JPH11184358A - Image forming device and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of efficiently driving an exhaust device with an inexpensive constitution and preventing excessive temperature rise in process cartridge, and a process cartridge whose inside excessive temperature rise is detected on the image forming device side. SOLUTION: A temperature detection means 31 whose shape is changed according to the change of ambient temperature is provided in the image forming device 1 or the process cartridge 7. When temperature rises, the means 31 performs switching operation so as to control the driving and the revolving speed of the exhaust device 37. When the temperature rises in the cartridge, the carrying speed of a recording medium P is made low. Or a distance between the recording media P is shortened. Then, the means 31 whose shape is changed according to the change of the ambient temperature is provided in the cartridge 7. When the temperature rises, the means 31 performs the switching operation and an electrical signal therefrom is obtained by the main body side contacts 36a and 36b of the image forming device 1.

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 for forming an image by an electrophotographic method (electrophotographic process), such as a laser beam printer or a copying machine, and a process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic method, as a method of detecting the temperature in the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge, the fact that the resistance value changes with the temperature of a thermistor or the like is used. And those utilizing thermoelectromotive force such as thermocouples. Also, when driving a cooling device (exhaust device) such as a fan motor in order to cool the image forming apparatus or the process cartridge, the outputs from these elements are once input to a control device such as a CPU, where the software is used. After the determination, the cooling device is driven by the drive circuit. Further, a change in temperature control of a fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred onto the recording medium prevents an excessive rise in temperature.

[0003]

If a thermistor or a thermocouple is used to measure the temperature in an image forming apparatus or a process cartridge as in the prior art,
In order to drive the fan motor, a control device such as a CPU must be used once, which hinders effective use of CPU ports and cost reduction. Further, changing the temperature control of the fixing device in order to prevent the temperature of the process cartridge from excessively rising has been a major factor that deteriorates the degree of fixing of the toner to the recording medium.

[0004] The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned prior art, and its main object is to provide an image capable of detecting an increase in temperature in an apparatus using an element whose shape changes due to a change in ambient temperature. An object of the present invention is to provide a forming apparatus.

Another main object is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of driving an exhaust device using an element whose shape changes due to a change in ambient temperature.

Another main object is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of controlling the number of revolutions of an exhaust device using an element whose shape changes due to a change in ambient temperature.

Another main object is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of taking measures against an excessive temperature rise of an image forming apparatus or a process cartridge using an element whose shape changes due to a change in ambient temperature. is there.

Another main object is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of taking measures against an excessive temperature rise of an image forming apparatus or a process cartridge using an element whose shape changes due to a change in ambient temperature. is there.

Another main invention is to detect an excessive temperature rise in a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus by using an element whose shape changes due to a change in ambient temperature. It is to provide a process cartridge that can be used.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge having the following constitution.

[1]: In an image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic process,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a temperature detection unit whose shape changes according to a change in ambient temperature; and a conversion unit that converts an operation state of the temperature detection unit into an electric signal.

[2] The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein the temperature detecting means is a bimetal composed of two kinds of metals having different coefficients of thermal expansion.

[3]: In an image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic process,
Temperature detecting means whose shape changes due to a change in ambient temperature,
A conversion unit that converts an operation state of the temperature detection unit into an electric signal, an exhaust device that exhausts the inside of the image forming apparatus,
A driving unit for the exhaust device, wherein an electric signal from the conversion unit is input to the driving unit, and the temperature detection unit is activated when an ambient temperature becomes a predetermined temperature or higher, and the temperature detection unit Wherein the driving means is activated by an electric signal from the conversion means in the active state, and the exhaust device is activated.

[4] The image forming apparatus according to [3], wherein the temperature detecting means is a bimetal made of two kinds of metals having different coefficients of thermal expansion.

[5]: In an image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic process,
Temperature detecting means whose shape changes due to a change in ambient temperature,
A conversion unit that converts an operation state of the temperature detection unit into an electric signal, an exhaust device that exhausts the inside of the image forming apparatus,
An exhaust signal control means of the exhaust device, an electric signal from the conversion means is input to the exhaust gas control means, the temperature detecting means is activated when the ambient temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the temperature detecting unit is in an active state, the exhaust amount control unit changes a setting of a rotation value of the exhaust device and increases a rotation speed of the exhaust device by an electric signal from the conversion unit. apparatus.

[6] The image forming apparatus according to [5], wherein the temperature detecting means is a bimetal made of two kinds of metals having different coefficients of thermal expansion.

[7]: In an image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic process, a process cartridge and a main body control device are provided in the image forming apparatus, and the shape changes in the process cartridge due to a change in ambient temperature. A temperature detecting means is provided, and a converting means for converting an operation state of the temperature detecting means into an electric signal is provided in the process cartridge. The electric signal from the converting means is inputted to the main body control device, and the temperature of the process cartridge rises. An image forming apparatus, wherein the main body control device sometimes lowers a recording medium conveying speed of a recording medium conveying means of the image forming apparatus.

[8] The image forming apparatus according to [7], wherein the temperature detecting means is a bimetal made of two kinds of metals having different coefficients of thermal expansion.

[0019]

[9]: In an image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic process, there is provided a process cartridge and a main body control device in the image forming apparatus, and a temperature detecting means whose shape changes in the process cartridge due to a change in ambient temperature A conversion means for converting the operating state of the temperature detecting means into an electric signal in the process cartridge, wherein the electric signal from the conversion means is inputted to the main body control device, and the main body is controlled when the temperature of the process cartridge rises. An image forming apparatus, wherein a control device controls a recording medium conveying means of the image forming apparatus to shorten a distance between conveyance of the recording medium.

[10]: The temperature detecting means is a bimetal composed of two metals having different coefficients of thermal expansion.

[9] The image forming apparatus.

[11] An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an ambient temperature in the process cartridge in a process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus. Temperature detecting means, the shape of which changes due to a change, a converting means for converting the operating state of the temperature detecting means into an electric signal, and a cartridge-side electrical contact electrically connected to the converting means, A process cartridge wherein the cartridge-side electrical contact is electrically connected to a main body-side electrical contact of the image forming apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

[12] The process cartridge includes the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the developing means, a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cleaning means for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Are integrated into a cartridge, and this cartridge is made detachable from the image forming apparatus [11].
Process cartridge.

[13]: The process cartridge is a cartridge in which the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the developing means, and a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is used in an image forming apparatus. [11] The process cartridge according to [11], wherein the process cartridge is detachable.

[14]: The process cartridge is a cartridge in which the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the developing means, and the cleaning means for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge. The process cartridge according to [11], wherein the process cartridge is detachable from the forming apparatus.

(Function) In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the shape of the temperature detecting means changes as the temperature in the image forming apparatus changes, and the operating state of the temperature detecting means changes. It is converted into an electric signal by the conversion means. This makes it possible to detect a temperature rise in the image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the temperature in the image forming apparatus changes, the shape of the temperature detecting means changes, and the operating state of the temperature detecting means is changed by the converting means. The electric signal is converted into an electric signal, and the electric signal is input to the driving means. Then, when the temperature in the image forming apparatus becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the temperature detecting unit becomes active, and in the active state, the driving unit becomes active by an electric signal from the converting unit, and the exhaust device is activated. to start.

[0027] In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the shape of the temperature detecting means changes due to a change in the temperature in the image forming apparatus, and the operating state of the temperature detecting means is changed by the converting means. The electric signal is converted into an electric signal, and the electric signal is input to the displacement control means. Then, when the temperature in the device becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the temperature detecting means becomes active, and in the active state, the displacement control means changes the rotation value setting of the exhaust device by an electric signal from the converting means. To increase the speed of the exhaust system.

[0028] In the image forming apparatus according to the above aspect [7], the shape of the temperature detecting means changes as the temperature in the process cartridge changes, and the operating state of the temperature detecting means is changed by the converting means. The signal is converted into a signal, and the electric signal is input to the main body control device. Then, when the temperature of the process cartridge rises, the main body controller lowers the recording medium conveying speed of the recording medium conveying means. As a result, the ratio of the amount of heat applied to the recording medium out of the amount of heat required to fix the image on the recording medium can be increased, so that the image formation can be performed without affecting the fixability of the image to the recording medium. It is possible to take measures against excessive temperature rise of the apparatus or the process cartridge.

The above-mentioned fifth invention

In the image forming apparatus of [9], the shape of the temperature detecting means changes due to a change in the temperature in the process cartridge, and the operating state of the temperature detecting means is converted into an electric signal by the converting means, and the electric signal is converted into an electric signal. It is input to the main controller. Then, when the temperature of the process cartridge rises, the main body control device controls the recording medium conveying means to shorten the distance between recording medium conveyance. As a result, when the temperature of the process cartridge rises, the distance between the conveyances of the recording medium is reduced and the recording medium is always conveyed, and the amount of heat required to fix an image on the recording medium can be prevented from being diffused to the process cartridge. It is possible to take measures against excessive temperature rise of the image forming apparatus or the process cartridge without affecting the fixing property of the image to the recording medium.

In the process cartridge according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the cartridge-side electrical contacts are electrically connected to the main-unit-side electrical contacts. The shape of the temperature detecting means changes due to a change in the ambient temperature in the process cartridge, and the converting means converts the operating state of the temperature detecting means into an electric signal. The electric signal from the conversion unit is input to the main body-side electric contact via the cartridge-side electric contact, and the image forming apparatus can detect a temperature rise in the process cartridge based on the electric signal.

[0031]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] The first embodiment of the present invention
An embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, an image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) for forming an image by an electrophotographic process will be described.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention, and shows a laser beam printer as an image forming apparatus. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation will be described.

A laser beam printer 1 as an image forming apparatus has a paper feed tray 2 for setting a recording paper P as a recording medium in a printer main body (image forming apparatus main body) 1a. A paper presence sensor 3 for detecting the presence or absence of paper, a paper supply roller 4 for taking out recording paper P from the paper supply tray 2, a transport roller 5 for transporting the recording paper P downstream of the paper feed roller 4, and a downstream of the transport roller 5 A paper feed sensor 6 for detecting the conveyance state of the recording paper P is provided. The process cartridge 7 includes a photosensitive drum 8 as an electrophotographic photosensitive member necessary for an electrophotographic method (electrophotographic process), a primary charging roller 9 as a charging unit for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 8, and a photosensitive drum 8 on the photosensitive drum 8. Developing device 1 as a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the surface with a developer (toner)
A cleaner 11 is integrally provided as cleaning means for cleaning the photosensitive drum 8 by removing residual toner on the photosensitive drum 8 with a cleaning blade (not shown). The process cartridge 7 is detachably mounted on the printer main body 1a.

The laser beam printer 1 according to the present embodiment comprises a laser unit 1 in a laser scanner unit 12.
The polygon mirror 14 is irradiated with the laser light from the laser beam 3 to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 8 via the imaging lens 15 and the folding mirror 16. The latent image is exposed to the developer (toner) by the developing device 10. The toner image is visualized on the drum 8, and the toner image is transferred onto the recording paper P by the transfer roller 17.
Downstream of the transfer roller 17, a fixing device 18 for thermally fixing the toner image formed on the recording paper P is provided, and a heating source 20 provided in a polyimide film 19 that rotates together with the recording paper P is pressed. The toner image on the recording paper P is fixed on the recording paper P by the roller 21. Further, a paper discharge sensor 22 for detecting the conveyance state of the recording paper P and a paper discharge roller 23 for discharging the recording paper P are provided downstream of the fixing device 18. Further, the main motor 24 includes a paper feed roller 4, a transport roller 5,
Process cartridge 7, fixing device 18, and paper discharge roller 2
3, a driving force is applied to the sheet feeding roller 4 via a sheet feeding clutch 25. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the sheet feeding roller 4, the conveying roller 5, and the like constitute a conveying unit. The image forming unit 26 develops the image information based on the image information sent from the external device 28 via the general-purpose interface 27,
Control unit (main body control device) 3 of printer main body 1a through
0 is a device for sending image information. The main body control unit 30 has a CP
U, various drivers, a power supply unit, etc., perform various control of the printer and constantly monitor the laser beam printer 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the laser beam printer 1 and the process cartridge 7. In the process cartridge 7, a bimetal 31 serving as a temperature detecting means made of two metals having different coefficients of thermal expansion is arranged. The bimetal 31 is electrically contacted with the electric contacts 32 and 33 as the conversion means, and is always electrically connected to one of the electric contacts 32 and 33. The two electrical contacts 32 and 33 are provided substantially at the center of the bottom of the process cartridge 7 in the longitudinal direction (axial direction of the photosensitive drum 8). Both electrical contacts 32,3
From 3, electrical wiring is made to cartridge contacts 34, 35 as cartridge-side electrical contacts provided on one side in the longitudinal direction bottom of the process cartridge 7.
The cartridge contacts 34 and 35 are connected to the process cartridge 7
When the fan motor 37 is inserted into the printer body 1a,
Is mechanically configured to be electrically connected to main body contacts 36a and 36b as main body side electric contacts provided on the fan drive unit 36, which is the driving means of the above. The fan drive unit 36 is connected to a fan motor 37 as an exhaust device, and performs various controls of the fan motor 37.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration on the fan drive section 36 including the process cartridge 7 and the fan motor 37. One of the two metals having different coefficients of thermal expansion forming the bimetal 31 is connected to Vcc, the other is connected to the base of the first transistor Tr1, and the resistor R1 is connected to GND.

The bimetal 31 is the process cartridge 7
At normal temperature, the electrical contacts 32 and 33 are short-circuited as shown in FIG. 2 (b-1). At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the first transistor Tr1 of the fan drive unit 36 is in the ON state, and no bias is applied to the base of the second transistor Tr2, so that the second transistor Tr2 is in the OFF state. The fan motor 37 does not rotate and does not perform the exhaust operation. On the other hand, when the temperature inside the process cartridge 7 rises (when the temperature rises excessively), as shown in FIG.
1 changes its shape depending on the ambient temperature,
Is open. When the electrical contacts 32 and 33 are opened, the first transistor Tr1 is turned off, a bias is applied to the base of the second transistor Tr2, and the second transistor Tr2 is turned on. Rotates and performs an exhaust operation.

That is, the bimetal 31 short-circuits the electrical contacts 32 and 33 at normal temperature, and the fan drive 36
By turning off the whole, the fan motor 37 is stopped. When the temperature rises, the electric signals 32 and 33 are opened, the fan drive unit 36 is turned on, and the fan motor 37 is activated.

In this embodiment, the bimetal 31 and the electrical contacts 32 and 33 are provided in the process cartridge 7, and the fan drive 37 starts the fan motor 37 when the temperature in the process cartridge 7 rises. A bimetal 31 and electrical contacts 32 and 33 are provided in the printer main body 1a, and when the temperature in the printer main body 1a rises, the fan drive unit 36 controls the fan motor 37.
May be activated, and a bimetal 31 and electrical contacts 32 and 33 are provided in the printer main body 1a to detect a temperature rise (excessive temperature rise) in the printer main body 1a. Is also good.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The difference from the first embodiment is bimetal 3.
Instead of using 1 to control the start and stop of the fan motor 37, the speed (rotation speed) of the fan motor 37 is switched, that is, the setting of the rotation value of the fan motor 37 is changed. FIG. 3 shows the fan motor 3
7 shows a circuit configuration on a fan drive section 36 as a displacement control means 7. The difference from the circuit configuration of the first embodiment is that the collector of the first transistor Tr1 has a resistor R3
Has been added. The operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 3 will be described below.

The bimetal 31 is the process cartridge 7
At normal temperature, the electrical contacts 32 and 33 are short-circuited (see (b-1) in FIG. 2). Therefore, the first transistor Tr1 is in an ON state,
The base of the second transistor Tr2 is connected to Vcc by a resistor R.
2 and a voltage VccXR3 / (R2 +
R3) is applied. This voltage biases the second transistor Tr2, and the second transistor Tr2 is turned on. When the temperature inside the process cartridge 7 rises (when the temperature rises excessively), the bimetal 31 opens the electrical contacts 32 and 33 (see (b-2) in FIG. 2), and the first transistor Tr1 is turned off. Vcc is applied to the base of the second transistor Tr2, and the second transistor Tr2 is turned on. The base applied voltage VccXR3 / (R2 + R when the bimetal 31 is in the short state
Since the applied voltage Vcc in the open state is higher than 3), the current flowing between the collector and the emitter of the second transistor Tr2 increases, and the rotation speed of the fan motor 37 increases.

That is, the bimetal 31 short-circuits the electrical contacts 32 and 33 at normal temperature, and the fan drive 36
The fan motor 37 rotates at a low speed as the supply current value to the entire fan motor 37, that is, the setting of the rotation numerical value of the fan motor 37 decreases. When the temperature rises, the electric signals 32 and 33 are opened, and the current supplied to the fan motor 37 of the entire fan drive unit 36, that is, the rotation value setting of the fan motor 37 is set to the active state,
The fan motor 37 rotates at high speed.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a laser beam printer 1 for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention. In the process cartridge 7, a bimetal 31 serving as a temperature detecting means made of two metals having different coefficients of thermal expansion is arranged. Bimetal 31
Is electrically contacted with the electrical contacts 32, 33 as a conversion means, and is always electrically connected to one of the electrical contacts 32, 33. The two electrical contacts 32 and 33 are provided substantially at the center of the bottom of the process cartridge 7 in the longitudinal direction (axial direction of the photosensitive drum 8). Electrical wiring is made from both the electrical contacts 32 and 33 to cartridge contacts 34 and 35 as cartridge-side electrical contacts provided on one side in the longitudinal direction bottom of the process cartridge 7. Cartridge contacts 34, 35
When the process cartridge 7 is inserted into the printer main body 1a, it can be electrically connected to the main body contacts 38a and 38b as main body side electric contacts provided on the bimetal signal generation section 38 which is a component of the main body control section 30. It is configured mechanically.

The bimetal signal generator 38 is connected to a scanner motor 39 of the laser scanner 12. The bimetal signal generation unit 38 is connected to the motor driver 40 via the main body CPU 30a.
0 is connected to a motor (main motor 24 shown in FIG. 1) 41.

The bimetal signal generation section 38 is provided in FIG.
When the normal temperature in the process cartridge 7 is attained, the bimetal 31 is arranged as shown in (b-) of FIG.
As shown in 1), the electrical contacts 32 and 33 are short-circuited, and a current flows from Vcc through the resistor R. At this time, a high-level signal is output as a bimetal output. When the temperature rises (when the temperature rises excessively), FIG.
Since the electrical contacts 32 and 33 are open as shown in (b-2) and the resistor R is connected to GND, a low-level signal is output as a bimetal output.

The circuit shown in FIG. 6 is also arranged in the bimetal signal generator 38.

When the inside of the process cartridge 7 is at a normal temperature, the bimetal output is a High-level signal, so that the scanner motor 39 rotates at a normal scanner clock as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the motor 41 is a four-phase stepping motor, and each phase is connected to the collectors of NPN transistors Tr41 to Tr44.
The ports of CPU 30a (P0, P1, P
2, P3), the excitation pulses (A, B, bar A, bar B) are input. Each transistor Tr4
The emitters of 1 to Tr44 are connected to GND. When the temperature inside the process cartridge 7 is normal, the CPU 30a
Is H at the port (P4) shown in FIG.
A high-level signal is input, and the normal excitation pulse period t shown in FIG.
In step 1, the motor 41 is rotated.

When the temperature inside the process cartridge 7 rises, the bimetal output is at the low level. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the bimetal signal generating section 38 outputs the signal from the laser scanner section 12 (see FIG. 5A). The clock is frequency-divided by the frequency divider 38a, the frequency is reduced, and the scanner motor 39 is rotated at a speed lower than the normal scanner motor rotation speed. At this time, the CPU 30a inputs a Low level signal as a bimetal output to the port (P4) shown in FIG. 7, notifies the user of the cartridge abnormality according to the flowchart of FIG. 9, and then executes the processing shown in FIG. 8B. And the motor 41 is rotated at the excitation pulse period t2.

As described above, when the temperature rises, the speed (rotation speed) of the motor 41 of the printer main body 1a and the speed (rotation speed) of the scanner motor 39 are reduced, so that the amount of heat from the fixing unit 18 is given to the recording paper P. Increase the percentage,
The temperature in the process cartridge 7 can be reduced without deteriorating the fixability of the toner to the recording paper P.

That is, by lowering (lowering) the transport speed (process speed) of the recording paper P when the temperature in the process cartridge 7 rises, the ratio of the amount of heat from the fixing unit 18 to the recording paper P is increased. Therefore, the amount of heat radiation from the fixing device 18 to the printer main body 1a or the process cartridge 7 can be reduced. This makes it possible to take measures against excessive temperature rise of the laser beam printer 1 or the process cartridge 7 without deteriorating the fixability of the toner to the recording paper P.

[Fourth Embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The difference from the third embodiment is that the conveyance speed of the recording paper P is not lowered (slowed) when the temperature in the process cartridge 7 rises, but the paper conveyance and paper The distance between conveyances is shortened, and the fixing device 18 is moved to the process cartridge 7.
This is to prevent the diffusion of heat to the paper by always creating a paper transport state.

FIG. 11 is for explaining the present embodiment, and shows the difference between paper conveyance and paper conveyance. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for performing the control of the present embodiment, and the bimetal output shown in FIG.
When the signal is at the high level, the normal paper interval is set, and Lo is set.
In the case of the w level signal, after notifying the user of the cartridge abnormality, the CPU 30a shown in FIG. 5A uses the paper feed roller 4 as one of the conveying means via the paper feed clutch 25 shown in FIG. In this case, the feeding timing of the recording sheet P is advanced earlier than the normal sheet interval setting, and the distance S between the preceding recording sheet P1 and the succeeding recording sheet P2 is reduced (see FIG. 11). .

That is, when the temperature in the process cartridge 7 rises, the distance S between the preceding recording paper P1 and the succeeding recording paper P2 is reduced as shown in FIG. Therefore, diffusion of heat from the fixing device 18 to the process cartridge 7 can be prevented. This makes it possible to take measures against excessive temperature rise of the laser beam printer 1 or the process cartridge 7 without deteriorating the fixability of the toner to the recording paper P.

(Other Embodiments) The case where the process cartridge 7 shown in the above-described embodiment forms a single color image has been exemplified. However, the process cartridge 7 according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of developing means, and is provided with a plurality of color images. (For example, a two-color image,
The present invention can be suitably applied to a cartridge for forming a three-color image or a full-color image.

The electrophotographic photosensitive member is not limited to the photosensitive drum 7 and includes, for example, the following. First, a photoconductor is used as a photoconductor. Examples of the photoconductor include amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and an organic photoconductor (O
PC) and the like. As the shape on which the photoconductor is mounted, for example, a drum-shaped or belt-shaped one is used. For example, in the case of a drum-type photoconductor, a photoconductor is deposited or coated on a cylinder made of an aluminum alloy or the like. It has been worked.

As a developing method, various developing methods such as a known two-component magnetic brush developing method, a cascade developing method, a touch-down developing method, and a cloud developing method can be used.

As the charging means, the so-called contact charging method is used in the above-described embodiment. However, a metal shield made of aluminum or the like is provided around three sides of a tungsten wire conventionally known as another configuration, and the tungsten wire is used. It is a matter of course that a positive or negative ion generated by applying a high voltage to the photosensitive drum may be moved to the surface of the photosensitive drum to uniformly charge the drum surface.

The charging means may be a blade (charging blade), a pad type, a block type, a rod type, a wire type, or the like, in addition to the roller (primary charging roller 9) type.

The cleaning means (cleaner 11) for removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 8 may be constituted by using a blade, a fur brush, a magnetic brush or the like.

The above-described process cartridge includes, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive drum 8) and developing means (developing device 10), and at least one of the processing means. Therefore, as an aspect of the process cartridge, in addition to the above-described embodiment,
For example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit, and a charging unit are integrally formed into a cartridge and can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus main body (printer main body 1a). An electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developing unit are integrally formed into a cartridge, which is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body. There is an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit which are integrally formed into a cartridge, which is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a laser beam printer is exemplified as an image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic process. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, Naturally, it can be used in an image forming apparatus that forms an image by an electrophotographic process such as a facsimile machine or a word processor.

In this embodiment, the recording paper P is shown as the recording medium, but a plastic sheet such as an OHP sheet or a cloth can be used.

[0063]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a temperature detecting means whose shape changes due to a change in ambient temperature, and an operation state of this temperature detecting means are converted into an electric signal. Since the conversion means for performing the conversion is arranged in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to easily and inexpensively detect the temperature rise in the image forming apparatus.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the electric signal from the temperature detecting means can be used as a drive signal for the exhaust device.
The exhaust device can be driven with a simple configuration.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the number of revolutions of the exhaust system can be controlled by using the electric signal from the temperature detecting means. With this configuration, the number of revolutions of the exhaust device can be changed, and the exhaust device can be driven efficiently.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the amount of heat required to fix an image on a recording medium is reduced by lowering the conveying speed of the recording medium when the temperature detecting means detects a rise in temperature in the process cartridge. Of these, the ratio of the amount of heat applied to the recording medium can be increased, and therefore, it is possible to take measures against excessive temperature rise of the apparatus or the process cartridge without affecting the fixability of the image to the recording medium.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, an image is fixed on a recording medium by shortening the distance between the conveyance of the recording medium and the conveyance of the recording medium when the temperature detecting means detects the temperature rise in the process cartridge. It is possible to prevent the amount of heat required for the diffusion from being diffused to the process cartridge, and to take measures against an excessive temperature rise of the apparatus or the process cartridge without affecting the fixability of the image to the recording medium. .

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since an electric signal from the temperature detecting means can be obtained at the main body-side electric contact via the cartridge-side electric contact, an excessive temperature rise in the process cartridge can be detected. It can be detected on the forming apparatus side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a laser beam printer.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the laser beam printer for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a drive circuit diagram of a fan motor for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a fan motor rotation speed variable illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a laser beam printer for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

7 Process Cartridge 8 Photosensitive Drum (Electrophotographic Photoreceptor) 10 Developing Unit (Developing Means) 30 Control Unit (Main Body Control Device) 31 Bimetal (Temperature Detecting Means) 32, 33 Electrical Contact (Converting Means) 34, 35 Cartridge Contact (Cartridge) 36a, 36b Main body contact (main body side electric contact) 36 Fan drive unit (driving means, displacement control means) 37 Fan motor (exhaust device)

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic process, wherein a temperature detecting means whose shape changes due to a change in ambient temperature is provided in the image forming apparatus, and an operation state of the temperature detecting means is converted into an electric signal. An image forming apparatus comprising a conversion unit for converting. 2. The temperature detecting means according to claim 2, wherein said temperature detecting means has different thermal expansion coefficients.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a bimetal made of various kinds of metals. 3. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic process, wherein in the image forming apparatus, a temperature detecting unit whose shape changes due to a change in ambient temperature, and an operation state of the temperature detecting unit is converted into an electric signal. A conversion unit for converting, an exhaust device for exhausting the inside of the image forming apparatus, and a driving unit for the exhaust device; an electric signal from the conversion unit is input to the driving unit; When the ambient temperature becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the state becomes active, and when the temperature detecting means is in the active state, the driving means is activated by the electric signal from the converting means, and the exhaust device is started. Characteristic image forming apparatus. 4. The temperature detecting means according to claim 1, wherein said temperature detecting means has different thermal expansion coefficients.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a bimetal made of different kinds of metals. 5. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic process, wherein in the image forming apparatus, a temperature detecting means whose shape changes due to a change in ambient temperature, and an operation state of the temperature detecting means is converted into an electric signal. A conversion unit for converting, an exhaust device for exhausting the inside of the image forming apparatus, and an exhaust amount control unit of the exhaust device, wherein an electric signal from the conversion unit is input to the exhaust amount control unit; The temperature detection means is activated when the ambient temperature becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. When the temperature detection means is in the active state, the displacement control means sets the rotation value of the exhaust device by an electric signal from the conversion means. Wherein the number of rotations of the exhaust device is increased. 6. The temperature detecting means according to claim 2, wherein said temperature detecting means has different thermal expansion coefficients.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is a bimetal made of different kinds of metals. 7. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic process, comprising: a process cartridge and a main body control device in the image forming device; and a temperature detection in which a shape changes in the process cartridge due to a change in ambient temperature. Means for converting the operation state of the temperature detecting means into an electric signal is provided in the process cartridge; the electric signal from the converting means is inputted to the main body control device; An image forming apparatus, wherein a main body control device lowers a recording medium conveying speed of a recording medium conveying means of the image forming apparatus. 8. The temperature detecting means according to claim 2, wherein said temperature detecting means has different coefficients of thermal expansion.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is a bimetal made of different kinds of metals. 9. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic process, comprising: a process cartridge and a main body control device in the image forming device; and a temperature detection in which a shape changes in the process cartridge due to a change in ambient temperature. Means for converting the operation state of the temperature detecting means into an electric signal is provided in the process cartridge; the electric signal from the converting means is inputted to the main body control device; An image forming apparatus, wherein a main body control device controls a recording medium conveying means of the image forming apparatus to reduce a distance between conveyance of the recording medium. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said temperature detecting means is a bimetal made of two kinds of metals having different coefficients of thermal expansion. 11. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; and a change in ambient temperature in the process cartridge. A temperature detecting unit that changes its shape according to: a converting unit that converts an operation state of the temperature detecting unit into an electric signal; and a cartridge-side electrical contact electrically connected to the converting unit. The process cartridge, wherein the electrical contacts are electrically connected to the main body side electrical contacts of the image forming apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus. 12. The process cartridge includes: the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the developing unit, a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cleaning unit for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The process cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the cartridge is integrally formed, and the cartridge is detachable from the image forming apparatus. 13. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the developing unit, and a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is mounted on an image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the process cartridge is detachable. 14. The process cartridge, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the developing unit, and a cleaning unit for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is formed into an image forming apparatus. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is detachable from the apparatus.
2. The process cartridge according to 1.