JPS61292652A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the mixing of developer of different colors by comparing the state of use of developer with the indicated of a color indicating means such as a color indicating switch etc., and when both are in the relation of different color and the indicated color is not the first color such as black etc., cleaning the developing device and then supplying the developer of indicated color. CONSTITUTION:Referring to indicated color of a color indicating means and the state of agent supply obtained from a state supervisory means, when the color of developer in the developing device and indicated color are the same (j) color, (j) =1, 2 or 3, the third controlling means of developer supply that instructs the supply to the i-th supplying means is provided while remaining the of a switching means as it is. Thereby, when the recording color is changed from the first color to other color in the selectively recording of more than three colors, and when changed between different colors other than the first color (black), the developing device is cleaned by cleaning liquid. Used cleaning liquid is recovered in a cleaning liquid tank, and the developer of color to be changed next is supplied to the developing device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention ■Technical Field The present invention relates to a recording device that records three or more colors separately or continuously, and in particular, although it is not intended to be limited to this,
A photoreceptor, a means for forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image light on the photoreceptor, a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image into a visible image, a means for transferring the visible image onto a recording sheet, and exposure to light after transfer. The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine that is equipped with a cleaning means for cleaning the body surface and that selectively performs color recording in a plurality of colors.

■Representative technology of this kind! , Recording devices include the above-mentioned copying machines and inkjet printers. Taking a copying machine as an example, one type of conventional color copying machine is one that supplies developer solutions for each color to one developer (for example,
43898). There is also a monocolor type machine which is equipped with powder developer units for different colors and one of which is attached to the main body of the copying machine to perform monocolor copying.

In the former type, liquid developers of different colors are supplied to the same developing device, so when the recording color is changed, the previous color and the current color mix, resulting in a muddy recording. It takes several copies to reach the desired color. Further, when the developer in the developing device is collected into the developer tank, the developer with the previous color mixed is collected, so the developer in the developer tank also becomes dirty.

The latter type requires a cumbersome task to replace the developing unit in the copying machine main body, and the developing unit is separate from the main body, making it difficult to handle as there are many mechanical elements, especially those that are separate from the main body. There is.

Some conventional color inkjet printers are equipped with inkjet heads that support the number of colors, and are capable of superimposed color recording (full color recording) and monochrome recording, but simple color printers have one It is desirable that an inkjet head be able to perform selective monochrome recording of a plurality of colors.

■Object The first object of the present invention is to change the recording color in a recording device that selectively supplies developer for each color to one recording and developing section (for example, a developer in a copying machine; an inkjet head in an inkjet printer). The second purpose is to prevent the developer recovered from the developing device from being contaminated, and the third purpose is to reduce the consumption of the developer. The fourth purpose is to shorten the time from a recording instruction to the start of recording when recording a set number of sheets in the same color as the previous recording color.

(2) Structure In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, in a recording apparatus equipped with a developing device that applies a developing agent to an opposing surface: an input means equipped with a color indicating means for indicating a recording color and a recording start indicating means; A first tank containing one color developer;
a second tank containing a developer of a second color different from the first color; a third tank containing a developer of a third color different from the first color and the second color;
tank; first supply means for supplying the developing agent in the first tank to the developing device; second supplying means for supplying the developing agent in the second tank to the developing device;
and a third supply means for supplying the developing agent in the third tank to the developing device; in addition, a cleaning agent tank containing a developer cleaning agent; supplying the cleaning agent in the cleaning agent tank to the developing device; A cleaning liquid supply means for supplying the cleaning liquid for the imaging device to the first tank.

Switching means for selectively supplying the cleaning agent to the second tank, the third tank and the cleaning agent tank; 1m monitoring means for monitoring the agent supply state of the developing device; Referring to this, when the indicated color is different from the color of the agent supply state, the cleaning liquid supply means is instructed to supply the cleaning liquid, the switching means is instructed to supply the cleaning agent to the cleaning agent tank, and then these instructions are canceled. developer supply first control means which instructs the third supply means to supply the developer and instructs the switching means to supply the developer to the third tank; refer to the indicated color of the color indicating means and the developer supply state obtained by the condition monitoring means; Then, when the agent supply state is that there is a developer of the second color or the third color and the indicated color is the first color, the switching means is instructed to supply to the first tank, and the supply is to the second supply means. a second developer supply control means for instructing; and a second developer supply control means for instructing; and a second control means for instructing developer supply; Color, j=1.2
or 3, the developing supply third control means instructs the i-th supply means to supply while leaving the setting of the switching means as is:
What shall we say?

According to this, in selective recording of three or more colors, when the recording color is switched from the first color (for example, black) to another color, and when switching between different colors other than the first color (black), At this time, the developing device is cleaned with a cleaning liquid, the used cleaning liquid is collected in a cleaning agent tank, and then the developing agent of the color to be switched is supplied to the developing device. Therefore, there is virtually no residual developer of a previous different color in the developing device, and there is virtually no chance that each color developer other than the first color (black) is contaminated with developer of other colors. Therefore, recording using a developer of a color other than the first color (black) becomes a pure monochromatic color, and even when the developer is collected from the developer into each developer tank, the developer in the tank is never gets dirty. The developer in each bath is therefore reused.

Furthermore, when changing the setting from another color to the first color (black) recording, it is necessary to set the first color (black) to the developing device without cleaning.
Since the developer is supplied (black), the first color (black) is removed from the other colors.
In switching to , the recording start timing becomes earlier, and the operation efficiency for recording the first color (black), which is frequently used, is high.

Furthermore, after recording the set number of sheets of the fifth color (J=112 or 3) or when recording of the same color is instructed, the j-th supply means is energized and the fifth color is activated without cleaning or switching the switching means. A colored microscope agent is supplied to the imaging device.

Therefore, when the colors are the same, recording starts earlier.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first color is black, and the first tank, second tank, third tank and cleaning agent tank are:
It is placed below the imaging device.

The switching means is a flow path switching means for selectively guiding the flow path of the developer or the cleaning agent flowing down from the developing device to the first tank, the second tank, the third tank, or the cleaning agent tank. ing. In the black (first color) recording setting state, the developer in the first tank is continuously supplied to the developing device by the first pump, which is the first supplying means, and the switching means controls the developer flowing down from the developing device. The image agent is guided to the first tank. In the recording setting state of other colors, the developer in the developer tank assigned to several colors is continuously supplied to the developing device by the pump which is the supply means for each color agent abutment, and the switching means is set to the developing device. The developing agent flowing downward is guided to various parts.

When the 9-color indicating means indicates another color in the black recording setting state or other different color recording setting state, the first pump is deenergized, and then it takes until most of the developer in the developing device flows into the first tank. The switching means guides the developer flowing down from the developing device to the first tank during the time Tl (the preliquid cut-off time). T
1, the cleaning agent pump serving as the cleaning agent supply means is energized to supply the cleaning agent in the cleaning agent tank to the developing device, and the switching device guides the cleaning agent flowing down from the developing device to the cleaning agent tank. 6 When the supply of cleaning agent continues for a time t2 (developing device cleaning time), the cleaning agent supply pump is deenergized, and then the cleaning agent of the developing device flows down to the cleaning agent tank as much as possible. Time T1
During the (cleaning liquid drain time), the switching means guides the cleaning agent flowing down from the developing device to the cleaning agent tank. When T1 has elapsed, the pump assigned to the color to be switched is energized and the developer in the developer tank containing the developer of the color to be switched is supplied to the developing device. and the switching means guides the developer flowing down from the developing device to the developer tank (record setting state for other colors).

When the color indicating means instructs black in the recording setting state of another color, the pump that feeds the developer of the other color to the developing device is deenergized to shorten the waiting time until recording starts. , the first pump is energized to supply the developer in the first tank to the developing device, and the switching means guides the developer flowing down from the developing device to the first tank (black record setting state S ). As mentioned above,
The pre-liquid draining time Tly, the imaging device cleaning time t2 and the cleaning liquid draining time T1 are omitted.

The start of black recording is started after a time ts (time for the black developing solution to sufficiently diffuse into the developing section of the developing device) from the start of energization of the first pump. This time t5 is T1
, and shorter than t2. In the developing device and in the first tank, the black developer is mixed with the developer of the other color,
Since black is predominant over other colors and the amount of black developer is much larger, the recorded color is black, and there is virtually no problem with the recorded color.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 mainly shows the mechanical parts of an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a monochrome copying machine.

A document (not shown) placed on the contact glass plate 1 and pressed down by the pressure plate 2 is illuminated by a lamp 10. The reflected light from the original is reflected by the first mirror 11. Second mirror 12. Third mirror 13. An image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 3 via the lens unit 1-14 and the fourth mirror 15. The photosensitive drum 3 is rotated clockwise by a main motor (not shown) via a power transmission mechanism (not shown). lamp 10
and a first mirror r1 is mounted on a first carriage (not shown) and driven at a constant speed in the direction of arrow A;
The second mirror and the third mirror are mounted on a second carriage (not shown) and are driven in the direction of the arrow at a speed 172 times the speed of the first carriage.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 3 is uniformly charged by the main charger 4. The charged surface is exposed by the imaging, thereby creating an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum.

This electrostatic latent image is visualized with a developer in the developing device 5 and becomes a visible image. The visible image is fed out from the cassette 16 by the paper feeding roller 17 in the transfer charger 7, and transferred to the conveying rollers 18, 2.
0 and registration roller 22 to paper guides 19 and 21.
and 6 are transferred onto recording paper.

The recording paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 3 by the separation unit 8, guided by a paper guide 23, and enters the fixing device 24, where it is heated by a heater (not shown).

The paper is then guided by a paper guide 25 and sent out to a paper ejection tray 27 by a paper ejection roller 26. The surface of the photosensitive drum 3 is cleaned by a cleaning unit 9.

The energization control of the mechanical elements described above in various states such as before the start of copying, during the copy cycle, and during the end cycle is well known in monochrome (black) recording copiers V and some types of full-color copiers. There is.

The inside of the developing device 5 is shown in FIG. 2a. The developing device 5 has an inlet 28.where a developing solution and a cleaning solution are supplied. and a developer and cleaning solution outlet 29. The container 160 includes a first developing roller 161. A second developing roller 162 and a squeeze roller 163 are rotatably supported. These rollers are electrically conductive and are located very slightly apart from the surface of the photosensitive drum 3. Main motor (
(not shown) via a power transmission means (not shown), and the rollers 161 and 162 rotate counterclockwise.
Further, the roller 163 is rotated clockwise. These rollers 161, 162, and 163 are rotating when the photosensitive drum 3 is rotating, and the rollers 161, 162, and 163 are rotating when the photosensitive drum 3 is rotating.
is stopped when it is stopped. Rollers 161, 162
and 163 include scrapers 164 and 165, respectively.
The free ends of the scrapers 164 and 166 are in contact with each other, and these scrapers scrape off the developer adhering to the roller surface, while the scrapers 164 and 165 retain the developer or cleaning fluid flowing down from above. The remaining liquid wets the surfaces of the rollers 161 and 162. The liquid on the surfaces of the rollers 161 and 162 is attracted to the charge on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 3 and is transferred to the photoreceptor drum 3. roller 16
3 removes excess liquid on the surface of the drum 3.

Figure 2b shows the inside of cleaning units 1-9. The container 77 is attached to a support arm 176 that is integral with the frame (not shown) of the main body of the copying machine. bracket 78
is pivotally connected to a shaft 83 fixed to the frame of the main body. A blade 80 is fixed to one end of the bracket 78, and a sponge roller 79 is pivotally fixed to the other end.

The print roller 81 is pivotally mounted to the frame of the main body. A scraper 84 is in contact with the roller 81, and the roller 81 is in contact with a scraper 84.
1, the liquid scraped off from the sponge roller 79 is transferred to the roller 8.
Remove from 1. A receiver plate 82 is fixed to a shaft pivotally connected to the frame of the main body. The tray 82 is lowered onto the roller 79 by its own weight. The container 77 has an inlet 40 at its upper end and an outlet 41 at its lower end. At entrance 40, there is a black I! !
The developer in the image tank (first tank > 30) is supplied by the pump 38.The developer that has come to the inlet 40 flows down onto the tray 82, passes through the tray 82, and flows onto the drum 3 from the free end 82b. Due to this flow, a plunger of a solenoid device i!2 (not shown) is coupled between the drum 3 and the roller 79 via a developer (not shown), and while the drum 3 is rotating, the solenoid When the mounting is energized, the blade 80 and roller 79 are forced to rotate in the direction of pressing against the drum 3, as shown in FIG. (not shown) rotates the bracket 78 clockwise about the shaft 83, causing the blade 80 and the roller 79 to be removed from the drum 3, and the roller 79 to be released from the compression of the roller 81.

Referring again to FIG. A discharge port of the first pump 37 and a second pump 37 are connected to each port 1 of the inlet 28 of the developing bag rn5.
r discharge port, third pump 37g discharge port, fourth pump 3
The discharge port of the cleaner liquid pump 37b and the discharge port of the cleaner liquid pump 37i are connected to each other via a plurality of pipes (not shown). An outlet 29 of the developing device 5 is connected to an inlet of a flow path switching valve 39 . The outlet of the switching valve 39 is switched to the nozzle 44 or the first tank (black developer tank) 30. A two-position switching mechanism (not shown) is coupled to the switching valve 39, and the two-position switching mechanism 11! ! A solenoid device 42 drives the structure. As shown in FIG. 1, when the switching valve 39 is in the outlet 29-nozzle 44 connection state, the solenoid device 42 is in the 1
When energized twice, the two-position switching mechanism drives the switching valve 39 counterclockwise, and the switching valve 39 switches between the outlet 29 and the first tank 30.
When the solenoid device 42 is energized once while the outlet 29 and the first tank 30 are connected, the two-position switching mechanism drives the switching valve 39 clockwise.

The outlet 29 and nozzle 44 are connected. Thus, each time the solenoid device 42 is energized, the switching valve 39 rotates from one position to the other position and vice versa. A position detection switch 43 is attached to the changeover valve 39, and this switch 43 indicates that the changeover valve 39 is located between the outlet 29 and the nozzle 44.
The switch 43 is closed when connected, and the switch 43 is open when the switching valve 39 is connected between the outlet 29 and the first tank 30.

The nozzle 44 is rotatably supported by a pulse motor 45. Below the outlet of the nozzle 44, two recovery pipes 47 (47r, 47g, 47
b) is placed.

When the outlet of the nozzle 44 is located on the pipe 47r, the liquid coming out of the nozzle 44 flows into the second tank (red developer tank) 30r, and when the outlet of the nozzle 44 is located on the pipe 47g, the liquid coming out of the nozzle 44 flows into the second tank (red developer tank) 30r. is the third tank (green developer tank) 3
0g, and when the outlet of the nozzle 44 is located on the pipe 47b, the liquid coming out of the nozzle 44 flows to the fourth tank (blue and low liquid tank) 30b, and when the exit of the nozzle 44 is located on the pipe 47i, The liquid coming out of the nozzle 44 flows into the cleaning liquid tank 30i. The position of the nozzle 44 is determined by the position detection switch 46 (46r y 46 g y46b, 46
i) detects. When the outlet of the nozzle 44 is on the pipe 47r, the switch 46r is closed, when the outlet of the nozzle 44 is on the pipe 47g, the switch 46g is closed, and when the outlet of the nozzle 44 is on the pipe 47b, the switch 46b is closed.
is closed and the outlet of nozzle 44 is on pipe 47i, switch 46+ is closed. Izuku's switch too.

When nozzle 44 is not in the switch position, it is open.

A pump 38 supplies the black developer from the first tank 30 to the inlet of the cleaning unit 9. The developing solution flowing down from the outlet of Units 1-9 is passed through a pipe (not shown) to the first tank 3.
Return to 0.

1st tank (black developer tank) 30. 24th'! A black developer container 31.
Red developer container 31r, 9 developer container 31g, blue developer container W31b, and diluent container 32, 32r, 3
2g and 32b are installed. Developer container 31
+ 31 r t Solenoid devices [33r, 33g, 33b and 33+ are connected to 31g and 31b via links. When the solenoid device is energized, the developer container opens and the developer solution therein flows down.

The nozzle tips of the mouthpieces of the diluent containers 32, 32r, 32g and 32b hit the support plates in the tanks 30.30r, 30g and 30b and are raised relative to the containers, so that the mouths of the containers are placed inside the tanks. is open. When the liquid level in the tank decreases, diluted liquid comes out from the container into the tank. cleaning liquid 4
1! Only the cleaning liquid container 32i is attached to the F 30 i. The nozzle tip of the mouthpiece of the container 32i is connected to the tank 3.
It hits the support plate in 0i and rises relative to the container,
This opens the mouth of the container into the tank. When the cleaning liquid level in the tank 30i decreases, the cleaning liquid comes out from the container into the tank 39i.

1st tank 30. 2nd tank 30r, 3rd tank 30g, 4th Wj3
0 b and cleaning liquid $ 30 i D are a float that is linked to the rise and fall of the liquid level in the tank, and upper limit position detection switches 34, 34r, and 34g for detecting the up and down positions of the float.

34b and 34i, and lower limit position detection switch 35.35r, 35g, 35b and 35i.

A portion of the liquid discharged from the first pump 37 flows to the first concentration detection unit 36 and is returned to the first tank 30 through there. 1st
A detection unit 36 detects the concentration of the black developer. A second concentration detection unit 1" 36r is installed in the pipe 47r that returns the developer to the second tank (red developer tank) 30r, and a second concentration detection unit 1" 36r is installed in the pipe 47g that returns the developer to the third tank (green developer tank) 30g. 3 concentration detection unit 36g is also connected to the 4th tank (blue developer tank) 3
A fourth concentration detection unit 36b is connected to the pipe 47b that returns the developer to the developer 0b. These detection units 3
6 + 36 r + 36 g and 36b are a channel means for causing the developing solution to flow down in the form of a film, a lamp (36L in Fig. 3) and a photoelectric converter (36 365) in the figure, and the electric circuit configuration is shown in FIG. detection unit 36,
The electrical circuit configurations of 36r, 36g and 36b are exactly the same.

While the photosensitive drum 3 is rotating, the rollers 161, 162, and 163 of the developing device 5 are also rotating, and the bracket 1-8 of the cleaning unit 9 is placed in the position shown in FIG. 2b, and the blade 80 is rotated. and sponge roller 79
is in pressure contact with the photoreceptor drum 3. Further, the pump 38 is energized to supply black developer to the cleaning unit 9.

In the black record setting state, the switching valve 39 is set between the outlet 29 and the first tank 3.
0 connection state, and the pump 37 is energized to supply black developer to the developing device 5.

In the red record setting state, the switching valve 39 is set between the outlet 29 and the nozzle 4.
The nozzle 44 is positioned on the pipe 47r, and the pump 37r is energized to supply red developer to the developing device 5.

In the green record setting state, the switching valve 39 is set between the outlet 29 and the nozzle 4.
The nozzle 44 is positioned on the pipe 47g, and the pump 37g is energized to supply green developer to the developing device 5.

In the previous record setting state, the switching valve 39 is set between the outlet 29 and the nozzle 4.
The nozzle 44 is positioned on the pipe 47b, and the pump 37b is energized to supply blue developer to the developing device 5.

When changing from the black recording setting state to the red recording setting state, the first pump 37 is deenergized, and then the developer drain time T
After 1, the switching valve 39 is switched to the nozzle 44 side, the nozzle 44 is positioned on the pipe 46i, and the pump 37i is energized during the cleaning time t2. After t2, the pump 37i is deenergized, and after a cleaning liquid cut-off time T1 from this deenergization, the nozzle 44 is positioned on the pipe 47r, and the pump 37r is energized.

Switching from the black recording setting state to the green recording setting state or the previous recording setting state is performed in the same manner. Furthermore, switching from one of the red record setting state, green record setting state, and previous record setting state to the other is performed in the same manner, but in this case, the switching valve 39 is not switched.

When switching from the red recording setting state, green recording setting state, or previous recording setting state to the black recording setting state, even if red, green, or blue developer is mixed with the black developer, the recorded color will appear black, so the usage frequency may vary. In order to shorten the switching time to the high black recording setting state, the pump 37r.

37g or 37b is deenergized, the switching valve 39 is switched to the first tank 30 side, and the first pump 37 is energized. Cleaning liquid is not supplied to the developing device 5. As a result, the developer draining time T1e cleaning time t
2 and the cleaning liquid drain time T1 are omitted.

However, copying is not started during the time t5 from the start of energization of the first pump 37 until the black developer is sufficiently distributed over all the rollers 161, 162, and 163 of the developing device 5.

FIG. 2c shows a portion of the operation board 48 provided in the copying machine shown in FIG. The elements shown in Figure 2c are as follows.

Standby instruction switch with built-in 76 dual light emitting elements.

When a power switch (not shown) is turned on and the switch 76 is turned on with the light emitting element not lit, the light emitting element is lit, the copying machine enters a standby state, and the fixing heater is energized to generate heat at a low temperature. When the switch 76 is turned on while the light emitting element is on, the light emitting element goes out, the copying machine waits for a copy instruction, and the fixing heater is energized to generate heat at a high temperature.

49: Copy start switch with built-in red light emitting element and green light emitting element.

When the copying machine is in a copy ready state in a copy instruction waiting state, the green light emitting element is lit, and when the switch 49 is turned on at this time, a copy cycle is started. When the copy cycle starts, the red light emitting element is lit. The red light-emitting element lights up while the set number of copies is being copied. When the set number of copies have been completed, the red light emitting element turns off and the green light emitting element turns on. During and after copying, when the copying machine becomes in a copy-disabled state, the green light-emitting element is turned off and the red light-emitting element is turned on.

5ADF: A light emitting element that lights up when the semi-automatic feeder is installed in the copying machine.

ADF: A light emitting element that lights up when the auto feeder is installed in the copying machine.

0ff=light emitting element that lights up when the feeder is not attached.

Auto Feed: Auto feed instruction switch with built-in light emitting element.

When this switch is turned on, the light emitting element lights up, and the copying machine is set to an autofeed mode in which originals are automatically fed onto the contact glass 1 from the attached feeder.

If this switch is turned on while the light emitting element is lit, the light emitting element will turn off and the copying machine will close contact glass 1.
This is the normal mode setting where you manually place the original on top.

Power On: Power indicator light.

The light is on when the power switch (not shown) is on, and off when the power switch is off.

Interrupt instruction switch with built-in interconnected/resume dual light-emitting elements.

When this switch is turned on while the light-emitting element is off, the setting state data of the operation board 48 and copy data of the copying machine (number of copies, etc.) are saved in memory, and the set number of copies is 1.
Waiting for a copy instruction. In this state, operation board 4
You can instruct copying by changing 8 to any setting (1g included copy setting state).

When this switch is turned on while the light-emitting element is lit, the data saved in the memory is read out, the operation board 48 is set based on the read data, and the internal data of the copying machine such as the number of copies has been read out. is re-set 1.

51: 3-digit character display.

Before copying starts, the set number of copies is displayed, and after copying starts, the number of copied copies is displayed. Also used to indicate abnormalities.

0-9: Numeric keypad switch.

Switch for entering number of copies and other information.

Clear: Switch for manually entering the numeric keypad and canceling the copy setting number of copies.

Recall: Switch to read out previously stored operation board setting data.

55: Light emitting element for indicating developer shortage. It lights up when the lower limit detection switch 35, 35r, 35g or 35b is closed.

56: Light emitting element for indicating lack of cleaning liquid. It lights up when the lower limit switch 35i is closed.

57: Light emitting element for displaying check instructions.

Lights up when either the upper or lower limit switch is closed, or when there is an abnormality such as paper trouble or mechanical trouble.

53p 53r, 53g+53b: Color setting indicator light.

When the power switch is turned on, 53 is lit and the black recording mode is set.

50: Color indication switch.

When 53 is lit, when this switch is turned on, 53 goes out and 53b lights up, setting the pre-recording mode. 5
When switch 50 is turned on while 3b is lit, 5
3b goes out, 53g lights up, and the line recording mode is set. If the switch 50 is turned on while 53g is lit, 53g goes out and 53r lights up, setting the red recording mode. If the switch 50 is turned on while 53r is lit, 53r goes out and 53 lights up. The black recording mode is set.

54: Tank 1 trouble indicator light.

It lights up when the upper and lower limit position detection switches 34 or 35 are closed or when the container 31 is empty.

54r: Second tank trouble indicator light.

It lights up when the upper and lower limit position detection switches 34r or 35r are closed or when the container 31r is empty.

54g: Third tank trouble indicator light.

It lights up when the upper and lower limit position detection switches 34g or 35g are closed, or when the container 31g is empty.

54b = 4th tank trouble indicator light.

It lights up when the upper and lower limit position detection switches 34b or 35b are closed, or when the container 31b is empty.

541: Cleaning liquid tank trouble indicator light.

It lights up when the upper and lower limit position detection switches 34i or 35i are closed, or when the container 31i is empty.

Note that the shaded area around the indicator light 54 indicates the illumination area of the paper trouble indicator light. Other switches and display elements are mounted on the operation board 48.

FIG. 3 shows an electrical system for energizing the mechanical elements of the copying machine shown in FIG. Switches 61 such as input switches, status detection switches, status setting switches, etc. for each part of the copying machine
is connected to the microprocessor 58 via buffer amplifiers 59 and 60, and is also connected to a driver 68.

At the interrupt input port N of the microprocessor 58,
A drum synchronization pulse generator 62 is connected. The pulse generator 62 has a first sensor 62S that detects a light-transmitting slit in a rotary plate coupled to the photoreceptor drum 3.

Every time the drum 3 rotates by a minute angle, the sensor 62S detects the transparent sulfur 1- and applies an l pulse to the interrupt input port NT. A temperature detection circuit 63 that detects the temperature of the fixing section of the fixing unit 24 is connected to the A/D conversion input port ADI of the microprocessor 58 . The thermistor 63 generates a voltage corresponding to the temperature of the fixing section, and applies this to ADI. A/D conversion input port AD2 . of microprocessor 58 . AD3. AD4 and AD5 each have a developer concentration detection unit 36° 36 r t 36 g
and 36b are connected.

The photoelectric conversion element 36S generates a voltage corresponding to the concentration of the black developer pumped up by the first pump 37 and applies it to AD2. The lamp 36L provides light to the photoelectric conversion element 36S through the developer thin film. The electrical circuit configurations of units 36r+ 36g and 36b are also the same as that of unit 36, and AD3. Voltages corresponding to the red developer concentration, green developer concentration, and blue developer concentration are applied to AD4 and AD5. The microprocessor 58 includes
A ROM 67, a RAM 66, and input/output port buffer elements 64 and 65 are connected via an address bus, a control bus, and a data bus. These input/output port buffer elements 64 and 65 include
Drivers 68-71 and drivers 72-75, respectively
is connected.

Driver 68 sequentially applies a switch state read signal to each of the Y scan lines of switch matrix 61 and sequentially applies a display element activation signal to each of Y scan lines of display element matrix 76.

Each signal on the X line of the switch matrix 61, ie, a signal indicating whether each switch is open or closed, is provided to the microprocessor 58 via buffers 59 and 60. Microprocessor 58 applies display element activation signals to each of the X lines of display element matrix 76 via buffers 69.70, if desired. In the display element matrix 76, the display elements to which the Y-line display energizing signal and the X-line display energizing signal are simultaneously applied are lit. The driver 71 is connected to a mechanism driving element (not shown) (main motor, clutch, etc.).
Driver 72 includes electrical elements of the imaging system (lamp 10 .
chargers 4, 72, etc.), and the driver 73 is connected to electric elements (not shown) of the paper conveyance system (clutches, etc.).
motor, etc.) are connected. The driver 74 includes electrical elements of the developer supply system, namely pumps 38, 37.3.
7r.

37g, 37b, 37i, solenoid device 42°33.
33r, 33g, 33b and a pulse motor 45 are connected. Connected to the driver 75 is a connector for connecting electrical elements such as devices installed in the copying machine, such as a feeder and a sorter.

The microprocessor 58 operates the drivers 68 to 68 according to the input operations of various switches and the status of each part of the copying machine.
75 with various energizing signals.

Various types of control operations of a microprocessor CPU in a copying machine are well known. Therefore, the control operations of the microprocessor 58 will be explained here, focusing on the control operations that are closely related to the implementation of the present invention.

4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f show control operations of the microprocessor 58, mainly regarding developer supply control.

First, referring to FIG. 1, when the power switch (not shown) of the copying machine is turned on and the power is turned on to the microprocessor 58 and each part of the copying machine, the microprocessor 58 executes initialization (step 1: (Omit the word "step" in parentheses). In initialization 1, each element of the copying machine is first set to an inactive state, and the internal counters, timers, registers, etc. of the microprocessor 58 are initialized, and status tracking registers etc. allocated to the RAM are initialized. become Then, the display on the operation board 48 is set to the standard state, and data indicating the set state is set in the memory. In the standard state, the number of copies set is 1.
The color is black (indicator lamp 53 lit), and the indicator lamp 53 is lit to set a black flag. Then, counting of elapsed time T is started (time T count star 1-).

When this initialization is completed, the microprocessor 58 instructs the heater driver for energizing the heater of the fixing unit 24 to energize high temperature heat generation (2). Next, the open/closed states of the state detection switches of the switch matrix 61 are checked to determine whether copying is possible (3). If it is abnormal, abnormality processing (
5) and wait until it becomes normal (3-4-5-3)
). If it is normal or becomes normal, an abnormal flag is displayed.

Clear the abnormal display etc. 6), turn on the main motor (3 rotations of the drum), and turn on the pump 38 (supply black developer to the cleaning unit 77) (7a). In conjunction with this main motor energization and pump energization, the rollers 161 to 163 are rotationally driven in the developing device 5, and the main charger 4 is energized. Note that this charger is energized.

This is because the toner in the developer on the surfaces of the rollers 161 to 163 is sucked into the drum 3 and collected by the unit 9. Similarly, the bracket 78 is driven to the position shown in FIG. 2b, thereby causing the blade 80 and the sponge roller 7
9 comes into pressure contact with the drum 3 (7a). Next, the microprocessor 58 refers to whether the time T is equal to or longer than the liquid cut-off time T1, and if it is less than T1, the fixing unit 2
Refer to the fixing unit temperature (63S output) in step 4 (7b). Here, if the time T is less than T1 and the fixing unit temperature is less than the set fixing temperature, it waits, and if T becomes T1 or more for 1 hour, the fixing unit temperature is Wait until the unit temperature becomes equal to or higher than the set fixing temperature (7b). When time T becomes T1 or more,
Since the liquid in the developing device a5 is sufficiently drained, and since copying is possible when the temperature of the fixing section reaches or exceeds the set fixing temperature, the microprocessor 5 is used to clean the developing device 5.
8 refers to the state of the switch 43 (8) and energizes the solenoid device 42 while it is not closed (the outlet 29 of the developing device 5 is connected to the first tank 30) and tl (9).

As a result, the switching valve 39 is switched to connect the outlet 29 to the nozzle 44, and the switch 43 is closed. If the switch 43 is closed or becomes closed, the state of the switch 46i is then referred to (10). If the switch 46i is not closed, the nozzle 44 is not on the pipe 47i, so the other switch 46r
, 45g and 46b.

The pulse motor 45 is reversely energized to connect the nozzle 44 to the pipe 4.
7i (11), when positioned in this way, or when the nozzle 44 is on the pipe 47i,
The pump 37i is energized during t2 to clean the developing device 5 during t2 (2).

During this period t2, the cleaning liquid in the tank 304 is supplied to the developing device 5 and collected in the tank 30i.

When the cleaning is finished, a count of 1 hour T is started and a cleaning completion flag is set (13).

That is, a time count is started to determine the elapse of the cleaning liquid cut-off time T1.

The above is the developer supply control immediately after the power switch is turned on, that is, the developer initialization control.

When the cleaning (12) is finished, the microprocessor 58 reads the status of the operation board 48 (14), and if there is no input on the operation board 48, the process proceeds to step 16-17-14.
Waits for an input to the operation board 48, waits for the end cycle end time te to elapse,
It is also waiting for the key-in standby time t3 to elapse. The time te is an end cycle execution time during which the drum 3 is rotated for post-processing after starting copying and finishing the final copy. An end cycle is started when the final copy is finished, and a timer te (
program timer) is set and the process returns to step 14. Step 16 is a step that refers to the expiration of the timer te. When the time limit is exceeded (end cycle ends), the end cycle is stopped (18). t3
is a set time for automatically returning to the standby state within a certain period of time when there continues to be no input on the operation board after the copy setting screen (step 12) is reached.

When the count value of time T reaches t3 after reaching the copy setting screen (step 12 and the end of copying the set number of sheets), the count value of time T reaches t3 (1
7) Switch the fixing heater to preheat energization (low temperature heat generation energization), turn on the light emitting element of the standby switch 76 19), stop the main motor, stop the pump 38 and de-energize the main charger 4. (20). and standby switch 76
The device waits for the switch to turn on (21: standby state). Even when the standby switch 76 is not in the standby state, if the standby switch 76 is turned on, this is detected in step E4, and the steps from step 25 to step 1 are performed.
Proceed to step 9 and enter the standby state.

When the standby switch 76 is turned on in the standby state (2
1) As in step 7a, the main motor is energized and the main charger is energized.

Furthermore, the pump 38 is energized (22), and the fixing heater is energized to generate a high amount of heat similarly to step 2 (23), and the process proceeds to operation board reading (14).

In the operation board reading (14), the standby switch 76,
Color indication switch 26. When the operation of a key switch other than the start key switch 49 is read (27), the reading associated with the operated key is performed (28).
. A typical example of this reading is setting the number of copies according to the human power of the numeric keypad.

When the color instruction switch 26 is operated, the microprocessor 58 executes the recording color instruction reading and the overflow processing of the developing device 30 from step 26 in FIG. 4a to FIG. 4b. To explain these, if the switch 50 is turned on for the first time immediately after the power switch is turned on, the display element 53 is lit, and the step 1
In the initialization of the microprocessor 58 register or RA
A black flag is set in the M66 register. Therefore, microprocessor 58 performs step 29-3.
1-33-35, and in step 35, clear the black flag and turn off the light emitting element 53, set the blue flag and turn on the light emitting element 53b, so that one switch movement is not read more than once. After waiting for the elapse of time t4 (36), the process returns to the operation board reading step (14) in FIG. 4A through the overflow processing of the developing device 30 in steps 37 to 41. When the color instruction switch 50 is operated while the blue flag is set, the microprocessor 58 executes steps 29-31.
-33-34, clear the blue flag in step 34, turn off the light emitting element 53b, set the green flag and turn on the light emitting element 53g, wait for the elapse of time t4 (36) and develop in steps 37 to 41. After the overflow processing of the device 30, the process returns to operation board reading (14) in FIG. 4a. When the color instruction switch 50 is operated while the green flag is set, the microprocessor 58 executes steps 29-31.
-32, and in step 32, the green flag is cleared, the light emitting element 53g is turned off, the red flag is set, and the light emitting element 53g is turned off.
Turn on R, wait for the elapse of time t4 (36), and perform the overflow processing of the developing device 30 in steps 37 to 41.
Return to operation board reading (14) in figure a. When the color instruction switch 50 is operated while the red flag is set,
The microprocessor 58 proceeds to steps 29-30, clears the red flag and turns off the light emitting element 53r in step 30, sets a black flag and turns on the light emitting element 53r, and then turns on the light emitting element 53r.
After waiting for the elapse of time 4 (36), the process returns to the operation board reading step 14 in FIG. 4a through the overflow processing of the developing device 30 in steps 37 to 41. If the color indication switch 50 is turned on continuously, one display element 53, 53b.

53g and 53r are turned on in this order at approximately time intervals of t4. Therefore, by continuously and/or intermittently turning on the color indicating switch 50, the color is black.

Blue, green, and red can be specified.

After reading the recorded color instructions (29-36), the developing device 3
0 overflow processing (37-41), the microcomputer 58 first refers to the state of the switch 34 (37). As already explained, while the drum 43 is rotating, including during copying, the pump 38 sends the black developer to the cleaning unit 24 and collects the liquid discharged from the unit 24 into the first tank 30. During black recording, black developer is supplied from the first tank 30 to the developing device 5 and the cleaning unit 24, and is collected from the developing device 5 and the unit 24 to the first tank 30. Therefore, the developer in the first tank 30 does not substantially increase, but rather decreases due to copying. However, in the case of blue, green, or red recording, for example, in the case of red recording, the red developer is supplied from the second tank 30r to the developing device 5, and the waste liquid is collected in the second tank. The red developer that has adhered to the cleaning unit 24 and is collected by the cleaning unit 24 is collected into the first tank 30. Therefore, the amount of liquid in the first tank 30 increases. Therefore, when the switch 34 is closed (the amount of black developer is above the upper limit).

When blue, green, or red recording is performed, there is a risk that the developer may overflow in the first tank 30. The overflow processing (37 to 41) of the developing device 30 is a control step to prevent such an overflow in advance. That is, when the switch 34 is closed (the liquid level in the first tank 30 is above the upper limit) (37), the first tank trouble indicator light 54 and the operator check indicator light 57 are turned on (39), and the presence or absence of the black flag is referred to. (40), there is no problem in starting copying when there is a black flag (black recording instruction), so
Proceed to read the operation board (waiting for the 14th start key switch 49 to turn on), but if there is no black flag, it is a recording instruction for another color, so clear all red, green, and blue flags, set the black flag, and display. light 53 b p 53 g t
53r is turned off, the indicator light 53 is turned on (41), and the process proceeds to operation board reading (14). When the operator reduces the amount of developer in the first tank 30 and opens the switch 34 and operates the switch 50 in response to the lighting of the indicator lights 55 and 57, the microprocessor 58 executes step 14-15-25-2.
6-Reading the recording color instruction shown in FIG. 4b-37-38, and the 1 indicator lights 54 and 57 are turned off. If the switch 37 remains closed, the 1 indicator lights 54 and 57 light up, and the recording color is set to black (the black flag is set).
.

When the operation board reading (14 in FIG. 4a) detects that the start switch 49 is closed, the microprocessor 58 proceeds to step 42 in FIG. 4c via steps 15-25-26-27. In step 42, the temperature of the fixing section of the fixing unit 24 is referred to, and it is determined whether the temperature is equal to or higher than the set fixing temperature. If it is less than K, read the operation board (1
Return to 4) 6 Note that when it is less than K, the red light emitting element of the start switch 49 is lit, and when it is above K, the green light emitting element is lit on the condition that the copying machine is in the operation board reading mode. .

Now, if the temperature of the fixing section of the fixing unit 24 is higher than or equal to 1, the process proceeds from step 42 to step 43, and the presence or absence of the black flag is checked. If there is a black flag, the black development set of steps 44 to 47 is executed. That is, the state of the switch 43 is referred to.

If the switch 43 is not closed, the switching valve 39 is in the position to supply the drained liquid of the developing device 5 to the first tank 30 side, so the fourth d
Proceed to the developer adjustment shown in the figure. When the switch 43 is closed, the switching valve 39 is in a position to supply the waste liquid from the developing device 5 to the nozzle 44, so the solenoid device 42 is energized during the period tl so as to supply the drained liquid from the developing device 5 to the first tank 30. to switch the switching valve 39 to the first tank 30 side (45), and energize the pump 37 (46).
), and a time t is required to wait for the black developer from the first tank 30 to spread to the rollers 161 to 163 of the developing device 5.
5 (47), and when ts has elapsed, the process proceeds to the developer adjustment shown in FIG. 4d. In this black development set (black recording state setting), the developer that was previously in the development device 5 flows down (
It should be noted that there is no waiting time T1 to wait for the cleaning liquid to drain (liquid draining), a time t2 for supplying the cleaning liquid to the developing device 5, and a waiting time T1 for waiting for the cleaning liquid to flow down (liquid draining) after t2.

If there is no black flag, the presence or absence of a blue flag is referred to (48). If there is a blue flag, the blue development set in steps 49 to 61 is executed. Namely.

With reference to the state of the switch 43 (49), the switch 43
is closed, refer to the state of the switch 46b (52)
. When the switch 43 is closed and the switch 46b is also closed, the switching valve 49 is located on the nozzle 44 side, and the nozzle 44 is located on the pipe 47b, and the drained liquid from the developing device 5 is transferred to the fourth
This means that the previous copy operation was a blue copy process, and draining and cleaning of the developing device 5 is unnecessary. , proceed directly to the developer adjustment shown in FIG. 4d. When switch 43 is not closed.

This means that the copy operation immediately before this was a black copy process, so wait for the elapse of T1 to determine the flow of black developer from the developing device 5 (50: details are shown in Figure 4f. The explanation will be described later). , the solenoid device 42 is energized during tl to position the switching valve 49 to the nozzle 44 side (51),
The cleaned flag is referred to (54). The presence of the cleaning completed flag indicates that the copying machine has now finished cleaning the developing device 5. Therefore, when there is a cleaning flag, the nozzle 44 is positioned on the pipe 47b (59), the pump 37b is energized (60), and the blue developer is supplied to the rollers 161 to 15 of the developing device 5.
163, wait for time t5 to elapse (61), and when ts elapses, proceed to developer adjustment in FIG. 4d. If there is no cleaning completed flag in step 54, the developer that previously entered the developing device 5 is black.

The developing device 5 is cleaned because it is green or red and this time a blue developer is to be supplied and cleaning is required (55). This cleaning (55) is similar to cleaning (11 to 13) of the developing device shown in FIG. 4a.
The content is the same.

Note that in cleaning the developing device (55), step 13
Please note that the count of time T is started in the same way as in . Next, set the cleaned flag 5.
6), Start time T callan 1 ~ 57), 'ri
Wait for the progress of (58). "Waiting for Tl's progress J (50
, 53, 58) are shown in Figure 4f.

Now, to explain the contents of "waiting for the elapse of T1" with reference to FIG. ), if it is not, it waits for T1, but reads the waiting opening operation board (103),
When there is an input from the operation board, step 25 in Figure 4a is performed.
and performs processing according to the input. Therefore, T1
While waiting for the elapsed time, the switch 50 is operated,
The recording color designation may be changed. If the cleaning completed flag is present when the recording color designation is changed, it means that the developing device 5 has finished cleaning and is in a clean state. If there is no releaned flag,
Indicates that cleaning is required. This “T; Waiting for progress J(5
0, 53 and 58) for positioning the nozzle 44 (59
), and note that the position of the nozzle 44 has not been changed to the position corresponding to the color flag, "
Waiting for T1 (50, 53 and 58: ゛Figure 4f)
Even if the operation of the switch 50 is detected by reading the operation board and the recording color (color flag) is changed, the nozzle 44 is moved to the developer drain position before the previous color setting (color flag) where no copying was performed. Therefore, no error occurs in the positioning control of the nozzle 44. When the recording color (color flag) is changed.

If there is a cleaning completion flag, the cleaning process (55)'' and waiting for cleaning liquid drain time T1 (58) in steps 55 to 58 are not executed as described above, so that the previous cleaning process is not wasted. The time required to start copying after changing the recording color (color flag) is shortened.

When there is no black flag and no blue flag, the presence or absence of a green flag is referred to (62). If there is a green flag, a green development set (63) is executed. This green developing set (63) is also similar to the blue developing set (49 to 61) described above. However, "46b" in step 52 is read as r46gJ, r47 bJ in step 59 is read as r47 gJ, and "r37 b" in step 60 is read as r37 gJ.

If there is no black flag, no blue flag, and also no green flag, it means that there is a red flag, so a red development set (64) is executed. This red developing set (63
) are also similar to the blue development set (49 to 61) described above.

However, "46b" in step 52 is read as r46rJ, r47 bJ in step 59 is read as r47rJ, and r37 bJ in step 60 is read as r37rJ.

When the developer set is executed as described above, the pumps 37 (step 46), 37b (step 60),
37g (step 63) or 37r (step 64)
is energized, cleaning of the developing device 5 is required the next time the recorded color is changed (however, it is not necessary when changing from blue, green, or red to black), so the cleaned flag must be cleared. Step 65a), proceed to step 65b and subsequent steps for developer adjustment.

When adjusting the developer, first refer to the presence or absence of the blue flag (65b
). If this is present, the pump 37b is energized, the blue developer is supplied from the fourth tank (blue developer tank) 30b to the developing device 5, and the liquid drained from the developing device 5 is sent to the concentration detection unit 36b.
It passes through and returns to the fourth tank 30b. Therefore, in this case, blue developer adjustment (66 to 81) is executed. That is,
The voltage of the photoelectric conversion element of the concentration detection unit 36b (FIG. 3) is A/D converted and compared with a set value (66). If the concentration indicated by the conversion data is equal to or higher than the set value, the developer concentration is appropriate. Therefore, set (clear) the developer supply number n to O (73a) and refer to the state of the switch 35b (73a).
3 b). If the switch 35b is not closed, the fourth +3
3. Since the developer level is appropriate at ob, turn off the trouble indicator lights 54b, 55 and 5774)
, clear the copy number change flag 75), and proceed to step 81.

When the switch 35b is closed, there is a shortage of developer (at least the diluent container 32b is empty), so the indicator lights 54b and 5 are turned off.
5 and 57 are turned on (76), and the remaining number of copies is compared with 99 (78). If the remaining number of copies is less than 99,
If the number of remaining copies exceeds 99, the copy setting number is updated so that the remaining number of copies becomes 99 (79), and the copy setting number change flag is set (80). That is, the number of copies that can be made thereafter is set to 99 or less. When the indicator light is turned on in step 76,
If the set copy number change flag is set, the set copy number has already been changed in this way, so the set copy number is not changed here.

As a result of the concentration detection (66), if the concentration is less than the set value, refer to the state of the switch 34b (68), and if it is closed, the developer is supplied from the container 31b to the fourth tank 30b. Since there is a possibility that the developer will overflow at 4$30b, the above-mentioned process of changing the set number of copies is executed in steps 76-80. When the switch 34b is not closed, there is no risk of overflow, so
Referring to the value of the developer supply number n (69), if it is less than 5, the solenoid device 33b is energized for a time t6 (70). As a result, the container 31b opens during t6,
The developer in the container 31b is supplied to the fourth tank 30b. Then, after waiting for a sufficient time t7 for the supplied developer to mix with the developer in the fourth tank and go to the developing device 5 and from there to the concentration detection unit 36b (72), the developer is supplied for the number of times n. Change the value of 72) to a number larger by 1. Concentration detection (6
6). If the concentration is still low in this concentration detection (66), the developer is supplied from the container 31b to the fourth tank 30b again (69-72). When the concentration becomes higher than the set value, the process proceeds from step 67 to step 73a,
The developer supply flow is exited, but if the concentration does not reach the set value or higher even after five times of developer supply (because there is no developer in the container 31b), the process proceeds to steps 76 to 80 to change the set number of copies.

After executing the above developer adjustment and proceeding to step 81, the states of the switches 34g, 34r, and 34i are referred to (81). If 34g, 34r, or 34i are closed, the positioning of the nozzle 44 is abnormal, and the developer being sent to the developing device 5 in the fourth tank (blue developer tank) 30b is transferred from the developing device 5 to another tank. 30r, 30g, or 30i, the process proceeds to abnormality processing 82. If switches 34g, 34r and 34i are all open, the positioning of nozzle 44 is considered accurate and the state of switch 34 is then referenced (83). When the switch 34 is closed, a part of the blue developer transferred from the developing device 5 to the drum 3 during blue copying is collected by the cleaning unit 9, goes to the first tank (black developer tank) 30, and is transferred to the first tank (black developer tank) 30. There is a risk that the amount of developer in the first tank 30 will increase and the first tank 30 will overflow. If switch 34 is then closed, the process proceeds to step 39-41 shown in FIG. 4b, changing the color settings as previously described. If switch 34 is not closed, the process proceeds to copy control in FIG. 4e.

In the above, blue developer adjustment when there is a blue flag has been explained. Green developer adjustment when there is a green flag (8
4, 85) is also the same as the blue developer adjustment. However, r36 bJ in step 66 is r36gJ, and step 68
"34b" is r34 gJ, r54 bJ in steps 74 and 76 is r54gJ, and r33 in step 70.
bJ is r33gJ, r35 in step 73b bJ is r35gJ, and r34gJ in step 81 is r34
b”. The red developer adjustment when there is a red flag [(86, 87) is also the same as the blue developer adjustment. However, "36b" in step 66 is r36rJ, "34b" in step 68 is r34rJ, and steps 74, 76
r54bJ is r54rJ and r33 in step 70
bJ is "33r" and "35b" in step 73b is r
35rJ and r34rJ in step 81 are “34b
”. The black developer adjustment (88) when there is a black flag is the same as the blue developer adjustment. However, r36 bJ in step 66 is "36" and "r36 bJ" in step 68 is "36".
34b" is "34" and r54 in steps 74 and 76.
bJ is "54", and "33b" of Futep 70 is "33".
", r35bJ in step 73b is read as "35", and "r34b" is added in step 81. Also,
In black copying, a black developer is supplied from the first tank 30 to the developing device 5, and the drained liquid from the developing device 5 is returned to the first tank 30, and
Since the recovered liquid of the unit 41 is also returned to the first tank 30, the amount of developer in the first tank 30 does not increase, but rather decreases. Therefore, copying can begin or continue even if switch 34 is closed. Therefore, in the black developer adjustment, if all the switches are not closed in the switch state determination corresponding to step 81, step 83 is not passed and the process directly proceeds to the copy control shown in FIG. 4e.

Copy control will be explained with reference to FIG. 4e. First, key-in reading of the operation board 48 is set (89), and one copy cycle is started (90).

In this one copy cycle, one copying process, which is well known in a normal copying machine, is performed. If there is a key-in on the operation board 2C during this copying process, data indicating the input key switch is stored in memory. And the key-in is the color instruction switch 50
If so, the color flag at that time is stored in the save memory as the previous color flag, and the process shown in FIG. 4b is executed. When this is executed, the color currently being copied (previous color flag) and all set color flags will be different.

■When the copy cycle (90) is completed, check whether the color flag has been changed or not (92), and if it has not been changed, update the contents of the number of copies copied register to a larger number by one (93). The contents are compared with the contents of the copy setting number register (94). If the number of copied sheets is not greater than the set number, copying processing (90) is required again, so read the status of each part of the copier (95), determine whether or not the copying process can be continued (96), and continue. If this is not possible, the process proceeds to abnormality processing (97). If it can be continued, the process returns to the beginning of copy control (89). If the number of copies has exceeded the set number, or if the color flag has been changed during one copy cycle (90), an end cycle for post-processing is set (98), and the end cycle is determined to be completed. 99), set the timer for the te time limit to 99), and pump 37 + 37 r t 37 g for developer supply.
and 37b (100), and starts counting the time T (101). Then, the process returns to operation board reading (14) in FIG. 4a. Pump 37 + 37 r + 3
By deenergizing 7g and 37b, the developer is no longer supplied to the developing device 5, and the developer in the developing device 5 flows down to the developer tank 30, 3Or, 30g, or 30b by its own weight. In other words, draining of the developer has started.

The value of time T is therefore indicative of the duration of draining. It also shows the elapsed time from the end of copying.

Finish copying as above and read the operation board (14)
Step 14-15-16-17-1
4, wait for an input on the operation board 48,
It waits for the end cycle to end (timer te times out) and waits for one hour t3 to elapse. It should be noted that
3 > te. If there is an input on the operation board 48 before te has elapsed, the control from step 25 described above is started. When there is no input to the operation board 48 (te has elapsed, the end cycle is stopped (18). When the end cycle is stopped, the rotation of the drum 3 is stopped, other mechanical parts are also stopped, and the pump 38 is deenergized. , main charger 4
deactivate. After that, when t3 has elapsed, the standby state is set (19.20) and then the standby switch 76 is turned on (21).

When the standby switch 76 is turned on, the main motor is rotated, the pump 38 is energized, the main charger 4 is energized (22), and the fixing heater is activated to generate a high amount of heat (23).
Proceed to read fi board (14).

The main control operations of the microprocessor 58 explained above are summarized as follows.

(1) Setting the recording color to black when the power is turned on. The black flag should be set in the initialization immediately after the power is turned on.2) First, black recording is set in the memory. It is presumed that in this type of copying machine, the probability of black record copying is the highest. Therefore, the recording color under the JfA quasi-copy condition is black. However, there is a possibility that other color settings will be instructed by subsequent input on the operation board, and if the supply of black developer to the developing device 5 has started, the supply of black developer may be stopped or the black developer may be turned off. The liquid draining standby T1+cleaning t2 and the cleaning liquid draining standby T1 are required, which reduces the operating efficiency of the copying machine. Therefore, even if the recording color black is set in the memory, the developer is not supplied to the developing device 5.

(2) Standby immediately after turning on the power. When the power is turned on, it starts counting the time T. 2) Check whether 1 hour T becomes T1 or not.
Alternatively, it waits until the temperature of the fixing portions of the regular units 1 to 24 reaches the regular temperature (7b).

By the time the power is turned on, the drain time T1 of the developer used for the previous copy may or may not have elapsed. There are instructions in the operating manual and other documents to turn off the copier after the end cycle has finished, and when the power is turned off normally (power off after the end cycle), the TI has elapsed before the power is turned off. Therefore, there is no need to set the liquid cut-off time T1 when the power is turned on again. However, although the probability is low, it is possible that the power is turned off during copying or immediately after copying is completed, and then the power is turned on again before T1 elapses. Therefore, in this embodiment, as a general rule, a liquid draining time of T1 is uniformly set from the time the power is turned on. When the power is turned on when the fixing unit 24 is at room temperature.

The time it takes for the fixing unit temperature to rise to the set fixing temperature is longer than T1. Therefore, even if the liquid drain time of T1 is set immediately after the power is turned on, the operating efficiency of the copying machine will not be particularly reduced. However, when the power is cut off after the end cycle after the previous copy and then turned on again (the probability of the power being turned on in this mode is high), the fusing unit temperature is high and the previous copy Since the liquid cut-off time T1 has passed since the end, the time T1 has passed since the power was turned on.
Do not wait for step 1 to pass.

(3) Cleaning after draining the developer. During the standby period (2) above, the developer in the developing device 5 has sufficiently flowed out. Further, immediately after the standby, the key-in of the operation board 48 does not necessarily occur immediately, and it is not known what recording color will be specified. If the power is turned on when the fixing unit 24 is at room temperature (for example, when the power is turned on first thing in the morning), the temperature of the fixing section has not yet risen to the fixing temperature at this stage.

Waiting for warm-up. Therefore, the developing bag rii5 is cleaned at this stage (12).

At least during this cleaning, the main charger 4 is energized to attract the toner on the roller of the developing device 5 to the photosensitive drum 3 and remove it from the roller. Due to the bias of the main charger 4, the toner on the roller of the developing bag rR5 is attracted to the photosensitive drum 3, so that the amount of dirt on the cleaning liquid is reduced accordingly.

(4) Waiting for the liquid to drain after cleaning. When the cleaning is finished, a time period T1 required for the cleaning liquid to sufficiently flow out of the developing device 5 is waited for. During this time, the operation board is read (13, 14).

(5) Setting recording color. Reading the operation board (14°103
), when the operation of the color instruction switch is read, the recording color is set correspondingly (29 to 41).

In setting the recording color, if the developer level in the black developer tank 30 is equal to or higher than the upper limit, only black is set without setting a recording color other than black. This is to prevent overblowing of the developer in the first tank 30.

(6) When the operation of the start switch 49 is read by the operation board reading (14, 103), the developing cellar 1 to (42 to
64:1 developer supply to the image device 5), then developer adjustment (65b to 83), and then copy processing (
Proceed to steps 89-101).

(7) In the developer set of (6) above, compare the actual developer supply setting state and the developer supply required this time.

(7-1) If the two match, proceed directly to developer adjustment. As a result, when the recording color designation is not changed, the copying operation is immediately started in response to the operation of the start key switch, as in a normal monochrome copying machine. If the two do not match, (7-2A) If the color of the developer supply setting required this time is red, green, or blue, (7-2A-1) Wait until the drain time T1 of the previously used developer has elapsed (50 , 53), then performs cleaning 55), and then waits for the cleaning liquid drain time T1 to elapse (58). And ¥1. Proceed to image solution adjustment.

(7-2A-2) When the cleaning completed flag is present, the developing device 5 has just been cleaned, so wait for the draining time T1 of the previously used developer to elapse (5o).

53) and cleaning execution (55) are omitted,
The process waits for the cleaning liquid drain time T1 to elapse (58).

(7-2A-3) When waiting for the liquid cut-off time T1 to elapse, the operation board is read (103), and if there is an input, the process proceeds to (5) above.

(7-2B) If the color of the developer supply setting required this time is black, the above (7-2A-1), (7-2A-2), and (7-2A-3) are not executed. Therefore, the time from the black instruction input operation to the start of black copying is much shorter than for other colors. This is the same as in the case of a normal monochrome copying machine.

(7-3) When the developer supply pump 37.37r, 37g, or 37b is energized, the cleaning completed flag is cleared (65a).

(8) In the developer adjustment described in (6) above, if the developer concentration is insufficient, the developer is supplied from the developer container to the developer tank, but if the concentration is still low even after this, the set number of copies is changed. Change the value so that the number of actual copies after that will be 99 or less. Furthermore, when the developer level in the developer tank is low, the set number of copies is changed in the same way. This is done in order to limit the number of subsequent copies to 99 copies that can be made with acceptable quality when the concentration of the developer is insufficient or the amount of the developer is insufficient.

(9) In the developer adjustment described in (6) above, if the liquid level in the developer tank and cleaning liquid tank that store developer of a color different from the set recording color exceeds the upper limit, the amount of developer The supply direction is determined to be abnormal (an abnormal switching of the switching valve 39 or an abnormal positioning of the nozzle 44), and the process proceeds to abnormal processing.
Copying will not start.

(10) In the developer adjustment described in (6) above, the set color is red.

When the color is green or blue, if the developer level in the black developer tank 30 is above the upper limit (83), the set color is changed to black and the process returns to operation board reading (14). When the set color is black, the set color is not changed and the process does not return to reading the operation board.

This is done to prevent the first tank 30 from overflowing.

(11) The operation board is read during one copy cycle, and if there is an input, it is stored in memory. After one copy cycle is completed, the memory is referred to and if the recording color instruction has been changed (92), an end cycle is set and the process returns to operation board reading (14).

(12) When copying is finished, a timer is set to determine the end of the end cycle (99), and a timer is set to count the leaving (non-use) time after copying is complete. Time T counting is started for monitoring (101).

The developer supply system to the developing device 5 and the developer recovery system from the developing device 5 are not reset (initialized) and are left as they are. This is because there is a high probability that a copy of the same color will be instructed for the primary copy, and if initialization is performed at this time, there is a high probability that you will have to wait for the liquid to drain or perform cleaning, etc., so this kind of waste can be prevented. This is to do so.

After that, input the operation board (start switch 49 on)
When the timer te elapses without any error, the end cycle stops (
When the drum 3 stops rotating, etc.) (18), and the set standby time t3 elapses without any input from the operation board, the copying machine enters a standby state (low heat generation of the fixing heater, etc.) (19).
~21). When the standby state is reached, press the standby switch 7.
6 is not operated, the operation board reading (14) does not proceed (21-23). Before entering the standby state or during the standby state, when the switch 76 is operated to proceed to the operation board reading (14), the recording color changes [from black to red, green or blue, or from red, green or blue]. to another color (excluding black)], refer to the time T count value that started at the end of copying and set the condition (50, Cleaning is started at 53) (54.55). Therefore, the start of counting the time T after the end of copying (101) has the effect of shortening the waiting time when changing the recording color thereafter, compared to the case where the liquid draining waiting time is newly set.

(13) During cleaning (12, 55), operation board reading (14, 103) is not executed, and during liquid drain standby 50, 53, 58) before or after cleaning, operation board reading (
103) is executed. this is.

Cleaning time 2 is relatively short (for example, t2 is approximately 5 seconds), so it does not take a long time to wait for the completion of cleaning, and any recording color can be set after cleaning, so cleaning can be started once. This is because it would be rational to end it completely. In addition, the liquid draining standby time T1 is relatively long (for example, T1 is approximately 15 seconds),
During this time, the operator may want to change the recording color, so read the operation board (103), and even if there is an input on the operation board and process accordingly, the operator will continue to count the time T during that time. If this is the case, the continuity of the liquid drain standby can be maintained.

(14) When cleaning (12, 55) is executed, a cleaning completed flag is set, indicating that the developing device 5 remains cleaned. Also.

After that, the developer supply pump 37, 37r, 37g or 37
When b is activated, the cleaned flag is cleared (
65 a). Then change the recording color (red.

When switching to a different color (excluding switching from green or blue to black), if there is a cleaning flag, waiting for the previous developer to run out and cleaning is omitted, only waiting for the cleaning solution to run out, and starting the new developer. Start supplying. This is effective in shortening waiting time. In particular, when the recording color designation is changed by reading the operation board (103) while waiting for the cleaning liquid to drain (58), the waiting time until the start of copying is It has the effect of shortening the length.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above example,
The first tank contains a black developer. That is, the first color is black. However, in the embodiment described above, in which the previously used developer is collected in the first tank when switching from a setting other than black to a black setting, the first tank does not necessarily contain pure black developer. There's no need. This is because a substantially black developer is accommodated by mixing the recovered developer other than black. therefore.

It is not necessary to supply pure black developer to the first tank containing the first color.

In the above embodiment, when the instruction is changed from red, green, or previous recording to black recording, the pump that previously supplied developer
7r, 37g or 37b, immediately switch the switching valve to the first tank 30 side (45), and energize the pump 37 (46).
).

This is because the amount of developer stored in the developing device 5 is small, so even if the previous developer is collected into the first tank 30.

This is because the increase in the amount of developer in the first tank 30 is small and the color change of the black developer can be virtually ignored.

In an embodiment in which these cannot be ignored, a control step similar to step 50 for waiting for T1 to elapse is inserted between steps 44 and 45. As a result, the supply of black developer is started after waiting for the previously used developer to drain, and the amount of developer recovered to the first tank 30 is reduced.
Moreover, the amount of other developer mixed with the black developer is reduced.

The above embodiment does not have a standby power source for backing up the memory when the power switch is turned off.

When the power is turned on, a liquid draining time T1 is taken, and then cleaning is performed to initialize the developing device. Wait i
In an embodiment that backs up a counter, a microprocessor, or a microprocessor and RAM that performs time T run 1 using a power supply, steps 7b to 13 described above are omitted and the time from power on to the start of copying is make it shorter. Even in this case, if the power switch is left for a long time with the power switch turned off, automatic cleaning control is included in which cleaning is performed once after a predetermined length of time after the power switch is turned off. According to this, solidification of the developer on the rollers and the like in the developing device 5 is prevented. Furthermore, in an embodiment that is provided with a standby power source as described above and retains the necessary data even when the power switch is off, the three positions of the nozzle 44 position detection switch 46 are
Individuals or all may be omitted. In that case, when three are omitted, for example, only one 46i is left and used for detecting the home position. When all four are omitted, the nozzle 44 is positioned on a specific pipe 47 (for example, 471) when assembling the device, the nozzle position data is set in a memory backed up by a standby power supply, and then the pulse motor Position tracking is performed to update the nozzle position data every 45 forward and reverse steps.

By using similar control to track the position of the switching valve 39, the switch 43 can also be omitted.

The copying machine described with reference to the drawings is a monochromatic color copier. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a paper transport mechanism that selectively guides paper from the exit of the fixing device 24 to the entrance of the registration roller 22, and also includes a paper transport mechanism that selectively guides the paper from the exit of the fixing device 24 to the entrance of the registration roller 22. Filter units made of filter plates are arranged and stacked to form a full-color copying machine. In this case, when full color is specified, copies of, for example, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow are created in the required order.
While returning a sheet of recording paper from the fixing device 24 to the registration roller 22 in a predetermined order,
Execution is performed sequentially while switching the filter plates in the exposure path. In this way, the present invention can be directly implemented in a full-color copying machine.

Further, although the above description relates to a wet development type color copying machine, the present invention can be similarly implemented to a dry development type color copying machine. In the case of a dry development type color copying machine, the cleaning agent is either a powder that adsorbs the toner or a solvent that can dissolve or disperse the toner.

The present invention also includes: The present invention can be similarly applied to inkjet printers and other recording apparatuses in which a recording medium is applied to a facing surface. For example, conventional color inkjet printers typically have three ink jet heads for magenta and cyan.

Ink such as yellow is supplied individually, but according to the present invention, each color ink is supplied to one ink jet head. selectively supplying ink or cleaning liquid to the ink jet head from each color ink tank and cleaning liquid tank;
The ink or cleaning liquid captured in the gutter is returned to the ink tank or cleaning liquid tank via a switching valve or the like.

■Effects As described above, according to the present invention, the use state of the developing side of a developing device such as a developing device that applies a developing agent such as a developer to the opposing surface and the indicated color of a color indicating means such as a single color indicating switch. Compare 1
When the two are different colors and the indicated color is not the first color such as black, the developing device is cleaned and then the developer of the indicated color is supplied, so that different color development is performed on the developer of the indicated color. Since there is no mixing of agents and there is no stain, the indicated colors are recorded in vivid colors, improving copy quality.

It does not require a lot of preliminary equipment and effort, such as having developing devices for each color and setting the developing device containing the developer of the desired color into the copying machine by the operator.

In addition, the developer recovered from the developing device is free of dirt and can be reused, reducing developer consumption.Since there is no accumulation of dirt during use, it is possible to reuse the developer. It can last for a long time.

Furthermore, from other colors, the first color such as black, which has a high probability of regular use, is selected.
Since the cleaning process is omitted when switching the recording mode to color recording, the time from the first color recording instruction to when copying can be started is short, and the first color recording is used more efficiently.

Furthermore, if the color used last time and the color to be recorded this time are the same, the cleaning process is omitted and the developer of the color to be recorded this time is supplied, so recording can be started with the same color settings. It is faster and the operating efficiency of the appetizer is high.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram mainly showing the structure of the mechanical part of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2a is a sectional view showing the inside of the developing device 5 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2b is the same as shown in FIG. 1. 3 is a sectional view showing the inside of the cleaning unit 9. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electrical control system of this embodiment. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f illustrate the microprocessor 58 shown in FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing the control operation of FIG. 1: Contact glass 2: Pressure plate 3: Photosensitive drum 4: Main charger 5: Developing device (developing device) 7: Transfer charger 8: Separation unit 9: Cleaning unit 10: Lamp
11, 12, 13, 15: Mirror 14: Lens unit 16: Recording paper cassette 17: Paper feed roller
22 Ni registration roller 24: Fixing unit 27: Paper ejection tray 28: Liquid inlet of developing device 29: Liquid outlet 3
0: Black developer tank (1st tank) 30r: Red developer tank (2nd tank) 30g = Green developer tank (3rd tank) 30b: Blue developer tank (4th tank) 301: Cleaning solution tank ( Cleaning agent tank) 31.31r, 31g, 31b: Developer container 32
．． 32r, 32g, 32b: Diluted liquid container 321: Cleaning liquid container 33.33r, 33g, 33b, 42: Solenoid device 34.34r, 34g, 34b, 34i: Upper limit detection switch 35.35r, 35g, 35b, 35i: Lower limit Detection switches 36.36r, 36g, 36b: Developer concentration detection units 37.37r, 37g, 37b:
Developer supply pump (37: first supply means, 37r:
371: Cleaning liquid supply pump (cleaning agent supply means) 38 Ni drum cleaning liquid supply pump 39: Switching valve, 44: Switching nozzle (39, 44, 45 two switching means) 4
0 Ni drum cleaning liquid inlet 41 Ni drum cleaning liquid outlet 43: Position detection switch 45: Pulse motor 46:
Nozzle position detection switch (43, 46, 513: status monitoring means) 47: Pipe for collecting liquid receiver 48: Operation board (input means) 49 Nyster switch 50: Color indication switch (color indication means) 51: 3-digit segment display 53.53b, 53g, 53r, 54, 54r, 54g
, 54b, 54i, 55-57: Indicator light 58: Microprocessor (developing supply No. 1.2.3 control means) 62 Nidrum synchronous pulse generator 63: Fixing temperature detection circuit

Claims (11)

[Claims] (1) In a recording device equipped with a developing device that applies a developer to the opposing surface: A first tank that stores a developer of a first color; A tank that stores a developer of a second color different from the first color. 2nd tank; 3rd tank containing a developer of a third color different from the first color and the second color; a cleaning agent tank containing a developer cleaning agent; Developing the developer in the 1st tank A first supply means for supplying the developer in the second tank to the developer; A third supply means for supplying the developer in the third tank to the developer; a cleaning agent tank cleaning agent supplying means for supplying cleaning agent to the developing device; switching means for selectively supplying the cleaning agent of the developing device to the first tank, second tank, third tank and cleaning agent tank; color for indicating recording color; Input means comprising an instruction means and a recording start instruction means; A condition monitoring means for monitoring the agent supply condition of the developing device; A agent supply condition is determined by referring to the indicated color of the color indication means and the agent supply condition obtained by the condition monitoring means. When there is a developer of the first color or the second color and the indicated color is the third color, the cleaning liquid supply means is instructed to supply the cleaning liquid, the switching means is instructed to supply the cleaning agent to the cleaning agent tank, and then these developer supply first control means for canceling the instruction, instructing the third supply means to supply, and instructing the switching means to supply to the third tank; the developer supply state obtained by the indicated color of the color indicating means and the state monitoring means; With reference to , when the developer supply state is that the developer of the second color or the third color is present and the indicated color is the first color, the switching means is instructed to supply to the first tank, and A second developer supply control means for instructing the supply means to supply the developer; and, referring to the indicated color of the color indicating means and the developer supply state obtained by the condition monitoring means, the developer color and instruction of the developing device are determined. When the j-th color is the same, and j=1, 2, or 3, the developing agent supply third control means instructs the j-th supply means to supply the developer while leaving the setting of the switching means unchanged. recording device. (2) The first developer supply control means instructs the third supply means to supply the developer after the recording start instruction means instructs the start of recording. recording device. (3) The second developer supply control means instructs the first supply means to supply the developer after the recording start instruction means instructs the start of recording. recording device. (4) The third developer supply control means instructs the j-th supply means to supply the developer after the recording start instruction means instructs the start of recording. recording device. (5) The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first developer supply control means releases the instruction to supply the developer to the third supply means after the recording process for the set number of sheets is completed. (6) The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second developer supply control means releases the instruction to supply the developer to the first supply means after the recording process for the set number of sheets is completed. (7) The recording apparatus according to claim (4), wherein the third developer supply control means releases the supply instruction to the j-th supply means after the recording process for the set number of sheets is completed. (8) The first developer supply control means instructs the first supply means to supply the developer at the start of recording of the first color, and releases the instruction to the first supply means after the recording of the set number of first color images is completed. When counting is started and the color indicating means indicates another color, after the time count value reaches a predetermined value, the cleaning liquid supplying means is instructed to supply the cleaning liquid, the switching means is instructed to supply the cleaning agent to the cleaning agent tank, and the time is counted. When the count value reaches a predetermined value after starting the process, canceling these instructions, instructing the second supply means or the third supply means to supply, and instructing the switching means to supply to the second tank or the third tank, A recording device according to claim (2) or (5). (9) The recording device includes a photoreceptor, a means for forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image light on the photoreceptor, a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image into a visible image, and a transfer of the visible image onto a recording sheet. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording device is an electrophotographic recording device comprising a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of the photoreceptor after the transfer, and the developing device is the developing device. (10) The recording apparatus according to claim (9), wherein the cleaning means includes a recovery agent supplying means for returning the recovery agent to the first tank. (11) The first tank includes a developer amount detection means, and the developer supply control means ignores when the color indication means indicates another color when the developer amount detection means detects an excessive amount. A recording device according to claim (10).