JPH08286451A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To solve the problem that in an image forming device integrating an image forming means using an electrophotographic system and an ink jet system as an image forming system, the one using the ink jet system is not longer than the other in service life, and shortens the life as a whole. CONSTITUTION: Units A and B are comprised of the detachable image-forming means I of the electrophotographic system and the detachable image-forming means II of the ink jet system, respectively. A fixing device 15 as the final process means of the image forming means I and the entrance of the image forming means II are connected by means of carrying rollers 16-19 and 22 and carrying paths 20 and 21. The life of the image forming means II is shorter compared to that of the means I, therefore, by replacing the unit B, the image forming device is allowed to use until the unit A reaches its life.

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 having a plurality of image forming means having different image forming systems.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers are frequently used in offices and the like, and image quality and recording speed have been conventionally improved. In recent years, the introduction of color technology has increased the demand for color copying machines, printers, and the like.

Recently, color copying machines and printers in which different image forming means are combined have been proposed.
As an example of the structure, for example, a charger 51, an exposure device 52, a developing device 53, a transfer device 5 around the photosensitive drum 50.
4. An image forming unit C by an electrophotographic system in which a cleaning unit 60 and the like are arranged and the toner transferred to the recording medium 59 is fixed by a thermal fixing unit 55, and an image by an inkjet recording system in which color recording is performed by a plurality of inkjet heads 56 The recording medium 59 is conveyed from the image forming unit C to the image forming unit D in combination with the forming unit D, and after the image forming unit D forms an image, the recording medium 59 is discharged to the discharge unit 58.

In the above apparatus, in the case of monochrome recording, the image forming means C is used to obtain high-speed and high-quality images which are advantages of the electrophotographic system. On the other hand, in the case of color recording, the image forming means D is used to obtain an inexpensive color image which is an advantage of the inkjet recording method.

[0005]

The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned prior art.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prolong the service life and cost of an image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means of different image forming systems. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which realizes a longer life of the image forming means by the electrophotographic method and a lower cost of the image forming means by the ink jet recording method for outputting a color image.

Another object of the invention according to the present application is to provide means for achieving the above-mentioned object of the invention more efficiently and easily.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, at least two image forming means having different image forming systems are provided.
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the image forming apparatus includes one unit and is composed of a plurality of detachable units.

A second aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus characterized in that it has at least two units provided with image forming means of different image forming systems, and these units are detachable.

A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a transport unit for providing a transport path for a recording material is detachably provided between detachable units equipped with image forming means of different image forming systems. The image forming apparatus.

A fourth invention of the present invention comprises a main unit having an image forming means and a sub-unit detachable from the main unit and having an image forming means different from the image forming method of the main unit. A characteristic image forming apparatus.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a sub-unit having a main unit having an image forming means and an image forming means detachable from the main unit and having an image forming method different from that of the image forming means of the main unit. And an conveying unit for conveying the recording material between the main unit and the sub unit.

A sixth invention of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein at least one image forming means is an electrophotographic system.

A seventh invention of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein at least one image forming means is a thermal transfer recording system or a thermal recording system.

The eighth invention of the present invention is any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein at least one image forming means is an ink jet recording system in which the recording means ejects ink in response to a signal to perform recording. The image forming apparatus described in 1.

The ninth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein the recording means comprises an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ink ejection. is there.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the recording means ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing the film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. 9 is an image forming apparatus according to the invention.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means of different image forming systems, a first image forming unit comprising electrophotographic image forming means for outputting a monochrome image, The image forming apparatus is characterized by having a second image forming unit which is detachable from the image forming apparatus and which comprises an image forming unit of an image forming system other than an electrophotographic system for outputting a color image.

In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, each image forming unit includes a supply means for supplying the recording material relating to the image forming means, and a discharging means for discharging the recording material relating to the image forming means. The image forming apparatus according to the second, fourth, or eleventh invention is characterized in that, when the units are combined, the ejecting means and the supplying means of the adjacent units that are combined coincide with each other.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the second image forming unit is a thermal transfer recording system or a thermal recording system.
The image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the second image forming unit is an ink jet recording system in which the recording means ejects ink in response to a signal to perform recording. is there.

The fifteenth invention of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the fourteenth invention, wherein the recording means comprises an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ink ejection. is there.

A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the recording means ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing the film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. The image forming apparatus according to the fifteenth invention.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the image forming means of the main unit is configured as a subordinate unit to the main unit, and the subordinate unit is detachable from the main unit. An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the invention.

An eighteenth invention of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the seventeenth invention, wherein the subordinate unit is composed of a plurality of divisible structural units.

The nineteenth invention of the present invention is characterized in that the electrophotographic image forming means is constructed as a process cartridge which is detachable from the first image forming unit. It is a forming device.

An image forming apparatus according to the nineteenth invention is characterized in that the twentieth invention of the present invention is configured such that the process cartridge comprises a plurality of cartridges which can be attached to and detached from the first image forming unit. Is.

In the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed, and the cartridge is provided to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to the nineteenth or twentieth aspect of the invention is characterized in that it is detachable.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, members and the like having the same reference numerals in each of the following drawings are members and the like having the same configuration and function, and the details of the members to be described later are cited from the description of the members having the same reference numerals, Overlapping description of these will be appropriately omitted.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are an overall schematic configuration view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1, an external perspective view, and a perspective view showing the configuration of a second image forming means, respectively. is there.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has a plurality of image forming means having different image forming systems, and an image is formed on a recording material (recording medium) P by a series of image forming steps of these image forming means. Is formed.

First, an outline of the configuration of the entire image forming apparatus will be described. The image forming apparatus includes a controller 1 for controlling a series of image forming operations of the entire apparatus, and a high voltage power source 2 for controlling high voltage driving of the entire apparatus. , A controller 1, a high-voltage power supply 2, and the like, and a low-voltage power supply 3 for lowering the commercial power supplied through the wiring 3a, and a first image forming means I.
A unit A including an electrophotographic image forming means I as a recording medium, a paper feeding means for feeding the recording material P, and a conveying means for conveying the recording material P, and an ink jet type image as the second image forming means. Forming means II and image forming means I
It is composed of a sheet feeding means for feeding and feeding the recording material P to the I, and a unit B which is convertible to the unit A including the feeding means. Here, the unit A is arranged on the upstream side and the unit B is arranged on the downstream side in a series of image forming steps. (The order of the units A and B is not limited to this. Of course, the same applies when the unit B is arranged on the upstream side and the unit A is arranged on the downstream side. In the first embodiment, the unit A is upstream and the unit B is downstream. The outline of the overall operation of the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration is as follows: the image forming means (electrophotographic system) I on the upstream side of the recording material P.
A black and white toner image is formed by a developer (hereinafter referred to as "toner"), and a color ink image is formed by a plurality of color inks by the image forming means (inkjet system) II on the downstream side. It should be noted that the term "color" as used herein refers to a single color other than black, a multicolor, or a full color.

Next, the respective configurations of the unit A and the unit B will be described in this order.

The unit A has an arrow R1 as an image bearing member.
The photosensitive drum 4 is driven to rotate in the direction. Around the photosensitive drum 4, a charging unit 5, an exposing unit 6, a developing unit 7, a transferring unit 8, a discharging unit 9, and a cleaning unit 10 are provided substantially in order along the rotation direction (direction of arrow R1). ing. When these means are specifically denoted by the same reference numerals, for example, a primary charger 5 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 to a predetermined negative potential, and an electrostatically exposed surface of the photosensitive drum 4 by image exposure. A laser exposure device 6 for forming a latent image, a developing device 7 for reversal development by attaching toner to an electrostatic latent image, a transfer charger 8 for transferring a toner image on the photosensitive drum 4 onto a recording material P, and a transfer charger after transfer. A discharging needle 9 for removing the electric charge of the recording material P, and a cleaning device 10 for removing the transfer residual toner on the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer.
Etc. Here, the developing device 7 attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4 by jumping development, for example.
A binder resin containing a styrene-acrylic copolymer as a main component contained 60 wt% of magnetite and 1 wt% of a metal complex salt of a monoazo dye as a negative charge control agent, and had a volume resistance of about 10 ¹³ Ω · cm as a whole. An insulating magnetic toner having the above structure was used.

Below the photosensitive drum 4, a feeding / conveying section for the recording material P is formed. The feeding / conveying unit accommodates the recording material P in order from the upstream side and is detachably attached to the unit A.
1, a feed roller 12 for feeding the recording material P, a registration roller 13 for feeding the fed recording material P to the photosensitive drum 4 at a predetermined timing, a transfer entrance guide 14, a recording material after the toner image transfer A conveyance guide 31 that guides P is arranged. A thermal fixing device 15 as a thermal fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred from the photosensitive drum 4 by the transfer charging device 8 on the recording material P is disposed on the most downstream side of the feeding / conveying unit. .

The recording material P discharged from the heat fixing device 15 is conveyed by the paper feed rollers 16, 17, 18 and 19 to the conveyance guide 2.
It is continuously conveyed along 0, 21.

The unit B includes a feed roller 22, a conveyance guide 23, a paper detection sensor 24, a paper feed roller 25, a platen 26, and an ink jet recording section 2 in this order from the upstream side.
7, a paper discharge roller 28, and a paper discharge tray 29. The feed roller 22 discharges the recording material P discharged from the thermal fixing device 15 and is conveyed along the conveyance guides 20 and 21 along a conveyance guide 23 arranged in the unit B to a paper feed roller 25.
When the paper detection sensor 24 detects the recording material P, the feeding roller 25 and the feeding roller 22 are moved by a stepping motor (not shown) by a stepping motor (not shown).
The recording material P is configured to be intermittently conveyed between the platen 26 and the inkjet recording unit 27.

The ink jet recording section 27 has a recording head (recording means) 27a as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3 (perspective view of FIG. 1 viewed from above). The recording head 27a is composed of cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, and black BK ink heads arranged in the left-right direction (arrow K27 direction). The recording head 27a is mounted on a carriage 27b, and the carriage 27b is a part of an inner belt 27e stretched between a drive pulley 27c on the inner right side and a driven pulley 27d on the left inner side in FIG. And is driven with high precision in the left-right direction (arrow K27 direction) along a guide (not shown). The recording head 27a is connected with four tubes 27f corresponding to the ink heads of the respective colors, and the inks of the respective colors are supplied from the ink tanks 27g of the respective colors via the tubes 27f. . The ink tank 27g is fixed to a part of an outer belt 27j stretched between a drive pulley 27h on the outer right side and a driven pulley 27i on the left outer side, and is not shown like the recording head 27a. Arrow K27 along the guide
It is configured to be movable in any direction. In this way, the ink tank 27g is also moved in the left-right direction as the ink head 27a is moved in the left-right direction.
The stress applied to 7f is reduced, and the recording head 27
When the ink tank 27g that is heavier than the recording head 27a is moved, vibrations and the like generated when the recording head 2 and the ink tank 27g are separately driven are separately driven.
7a is prevented from being transmitted. A more specific configuration of the recording head 27a will be described after the third embodiment.

Here, regarding the image forming means II of the unit B, comparing the configuration of the color device shown in FIG. 3 with the configuration of a monochromatic device (not shown), the major difference is that the color device shown in FIG. 4), four ink heads 27a and four color ink tanks 27g are required, whereas a single color device requires one color each. By the way, the four ink heads 27a and the four color ink tanks 27g in the case of the color device are arranged in the moving space of the carriage 27b and the ink tank 27g. Is almost the same. Therefore, it is possible to almost avoid increasing the size of the device due to colorization.

A controller 1 is arranged in the unit A. When a print signal and image data in which a black-and-white image and a color image are mixed are input to the image forming apparatus from an external device 30 such as a computer, the controller 1 outputs the print signal and the black-and-white to the unit A. Of the image data, while the print signal and the color image data are sent to the unit B.

This completes the description of the structure of the image forming apparatus including the units A and B, and then, FIGS.
Further, these operations will be described with reference to FIG.

The wiring 3 is connected from the external device 30 to the image forming apparatus.
When a print signal and image data in which a monochrome image and a color image are mixed are input through the controller 0a, the controller 1
Sends a print signal and image data of a monochrome image to the unit A. Then, the recording material P in the paper feed cassette 11
Is fed by the feed roller 12 and supplied to the photosensitive drum 4 via the registration roller 13. Almost in parallel with the above operation, the photosensitive drum 4 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R1, and the surface thereof is uniformly charged by the primary charger 5 to a predetermined negative polarity potential. Then, the laser exposure device 6 receives the laser light irradiation based on the image data, the charges in the irradiated portion are removed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. To this electrostatic latent image, black negatively charged toner contained in the developing device 7 is attached and developed as a toner image. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 4 is transferred from the registration roller 13 to the transfer entrance guide 1 by the transfer charger 8.
4 is transferred onto the recording material P supplied to the photosensitive drum 4. The recording material P after the transfer of the toner image is conveyed to the thermal fixing device 15 along the conveyance guide 31, where it is heated and pressed to melt and fix the toner image. On the other hand, the residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 after the transfer of the toner image is removed by the cleaning device 10 to prepare for the next image formation.

When a black and white toner image is formed on the recording material P through each image forming step of the first image forming means I in the unit A, the unit A feeds the paper feed roller 1.
6, 17, 18, and 19 are conveyed to the unit B through the conveyance guides 20 and 21. When the recording material P enters, the feed roller 22 of the unit B continuously conveys the recording material P until the leading end of the recording material P reaches the paper feed roller 25 along the conveyance guide 23. When the front end of the recording material P reaches the paper feed roller 25, the paper feed roller 25 and the feed roller 22 intermittently convey the recording material P and feed it to the inkjet recording unit 27. At this time, the print signal and the image data of the color image are sent from the controller 1 to the second image forming means II, and correspondingly, toward the recording material P,
Ink of each color is ejected from the recording head 27a to form a color image.

The leading edge of the recording material P is detected by the paper detecting sensor 24, and the paper detecting sensor 24 detects the recording material P.
It is determined that the recording material P has reached the paper feed roller 25 after a lapse of a predetermined time after the detection of the leading edge of the sheet, and the series of conveyance operations of the recording material P is shifted from the continuous operation to the intermittent operation.

Here, the feed roller 22, the paper feed roller 25,
While the discharge roller 28 is stopped, the ink head 27a reciprocates in the left-right direction in FIG. 3 to print one line, and when this is completed, the feed roller 22, the paper feed roller 25, and the paper discharge roller 28 are fed by one pitch. After stopping, the next one line is printed and these are repeated.

The recording material P on which the color image has been additionally formed by the second image forming means II is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 29 by the paper discharge roller 28 as an output image in which a monochrome image and a color image are mixed. It

Here, in the conventional apparatus, the second image forming means II is provided in the image forming apparatus together with the first image forming means I in the same frame. It was happening. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, since the second image forming means II is configured as the unit B separately from the unit A as described above, when the unit B reaches the end of its life, it is replaced. As a result, the problem that has been a problem in the past can be solved.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of attachment and detachment of the unit A and the unit B. In the figure, a part of the unit B is shown in an enlarged manner with respect to the unit A. In FIG.
Reference numeral 35 is a lever for fixedly mounting the unit B on the unit A, which is mounted on a hole 36 provided on the unit A side,
Fix unit B to unit A. At this time, the conveyance path of the recording material P between the unit A and the unit B is positioned by the positioning convex portion (unit B side) 37 and the positioning concave portion (unit A side) 38.

Reference numeral 39 in FIG. 4 is an electrical contact for electrically exchanging image data and control to the unit B, and 41 is an operation status display portion 41-2 of the unit A and an operation status of the unit B. The display unit 41-1 is a display unit including the display unit 41-1 and a display-related signal or the like is transmitted from the display unit 41-2 to the display unit 41-1 via the contact 40.

With this structure, the unit B, which is the color image forming means, can be replaced with the unit A, and the unit B can be designed at a low cost. That is, it is possible to provide the unit B, which is a color image forming unit, which tends to be expensive, at a low cost even if the life of the apparatus is sacrificed. As a result, the unit A that outputs a commonly used black and white image has a long life, and the unit B that outputs a color image with a low output frequency is inexpensive.
The image forming apparatus can be provided according to each purpose, and it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which is ideal for a user and can output a color image with a long life and at a low price.

In the first embodiment, the order of image formation of a monochrome image and a color image is black and white first, and color is later, that is, in a series of image forming operations, the electrophotographic system is the upstream side and the inkjet system is the downstream side. However, the order of image formation is not limited to this, and the same effect can be obtained in the opposite case.

Example 2 Example 2 is shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, a unit is formed for each image forming unit, and the recording material P conveyance path from the first image forming unit I to the second image forming unit II (paper discharge rollers 16, 17, 18, 19 and The transport guides 20, 21, etc.) are included in the unit A. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the transport path is set to the unit E.
As a result, it was separated from the unit A and made into another unit.

With this configuration, the second embodiment
Now, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it is possible to make the color image formation completely optional, and the user can easily output a color image by adding the units B and E as required. It becomes possible to respond. In this case, the basic unit is a unit A'comprising electrophotographic image forming means for black and white image output, and the transport path included in the first embodiment is formed as a separate unit to reduce the cost of the basic unit A '. It is possible to provide the unit A ′ at the same price range as the current monochrome page printer.

The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

There is a unit A'which is the above-mentioned basic unit for outputting a black and white image by an electrophotographic system, and a unit B for performing a color image by an inkjet system is detachably provided on the upper surface thereof, as in the first embodiment. The unit E, which is a unit of the recording material P conveying system, which is the feature of the second embodiment, is detachably provided on the recording material P output side of the unit A ′ and the recording material P input side of the unit B.

Since the basic operations of the unit A'and the unit B are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted and the unit E will be described below.

The unit E is optionally added together with the unit B when the user requests color image output. It is desirable that the unit B has a low-cost configuration as in the first embodiment, but the unit E is basically designed to have a long life like the unit A ′.

In FIG. 5, reference numerals 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 denote the same carrying rollers and carrying guides as in the first embodiment. Reference numeral 44 denotes a paper discharge roller that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions, and 45
Is a transport path switching means, and 46 is an intermediate tray and a paper discharge tray. A recording material detection sensor 43 detects the presence or absence of the recording material P. A unit E controller 42 controls the operation of the unit E.

Next, the operation of the unit E will be described.

The recording material P on which a black-and-white image has been formed is discharged from the unit A'and is conveyed to the intermediate tray / discharge tray 46 by the conveying rollers 16, 17, and 44. At this time, the transport path switching means 45 rotates in the Y direction around O and forms a path so that the recording material P is transported to the intermediate tray / paper discharge tray 46. When the recording material P further reaches the recording material detection sensor 43, the trailing edge of the recording material P is conveyed by a method such as counting a predetermined time after detecting the recording material P or detecting the trailing edge of the recording material P. The presence of the roller 44 is detected. The trailing edge of the recording material P is the transport roller 44.
When reaching the vicinity, the unit E controller 42 switches the transport path switching means 45 in the X direction centering on O to secure the path to the transport guide 20, and at the same time, transport roller 4
4 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the recording material P is conveyed in the direction of the unit B. The recording material P conveyed to the unit B operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, the color image is formed from the rear end of the recording material P, and this point is
Is different from. The handling of the unit B is also the same as in the first embodiment.

With the above-described structure, the following effects are produced in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment.

That is, as described above, the unit B for forming a color image can be optionally added later.
Therefore, a user who outputs many black and white images can reduce the initial investment by purchasing only the unit A ′.
And, if necessary, a unit B for forming a color image
Can be added, so that the user can achieve colorization without wasting a device for outputting a monochrome image.

In the second embodiment, the black-and-white image is upstream and the color image is downstream in the image forming order. However, the order may be reversed as in the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) In the first and second embodiments, the unit B, which is the color image forming means, is replaceable. Here, in the unit B, a sheet feeding unit for the image forming unit II, a sheet discharging unit,
Although all the conveying means and the like are unitized, only the ink jet recording unit 27 may be unitized to be replaceable. By doing so, it is possible to replace only the inkjet recording unit 27 that is the fastest to deteriorate and to further reduce the cost of the unit B.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 6 shows an overall schematic configuration diagram of Embodiment 4. The fourth embodiment is the electrophotographic process section (the primary charger 5, the developing device 7, the cleaning device 1) of the units A and A'which are the black and white image forming means in the first, second and third embodiments.
No. 0 and the photosensitive drum 4) are integrated so that the process cartridge F can be attached to and detached from the units A and A '.
That is, the units A and A'are main units, and the process cartridge is a subordinate unit detachable from the main unit. FIG. 6 is an example applied to the first embodiment. Here, the attachment / detachment is performed by opening the cover G which is pivotally attached to the unit A by the hinge GH so as to be openable and closable around the lower part, inserts the process cartridge F in the direction of arrow M, and sets the central axis N of the photosensitive drum 4 to the unit A It was carried out by guiding it to a fixed position along a guide path H provided in the apparatus body. That is, the electrophotographic process section, which is relatively difficult to extend the life of the unit A which is the main unit, is configured as the process cartridge F which is the subordinate unit at low cost, and the process cartridge F having the relatively short life can be replaced. By doing so, the life of the unit A can be extended and the cost can be reduced, and the effect of the present invention can be further improved.

The process cartridge is a cartridge in which the charging means, the developing means or the cleaning means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Further, at least one of the charging means, the developing means, and the cleaning means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.
Further, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge so as to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body.

The process cartridge F does not have to be an integral type, but may be a multi-body type, that is, two cartridges including the photosensitive drum 4, the primary charger 5, the cleaning device 10, and the developing device 7. Further, the photosensitive drum 4 including the bearing thereof is separated as a drum unit, and the same effect can be obtained by using three cartridges.

(Other Embodiments) In the above-described embodiments, the electrophotographic method and the ink jet recording method are exemplified as the plurality of image forming means having different image forming methods, but the present invention is not limited to this recording method. It is also possible to adopt a thermal recording system, a thermal transfer recording system, or the like.

Further, although the ink jet system is used as the recording means in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is more preferable to have the following constitution in this ink jet recording system.

That is, the electrothermal converter is energized according to a recording signal, and the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter utilizes the film boiling generated in the ink to grow and contract the bubbles generated in the ink, thereby causing the ink to grow. It is more preferable to discharge the ink from the discharge port for recording.

Regarding its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,079.
What is carried out using the basic principle disclosed in No. 6 is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but in the case of the on-demand type in particular, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal which corresponds to the recorded information and which causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding the film boiling to the electrothermal converter, the electrothermal converter is caused to generate thermal energy,
This is effective because film boiling is caused on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, and as a result, bubbles can be formed in the liquid in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid is ejected through the ejection openings to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal into a pulse shape, because the bubble growth and contraction are immediately and appropriately performed, so that particularly excellent liquid ejection can be achieved.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable.

If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,558,333 and 4,459 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
The structure using the specification of No. 600 is also included in the present invention.

Further, JP-A-59-123670 discloses a structure in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which the discharge portion is associated with the discharge portion, is effective. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be surely and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium which can be recorded by the image forming apparatus.

As such a recording head, a combination of a plurality of recording heads to satisfy the length thereof or a structure of one recording head integrally formed may be used.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type described above, by mounting it on the recording head fixed to the carriage or the carriage, it is possible to electrically connect to the apparatus main body and supply ink from the mounting main body. A replaceable chip-type recording head or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself may be used.

Further, as the ink jet recording system used in the image forming apparatus of the above-mentioned embodiment, it is preferable to add a recovering means for the recording head, a preliminary auxiliary means, etc. because the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized. is there. Specific examples thereof include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurization or suction means, electrothermal conversion type or other heating element or preheating means by a combination thereof, It is also effective to perform stable recording by performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from recording.

Regarding the type and number of recording heads mounted on the carriage, for example, only one recording head is provided corresponding to a single color ink, or a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities are supported. And a plurality of them may be provided. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but may be a combination of a plurality of recording heads integrally formed, but may be a mixed color of different colors or a mixed color. It can also be applied to a device having at least one of full colors.

In addition, although the ink is described as a liquid in the above-mentioned embodiments, it is an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet recording system. Then the ink itself 30
It is common to adjust the temperature within a range of ℃ to 70 ℃ to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. good. In addition, whether to prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy from being positively used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state,
Alternatively, an ink that solidifies in a standing state is used for the purpose of preventing the evaporation of the ink, and in any case, the ink is liquefied by applying thermal energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink is ejected, or the recording sheet. It is also applicable to the case of using an ink that has a property of being liquefied only by thermal energy, such as one that has already started to solidify when the temperature reaches.

The ink in such a case is described in JP-A-54-
As described in JP-A-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, it is opposed to the electrothermal converter in a state of being held as a liquid or solid in the recess or through hole of the porous sheet. It may be in the form. The most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

The form of the image forming apparatus is not only that used as an image output terminal device of information processing equipment such as a computer, but also a form of a copying machine combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function. It may be one that takes

[0084]

The first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it includes at least two units provided with image forming means of different image forming systems and is composed of a plurality of detachable units. As a result, even if one of the units for image formation becomes unusable due to some reason, the unit can be easily replaced by the user, and other usable units can be continuously used. The life can be extended.

The second invention of the present invention is characterized in that it has at least two units provided with image forming means of different image forming systems, and these units are detachable. As a result, even if one of the units having different image forming methods cannot be used, it can be used by replacing it. Therefore, the life of the image forming apparatus can be extended.

A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a conveyance unit for providing a recording material conveyance path is detachably provided between detachable units provided with image forming means of different image forming systems. To do. As a result, the number of coupling modes of the detachable units provided with the image forming means of different image forming systems is increased, and the combination of the units can be variously performed. Then, even if the life of any of the units has expired, the user can replace it, so that the remaining usable units can be continuously used, and the image forming apparatus can be prolonged.

A fourth aspect of the present invention comprises a main unit having image forming means and a sub-unit detachable from the main unit and having image forming means different from the image forming method of the main unit. Is characterized by.

Due to this feature, color image formation is performed as a sub-unit by using an ink jet method, black-and-white image formation is performed as a main unit by electrophotography, and the sub-unit is detachable from the main unit. Even if the life of the sub unit is shorter than that of the main unit, the sub unit can be replaced, so that the life of the image forming apparatus can be the same as that of the main unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a main unit having an image forming means and a sub unit having an image forming means detachable from the main unit and having an image forming method different from that of the image forming means of the main unit are provided. It is characterized by comprising a unit and a carrying unit for carrying the recording material between the main unit and the sub unit.

With this feature, even if the life of the sub-unit is shorter than that of the main unit, the sub-unit can be replaced so that the life of the image forming apparatus can be the same as that of the main unit.

In addition to the above effects, by adding a transport unit in addition to the sub-unit, for example, when the main unit is capable of forming a black-and-white image, it becomes possible to optionally add color image formation. It is possible to expand the range of device selection. Also, since the main unit does not include a transport means between the main unit and the sub unit,
The main unit is not complicated and is inexpensive.

The sixth invention of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fifth inventions, at least one image forming means is an electrophotographic system. As a result, normally, a large amount of material can be created at high speed, and any one of the first to fifth inventions can be suitably realized.

In a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, at least one image forming unit is a thermal transfer recording system or a thermal recording system, and therefore the first invention is inexpensive. Therefore, any one of the fifth to fifth inventions can be preferably realized.

The eighth invention of the present invention is the inkjet recording system according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein the at least one image forming means records by ejecting ink according to a signal from the recording means. Is characterized in that. As a result, in applications with relatively few color records,
The invention of any one of the first to fifth aspects is preferably realized.

The ninth invention of the present invention is characterized in that, in the eighth invention of the present invention, said recording means is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ink ejection. Thereby, the eighth invention is preferably realized.

In a tenth aspect of the present invention based on the ninth aspect, the ink is ejected from the ejection port by utilizing the film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy applied to the recording means by the electrothermal converter. It is characterized by
As a result, the ninth aspect of the invention can be realized more preferably.

The eleventh invention of the present invention is an electronic device which is detachable from the first image forming unit including an electrophotographic image forming means for outputting a monochrome image and a color image which is detachable from the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by having a second image forming unit composed of an image forming means of an image forming method other than the photographic method. As a result, the life of the main unit can be adjusted by replacing the second image forming unit having a short life.

In a twelfth aspect of the present invention according to the first, fourth or eleventh aspect, each image forming unit includes a supply means for supplying a recording material relating to the image forming means, and the image forming means. It is characterized in that it has an ejecting means for ejecting the recording material according to (1), and when the units are combined, the ejecting means and the supplying means of the adjoining adjacent units coincide with each other. With this feature, a suitable image forming apparatus is obtained. And in 2nd or 4th invention, a unit can be selectively made detachable and used as it is.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention based on the eleventh aspect, a suitable composite image forming apparatus can be obtained by the image forming unit being of a thermal transfer recording system or a thermal recording system.

The fourteenth invention of the present invention is the eleventh invention, wherein the image forming unit is an ink jet recording system in which the recording means ejects ink in response to a signal to perform recording, thereby providing a suitable composite image. A forming device can be obtained.

The fifteenth invention of the present invention is preferable in the fourteenth invention, because the recording means is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ink ejection.

In a sixteenth aspect of the present invention based on the fifteenth aspect, the recording means ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing the film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. By doing so, a more suitable image forming apparatus can be obtained.

In a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth or fifth aspect, the image forming means of the main unit is configured as a subordinate unit to the main unit, and the subordinate unit is attachable to and detachable from the main unit. Therefore, for example, when the subordinate unit is a process cartridge including the image forming process means, a preferable result for maintenance is obtained.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the seventeenth aspect, the subordinate unit is composed of a plurality of divisible structural units, so that the image forming apparatus can be easily assembled and maintained. .

In a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh aspect, the electrophotographic image forming means is constructed as a process cartridge which can be attached to and detached from the image forming unit, whereby the assembling property and maintainability are improved. It will be easy.

A twentieth aspect of the present invention is the method of the nineteenth aspect, wherein the process cartridge is composed of a plurality of cartridges that can be attached to and detached from the image forming unit. Be done.

The 21st invention of the present invention is the 19th or 2nd invention.
In the invention of No. 0, the process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge,
By making this cartridge removable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the user can replace the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and maintenance-free can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an overall schematic configuration of Example 1.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a second image forming unit according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of replacement of the unit B of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an overall schematic configuration of Example 2.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing an overall schematic configuration of Example 4.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Controller 2 High Voltage Power Supply 3 Low Voltage Power Supply 4 Photosensitive Drum 5 Primary Charger 6 Exposure Device 7 Developing Device 8 Transfer Charger 9 Eliminating Needle 10 Cleaning Device 11 Paper Feed Cassette 12 Paper Feed Roller 13 Registration Roller 14 Transfer Entrance Guide 15 Fixer 16 Conveyor roller 17 Conveyor roller 18 Conveyor roller 19 Conveyor roller 20 Conveyor guide 21 Conveyor guide 22 Conveyor roller 23 Conveyor guide 24 Recording material detection sensor 25 Paper feed roller 26 Platen 27 Injet recording unit 28 Discharge roller 29 Discharge tray 30 Computer etc. External device 35 Lever 36 Hole 37 Positioning convex portion 38 Positioning concave portion 39 Electrical contact 40 Electrical contact 41 Display 41-1 Unit B display 41-2 Unit A display 42 Unit E controller 43 Recording material detection sensor 44 transport roller 45 transport path switching means 46 intermediate tray / paper discharge tray 27a recording head 27b carriage 27c drive pulley 27d driven pulley 27e belt 27f tube 27g ink tank 27h drive pulley 27i driven pulley 27j belt A electrophotographic image forming unit B Inkjet image forming unit A ′ Electrophotographic image forming unit E Conveying unit between unit A and unit C C First image forming section D Second image forming section

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasunori Kono 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising at least two units having image forming means of different image forming systems, and composed of a plurality of detachable units. 2. An image forming apparatus comprising at least two units each having an image forming means of a different image forming system, and these units being detachable. 3. An image forming apparatus, wherein a conveying unit for providing a conveying path for a recording material is detachably provided between detachable units provided with image forming means of different image forming systems. 4. An image forming apparatus comprising: a main unit having an image forming unit; and a sub-unit detachable from the main unit and having an image forming unit different from the image forming system of the main unit. . 5. A main unit having an image forming unit, a sub-unit detachable from the main unit and having an image forming unit of an image forming system different from the image forming system of the image forming unit of the main unit, and the main unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveyance unit that conveys a recording material between the sub-units. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one image forming unit is an electrophotographic system. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one image forming unit is a thermal transfer recording system or a thermal recording system. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one image forming unit is an inkjet recording system in which the recording unit ejects ink according to a signal to perform recording. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the recording unit includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ejecting ink. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the recording unit ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing the film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. apparatus. 11. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming means of different image forming methods, wherein a first image forming unit including an electrophotographic image forming means for outputting a monochrome image and an image forming apparatus are provided. An image forming apparatus comprising a second image forming unit which is detachable and comprises an image forming unit of an image forming system other than an electrophotographic system for outputting a color image. 12. Each image forming unit has a supply means for supplying a recording material relating to the image forming means, and a discharging means for discharging the recording material relating to the image forming means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, 4 or 11, wherein when the units are combined, the ejecting means and the supplying means of the adjacent units that are combined coincide with each other. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second image forming unit is a thermal transfer recording system or a thermal recording system. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second image forming unit is an inkjet recording system in which the recording unit ejects ink in accordance with a signal to perform recording. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the recording unit includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ejecting ink. 16. The image forming method according to claim 15, wherein the recording unit ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing the film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. apparatus. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming means of the main unit is configured as a subordinate unit to the main unit, and the subordinate unit is detachable from the main unit. apparatus. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the subordinate unit is composed of a plurality of divisible constituent units. 19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the electrophotographic image forming means is configured as a process cartridge that is attachable to and detachable from the first image forming unit. 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the process cartridge comprises a plurality of cartridges that can be attached to and detached from the first image forming unit. 21. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, or a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein