JPS63155062A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent erroneous operation that an image is formed without fitting a developing unit, by providing a means which confirms that the developing unit is fitted and inhibiting the image forming operation when fitting of the developing unit is forgotten and immediately displaying this state then. CONSTITUTION:When a developing unit 24 is fitted, the input signal of a controller 42 goes to a low level because the output current of a power supply device 46 flows to the earth side of the developing unit 24; but when the developing unit 24 is not fitted, the input signal goes to a high level because the output voltage of the power supply device 46 is applied to the controller through a pull-up resistance 51. The controller 42 permits the normal copying operation if the input signal is in the low level; but the controller inhibits the copying operation and displays a warning on a control panel by flickering a LED or the like if the input signal is in the high level. Thus, an operator becomes aware of a failure in fitting of the developing unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (& Separation for Ori on a Beam) The present invention relates to an image forming process in an electronic copying machine, a norther beam printer, etc., which is equipped with a plurality of developing means.

(Prior Art) In image forming apparatuses such as electronic copying machines and laser beam glinters, a photoreceptor as an image bearing member undergoes a charging process, Mft
By repeating the image forming process consisting of , process, and development process,
An apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 is used as one of the devices for obtaining multicolor images using a plurality of developers.

That is, in this apparatus, according to the rotation of the photoreceptor 21 in the direction of the arrow, a charging process and a path light process are performed by the charger 22 and the exposure unit 23 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 21. A toner image is obtained by developing it with ten thousand developing means, for example, the first developing unit 24, and this toner image is transferred onto a sheet of paper P as an M forming member and a copy of a desired color is produced without a fixing process. It is used to obtain images.

In addition, in such an apparatus, each of the developing units 24 and 26 is detachable from the main body 2o, and for example, by preparing a large number of developing units and interacting with them as necessary, various different colors can be produced. images are becoming more prominent.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the G position described above, when replacing the developing unit, it is difficult to install a new developing unit into the main body 2o while removing the current one. There is a risk that you will forget it.If you forget the Ittou's current unit and perform the coffee operation, the exhaust 7
The flow of air inside the main body 20 generated by the 1-ton 58 is extremely low, which causes toner scattering within the main body, causing problems such as staining of the inside of the main body and the image. Alternatively, the photoreceptor 2 may be irradiated with light that is originally blocked by the developing unit 11, resulting in a lower potential and a portion that is not developed.

In history, the developing unit uses a magnetic roller.
- If there is no sword development unit, the magnetic field around the external development unit will fluctuate, and by detecting changes in the magnetic permeability and other output characteristics of the developer, the toner g! An automatic toner sensor that controls the gI rate may malfunction, making it impossible to accurately adjust the developer level, etc., causing toner stagnation, and soiling the device. Alternatively, there is a problem that the image quality deteriorates.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and has a means for checking whether the developing unit is installed, and if the developing unit device is forgotten, the image forming device is prohibited, and a notification to that effect is immediately sent to the user. The operator can display the main unit's operation A+1 K vision unit to the layered image, thereby preventing deterioration of image quality due to incorrect installation of the developing unit and staining of images and equipment due to toner scattering.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can obtain high-quality images and improve the reliability and economic efficiency of the apparatus by eliminating defective images.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a means for detecting the presence or absence of a developing means device, and when a developing device is not installed, a display to that effect and further controlling the operation of the main body. It consists of a control means that makes it impossible.

(Function) The present invention uses the above means to enable the main body to operate only when the developing means are all installed in the down position, thereby preventing staining of the device and generation of defective images, and improving the reliability of the device. The aim is to

(Embodiment) Hereinafter, an electronic copying machine which is an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
] Around the mark is Teidenki 22. 23. First developing unit 24. Second developing unit 26. Transfer peel charger 27. A cleaner 28 and a static eliminator 30 are provided primarily. Here, the first developing unit 24i has a developing roller 31 around which a magnetic granite is formed using a two-component developer, an electric body 32 provided with a handle 32a for insertion and removal on the outer unit, and an electric body 32 for supplying q. Due to the toner cartridge 33 that stores toner and the magnetic properties of the developer, the toner
Toner @ by the toner sensor 34 that knows the m degrees
A toner supply 1fil16 is provided which is sub-controlled by the side leg device 42 so as to appropriately supply toner from the toner cartridge 33 to the electric body 32 according to the result of the key selection.

Also, a lever 368° for ejecting the toner supply device 36 into the case 32, positioning bins 37a, 37b, 37c, a gear 38 for driving the developing roller 31, and an auto toner sensor 34.
and the toner supply device 36 is connected to the control μs device 42 1-
Connectors 40 are respectively provided.

-h, the second developing unit 26 has a developing roller 48. Although the shape and arrangement of the mounting body 5o, toner cartridge (not shown), and toner supply bag # (not shown) are slightly different, they have the same components as the first developing unit 24. Further, a document table 54 is provided on the top surface of the main body 20, and a control panel 55 is provided.
．． Original j) An optical device 57 for forming an image on the original platen 54 on the bar 56 and the fluorescent light section 23. Exhaust fan 58. Cassettes 60a and 60b for storing paper P + paper feed roller 61.6
2. Separation roller 63.64. Registration roller 66, paper conveyance device 67, fixed roller 68°, paper discharge roller 70. A paper discharge tray 71 is provided respectively.

When copying is started by the operator's operation on the control panel 55, the photoreceptor 21 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, other image forming means are driven, and the photoreceptor 21 is rotated by the charger 22. ．． j1 original part 23. Then, an image is formed using black toner through a second developing unit 26 containing, for example, a black developer as a developing unit containing a developer of a desired color.

Next, when the photoreceptor 21 reaches the transfer peeling charger 27,
Photoreceptor 2] Paper feed cassettes 60a, 6 are loaded in synchronization with the image above.
A paper P of a size more suitable than 0b is also fed to the transfer position, and the image on the photoreceptor 21 is transferred onto one paper P. After the paper P is further peeled off from the photoreceptor 21, the fixing roller:>6
8, the copied image is completed and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 1.

- force, photoreceptor 2] is applied to the cleaner 28 after transfer. Residual toner and residual charges are removed through a static elimination jig 30, and the next copy becomes bendable. And) The necessary coffee is obtained in this way, but the other day it became necessary to change the color of the image. :I 7 Switch to the first developing unit 21 using the key on the troll panel 55. Furthermore, if it becomes necessary to change the color of the image, one of the developing units 24 and 26 can be replaced with an unillustrated companion developing unit that accommodates developer of another color. That is, the operator first opens the front cover 46 and, for example, holds the handle 32a and pulls out the first developing unit 24, which may cause anxiety, to the front blade. This allows the connector 40 to connect to the socket 3 provided in the main body 20.
9 will be disconnected. As shown in FIG. 1, this connector 40 is connected to the drive power supply voltage and output signal of the auto toner sensor 34, the drive chamber m voltage of the toner supply device 36, and the output signal of a color signal generation circuit 43 representing the color of the stored developer. , contacts for the output signal of the developing unit attachment signal generation circuit 44 for detecting whether or not the developing unit is attached are respectively set, and the corresponding contacts of the socket 39 are connected to the power supply device 45 on the main body 20 side. and control device 4
2 or grounded. Here, the developing unit mounting signal generating circuit 44 has a circuit configuration as shown in FIG. 5, and when the developing unit 24 is mounted, the output current of the power supply device 46 flows to the ground side of the developing unit 24. The large power signal of the control device 42 is at the LO level, but if the developing unit 24 is not installed, the output loam of the power supply device fi 46 is output through the group resistor 51.
C system uniform? The input signal is HI because it is used for d42.
level. Therefore, the control device 42 causes the normal copying operation to be performed when the input signal is at the LO level, prohibits the copying operation when the input signal is at the HIy level, and displays the LED blinking method on the control panel 55. Make a recommendation display.

As a result, the operator notices that the developing unit has been installed incorrectly. Therefore, when the operator opens the p+IU70 gutter cover 46 and attaches the developing unit, the G position is brought into a medical state in which image forming operation is possible. After this, the operator (1) starts a new copy and it becomes 'aJ's ability to read the copied image.

In this way, even if the operator forgets to install the developing unit when replacing the main unit, the operator will immediately notice the installation error and ensure that the entire image is properly installed in the main unit 20 before starting copying. It can be installed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defective images or the staining of the main body due to scattered toner, which conventionally occurred due to incorrect mounting of the viewing unit, and it is possible to provide a highly reliable sieving device.

Incidentally, the invention is not limited to the above-mentioned implementation, but is subject to various design changes.For example, the number of developing units installed around the photoconductor is not limited to two, and the replacement of the current unit is not limited to all developing units. It is not necessary to carry out this process, but it may be carried out only for a specific f)J, image unit, and the kA developer used is also a one-component developer.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, image 1 formation operation cannot be performed unless all the images (Z You can prevent the fA operation of forming an image on one side without installing it, and avoid wasting paper due to defective images, or
There is no possibility that the toner will fly away, stain the glaze, and cause it to linger, and it is possible to improve the uniformity of the passage and improve the credibility of the song.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 5 +: Show one embodiment of the invention;
The figure is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the developing unit and main body, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the schematic structure of an electronic copying machine suitable for the present invention, FIG. 4 shows the first developing unit, ta) is a perspective view seen from the rear side, (b) is a perspective view seen from the developing roller side with the toner cartridge and toner supply device omitted, and 5th
The figure is a schematic diagram showing a developing unit attachment signal generating circuit. 20... Main body, 24... First developing unit, 26
...Second developing unit, 42...III+J oblique device, 44...Developing unit installation signal generation circuit, 55...
Control panel. Agent Patent Attorney Norihiro Ken Yudo Dai Ko Norio Figure 4-5

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of developing means containing different developers are detachably provided around an image carrier and images of different colors are obtained by selecting the developing means, at least one of the developing means is attached to the main body. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a control means that prohibits an image forming operation when detecting that the image forming apparatus is not attached, and displays a message to that effect.