JPH09185253A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible for a user to do a job efficiently when replacing a toner storage container by searching for the toner storage container requiring the replacement, after image formation, and moving the toner storage container to a replacement position. SOLUTION: The device uses a revolver which is so composed as to allow the replacement of only the toner storage container stopping in the specific replacement position at the time of toner replenishment. It searches for toner storage container requiring the replacement, and exerts control so that the toner storage container is moved to the replacement position after the image formation or according to an instruction from the user. That is, a CPU 101 searches for toner-end in the following color order, K, C, M, and Y, and when the toner-end color exists, it moves the revolver so that the color comes to the replacement position, and turns off a power pack, motor, etc., successively. Conversely when the toner-end color does not exist, it searches for toner- near-end in the following color order, K, C, M, and Y, and in the case the toner-near-end color exists, the toner in that color is to be moved to the replacement position.

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 such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, etc., for example, by sequentially moving a plurality of developing devices, an electrostatic latent image on a latent image carrier is changed to each color. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a rotary developing device which is developed with the developer of the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of image forming apparatus,
For example, a plurality of developing devices are arranged at predetermined positions on a rotating body provided in the vicinity of a photosensitive drum as a latent image carrier, and each developing device is sequentially moved to a developing position facing the photosensitive drum (color switching). In this case, a rotary developing device (hereinafter referred to as a revolver) that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum with toner of each color is known. For example, a color image forming apparatus is generally provided with developing devices for respectively adhering black and complementary three primary colors, that is, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toners onto a photosensitive drum.

By the way, in recent years, in order to miniaturize the device,
Space saving of the developing device is required. The revolver described above is also one of the solutions, but in order to further save space, the toner replenishment pipe that connects the toner container that stores the toner of each color and the developing device of each color is omitted,
A revolver in which the toner container and the developing device are arranged close to each other is considered. In such a revolver, each time the developing color is switched, the developing device for that color stops at a predetermined developing position, and thus the other developing devices also stop at predetermined positions. Further, toner is supplied from the toner container to the developing device through a toner supply port provided at both joints, but the direction of the toner supply port is the direction in which toner does not spill when the toner container is replaced. Since there is only one position facing toward, the toner container can be replaced with only one color when replenishing the toner.

[0004]

In such a revolver, only the toner container stopped at the predetermined replacement position can be replaced. Therefore, when replenishing the toner, the toner end or the toner near end occurs. When the existing toner container is not at the predetermined replacement position, the user himself has to manually move the toner container to be replaced to the replacement position. In particular, since it is difficult to rotate a general revolver manually, it has been desired to improve the work efficiency when replenishing the toner.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which enables a user to work efficiently when replacing a toner container. Especially.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 accommodates a plurality of developing devices movably supported and a toner to be supplied to each of the plurality of developing devices. And a plurality of toner accommodating units detachably attached to the plurality of developing units, so that only the toner accommodating container stopped at a predetermined exchanging position can be replaced. In the apparatus, a search means for searching a toner container to be replaced, a moving means for moving a predetermined toner container to the replacement position, and a toner container to be replaced at the end of image formation by the searching means. In addition, the toner container to be replaced that has been found is provided with a control unit that moves the toner container to be replaced to the replacement position by the moving unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of developing devices movably supported, and toner supplied to each of the plurality of developing devices are accommodated and detachably attached to the plurality of developing devices. In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of mounted toner containers and configured so that only the toner container stopped at a predetermined replacement position can be replaced, a color mode input of a predetermined color is input. A color mode acceptance unit that accepts, a search unit that searches for a toner container to be replaced, a moving unit that moves a predetermined toner container to the replacement position, and a predetermined color mode are input in the color mode acceptance unit. In this case, the toner container to be replaced is searched by the searching means from among the toner containers used in the color mode, and the searched toner container is moved to the front. Further comprising a control means for moving to the replacement position by the moving means is characterized in.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the toner container is searched by the searching means according to a predetermined priority.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the control means searches the toner storage container to be replaced by at least two toner storage containers, and the toner storage container searched. When one of them is in the exchange position, the movement by the moving means is not performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when the same color mode is continuously input in the color mode accepting means, the control means inputs the color mode each time. Further, the toner container searched by the searching means is sequentially moved to the replacement position.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect, the control means controls the predetermined color in the color mode acceptance means while the toner container is moving to the replacement position. The feature is that the mode input is invalidated.

In the invention of claim 1, 3 or 6,
When the image formation is completed, the toner container to be replaced is searched by the searching unit, and the searched toner container to be replaced is moved to the replacement position by the moving unit, so that the user stores the toner container to be replaced. There is no need to manually move the vessel to the replacement position.

Further, in the inventions of claims 2 to 6, when a predetermined color mode is input, from among the toner containers used in the input color mode,
The toner container to be replaced is searched by the searching means, and the searched toner container is moved to the replacement position by the moving means. Therefore, the user manually moves the toner container to be replaced to the replacement position. You don't have to.

In particular, according to the third aspect of the invention, the toner container to be replaced is searched in accordance with a predetermined priority. Therefore, if the priority of a color that is frequently used is set high, for example, at the end of image formation or When the color mode is input, the toner container of this color preferentially moves to the replacement position.

Further, particularly in the invention of claim 4,
When one of the retrieved toner containers is already in the replacement position when the predetermined color mode is input, the toner container is not moved by the moving unit, so the toner container is not moved. Do not move it in vain.

Further, particularly in the invention of claim 5,
When the same color mode is continuously input after the predetermined color mode is input, the retrieved toner container to be replaced sequentially moves to the replacement position each time the same color mode is input. Therefore, the user can move the toner container to be replaced to the replacement position without inputting another color mode.

Further, particularly in the invention of claim 6,
Since the control means invalidates the input of the predetermined color mode in the color mode receiving means while the toner container is being moved to the replacement position by the moving means, the moving means can be continuously operated for a long time. Absent.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a color electrophotographic printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) which is an image forming apparatus will be described below.

First, the basic configuration of the printer according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the printer according to this embodiment. The printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 supplies a printer unit 1 that forms a color image by an electrophotographic process, a scanner unit 2 that transfers image data read from a document to the printer unit 1, and a transfer sheet to the printer unit 1. Bank unit 3 which is the supply device of
And a DF unit 4 which is a document feeding device for feeding a document to the scanner unit 2 and a sorter unit 5 which is a post-processing device for sorting transfer sheets discharged from the printer unit 1. There is. The basic configuration of the entire printer is almost the same as that of a conventional printer of the same type.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the printer 10 described above. In FIG. 2, a printer controller 100, a scanner controller 200, and a bank controller 3
00, DF control unit 400, and sorter control unit 500 correspond to the respective units shown in FIG.

The printer control unit 100 is a part for controlling the electrophotographic process sequence and the paper carrying process.
The printer control unit 100 is connected to the bank control unit 300 and the sorter control unit 500 by optical fiber serial communication, and performs control according to image forming timing by a predetermined command. The scanner control unit 200 is
This is a part that controls reading of image data of a document and image processing control. This scanner control unit 200 uses the DF
It is connected to the control unit 400 by optical fiber serial communication, and controls the document supply sequence by a predetermined command. The system control unit 800 is a unit that controls the entire system of the printer 10, and the operation control unit 900.
An image input condition is passed to the printer control unit 100 and the scanner control unit 200 according to an instruction input from the device, the state of the entire system is managed and controlled, and a display command is issued. The system control unit 800 is connected to each control unit by optical fiber serial communication. Operation control unit 900
Receives an instruction from the user, passes it to the system control unit 800, and displays the system status, messages, and the like in accordance with a display command from the system control unit 800.

Further, since the printer control unit 100 and the scanner control unit 200 are required to have a strict accuracy in the position alignment at the time of image superposition and the registration of the transfer paper and the image, the sequence control can be directly performed. It is connected by optical fiber serial communication. Further, a data bus for directly transferring image data from the scanner control unit 200 to the printer control unit 100 is also provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed circuit configuration of the printer controller 100 described above. The functions of the printer control unit 100 are CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, R
It is realized by the OM 102, the RAM 103, the serial communication controller 104, the write control IC 105, the I / O controller 107, and each sensor. Less than,
Each unit will be described in order centering on the CPU 101.

The CPU 101 is a circuit for calculating and executing program contents, and controls the entire printer controller 100. The CPU 101 searches for a toner container to be replaced according to the flowchart described later,
Further, control is performed to move the revolver to move a predetermined toner container to the replacement position. The ROM 102 is a memory that contains a control program, and the RAM 103 is a memory that stores and saves data. The CPU 101 and each memory are connected by a data bus and an address bus. The serial communication controller 104 includes the control units (scanner control unit 200, bank control unit 3) shown in FIG.
00, the sorter control unit 500, and the system control unit 800) is a circuit that transmits and receives commands to and from the CPU 101.
And are connected by a data bus and an address bus. The writing control IC 105 is a circuit that controls exposure of image data, and controls the LD control unit for exposure and the polygon motor 115. The write control IC 105 is connected to the CPU 101 via a data bus and an address bus. I / O controller 10
Numeral 7 indicates the CPU 101 from each unit in the printer, and CP
Input / output control from U101 to each part is performed.

The fixing unit (Fuser) 160 performs PWM output for controlling the fixing heater based on the input value of a fixing thermistor A / D (not shown). The power pack unit (PowerPack) 170 controls the output of the power pack by PWM based on the input value of the feedback A / D from the power pack (not shown).
The output of the power pack unit 170 includes a charging charger, a charging grid, a developing bias, and a developing D which will be described later.
It has outputs of a C bias, a developing AC bias, a belt transfer charger, and a paper transfer charger. An electrometer circuit (V-Sensor) 180 is a sensor that measures the surface potential of the photosensitive drum, which will be described later, and the output is the CPU 1.
01 A / D input. Optical sensor circuit 1
Reference numeral 81 denotes a circuit of an optical sensor, which will be described later, for measuring the amount of toner adhered to the photosensitive drum. The phototransistor output of this optical sensor is the A / D input of the CPU 101, and the PWM output from the CPU 101 is the LED of the optical sensor. Connected to the drive circuit.

The main motor 110 is a motor for driving the paper carrying system, and the drum motor 111 is a motor for driving the photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer belt. The developing motor 112 is a motor for driving a developing sleeve described later. The CPU 101 outputs an ON signal and a half-speed signal for reducing the speed to half to each motor, and the rotation speed (speed) of the motor reaches the target rotation speed from each motor to the CPU 101. A steady motor rotation signal (Lok) for determining is input. The revolver motor 113 is a motor for rotating a revolver including a developing device described later. The revolver motor 113 is supplied with a four-phase output from the CPU 101, and performs control for stopping the designated development color at the development position. The replenishment motor 114 is a motor for replenishing the developing unit with toner from a toner container (not shown), and controls the on-time according to the toner adhesion amount.

The intermediate transfer belt mark sensor 150 is a sensor for detecting a reference mark which serves as a reference for alignment during color superposition. The signal from this sensor is connected to the interrupt input (Int) of the CPU 101 because it requires strict accuracy in terms of timing. The revolver home position sensor 151 is a revolver home position (hereinafter, revolver HP) that serves as a reference for the stop position of the revolver.
Is a sensor that detects The signal from this sensor is required to have strict timing accuracy of switching output pulses during rotation of the revolver.
Is connected to the interrupt input (Int).

FIG. 4 shows the I / O controller 10 described above.
7 is a block diagram showing a connection between the computer 7 and peripheral devices. FIG. Outputs from the I / O controller 107 include a registration clutch (CL) 130, a manual feed CL 131, a manual feed pickup solenoid 132, a discharge lamp 133, an intermediate transfer belt cleaning contact / separation solenoid 134, and a lubricant application solenoid 135. As the input, there are a registration sensor 140, a manual paper end sensor 141, a paper discharge sensor, a black cartridge sensor 142, a color cartridge sensor 143, a door switch input 144 for detecting an open / closed state of a door provided in the printer body, and the like. .

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of the printer unit 1 shown in FIG. Printer unit 1 shown in FIG.
Is roughly divided into a photosensitive drum 1 as a latent image carrier.
1. Revolver 20 as developing device, intermediate transfer belt 3
0, a writing system unit 40 as a laser optical device.

Around the photosensitive drum 11, a charge eliminating lamp (hereinafter, QL) 18 for erasing the residual charge on the photosensitive drum 11, a charging charger (hereinafter, charging CH) 12 as a charging means, and a photosensitive member. An electrometer 13 for measuring the surface potential of the drum 11, an optical sensor 14 for reading the image density on the photoconductor drum 11, the photoconductor drum 1 before transfer.
A pre-transfer charge erasing lamp (hereinafter, PTL) 15 for lowering the surface potential of No. 1, a belt transfer charger 16 for giving + charge, and a drum cleaning device 17 for removing toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 are provided. It is arranged. The photosensitive drum 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 30 are
Both are rotationally driven by the drum motor 111 shown in FIG.

Revolver 2 in contact with this photosensitive drum 11
The inside of 0 is divided into four, and developing devices 21K, C, M, and Y of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are provided. . Cylindrical developing sleeves 22K, C, M, and Y as a developer carrying member are rotatably supported on the developing devices 21K, C, M, and Y, respectively. The developing sleeve 22 is rotationally driven by the developing motor 112 shown in FIG. Further, a toner container (not shown) as a toner container that contains toner corresponding to each color is detachably held in each of the developing devices 21K, C, M, and Y. This toner container is arranged close to the developing devices 21K, C, M and Y, and moves in conjunction with the developing devices 21K, C, M and Y. The developing position of the revolver 20 is located between the potential sensor 13 on the photoconductor drum 11 and the optical sensor 14. In FIG. 5, the developing device 21K is in the developing position. The revolver 20 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow C by the revolver motor 113 shown in FIG. The CPU 101 shown in FIG. 3 is a revolver motor 1 with four-phase output.
13 is rotationally controlled to stop the development color of the designated color at the development position. The HP that serves as the stop position reference of the revolver 20 is
It is detected by the revolver H optical sensor 151 arranged below the revolver 20.

The writing system unit 40 includes a polygon mirror 116 rotated by a polygon motor 115, and fθ.
It is composed of optical components such as a lens 117 and a mirror 118. The laser beam generated by an LD (laser diode) (not shown) is reflected by the polygon mirror 116.
It is rotated and scanned by the lens, the optical path is bent by the mirror 118 through the fθ lens 117, and it is exposed between the charge CH12 and the electrometer 13 on the photosensitive drum 11 uniformly charged by the charge CH12.

On the other hand, a belt mark sensor 15 which is provided inside the belt around the intermediate transfer belt 30 and which reads a mark (not shown) which serves as a reference for alignment during color superposition.
0, a lubricant application unit 32 for applying a lubricant on the intermediate transfer belt 30, a paper transfer charger 33 for transferring an image transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 30 to a transfer paper (not shown), an intermediate transfer belt 30 A belt cleaning unit 34 is provided for cleaning the untransferred toner and the residual toner. The intermediate transfer belt 30 and the photosensitive drum 11 are connected to the belt transfer charger 1 during image formation.
6 are in contact with each other, but two support rollers 119,
By moving 120, the intermediate transfer belt 30 can be separated from the photosensitive drum 11 as shown by the broken line in the figure. The peripheral length of the intermediate transfer belt 30 is set to be longer than the sum of the maximum image size and the pattern area of the optical sensor (including the distance from the image rear end and the pattern margin length). Further, the belt cleaning unit 34 is configured to be able to come into contact with and separate from the intermediate transfer belt 30 by an intermediate transfer belt cleaning solenoid (not shown). Further, the application of the lubricant is configured so that it can be brought into contact with and separated from the intermediate transfer belt 30 by a lubricant application solenoid (not shown), and it is possible to apply or not apply the application.

Further, upstream of the paper transfer charger 33,
A registration roller 50 and a registration sensor 140 are provided, and a transport belt 51 and a fixing unit (not shown) are provided downstream. Of these, the registration roller 50, the conveyor belt 51, and the fixing roller (not shown) are rotationally driven by the main motor 110 shown in FIG. Further, the registration roller 50 is turned on / off by the registration clutch 130 shown in FIG.

In the structure shown in FIG. 5, the photosensitive drum 11 is charged in the charging CH1 while being rotated in the direction of arrow A.
After being uniformly charged by 2, the writing system unit 40
Thus, scanning exposure is performed based on the image information, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. Here, the image information to be exposed is black image information if it is a single color, and if it is full color,
Select the desired full-color image from yellow, magenta, cyan,
And image information of a single color decomposed into black color information. Further, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 11 is developed by the revolver 20 with yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners as predetermined developers, respectively, so that each color image on the photoconductor drum 11 is developed. Is formed.

On the other hand, the respective color images formed on the photoconductor drum 11 are in the form of yellow, magenta, cyan and black on the intermediate transfer belt 30 which rotates in the direction of arrow B in the figure in synchronization with the photoconductor drum 11. The belt transfer charger 16 sequentially and sequentially transfers each color. Yellow, magenta, cyan, superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 30
The black image and the black image are collectively transferred by a paper transfer charger 33 onto a transfer paper (not shown) conveyed from a paper feed tray (not shown) through a paper feed roller (not shown) and a registration roller 50. After completion of the transfer, the transfer paper is sent to a fixing roller (not shown) by the transport belt 51, where the toner image is fixed and discharged outside the apparatus as a full-color print.

The toner on the photoconductor drum 11 that has not been transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 30 is removed from the photoconductor drum 11 by the drum cleaning device 17, and is not transferred onto the transfer paper (not shown). The toner on the transfer belt 30 is removed by the belt cleaning unit 34.
Is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 30.

Next, the sequence of image formation will be described with reference to the timing charts of FIGS. 6 to 8 and a block diagram. In each timing chart described below, it is assumed that any one of the developing devices is at the developing position. Further, “FGATE” in the timing chart is a gate signal of image data, and the image data is written on the photosensitive drum 11 while it is on. Furthermore, in the following description, corresponding items in the timing chart are shown in parentheses. First, a sequence in the case of forming a monochromatic image will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 6 and each block diagram. FIG. 6 shows an example in which two black and white images of A4 size (conveying paper in the short side direction) are output.

When the CPU 101 (FIG. 3) receives the start command (a) from the system controller 800, it turns on the QL 18 and the drum motor 111 (g, b). Then, when the start position (charge-removed portion) on the photosensitive drum 11 reaches the charging position, the charging CH 12 is turned on (h). Further, when the charged portion on the photosensitive drum 11 reaches the developing position, the developing biases DC and AC and the developing motor 112 are turned on (i, j, k). Further, when the position where the developing bias on the photoconductor drum 11 is turned on reaches the belt transfer position, the belt transfer charger 16 is turned on (n). This is the front rotation. When the development color of the developing device at the development position when the revolver 20 is stopped is different from the designated development color, the development bias DC,
After the AC is turned on, the revolver 20 is rotated until the designated development color reaches the development position. In this case, up to this point is the pre-rotation.

If the exposure position on the photosensitive drum 11 is charged by the pre-rotation, the photosensitive drum 1
A latent image can be formed on 1. CPU 101
The scanner controller 200 (FIG. 3) is instructed to turn on the lamp and start the scanner so as to send the image data after the timing (d). When the image is scanned, the image data is transferred from the scan control unit 200 to the write control IC 105 (FIG. 3). Write control I
At C105, the image data is exchanged with the exposure data, and the LD control unit 106 and the polygon motor 115 are controlled to perform exposure so as to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 (e).

The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is developed by the developing device 21, and the belt transfer charger 1
The image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 30 by 6. And C
The PU 101 turns on the paper transfer charger 33 before the transferred image reaches the paper transfer position (o), and transfers the image to the transfer paper. The transfer paper is fed in time for the paper transfer timing, and the registration roller 50
After the front end of the transfer paper is abutted against (FIG. 5) to enter the standby state, the registration clutch 130 (FIG. 4) is turned on (r) at the timing when the front end of the image and the front end of the transfer paper match at the paper transfer position. Further, the transfer sheet on which the image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing unit (not shown) by the conveyor belt 51 (FIG. 5), heat-fixed by a fixing roller and discharged to a sheet discharge tray (not shown).

If the CPU 101 determines that there is no next image formation after the paper transfer is completed, the CPU 101 proceeds to the end sequence. Here, first, the belt transfer charger 16 is turned off (n), and when the position on the photosensitive belt 11 where the belt transfer charger 16 is turned off reaches the position of the charging CH12, the charging CH12 is turned off (h). Next, when the position reaches the developing position, the developing bias DC, AC
And the developing motor 112 is turned off (i, j, k). From this point, the mark sensor 150 (FIG. 5) is set in the reference mark detection standby state (c), and after the mark detection, the drum motor 111 is turned on until the reference mark is stopped at a predetermined position (b), and the drum motor 111 is turned on. QL at the same time of turning off
Turn off 18 (g).

The CPU 101 uses the photosensitive drum 11
After performing the upward exposure, the optical sensor 14 and the optical sensor LED (not shown) are turned on (f, l). Further, the PTL 15 is turned on before turning on the paper transfer charger 33 (m). However, the belt cleaning unit 34 maintains the contact state (p), and the revolver motor 113 (FIG. 3).
Is not turned on because it is a single color (q).

Next, a sequence for forming a full-color image will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 7 and each block diagram. However, the description of the same parts as those in FIG. 6 will be omitted. FIG. 7 shows a timing chart in the case of outputting one full-color image of A4 size (paper conveyance in the short side direction).

The control up to the pre-rotation is the same as the sequence for single color shown in FIG. 6, but in the full-color sequence, color switching is performed during image formation. That is, when the drum motor 111 is turned on, the intermediate transfer belt 3
When 0 rotates and the mark sensor 150 detects the reference mark (c), since the mark sensor 150 is connected to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 101, the interrupt process is executed on the program of the CPU 101. Among them, the scan start command for the first color (K) is issued to the scanner control unit 200.
To (d). Then, after developing the electrostatic latent image of the first color (K) on the photosensitive drum 11 by the developing device 21K,
When the transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 30 is completed, the revolver 20 is connected so that the developing device 21C for the second color (C) reaches the developing position (q). In addition, the intermediate transfer belt 3
When the transfer to 0 is completed, the intermediate transfer belt 30
The belt cleaning unit 34 that has been in contact with is released (p) so that the image on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is not erased.

After that, when the mark sensor 150 detects the reference mark again (c), a scan start command for the second color (C) is transmitted to the scanner controller 200 (d). After the electrostatic latent image of the second color (C) is developed by the developing device 21C, when the transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 30 is completed, the revolver is moved so that the developing device 21M of the third color (M) reaches the developing position. Rotate 20 (q). Below, the third color (M),
The fourth color (Y) is similarly developed and the image is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 30. The full-color image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 30 in this way turns on the paper transfer charger 33 (o) immediately before reaching the paper transfer position in order to transfer the image onto the transfer paper, and transfers the image to the transfer paper. The transfer paper is transported in the same way as in the case of a single color.

Now, the intermediate transfer belt 30 for the fourth color (Y)
Upon completion of the transfer to (1), the revolver 20 is rotated (q) so that the developing device 21K for the first color (K) is set at the developing position to prepare for the next image formation. At the same time, the belt cleaning unit 34 is changed from the released state to the contact state,
The transfer residual toner after the paper transfer on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is cleaned to prepare for the next image formation (p). Note that the ending sequence is the same as that for a single color.

FIG. 8 shows A3 size (paper is conveyed in the long side direction)
7 is a timing chart when one full-color image is output. In FIG. 7, the image forming cycle for one color is one revolution of the intermediate transfer belt 30, but in FIG. 8, the image forming period for one color is two revolutions. This is because in the A3 size, there is no timing to switch to the next development color in one round of the intermediate transfer belt 30, and therefore the reference mark detection of the mark sensor 150 is skipped once for each color. Also,
The timing of the contact of the belt cleaning unit 34 and the timing of paper transfer are different between A4 and A3. However, in the case of A4, the entire image is inserted from the position of the belt transfer charger 16 to the position of the paper transfer charger 33. The belt cleaning unit 34 is contacted at an earlier timing. However, in A3, the contact is made after the paper is transferred, in order not to be entirely within the interval and in order to avoid the transfer failure due to the vibration of the contact during the transfer of the paper.

When outputting an image captured from the outside, without instructing the scanner control unit 200 to start the scanner, the image data is output at the reference mark detection timing of the mark sensor 150 even when the colors are overlapped. By writing, a desired transfer paper output can be obtained.

Next, the revolver 20 in the present embodiment.
The configuration of the toner container will be described. 9 is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the revolver 20, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing a toner circulation path in the revolver 20. 9 is a sectional view when the front side plate 600 of FIG. 10 is removed and seen from the axial direction.
The elements in front of are shown. In addition, FIG.
Although a conceptual sectional view of an arbitrary developing device is shown, here,
The vertical conveying screw 606 of the developing device 21K shown in FIG.
612 shows a vertical cross-sectional view taken along a plane including the central axis of 612.

In FIG. 9, the revolver 20 includes a substantially disc-shaped front side plate 600 and a rear side plate 601 (see FIG. 10), and a developing casing portion 602. The inside of the developing casing portion 602 includes partition portions 602-1, 602-2,
It is divided into four parts by 602-3, 602-4, and each partition part has a developing device 21K corresponding to K, C, M, Y.
C, M and Y are arranged respectively. In the example of FIG.
At the developing position facing the photoconductor drum 11 is a black developing device 21K containing black toner and a carrier,
In the following, in the order of clockwise rotation in the drawing, a cyan developing device 21C containing cyan toner and carrier, a magenta developing device 21M containing magenta toner and carrier, and a yellow developing device 21Y containing yellow toner and carrier.
Are arranged.

Since the internal structures of the four developing devices are exactly the same, the internal structure will be described below on behalf of the black developing device 21K at the developing position in FIG. Developing device 21K
Is a small unit consisting of a cylindrical developing sleeve 22K and a doctor 603 provided between two small side plates 604 (one of which is omitted in FIG. 9) arranged to face each other on the front side and the other side in the figure. 605K, an upper conveying screw 606, a paddle 607, a lower conveying screw 612, and the like. A shaft 608 is arranged below the small unit 605K so as to pass through the two small side plates 604. This axis 60
8 is further supported by a front side plate 600 and a rear side plate 601, and the entire small unit 605K is configured to be rotatable about a shaft 608 as a fulcrum. Further, elongated holes 609 are formed at the upper ends of the two small side plates 604, and they are respectively fixed to the front side plate 600 and the rear side plate 601 by screws (not shown). According to this, by loosening the screw and rotating the small unit 605K around the shaft 608, the developing sleeve 22K is moved to the photosensitive drum 1.
Since it can be moved closer to or farther from 1, the developing gap between the developing sleeve 22K and the photoconductor drum 11 can be adjusted.

At the time of development, as shown in FIG. 9, the revolver 20 is stopped so that the center of rotation of the developing sleeve 22 (22K in this case) is located horizontally from the center point 611 of the photosensitive drum 11. Is set. This position is called a developing position, and is a regular stop position of the revolver 20.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual side view showing the mounted state of the toner container, and FIG. 12 is a front view showing the internal structure of the toner container and the toner hopper. In addition, FIG.
FIG. 12 shows a state in which the revolver 20 is viewed from the side opposite to FIG. 10, and FIG.
The state when viewed from above is shown.

As shown in FIG. 11, the front side plate 600, the rear side plate 601 and the developing devices 21K, C, M and Y (in the figure,
(Only K and Y are shown) constitutes a cylindrical revolver 20 as a whole. Further, toner containers 621 to 624 for accommodating toners of respective colors K, C, M, and Y are arranged at the forefront portion (the left end portion in the drawing) of the revolver 20 (in the drawing, Only K and Y are shown). The toner containers 621 to 624 are arranged in the developing unit 21K shown in FIG.
It corresponds to the arrangement of C, M and Y. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the toner of K is in the toner container 621 (omitted in the drawing), and the toner of C is in the toner container 622, M.
The toner is stored in the toner container 623, and the toner of Y is stored in the toner container 624.

As shown in FIG. 10, a toner hopper 610 is arranged at the frontmost part of the revolver 20 in proximity to the toner containers 621 to 624. Here, since the structure of the toner hopper 610 is the same for all four colors, the upper conveying screw 606 and the lower conveying screw 612 have the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 12, toner container 621-6
24 and the toner hopper 610 are assembled in a state in which the substantially concave portion of the toner container and the substantially convex portion of the toner hopper are fitted together. In this way, in the state where the toner container and the toner hopper are assembled, the frontmost part of the revolver 20 is shaped like a cylinder or a part of a cylinder as a whole.
Each toner hopper 610 constitutes a unit in a state of being fixed to a disc-shaped side plate (not shown), and is connected to the revolver 20 by a pipe-shaped guide 640 covering the lower conveying screw 612 as shown in FIG. ing. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 617 is a toner container 621.
8A to 8D show communication paths when toner is replenished into the toner hopper 610.

In FIG. 12, the toner container (621) (not shown) in the developing position is in the first quadrant, and the toner container 623 described later is in the third quadrant. Below the toner container 623 located in the third quadrant, a cartridge sensor 143 for detecting the presence or absence of a cartridge at the replacement position is provided. The cartridge sensor 143 is a reflection type photo sensor. When the toner container is in the third quadrant, the cartridge sensor 143 detects the reflection and notifies the CPU 101 of FIG. 3 that the toner container is present. When it is not in the quadrant, no reflection is detected, so the absence of toner container is notified.

Next, the replenishment of toner from the toner container to the toner hopper will be described. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing how toner is moved from the toner container to the toner hopper, and corresponds to FIG. Here, since the toner in each of the toner containers 621 to 624 moves in the same manner, the black toner container 621 will be described as a representative.
As shown in FIG. 13, when the black toner container 621 is in the developing position, the toner container 621 and the toner hopper 6 are
The communication passage 617 formed commonly at the joint portion with 10 faces in a substantially vertical direction as indicated by an arrow 616. Also,
Since the side wall of the toner container 621 toward the communication path 617 is formed in a funnel shape, the toner container 62 is formed.
The toner accommodated in the No. 1 is moved to the toner hopper 610 side by the action of gravity and is filled in the toner hopper 610. When the other toner container is set at the developing position, the toner is similarly moved to the corresponding toner hopper and filled. Since the inner wall contact surface of the toner container 621 with which the toner contacts is connected to the communication passage 617 by a smooth surface 618, in addition to the action of gravity when the communication passage 617 is oriented in the vertical direction, the cartridge Since the shape of (1) guides the toner to the entrance of the communication path 617 by the rotation of the revolver 20, the toner contained in the toner container can be used up completely.

Next, the transfer of toner from the toner hopper to the developing sleeve will be described. Since the toner is conveyed from each toner hopper to the developing sleeve by the same operation, the black developing device 21K will be described here as a representative. As shown in FIG. 10, a replenishing roller 613 is disposed below each toner hopper 610. The toner accumulated on the replenishing roller 613 passes through a plurality of toner discharge ports 626 formed in the lower part of the hopper according to the rotation of the replenishing roller 613, and then onto the lower conveying screw 612 extending to the lower part of the hopper. To fall. These toners are transported in the direction of the arrow in the figure as the lower transport screw 612 rotates. Then, it is discharged to the outside of the paddle 607 through an opening 627 formed in the paddle 607, and vertical stirring is performed by the paddle 607. The vertically stirred toner is pumped up to the developing sleeve 22K (see FIG. 9) and is used for development.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, during development, the photosensitive drum 11 is rotated counterclockwise and the developing sleeve 2 is rotated.
Each 2K rotates clockwise. Doctor 603
It is in contact with the developing sleeve 22K, and the developing sleeve 22K
The amount of toner carried on the paper is regulated. Further, in FIG. 9, reference numeral 614 indicates a screw guide that covers the upper conveying screw 606. A part of the surplus toner regulated by the doctor 603 is stored in the screw guide 6
14 and is conveyed to the front side of the drawing by the upper conveying screw 606. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the toner carried by the upper carrying screw 606 is sent onto the lower carrying screw 612 through the toner discharge pipe 615 provided in the front, and passes through the toner hopper from the above-mentioned toner container. Mixed with replenished toner. In this way, the uneven density of the toner is eliminated by the horizontal stirring by the two screws 606 and 612 arranged vertically and the vertical stirring by the paddle 607.

The revolver 20 is provided with four developing devices for circulating such toner every 90 degrees, whereby the revolver 20 having a four-color structure is constituted. When developing a color image, the revolver 20 rotates counterclockwise to switch colors in the order of K → C → M → Y. By the rotation of the revolver 20, the toner is loosened in the toner container, and the rotation direction is taken into consideration so that the toner is accumulated on the supply roller 613 shown in FIG.

Also, the revolver 20 according to this embodiment.
In the replacement position of the toner container, the replenishment port (not shown) of the toner container faces upward so that the toner does not scatter inside and outside the apparatus even if there is residual toner in the toner container. Limited to quadrant position. For example, in FIG. 12, since the toner container 623 is in the third quadrant, only the toner container 623 can be replaced at this position. The limitation of the exchange position is restricted by the inner cover 630 shown only by the outer edge in FIG. That is, the inner cover 630 has a notch formed only at the position of the toner container in the third quadrant, and the toner container cannot be taken out at any position other than this notch. The position in the third quadrant is called the exchange position with respect to the developing position.
FIG. 14 is a diagram in which the color currently at the developing position and the target moving color to be moved to the replacement position are associated with each other. For example, if a black (K) toner container is present at the developing position,
To move cyan (C) to the exchange position, it is sufficient to rotate 270 degrees, and yellow (Y) is required to rotate 90 degrees. FIG. 15 is a diagram in which the developing position color and the replacement position color are associated with each other. For example, if the developing position color is (M), then the replacement position color is (K). As described with reference to FIG. 5, the HP serving as the stop position reference of the revolver 20 is the revolver H disposed below the revolver 20.
It is detected by the optical sensor 151. CPU 101
In FIG. 3, the revolver H optical sensor 151 detects the HP of the revolver, so that the developing device (K) can be stopped at the developing position. In addition, FIG. 14 and FIG.
By referring to the correspondence table shown in, how much should be rotated to move the target moving color to the exchange position,
Alternatively, it is possible to know the replacement position at that time from the color of the current development position.

By the way, in the printer according to this embodiment, a reference density pattern is formed on the photosensitive drum every time a predetermined number (for example, 10) of printing operations are performed, and the image density of this pattern is measured by the optical sensor ( 5) is read, and toner is supplied to the developing device according to the value, so that the toner concentration of the toner in the developing device is controlled to a predetermined concentration. In such toner concentration control, when it is determined that the toner concentration of the toner in the developing device is continuously low a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times), it is determined that the developing device is in the toner near end state, A toner near-end LED (not shown) corresponding to this developing device is turned on. After the toner near-end LED is turned on, a predetermined number of printing operations by the developing device are permitted. After that, it is determined that the developing device is in the toner end state, and the toner (not shown) corresponding to the developing device is determined. The end LED is lit. After the toner end LED lights up, for example, without permitting the printing operation,
It waits until the user replaces the toner container, or executes other preparation operations. The toner container is replaced for a reason other than the toner end or the toner near end, but here, the toner container is replaced by the toner end or the toner near end.

For the printer in the standby state,
When the user opens the front cover (hereinafter referred to as the door) of the printer main body, removes the toner container from the replacement position, installs a new toner container from the replacement position into a predetermined developing device, and closes the door, the toner container is removed. The replacement work of the container is completed. After this work, a recovery operation for restoring the toner density of the developing device is executed inside the printer, and when this is completed, the developing device equipped with a new toner container is ready for development.

As in the printer of this embodiment, in the case of using the revolver configured so that only the toner container stopped at the predetermined replacement position can be replaced at the time of toner replenishment, at the time of toner replenishment If the toner container which is at the toner end or the toner near end is not at the replacement position, the user himself / herself must move the toner container to be replaced to the replacement position. Further, even when only the toner container of a specific color is replaced, if the toner container to be replaced is not at the replacement position, the user must also manually move the toner container. However, since it is difficult to rotate a general revolver manually, the work of moving the toner container is inefficient.

Therefore, in the printer of this embodiment, the toner container to be replaced is searched, and the toner container to be replaced is controlled to the replacement position at the end of image formation or according to an instruction from the user. . Next, movement control of the toner container in the printer of this embodiment will be described as Embodiments 1 to 6.

[Embodiment 1] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the end of image formation in Embodiment 1, and particularly shows an end routine at the time of toner end and near end. The following processing is performed by the CPU 101 shown in FIG.
Running in.

When the CPU 101 shifts to the end routine, it searches for the toner end color in the order of K, C, M, and Y (steps 201 to 204). (Step 205 to Step 208). Then, the revolver is moved so that the target toner end color comes to the replacement position (step 209), and the power pack, the motor, etc. are sequentially turned off (step 21).
0) End.

If there is no toner end color in the K, C, M, Y order, the toner near end color is searched in the K, C, M, Y order (steps 211 to 214). If there is a toner near-end color, that color is targeted for movement to the replacement position (steps 215 to 215).
Step 218). If Y is not the toner near end in step 214, M is set as the movement target to the exchange position (step 219). The subsequent processing is the same as that for the toner end. When neither the toner end color nor the toner near end color is present, the color M is moved to the exchange position and the processing is ended. This is done by making the color K the developing position in the normal end routine. (See FIG. 15).

According to the movement control of the first embodiment, at the end of image formation, the toner container of the toner end or the toner near end is searched, and the searched toner container is moved to the replacement position. When the image formation is completed, the toner end or the toner container of the toner end can be promptly replaced.

Further, in the movement control of the first embodiment, when the color in the toner end or toner near end state is searched, the colors K, C, M and Y are sequentially searched. This priority is set based on the prediction of the usage frequency and the like. That is, in the color mode of a general image forming apparatus, the black or full-color mode is most often used. Therefore, if the capacity of the toner container is the same, the toner container is most frequently replaced, and the toner near-end is not used. There is a high probability that the period from the end of the toner to the end of the toner, or the period from the end of the toner to the inhibition of image formation is the shortest. Further, when the plurality of toner containers are in the toner end or toner near end state, the operator most likely wants to replace the toner container for use in subsequent image formation. C,
There is no great difference in the frequency of use for the colors M and Y, but FIG.
When the revolver 20 rotates in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 5, the revolver 20 appears in the exchange position in the order of K, C, M, and Y. Therefore, from the viewpoint of minimizing the moving amount of the revolver and shortening the moving time as much as C, It is desirable to set the order of M and Y. Since the search is performed in order of such priority, it is necessary to replace the toner container compared to the case where the toner container to be moved to the replacement position is randomly determined while the toner containers are in the toner end state. It is possible to preferentially move the toner container, which is highly likely to be replaced by the operator or highly likely to be replaced by the operator, to the replacement position.

Further, in the movement control of the first embodiment, the presence / absence of the toner container of the toner end is searched prior to the presence / absence of the toner container of the toner near end. That is, first, the presence / absence of a toner container at the toner end is changed from K → C.
The search is performed in the order of → M → Y, and when there is no toner container of the toner end, the presence or absence of the toner container of the toner near end is searched in the order of K → C → M → Y.
Therefore, at the time when the image formation is completed, it is possible to move the toner container, which has the smallest remaining amount of toner and has the highest urgency of replacement, to the replacement position.

In the movement control of the first embodiment, even when only the toner container of the toner near end is present, the toner container of the toner near end is moved to the replacement position. Therefore, the toner container before the toner end is reached. By exchanging, it becomes possible to continuously perform more image formation.

[Embodiment 2] By the way, in the printer configured to be able to replace only the toner container stopped at the predetermined replacement position when toner is replenished like the printer according to the present embodiment, the toner end Alternatively, when performing printing using a toner container in which toner near end has occurred and is not in the replacement position, the user must also move the toner container to be replaced to the replacement position. did not become. Therefore, in the movement control of the second embodiment, control is performed such that the toner container to be replaced is moved to the replacement position according to the pressed color mode key. Next, as a second embodiment, a process of moving the toner container by pressing the color mode key will be described. The color mode key is input through a control panel (not shown) of the operation control unit 900 (FIG. 2) of the printer body.

17 to 25 are flow charts showing the process of moving the toner container by depressing each color mode key. Here, as color mode keys, full color, red, green, blue, cyan, magenta,
Yellow and black are prepared, and when the user presses a desired key, a predetermined moving process is executed for the toner container used in the pressed color mode.
The following processes are executed by the CPU 101 shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure when the movement processing is distributed according to the pressed color mode key. When the user presses the color mode key, the CPU 101 determines which mode the pressed key is (step 301 to step 307), and shifts to the moving process of the corresponding mode (step 308 to).
Step 315). Next, as a subroutine (step 308 to step 315) of FIG. 17, movement processing in each mode will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the full color mode. CPU 101 is K, C, M, Y
It is determined in the order of the toner end (step 401
(Step 404), when there is toner end, that color is targeted for movement to the replacement position (Step 405).
Step 408). Then, the revolver is moved so that the toner container of the target color comes to the replacement position (step 409). In addition, step 401 to step 40
If there is no toner end in step 4, it is determined whether toner near end is in the order of K, C, M, Y (step 41).
0-step 413). Here, when there is toner near end, that color is targeted for movement to the replacement position (steps 414 to 417), and the process proceeds to step 409. When none of K, C, M, and Y is the toner end or the toner near end, the revolver is not moved and the process ends (step 418).

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the red mode. The CPU 101 determines whether the toner end is the toner end in the order of M and Y (step 501, step 5).
02), when there is toner end, that color is targeted for movement to the replacement position (step 503, step 50).
4). Then, the revolver is moved so that the toner container of the target color comes to the replacement position (step 50).
5). If there is no toner end in step 502, it is determined in the order of M and Y whether toner is near end (steps 506 and 507). Here, when there is toner near end, that color is targeted for movement to the replacement position (steps 508 and 509), and the process proceeds to step 505. When neither M nor Y is the toner end or the toner near end, the revolver is not moved and the process ends (step 510).

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the green mode. The CPU 101 determines in the order of C and Y whether it is the toner end (step 601 and step 602), and when the toner end is present, the color is targeted for movement to the replacement position (step 603 and step 6).
04). Then, the revolver is moved so that the toner container of the target color comes to the replacement position (step 60).
5). If there is no toner end in step 602, it is determined in the order of C and Y whether toner is near end (steps 606 and 607). Here, when there is toner near end, that color is targeted for movement to the replacement position (steps 608 and 609), and the process proceeds to step 605. When neither C nor Y is the toner end or the toner near end, the revolver ends without moving (step 610).

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the blue mode. The CPU 101 determines in the order of C and M whether it is the toner end (step 701, step 7).
02) If there is toner end, that color is targeted for movement to the replacement position (step 703, step 70).
4). Then, the revolver is moved so that the toner container of the target color comes to the replacement position (step 70).
5). If there is no toner end in step 702, it is determined in the order of C and M whether toner is near end (steps 706 and 707). Here, when there is toner near end, that color is targeted for movement to the replacement position (steps 708 and 709), and the process proceeds to step 705. When neither C nor M is the toner end or the toner near end, the revolver ends without moving (step 710).

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the black mode. The CPU 101 determines whether K is toner end or toner near end (step 8).
01), if either of them is K, the revolver is moved with K as the movement target to the exchange position (step 80).
2). If K is neither the toner end nor the toner near end in step 801, the revolver is not moved and the process ends (step 803).

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the cyan mode. The CPU 101 determines whether C is the toner end or the toner near end (step 90).
1) If either one is selected, C is set as a moving target to the exchange position, and the revolver is moved (step 902).
If C is neither toner end nor toner near end in step 901, the revolver ends without moving (step 903).

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the magenta mode. The CPU 101 determines whether M is toner end or toner near end (step 1
001), if either of them is M, the revolver is moved with M as the movement target to the exchange position (step 100).
2). If M is neither the toner end nor the toner near end in step 1001, the revolver ends without moving (step 1003).

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the yellow mode. The CPU 101 determines whether Y is toner end or toner near end (step 1
101), and when either one is set, Y is set as a movement target to the exchange position, and the revolver is moved (step 110).
2). If Y is neither the toner end nor the toner near end in step 1101, the revolver is not moved and the process ends (step 1103).

As described above, in the movement control of the second embodiment, the toner container in the toner end or toner near end state is searched and searched from the toner containers used by the pressed color mode key. Since the toner container is moved to the replacement position, when the user performs printing using a toner container that has a toner end or toner end and is not in the replacement position, The toner container to be replaced can be moved to the replacement position simply by pressing the color mode key. Therefore, the user can quickly replace the toner container to be replaced without manually moving the toner container to the replacement position.

Further, in the movement control of the second embodiment, when the color in the toner end or toner near end state is searched, the color having the highest priority set for each toner color is searched in order. The toner container can be replaced efficiently. This also applies to the following embodiments.

Further, in the movement control of the second embodiment, not only the toner container having the highest priority is searched in order (toner end → toner near end), but also the color having the highest priority is searched (K → Since the search is performed in the order of C → M → Y), the toner can be replenished efficiently. That is, first move the toner container in the toner end state to K →
The search is performed in the order of C → M → Y, and when there is no toner near-end state, the toner container is searched in the order of K → C → M → Y. Since the smallest number of colors moves to the replacement position, the toner can be replenished efficiently. This also applies to the following embodiments.

In the movement control of the second embodiment, the revolver is not moved when there is no toner container in the toner end or toner near end state. Therefore, for example, when there is no toner container in the toner end or toner near end state. Moreover, as compared with the case where the revolver is moved, the time required for unnecessary movement is omitted, and the waiting time can be shortened. At the same time, the life of the revolver motor and the generation of mechanical noise can be minimized. This also applies to the subsequent embodiments.

[Third Embodiment] In the movement control of the second embodiment, the toner container to be replaced is searched for in the order of high priority among the toner containers used by the pressed color mode key. When the color mode key is pressed, the toner container with high priority always moves to the replacement position. Therefore, among the colors that the user wants to use, for example, two or more colors are out of toner, and the toner container of the lower priority color is in the replacement position before the color mode key is pressed. Even if
When the color mode key is pressed, the toner container of the color having the higher priority is first moved to the replacement position. For this reason, in order to form an image, after replacing the toner container of the color having the high priority first, the same color mode key is pressed again to move the toner container of the color having the low priority to the replacement position. Therefore, the waiting time before starting the image formation becomes long. Therefore, in the movement control of the third embodiment, the revolver is not moved when the toner container to be exchanged for the color to be used is already in the exchange position, and the revolver is moved only when the toner container to be exchanged is not in the exchange position. It is controlled to move. next,
As a third embodiment, a process of moving the toner container by pressing the color mode key will be described.

26 to 29 are flow charts showing the moving process of the toner container by pressing the full-color mode key and the two-color mode key. The flowcharts of FIGS. 26 to 29 are executed as the subroutine of FIG. Each processing described below is performed by the CPU 101 shown in FIG.
Running in.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the full color mode. When the full color mode key is pressed, the CPU 101 determines whether or not there is a toner end color at present (step 1201), and if there is a toner end color, determines whether the replacement position color is toner end (step 1201). Step 1202). If the replacement position color is toner end, the revolver ends without moving (step 1203). If the replacement position color is not the toner end in step 1202, it is determined whether the toner end is in the order of K, C, and M (step 1204).
(Step 1206), when there is toner end,
The color is targeted for movement to the exchange position (step 120).
7 to step 1209). Also, in step 1206, M
When is not the toner end, Y is set as the movement target to the exchange position (step 1210). Then, the revolver is moved so that the toner container of the target color comes to the replacement position (step 1211).

On the other hand, when there is currently no toner end color in step 1201, it is determined whether there is toner near end color (step 1212). If there is no toner near-end color, the revolver ends without moving (step 1203). If there is a toner near end color, it is determined whether the replacement position color is toner near end (step 1213), and if the replacement position color is toner near end, the revolver ends without moving (step 1203). . If the replacement position color is not toner near end in step 1213, K, C,
It is determined in the order of M whether it is the toner near end (step 1214 to step 1216), and when there is the toner near end, the color is set as the movement target to the replacement position (steps 1217 to 1219). If M is not the toner near end in step 1216, Y is set as the movement target to the exchange position (step 1220). Then, the revolver is moved so that the toner container of the target color comes to the replacement position (step 1211).

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the red mode. When the red mode key is pressed, the CPU 101 determines whether M or Y is toner end (step 1301), and when either one is toner end, first determines whether M is toner end. (Step 1302). Here, when M is the toner end, it is then determined whether the toner container at the replacement position is M (step 1303), and if M, the revolver is not moved and the process ends (step 1304). If the replacement position is not M in step 1303, then it is determined whether Y is the toner end (step 13).
05). Here, when Y is the toner end, it is then determined whether the toner container at the replacement position is Y (step 1306), and if Y, the revolver is not moved and the process ends (step 1304). Also, step 13
When Y is not toner end in 05, and step 1
If the exchange position is not Y in 306, the object to be moved to the exchange position is M and the revolver is moved (step 130).
7). If M is not the toner end in step 1302, it is determined whether the toner container in the replacement position is Y (step 1308). If Y, the revolver is not moved and the process ends (step 1304). If the exchange position is not Y, the object to be moved to the exchange position is Y and the revolver is moved (step 1309).

On the other hand, when neither M nor Y is toner end in step 1301, it is judged whether M or Y is toner near end (step 1310), and when either one is toner near end, first M is determined.
Determines whether is toner near end (step 13)
11). Here, when M is toner near end,
Then, it is determined whether the toner container at the exchange position is M (step 1312). If it is M, the revolver ends without moving (step 1304). Also, step 13
If the replacement position is not M in step 12, it is then determined whether Y is toner near end (step 1313). Here, when Y is the toner near end, it is then determined whether the toner container at the replacement position is Y (step 1314), and if Y, the revolver is not moved and the process ends (step 1304). If Y is not near toner end in step 1313, and step 1314
If the exchange position is not Y, the target to be moved to the exchange position is M and the revolver is moved (step 1307).
If M is not toner near end in step 1311, it is determined whether the toner container in the replacement position is Y (step 1315). If not Y, the object to be moved to the replacement position is Y and the revolver is moved. (Step 1309). If the exchange position is Y in step 1315, the revolver ends without moving (step 130).
4).

FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the green mode. When the green mode key is pressed, the CPU 101 determines whether C or Y is toner end (step 1401), and when either one is toner end, first determines whether C is toner end. (Step 1402). Here, when C is the toner end, it is then determined whether the toner container at the replacement position is C (step 1403), and if it is C, the revolver ends without moving (step 140).
4). If the replacement position is not C in step 1403, then it is determined whether Y is the toner end (step 1405). If Y is the toner end, it is then determined whether the toner container in the replacement position is Y (step 1406). If Y, the revolver is not moved and the process ends (step 1404). If Y is not the toner end at step 1405 and if the replacement position is not Y at step 1406, the object to be moved to the replacement position is C and the revolver is moved (step 1407). If C is not the toner end in step 1402, it is determined whether the toner container in the replacement position is Y (step 1408), and if Y, the revolver is not moved and the process ends (step 1404). If the exchange position is not Y, the object to be moved to the exchange position is Y and the revolver is moved (step 1409).

On the other hand, if neither C nor Y is toner end in step 1401, it is judged whether C or Y is toner near end (step 1410). If either one is toner near end, first C
Determines whether is the toner near end (step 14).
11). Here, when C is toner near end,
Subsequently, it is determined whether the toner container at the exchange position is C (step 1412). If it is C, the revolver ends without moving (step 1404). Step 14
If the replacement position is not C in step 12, it is then determined whether Y is toner near end (step 1413). Here, when Y is the toner near end, it is subsequently determined whether the toner container at the replacement position is Y (step 1414), and if Y, the revolver ends without moving (step 1404). When Y is not near toner end in step 1413, and in step 1414
If the exchange position is not Y in step C, the object to be moved to the exchange position is C and the revolver is moved (step 1407).
If C is not toner near end in step 1411, it is determined whether the toner container in the replacement position is Y (step 1415). If not Y, the object to be moved to the replacement position is Y and the revolver is moved. (Step 1409). If the replacement position is Y in step 1415, the revolver ends without moving (step 140).
4).

FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the blue mode. When the blue mode key is pressed, the CPU 101 determines whether C or M is the toner end (step 1501), and when either one is the toner end, first determines whether C is the toner end. (Step 1502). Here, when C is the toner end, it is then determined whether the toner container at the replacement position is C (step 1503), and if it is C, the revolver is not moved and the process ends (step 1504). If the replacement position is not C in step 1503, then it is determined whether M is the toner end (step 15).
05). If M is the toner end, it is then determined whether the toner container in the replacement position is M (step 1506). If M, the revolver is not moved and the process ends (step 1504). Step 15
05, M is not toner end, and step 1
If the exchange position is not M at 506, the object to be moved to the exchange position is C, and the revolver is moved (step 150).
7). If C is not the toner end in step 1502, it is determined whether the toner container in the exchange position is M (step 1508). If M, the revolver is not moved and the process ends (step 1504). If the exchange position is not M, the object to be moved to the exchange position is M and the revolver is moved (step 1509).

On the other hand, if neither C nor M is toner end in step 1501, it is judged whether C or M is toner near end (step 1510). If either one is toner near end, first C
Determines whether is the toner near end (step 15)
11). Here, when C is toner near end,
Subsequently, it is determined whether the toner container at the exchange position is C (step 1512), and if it is C, the revolver ends without moving (step 1504). Step 15
If the replacement position is not C in step 12, it is then determined whether M is toner near end (step 1513). Here, when M is the toner near end, it is then determined whether the toner container at the replacement position is M (step 1514). If M, the revolver is not moved and the process ends (step 1504). If M is not toner near end in step 1513, and step 1514
If the exchange position is not M in step S1, the object to be moved to the exchange position is C and the revolver is moved (step 1507).
If C is not toner near end in step 1511, it is determined whether the toner container at the replacement position is M (step 1515). If it is not M, the object to be moved to the replacement position is M, and the revolver is moved. (Step 1509). If the exchange position is M in step 1515, the revolver ends without moving (step 150).
4).

According to the movement control of the third embodiment, when the full-color mode and the two-color mode keys are pressed, when the toner container of the color used or the toner container in the toner near-end state is already in the replacement position. The revolver is moved only when the toner container in the toner end or toner near end state is not in the replacement position without moving the revolver. According to this, even though there is a toner container in the toner end state of the color to be used at the replacement position, when the mode key is pressed, the priority of the color is low, so that the color of other high priority The toner container in the toner end state does not move to the replacement position. Therefore, unnecessary movement of the revolver is eliminated, and the waiting time until the start of image formation can be shortened.
This is the same when there is a toner container in the toner near-end state of the color used at the replacement position.

[Embodiment 4] In the movement control of Embodiment 3 described above, the toner container to be replaced is selected from among the toner containers used by the pressed color mode key according to the priority of color and toner amount. Since the search is performed, when the color mode key is pressed, the toner container having a high priority is always moved to the replacement position. Therefore, for example, when C and M used in the blue mode are both in the toner end or toner near end state, in order to replace the M toner container having a low priority, the red mode (M , Y) key must be pressed. However, even if another color mode key is pressed for replacement, it is necessary to return to the original color mode after that, so after replacing the toner container, forgetting to return the mode and performing image formation with a different color. There is a risk. Therefore,
In the movement control according to the fourth embodiment, when the same mode key as the color mode that has already been selected is pressed, the toner container to be replaced is sequentially moved to the replacement position each time the mode key is pressed. We are in control. Next, the movement process of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure when the movement processing is distributed according to the pressed color mode key. When the color mode key is pressed by the user, the CPU 101 determines whether the mode of the pressed key is different from the mode already selected (step 292), and when it is not the different mode, that is, the same mode. If so, it is determined which mode is selected (step 293 to step 296). Then, the process moves to the movement process of the corresponding mode (step 2
97-step 300). If the blue mode is not selected in step 296, that is, if the selected mode is not the full color mode or the two-color mode, the process proceeds to step 305. On the other hand, in step 292,
If the selected mode is different from the already selected mode, which mode is selected is determined (steps 301 to 307), and the process shifts to the corresponding mode movement process (steps 308 to 315).

Next, the movement processing in each mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 to 34 as the subroutine of FIG. By the way, in the movement control of the fourth embodiment, different movement processing is executed depending on whether a mode key different from the already selected mode is pressed or when the same mode key as the already selected mode is pressed. I am trying to do it. Of these, the movement processing when a mode key different from the already selected mode is pressed, that is, when a new mode is selected, is the same as the control processing shown in FIG. 17 of the second embodiment (step 308). ~
Since it is step 315), the description is omitted. Here, as a characteristic control of the fourth embodiment, a movement process when the same mode key as the already selected mode is pressed will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 to 34.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the full color mode. When the same full color mode key is pressed, the CPU 101 determines whether there is a toner end color at present (step 1601), and if there is a toner end color, determines whether the color at the replacement position is toner end. (Step 1602). If the color at the replacement position is not the toner end, it is determined in the order of K, C, M, Y whether the toner is the toner end (step 161).
4, 1605 to step 1607), and when there is toner end, that color is targeted for movement to the replacement position (steps 1615, 1608 to 1610). Then, the revolver is moved so that the toner container of the target color comes to the replacement position (step 1611). If Y is not the toner end in step 1607, the process returns to step 1614.

As described above, when the same full-color mode key is continuously pressed, if the color at the replacement position is not the toner end, the toner container at the toner end is moved to the replacement position with a color having a high priority. .

On the other hand, if the color at the replacement position is toner end in step 1602, then it is judged whether there is another toner end color (step 1603). If there is another toner end color, It is determined whether the color at the exchange position is K (step 1604). If the color at the exchange position is K, the process proceeds to step 1605. If the color at the exchange position is not K in step 1604, it is determined whether the color at the exchange position is C (step 161).
2). Here, if the color of the exchange position is C, step 16
Proceed to 06. If the color at the exchange position is not C in step 1612, then it is determined whether the color at the exchange position is M (step 1613). If the color at the exchange position is M, the process proceeds to step 1607. Also, step 1613
If the color at the exchange position is not M at step 1614, the process returns to step 1614. If there is no other toner end color in step 1603, the revolver ends without moving (step 1616).

As described above, when the same full-color mode key is continuously pressed, if the color at the replacement position is toner end, the toner container at the toner end is moved to the replacement position with the color having the next highest priority. To be done. That is, when the same full color mode key is pressed continuously even though there is a toner end color at the replacement position, the user has no intention of replacing the toner end color at the replacement position and another toner end Judging that you want to exchange the colors.

If there is no toner near end color in step 1601, it is determined whether there is a toner near end color (step 1617). If there is a toner near end color, the color at the replacement position is the toner near end color. It is determined whether or not (step 1618). If the color at the replacement position is not toner near end, K, C,
It is determined in the order of M and Y whether it is the toner near end (steps 1629, 1621 to 1623), and when there is the toner near end, that color is set as the movement target to the replacement position (steps 1630, 1624 to step 1).
626). Then, the revolver is moved so that the toner container of the target color comes to the replacement position (step 1
611). If Y is not the toner end in step 1623, the process returns to step 1629.

As described above, when the same full-color mode key is continuously pressed, if there is no toner end color and there is toner near end color, if the color at the replacement position is not toner near end, priority is given. The toner container of the toner near end with a high color is moved to the replacement position.

On the other hand, when the color at the replacement position is toner near end in step 1618, it is determined whether there is another toner near end color (step 161).
9) If there is another toner near-end color, it is determined whether the color at the replacement position is K (step 1626).
If the color at the exchange position is K, the process proceeds to step 1621. If the color at the exchange position is not K, it is determined whether the color at the exchange position is C (step 1627),
If the color of the exchange position is C, the process proceeds to step 1622.
If the color at the exchange position is not C in step 1627, then it is determined whether the color at the exchange position is M (step 1628). If the color at the exchange position is M, step 1
Proceed to 623. If the color at the exchange position is not M in step 1628, the process returns to step 1629.
If there is no other toner end color in step 1619, the revolver ends without moving (step 16).
16).

As described above, when the same full-color mode key is continuously pressed, if there is no toner end color and there is toner near end color, if the color at the replacement position is toner near end, the next priority is given. The toner container of the toner near end is moved to the replacement position with the high-quality color. That is, when the same full-color mode key is pressed continuously even though there is a toner near-end color at the replacement position, the user has no intention to replace the toner near-end color at the replacement position and another toner near-end Judging that you want to exchange the colors.

FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the red mode. When the red mode key is pressed, the CPU 101 determines whether M or Y is toner end (step 1701), and when at least one is toner end, determines whether M is toner end (step 1702). ). If M is the toner end, it is determined whether the color at the replacement position is M (step 1703). Here, when the color of the exchange position is not M, M is set as the movement target to the exchange position, and the revolver is moved (step 1706).

As described above, when the same red mode key is continuously pressed, if M is the toner end and the color at the replacement position is not M, the M toner container with high priority is replaced at the replacement position. Be moved to.

If the color at the replacement position is M in step 1703, it is then determined whether Y is the toner near end (step 1704). If Y is the toner end, the object to be moved to the replacement position is selected. Is set to Y and the revolver is moved (step 1705).

As described above, when the same red mode key is continuously pressed, when M and Y are both toner end and the color at the replacement position is M, the toner of Y having the next highest priority is given. The container is moved to the exchange position. That is, if the same red mode key is continuously pressed even though there is a toner end M at the replacement position, the user does not have the intention to replace the toner end M at the replacement position, and the toner end is Y. Judging that you want to exchange

If M is not toner end in step 1702, it is judged whether the color at the replacement position is Y (step 1708). If the color at the replacement position is not Y,
Proceed to step 1705. That is, if only Y is the toner end and Y is not at the replacement position, the Y is moved to the replacement position by pressing the key. In addition, step 17
If the color of the replacement position is Y in 08, the revolver ends without moving (step 1707).

On the other hand, when neither M nor Y is toner end in step 1701, it is judged whether M or Y is toner near end (step 1709). When at least one is toner near end, M is toner near end. It is determined whether or not (step 171)
0). Here, when M is toner near end, it is determined whether the color at the replacement position is M (step 171).
1) When the color at the exchange position is not M, M is set as the movement target to the exchange position and the revolver is moved (step 17).
06).

As described above, when the same red mode key is continuously pressed, if there is no toner end color and there is toner near end color, M is toner near end and the color at the replacement position is M. Otherwise, the M toner container having the higher priority is moved to the replacement position.

If the color at the replacement position is M in step 1711, it is then determined whether Y is the toner near end (step 1712). If Y is the toner end, the object to move to the replacement position is. Is set to Y and the revolver is moved (step 1705).

As described above, when the same red mode key is continuously pressed, there is no toner end color, and M and Y
Is toner near end, and if the color at the replacement position is M, the Y toner container having the second highest priority next to M is moved to the replacement position. In other words, when the same red mode key is pressed continuously even though there is an M near the toner near end at the replacement position, the user does not have the intention to replace the M near the toner near end at the replacement position and the toner near the end is Y. Judging that you want to exchange

If M is not toner near end in step 1710, it is determined whether the color at the replacement position is Y (step 1713). If the color at the replacement position is not Y, the process proceeds to step 1705. That is, if only Y is at the toner near end and Y is not at the replacement position, the key is pressed to move Y to the replacement position. Furthermore, when neither M nor Y is toner near end in step 1709,
If Y is not the toner near end in step 1712 and if the color at the replacement position is Y in step 1713, the revolver ends without moving (step 1
707).

FIG. 33 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the green mode. When the green mode key is pressed, the CPU 101 determines whether C or Y is toner end (step 1801), and when at least one is toner end, determines whether C is toner end (step 1802). ). If C is the toner end, it is determined whether the color at the replacement position is C (step 1803). Here, when the color at the exchange position is not C, the revolver is moved with C as the movement target to the exchange position (step 1806).

As described above, when the same green mode key is continuously pressed, if C is the toner end and the color at the replacement position is not C, the toner container of higher priority C is replaced at the replacement position. Be moved to.

If the color at the replacement position is C in step 1803, it is then determined whether Y is the toner near end (step 1804). If Y is the toner end, the object to be moved to the replacement position is selected. Is set to Y and the revolver is moved (step 1805).

As described above, when the same green mode key is continuously pressed, when C and Y are both toner end and the color at the replacement position is C, the toner of the next highest priority Y toner is used. The container is moved to the exchange position. That is, when the same green mode key is continuously pressed even though the toner end C is at the replacement position,
It is determined that the user does not have the intention to replace the toner end C at the replacement position and desires to replace the toner end Y.

If C is not toner end in step 1802, it is judged whether the color at the replacement position is Y (step 1808). If the color at the replacement position is not Y,
Proceed to step 1805. That is, if only Y is the toner end and Y is not at the replacement position, the Y is moved to the replacement position by pressing the key. Further, step 18
If the color of the replacement position is Y at 08, the revolver ends without moving (step 1807).

On the other hand, if neither C nor Y is toner end in step 1801, it is judged whether C or Y is toner near end (step 1809). If at least one is toner near end, C is toner near end. It is determined whether or not (step 181)
0). If C is toner near end, it is determined whether the color at the replacement position is C (step 181).
1) If the color at the exchange position is not C, C is the target of movement to the exchange position, and the revolver is moved (step 18).
06).

As described above, when the same green mode key is continuously pressed, if there is no toner end color but toner near end color, C is toner near end and the color at the replacement position is C. Otherwise, the C toner container having the higher priority is moved to the replacement position.

If the color at the exchange position is C in step 1811, then it is determined whether Y is the toner near end (step 1812). If Y is the toner end, the object to be moved to the exchange position is selected. Is set to Y and the revolver is moved (step 1805).

As described above, when the same green mode key is continuously pressed, if there is no toner end color and both C and Y are toner near end, if the color at the replacement position is C, then C The toner container of Y having the second highest priority is moved to the replacement position. That is, when the same green mode key is continuously pressed even though there is a toner near end C at the replacement position, the user does not have the intention to replace the toner near end C at the replacement position and the toner near end is Y. Judging that you want to exchange

If C is not toner near end in step 1810, it is determined whether the color at the replacement position is Y (step 1813). If the color at the replacement position is not Y, the process proceeds to step 1805. That is, if only Y is at the toner near end and Y is not at the replacement position, the key is pressed to move Y to the replacement position. Furthermore, when neither C nor Y is near toner end in step 1809,
If Y is not toner near end in step 1812, and if the color at the replacement position is Y in step 1813, the revolver ends without moving (step 1).
807).

FIG. 34 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for executing the movement processing of the toner container in the blue mode. When the blue mode key is pressed, the CPU 101 determines whether C or M is toner end (step 1901), and when at least one is toner end, determines whether C is toner end (step 1902). ). If C is the toner end, it is determined whether the color at the replacement position is C (step 1903). If the color at the exchange position is not C, the revolver is moved with C as the movement target to the exchange position (step 1906).

As described above, when the same blue mode key is continuously pressed, if C is the toner end and the color at the replacement position is not C, the toner container of higher priority C is replaced at the replacement position. Be moved to.

If the color at the replacement position is C in step 1903, then it is determined whether M is the toner near end (step 1904). If M is the toner end, the object to be moved to the replacement position is selected. Is set to M and the revolver is moved (step 1905).

As described above, when the same blue mode key is continuously pressed, when C and M are both toner end and the color at the replacement position is C, the toner of M having the next highest priority is given. The container is moved to the exchange position. That is, when the same blue mode key is continuously pressed even though there is a toner end C at the replacement position, the user does not have the intention to replace the toner end C at the replacement position, and the toner end M Judging that you want to exchange

If C is not toner end in step 1902, it is judged whether the color at the replacement position is M (step 1908). If the color at the replacement position is not M,
Proceed to step 1905. That is, if only M is the toner end and M is not at the replacement position, the key is pressed to move M to the replacement position. Further, step 19
If the color at the exchange position is M at 08, the revolver ends without moving (step 1907).

On the other hand, if neither C nor M is toner end in step 1901, it is judged whether C or M is toner near end (step 1909). If at least one is toner near end, C is toner near end. It is determined whether or not (step 191)
0). If C is toner near end, it is determined whether the color at the replacement position is C (step 191).
1) When the color at the exchange position is not C, C is the target of movement to the exchange position, and the revolver is moved (step 19).
06).

As described above, when the same blue mode key is pressed continuously, if there is no toner end color and there is toner near end color, C is toner near end and the color at the replacement position is C. If not, the C toner container having high priority is moved to the replacement position.

If the color at the exchange position is C in step 1911, it is then determined whether M is toner near end (step 1912). If M is toner end, the object to be moved to the exchange position is selected. Is set to M and the revolver is moved (step 1905).

As described above, when the same blue mode key is continuously pressed, there is no toner end color, and C and M
Is the toner near end, and if the color at the replacement position is C, the M toner container having the second highest priority next to C is moved to the replacement position. That is, when the same blue mode key is continuously pressed even though there is a toner near end C at the replacement position, the user does not have the intention to replace the toner near end C at the replacement position and the toner near end M is present. Judging that you want to exchange

If C is not toner near end in step 1910, it is determined whether the color at the replacement position is M (step 1913). If the color at the replacement position is not M, the process proceeds to step 1905. That is, if only M is near the toner end and M is not at the replacement position, the key is pressed to move M to the replacement position. Further, when neither C nor M is toner near end in step 1909,
When M is not toner near end in step 1912 and when the color at the replacement position is M in step 1913, the revolver ends without moving (step 1).
907).

As described above, in the movement control of the fourth embodiment, when the full-color mode or the two-color mode is already selected, when the same full-color mode or the two-color mode key is pressed, the key is pressed. The toner container in the toner-end or toner-near-end state is sequentially moved to the replacement position every time the toner is stored. According to this, among the toner containers used in the color mode selected by pressing the key, two or more colors are in the toner end or toner near end state, and the toner containers of high priority colors are in the replacement position. In this case, when replacing the toner container with the lower priority, press the same color mode key as the already selected mode to move the toner container with the next highest priority to the replacement position. It can be moved. Hereinafter, each time the same mode key is pressed, the toner container moves to the replacement position in order of priority. Therefore, it is not necessary to press another color mode key in order to replace the toner container with a low priority first, and it is possible to prevent mistakes such as performing image formation in different colors due to forgetting to return the mode. You can

[Fifth Embodiment] In the movement control of the fourth embodiment, when the color mode key is pressed, it is determined whether the mode of the pressed key is the same as the already selected mode, and the same mode is selected. When it is determined that the key has been pressed, the toner container to be replaced is controlled to move to the replacement position in order.Whether the mode of the pressed key is the same as the already selected mode. It is also possible to perform control such that when a predetermined color mode key is pressed without making a determination, the toner container to be replaced immediately is sequentially moved to the replacement position. That is, in FIG. 17, when one of the full-color mode key and the two-color mode key is pressed, the movement process of FIGS. 31 to 34 is executed as a subroutine of steps 301 to 311.

In the movement control of the second to fifth embodiments described above, as in the first embodiment, the toner container of the toner end or the toner near end is searched at the end of the image formation, and the searched toner container is searched. May be used together with movement control for moving to the exchange position and ending. Further, by implementing the movement control of the second to fifth embodiments, it becomes possible to eliminate the mechanism for the user to manually move the revolver.

[Sixth Embodiment] The second to fifth embodiments described above.
When the color mode key is pressed, the toner container movement control in that color mode is performed, but before the revolver movement is completed, other color mode keys must be pressed continuously. There is. In this case, the instruction content of the pressed color mode key is stored in the buffer memory and executed sequentially. However, if such a control is performed, the next movement control is started immediately after the movement of the revolver by the first movement control is completed, so that the toner container cannot be replaced when the key is repeatedly hit. The revolver will continue to rotate for a long time. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, control is performed to invalidate the input of the color mode key while the revolver is moving. Next, as a sixth embodiment, an input control process for the color mode key will be described.

FIG. 35 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure for executing the color mode key input control processing. The following processes are executed by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. The CPU 101 determines whether or not the revolver is moving (step 2001), and if the revolver is moving, loops the return loop. When the movement is completed, it is determined whether the color mode key is pressed (step 20).
02), revolver movement processing is performed (step 200).
3).

According to the input control processing of the sixth embodiment,
Since the input of the color mode key is invalid while the revolver is moving, the key is not repeatedly hit and the revolver does not rotate for a long time, and the user is not wastefully waited during this period. In addition, since the unnecessary rotation of the revolver is eliminated, the life of the revolver motor can be extended and the generation of mechanical noise can be minimized.

[0147]

According to the invention of claim 1, 3 or 6,
When the image formation is completed, the toner container to be replaced is searched and the searched toner container to be replaced is moved to the replacement position. Therefore, the user manually moves the toner container to be replaced to the replacement position. The toner container can be promptly replaced when the image formation is completed.

According to the present invention, when the predetermined color mode is input, the toner container to be replaced is searched from the toner containers used in the input color mode. Since the retrieved toner container is moved to the replacement position, the user can move the toner container to be replaced to the replacement position only by inputting a predetermined color mode.

Further, according to the third aspect of the invention, the toner container to be replaced is searched in accordance with the predetermined priority, so that when the image formation is completed or the color mode is input, the color of this color is changed. Since the toner container is preferentially moved to the replacement position, the toner container replacement work can be performed efficiently.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when one of the retrieved toner containers is already in the replacement position when the predetermined color mode is input, the toner container of the toner container is replaced. Since the toner is not moved, the toner container is not moved unnecessarily, and the waiting time until the image formation is started can be shortened.

Further, in particular, according to the invention of claim 5, when the same color mode is continuously input after the predetermined color mode is input, the search is performed each time the same color mode is input. Since the toner containers to be replaced are sequentially moved to the replacement position, the user does not need to input another color mode, and the error such as forming an image with a different color due to forgetting to return the mode can be prevented. can do.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the input of the predetermined color mode is invalid while the toner container is moving to the replacement position, the predetermined color mode is continuously input. In addition, it is possible to prevent the moving means from continuously operating for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed circuit configuration of a printer control unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a connection between the I / O controller shown in FIG. 3 and peripheral devices.

5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of the printer unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart when outputting two A4 size black and white images.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart when outputting one A4 size full-color image.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart when outputting one A3 size full-color image.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a revolver.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing a toner circulation path in the revolver.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual side view showing a mounted state of the toner container.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing the internal structures of a toner container and a toner hopper.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where toner moves from a toner container to a toner hopper.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram in which a development position color and a target movement color are associated with each other.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram in which a development position color and an exchange position color are associated with each other.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when image formation is completed (Embodiment 1).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for allocating movement processing according to a pressed color mode key (second embodiment).

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for executing the toner container movement processing in the full-color mode (second embodiment).

FIG. 19 is a flowchart (second embodiment) showing a processing procedure in the case of executing the movement processing of the toner container in the red mode.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart (second embodiment) showing a processing procedure in the case of executing the movement processing of the toner container in the green mode.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart (second embodiment) showing a processing procedure in the case of executing the movement processing of the toner container in the blue mode.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for executing the toner container movement processing in the black mode (second embodiment).

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for executing a toner container movement process in the cyan mode (second embodiment).

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for executing the toner container movement processing in the magenta mode (second embodiment).

FIG. 25 is a flowchart (second embodiment) showing a processing procedure in the case of executing the movement processing of the toner container in the yellow mode.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for executing the toner container movement processing in the full-color mode (third embodiment).

FIG. 27 is a flowchart (third embodiment) showing a processing procedure when a movement process of the toner container is executed in the red mode.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for executing the toner container movement processing in the green mode (third embodiment).

FIG. 29 is a flowchart (third embodiment) showing a processing procedure when a toner container movement process is executed in the blue mode.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for allocating movement processing according to a pressed color mode key (fourth embodiment).

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for executing a toner container movement process in the full-color mode (fourth embodiment).

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for executing a toner container moving process in the red mode (fourth embodiment).

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for executing a toner container movement process in the green mode (fourth embodiment).

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for executing the toner container movement processing in the blue mode (fourth embodiment).

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for executing color mode key input control processing (sixth embodiment).

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Printer 11 Photoreceptor Drum 16 Belt Transfer Charger 20 Revolver 21 Developing Device 22 Developing Sleeve 30 Intermediate Transfer Belt 33 Paper Transfer Charger 40 Writing System Unit 101 CPU 104 Serial Communication Controller 105 Writing System Control IC 107 I / O Controller 111 Drum Motor 112 Developing motor 113 Revolver motor 600 Front side plate 601 Rear side plate 606 Upper conveying screw 607 Paddle 610 Toner hopper 612 Lower conveying screw 621 to 624 Toner container

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of developing devices that are movably supported, and a plurality of developing devices that accommodate toner to be supplied to each of the plurality of developing devices and that are detachably attached to the plurality of developing devices. An image forming apparatus having a toner container and configured so that only the toner container stopped at a predetermined replacement position can be replaced, and a search unit that searches for a toner container to be replaced, and a predetermined toner container. Moving means for moving the container to the exchange position, and searching the toner container to be replaced at the end of the image formation by the searching means, and the searched toner container to be replaced by the moving means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit for moving the image forming apparatus up to. 2. A plurality of developing devices that are movably supported, and a plurality of developing devices that accommodate toner to be supplied to each of the plurality of developing devices and that are detachably attached to the plurality of developing devices. An image forming apparatus including a toner container and configured to be able to replace only the toner container stopped at a predetermined replacement position, a color mode receiving unit that receives an input of a color mode configured by a predetermined color. A searching means for searching a toner container to be replaced, a moving means for moving a predetermined toner container to the replacement position, and a predetermined color mode when the color mode accepting means inputs a predetermined color mode. The toner container to be replaced is searched by the searching means from among the toner containers used in the mode, and the searched toner container is searched by the moving means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that moves to an exchange position. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner container is searched by the searching unit according to a predetermined priority. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit searches the toner storage unit to be replaced for at least two toner storage units, and one of the searched toner storage units is searched. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the toner container is not moved by the moving means when in the exchange position. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the same color mode is continuously input in the color mode accepting unit, the control unit is configured to search the color mode each time the color mode is input. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the toner container searched by is sequentially moved to a replacement position. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the control means invalidates a predetermined color mode input in the color mode receiving means while the toner container is moving to the replacement position. An image forming apparatus comprising: