Image forming device

Abstract

To make a trouble that image quality is greatly reduced less likely to occur even if a removable unit for replacement is installed in an installation section in place of an existing removable unit.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus is provided with a recording section 78 (storage information acquisition means) that acquires storage information on a process cartridge for a special color 6S (removable unit for replacement) in a storage section 70. When the process cartridge for the special color 6S for replacement is installed in an installation section 60 in place of an existing process cartridge for black, the image forming apparatus adjusts and controls an operation condition for the image forming apparatus based on the storage information acquired by the recording section 78 (storage information acquisition means).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a combination machine thereof, or a stencil printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been known image forming devices, such as copiers, that are configured so that a removable unit that is detachably installed in an installation section can be removed and replaced with a replacement removable unit in that installation section (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In detail, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus configured to be able to replace a standard color (CMYK) toner cartridge (detachable unit) with a special color toner cartridge (replacement detachable unit). In addition, the image forming apparatus in Patent Document 1 allows the user to specify the set position of the toner cartridge so that the color overlay order is suitable for the output image. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional image forming devices, the locations where replacement detachable units (replacement detachable units) such as developing devices and toner containers were stored varied from user to user, making the storage conditions variable and making it impossible to quantitatively grasp the storage conditions. Therefore, when a replacement detachable unit is installed in the installation section to replace an existing detachable unit, image quality may be significantly degraded depending on the condition in which the replacement detachable unit was stored.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus which is less susceptible to problems such as a significant decrease in image quality even when a replacement detachable unit is installed in the installation section in place of an existing detachable unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a removable unit that is removable from an installation section of an image forming apparatus main body, a storage section that stores a replacement removable unit to replace the existing removable unit installed in the installation section, and storage information acquisition means that acquires storage information of the replacement removable unit in the storage section, the storage unit includes a set detection sensor that detects whether the replacement detachable unit is set in the storage unit, When the replacement detachable unit is installed in the installation section in place of the existing detachable unit, the operating conditions of the device are adjusted and controlled based on the storage information acquired by the storage information acquisition means, and the storage information includes a storage period from when the replacement detachable unit is installed in the storage section until it is removed, and a temperature and humidity environment in which the replacement detachable unit is stored in the storage section. The device includes a counter that counts the storage period and a temperature and humidity sensor that detects the temperature and humidity environment, and the detection result of the set detection sensor is used as a trigger to count the storage period by the counter and to detect the temperature and humidity environment by the temperature and humidity sensor. It is something. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which the problem of a significant decrease in image quality is unlikely to occur even when a replacement detachable unit is installed in an installation section in place of an existing detachable unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the toner container is installed in the toner supply device. [Figure 4] (A) is a diagram showing a state in which a process cartridge for a special color is attached to the storage section as a replacement detachable unit, and (B) is a diagram showing a state in which the process cartridge for a special color has been replaced as a replacement detachable unit in the installation section. [Diagram 5]As a modified example, (A) is a diagram showing a state in which a process cartridge for a special color is attached to the storage section as a replacement detachable unit, and (B) is a diagram showing a state in which the process cartridge for a special color has been replaced as a replacement detachable unit in the installation section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0010] First, the overall configuration and operation of an image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 etc. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a printer as an image forming apparatus, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing an image forming section, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a toner supply device and its vicinity. 1, an operation display panel 140 is provided on the exterior of the image forming apparatus 100. The operation display panel 140 accepts various inputs according to user operations and displays various information (for example, information indicating the accepted operations, information indicating the operating status of the image forming apparatus 100, information indicating the setting status of the image forming apparatus 100, etc.).

[0011] 1, four substantially cylindrical toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are detachably (replaceably) mounted on a toner container receiving stand 31 located above the image forming apparatus main body 100. Also, hoppers 81Y, 81M, 81C, and 81K of toner replenishing devices are disposed below the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, respectively. In this embodiment, the position of the black toner container 32K used in the normal printing mode can be replaced with the special color toner container 32S used in the special printing mode. The "normal printing mode" and the "special printing mode" will be described in detail later.

[0012] In addition, an intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed below the toner container receiving stand 31. Opposite to the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15, process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K (detachable units) corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are arranged side by side. Further, below the image forming apparatus main body 100, there are provided a paper feeder 26 in which sheets P are accommodated, and a storage section 70 for storing a process cartridge 6S for a special color as a detachable replacement unit. In addition, in the special printing mode, the process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) for the special color is replaced with the installation part 60 for the black process cartridge 6K (detachable unit) used in the normal printing mode, but this will be explained in detail later.

[0013] 2, the process cartridge 6K corresponding to black is a unit that integrates a photosensitive drum 1K (image carrier) with a charging device 4K, a developing device 5K, a cleaning device 2K, a static eliminator (not shown), and the like, which are arranged around the photosensitive drum 1K, and is configured to be detachable (replaceable) with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 100. Then, an image creation process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process, static elimination process) is performed on the photosensitive drum 1K, and a black image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1K.

[0014] The other three process cartridges 6Y, 6M, and 6C, as well as the process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) for special colors stored in the storage section 70, are configured almost the same as the process cartridge 6K corresponding to black, except for the different colors of toner used, and images corresponding to the respective toner colors are formed. Below, the explanation of the other process cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S will be omitted as appropriate, and only the process cartridge 6K corresponding to black will be explained.

[0015] With reference to Fig. 2, the photoconductor drum 1K is rotated clockwise in Fig. 2 by a motor. Then, at the position of the charging device 4K, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1K is uniformly charged (charging process). The charging device 4K is configured to vary the charging bias applied under the control of the charging power supply unit 132 by the control unit 75, thereby adjusting the charging potential on the photoconductor drum 1K. Thereafter, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1K reaches a position irradiated with the laser light L emitted from the exposure device 7 (writing device), and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to black is formed by exposure scanning at this position (exposure process). The exposure device 7 is configured so that the exposure amount (duty) can be varied under the control of the control unit 75 to adjust the exposure potential on the photoconductor drum 1K.

[0016] Thereafter, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1K reaches a position facing the developing device 5K, where the electrostatic latent image is developed to form a black toner image (the developing process). The developing device 5K is configured so that the applied developing bias can be varied by the control of the developing power supply unit 130 by the control unit 75. Thereafter, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1K reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the first transfer roller 9K, and at this position the toner image on the photoconductor drum 1K is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 (this is the first transfer step). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photoconductor drum 1K.

[0017] Thereafter, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1K reaches a position facing the cleaning device 2K, where the untransferred toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 1K is collected (cleaning process). Finally, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1K reaches a position facing the charge removing device, where the residual potential on the photoconductor drum 1K is removed. Thus, a series of image forming processes carried out on the photosensitive drum 1K is completed.

[0018] The above-mentioned image forming process is performed in the other process cartridges 6Y, 6M, and 6C (even when a replacement process cartridge 6S is installed) in the same manner as in the black process cartridge 6K. That is, a laser beam L based on image information is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum of each process cartridge 6Y, 6M, and 6C from an exposure device 7 disposed below the image forming unit. In detail, the exposure device 7 emits a laser beam L from a light source, and irradiates the laser beam L onto the photosensitive drum via a plurality of optical elements while scanning the laser beam L with a polygon mirror that is rotated. Thereafter, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the respective photosensitive drums through a developing process are transferred in a superimposed manner onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. In this way, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0019] Here, the intermediate transfer unit 15 is composed of an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, a secondary transfer opposing roller 12, a cleaning opposing roller 13, a tension roller 14, an intermediate transfer cleaning device 10, etc. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by three rollers 12 to 14, and is moved endlessly in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by the rotational drive of one roller 12.

[0020] The four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K form primary transfer nips by sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 8 between the photoconductor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, respectively. A transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K by a transfer power supply unit 131 (see FIG. 2) controlled by the control unit 75. The intermediate transfer belt 8 travels in the direction of the arrow and passes through the primary transfer nips of the primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K in sequence. In this way, the toner images of each color on the photoconductor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in a superimposed manner.

[0021] Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8, onto which the toner images of each color have been transferred and superimposed, reaches a position facing the secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, the secondary transfer facing roller 12 pinches the intermediate transfer belt 8 between itself and the secondary transfer roller 19 to form a secondary transfer nip. The four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are then transferred onto a sheet P, such as paper, that has been conveyed to the position of this secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the sheet P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8. Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer cleaning device 10. At this position, the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected. Thus, a series of transfer processes carried out on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

[0022] Here, the sheet P transported to the position of the secondary transfer nip is transported from a paper feed device 26 disposed below the apparatus main body 100 via a paper feed roller 27, a pair of registration rollers 28, and the like. More specifically, a plurality of sheets P such as paper are stacked and stored in the paper feeder 26. When the paper feed roller 27 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the topmost sheet P is fed toward between the pair of registration rollers 28.

[0023] The sheet P conveyed to the position of the registration roller pair 28 (timing roller pair) is temporarily stopped at the roller nip position of the registration roller pair 28, which has stopped rotating. Then, in synchronization with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, the registration roller pair 28 is rotated and the sheet P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, the desired color image is transferred onto the sheet P.

[0024] Thereafter, the sheet P onto which the color image has been transferred at the secondary transfer nip position is transported to the position of the fixing device 20. Then, at this position, the color image transferred onto the surface is fixed onto the sheet P by heat and pressure from a fixing roller and a pressure roller. Thereafter, the sheet P is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through a pair of discharge rollers 29. The sheets P discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the pair of discharge rollers 29 are sequentially stacked on a stack unit 30 as an output image. In this manner, a series of image forming processes in the image forming apparatus is completed.

[0025] Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device 5K in the image forming section will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The developing device 5K is composed of a developing roller 51 facing the photosensitive drum 1K, a doctor blade 52 facing the developing roller 51, two conveying screws 55 disposed in developer containers 53 and 54, and a concentration detection sensor 56 for detecting the toner concentration in the developer. The developing roller 51 is composed of a magnet fixed inside and a sleeve rotating around the magnet. The developer containers 53 and 54 contain a two-component developer G consisting of a carrier and a toner.

[0026] The developing device 5K configured in this manner operates as follows. The sleeve of the developing roller 51 rotates in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2. The developer carried on the developing roller 51 by the magnetic field generated by the magnet moves on the developing roller 51 as the sleeve rotates. Here, the developer G in the developing device 5K is adjusted so that the ratio of toner in the developer G (toner concentration) falls within a predetermined range. More specifically, in accordance with the toner consumption in the developing device 5K, toner contained in a toner container 32K (installed in the toner container receiving stand 31) is replenished into the developer container 54 via a toner replenishing device 90 (provided for each color). That is, the control unit 75 controls the toner replenishing device 90 so that the toner concentration of the developer G in the developing device 5K falls within a predetermined range.

[0027] Thereafter, the toner supplied to the developer container 54 is circulated between the two developer containers 53 and 54 while being mixed and stirred together with the developer by the two transport screws 55 (moving in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2). The toner in the developer is attracted to the carrier due to frictional charging with the carrier, and is carried on the developing roller 51 together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51. Developer G carried on developing roller 51 is transported in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 and reaches the position of doctor blade 52. Then, after the amount of developer on developing roller 51 is adjusted to an appropriate amount at this position, it is transported to a position facing photoconductor drum 1K (developing area). Then, toner is attracted to the latent image formed on photoconductor drum 1K by an electric field (potential difference between the above-mentioned developing bias and charging potential) formed in the developing area. Thereafter, developer G remaining on developing roller 51 reaches above developer container 53 as the sleeve rotates, and is separated from developing roller 51 at this position.

[0028] Next, the configuration and operation of the toner supply device 90 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. The toner supply device 90 rotates the container body 33K of the toner container 32K placed on the toner container receiving stand 31 in a predetermined direction (the direction of the arrow in Figure 3) to discharge the toner stored in the toner container 32K out of the container and guide it to the developing device 5K via the sub-hopper 99, forming a toner supply path. In order to facilitate understanding, the directions of arrangement of the toner container 32K, the toner supply device 90, and the developing device 5K are changed in Fig. 3. In reality, the toner container 32K and a part of the toner supply device 90 are arranged so that their longitudinal directions are perpendicular to the paper surface in Fig. 3 (see Fig. 1). The directions and arrangement of the transport pipes 95 and 96 are also simplified.

[0029] The toner in each of the toner containers 32K, 32M, 32C, and 32K installed in the toner container receiving stand 31 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is appropriately replenished into each developing device via a toner replenishing device provided for each toner color according to the toner consumption in the developing device of each color. The four toner replenishing devices have almost the same structure except for the color of toner used in the image forming process. When the special printing mode is performed, the special color toner container 32S is installed in the position where the black toner container 32K was installed, and toner is replenished from the special color toner container 32S to the developing device 5S of the special color process cartridge 6S that has been replaced in the installation section 60 using the black toner replenishing device.

[0030] 3, when the toner container 32K is set in the toner container receiving stand 31 of the apparatus main body 100, the toner transport nozzle 91 of the apparatus main body 100 is inserted into the container main body 33K via the cap portion 34K of the toner container 32K (held non-rotatably by the toner container receiving stand 31). This makes it possible to discharge the toner contained inside the toner container 32K (discharge via the toner transport nozzle 91). A handle 33d is formed on the bottom (left side in FIG. 3) of the toner container 32K (container body 33K) to facilitate attachment and detachment of the toner container 32K to and from the toner supply device 90. A user sets the toner container 32K in the toner supply device 90 or removes the toner container 32K from the toner supply device 90 while holding the handle 33d.

[0031] 3, the toner container 32K is provided with a container body 33K in which a spiral groove 33a is formed in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 3, the direction in which the central axis X extends). Specifically, this spiral groove 33a is formed from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface of the container body 33K, and is for conveying the toner in the container body 33K from left to right in FIG. 3 by rotating the container body 33K about the central axis X. The toner conveyed inside the container body 33K from left to right in FIG. 3 is discharged to the outside of the container through the toner conveying nozzle 91. Furthermore, a gear portion 33b that meshes with a drive gear 110 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the head side (the right side in FIG. 3) of the container main body 33K. When the toner container 32K is attached to the toner container receiving stand 31 (toner replenishing device 90), the gear portion 33b of the container main body 33K meshes with the drive gear 110 of the image forming apparatus main body 100. When the drive motor 115 is driven, the drive is transmitted from the drive gear 110 installed on the motor shaft to the gear portion 33b, and the container main body 33 is rotated. The toner container 32K is composed of a container body 33K that is rotationally driven in the toner supply device 90 as described above, and a cap portion 34K that is non-rotatably held in the toner supply device 90. The container body 33K and the cap portion 34K are in communication with each other.

[0032] 3, a conveying screw 92 is provided inside the toner conveying nozzle 91. When the conveying screw 92 is rotated by a motor 93, the toner that has flowed from the toner container 32K into the toner conveying nozzle 91 is conveyed from the left to the right in FIG. 3 by the conveying screw 92. The toner is then discharged from the outlet of the toner conveying nozzle 91 toward the hopper 81. Here, a hopper 81 is provided below the outlet of the toner transport nozzle 91 via a drop path section 82. A suction port 83 is provided at the bottom of the hopper 81, and this suction port 83 is connected to one end of a transport pipe 95 (tube). The transport pipe 95 is made of a flexible rubber material with low toner affinity, and the other end is connected to a developer pump 98 (diaphragm pump). The developer pump 98 is connected to the developing device 5K via a sub hopper 99 and a transport pipe 96. In the toner supply device 90 configured as described above, the container body 33K of the toner container 32K is rotated by the drive motor 115 (drive mechanism), and the toner contained in the toner container 32K is discharged outside the container through the toner conveying nozzle 91. The toner discharged from the toner container 32K falls through the drop path section 82 and is stored in the hopper 81. The toner stored in the hopper 81 is sucked together with air through the suction port 83 by the operation of the developer pump 98, and is conveyed from the developer pump 98 to the sub-hopper 99 through the conveying pipe 95. The toner conveyed to the sub-hopper 99 and stored therein is appropriately replenished into the developing device 5K through the conveying pipe 96 by the drive control of the drive motor 115 and the sub-hopper 99 (the developer pump 98 and the conveying member of the sub-hopper 99) by the control unit 75 (see FIG. 2). That is, the toner in the toner container 32K is conveyed in the direction of the dashed arrow in FIG. 3.

[0033] The toner remaining amount detection sensor 86 is provided to indirectly detect a state in which the toner contained inside the toner container 32K has run out (toner out state) or a state close to that (toner near-end state), and is disposed at a position close to the suction port 83. Based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 86, the toner is discharged from the toner container 32K.

[0034] The characteristic configuration and operation of image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment will be described in detail below. As previously described with reference to FIG. 1 etc., the installation section 60 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided with a black process cartridge 6K as a detachable unit that is detachably mountable to the installation section 60. As shown in FIG. The black process cartridge 6K (detachable unit) is for forming a black image on the photosensitive drum 1K, and its developing device 5K contains black developer (a two-component developer consisting of black toner and carrier). Further, a black toner container 32K for replenishing toner to the black process cartridge 6K (developing device 5K) contains black toner. The black toner, like known toner, contains carbon, is not transparent, and can be seen under conditions where visible light is projected.

[0035] On the other hand, referring to Figures 1 and 4(A), the storage section 70 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 stores a special color process cartridge 6S as a replacement detachable unit to replace the existing black process cartridge 6K (detachable unit) installed in the installation section 60. The special color process cartridge 6S (detachable replacement unit) is used to form a special color image on its photosensitive drum 1S, and its developing device 5S contains special color developer (a two-component developer consisting of special color toner and carrier). A special color toner is stored in a special color toner container 32S for replenishing the special color process cartridge 6S (developing device 5S) with toner. Here, in this embodiment, "IR toner" is used as the special color toner. This "IR toner" is a transparent toner that cannot be seen under conditions where visible light is projected, and is capable of absorbing infrared rays. As such an "IR toner", for example, the one disclosed in JP 2019-117352 A can be used. In this embodiment, IR toner is used as the special color toner, but the special color toner is not limited to this, and for example, gold toner, white toner, etc. can also be used as the special toner.

[0036] In this manner, in the present embodiment, the color of the toner stored in the process cartridge 6S (developing device 5S) as a replacement detachable unit is different from the color of the toner stored in the process cartridge 6K (developing device 5K) as an existing detachable unit. Therefore, it is possible to implement a plurality of printing modes. 1, when the black process cartridge 6K (detachable unit) is installed in the installation section 60, a full-color "normal printing mode" using four colors, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, is performed. At this time, the special color process cartridge 6S is stored in the storage section 70 as a replacement detachable unit. 4(B), when the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) is installed in the installation section 60, a "special print mode" using four colors, yellow, magenta, cyan, and the special color (IR toner), is performed. At this time, the special color process cartridge 6S is used as a detachable unit in the installation section 60, and the black process cartridge 6K is stored in the storage section 70 as a replacement detachable unit.

[0037] It should be noted that, referring to FIG. 4(A), when a user installs or removes the special color process cartridge 6S (or the black process cartridge 6K) in the storage section 70, this is performed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the hinge 120a of the opening and closing cover 120, which also functions as part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus main body 100. Also, referring to FIG. 4(B), when a user installs or removes the special color process cartridge 6S (or the black process cartridge 6K) in the installation section 60, this is performed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the hinge 160a of the opening / closing cover 160, which also functions as part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus main body 100.

[0038] Here, the image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is provided with a storage information acquiring means for acquiring storage information of the special color process cartridge 6S (detachable replacement unit) in the storage section . 4(A), the storage unit 70 is provided with a temperature and humidity sensor 77 (environmental information acquiring means), a recording unit 78 as storage information acquiring means, a set detection sensor 79, etc. Also, the image forming apparatus main body 100 (or the storage unit 70) is provided with a counter 76 (storage period acquiring means) that counts the storage period (time) during which the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) is stored in the storage unit 70.

[0039] The temperature and humidity sensor 77 is configured to be capable of detecting changes in temperature and humidity (history of temperature and humidity changes) within the storage section 70 from when the special color process cartridge 6S is mounted in the storage section 70 until it is removed. The counter 76 is configured to be able to detect the storage period from when the special color process cartridge 6S is mounted in the storage unit 70 until when it is removed. In this embodiment, the storage period during which the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) is stored in the storage section 70 and the temperature and humidity environment during which the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) is stored in the storage section 70 are detected as "storage information" by the counter 76 and the temperature and humidity sensor 77.

[0040] The storage section 70 is provided with a set detection sensor 79 (e.g., a reflective photosensor) that detects whether the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) is set in the storage section 70. The detection result by the set detection sensor 79 triggers a counter 76 and a temperature / humidity sensor 77 to detect the storage period and temperature / humidity from when the special color process cartridge 6S is mounted in the storage section 70 to when it is removed. In this embodiment, the temperature and humidity sensor 77 detects the temperature and humidity changes in the storage section 70 from when the special color process cartridge 6S is mounted in the storage section 70 until it is removed, and the detection result is used as the storage information. In contrast to this, the temperature and humidity sensor 77 can also detect the temperature and humidity in the storage section 70 immediately before the special color process cartridge 6S is removed from the storage section 70 (or the history of temperature and humidity changes going back a certain time from that point), and the detection result can be used as the storage information. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the storage period and the temperature and humidity environment are used as the storage information, but it is also possible to use only one of the storage period and the temperature and humidity environment as the storage information.

[0041] 4(A), the recording unit 78 records storage information (such as storage period and temperature and humidity environment) of the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) detected by the counter 76 and the temperature and humidity sensor 77 in the storage unit 70, and functions as a storage information acquisition unit. A volatile memory or the like can be used as the recording unit 78. The storage information of the special color process cartridge 6S detected by the counter 76 and the temperature and humidity sensor 77 is recorded in the recording unit 78 via the control unit 75. The storage information stored in the recording unit 78 is updated every time the storage period or the temperature and humidity changes. Thus, in this embodiment, the control unit 75 functions as a part of the recording unit (storage information acquisition means). In this embodiment, the storage information of the special color process cartridge 6S detected by the counter 76 and the temperature and humidity sensor 77 can also be configured to be recorded directly in the recording unit 78 without going through the control unit 75.

[0042] On the other hand, referring to FIG. 4A, the special color process cartridge 6S serving as a detachable replacement unit is provided with a storage section 58 for storing the storage information recorded in the recording section 78. As shown in FIG. Specifically, when the special color process cartridge 6S is attached to the storage section 70, the memory section 58 (e.g., an IC chip) installed on the exterior section faces, in a non-contact manner, the recording section 78 installed on the inner wall of the storage section 70. In this state, the storage information recorded in the recording section 78 is stored in the memory section 58. Therefore, the memory section 58 also functions as a reading means for reading the storage information recorded in the recording section 78, and the recording section 78 also functions as a writing section for writing the storage information recorded therein to the memory section 58.

[0043] Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 4B, the installation section 60 is provided with a reading section 68, an installation section set detection sensor 69, and the like. 4B, when the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement removable unit) is installed in place of the black process cartridge 6K (existing removable unit), the reading unit 68 reads the storage information stored in the memory unit 58 of the special color process cartridge 6S. Therefore, it can be said that the reading unit 68 also functions as a storage information acquisition unit. Specifically, when the special color process cartridge 6S is attached to the installation section 60 (facing the intermediate transfer belt 8), the memory section 58 faces the reading section 68 (for example, a non-contact reader) installed in the installation section 60. In this state, the storage information stored in the memory section 58 is read by the reading section 68 and sent to the control section 75. The installation section 60 is provided with an installation section set detection sensor 69 (e.g., a reflective photosensor) that detects whether or not the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) is set in the installation section 60. The detection result by the installation section set detection sensor 69 triggers the reading of the storage information by the reading section 68 described above.

[0044] Then, as shown in FIG. 4(B), when the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) is installed in the installation section 60 in place of the black process cartridge 6K (existing detachable unit), the operating conditions of the image forming device 100 (at least one of the image forming conditions and the warm-up operation) are adjusted and controlled based on the storage information acquired by the reading section 68. Specifically, the image forming conditions (adjustments of developing bias, charging bias, transfer bias, exposure amount, toner concentration, etc.) of the image forming process performed using the special color process cartridge 6S in the special print mode, and the warm-up operation performed before such a special print mode is performed (adjustments of the time for toner supply from the toner supply device 90 to the developing device 5S, the mixing time (idle driving time) of the developer G in the developing device 5S, and process control conditions, etc.).

[0045] The reason why the image forming conditions and warm-up operation are adjusted in this manner when a replacement special color process cartridge 6S is installed in the installation section 60 is that the image quality in the special printing mode may be significantly reduced depending on the storage conditions in which the special color process cartridge 6S is stored in the storage section 70. As a specific example, the characteristics of the developer G (toner and carrier) in the developing device 5S, such as charging ability, change depending on the storage environment (temperature and humidity) and storage period. If printing is performed with the toner charging ability reduced, problems such as image defects such as background scumming and uneven density, and toner scattering are likely to occur. Such a reduction in the toner charging ability can be mitigated by running the developing device 5S idle during warm-up before starting printing. It can also be mitigated by finely adjusting the image formation conditions during printing (for example, by setting the development potential to be gradually increased depending on the length of storage period). In contrast, in this embodiment, the image forming conditions and warm-up operation are adjusted based on the storage information of the replacement special color process cartridge 6S, so that the occurrence of such problems can be reduced.

[0046] In addition, in this embodiment, the place for storing the special color process cartridge 6S as a replacement detachable unit is not varied by user, but is determined in the storage section 70 of the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, variation in the storage condition of the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) is unlikely to occur. In particular, since the storage section 70 in this embodiment is located at a position sufficiently far away from the fixing device 20, which is a heat source, as shown in FIG. 1, problems such as thermal deterioration of the toner in the special color process cartridge 6S (detachable replacement unit) are unlikely to occur. In addition, since the storage section 70 in this embodiment is surrounded on all sides by walls that block external light and air, problems such as photodegradation of the photosensitive drum 1S of the special color process cartridge 6S (detachable replacement unit) due to light and problems such as the intrusion of foreign matter such as dust and dirt that may cause abnormal images into the developing device 5S of the special color process cartridge 6S (detachable replacement unit) are unlikely to occur. In the present embodiment, the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) is stored in the storage section 70 with the toner supply port (the opening to which the conveying pipe 96 is connected) of the developing device 5S facing upward. Therefore, compared to a case where the developing device 5S is stored in the storage section 70 with the toner supply port facing downward, the problem of toner leaking from the toner supply port of the developing device 5S is reduced.

[0047] In this embodiment, the counter 76 and the temperature and humidity sensor 77 are used to quantitatively grasp the storage state of the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) in the storage section 70. When the normal printing mode is switched to the special printing mode (when the black process cartridge 6K is replaced with the special color process cartridge 6S), the operating conditions of the image forming apparatus are adjusted based on the grasped storage state (storage information). Therefore, problems such as a significant drop in image quality due to such a printing mode switch are less likely to occur.

[0048] Thus, in this embodiment, the storage section 70 is configured to block external light and air, and can also be said to be passively controlled so that the internal temperature and humidity are less susceptible to the effects of heat from the fixing device 20 and remain within a specified range. In response to this, a heater or a cooling fan that is controlled to be turned on and off based on the detection results of the temperature and humidity sensor 77 may be installed in the storage unit 70, so that the internal temperature and humidity can be actively controlled to fall within a predetermined range.

[0049] Now, referring to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the operation display panel 140 also functions as a notification means capable of notifying the user of storage information acquired by the recording unit 78 and the reading unit 68 (storage information acquisition means) when a special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) is installed in the installation section 60 in place of the black process cartridge 6K (existing detachable unit). As a specific example, when the normal printing mode is switched to the special printing mode (when the black process cartridge 6K is replaced with the special color process cartridge 6S), if the warm-up operation time is set long based on the understood storage condition (storage information), a message to that effect will be displayed on the operation display panel 140 as a notification means. Furthermore, if the understood storage state (storage information) exceeds the limit that guarantees a certain image quality, a message to that effect is displayed on the operation display panel 140 as a notification means. With this configuration, the user can accurately grasp the state of the device.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, when a special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) is installed in the installation section 60 in place of the black process cartridge 6K (existing detachable unit) and the black process cartridge 6K (existing detachable unit) is stored in the storage section 70 as a replacement detachable unit, storage information of the black process cartridge 6K (replacement detachable unit) in the storage section 70 is acquired by the recording section 78 (storage information acquisition means). Then, when the special printing mode is switched back to the normal printing mode (when the special color process cartridge 6S is replaced with the black color process cartridge 6K), the operating conditions of the image forming apparatus in the normal printing mode are adjusted based on the storage state (storage information) that has been grasped. Therefore, problems such as a significant drop in image quality due to such a printing mode switch are unlikely to occur. In order to achieve such control, in this embodiment, the black process cartridge 6K is also provided with a memory unit 58. Furthermore, in order to know what color process cartridge is installed in the installation section 60 or the storage section 70, the memory unit 58 of the black process cartridge 6K and the memory unit 58 of the special color process cartridge 6S record their respective color information.

[0051] In this embodiment, as described above, when switching from the normal printing mode to the special printing mode, in addition to exchanging the black process cartridge 6K for the special color process cartridge 6S, the black toner container 32K is also exchanged for the special color toner container 32S. Therefore, in order to reduce deterioration of image quality due to the storage conditions of the IR toner (special color toner) in the special color toner container 32S, it is preferable to also store the special color toner container 32S in the storage section 70, obtain its storage information, and adjust the operation of the image forming device based on the storage information when the toner container is replaced.

[0052] <Modification> As shown in FIG. 5(A), in the image forming apparatus 100 of the modified example, the storage unit 70 does not have a recording unit 78 as in FIG. 4, and the special color process cartridge 6S as a replacement detachable unit does not have a memory unit 58 as in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5(B), the installation section 60 does not have a reading section 68 installed thereon, unlike the one shown in FIG. 5, in the image forming apparatus 100 in the modified example, the control unit 75 functions as a recording unit serving as storage information acquisition means for recording storage information of the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) detected in the storage unit 70. Specifically, the storage period detected by the counter 76 and the temperature and humidity detected by the temperature and humidity sensor 77 are recorded in the memory (recording unit) of the control unit 75 as the storage information. In the modified example, the set detection sensor 79 of the storage section 70 and the installation section set detection sensor 69 of the installation section 60 function as detection means for detecting a state in which the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) has been installed in the installation section 60 in place of the black process cartridge 6K (existing detachable unit). When the set detection sensor 79 and the installation section set detection sensor 69 (detection means) detect that the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) has been installed in the installation section 60 in place of the black process cartridge 6K (existing detachable unit), the storage information acquired by the control section 75 is read out, and the image creation conditions and warm-up operation in the special printing mode are adjusted and controlled based on the storage information. Even in the modified example configured in this way, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0053] As described above, the image forming apparatus in this embodiment is provided with a storage section 70 for storing a black process cartridge 6K (detachable unit) detachably mounted to the installation section 60 of the image forming apparatus main body 100, and a special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) for replacing the black process cartridge 6K (existing detachable unit) installed in the installation section 60. Also provided is a recording section 78 (storage information acquisition means) for acquiring storage information of the special color process cartridge 6S in the storage section 70. Then, when a replacement special color process cartridge 6S is installed in the installation section 60 in place of the existing black process cartridge 6K, the operating conditions of the image forming apparatus 10 are adjusted and controlled based on the storage information acquired by the recording section 78 (storage information acquisition means). This makes it less likely that a problem of a significant drop in image quality will occur even if the special color process cartridge 6S (replacement detachable unit) is installed in the installation section in place of the existing black process cartridge 6K (detachable unit).

[0054] In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a process cartridge 6K (6S) as a removable unit (or a replacement removable unit) in which a photosensitive drum 1K, a charging device 4K, a developing device 5K, and a cleaning device 2K are integrated. However, the removable unit to which the present invention is applied is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to, for example, developing devices 5K, 5S configured to be installed detachably and individually in the image forming apparatus main body. Even in such a case, the same effect as that of this embodiment can be obtained. In this application, a "process cartridge" is defined as a unit in which at least one of a charging device for charging an image carrier, a developing device for developing a latent image formed on the image carrier, and a cleaning device for cleaning the image carrier is integrated with an image carrier, and the unit is detachably installed in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0055] Furthermore, the detachable units (and replacement detachable units) to which the present invention is applicable are not limited to those that contain toner, such as process cartridges 6K, 6S, developing devices 5K, 5S, and toner containers 32K, 32S, but the present invention can be applied to all those whose storage conditions can affect image quality (for example, a fixing device as a detachable unit for ordinary paper, and a fixing device as a replacement detachable unit for envelopes). Furthermore, the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to electrophotographic type apparatuses, but may also be inkjet type apparatuses or stencil printing machines, etc., as long as they are equipped with a removable unit that may affect image quality depending on storage conditions, and a replaceable removable unit. Even in such cases, the same effects as those of this embodiment can be obtained.

[0056] It is clear that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and that the present embodiment may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention in addition to the modifications suggested in the present embodiment. Furthermore, the number, position, shape, etc. of the components are not limited to the present embodiment, and may be any number, position, shape, etc. suitable for implementing the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1K, 1S photoconductor drum (image carrier), 5K, 5S developing equipment, 6K process cartridge (detachable unit, existing detachable unit), 6S process cartridge (replacement unit), 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S toner container, 58 Memory section, 60 Installation section, 68 Reading unit (storage information acquisition means), 69 Installation part set detection sensor (detection means), 70 Storage Department; 75 control section, 76 Counter (Means of obtaining storage period), 77 Temperature and humidity sensor (means for acquiring environmental information), 78 Recording unit (storage information acquisition means), 79 Set detection sensor (detection means), 100 Image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus main body), 140 Operation display panel (alert means). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0058] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-151971 A

Claims

1. a detachable unit that is detachable from an installation portion of a main body of the image forming apparatus; a storage unit that stores a replacement detachable unit to replace the existing detachable unit installed in the installation unit; a storage information acquiring means for acquiring storage information of the replacement detachable unit in the storage section; Equipped with the storage unit includes a set detection sensor that detects whether the replacement detachable unit is set in the storage unit, when the replacement detachable unit is installed in the installation section in place of the existing detachable unit, adjusting and controlling an operating condition of the device based on the storage information acquired by the storage information acquisition means; The storage information includes a storage period from when the replacement detachable unit is placed in the storage unit until when the replacement detachable unit is removed, and a temperature and humidity environment in which the replacement detachable unit is stored in the storage unit, A counter that counts the storage period and a temperature and humidity sensor that detects the temperature and humidity environment, the detection result by the set detection sensor triggers counting of the storage period by the counter and detection of the temperature and humidity environment by the temperature and humidity sensor.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature and humidity environment is a history of temperature and humidity changes in the storage section from when the detachable replacement unit is installed in the storage section until when the detachable replacement unit is removed from the storage section.

3. The removable replacement unit is any one of a developing device that develops a latent image formed on a surface of an image carrier, a process cartridge in which the image carrier and the developing device are integrated, and a toner container that contains toner to be replenished to the developing device, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating condition is at least one of an image forming condition and a warm-up operation.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a color of the toner stored in the replacement detachable unit is different from a color of the toner stored in the existing detachable unit.

5. a recording unit as the storage information acquisition means for recording the storage information of the replacement detachable unit detected in the storage unit, The replacement detachable unit includes a storage unit that stores the storage information recorded in the recording unit, The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the installation unit is provided with a reading unit that reads the storage information stored in the memory unit when the replacement detachable unit is installed in place of the existing detachable unit.

6. a recording unit serving as the storage information acquisition means for recording the storage information of the replacement detachable unit detected in the storage unit; a detection means for detecting a state in which the replacement detachable unit has been installed in the installation section in place of the existing detachable unit; Equipped with An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the detection means detects that the replacement detachable unit has been installed in the installation section in place of the existing detachable unit, the storage information recorded in the recording section is read out.

7. An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is provided with an alarm means capable of alarming the storage information acquired by the storage information acquisition means when the replacement detachable unit is installed in the installation section in place of the existing detachable unit.

8. An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that when the replacement detachable unit is installed in the installation section in place of the existing detachable unit and the existing detachable unit is stored in the storage section as a replacement detachable unit, storage information of the replacement detachable unit in the storage section is acquired by the storage information acquisition means.

9. An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the storage section is configured to block external light and outside air, and the internal temperature and humidity are controlled to fall within a predetermined range.

Images