JPH11184320A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device displaying that a sealing member is not detached. SOLUTION: To the developing member 3 of a developing means 51 developing a latent image formed at an image carrier 1, a developer 7 housed in a developer storing container 6 is supplied, and a sealing member 99 is attached to a developer supply port formed at the developer storing container 6 so as to be detachable. Then, a sealing member detecting means 40 detects whether the sealing member 99 is detached or not, and also in the case of judging that the sealing member 99 is not detached based on a detected signal from the sealing member detecting means 40, a controlling means 45 makes a display means that the sealing member is not detached.

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 or a printer of an electrophotographic system, and more particularly to detection of whether or not a seal member attached to a developer container is removed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for a copying machine or a printer includes an image carrier, and a detachable developing means for developing a latent image formed on the image carrier is provided on a main body. .

In general, in order to prevent toner from leaking from a developer accommodating container for accommodating toner, which is a developer for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier during transportation, it is necessary to carry out developing and developing at the time of shipment. The developer container is sealed with a seal member such as a film seal, and the developer container or a process cartridge including the developer container is packaged separately from the main body.

Here, when the developer storage container is sealed by a seal member, if the developer storage container or the process cartridge is incorporated in the main body and transported in the same package, a wider place or more can be transported and stored. Efficient without the need for transportation means such as cars. However, when the package is transported in this way, after the transport is completed, there is a possibility that the user may perform an image forming operation without removing the seal member that seals the developer container.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of indicating that a seal member has not been removed.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising an image bearing member and a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the image bearing member detachably provided on a main body. A developer storage container provided in the means for storing a developer for developing the latent image; and a developing device provided in the developing means and developing the latent image with a developer supplied from the developer storage container. A member, a seal member detachably attached to a developer supply port formed in the developer accommodating container so as to supply the developer to the developer member, and detecting whether the seal member is removed or not. For detecting the seal member has not been removed, a display means for displaying that the seal member has not been removed, and the fact that the seal member has not been removed based on a detection signal from the seal member detection means. If it is determined that, it is characterized in that and a control means for causing the display operation on the display means.

Further, according to the present invention, the seal member detecting means detects an amount of the developer supplied to the developing member, and the control means detects the amount of developer supplied to the developing member based on a detection signal from the seal member detecting means. It is characterized by detecting whether or not the seal member has been removed.

Further, in the present invention, the seal member detecting means includes a conductive part provided on the seal member, and conductive means provided on the main body and conductive with the conductive part. It is characterized in that whether or not the seal member has been removed is detected based on whether or not there is conduction between the conduction means and the conduction portion of the seal member.

Further, in the present invention, the seal member detecting means includes a developer detecting means for detecting presence or absence of a developer in the developer accommodating container, and a mounting detecting means for detecting that the developing means is mounted on the main body. And if the developer detecting unit does not detect the developer after the mounting detecting unit detects the mounting of the developing unit, the control unit determines that the seal member is not removed. It is characterized by the following.

Further, the present invention has storage means for storing that the seal member has been removed, wherein the developer detection means does not detect the developer, and the storage means has the seal member removed. When the fact is stored, the control means determines that there is no developer in the developer storage container.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the storage means constitutes a part of the mounting detection means.

Further, in the present invention, the storage means is a fuse, and the mounting detecting means detects mounting of the developing means by conduction of the fuse.

In the present invention, the control means stores that the seal member has been removed when the mounting detecting means detects the mounting of the developing means and the developer detecting means detects the developer. Thus, the fuse is blown.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a process cartridge provided with the developing means and the image carrier is detachably provided on the main body, and the process cartridge has the developer detecting means and the mounting detecting means. Is what you do.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the control means controls to stop the operation of the main body when it is determined that the seal member has not been removed.

Further, as in the present invention, the developer stored in the developer storage container is supplied to the developing member of the developing means for developing the latent image formed on the image carrier, and is formed in the developer storage container. The seal member is detachably attached to the developer supply port. Then, the seal member detecting means detects whether or not the seal member has been removed, and when it is determined that the seal member has not been removed based on the detection signal from the seal member detecting means, the control means seals the display means. Indication that the member has not been removed.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a laser beam printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This laser beam printer includes a laser and a polygon mirror correction system (not shown). Scanner unit 1
01 is provided.

A laser beam modulated in accordance with an image signal is output from the scanner unit 101, and the laser beam is reflected by a folding mirror 102 and irradiated on a photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier. Here, the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged in advance by a charging roller 2 as a primary charger, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface in response to the irradiation of the laser beam.

On the other hand, the magnetic toner 7 as a developer stored in a toner hopper 6 as a developer storage container on the back of a developing unit 51 as a developing means is a developing sleeve 3 as a developer carrying member as a developing member. The toner is conveyed by the magnet 10 serving as a magnetic field generating means while charging the peripheral surface of the toner, and is formed on the developing sleeve 3 as a developable toner layer. When a developing bias in which a DC component and an AC component are superimposed is applied to the developing sleeve 3, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the toner layer and is visualized as a toner image.

On the other hand, the recording material 104 stored in the cassette 103 is supplied to a registration roller 106 by a paper feed roller 105 in synchronization with the formation of a latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. Thereafter, the recording material 104 is conveyed to the transfer roller 107 in synchronization with the leading end of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 by the registration roller 106, and the toner image is transferred onto the recording material 104 by the transfer roller 107. .

Further, the recording material 104 onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 109 along a conveyance guide 108, where the toner image is fixed to form a permanent image.
The sheet is discharged onto the tray 111 by the discharge roller 110. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 is removed by an elastic cleaning blade 81 as a cleaning means, and is stored in a waste toner container 54.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the developing unit 5
1, toner hopper 6, elastic cleaning blade 81
Are collectively unitized as a process cartridge 100.
As shown in (1), the image forming apparatus is configured to be inserted and mounted in a predetermined manner with respect to a mounting means 112 provided in an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter, referred to as an apparatus main body) A, and conversely, to be able to remove and insert from the apparatus main body A.

Therefore, when the process cartridge 100 is detached from the apparatus main assembly A, it is necessary to shield the photosensitive drum 1 from light and to prevent dust from adhering. As shown in FIG. Possible cover 5
5 are provided.

The process cartridge 100
When the magnetic toner 7 stored in the toner hopper 6 is exhausted, or when the collected toner in the waste toner container 54 becomes full, the user replaces the new process cartridge 100 with a new one. Printing can be performed. In FIG. 1, B is a computer such as a personal computer, and the laser beam printer also outputs image information from the computer B.

FIG. 3 shows the toner hopper 6 and the developing unit 5.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an assembling method of the first embodiment. In assembling, first, a toner filling port 6 a of the toner hopper 6 shown in FIG. The magnetic toner is filled, and then a film seal 99 as a seal member shown in FIG. 2B is adhered or fused to the hatched peripheral portion of the toner filling port 6a. Note that the film seal 99 is folded back on the back side, the folded portion is not bonded or fused, and the end protrudes from the end of the toner hopper 6.

Next, the hatched edge of the frame 6b of the toner hopper 6 in which the toner filling port 6a is formed is shown by (c).
The developing unit main body 51a is bonded or fused as shown in FIG.
Thereafter, the developing unit 51 is completed by assembling the developing blade 4, the developing sleeve 3, and the like. When performing the image forming operation, the user pulls the film seal 99 in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure to peel it off from the toner hopper 6 and supplies the magnetic toner from the toner hopper 6 to the developing unit 51.

When the image forming operation is performed for a long time and the toner serving as a lubricant runs out, the developing blade 4 is directly in contact with the developing sleeve 3 to be damaged, thereby causing a streak-like image or a cleaning blade. In some cases, printing may not be possible due to turning over.

For this reason, in the present embodiment, an antenna electrode 9 is provided near the developing sleeve 3 as shown in FIG. 4 to detect the remaining amount of the magnetic toner. The remaining amount of the magnetic toner 7 is detected by measuring the capacitance between the developing sleeve 3 and the antenna electrode 9 by a certain developer remaining amount detecting circuit 40.

As described above, since the developing sleeve 3 is applied with the developing bias in which the DC component and the AC component are superimposed by the developing bias power supply 52 as the bias applying means, the developing sleeve 3 and the antenna electrode 9 are applied. Is measured, the capacitance depends on the amount of the magnetic toner 7 existing between the developing sleeve 3 and the antenna electrode 9, so that the remaining amount of toner can be detected.

In the present embodiment, the developer remaining amount detecting circuit 40 detects the amount of toner between the developing sleeve 3 and the antenna electrode 9 when the amount of toner between the developing sleeve 3 and the antenna electrode 9 reaches a predetermined amount. A first capacitor detecting circuit 43 for detecting the capacitance based on a signal from the antenna electrode 9, and measuring the capacitance of the reference capacitor 41 according to the developing bias. A second capacitance detection circuit 42 and the two capacitance detection circuits 4
2, 43 are provided with a differential amplifier 44, and a CPU 45 for performing A / D conversion of an output value of the differential amplifier 44 and controlling an image forming operation of the apparatus main body A.

The CPU 45 obtains the difference between the detection outputs of the first capacitance detection circuit 43 and the second capacitance detection circuit 42 at a predetermined timing by the difference amplifier 44, and outputs the output value of the difference amplifier 44. A / D converted to A
Image forming operation control.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the output voltage of the difference amplifier 44 and the toner amount. As shown in FIG. 5, the output voltage of the difference amplifier 44 decreases as the toner amount decreases. When the output voltage falls below a certain value A, that is, 0 V or less in the figure, the CPU 45, which is the control means, determines that the amount of toner is small, and the display means (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body A has a low amount of magnetic toner. Is displayed. When such a message is displayed, the user exchanges the process cartridge 100 or the like.

When the process cartridge 100 is mounted on the apparatus main assembly A, the process cartridge 100 may be mounted without removing the film seal 99 as shown in FIG. In this case, if the image forming operation is performed for a long time, the developing blade 4 directly contacts the developing sleeve 3 and is damaged as described above, causing a streak-like image, or the cleaning blade 81 being turned up to make printing impossible. It may be.

Here, when the process cartridge 100 is mounted on the apparatus main assembly A without removing the film seal 99, the developing sleeve 3 and the antenna electrode 9 are removed.
Is almost zero, the output value of the difference amplifier 44 at this time is, for example, a value within a range indicated by B to D in FIG.

Thus, the process cartridge 100
When the output value of the differential amplifier 44, which should be larger than at least the constant value A shown in the figure, becomes a value B to D within this range, the CPU 45 as the control means removes the film seal 99. It is determined that the film seal 99 has not been removed, the image forming operation of the apparatus main body A is prohibited, and the display means indicates that the film seal 99 has not been removed. Note that this display allows the user to use the film seal 9.
It can be seen that 9 has not been removed, and the film seal 99 is removed.

As described above, when it is determined that the film seal 99 has not been removed based on the detection signal from the developer remaining amount detection circuit 40, the display means displays the film seal 99.
Can be displayed that is not removed.
Thus, even when the toner hopper 6 is assembled into the apparatus main body A in a state where the toner hopper 6 is sealed with the film seal 99, it is possible to prevent the cleaning blade 81 from being turned up.

In some cases, the image formation is started in a state where the process cartridge 100 is not mounted on the apparatus main assembly A. In this case, since the output value of the first capacitance detection circuit 43 becomes zero, the difference amplifier 44 Is significantly negative, for example, in the vicinity of the value shown in FIG.

As a result, the CPU 45 determines that the process cartridge 100 is not mounted, and
And the display means displays that the process cartridge 100 is not mounted. Then, this display allows the user to know that the process cartridge 100 is not mounted, and comes to mount the process cartridge 100.

In the above description, when the film seal 99 has not been removed, the image forming operation of the apparatus main assembly A is prohibited.
Even if image formation is performed without removing 9, no damage occurs at first, so that only the above display may be performed without prohibiting the operation of the main body.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the toner hopper 6 of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
Reference numeral 5 denotes an electrode which is a conductive portion made of a thin metal foil. The electrode 95 is formed by attaching a film seal 99 to the toner hopper 6 and then attaching the film seal 99 and the toner hopper 6 to the toner hopper 6.
Is to be pasted on. This electrode 95 is
When the film seal 99 is pulled and removed, it is removed together with the film seal 99.

On the other hand, the body contacts the electrode 95,
A contact (not shown) which constitutes a seal member detecting means together with the electrode 95 is provided.
U45 checks that the film seal 99
Can be detected. That is, if there is continuity between the contact and the electrode, the CPU 45 can determine that the film seal 99 is present. If it is determined that the film seal is present, the operation of the apparatus main body A is prohibited, and the display means displays the film seal. Indicates that 99 has not been removed.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 80 denotes a fuse provided in the process cartridge 100 and blown when energized. When the process cartridge 100 is mounted on the apparatus main body A, a contact (not shown) provided on the apparatus main body A is connected to the contact 80a of the fuse 80.

Here, the contact (not shown) is a fuse 80
Together with the mounting detection means. In this way, the connection between the contact and the fuse 80 allows the CPU 45
Can detect that the process cartridge 100 is mounted on the apparatus main assembly A, and can blow the fuse 80 in accordance with a command from the CPU 45.

Reference numeral 70 denotes a toner detecting circuit which is a developer detecting means which detects only the presence or absence of the toner in the toner hopper and constitutes a seal member detecting means together with the mounting detecting means. The toner detection circuit 70 has the same configuration as the developer remaining amount detection circuit 40 described above.

Next, a sequence for detecting the presence or absence of the magnetic toner and the presence or absence of the film seal 99 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The CPU 45 detects at a predetermined timing whether or not the toner has run out by the toner detection circuit 70 (S
100). Here, when it is determined that the toner has run out based on the detection signal from the toner detection circuit 70 (Y in S100), it is next determined whether the fuse 80 is conductive (S10).
1).

Here, when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main assembly A, the fuse 80 conducts. If the fuse 80 is conductive (Y in S101), the process cartridge 100 is mounted but the toner It is determined that the detection circuit 70 does not detect the magnetic toner, that is, that the film seal 99 has not been removed,
The presence of a seal is displayed (S102).

If there is no continuity (N in S101), it is determined that the process cartridge 100 is not mounted or the process cartridge 100 is out of toner, and the toner out is displayed (S103).

On the other hand, when the presence of the seal is displayed and the user removes the film seal 99, the magnetic toner is supplied into the toner hopper, whereby the toner detection circuit 70 detects the presence of the toner. When it is determined that toner is present based on the detection signal from the toner detection circuit 70 (N in S100), the CPU 45 determines whether the fuse 80 is conductive (S104).

If the fuse 80 is conductive (Y in S104), the fuse 80 is energized so as to store that the film seal 99 has been removed.
Is blown (S105). Then, thereafter, the magnetic toner is consumed, and the toner detection circuit 70 detects that the toner has run out (Y in S100). Thereafter, when it is detected that the fuse 80 is not conductive (N in S101), it is determined that there is no toner. Is displayed (S103).

In this embodiment, the fuse 8
0 serves as a storage means for storing that the film seal 99 has been removed. As the storage means, for example, a non-volatile RAM memory or the like is used. You may make it memorize the thing which was removed.

If the fuse 80 is mounted not on the process cartridge 100 but on the toner hopper 6 as shown in FIG. 10, the presence or absence of the film seal 99 can be detected even when only the developing unit 51 is replaced instead of the process cartridge 100. . It should be noted that if the detection of the remaining amount of toner is not so accurate and it is difficult to distinguish between the absence of toner and the absence of seal, it is desirable to use the above method.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the seal member is not removed, it is possible to display that the seal member has not been removed based on the detection signal from the seal member detecting means. . Accordingly, even if the user attempts to perform an image forming operation without removing the seal member by mistake, the apparatus is not damaged, and the developer container can be incorporated in the main body even in a state where the seal member is closed. And space efficiency during transportation is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a laser beam printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a process cartridge of the laser beam printer.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a method of assembling a toner hopper and a developing unit of the laser beam printer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a developer remaining amount detection circuit that detects the remaining amount of toner in the toner hopper.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between an output value of a differential amplifier of the developer remaining amount detection circuit and a remaining amount of toner.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where a process cartridge is mounted without pulling a film seal of the toner hopper.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a toner hopper of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a detection sequence of the presence or absence of toner and the presence or absence of a film seal in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a process cartridge according to another example of the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 photosensitive drum 3 developing sleeve 4 developing blade 6 toner hopper 6a toner filling port 7 toner 40 developer remaining amount detecting circuit 45 CPU 51 developing unit 52 power supply 70 toner detecting circuit 80 fuse 95 electrode 99 film seal 100 process cartridge A device body

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier; and a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the image carrier is detachably provided on a main body, wherein the latent image is provided on the developing unit. A developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer for developing the developer, a developing member provided in the developing unit, and developing the latent image with a developer supplied from the developer accommodating container; A seal member detachably attached to a developer supply port formed in the developer accommodating container to supply the developer, a seal member detecting unit for detecting whether or not the seal member has been removed, Display means for displaying that the seal member has not been removed, and when it is determined that the seal member has not been removed based on a detection signal from the seal member detection means, An image forming apparatus, comprising: control means for causing a display means to perform a display operation. 2. The seal member detecting means detects the amount of developer supplied to the developing member, and the control means controls the seal member based on a detection signal from the seal member detecting means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is detected whether or not the image forming apparatus has been removed. 3. The seal member detecting means has a conductive part provided on the seal member, and a conductive means provided on the main body and conductive with the conductive part. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether or not the seal member is removed is detected based on whether or not the seal member is electrically connected to a conductive portion. 4. A developer detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a developer in the developer container, wherein the seal member detecting means comprises:
Having a mounting detecting means for detecting that the developing means is mounted on the main body, after the mounting detecting means detects the mounting of the developing means, if the developer detecting means does not detect the developer, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that the seal member has not been removed. 5. A storage means for storing that the seal member has been removed, wherein the developer detection means does not detect the developer, and the storage means stores that the seal member has been removed. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit determines that there is no developer in the developer accommodating container. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the storage unit forms a part of the mounting detection unit. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the storage unit is a fuse, and the mounting detection unit detects the mounting of the developing unit by conducting the fuse. 8. The fuse according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means detects the mounting of the developing means and the fuse detecting means detects that the sealing member has been removed when the developer detecting means detects the developer. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein fusing is performed. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a process cartridge provided with the developing unit and the image carrier is detachably provided on the main body, and the process cartridge includes the developer detecting unit and the mounting detecting unit. 4
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 10. The image according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls to stop the operation of the main body when determining that the seal member has not been removed. Forming equipment.