JPH0535042A - Color image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To load a processing cartridge in an arbitrary position by providing a multicolor developing unit with plural color developing device and making each developing device exchangeable to the processing cartridge. CONSTITUTION:In the color image forming device, the photosensitive body is in a drum shape or in a belt shape and is divided into each units of electrification 2, exposure 3, developing 4, transfer 5, destaticizing 6, cleaning 7, and fixing. Here, the processing cartridge which can be loaded to any arbitrary position as the developing unit 4 and is in cartridges for each color is utilized. In this case, the arbitrary position means that when there is a multiple number of cartridge containing position in the periphery of the photosensitive body 1 where the processing cartridge can be loaded, any containing position can be taken. Either of a contact or a non-contact developing method can be utilized, and the utilized toner can be either one component or two component, magnetic or non-magnetic. Thus, there is no need for the user to pay attention to maintenance, reducing the user's burden.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a color image forming apparatus for performing multicolor development of electrophotography. For example, it is applied to multicolor development of a color copying machine, a color printer, a color FAX and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various color image forming apparatuses have been developed and put into practical use for multicolor (two or more colors) development using an electrophotographic process. The technologies common to these are as follows. Toner of each color: Black (Bk), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), etc. are used. The development position and order (development order) of each color toner are fixed. The number of toners of each color used is also fixed. In some devices, each color toner or developing unit is made into a cartridge. In other words, it is difficult for the user to use these devices in a state that suits the purpose of use, and another device must be purchased. That is, taking a color copying machine as an example, the color copying machine is used as a high-speed machine for two-color black and white, and a full-color developing device is used for two-color originals (red-white, yellow-blue, black-yellow, etc.). There are many inconveniences, such as the inability to systemize the users themselves (fixed in terms of color and speed) and the need for maintenance of unused colors by purchasing additional options, and user-centric specifications and functions have not been realized. is the current situation.

[0003]

[Object] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and makes it possible to mount a process cartridge at an arbitrary position, and the number of process cartridges that can be realized is 1 or more (for example, 4). ~ 6 etc.), achieve high image quality with process cartridges of the same color, and enable control that meets user-centered specifications with process cartridges of different colors, and an unused space The present invention aims to provide a color image forming apparatus in which the mounting positions of the process cartridges can be mounted in any order, are easy to use, and can be easily maintained. .

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides (1)
In a color image forming apparatus equipped with an electrophotographic process in which a multi-color developing unit is provided around a drum-shaped photoreceptor or a belt-shaped photoreceptor, the multi-color developing unit has a plurality of color developing devices, and the developing devices are Each is a replaceable process cartridge, and when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, the process cartridge to be used can be mounted at an arbitrary position, and further, (2) a drum-shaped photosensitive member or a belt. Image forming apparatus equipped with an electrophotographic process in which a multicolor developing unit is provided around a photosensitive member, the multicolor developing unit has a plurality of color developing devices, and the developing devices are each replaceable process cartridges. And that the number of process cartridges can be additionally mounted to the required number of 1 or more,
Further, (3) in a color image forming apparatus equipped with an electrophotographic process in which a multicolor developing unit is provided around a drum-shaped photosensitive member or a belt-shaped photosensitive member, the multicolor developing unit has a plurality of color developing devices. However, each of the developing devices is a replaceable process cartridge, and various controls can be performed by a combination thereof according to the type of the process cartridge. Furthermore, (4) a drum-shaped photoconductor or a belt-shaped photoconductor. In a color image forming apparatus provided with an electrophotographic process in which a multicolor developing unit is provided around the multicolor developing unit, the multicolor developing unit has a plurality of color developing units, and the developing units are replaceable process cartridges. In addition to the process cartridge, an unused cartridge receiving space can be used as a storage space, and further, (5) drum shape In a color image forming apparatus equipped with an electrophotographic process in which a multicolor developing unit is provided around a photoconductor or a belt-shaped photoreceptor, the multicolor developing unit has a plurality of color developing units, and the developing units are exchanged. It is a possible process cartridge, and is characterized in that the process cartridges can be mounted in any order. Hereinafter, description will be given based on examples of the present invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams for explaining an embodiment of a color image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a drum type photoconductor as a single photoconductor, and FIG. 2 shows a single photoconductor. It is a figure which shows each case in the case of a belt-shaped photoreceptor as a photoreceptor.
In the figure, 1 is a drum-shaped photosensitive member, 2 is a charging device, 3 is an exposure device, 4 is a multicolor phenomenon unit, 4a is a Y (yellow) developing device, 4b is an M (magenta) developing device, 4c is Bk (black). ) Developing device, 5 is a transfer device, 6 is a cleaning device, 7 is a static eliminator, 8 is a recording paper, 11 is a belt-shaped photoconductor, and 12a-1.
2c is a charging device, 13a to 13c are exposure devices, and 14a to
14c is a developing device, 15 is a transfer device, 16 is a cleaning device, 17 is a charge eliminating device, and 18 is a multicolor developing unit.

In FIG. 1, around the photosensitive drum 1,
A charging device 2, an exposure device 3, a multicolor developing unit 4, a transfer device 5, a cleaning device 6, and a charge eliminating device 7 are arranged. The multicolor developing unit 4 includes a Y (yellow) developing device 4
a, M (magenta) developing device 4b, C (cyan) developing device 4c,
Each of the Bk (black) developing devices 4d is housed. In recording, first, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 rotating in the direction of the arrow is uniformly charged by the charging device 3. Next, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the charged photosensitive drum 1 by an optical system (not shown), and this latent image is developed by the Y-color developing device 4a. At this time, developing devices 4b, 4c, 4d for other colors
Since the developing operation has been cancelled, only the Y color is developed. The Y-color toner image formed by this development is
It is electrostatically transferred onto the recording paper 8 by the transfer device 5. The Y-color toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 without being transferred is removed by the cleaning device 6. During the transfer of the Y color, the M color is developed on the photosensitive drum 1 as in the case of the Y color. At this time, only the M color developing device 4b is operated,
The M-color toner image is sent to the transfer device 5, and is superimposed and transferred onto the Y-color toner image in a highly accurately aligned state. Similar development and transfer are performed for C color and Bk color.

In the color image forming apparatus, the photosensitive member has a drum shape or a belt shape, but as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, charging, exposing, developing, transferring, discharging, cleaning, and fixing units. It is divided into The difference between the color image forming apparatus and the monochrome image forming apparatus is that a large number of developments are performed. In the present invention, the "process cartridge" in which the developing unit is made into a cartridge for each color
To use. The "process cartridge" is composed of toner, a developing device, a toner replenishing device, a control unit (sensor), and the like, and has a function of developing a latent image charged on the photoconductor. . That is, regarding the image forming apparatus, a process cartridge that includes an image carrier and an image forming device on the periphery thereof as a developing unit and can be loaded and unloaded at any position, and for each color (Y, M, C, Bk) Are integrated into.

Here, the arbitrary position means that when there are a plurality of cartridge storage positions (two or more) around the photoconductor on which the process cartridge can be loaded, any storage position may be used. The developing method may be contact / non-contact, and the toner used may be either one-component / two-component or magnetic / non-magnetic. However, in the contact development method, it is assumed that a measure is taken so that the adhered toner on the photoconductor is not destroyed after the two colors.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the multicolor developing unit portion of FIG. 1 in a color image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge can be mounted. A conventional process cartridge has a fixed position, number, and order of color toner 1, color toner 2, ... Color toner n.
A process cartridge is mounted in the space n. In addition, the control when using the process cartridge is not input and is based on the initial design specifications, and cannot be changed thereafter.

In the present invention, the basic state is a state in which no process cartridge as shown in FIG. 3 is mounted (initial state), and this state is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, it is a view showing a state before the process cartridge is mounted, and 1 to n are position numbers at which the cartridge can be mounted. FIG. 5 shows a state (one-color state) in which the first-color process cartridge is mounted at the cartridge position i _1st with respect to the initial state. For example, if a black toner process cartridge is used as the first color, a black and white image is obtained, and if red toner is used, a red and white image is obtained.

Next, the second color process cartridge is set to i
_The state (two-color state) attached to the second position is shown in FIG. 6 (1 ≦ i ₁ , i ₂ ≦ n). If this second color is the same color,
The development time can be shortened by combining the cartridges used.
It is possible to improve the image quality. If the two colors are different,
An image of a color that can be realized with these two colors is obtained. For example, Y
When (yellow) and M (magenta) color toners are used, Y,
Colors of M and blue (B) are obtained, and Bk (black) and M (magenta) are Bk, M, and Bk / M mixed colors.

Generally, when a k-color process cartridge is mounted, nk cartridge positions remain empty. This part can be used as a storage space for maintenance parts and unused toner cartridges. Even if there is an empty cartridge position, it is important to operate as a device. Moreover, the fact that the mounting position, the mounting order, and the number of mountings are arbitrary also satisfies the needs of users and maintenance. As an additional option, process cartridges can be purchased, which prevents the bulk purchase costs. Here, in the case of a process cartridge or a multi-color developing device, the term "arbitrary order" means the order in which each cartridge or each color is loaded. On the other hand, the arbitrary order means that there is no agreement on the loading order of each color and the loading may be performed in any order. K
The combination of color process cartridges is

[0013]

[Equation 1]

As described above, it becomes a necessary function to enable control of which combination the cartridges are used in and how the cartridges are desired to be used.

In the example of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-110477,
Two replaceable process cartridges are used. C1 cartridge in which Y, M and C are integrated,
With the Ck cartridge of Bk only, the positions of C1 and C2 can be exchanged, and the mode according to the combination is automatically (shape or photoelectric) selected.

Examples of various controls in the present invention are as follows. Y, M, C cartridges are C1, C2, C
3 and the Bk cartridges are C4 (small toner), C5 (large toner) ,. In general, Cj (j is the number of toner cartridges that can be supplied, 1, 2, ...) And the developing position i is 1 ≦ i ≦ n, where n is the maximum number of process cartridges that can be installed. It is automatically recognized that the process cartridge Cj is attached to the developing position i (shape,
Either photoelectric or sketch is acceptable). When Cj ₁ is attached to _one place i ₁ , monochromatic development of Cj ₁ color is performed. 2 places i ₁ ,
When Cj ₁ / Cj ₂ is attached to i ₂ , two colors (Cj ₁ , Cj 2
Multi-color development that can be expressed with ₂ colors). However, Cj ₁ = C
In the case of j ₂ , it becomes a single color, and high image quality can be aimed at. Higher speed can be achieved with a single photoconductor. Cj ₁ / in ₃ places i ₁ , i ₂ , i ₃
When Cj ₂ / Cj ₃ is mounted, the control is changed when Cj ₁ , Cj ₂ , and Cj ₃ are all different, when two are the same, and when three are the same. That is, multicolor / high image quality and high speed can be achieved with a single photoconductor. Similarly, Cj _K (k =
.., n) are mounted, control for multicolor, color modulation, and speedup for a single photoconductor is performed by a combination of these. This combination control is a place where the color modulation can be aimed at according to the user's request, and this variation enhances the ease of use of the device and expands its functions.

FIG. 7 shows the case where a plurality of drum-shaped photoconductors are provided. In the figure, 1a to 1n are drums, 2a to 2n are charging devices, 3a to 3n are exposure devices, 4a to 4n are developing units, 5a to 5n are transfer devices, 6a to 6n are cleaning devices, and 7a to 7n are static eliminating devices. Is. A multi-color developing unit is not provided on a single photoconductor as shown in FIG. 1, but each color toner is provided on a plurality of drum-shaped photoconductors 1a to 1n.

FIG. 8 shows the case where a plurality of belt-shaped photoconductors are provided. In the figure, 15a to 15n are transfer devices, and 16a.
˜16n are cleaning devices, 17a to 17n are static eliminators, and other parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. A multi-color developing unit is not provided on a single photoconductor as shown in FIG. 2, but a plurality of belt-shaped photoconductors 11a to 11n are provided with respective color toners.

[0019]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. (1) Effect corresponding to claim 1: The fact that the user / maintenance can be mounted at any position in the empty space eliminates the need for the user / maintenance to pay unnecessary attention and reduces the burden. (2) Effect corresponding to claim 2: Additional purchase is possible.
In addition, it is possible to customize the specification of the user's own direction according to the purpose. (3) Effect corresponding to claim 3: This is a part that becomes a performance and a function of the entire apparatus, and can be improved, changed, and made into a series. In addition, higher image quality, higher speed with a single photoconductor, and color modulation according to needs are possible. (4) Effect corresponding to claim 4: The dead space can be effectively used. It can also be used as a storage space. (5) Effect corresponding to claim 5: The burden on the user / maintenance can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of a color image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a case of a belt-shaped single photoreceptor.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a multicolor developing unit to which a process cartridge can be attached.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a process cartridge is not mounted.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a first-color process cartridge is mounted.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a first-color process cartridge and a second-color process cartridge are mounted.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram when a plurality of drum-shaped photoconductors are provided.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram when a plurality of belt-shaped photoconductors are provided.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Drum-shaped photoconductor, 2 ... Charging device, 3 ... Exposure device, 4
... Multicolor phenomenon unit, 4a ... Y (yellow) developing device, 4b
... M (magenta) developing device, 4c ... C (cyan) developing device, 4d
Bk (black) developing device, 5 transfer device, 6 cleaning device, 7 charge eliminating device, 8 recording paper, 11 belt-shaped photoreceptor, 12a to 12c charging device, 13a to 13c exposure device, 14a -14c ... Developing device, 15 ... Transfer device,
16 ... Cleaning device, 17 ... Static eliminator, 18 ... Multicolor developing unit.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masumi Sato             1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stocks             Company Ricoh (72) Inventor Shinichi Yuki             1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stocks             Company Ricoh

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A color image forming apparatus comprising an electrophotographic process in which a multi-color developing unit is provided around a drum-shaped photosensitive member or a belt-shaped photosensitive member, wherein the multi-color developing unit has a plurality of color developing devices. A color image forming apparatus, wherein each of the developing devices is a replaceable process cartridge, and a process cartridge to be used can be attached at an arbitrary position when the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body. . 2. A color image forming apparatus comprising an electrophotographic process in which a multi-color developing unit is provided around a drum-shaped photosensitive member or a belt-shaped photosensitive member, wherein the multi-color developing unit has a plurality of color developing devices. A color image forming apparatus, wherein each of the developing units is a replaceable process cartridge, and the process cartridges can be additionally mounted up to the required number of 1 or more. 3. A color image forming apparatus equipped with an electrophotographic process in which a multicolor developing unit is provided around a drum-shaped photoreceptor or a belt-shaped photosensitive body, wherein the multicolor developing unit has a plurality of color developing devices. A color image forming apparatus, wherein each of the developing devices is a replaceable process cartridge, and various controls can be performed by a combination thereof depending on the type of the process cartridge. 4. A color image forming apparatus equipped with an electrophotographic process in which a multicolor developing unit is provided around a drum-shaped photoreceptor or a belt-shaped photosensitive body, wherein the multicolor developing unit has a plurality of color developing devices. A color image forming apparatus, wherein each of the developing units is a replaceable process cartridge, and an unused cartridge receiving space other than the process cartridge can be used as a storage space. 5. A color image forming apparatus provided with an electrophotographic process in which a multi-color developing unit is provided around a drum-shaped photosensitive member or a belt-shaped photosensitive member, wherein the multi-color developing unit has a plurality of color developing devices. A color image forming apparatus, wherein each of the developing units is a replaceable process cartridge, and the process cartridges can be mounted in any order.