JPH06110268A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide plural self-adjusting functions by previously providing plural reference originals in a main body. CONSTITUTION:An original placing body 56 having a rotary shaft 55 in a main scanning direction, and having side surfaces 58a to 58d at least one part of which is formed to be the same surface as a contact glass 2 is provided at the outside part of the glass 2 within the reciprocating range of 1st and 2nd optical systems 11 and 12 and out of a subscanning range and outside the leading edge of the glass 2. The reference originals 59a to 59d are disposed and formed on the side surfaces 58a to 58d of the original placing body 56, and the 1st and the 2nd optical systems 11 and 12 scan the reference originals 59a to 59d.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which reads a reference original in an adjustment mode and adjusts an image forming state based on the read result of the reference original, and in particular, enables plural kinds of adjustments. It is a thing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copy paper, a reference original is copied, and an operator or a service person determines an image forming condition such as a halogen lamp light amount or an image density based on an image obtained by the copy. The setting or the equal magnification and the transfer position (the leading edge timing) of the image on the transfer paper were adjusted. On the other hand, recently, a sensor is provided at a position close to and facing the photoconductor drum, and the sensor detects the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum with respect to the reference document or the density and potential of toner development. An image forming apparatus having a self-adjustment function for automatically performing the above-mentioned setting and adjustment based on the detection result has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 58-144858 and 60-2094).
54, JP-A-63-106760).

[0003]

Generally, setting of image forming conditions such as halogen lamp light amount and image density, or image transfer position (leading edge timing) with respect to equal magnification or transfer paper.
Different dedicated reference originals are required for adjustment and the like, but in the image forming apparatus that enables such multiple settings and adjustments, it is necessary to prepare all of the plurality of reference originals. It is troublesome to handle and store. Furthermore, when performing the above settings and adjustments, it is necessary to place the reference original on the contact glass, but since the dedicated reference originals are different, a plurality of settings and adjustments can be performed as a series of operations. Was difficult to do automatically.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and by forming a plurality of reference originals in advance in the main body, it is possible to form an image having a plurality of self-adjusting functions. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0005]

The invention according to claim 1 is
An image forming apparatus that reads a reference original in the adjustment mode and adjusts the image forming state based on the result of reading the reference original is reciprocally movable within a predetermined range and placed on the original. An optical system that scans the plate surface as a sub-scanning range when reciprocating, and within the reciprocating range of this optical system,
Further, a rotation shaft provided in the main scanning direction on the outer side of the document placing plate outside the sub-scanning range, drive means for rotating and driving the rotation shaft, and the rotation shaft provided so as to be integrally rotatable. A rotary member having a plurality of surfaces formed thereon, reference originals respectively formed on the plurality of surfaces of the rotary member, a mode type designating unit capable of selectively designating adjustment contents in the adjustment mode, and the designation The control means controls the drive means so that the reference original to be used is directed to the scanning surface side according to the mode type, and the control means for scanning the reference original in the optical system.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, in the adjustment mode, the mode type designating means performs mode designation so that the plurality of adjustment contents are sequentially designated. In addition, it has a designated control means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, one of the plurality of reference originals has a leading reference original having a reference line parallel to the main scanning direction, and Within the reciprocating range of the optical system and outside the sub-scanning range, a trailing edge reference document having a reference line parallel to the main scanning direction, which corresponds to the leading edge reference document, is placed at a predetermined position on the outside of the document placing plate. When the mode type designating unit designates the same-magnification mode, the control unit directs the leading end reference document to the scanning surface side and sets the optical system to the leading end and the trailing end reference. It is designed to scan between documents.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the invention, when the adjustment mode is entered by the mode type selecting means, the rotating member is rotated, and the reference original corresponding to the designated mode among the plurality of reference originals faces the scanning surface side. Is set. When this reference document is set, the optical system starts moving forward and starts sub-scanning to read the reference document. Then, based on the information obtained from the read reference document image, a predetermined adjustment for the image forming state is performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the adjustment mode, the mode type selection means performs a plurality of adjustment contents sequentially, that is, as a series of operations.

According to the invention described in claim 3, when the forward movement of the optical system is started and the sub-scanning is started,
The leading reference document and the trailing reference document formed on the rotating member are sequentially read by the optical system.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus (copier) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 2, the copying machine 1 is provided with a contact glass 2 as a document placing plate on the upper surface thereof and an automatic document feeder 3 for automatically conveying and discharging a copied document on the contact glass 2. The internal structure thereof includes an optical mechanism L, a document storage mechanism S, an image forming unit P, a reversing device K, a re-feeding mechanism R, and a paper transport mechanism for feeding and transporting transfer paper, which constitutes the basic configuration. ing.

The optical mechanism L comprises a halogen lamp 4, a first optical system 11 including reflecting mirrors 5 and 6, a second optical system 12 including reflecting mirrors 7 and 8, a reflecting mirror 9 and an imaging lens 10. ing. As shown in FIG. 1, an optical drive motor 13 and an optical drive pulley 52 rotatably driven by the optical drive motor 13 are arranged at substantially the center of the optical mechanism L. Further, in the optical mechanism L, an optical drive wire 53 is stretched by a predetermined method and wound around the optical drive pulley 52, and further, the first and second optical drive wires are wound.
The optical systems 11 and 12 are attached to the optical drive wire 53. As a result, when the optical system drive motor 13 is driven to rotate in the forward and reverse directions, the rotational drive is converted into linear motion via the optical drive pulley 52 and the optical drive wire 53, and the first and second optical systems 11 , 12 are reciprocated along the lot shafts 54a and 54b at required intervals,
The image forming means P is irradiated with the document image. In particular, it is reciprocally movable to the lower surface of the contact glass 2 which is the sub-scanning range of the original document and the position on both outsides of this sub-scanning range (the position of the home position switch 14 and the like). The stability of the scanning speed of the optical systems 11 and 12 and the stability of the amount of lamp light are ensured. The home position switch 14 indicates the initial set positions of the first and second optical systems 11 and 12, and the timing switch 15 is turned on by the first optical system 11 to indicate the operation reference of each drive mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reference original mechanism S is arranged between the contact glass 2 and the forward reference position by the timing switch 15 and outside the instruction plate 16 which indicates the original placing position. A rotary shaft 55 provided in parallel with the main scanning direction, a document holder (rotating member) 56 concentrically attached so as to rotate integrally with the rotary shaft 55, and the document holder 56 are rotationally driven. Document rotation motor 57
And the reference originals 59a to 59d formed on the plurality of side surfaces 58a to 58d formed in the rotation direction of the original placing body 56. The document placing body 56 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped, and the document rotating motor 57 is rotated by a drive control unit (not shown) to rotate in the arrow direction (dotted line) of FIG. 58a to 58d sequentially from the document scanning opening 60,
It is configured to face the inside of the optical mechanism L. The reference original is, for example, a white reference original 59a for adjusting the light amount of the halogen lamp 4, a gray reference original 59b for adjusting the toner density, a reference mark for equal magnification adjustment (a predetermined position in the sub-scanning direction, (Line-shaped lines parallel to the main scanning direction)
Is a reference mark (sub-scanning direction predetermined position in the main scanning direction) for adjusting the image transfer position (hereinafter referred to as the leading edge timing) with respect to the leading end reference line original 59c and the transfer paper, which are marked on the white background. Reference line originals 59d each having parallel line-shaped lines) formed on a white background are arranged and formed. Then, each of the reference originals 59a-5
When 9d faces the original scanning opening 60, the original image is irradiated onto the image forming means P by the optical mechanism L and an original image is formed on the photosensitive drum 18. At this time, each of the reference originals 59a to 59d is flush with the contact glass 2 in a state of facing the original scanning opening 60 to ensure the detection accuracy. The document placing body 56 is not limited to the rectangular parallelepiped shape, but may be a columnar shape, for example. However, it is preferable that the white reference original 59a and the gray reference original 59b are two-dimensionally formed in terms of the detection accuracy.

It should be noted that the reference original mechanism S is provided on the lower surface of the indicating plate 17 between the contact glass 2 and the forward end point of the first optical system 11 and indicating the rear end of the original placing position. A rear end reference line original 59e corresponding to the front end reference line original 59c is formed and arranged. Similarly to the front end reference line original 59c, the rear end reference original 59e has a reference mark (a line at a predetermined position in the sub-scanning direction and parallel to the main scanning direction) written on a white background. ,
When adjusting the same magnification, the first and second optical systems 11,
12 sequentially irradiates the photosensitive drum 18 with the original images of the front end reference line original 59c and the rear end reference line original 59e. Also, the trailing edge reference document 59e is also
Like the reference originals 59a to 59c, they are flush with the contact glass 2 to ensure detection accuracy.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming means P includes a photosensitive drum 18 on the surface of which an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiation of the original image from the optical mechanism L, and the photosensitive drum 18. The photosensitive drum 18 is arranged in order from the upstream side along the peripheral surface.
A charging device 19 for charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image to a predetermined potential, a potential sensor 61 for detecting the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 18 immediately downstream of the exposure position, and the electrostatic latent image are visualized. Developing device 20, a toner hopper 62 as a toner storage for supplying toner to the developing device based on a control signal from a control device (not shown), and an original image on the photosensitive drum 18 is transferred onto a transfer sheet. On the photoconductor drum 18, a separation device 22 for separating the transfer paper after the transfer from the photoconductor drum 18, a toner density sensor 70 for detecting the density of toner development formed on the photoconductor drum 18, and the photoconductor drum 18. Cleaning device 23 for removing residual toner of
It has a configuration including and.

As the paper transport mechanism, a paper feed cassette 24, a paper feed roller 25, and a registration roller pair 26 are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the feeding direction. Further, a registration switch 26a is provided immediately before the registration roller 26, and when the transfer paper has turned on the registration switch 26a and a preset time has elapsed, the registration roller pair 26 is stopped. It has become so.
Then, the transfer roller is fed to the photosensitive drum 18 by driving the registration roller pair 26 at a predetermined leading edge timing synchronized with the forward movement of the optical system. On the other hand, a transport belt 27, a fixing device 28, a pair of discharge rollers 29, a discharge tray 30 and the like are provided as a sheet transport mechanism for the transfer sheet after the transfer.

The reversing device K is a device arranged between the fixing device 28 and the discharge roller pair 29, and is the passage switching plate 3
1, a reverse running roller 32 and a reverse passage 33. The path switching plate 31 is switched to each position shown by a solid line and a broken line in FIG. 2 to thereby linearly guide the transfer sheet from the conveying roller pair 34 to the discharge roller pair 29, and the transfer sheet after fixing. Once loaded into the inversion passage 33,
A path for carrying out to the sheet re-feeding mechanism R in the inverted state is formed. The reverse running roller 32 is displaced in position so as to come into contact with one roller of the discharge roller pair 29 when being carried out to the re-feeding mechanism R.

The re-feeding mechanism R forms a return path from the reversing device K to the sheet feeding side, and has an intermediate tray 35 for temporarily storing the transfer sheet and the intermediate tray 35.
Reverse transfer path 36 for conveying the transfer paper to the intermediate tray 35
From the image forming means P to a sheet re-feeding path 37 for re-feeding the transfer sheet.

Above the upstream side of the intermediate tray 35, a pair of conveying rollers 38, 39, 40 forming the reversal communication path 36.
In addition to the above, transport path switching plates 41 and 42 for switching the transport distance to the intermediate tray 35 according to the size of the transfer paper are provided between them. Further, a timing sensor 68 is arranged at a proper position on the upstream side of the conveying roller 38. The timing sensor 68 is, for example, a reflection type photo sensor or the like that includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element and that can distinguish white from toner color (for example, black).

On the other hand, at the sheet re-feeding end of the intermediate tray 35, there are provided a feeding roller 43 for feeding the stored transfer sheet and an image density detecting device G. As shown in FIG. 3, the image density detecting device G includes an image density sensor 49 for detecting the image density of the transfer paper 44 stored on the intermediate tray 35, and the image density sensor 49 for main scanning of the transfer paper 44. And a drive unit 52 for displacing in the direction.

The drive section 52 includes a front pulley 45 and a rear pulley 46 which are arranged on both front and rear ends of the intermediate tray 35.
And an endless timing belt 47 mounted between the pulleys 45 and 46, and a sensor driving motor 48 such as a stepping motor for driving the front pulley 45 to rotate. The timing belt 47 is configured to be rotated in the normal and reverse directions by being driven in the reverse direction. The image density sensor 49 is fixed at a proper position on the timing belt 47, and integrally moves back and forth in conjunction with the forward and reverse rotational movement of the timing belt 47. The image density sensor 49 includes, for example, a light emitting element 49a and a light receiving element 49b.
The above-mentioned intermediate tray 3 is a reflection type photo sensor or the like.
The light emitting element 49a and the light receiving element 49b are arranged facing downward so that the image density of the transfer paper 44 stored on the sheet 5 can be detected. Also, the timing belt 47
A detection piece 50 is arranged in the above, and a detection reference sensor 51 for detecting the detection piece 50 is arranged in the vicinity of the front pulley 45. As a result, the movement base point of the image density sensor 49 is designated.

In the image density detecting device G, when the sensor driving motor 48 is driven by a control device (not shown), the timing belt 47 is rotationally driven through the front pulley 45, and accordingly, the image density sensor. 49 moves forward to detect the image density in the main scanning direction of the transfer paper 35 on the intermediate tray 35, and after the detection, it moves backward and returns to the base point.

In the copying machine 1 having the above-mentioned structure, the light of the halogen lamp 4 is reflected by the original document, and the reflected image is passed through the reflecting mirrors 6, 7, 8 and the image forming lens 10 and the reflecting mirror 9 to the photosensitive member. It is guided to the drum 18. The photosensitive drum 18 is shown in FIG.
While being rotated in the direction of the arrow, after being charged to a predetermined potential by the charging device 19, the original image is irradiated and exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 18 is developed by the developing device 20, and then transferred by the transfer device 21 onto the transfer paper fed from the paper feed cassette 24. The transfer paper after the transfer is separated from the photoconductor drum 18 by the separating device 22, and is conveyed through the conveying belt 27, the fixing device 28 and the discharging roller pair 29 to the discharging tray 3.
0 is ejected. On the other hand, when double-sided copying is performed, the passage switching plate 31 is switched to the solid line position shown in FIG. 2, the transfer sheet after fixing is once carried into the reversing passage 33, and then the reversing communication passage 36 is provided. The transfer surface is placed on the intermediate tray 35 with the transfer surface facing upward, and the sheet is stationary. Then, it is carried out from the intermediate tray 35 by the sending roller 43 at a predetermined timing, is fed to the image forming means P through the re-feeding path 37, and the original image is again formed on the back surface of the transfer sheet by the above-mentioned process. After the transfer, it is discharged onto the discharge tray 30.

Next, a block configuration showing a control system for performing the self-adjustment of the copying machine will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 63 denotes a central control unit (hereinafter, referred to as CPU) for integrally controlling the operation of the copying machine 1. For example, a self-control unit provided on an operation unit (not shown) arranged at an appropriate place on the upper surface of the copying machine main body. The copying machine 1 is switched from the normal copying mode to the self-adjusting mode according to the operation signal of the adjustment mode setting switch 64. When the self-adjustment mode setting switch 64 is operated, the CPU 63 outputs a control signal to the drive control unit 69 and sequentially rotates the document in order to sequentially perform halogen lamp light amount adjustment, equal-magnification adjustment, leading edge timing adjustment, and toner concentration adjustment. A control signal is output to the motor drive control unit 67, and required reference originals 59a to 5 corresponding to each of the above adjustments.
The document placing member 56 is rotationally driven so that 9d sequentially faces the document scanning opening 60, and the first and second optical systems 11 and 12 cause the reference documents 59a to 59d and the trailing edge reference document to be read. When it is necessary to read 59e, drive control is performed so as to perform predetermined scanning including the range.

The image density sensor 49, potential sensor 61, timing sensor 68 and toner density sensor 7 are also provided.
Based on the information taken in from 0, the following predetermined comparison and judgment or calculation for the adjustment amount is performed.

(1) In adjusting the light intensity of the halogen lamp,
The appropriate density data and the detected density data for the white reference original 59a are compared, and the adjustment value of the exposure amount of the halogen lamp 4 is calculated.

(2) In the toner density adjustment, the proper density data for the gray reference original 59b and the detected density data are compared with each other to determine the toner replenishment for the developing device 20.

(3) In the equal-magnification adjustment, the scanning time from the reading of the leading end reference line original 59c to the reading of the trailing end reference line original 59e, that is, each of the above reference line originals 59c.
The time that is the detection interval of c and 59e is compared with a preset appropriate time, and the correction rotation speed and the like for the optical system drive motor 13 is calculated.

(4) In the leading edge timing adjustment, the distance is calculated based on the time interval from the leading edge of the transfer paper to the reference mark of the reference line original 59d (detection timing difference), and the calculated value and the reference value. In order to adjust the drive timing of the registration roller pair 26, the correction time for the timer 65 for adjusting the leading edge timing is calculated. Further, the adjustment amounts obtained by the above (1) to (4) are stored in a storage unit provided inside the CPU 63, respectively.

The home position switch 14 is the first
When the first and second optical systems 11 and 12 are set to the initial setting positions, a detection signal is output to the CPU 63 to indicate the initial setting positions of the first and second optical systems. On the other hand, the timing switch 15 is turned on by the movement of the first optical system 11 and guides this ON signal to the CPU 63 to instruct the operation standard of each drive mechanism.

The potential sensor 61 detects the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 18 at the time of adjusting the same magnification. That is, the electrostatic latent images on the reference marks of the leading end reference line original 59c and the trailing end reference line original 59d are detected, and the detection signals are output to the CPU 63.

The density sensor 49 is used when adjusting the light amount of the halogen lamp. When adjusting the light intensity of the halogen lamp,
The image density sensor 49 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction, the image density of the transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 35 with respect to the white reference original 59a is taken in along the main scanning direction, and the detection data is output to the CPU 63. To do.

The timing sensor 68 is used when adjusting the leading edge timing, and when the transfer paper after transfer is stored in the intermediate tray 35, it takes in the image density in the sub-scanning direction of the transfer paper and outputs it to the CPU 63. Based on this detection signal, the CPU 63 changes the level when the transfer image, which is the reference mark of the reference line original 59d, is detected from the background portion of the transfer paper and the level change when the front end of the transfer paper passes from the background portion. The reference mark and the front end of the transfer paper are detected.

The toner density sensor 70 is used when adjusting the toner density and is used for the photosensitive drum 1 of the gray reference original 59b.
The density for toner development on the eight surfaces is detected, and the detection data is output to the CPU 63.

The memory 66 stores reference data for each adjustment when the CPU 63 calculates each adjustment amount, and the required reference data is read according to the adjustment content.

The timer 65 includes the timing switch 15
The time is set in advance in synchronism with the detection signal, or the detection time interval of the information detected by the sensors 49, 61, 68, 70 is measured.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention for self-adjustment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the self-adjustment mode changeover switch 64 is operated in step S1 to enter the self-adjustment mode of the copying machine 1, halogen lamp adjustment, equal-magnification adjustment, leading edge timing adjustment, and toner density adjustment are sequentially performed. The process proceeds to S2.

In step S2, the halogen lamp light amount is adjusted according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, the flow of the halogen lamp light amount adjustment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the original placing member 56 is rotated and the white reference original 59a used for adjusting the halogen lamp light amount is
The document is set so as to face the document scanning opening 60 (step 10), and the first and second optical systems 11 and 12 start moving forward (step S11). Then, when the timer 65 measures the preset time after the first optical system 11 is detected by the timing switch 15, the forward movement of the first and second optical systems 11 and 12 is stopped (step S1).
2). Next, in step S13, the original image of the reference original 59a is transferred onto the transfer paper, and the transfer paper is stored in the intermediate tray 35. Here, when the transfer of the original image onto the transfer paper is completed, the halogen lamp 4 is turned off, but the stopped state of the first and second optical systems 11 and 12 is maintained.

When the transfer paper is stored in the intermediate tray 35,
The image density detecting device G is operated to detect the image density in the main scanning direction of the transfer paper (step S14).
At the same time, this density data is output to the CPU 63.
Then, the CPU 63 makes a data comparison with the reference density data in the memory 66, and determines whether or not the density data is within a preset allowable range (step S15). If it is within the allowable range, it is determined that image fog has not occurred, and the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the first and second optical systems 11 and 12 are returned to the initial setting positions, and in step S24, the intermediate tray 3
When the transfer paper No. 5 is discharged onto the discharge tray 30, the present flowchart is ended.

On the other hand, in step S15, if the image density is out of the allowable range, that is, if image fog has occurred, the process proceeds to step S16. Step S1
In 6, the adjustment value is calculated based on the detected density data so as to be an appropriate value, and the light amount for the halogen lamp 4 is increased by the adjustment amount, for example, to correct the exposure amount. The adjustment value to be added to the CPU
It is stored in the storage unit in 63. Then, the intermediate tray 35
The upper transfer paper is fed again to the image forming means P, and the back surface of the transfer paper is copied with the corrected exposure value (step S17) and is stored in the intermediate tray 35 again. And
The image density is detected again (step S18), and the image density is confirmed with the corrected exposure value (step S19). Here, if the image density at the corrected exposure value is within the allowable range, steps S23, S
However, if it is outside the allowable range again, the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, similarly to step S16, the exposure amount of the halogen lamp 4 is corrected again, and the corrected value is stored in the storage unit in the CPU 63.
Next, new transfer paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 24 (step S21), but the previous transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 35 at this time may be left stored in the intermediate tray 35. Good, or may be discharged first.
Then, after copying is performed with the corrected exposure value (step S22), the process returns to step S14, and density detection is performed.

When the proper exposure value is finally determined (NO in steps S15 and S19), the transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 35 is discharged onto the discharge tray 30 in step S24 through step S23. Then, this flowchart is finished.

When the halogen lamp light amount adjustment is completed as described above, the process proceeds to step S3 in FIG.

In step S3, the equal magnification adjustment is then performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, a flow of equal-magnification adjustment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S40, the document placing body 56 is placed.
5 is rotated and is used for adjusting the same magnification.
9c is set so as to face the document scanning opening 60, the first and second optical systems 11 and 12 start reciprocating movement, and the halogen lamp 4 of the first optical system is turned on.
An electrostatic latent image for the front end reference mark and the rear end reference mark of each reference line original 59c, 17e is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 18 (step S41). The electrostatic latent images of these respective reference marks are sequentially detected by the potential sensor 61, and the time until the front end reference mark image to the rear end reference mark image are detected by the timer 65 is timed (step S).
42-S45). When the reading of the reference line originals 59c and 59e is completed, the first and second optical systems 11 and 12 are reset to the initial positions.

The CPU 63 determines whether or not the time measured by the timer 65 matches the proper time (step S46). If the measurement time matches the proper time, this flowchart ends.

On the other hand, if the measurement time does not match the proper time, that is, if there is a unity-magnification error, the difference between the measurement time and the proper time is calculated (step S
47), based on this difference, the adjustment amount is calculated so that the magnification becomes equal (step S48). For example, the optical system drive motor 13
The rotational speed with respect to is adjusted up or down by an adjustment amount so as to match the same magnification, and the correction value or the adjustment value added to the rotational speed of the optical system drive motor 13 or the corrected value The set value corresponding to the rotation speed is stored in the storage unit in the CPU 63 (step S49). For example, if the optical system drive motor 13 is a pulse motor, the pulse frequency may be changed, and if the optical system drive motor 13 is a DC motor, the supply power may be changed.

Then, returning to step S41, the optical system and the image forming means are operated again based on this adjustment amount, and the confirmation is performed. In this way, the adjustment is performed until the equal magnifications match, and if they match (YES in step S46).
S) This flow chart ends.

When the equal-magnification adjustment is completed as described above, the process proceeds to step S4 in FIG.

In step S4, the leading edge timing is adjusted according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, the flow of tip timing adjustment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S50, the document placing body 56 is placed.
The reference line original 59d that is rotated and used for equal-magnification adjustment
Is set so as to face the original scanning opening 60, and the first and second optical systems 11 and 12 are reset to the initial setting positions.
The transfer paper is fed up to (step S51). Then
The first and second optical systems 11 and 12 start reciprocating movement (step S52).

When the second optical system 12 is detected by the timing switch 15 (YE in step S53).
S), the time counting by the timer 65 is started (step S54). Then, when a preset time (front end timing) has elapsed (YES in step S55), the registration roller pair 26 is driven (step S56), the transfer sheet is conveyed to the photosensitive drum 18, and the reference line original 59 is obtained.
The image for d is transferred to the transfer paper (step S5).
7).

Thereafter, the transfer paper on which the image on the reference line original 59d is transferred is stored in the intermediate tray 35 via the reversing device K. At this time, the timing sensor 68
Thus, the image for the reference line original 59d, that is, the reference mark image and the front end of the transfer paper are detected (step S
58, hereinafter referred to as timing difference detection), these detection signals are input to the CPU 63.

Then, the CPU 63 calculates the timing difference based on this detection data and determines whether or not it matches the reference timing difference (step S5).
9). If the calculated timing difference matches the reference timing difference, the transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 35 is discharged to the discharge tray 30 (step S70), and the present flowchart ends.

On the other hand, if the obtained timing difference does not match the reference timing difference in step S59,
Control goes to step S60. In step S60, a deviation amount is calculated so that the obtained timing difference matches the reference timing difference. Then, the deviation amount is added to the leading edge timing, and the added value is stored in the storage unit in the CPU 63.

Subsequently, the transfer paper on the intermediate tray 35 is again fed to the image forming means P, and the registration roller pair 26 is rotationally driven within the corrected set time of the timer 65,
After the image of the reference line original 17 is copied on the back surface of the transfer sheet (steps S60 to S66), it is conveyed to the intermediate tray 35 again. At this time, the timing difference is detected again (step S67), and it is confirmed whether or not the leading edge timing is good within the set time of the corrected timer 65 (step S68). Here, if the timing difference in the set time of the corrected timer matches the reference timing difference, the process ends in the present flowchart after shifting to step S70. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step S69. Transition. In step S69, the setting time of the timer 65 is corrected as in step S60, and the correction time is set in the CPU 63.
It is updated and stored in the internal storage unit.

Then, the process returns to step S51,
New transfer paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 24, but the previous transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 35 at this time is ejected first.

When the finally obtained timing difference matches the reference timing difference (YES in step S59 or step S68), the transfer paper stored in the intermediate tray 35 is discharged to the discharge tray 30 (step S59). S
70) and the present flowchart ends.

When the leading edge timing adjustment is completed as described above, the normal copying mode is restored in step S5 of FIG. 5, and the toner density adjustment is performed in step S6. Since the toner density adjustment can be performed at the same time during normal copying, the toner density adjustment is performed constantly or after every predetermined number of times of copying after each adjustment of steps S2 to S4 in FIG. There is. Hereinafter, the toner density adjustment in step S6 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step S30, the document placing body 56 is placed.
Is rotated and the gray reference original 59b used for toner density adjustment is set so as to face the original scanning opening 60 (step 30), and the first and second optical systems 11 and 12 are set.
Starts forward movement (step S31). Then, the time set in advance after the first optical system 11 is detected by the timing switch 15 is timed by the timer 65, and the density of toner development on the photosensitive drum 18 corresponding to the timed time is detected (step). The detection data is output to the CPU 63 together with S32). That is, since the toner development on the gray reference original 59b is read out of the sub-scanning range, even if it is formed as toner development on the photoconductor drum 18, it is not transferred to the transfer paper, so the toner concentration sensor 70. It is possible to detect the concentration at.

Then, the CPU 63 performs data comparison with the reference density data in the memory 66 (step 33),
If the detected concentration data is higher than the reference concentration data,
It is determined that the toner amount in the developing device 20 is not insufficient,
This flowchart ends.

On the other hand, if the detected density data is lower than the reference density data in step S33, that is, if the amount of toner in the developing device 20 is insufficient, the process proceeds to step S34. In step S34, in order to supply the toner stored in the toner hopper 62 to the developing device 20, a control signal is output to the drive control unit 69, and the toner supply roller (not shown) in the toner hopper 62 is rotated for a predetermined time. . As a result, a predetermined amount of toner is supplied to the developing device 20 and the present flowchart is ended.

By thus providing the copying machine 1 with a plurality of reference originals, the copying machine 1 can be provided with a plurality of self-adjusting functions.

In the above embodiment, the halogen lamp light amount adjustment, the toner concentration adjustment, the equal magnification adjustment, and the leading edge timing adjustment are targets of self-adjustment for the copying machine.
Although the reference originals 59a to 59d are arranged and formed on the original placing body 56, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reference originals may be appropriately formed and formed according to the content of self-adjustment of the image forming apparatus. Good. At this time, the document placing order of the document placing body 56 is not limited to the embodiment, and may be appropriately arranged and formed according to the order of self-adjustment or the like.

Further, in the embodiment, the document placing body 56
Although a rectangular parallelepiped member having outer surfaces 58a to 58d is applied to, the present invention is not limited to this, and is configured to have a large number of outer surfaces such that a large number of reference originals can be arranged and formed according to the number of originals. You may. Further, in addition to rotating a rectangular parallelepiped member as the document placing body 56 as in the embodiment, for example, a pair of rollers having a rotation axis in the main scanning direction are arranged at predetermined intervals, and an endless belt is formed on these rollers. Is mounted, and a reference document is arranged and formed on the outer surface thereof. Even if the reference document is moved by rotating the belt integrally by rotating the roller with a motor or the like, the same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the halogen lamp light amount adjustment, the same-magnification adjustment, and the tip timing adjustment are sequentially performed by the operation of the self-adjustment mode setting switch 64, and the toner density adjustment is always performed will be described. However, this self-adjustment mode switch 64
Alternatively, a plurality of mode selection switches (mode type designation switches) according to the contents of adjustment may be provided so that each of the above self-adjustments can be performed independently, or when the main switch is turned on. It may be automatically set to be executed synchronously or periodically depending on the number of times of copying, elapsed time, and the like.

Further, although the image forming apparatus having the double-sided copying function has been described in the above embodiment, it is needless to say that the image forming apparatus having the single-sided copying function can be implemented.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus which reads the reference original in the adjustment mode and adjusts the image forming state based on the read result of the reference original, the reciprocating motion is performed within a predetermined range. An optical system that is capable of scanning the document mounting plate surface arranged within the range as a sub-scanning range when reciprocating, and a document placement that is within the reciprocating range of this optical system and outside the sub-scanning range. A rotary shaft provided on the outer side of the plate in the main scanning direction, a driving means for rotationally driving the rotary shaft, and a rotary member provided integrally with the rotary shaft so as to be rotatable integrally and having a plurality of surfaces formed in the rotary direction. A reference original formed on each of a plurality of surfaces of the rotating member, a mode type designating unit capable of selectively designating the adjustment content in the adjustment mode, and used according to the designated mode type. The reference document on the scanning side. In addition to controlling the driving means as needed, a control means for scanning the reference original in the optical system is provided. Therefore, a plurality of reference originals can be provided in the image forming apparatus, and a dedicated reference original is required. The image forming apparatus can be provided with a plurality of self-adjusting functions.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time spent adjusting the image forming apparatus at the time of production or maintenance on the market.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of FIG. 2 showing the periphery of an optical mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the density detecting device of the image forming apparatus of the present invention as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram showing a control system for performing self-adjustment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for performing self-adjustment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of adjusting the light quantity of a halogen lamp.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of equal magnification adjustment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of tip timing adjustment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of toner density adjustment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 G Reference Original Mechanism 2 Contact Glass 11 First Optical System 12 Second Optical System 55 Rotation Axis 56 Original Placer 58a, 58b, 58c, 58d Outer Surface 59a White Reference Original 59b Gray Reference Original 59c Tip Reference Line Original 59d Reference Line Original 59e Rear end reference line original

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Takashi Nagashima, 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Hideki Ishida 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka Mita Within Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus that reads a reference document in an adjustment mode and adjusts an image forming state based on a result of reading the reference document, is reciprocable within a predetermined range, and is arranged within the range. An optical system for scanning the surface of the original placing plate as a sub-scanning range when reciprocating, and a main scanning direction provided on the outer side of the original placing plate within the reciprocating range of the optical system and outside the sub-scanning range. A rotating shaft, a driving means for rotating the rotating shaft, and a rotating member integrally rotatably provided on the rotating shaft and having a plurality of surfaces formed in the rotating direction.
Reference originals formed on a plurality of surfaces of the rotary member, a mode type designating unit capable of selectively designating the adjustment contents in the adjustment mode, and a reference used according to the designated mode type. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the drive unit so that the document is directed to the scanning surface side, and a control unit that scans the reference document in the optical system. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a designation control means for performing mode designation by the mode type designation means so that the plurality of adjustment contents are sequentially designated in the adjustment mode. An image forming apparatus characterized by being provided. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
One of the plurality of reference originals has a front end reference original having a reference line parallel to the main scanning direction, and an original placement plate within the reciprocating range of the optical system and outside the sub-scanning range. A trailing edge reference document having a reference line parallel to the main scanning direction, which corresponds to the leading edge reference document, is disposed and formed at a predetermined position on the outer side. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that, when a mode is designated, the leading reference document is directed to the scanning surface side, and the optical system scans between the leading and trailing reference documents.