JPS60254062A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a color copy where colors of an original picture are reproduced by color separation by providing a filter unit which includes plural color separating filters and a filter switching means which inserts a specific color separating filter into an optical path of exposure. CONSTITUTION:When a process unit U1 which do not have a pin 8 is attached, the filter unit 7 stays at a position P1 and a filter F1 is set at the position of an exposure slit 9. When a process unit U2 which has the pin 8 is attached, the filter unit 7 is pressed with the pin to move back to a position P2 and a filter F2 moves to before the exposure slit 9. When a process unit U3 with a pin at a position 8' is attached, the filter unit 7 moves back to a position P3 and a filter F3 moves and faces the exposure slit 9. Thus, the process units which are different only in pin state are replaced to switch automatically the filters to be inserted into the optical path of exposure luminous flux.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a copying apparatus using electrophotography having a process unit that is detachable and replaceable, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a copying apparatus that uses electrophotography and has a process unit that is detachable and replaceable. The present invention relates to a copying apparatus particularly suitable for making multicolor color copies.

[Prior art]

Examples of copying devices that make color copies using electrophotography include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,729,311;
Alternatively, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 55-18653, three developing devices each loaded with yellow, magenta, and cyan color toners and a transfer material such as paper are placed around a photoreceptor drum. A fixed transfer drum is arranged, and 3 of blue, green, and red are configured to be inserted alternately into the optical path of the exposure optical system.
A color separation filter is installed, and the three image forming processes of blue exposure - yellow toner development, green exposure - magenta toner development, and red exposure - cyan toner development are repeatedly transferred onto the same transfer material each time. Sword - Image e! However, all of these devices have the drawbacks of being large, having complicated structures, and being extremely expensive.

On the other hand, a simple and inexpensive method for obtaining a color image consists of only a developing device, a photoreceptor and a developing device, or a photoreceptor, a developing device, a cleaning device, and the like. Using a monochromatic copying machine with a process unit detachably attached to the main body, several process units each loaded with toner of various colors are prepared, and the process units can be replaced as needed to achieve the desired results. Obtaining a color image is carried out29,
It is also possible to obtain a multicolor image by preparing original images for each color and performing repeated copying using the same transfer machine while replacing the processing unit. However, with this method, it is impossible to make a full-color copy that reproduces the multicolor original as it is, and multiple originals are created for multicolor.
It is necessary to Many problems were encountered, including difficulty in aligning the original images.

[Purpose of the invention]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive copying apparatus that can produce color copies that reproduce the colors of the original (by color separation).

[Structure of the invention]

The above object is to provide a copying apparatus having a process unit that is removably and replaceably attached to the main body of the copying apparatus, including at least a developing unit, and a process unit based on a filter unit including a plurality of color separation filters and an identification means provided in the process unit. This has been achieved by a copying apparatus characterized in that it has a filter switching means configured to drive the filter unit and select a specific color separation filter in the exposure optical path when the unit is replaced.

That is, the main body of the copying apparatus is provided with a filter unit including a plurality of color separation filters and a filter switching means which is operated by RA based on the identification means provided in the process unit, and the 7% process unit is used for copying. When installed in the apparatus main body, a specific color separation filter corresponding to the color of the toner loaded in the process unit is automatically inserted into the exposure optical path based on the identification means on the process unit. Using a copying device, color separated images are repeatedly formed on the same transfer material while replacing process units each containing toner of a different color to obtain a desired multicolor copy.

The process unit in the present invention may include at least a developing unit, and may be constructed so that it can be detachably attached to a copying machine. It is essential to have a means for sorting. The professional base unit may be composed of only a developing device, or may be one that integrates a photoconductor and a developing device, and may further include a cleaning device for the photoconductor/developing device, an electrode for charging the photoconductor, etc. in the image forming process. It is also possible to use a structure that lacks various necessary members.

The means for identifying individual process units may be any suitable as long as it is compatible with the mechanism of the filter switching means provided on the main body of the copying apparatus, and is not particularly limited; Therefore, it is preferable to have a simple and robust structure such as a pin or uneven structure as shown in the examples below.

Although the mechanism of the filter switching means provided in the main body of the copying apparatus is not particularly limited, for example, a filter unit having a plurality of filters attached to a movable rod may be provided.
Mechanical methods such as moving and setting the position using pins installed in the process unit, or reading the position on a concave attached to the process unit using a touch sensor, optical sensor, etc., and driving the motor based on the signal. However, an electrical method for moving the filter unit and setting it at a predetermined position may be used.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the copying apparatus of the present invention will be specifically explained using an example.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a color copying apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, a photosensitive drum 1 surrounded by hatched members, a developing device consisting of a developer container 2 and a magnetic roller 3, an OJ device consisting of a magnetic roller 23, a cleaning blade 4 and a waste toner container 5 are shown. Process unit UfchX, (.

It can be freely removed from the main body of the copying machine by pulling it out from the front of the drawing in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper, and can be attached by pushing it in. 7Vi movable filter unit with 3 types of color separation filters F1°F2. F, are mounted side by side and moved according to the position of the bin 8 provided on the attached process unit, and the predetermined filter moves so as to match the exposure slit portion 9 of the process unit. The figure shows a state in which the valve filter F1 is located at the exposure slit portion. Reference numeral 10 denotes a movable document table, and the original placed on the document table 10 is illuminated by an illumination light 11, and as the document table 10 is moved, it is illuminated by a focusing optical transmitter 12 (for example, a cell-hock lens). scanned. The light beam from the convergent light transmitter 12 passes through the filter and the slit section 9 and forms an image on the photosensitive drum 1 to form an electrostatic image. The formed electrostatic image is developed on the magnetic roller 3 by a magnetic brush formed by a developer. On the other hand, the transfer material P inserted through the paper feed port is regulated in position by the register rollers 13, and then fed along the path shown by the chain line, and transferred onto the photosensitive drum L by the transfer electrode 14. After the toner image is transferred, it is fixed by the fixing roller 15 and discharged outside the machine.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a filter switching means used in the copying machine shown in Figure 1. Fill F,, F,
, F, is slidably held by a rail 21.2.1' attached to the copying machine body and pulled in the direction of arrow a by a spring.

One end of the filter frame is curved as shown in the figure, and the frame itself forms a kind of cam that is moved by the bin 8 installed on the process unit. When the filter unit is moved and a predetermined filter is positioned on the exposure slit section 9, that is, when a process unit U without a bin 8 is installed, the filter unit 7 is moved to the position P+ in the figure. Move the filter F1 so that it matches the position of the exposure slit 9. When the filter unit U2 having a bottle is installed at the position 8, the filter unit 7 is pushed by the bottle and retreats to the position F2, and the filter F2 moves in front of the exposure slit 9. Further, when the process unit ) Us having a bottle is installed at the position 8', the filter unit 7 is further retreated to the position P, and the filter ) is moved to a position facing the exposure slit 9. In particular, according to the present apparatus as described above, the filter inserted into the optical path of the exposure light beam can be automatically changed by replacing the process unit that changes only the condition of the bottle. To make color copies using this device, use the Reilta F,
, II' 2. P', using three color separation filters of evening, green, and red respectively, loading yellow developer U2, magenta developer, and cyan developer U3 in the process unit UI, and using transfer paper in the process unit UI. It is sufficient to overlap the yellow, magenta, and cyan copy images while exchanging the color separation filters, but the color separation filter is not limited to this, and one in any transmission wavelength range can be used depending on the purpose of use. In combination with this, the color of the toner loaded into the process unit can also be freely selected according to the purpose. The developing method may be either one-component development using magnetic toner or two-component development using a mixture of toner and carrier.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of filter switching means using rotation of a cam.
'e It is slidably held in the attached filter unit 31, and the other end is attached to a movable arm 33 that presses against the cam 32. The arm 33 is pulled in the direction of the arrow C by the spring 34 and moves in the direction of the arrow C as the cam 32 rotates, and the filter unit 37 also moves. The cam 32 is connected to a pinion 36 that meshes with a rack 35, and the υsick 35 is pushed in the direction of the arrow by a spring 38.

The two hooks 35 have protrusions 39.

When the process unit U having the protrusion 40 is inserted by pushing it in the direction of the white arrow, the protrusion 40 will be attached to the chic protrusion 3.
Press 9 to rotate the cam 32 and move the filter frame to the predetermined position. Figure 3 shows a state in which the filter F3 is in a position facing the exposure slit 9 of the process unit, or when a norocess unit with the protrusion at the position 40' is installed, the rack 35 is further pushed into the cam. 32 rotates in the direction of arrow d, the filter frame moves in the direction of arrow C, and the filter 2 comes to a position facing the exposure slit 9. If the process unit with the protrusion at 40" is installed, the cam 32 will rotate automatically and the filter F1 will move to the position facing the exposure slit. By using the process unit, the color separation filters can be switched automatically.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a device for electrically switching between color separation filters.
F2. The filter unit with F is installed on rail 41.
and is movably held by a rack 32. 3
3 (binion that meshes with rack 32, 34 is the binion 3
This is a motor that drives 3. Sl to S3 are microswitches that work as sensors.

A tab is provided on the process unit to contact any one of the microswitches S1 to Ss as unit identification means. In other words, a process unit with a protrusion at position 46? 11-If the device is micro switch S
3 is activated, sends a signal to the control unit 45, moves the motor 44, and moves the filter F to a position opposite the exposure slit 9. If a process unit with a protrusion is installed on 46', micro switch S2 will be changed to 71 cross switch S2 if a process unit with a protrusion is installed on 46''.
1 works, the motor 44 works and it fits, F+7
a: Move to the 90th position of the 90th slit. The unit identification and filter switching means are not limited to these, and various known mechanical, electrical, or optical methods can be used as desired. Further, in the above embodiment, the case where there are three types of filters is shown, but two or four or more types of arbitrary filters may be used.

These devices can be used in the same manner as the device shown in Figure 2.

Further, the photoreceptor used in the copying apparatus of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it has sensitivity in the transmission wavelength band of the color separation filter used together, and includes selenium-tellurium, amorphous silicon, Various photoreceptors can be used, such as cadmium sulfide, zinc oxide, and various organic photoconductors. It is possible to use the same photoreceptor for all color separations in all the process units that make up the color separation filters 14 used as a set, or it is possible to use photoreceptors suitable for i4i, depending on the color separation filters to be combined. It's so good. In other words, the apparent sensitivity of a photoreceptor combined with a color separation filter is determined by the spectral intensity of the light source illuminating the original image, the spectral transmittance of the filter, and the spectral sensitivity of the photoreceptor. However, the transmittance of a color separation filter differs for each color (Yoko 51 Nahi), so even if the same photoreceptor is used, it may be necessary to change the exposure conditions settings for each process unit. occurs. /If/color sensitivity of a photoreceptor depends on its material/
Since different results can be obtained depending on the structure and manufacturing conditions (see Figure 5), the apparent sensitivity depends on the spectral transmittance of the combined color separation filter's transmission wavelength band and the intensity of the illumination light source. It is desirable to select and use substantially the same color separation filters so that each process unit with different prestigious color separation filters can be exposed under the same conditions. Figure 5 shows the spectral transmittance (B,
The spectral sensitivity curves of G, R), a selenium-tellurium photoreceptor (8e), and an organic photoconductor photoreceptor (OPC) are shown.

In order to produce multicolor images using these copying devices, it is possible to repeat the copying operation by replacing the required number of process units loaded with the necessary filters and toners of the corresponding colors, as described above. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide means for automatically adjusting the exposure amount or development conditions for each process unit in order to match the usage conditions for each process unit.

The simplest way to adjust the exposure amount is to layer a neutral intensity filter, which is inversely proportional to the apparent sensitivity when using the process unit, on the filter section of each process unit. Using identification means such as protrusions installed on the unit at different positions, an identification signal is output for each process unit using a sensor installed on the copying machine main body, and based on the identification signal, the voltage of the illumination light source is adjusted according to preset conditions. Alternatively, a control voltage applied to a variable optical density filter element such as a liquid crystal layer provided in the exposure optical path may be controlled. Further, as a method for controlling the image density by adjusting the development gI, it is preferable to adopt a method of switching the bias voltage applied to the development magnet roller in accordance with the replacement of the process unit. That is, when a process unit equipped with a color separation filter that increases the apparent sensitivity is installed, the bias voltage decreases, and in the opposite case, the bias voltage may be controlled so as to increase the bias voltage.

Fig. 6 shows an example of a copying apparatus equipped with a bias voltage control means, and 61 in the figure is a housing of the main body of the copying apparatus,
U is a process unit, 1 is a photosensitive drum, 9 is an exposure slit, and 3 is a developing magnet roller. The bias voltage applied to the magnet roller 3'' is supplied from the power source ''-62, and is applied to the magnet 23 through the connector 63 and the semi-fixed resistor R't-. If the semi-fixed resistor R is adjusted in advance so as to achieve the same result, a constant result can always be obtained for any process unit.

In addition, a semi-fixed resistor for adjusting multiple bias voltages is installed on the copying machine main body side, and the connector on the process unit side is installed! 't
- process units that are connected to each other by methods such as changing) k
A device as shown in Figure 7 may be used in which the semi-fixed resistance is adjusted for each flow unit. The off-line diagram is an example in which terminals Ill, , lit, , T, connected to semi-fixed resistors R, , R, , R, respectively, are provided on the main body side, and terminals TI+ T! Three process units with plugs 71 in positions corresponding to +% can be used. The figure shows a state in which a process unit U connected to a terminal T is installed.

Bias l! If the adjustment resistor is adjusted for each process unit to obtain the optimum density under the conditions of the color separation filter and developer that are actually used, subsequent adjustment is not necessary. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the source condition every time the process unit is replaced.

As stated above, in the copying machine of the present invention, the relationship between each process unit and the color separation filter inserted into the optical path when the process unit is installed in the copying machine can be automatically specified. At the meeting, you can easily obtain multicolor copies by repeating the copying operation without replacing the process unit loaded with the developer of the color corresponding to the color of the filter and overlapping the images on the same transfer material. can. During this time, there is no need to touch the original drawing, so there is no need to align it (1), and there is no risk of color misalignment or the like due to poor alignment.

[Effects of Generation] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a simple copying apparatus that is small and inexpensive, and that can produce high-quality multicolor copies.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a side view of the copying apparatus according to the present invention. Figures 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of the filter switching mechanism. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the specific spectral sensitivity and color separation of the photoreceptor. Graphs showing the transmittance of the filter, Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams showing adjustment circuits for the bias voltage supplied to the process unit. 1°°P...Photosensitive drum, 7.37.47...Song filter unit), 8.40,46...Process unit identification protrusion, 42...Bias power supply, F,
, ,F, ,F,...color separation filter,
U...°°゛process unit), 8. ．． 8. ．． 8.・
...Micro switch, R, R,, R,, R,...
・Resistance for adjusting bias bias. Agent: Patent Attorney No 1) Parent-in-law

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Attachable/removable parts to the main body of the copying machine, including at least the developing unit.
In a copying apparatus having a convertible process unit, a filter unit including a plurality of color separation filters;
A copying apparatus comprising a filter switching means for driving the filter unit when a process unit is replaced based on an identification means provided in the process unit and inserting a specific color separation filter into an exposure optical path. (21) The copying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising bias voltage switching means for switching the bias voltage applied to the developing device when the process unit is replaced.