JPS63267960A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily change a designated area while keeping a mechanical constitution as it is by inputting information of designated point in the copy mode, where prescribed developing devices are driven to form a multicolor image, from ten keys for number input provided on an operation panel. CONSTITUTION:In an image forming device where plural developing devices in which developers different in color are stored are arranged on the side of an electrostatic latent image carrier, information of designated points in the copy mode where prescribed developing devices are driven in one scanning for plural areas divided with designated points as boundaries to form a multicolor image is inputted from ten keys 106-115 provided on an operation panel 100. Consequently, an independent means to input information of designated points which designate areas is unnecessary through the mode where a multicolor image is formed by plural developing devices is added. Thus, designated areas are easily changed with the mechanical constitution kept as it is.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of developing units are arranged on the side of an electrostatic latent image carrier.

(Background of the Invention) Conventionally, as the image forming apparatus, a plurality of developing devices each containing a different color developer are arranged around a photosensitive drum which is an electrostatic latent image carrier, and when any one of the developing devices is Copying machines have been provided that alternatively use a device to make either black copies or color copies.

On the other hand, using the multicolor copying machine, a multicolor image is obtained by driving different developing devices for each of a plurality of areas divided at a designated point during one scanning operation to obtain a multicolor copy. The forming method was disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 62-015572 by the present applicant.
This multicolor image forming method is proposed in the specification of No.
It can be added to the conventional multicolor copying machine by simply changing the control circuit without adding any new mechanical structure.

However, in the multicolor image forming method, it is essential to input a specified point for dividing into a plurality of regions, but fixing the specified point causes a problem that the applicable range is limited. However, if a new dedicated mechanism for manually inputting information on designated points is added, a problem arises in that the mechanical configuration needs to be changed.

(Means for solving the problems) The present invention has been made to solve the problems mentioned above.
In an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of developing units each containing a developer of a different color are arranged on the side of an electrostatic latent image carrier, 1
During scanning, in the copy mode, in which a multicolor image is formed by driving a predetermined developer for each of multiple areas divided by a specified point, information about the point can be obtained from the numeric keypad on the operation panel. It is designed to be input.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Configuration First, the configuration of the copying machine will be explained.

1. Overall configuration The copying machine (1) has the configuration shown in Fig. 1, with a photoreceptor drum (2) located approximately in the center that can be rotated counterclockwise by a main motor (not shown). A charger (3), an inter-image eraser (4), a first developer (5), and a second developer are arranged at intervals in the rotational direction around the periphery.
Developing device (6), transfer charger (7), separation belt (8)
), a cleaner device (9), and a main motor (lO) are arranged, and an optical system (0) and a movable document table (20) are arranged above the photoreceptor drum (2) and the peripheral equipment, and on the left. is the paper feed system (30), on the right side is the fixing device (41), and the paper ejection unit (
42) are provided respectively. Note that three or more developing devices may be provided.

11. Optical system (0) The optical system (0) includes a slit exposure type light source (II),
Consisting of mirrors (12), -, (15) and a lens (16), each of which is fixed as shown in the figure, the reflected light of the light irradiated from the light source (11) to the document table (20) is , a charger (3) and an eraser lamp (4) are placed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (2) along the route shown by the dashed line.
It is designed to be exposed to light from between.

Mountain, document table (20) The document table (20) is composed of a document glass (20) and a document holding plate (22) that can be opened and closed on its surface. The moving speed: V is the circumferential speed of the photoreceptor drum (2). , if the copying magnification is m, it is set to V=Vo/m.

On the operation side of the document table (20), as shown in FIG. 2, on the side of the document table glass (21), there are a start point mark (A), point marks (IP) to O
P) are marked at 30 mm intervals. These marks (A
), (1p) to (Op) are for specifying the development color switching point in the 152c copy-one mode. Note that (B) is a reference point for determining the position of the original (G) when actually copying.

A position value switch (23) and a registration switch (24) are provided below the document table (20), and when not scanning (when stopped), touch the document table (20) or position value switch (23). Press to output a stereotactic signal to the first cPU (200), which will be described later, and when the original platen glass (21) has been scanned a predetermined distance, the registration switch (24)
and l for operating a timing roller (35) to be described later on the first CPU (200).
During 52c copying, a registration signal is output for switching between the developing units (5) and (6).

iv. Paper feeding system (30) The paper feeding system (30) includes a manual paper feeding section (31), a first cassette paper feeding section (320 and below, simply referred to as the first paper feeding section (32)), and a first paper feeding section (320, simply referred to as the first paper feeding section (32)). 2 cassette paper feed section (33) (hereinafter simply referred to as the second paper feed section (33)), and a manual paper feed section (
The copy paper inserted from 31) is conveyed to the timing roller (35) via the intermediate roller (34),
First and second paper feed sections (32).

Cassette ('32 a) attached to (33), (33
The copy paper in a) is conveyed to a timing roller (35) via a first paper feed roller (32b) and an intermediate roller (34), or a second paper feed roller (33b), respectively.

Each of the rollers (32b), (33b), (34), (3
5) are each detachably connected to the drive system by the main motor via a clutch (not shown), and by turning on the clutch of each roller, the roller is connected to the drive system and the main motor is connected to the drive system. Rotationally driven by a motor. In addition,
In the vicinity of each cassette (32a), (33a), size detection sensors (36a), (3
7a) and each cassette (32a).

A cassette empty sensor (38) detects when the copy paper in (33a) is completely consumed.

(39) is installed.

■, Operation Panel At the top of the copier (1), there is an operation panel (1) shown in Figure 3.
00), and the operation panel (100) is equipped with a print switch (102) for instructing the start of copying, an interrupt key (+03), a print switch (102) for instructing the start of copying, an interrupt key (+03), and a print switch (102) for instructing the start of copying, as well as an interrupt key (+03) for printing immediately after starting copying or for multi-copying (multi-copying of multiple sheets based on the same original). Copying is stopped midway through (continuous copying), and the copy number display section (1
04) Clear the number of copies set in “Standard mode”
Clear/stop key (c/s key) (105
), numeric keys (106) to (115) for setting the number of copies on the copy number display section (104), and the light source (11).
A switch (1) that selectively selects the exposure volume (VR), which manually increases or decreases the exposure amount from
17), a paper feed section selection key (not shown) for selecting the first or second paper feed section (32) or (33), and displaying the size of copy paper fed from the selected paper feed section. Size display LE
D (not shown), the first developing device (5) or the second developing device (
6) and a color selection key (121) for selecting the developer device (5) or (6), and an LED (121) for displaying the selected developer (5) or (6).
27), (126), and an LED that indicates when the toner supply bolt (81) or (91) attached to the selected developing device (5) or (6) is empty. (132), Book division mode selection key (+2
2) An LED (128) is provided to indicate when the book division mode is selected. Furthermore, although not shown, it has a drum dryer and a drum dryer for starting forced toner replenishment.

vi, Developing device Developing devices (5) and (6) are 2 consisting of toner and carrier.
First, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the second developing device (6), which is a powder developing type developing device that uses component developers and is located on the downstream side with respect to the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum (2). I will explain. Note that the symbols in parentheses correspond to the first developing device (5).

(a) Structure of the second developing device (6) In the second developing device (6), a developing sleeve (61) is provided at the front of the casing (60) and is rotatably driven opposite the photosensitive drum (2). The developing sleeve (
61), a developing bias (-150V) is applied. The magnetic roller (62) is fixed inside the developing sleeve (61) and has a magnetic pole (S) in the axial direction.

A plurality of magnets with the same polarity (S, A magnetized portion (Z) is formed.

Conveyance paths (63) and (6) are located behind the developing sleeve (61).
4) are formed, each having a packet roller (65),
A conveyance roller (66) is rotatably provided.

In addition, the conveyance paths (63) and (64) are the casing (60)
Although it is partitioned off by a partition wall (67) that partially extends upward, it is connected via a passageway (not shown) formed by cutting out the back and front sides of the partition wall (67).

Further, at the bottom of the rear conveyance path (64), there is a toner concentration detection sensor (hereinafter referred to as "FATDC sensor" XAS2) that detects the toner concentration in the two-component developer consisting of toner and carrier as a change in magnetic permeability. , the sensor is installed so as to be in contact with the developer in the transport path (64), and the output signal is sent to the first cPU (2) of the control circuit, which will be described later.
00).

By the way, like the copying machine (1) according to the present invention, there are a plurality of developing devices (5), (6) around the photoreceptor drum (2).
When developing using the first developing device (5), the developer in the second developing device (6) is transferred to the photoreceptor drum (2).
, the toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (2) by the first developing device (5) is disturbed. Furthermore, when developing using the second developing device (6), if the developer of the first developing device (5) is in contact with the photosensitive drum (2), the electrostatic charge on the photosensitive drum (2) The latent image is first developed by the first developing device (5) to mix colors.

Therefore, as a first means to prevent color mixing, the second developing device (6) includes a developing sleeve (61) and a packet roller (
A ear-cutting shutter (71) is provided between the ear-cutting shutter (71) and the first developing device (5).
1) is used to remove the developer held on the surface of the developing sleeve (second developing sleeve) (61) of the second developing device (6), and the ear cut gloss (71) is removed from the seventh developing sleeve (second developing sleeve) (61). The switching means (70) shown in the figure allows switching between the states shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

(b) Switching means (70) In the switching means (70) shown in FIG.
) is rotatably attached to the casing (60), and a lever (73) is fixed to one of the support shafts (72). A spring (74) whose one end is locked to the casing (60) is locked to the tip of the lever (73), and while the lever (73) is always biased in the direction of arrow (a), the solenoid (75) ) is rotatably connected to maintain a stable state. In addition,
(77) is a stopper.

Therefore, the ear cutting shutter (71) is connected to the solenoid (7
5) is in the off state, it is biased by the spring (74) and set to the state shown in FIG. 4 (off state),
When the solenoid (75) turns on and rotates in the direction of arrow (a) against the spring (74) until the lever (73) contacts the stopper (77), the state shown in Fig. 5 (on state) is reached. Set.

(c) First developing unit (5) The first developing unit (5) has almost the same configuration as the second developing unit (6), and its configuration and components are the same as those of the fourth and fifth developing units.
In the figure, the symbols in parentheses indicate the second developing unit (
6), the casing (50) has a conveyance path (53).
, (54) are formed with the partition wall (57) as a boundary, and a developing sleeve (51), a magnetic roller (52), and a packet roller (
55) and a conveyance roller (56) are housed as shown in the figure, and an ATDC sensor (55) is housed in the conveyance path (54).
ASI) is fixed.

However, the first developing device (5) is not equipped with a panicle shutter (71), and as a second means for preventing color mixing, a developing bias voltage (a first developing device) is applied to the first developing sleeve (51). development bias) (not shown) in two stages (-150
The difference is that it can be switched to V, -300V). Therefore, the switching means (70) for the ear cutting shutter (71) shown in FIG. 7 is also not provided.

Also, 1st. Although the second developing devices (5) and (6) are driven and connected to a main motor (not shown), either one of the developing devices (5) or (6) is controlled by a sleeve solenoid (not shown).
This is a configuration in which drive is selectively transmitted only to.

That is, when it is drivingly connected to the first developing sleeve (5I), the driving force is not transmitted to the second developing sleeve (61), and conversely, when it is drivingly connected to the second developing sleeve (61). The first developing sleeve (51) has a structure in which no drive is transmitted.

(d) Toner supply mechanism and toner color detection mechanism 1st.
FIG. 6 shows a toner replenishment mechanism for replenishing toner to the second developing devices (5) and (6). In addition, the code in parentheses in the figure is the second
It corresponds to the developing device (6), and the symbol outside parentheses corresponds to the first developing device (5), so in the explanation of the configuration, the symbol of the first developing device (5) will be used.

A bracket (80) is attached to one longitudinal end of the developing units (5), (6), and the rear conveyance path (54) in the developing units (5), (6) is attached to the bracket (80). A toner replenishment bottle (81) for replenishing toner is detachably attached to the container, and is rotated by a replenishment motor (not shown) to replenish toner.

A bottle presence/absence detection sensor (82) is provided near the toner supply bottle (81), and it is determined whether the bottle (81) is attached based on the on/off signal of this bottle presence/absence detection sensor (82). That's what I do.

The toner replenishment bottle (8I) has a bottle (81) in its refill port.
A toner empty detection sensor (83) is attached to detect the presence or absence of toner within ).

Magnets (84) and (85) are adjacent to the upper parts of the development HWs (5) and (6) in order to determine the color of the toner contained in the respective casings (50) and (60). It is ready to be installed.

On the other hand, the main body of the copying machine includes the developing device (5).

(6) is attached, the magnets (84), (
85) facing the first. Second reed switch (86).

(87) is provided, and as shown in the table below, the first
．． By the way, in this embodiment, the color of the toner contained in the developing units (5) and (6) is determined based on the combination of on and off signals of the second reed switches (86) and (87). In this case, the second developing device (6) is fixed exclusively for use with black toner, and only the first developing device (5) can be replaced.

Therefore, when the second developing device (6) is attached, the reed switches (96) and (97) both output ON signals. Further, for example, if the first developing device (5) contains red toner, only the magnet (84) corresponding to the first reed switch (86) is attached to the developing device (5), and the lead A magnet (85) corresponding to the switch (87) is not attached, and only the first reed switch (86) is turned on.

(e) In the developing devices (5) and (6) having the above-described configuration, a two-component developer consisting of toner and carrier is contained in the casing (70), and the first developing device (5) Color toner is stored in the second developing device (6), and black toner is stored in the second developing device (6).

The developer is transferred to the transport path (5) based on the rotation of the transport rollers (56), (66) and the packet rollers (55), (65).
4), (53), (64), and (63) are circulated and conveyed 1
．． At this time, the toner and carrier are mixed to prepare a two-component developer having a uniform density, and the toner is charged by frictional contact between the two.

In addition, some of the developer is removed from the developing sleeve (5) during the conveyance process.
1), (61), and the magnetic roller (52)
, (62) are held in a magnetic brush state along the lines of magnetic force generated from them.

The developer held on the surfaces of the developing sleeves (51) and (61) is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in a magnetic brush state based on the rotation of the developing sleeves (51) and (6B), and is transferred to the photosensitive drum (2). In the opposing portion, the magnetic brush comes into sliding contact with the surface of the photoreceptor drum (2), and the voltage difference between the surface potential of the photoreceptor drum (2) and the developing bias applied to the developing sleeves (51) and (61) Based on the photoreceptor drum (2
) is transferred to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the surface, and this becomes a visible image.

The developer that has passed through the portion facing the photoreceptor drum (2) is then conveyed in the direction of the arrow based on the rotation of the developing sleeves (51) and (61), and is transported to the packet rollers (55) and (6).
5), the developing sleeve (51) is affected by the repulsive magnetic field formed in the homopolar magnetized part (Z).
It separates from the surface of (61) and conveys paths (53) and (63).
) is mixed into the developer.

By the way, in the second developing device (6), the hokiri shutter (71)
When the developing device (6) is driven in the "off state" shown in FIG. The developed developer is guided by the spike shutter (71) and advances in the direction of the arrow (X), and reaches the development sleeve (61).
At the same time, the developer released from the developing sleeve (61) passes under the ear-cutting shutter (71) and follows the arrow (
Y) is collected in the conveyance path (63).

However, when the ear-cutting shutter (7I) is in the "on state" shown in FIG. 5, even if the developing device (6) is driven in this state, the packet roller (65) will not release the packet toward the developing sleeve (61). The developer is intercepted by the head cutter (71) and returns in the direction of the arrow (X゛) to the developing sleeve (61).
) words are supplied to the surface of the surface. Further, the developer held on the surface of the developing sleeve (61) is collected into the conveying path (63) in the same manner as described above, and the developer held on the surface of the developing sleeve (61) is
) is said to have almost no developer on it. Therefore, even if development is performed using the first developing device (5) in this state, the toner image formed by the first developing device (5) will not be disturbed.

In this way, the above-mentioned phenomenon operation is repeatedly executed in the developing devices (5) and (6), so that the developing devices (5) and (6)
The toner in 6) is gradually consumed and the toner concentration decreases.

Then, the ATDC sensor (A S + ), (A S2
), the toner replenishment bottle (81) of the toner replenishment mechanism is detected by a signal output from the microcomputer, which will be described in detail later.
, (91) to the conveyance paths (54), (64), and this newly replenished toner is transferred to the conveyance roller (54).
6), (66) and the transport paths (54), (53), (64) based on the transport action of the packet rollers (55), (65).
), (63), and is mixed with a carrier to prepare a two-component developer.

vii. Circuit M The copying machine (+) has a built-in microcomputer (not shown), and the microcomputer has a circuit configuration as shown in FIG.

In the figure, the microcomputer includes first and second CPUs (200) and (300), of which the first
The CPU (200) has various keys on the operation panel (+00), 1st. Second presence sensor (83), (93), first presence sensor (83), (93), first presence sensor (83), (93), first presence sensor (83), (93);
Second bolt empty sensor (82).

(92), reed switch (84) that detects toner color
, (85), (94), (95) etc. are arranged vertically and horizontally, a key matrix (S), an ATDC sensor (ASt
), (AS2), position value switch (23), and registration switch (24) are connected, and the aforementioned main motor, various roller clutches, etc. are connected to the first CPU ( Copy number display section (104) ((104a), (l O4b) E
Various LEDs such as are turned on and off.

On the other hand, the second CPU (300) is connected to the localization value switch (23), the registration switch (24), etc., and this second CPU (300) mainly operates and controls the optical system (0). The first CPU (200) and the second CPU (
300) are connected to each other to avoid mutual synchronization.

Il, l-shot 2-color copy (Is2c copy) Next, an l-shot in which two areas divided in the scan direction are reproduced in different colors in one scan operation using the copying machine (+) having the above configuration. 2 color copy (1s
2c copy) will be explained.

Ru.

As shown in FIG.
) to match the starting point mark (A) and set the desired color switching point (Po).

For example, color the area (R1) to the right of the dotted line,
When developing the left region (R2) in black, set "4P" corresponding to the dotted line as the switching point (Po), and press the color selection switch (121) and the numeric keypad (106), . (1'15) to input.

Next, the original (G) is turned upside down so that the image surface is facing down, and the left end of the original (G) is set to match the reference point (B), as shown by the dashed line on the left side of the figure.

11. Copying operation With the original (G) set as described above and the copying machine (1) set to the 152c copy mode in the manner described in detail later, 1s2c copying is performed as shown in FIG. Executed according to timing chart.

In addition, in the initial state of the copying machine (1), Hokiri Nyatta (7
The switching means (70) of 1) is set to the OFF state shown in FIG. 4, and the drive of the main motor is set to the black copy mode in which the drive can be transmitted only to the second developing device (6).

First, the print switch (102) is turned on, and when the on-edge is detected, the main motor starts driving and the photosensitive drum (2) starts rotating in the direction of the arrow, and at a predetermined timing, the charger (3) is turned on. ), transfer charger (7), light source (11), etc. are turned on.

Then, between the images of the photoreceptor drum (2), that is, between the document platen glass (21) and the document holding plate (22), is moved between the images of the photoreceptor drum (2) using the inter-image isasa (4).
), the charger (3) is used to remove the electric charge from the area corresponding to the front edge in the scan direction and after the rear edge in the scan direction of the document (G) set between the photoreceptor drum (2). The area corresponding to the original (G) on the front side is charged.

On the other hand, when the print switch is turned on, the cutting shutter on delay timer (Tsh = A) is set, and when the cutting shutter on delay timer (Tsh-A) ends, the switching means (70) of the second developing device (6) is turned on. Solenoid (75
) is turned on, the ear cutting shutter (7I) is switched to the on state shown in FIG. 5, and the ear cutting operation for removing the developer on the surface of the second developing sleeve (61) is started. In addition, the ear cutting operation is controlled by a timer (Tsh) from the ON operation of the print switch.
-A) The time delay is caused by the second developing sleeve (61
This is because the ear cutting operation is started in a state where the rotation of ) has sufficiently increased.

When the ear-cutting shutter (71) is turned on, the sleeve rotation black toner removal timer (Tsh-B) is then set, and after waiting for its completion, the drive of the main motor is switched to the first developing unit (5) by the sleeve solenoid. color copy mode is set, and the first developing device (5) starts driving, while the driving of the second developing device (6) is cut off, and the first developing device (5) starts driving.
5) The phenomenon bias is switched from the black level (-300V) to the color level (-150V), and the first developer (
5) is set to a state where development is possible.

When the peripheral devices for the photosensitive drum (2) are set as described above, the light source (11) is turned on and the document (G) is scanned while the document table (20) is moved by a scanning motor (not shown).
By scanning the image, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image is formed on the photoreceptor drum (2).

When this electrostatic latent image reaches a portion facing the first developing sleeve (51) based on the rotation of the photoreceptor drum (2), the electrostatic latent image is formed on the first developing sleeve (51).
A magnetic brush of color toner formed on the surface of the developing sleeve (51) is rubbed and visualized.

This color toner image is then transferred to the second developing sleeve (61
), but within the time of the timer (Tsh-B) before the scanning operation is started,
Since the developer containing black toner on the surface of the second developing sleeve (61) has been almost completely removed, even if the color toner image passes through the portion facing the second developing sleeve (61), the toner remains The image does not come into contact with the magnetic brush of black developer and the image is not disturbed.

Next, when the document table (20) is scanning and the registration switch (24) is touched and turned on, the timer (Ts
c-A) is set. This timer (Tsc-A) varies depending on the distance from the leading edge of the document to the color switching point (Po), and is internally controlled based on the data of the switching point (Po) manually entered by operating the keys on the operation panel (100). It is automatically calculated and set by the microcomputer, and when the timer (Ts, c-A) times up,
A state in which one point of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the switching point (Po) between regions (R1) and (R2) of the original (G) is about to pass through the portion facing the first developing sleeve (51). It is set as shown in . The timer (Tsc
The value of -A) will be explained later.

Note that the output signal from the registration switch (24) is sent to a timing roller (
35) determines the start timing.

When the registration switch (24) is turned on, the timing roller (35) starts driving, and the copy paper that had been waiting in front of the timing roller (35) moves to the transfer area [
The photoreceptor drum (2) and the transfer charger (7) are conveyed to a facing section].

When the timer (Tsc-A) expires, that is, when one point of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the switching point (PO) passes through the part facing the first developing sleeve (51), the sleeve solenoid stops the main motor. The drive is driven by the first developing unit (
5) to the second developing device (6).
), and the bias voltage of the first developing device (5) is switched from -150V to -300V. Also, when the timer (Tsc-B) is set and this is finished, the second
The head cutter (71) of the developing device (6) is set to the OFF state again. Note that the value of the timer (TSC-B) will be explained later.

The reason why the switching operation of the ear-cutting shutter (71) is delayed by the time of the timer (Tsc-R3) is as follows.
At the time when the color switching point (Po) passes through the part facing the first developing device (5), the rear end of the color toner image developed by the first developing device (5) is still on the second developing sleeve ( 61
), and when the sleeve solenoid and the first developing bias are switched and the ear-cutting shutter (71) is set to the OFF state, the color toner image is placed on the second developing sleeve (61). This is because it is disturbed by the magnetic brush that is formed.

Due to the off operation of the ear cutting shutter (61), the region (R2)
Black toner is supplied from the second developing device (6) to the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the region (R2), and the timer (T
sc-〇) starts.

Note that the static 7 [i
/P! The image passes through the part facing the first developing sleeve (51) before reaching the part facing the second developing sleeve (61), but the first developing device (5) is is cut off, and the first development bias is set higher than that during color development (-150V) by <(-3o ov)t,
Since the binding force for the color toner on the first developing sleeve (51) is increased, even if the color developer comes into contact with the electrostatic latent image, the color toner will not transfer to the electrostatic latent image.

When the timer (Tsc-C) counts up, the area (
In this way, the electrostatic latent image of the document (G) corresponding to the region (R1) and the region (R2) is developed with color toner and black toner, respectively. The image is transferred to the sort conveyed from the paper feed system (30) to a portion facing the transfer charger (7).

The copy paper on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the surface of the photoreceptor drum (2) by a separation belt (8), and then transported to a fixing device (41) by a transport roller (43), where the toner image is transferred to a fixing device (41). The image is fused and fixed and is discharged to a paper discharge section (42).

On the other hand, the residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (2) is removed by the cleaner device (9) and collected into the cleaner device (9), and the residual charge on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (2) is removed while the main motor is driving. The main motor is always lit (!
0) is removed.

111, timer (Tsc-A) The value of the timer (Tsc-A) will be explained.

In the 11η copying machine (1), as shown in FIG.
The distances from the transfer charger (7) to the opposing parts of the timing roller (35) and first developing sleeve (51) are respectively (
Assuming that Lυ, (shi,) and the relationship t,l>L,2, then when the registration switch (23) is turned on, the latent image tip (Ps') corresponding to the image tip (Ps) )
is located downstream (L-t=t) from the opposing portion of the first developing sleeve (51) in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum (2).

Therefore, if the distance from the leading edge of the document (Ps) on the scanning start side to the color switching point (Po) is (a), then one point (Po') of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the color switching point (Po) is
is (
g-(t,,-t,t)) is located where it went. Therefore, from the time when the registration switch (23) is turned on, one point (of the electrostatic latent image) corresponding to the color switching point (Po)
The time it takes for Po') to pass through the facing portion of the first phenomenon sleeve (51), that is, the timer (Tsc-A), is as follows.

T sc A-[12 (L IL 2)]/V.

■. = Circumferential speed of photoreceptor drum (2) Here, specific numerical values are given: L+=81mm, Lt=55ix, Vo=l I
Under fix/sec conditions, the settings are as shown in the table below.

Note that the unit of the timer (Tsc-A) is (msec).

iv. Timer (Tsc-B) The timer (Tsc-B) is a timer (Tsc-B) that determines the time it takes for one point on the photosensitive drum (2) to reach from the first developing device (5) to the second developing device (6). Time for one point of the sleeve (76) to reach from the ear cutting shutter (71) to the part facing the photoreceptor drum (2): T Time for the ear cutting shutter (71) to change from the on state to the on state: T , based on Tsc-
B=T3-T4-Ts is set.

(2) Control The control procedure for the copying machine (1) will be explained below with reference to the attached flowchart.

Star, Main Routine (See Figure 13) In the main routine, when the power is turned on and the microcomputer starts, each parameter is set in step (Ml).

In step (M2), an internal timer is started.

This internal timer has been reset in the step (Ml), and the processing time of one routine of this routine (30 m
sec), and each timer, which will be explained in the following subroutine, determines the end of the set time based on the count number of this internal timer for each routine.

Next, the subroutines of steps (M3), . ).

Note that steps (M3) to (M6) are subroutines that process signals input from various keys on the operation panel (100), and step (M3) is a subroutine that processes input/output signals, and step ( M4) is a subroutine that processes the signal from the color selection key (121), step (M5) is a subroutine that processes the signal input from the numeric keys (106), -, (115), and step (
M6) is a subroutine that performs other switch processing.

Steps (Ml), ~, (M9) are the operation panel (10
This is a subroutine that controls the display of step (Ml
) is 1s2 on the display section (104) of the operation panel (100).
c. A subroutine for displaying the copy mode switching point (Po) and the number of copies. Step (M8) is a subroutine for displaying the developer to be used according to the copy mode. Step (M9) is a toner empty display processing subroutine. .

Steps (MIO), ~, (Ml3) are developer (5),
This is a subroutine that controls the operation of step (6).
lo) is a subroutine that performs processing such as Hokiri Nyatta (71), step (Mll) is a subroutine that switches the drive of developing devices (5) and (6) in the 1s2c copy-1 mode, and steps (MI2) and (Ml 3) is development n
This is a subroutine for controlling the toner density in (5) and (6).

Step (Ml4) is a subroutine that controls the conveyance of copy paper such as the paper feed system (30), step (Ml5) is a subroutine that controls peripheral equipment of the photoreceptor drum (2), and step (Ml6) is a subroutine that controls other devices. This is a subroutine that performs processing.

ii. Detailed Description Among the above subroutines, the color selection switch processing routine [step (M4)), the numeric keypad processing routine [step (M5))], and the sheet count display section display processing routine [step (M4)] among the subroutines described above are described below. Step (Ml) L selection developer display processing subroutine [Step (M8)), toner empty display processing subroutine [
Step (M9)] will be sequentially explained in detail.

Note that the copy mode flags (FCOLOR, F2C0LOr() and copy modes (black copy mode, color copy mode, color copy mode,
1s2c copy mode) has the relationship shown in the table below.
When the copying machine (1) is powered on, F2C0LO is set in the initial value setting routine:z (Ml) of the main routine.
The black copy mode is set by setting R=0 and F2C0LOR-0, and is successively changed by pressing the color selection switch (121) as described below.

(See FIG. 14) The color copy selection switch processing routine is a subroutine that detects the on-edge of the color selection switch (12+) and changes the values of the copy flags FCOLOR and F2C0LOR.

First, in step (SSOO) select switch (121)
Step (SS)
Step (S S 0
In step 2), it is determined whether the color selection switch (12+) is turned on or not. If both are YES, proceed to step (SSO3), and if any one is NO
If so, return.

Next, in steps (S S O3) and (S S O4), it is determined whether the r'cOLOR, F2C0L]'t flag is "0", and the step (S S 05), (SS 20), (SS 3
Proceed to 0).

Then, before the selection switch (121) is turned on, the black copy mode (FCOLO11=0, F2C0LO
R = 0), step (SS30
), and if the color (first) developer (5) is installed here, in step (SS31) set FCOLOR to "
set to F2C0LOR remains "0".

That is, in the state of black copy mode, press the selection switch (121)
Press once to set FCOLOR=I, l” 2 C0LOR
= 0, and the color mode is set.

Also, before the selection switch (121) is turned on, the color mode (FCOLOR=1.P2COLOR=O
), the process proceeds to step (SS20), where it is checked whether the color developer (5) is present or not, and after which it is determined in step (SS2J) whether book division mode is selected or not. , if book division mode is not selected, proceed to step (SSO6) and select F.
Set 2C0LOR to “Bi.” FCOLOR remains at “Bi.”

In other words, in the color mode mode, press the selection switch (+2
1) Press once to set the l52c copy mode.

Furthermore, l52c copy mode (FCOLOR-■, F
If the color selection switch (121) is turned on with 2C0LOR=1), the step (SSO
Proceed to step 5) and press the selection switch (
121) is turned on. If it is pressed for the first time, the process advances to step (SS06) and F2C0LOR is set to 1.

That is, even if the selection switch (+21) is turned on for the first time after copying in the l52c copy mode, the l52c copy mode is maintained as it is. After the 1s2c copy is completed, change the color switching point and try again for 1s.
This is done in consideration of convenience in obtaining 2c copies.

On the other hand, after copying is complete, press the color selection switch (1) twice in a row.
21) is turned on, step (S S I O).

(SSII), set both FCOLOR and F2C0LOR to "0", and change to black copy mode.

However, after the 1s2c copy is completed, the color selection switch (
121) is turned on only once, the l52c copy mode is maintained.

In this way, in this copying machine (1), the selection switch (12
By pressing 1), the copy mode is changed in a rotational manner as described below.

Note that if it is determined in steps (SS 20) and (SS 30) that the color developing device (5) is not installed, the process proceeds to steps (SS 10) and (SS 11) to disable the black copy mode. Set by conditions.

*Means the same.

b. Numeric keypad processing routine (see Figure 15) In the numeric keypad processing subroutine (step: M4), copy mode,
This is a subroutine that processes data input from the numeric keys (106) to (115) according to the respective modes depending on the operating state of the color selection switch (121).

First, in step (SKOO), it is determined whether the clear stop key (c/c key) (105) is on or off, and if it is off, it is determined in step (SKOI) whether or not copying is in progress, and if copying is not in progress. Proceeding to step (SKO2), it is determined whether any of the ten keys (105), . . . In addition, step (SK
If any of the results from oo) to (SKO2) is determined as No, the process returns.

In step (SKO3), whether F2C0LOR=1 or not,
That is, it is determined whether the mode is 1s2c mode or not, and if it is the 1s2c copy mode, it is determined in step (SKO4) whether or not the color selection switch (121) is kept pressed. If the color selection switch (+21) remains pressed, the input data of the switching point (Po) is permitted in step (SKO5), and the numeric keypad (1) is pressed.
06) to (115).

On the other hand, if F2C0LOR is “0”, F2C0
Even if LOR=1, if the color selection switch (121) is not held down, step (SK
IO) and allow input of the number of copies. and,
In step (SKIO), it is determined whether it is the manual timing of the first fold, and if YES, it is determined in step (SKII) whether the pressed key is not "O", and if it is "0", return; “If it is other than 0°, enter the numerical value of the key pressed on the numeric keypad in step (SKI2) and return.

If it is determined in step (SKIO) that it is not the input timing for the first fold, it is determined in step (SK20) whether it is the manual input timing for the second fold. If YES, the numerical value of the l fold is transferred to the 10th digit data in step (SK21), and the newly input numerical value is stored as the data of the first fold in step (SKI2).

In this way, in the numeric keypad processing routine, when the l52c copy mode is in progress and the color selection switch (12
1) is pressed, the numeric keypad (106
) to (115), the manual input of the switching point (PO) is accepted, and at other times only the number of copies can be input.

The number of copies display processing routine is a subroutine that displays the switching point (Po) of 1s2c copy or the number of copies per copy on the display section 104 (104a, 104b) of the operation panel (Ioo).

First, in steps (SHOO) and (SHO1), F2
After determining whether or not C0LOI'(=1, that is, whether or not it is the 1s2c copy mode, it is determined whether or not the color selection switch (121) is kept pressed in the same way as before. Then , 1s2c copy mode, and if the color selection switch (J21) is pressed, first, in step (SHO2), the display section (104a) is pressed to display the switching point data input in the previous numeric keypad processing routine. In step (8MO3), "P" is displayed on the display section (104b). That is, the color switching point (Po) is displayed as "4P".

Otherwise, step (SMl O), (SM1
+) displays the data for the 10th and 1st place in terms of number of copies, respectively. That is, if the number of copies is 25, "25" is displayed.

(See FIG. 17) The selected developer display processing subroutine is a subroutine that displays the developer selected according to the copy mode.

First, step (STDOO), (STD 10)
The selected copy mode is determined by detecting the values of the COLOR and FCOLOR flags.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, in the case of 1s2c copy mode (F2COLOR=1.FCOLOR=1), the process proceeds to steps (STDo +) and (STDo 2), and the black toner display LED (126) and color toner display LED
(+27) are both lit.

Black copy mode (F'2COLOR=O, FCOLOR
= 0), steps (S T, D 20 ), (S
Proceeding to TD21), the black toner display LED (126) is turned on and the color toner display LED (127) is turned off.

Color copy mode (F2COLOR=0.FCOLO
R=1), steps (STD 11), (STD
12), the black toner display LED (126) is turned off and the color toner display LED (+27) is turned on.

In the above description, the operation panel (100) includes a black toner display LED (126) and a color toner display LED (12).
7), but the 1st t
As shown in the figure, the operation panel (100) has a plurality of displays LED (150) to (154) corresponding to the toner color.
), the L corresponding to the selected toner color
The ED may be turned on.

e. Toner empty display processing subroutine (see Figure 18) The toner empty display processing subroutine
), (6) In the toner replenishment mechanism attached to
This is a subroutine that performs display processing when the toner in the toner supply bottles (81) and (91) becomes empty.

The copy mode is determined in steps (SEDo 0) and (SED l O), and if it is the 1s2c copy mode, the toner supply bottle (91) of the black (second) developing device (6) is empty in step (SEDOI). If it is empty, step (SEDo2
) lights up the toner empty display LED (132). On the other hand, if it is determined in step (SEDOI) that the toner has not yet decreased to the empty state, the process proceeds to step (SEDOI) to check whether the toner supply bottle (81) of the color (first) developing device (5) is empty. If it is empty, the toner empty display LED (132) is turned on in step (SEDo2).

That is, with the l52c copy mode selected,
At least one of the toner supply bottles (81), (
When the toner in 91) becomes empty, a toner empty display LED (132) is turned on to notify the user of toner replenishment.

In the case of color copy mode, in step (SEDll), the toner supply bottle (8I) of the color (second developer (5)) is
It is determined whether the toner is empty or not, and if it is empty, the toner empty display LED (
+ 32) lights up, and if it is not empty, step (
Toner empty display LED (132) with SED12)
Turn off the light.

In case of black copy mode, black (
2nd) Determine whether or not the toner supply bottle (91) of the developing device (6) is empty, and if it is empty, step (S)
ED21) displays toner empty and ED(1,32)
If not, go to step (SED12) and turn on the LED (
132) is turned off.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, during an l-scan, a predetermined developing device is driven for each of a plurality of regions divided at a designated point. In the case of a copy mode in which a multi-color image is formed, information on the designated points is input manually using a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, which is originally provided on the operation panel.

Therefore, even if a plurality of developing devices are provided with a mode for forming multicolor images, there is no need to provide a separate means for inputting information on specified points for specifying areas, and the mechanical configuration can be maintained as is. .

In addition, you can easily change the designated area, so
The scope of application is expanded.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the copying machine, Figure 2 is a plan view of the document table, Figure 3 is a plan view of the operation panel, Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views of the developing unit, and Figure 6 is toner replenishment. A perspective view of the mechanism, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the ear cutting mechanism, FIG. 8 is a control circuit diagram, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of timer time setting, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are plan views of the main parts of the display section. Figure 12 is a timing chart of 1-shot 2 color copying, Figure 13 is a flowchart of the main routine, Figure 14 is a flowchart of the color copy selection switch processing subroutine, Figure 15 is a flowchart of the numeric keypad processing subroutine, and Figure 16 is a flowchart of the color copy selection switch processing subroutine. 17 is a flowchart of the subroutine for displaying the sheet number display section, FIG. 17 is a flowchart for the subroutine for displaying the selected developing unit, and FIG.
The figure is a flowchart of the toner empty display processing subroutine. 0...Optical system, l...Copying machine, 2...Photosensitive drum, 3...Charger, 4...Eraser lamp,
5... First developing device (color developing device), 6... Second developing device (black developing device), 7... Transfer charger, 11...
・Light source, 20... Original platen, 21... Original platen glass,
22... Localization value switch, 23... Registration switch, 30... Paper feeding system, 35... Timing roller,
41... Fixing device, 50.60... Casing, 51
．． 61...Developing sleeve, 70...Ear cutting means, 71
... Hokiri Nyatta, 81゜91 ... Toner supply bottle, 83.93 ... Toner empty detection sensor, 1
02...Print switch, 104, I 04 a
, 104b...display section, 106. ~,115...
・Numeric keypad, 122 ・Color selection switch, 126
...Black toner display LED, +27...Color toner display LED, 132...Toner empty display LED
SAS I, AS2... Toner concentration detection sensor, T
sh-A...Hokiri Nyatta on delay timer, Tsh-
B...Sleeve rotation black toner removal timer, Tsh-C
... Hokiri shutter off delay timer, Tsc-A...
Soup solenoid switching delay timer, Tsc-B... ear cutting shutter on delay timer, Tsc-C... ear cutting shutter off timer. Patent Applicant Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Aohaku Ao and 2 others Figure 2 P. Fig. 9 Fig. 10 Fig. 11 Exit Red also 2F mouth Green exit Yellow Fig. 16

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of developing devices each containing a developer of a different color are arranged on the side of an electrostatic latent image carrier, a plurality of Information on the specified point during a copy mode in which a multicolor image is formed by driving a predetermined developing device for each area is input from a numeric keypad for inputting the number of sheets provided on the operation panel. image forming apparatus.