JPS60207167A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To classify and display developers in use by colors clearly by forming part of a unit provided attachably and detachably to and from a main body device as part of the outer package of the main device. CONSTITUTION:The main body 4 of the image forming device includes a developing device unit 6 attachably and detachably to and from its front side and a notch which is in the same shape with and a little bit larger than the unit outer package cover 6a of the developing device unit 6 is formed in the front cover 5 of the main body 4, so that the developing device unit 6 is replaced independently without opening the front cover 5. Further, while the developing device unit 6 is loaded in the main body 4, the unit other package cover 6a forms part of the front cover 5. The unit outer package cover 6a is displayed in the same color with the toner of the developer charged in the developing device unit 6.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus in which copies of different colors can be obtained by replacing separate developer units, each having several different colors of developer. It is something.

[Prior art]

Conventionally, it is known that a copying machine capable of making single-color copies is provided with separate developer units each containing developer of several different colors, and copies of different colors can be obtained by replacing each of these units. There is. FIG. F is an overall perspective view of such a copying machine.

In order to avoid copy errors due to color differences, such copying machines take measures to indicate the color of the developer in the developing device loaded into the copying machine. As an example, as shown in FIG.
The display window 2 provided in a part of the exterior cover 2 with the developer unit 3 attached to the copying machine main body 1.
There is a method of displaying by making the color-coded display label 3a more visible.

[Problems with conventional technology]

However, in the copying machine described above, color-coded display is performed using color-coded display labels 3a through the display window 2a.
Moreover, it is not possible to make the display window 2a thick due to its appearance, and it is difficult to actually judge the display by color. Also display window 2
The provision of a itself is not desirable in terms of appearance. Furthermore, in the copying machine having the above configuration, when replacing the developer unit 3, the exterior cover 2 must be opened, which makes the replacement work cumbersome.

[Purpose of the invention]

In view of the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can easily and clearly display the developer being used by color when a unit including a developing device is set in the apparatus main body. The purpose is to

(Summary of the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a unit that is removably attached to the main unit, in which a part of the unit is made a part of the exterior of the main unit. It is characterized by

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

The main body 4 of the image forming apparatus has a structure in which the developer unit 6 can be attached and removed from the front side, and the front cover 5 of the main body 4 has a cutout that is the same shape as the unit exterior cover 6a of the developer unit 6 and is slightly larger. The notch is formed so that the developer unit 6 can be installed and removed independently without opening the front cover 5. Moreover, when the developer unit 6 is loaded in the main body 4, the exterior cover 68 is not attached to the front cover 5. form part of Further, the unit exterior cover 6a is displayed in the same color as the toner of the developer filled in the developing device unit 6.

Although not shown in the main body 4 of the image forming apparatus,
A photoreceptor, which is an image carrier, and a charging device, an exposure device, a transfer device, a cleaning device, a static eliminator, and a fixing device are arranged in this order around the photoreceptor.

In this image forming apparatus having the above configuration, the steps of charging, exposure, development, transfer, fixing, and cleaning are sequentially performed to form a final image. As described above, since the unit exterior cover 6a is displayed in the same color as the toner color of the developer filled in the developer unit 6, when the developer unit 6 is set in the main body 4 and ready for development, Easy and clear display of agents by color,
You can visually determine which colors will be developed.

Further, by replacing the developer unit 6 with a developer unit 6 filled with developer of another color, development of another color is performed, and an image corresponding to this is formed. Furthermore, the developer unit 6 can be replaced by simply attaching and detaching the developer unit 6 from the main body 4, and since the unit exterior cover 6a forms part of the exterior of the main body 4, there are no problems with appearance when loading the main body. do not have.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention, which is an apparatus in which the developing unit 7 is attached and detached from the top or side of the main body 4.

The unit top exterior cover 7a and unit side exterior cover 7b, which correspond to the top and side surfaces of the developer unit 7, are displayed in the same color as the developer filled in the developer unit 7. When the color is set, display the developer by color.

Although the above embodiment describes an image forming apparatus in which the developing unit is removable from the main body, the present invention also applies to an image forming apparatus in which each image forming unit including the developing unit is integrated and removable from the main body. Needless to say, it can be applied.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above in detail, the image forming apparatus of the present invention allows easy and clear color-based display of the developer being used when the unit including the developer is installed in the main body of the apparatus. I can do it.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional copying machine, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention. 1.4... Main body, 3.6.7... Developer unit, 5... Front cover patent Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Same as above ID Co., Ltd. Representative Patent Attorney Yoshiyuki Osuga No. 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An image forming apparatus having a unit that is removably attached to a main unit, wherein a part of the unit is a part of an exterior of the main unit. (2) The unit is an image forming unit including a developing device, and a part of the image forming unit is made to have the same developed color as the developer used in the developing device. The image forming apparatus according to scope 1.