridge 15 that is currently forming an image is
As shown in Figure (a), the process cartridge I5 is
(described later), and is in a state where image formation can be performed optimally.

Then, as described above, after the life of the process cartridge is detected by the life detection means and a life signal is output to the control section, the control section outputs a process cartridge movement signal to the process cartridge movement means. That is, the control unit rotates a motor M, which is a drive unit of a process cartridge moving means provided in the apparatus main body IO, and rotates a pinanion P provided on the shaft of the motor M, so that the guide member provided in the apparatus main body rotates. 37, the process cartridge 15 is moved in the left direction, that is, in the direction of the second position, as shown in FIG. 5(b).

Furthermore, when the process cartridge I5 moves as shown in FIG. 5(C), the second microswitch S2 detects that the process cartridge 15 has moved to the second position. Send the signal to the control unit. When the control section receives the signal, it stops the rotation of the motor M and stops the moving process cartridge 15.

Therefore, when the process cartridge reaches the end of its life, the process cartridge 15 is automatically moved from the first position to the second position by the process cartridge moving means that receives the process cartridge movement signal from the control unit ( (See Figure 6). Since the process cartridge 15 is removable in this second position,
The process cartridge 15 can be removed from the apparatus main body 10 by simply pulling it out slightly from the position , and the process cartridge 15 can be replaced. Note that the front cover 14 is configured so as not to obstruct movement of the process cartridge 15 (described later).

Conversely, after replacing the process cartridge 15, the device main body 1
0, the protrusions 36 provided on both sides of the process cartridge I5 are inserted along the guide member 37 in the process cartridge storage chamber, the rack R and the pinion P are engaged, and the process cartridge 15 is inserted into the Insert it until it reaches position 2 (Fig. 5(C)).

When the process cartridge 15 is further inserted in order to move the process cartridge 15 from the second position to the first position where image formation is possible, the control unit sends a movement signal to the motor M. In order to move the process cartridge 15 from the second position to the first position, the motor M is reversely rotated, and the process cartridge 15 is moved in the direction of the first position along the guide member 37 (Fig. 5(b) No.

Further, when the process cartridge 15 moves, the fifth
As shown in Figure (a), a first microswitch Sl that detects the first position detects that the process cartridge 15 has moved to the first position and sends a signal thereof to the control section. When the control unit receives the signal, it stops the motor M and stops the process cartridge 15 at the first position. That is, the process cartridge 15 stops at the first position and becomes ready for image formation. At this time, the toner transport tubes 353a to 353d of yellow magenta, cyan, and black of the corresponding toner hoppers 35a to 35d are automatically connected to the toner supply ports 38a to 38d of the developing devices 23a to 23d in the process cartridge 15. Once connected, toner can be refilled.

Therefore, with a simple operation, it is possible to set the process cartridge 15 in a state where image formation is possible, that is, in the first position, which not only greatly reduces the operator's troubles, but also allows the process cartridge 15 to be placed in the optimal position. The cartridge 15 can be set automatically.

Note that the first and second microswitches 511S2 are detection means for detecting the position of the process cartridge 15, and the drive gear G14, which drives the drive roller 18 provided in the process cartridge 15, respectively.
Developing device drive gear G27a-G that drives the developing device 23
27d, waste toner screw drive gear G37 that drives the waste toner screw -261, gear G13 and gear G2 that are provided in the apparatus main body lO and transmit driving force to each of them.
6a-G26d and the gear G36 are in mesh with each other, and the drive roller 18 and the transfer device 24 are kept at a desired distance. Furthermore, a second position that is away from the transfer device 24, that is, a second position retreated from the first position in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the process cartridge 15, is detected, and a position signal thereof is output to the control section. However, the second position is preferably set so that the center of gravity of the process cartridge 15 is within the apparatus 10 (approximately the length of the process cartridge 15 from the first position) to prevent poor engagement between the rack R and pinion P. (Set it to move about 1/3 to 1/2)
. Furthermore, the position detection sensors that detect these first and second positions are not limited to microswitches, and various existing sensors using photoelectric switches, magnetic switches, etc. may be used. Further, the first and second microswitches SiS2 do not need to be provided on the guide member 37, and may be provided on the device main body 10, as long as they can detect the first and second positions. Furthermore, although a dedicated motor M is used for driving the process cartridge movement shown in this embodiment, it goes without saying that the drive motor for the image forming process may also be used. Also, a protruding member 36 and a guide member 37 for moving the process 15.
1. The rack R, pinion P, etc. are not limited to those in this embodiment; for example, the process I5 may be placed on the tray and the tray may be moved between the $1 position and the second position. .

In addition, when the life of the process cartridge 15 is not reached, the operator can move the process cartridge 15 at his will by pressing a take-out button provided on the operation panel 11. That is, by pressing the eject button on the operation panel 11, an eject signal is input to the control section, and at this time, the print signal from the print button on the operation section and the photoreceptor belt drive section, fixing/paper ejecting section, paper feeding section, etc. If the image forming process signals such as the photoreceptor belt drive signal, fusing/paper ejecting drive signal, and paper feed drive signal indicating that the image forming process is operating are not output, then the life signal is input to the control unit. Even if the process cartridge 15 is not provided, it is possible to issue a process cartridge movement signal to the process cartridge movement means and move the process cartridge 15 from the first position to the second position as described above. Conversely, when moving the process cartridge 15 from the second position to the first position, if a set button provided on the operation panel 11 is pressed in addition to the above, the control section causes the process cartridge moving means to move to the second position. A movement signal for moving the process cartridge 15 in the position to the first position is issued, the process cartridge 15 is moved to the first position, and the image forming apparatus can be set in a state in which image formation is possible.

Incidentally, when the process cartridge 15 is moved, the spring-loaded upper cover 12 and front cover 14
are respectively latched by solenoids, and at the same time a signal is issued from the control unit to move the process cartridge 15, a signal is issued to each solenoid to stop the latching, and the restoring force of the spring causes the upper cover 12 and the front cover 14 to be moved. may be released. Furthermore, in the case where the release is performed by a motor and gears, when the process cartridge 15 starts moving from the first position to the second position, not only the upper cover 12 and the front cover 14 are released, but also the second When the process cartridge 15 is moved to the first position, the upper cover 12 and the front cover 14 can be automatically closed when the first microswitch S1 detects that the process cartridge 15 has moved to the first position. .

Note that when loading the process cartridge 15 into the apparatus main body IO, it is preferable to be able to distinguish between the old and new process cartridges 15. For example, process cartridge 1
5 is provided with a protrusion, and when loaded into the main body 10 of the apparatus, the protrusion is detected and then bent at the start of printing, thereby distinguishing between the new and the old.

Alternatively, chemical changes may be detected and distinguished as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 198879/1983.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the remaining amount of supplied toner is detected to determine the lifespan of the process cartridge 15, but in addition to this, the amount of waste toner collected in the toner collection box 26 is used to determine the lifespan of the process cartridge 15. You can also.

As a specific method, the piezo element shown in this example,
A method similar to the toner remaining amount detection method using an existing toner remaining amount sensor such as a magnetic sensor, a capacitance detection sensor, a weight detection sensor, or an optical detection method such as a 7-oto coupler can be applied. For example, a method of optical detection using a photocoupler as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-207243 can also be applied. In these cases, toner collection box 2
When the amount of waste toner in the cartridge 6 increases beyond a predetermined amount, the life of the process cartridge 15 has come to an end. In addition, the process cartridge 1
The lifespan may be set to 5.

Note that this embodiment can also be applied to a normal monochrome printer using a monochrome process.

Furthermore, although a 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. In addition, as an image forming process, we have described an image forming method in which a color toner image is formed on a photoreceptor belt and then transferred to a transfer material in one step, but the toner image is transferred in layers onto a transfer material on a transfer drum. It may also be a color imaging method.

FIG. 7 shows a transfer drum type image forming apparatus as another embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

The process cartridge 15 is roughly the same as the previous embodiment, but the toner hopper 35a is integrated into the process cartridge 15. The transfer drum type image forming apparatus has a transfer drum 50 in contact with the transfer portion of the photoreceptor belt 17, and the transfer drum 50 rotates counterclockwise in synchronization with the photoreceptor belt 17. A transfer material is wrapped around the outer periphery of the transfer drum 50, and the toner images of each color formed on the photoreceptor belt 17 are transferred onto the wrapped transfer material, and the toner images of each color are superimposed on the transfer material. After, transfer drum 50
After being separated and fixed, it is discharged to the upper part of the main body 10 of the apparatus.

A charger 5011 is provided on the peripheral edge of the transfer drum 50 to electrostatically attract the transfer material.
A winding member 502 is provided for mechanically winding the transfer material around the transfer drum 50. The winding member 502 has a roller at its tip, and comes into contact only when the transfer material first winds around the transfer drum 50. . Furthermore, a gripper 503 is provided on the surface of the transfer drum 50 and acts to hold the leading edge of the transfer material that is synchronously conveyed. The transfer device 504 electrostatically transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor belt 17 onto a transfer material.

The separation/removal electrode 505 and the separation claw 506 separate the transfer material after transfer from the transfer drum 50. Further, the reach 507, which can be approached and separated, removes the adhered toner remaining on the transfer drum 50 after the transfer material is separated.

The transfer material fed from the case 1-16 enters the transfer drum 50 charged by the charger 501 while maintaining synchronization, is wound around the member 502, and the leading edge of the transfer material is held by the gripper 503. The transfer section rotates, and in the transfer section, the yellow toner image formed on the photoreceptor belt 17 is transferred onto the transfer material by the transfer device 504. After completing the first transfer, the transfer drum 50 continues to rotate, is cleaned by a cleaner 507, and transfers the next toner image. That is, a magenta toner image is transferred in the second rotation, a cyan toner image in the third rotation, and a black toner image in the fourth rotation in a superimposed manner. When the transfer of the four color toner images is completed, the transfer material is transferred to the separation electrode 5.
In step 05, static electricity is removed, and the leading edge of the transfer material is released from being held by the separation claw 506, separated, and conveyed to the fixing roller 30.

In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the transfer drum 50 is located on the apparatus main body 10 side and is not included in the movable process cartridge 15.

Therefore, the process cartridge 15 is moved in the same manner as in the previous embodiment.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described in detail above, in the present invention, the life detecting means detects the life of the process cartridge, thereby retracting the process cartridge from a position where image formation is possible. On the other hand, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge can be set at an optimal position upon insertion.

As a result, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the process cartridge is automatically moved when the operator simply presses the confirmation button, so that the process cartridge in the second position can be replaced by simply pulling it out slightly. That is, since the life detecting means detects the life of the process cartridge and moves it to the second position, the operator can easily replace the process cartridge without hesitation, without any hesitation, and without requiring much force. In addition, since the process cartridge is moved mechanically, the process cartridge can be replaced without giving unnecessary vibration to the process cartridge and with almost no developer scattering, which has the effect of improving maintainability. . Further, since the operator is alerted to the end of the life of the process cartridge, when forming images on a large number of sheets, the process cartridge can be reliably replaced before printing with reduced density or color balance. Furthermore, the life detection means determines that the life of the process cartridge has reached the end of its life when even one of the toner hoppers of each color drops below a predetermined amount, so in the case of a color image forming apparatus, images with disrupted color balance will never be obtained. . In other words, it is possible to always obtain an excellent image with good color balance.

If the image forming apparatus is a color printer, all operations such as loading and unloading the process cartridge, loading and unloading the cassette, clearing jams, replenishing toner, etc. can be performed from the front of the main unit, which is similar to the one-way operability of monochrome printers. We were able to achieve ease of use and maintainability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main cross section of a color printer to which the present invention is applied from the left side. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the lifespan detection process. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a control system for moving the process cartridge. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically showing movement of the process cartridge. FIG. 6 is a main sectional view showing the color printer from the left side when the process cartridge is in the second position. FIG. 7 is a main sectional view of a transfer drum type image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 10...Device main body II...Operation panel 12
...Top cover 15...Process cartridge 16...Cassette 17...Photoconductor belt 18...
Drive roller 21...Charger 22...Laser writing system unit 23...Developer 24.
...Transfer device 25...Cleaning means 26...Toner collection box 36...Protruding member 37...Guide member 27
... Paper feed roller 28 ... Timing roller 2
9... Conveying means 30... Fixing roller 31.
... Paper ejection roller 40 ... Toner remaining amount sensor 50
...Transfer drum G14...Drive gear G27
a-G 27d...Developer drive gear G13. G26
a-G26d---Gear P...Pinion R・
...U... Nk M...Motor S1, S2...Process cartridge position detection sensor Fig. 3

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A process cartridge that integrates an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and at least one of a developing means and a cleaning means is removably provided, and the process cartridge is attached to a first cartridge capable of forming an image. a process cartridge moving means for moving the process cartridge from a position to a second position in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the process cartridge; a life detecting means for detecting the service life of the process cartridge and outputting a life signal; An image forming apparatus comprising: a control means for controlling the process cartridge moving means based on a signal. (2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the life detecting means detects the service life of the process cartridge based on the usage amount of the developer supplied to the developing means. (3) The developing means is a plurality of developing means using a plurality of color developers, and the life detection means is configured to detect the usage amount of at least one developer among the usage amounts of the plurality of color developers. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the service life of the process cartridge is detected by using the process cartridge. (4) It has a developer collecting means for storing the developer collected by the cleaning means, and the life detecting means detects the service life based on the amount of the developer stored in the developer collecting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: