Color image forming apparatus

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus such as a color printer, a color copier and the like. The present invention especially relates to a color image forming apparatus which can form a color image of stable quality, be made compact, and meet the demand of forming a black and white image. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus which enables to stably form a black and white.

[0002] A copier with a process cartridge has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Open to Public Inspection No. 163276/1982, wherein the process cartridge is integrally composed of a photoreceptor drum, a charger, a cleaning unit and a black and white developing unit, and the process cartridge can be easily attached to and removed from the apparatus.

[0003] In this type of copier, the above-described process cartridge is replaced before parts and materials to be used to form an image have worn out beyond limits in order to avoid overworking the copier and to obtain a stable image quality.

[0004] In the copying machine industry, there is now an increased demand for a color image instead of a black and white image because a color image has much information. In order to meet the demand, a color copier has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Open to Public Inspection No. 72159/1983, wherein the color copier is provided with a color copy process cartridge which has a photoreceptor drum, a charger, a color developing device composed of a plurality of developing units, a cleaning unit and the like, and is provided with a black and white copy process cartridge with a black (BK) developing device so that the black and white copy process cartridge can be used as the spare of the color copy process cartridge.

[0005] However, the above-described color copy process cartridge has a complicated structure and is expensive since a plurality of developing devices are installed in it. In order to put the color copy process cartridge into practical use in terms of cost reduction, it is preferable that the above-described cartridge is replaced and discarded after its photoreceptor with long life has been used to its limits or the carrier in the developer has been used to its limits. The life of the above-described photoreceptor drum is usually 50000 to 80000 color copies and the life of the carrier contained in the developer is 20000 to 30000 color copies. Accordingly, toner is needed to be supplied from a toner supply unit provided to each of the plural apparatus, wherein each toner supply unit is corresponding to a developing unit. The toner supply unit is provided to the outside portion of the outer wall of the process cartridge and connected with the process cartridge at the connecting portion which has an opening to supply toner to the developing chamber of the developing unit.

[0006] However, in the case of the color image forming apparatus disclosed in the above-described official report, the process cartridge must be replaced when the image forming mode is changed from the color image forming mode to the black and white image forming mode, or from the black and white image forming mode to the colour image forming mode. Accordingly, it has the disadvantages of complicated operation, high cost, and waste of time.

[0007] There is a demand for a compact and light image forming apparatus as a printer and copier have become popular, Since the black and white image forming apparatus has been replaced with the colour image forming apparatus, it has become very important to make the apparatus compact. However, in the case of the above-described colour image forming apparatus disclosed in the official report, a plurality of developing units, a transfer means, and other image forming units are not arranged properly. Therefore, it has been difficult to make the above-described apparatus compact and to obtain a colour image of stable quality.

[0008] EP-A-0,293,597 discloses a developing device in which the colour developing means are constructed into a single unit and the black developing means comprises a second, independently arranged unit. EP-A-0,228,062 discloses a photoreceptor cartridge unit which includes a frame on which a photoreceptor drum, a corona charger, a cleaner unit and a separator unit are integrally mounted.

[0009] Furthermore, in some prior image forming apparatus there has been the disadvantage, that the apparatus is stained by the toner which leaks out and dispersed when the toner supply unit is connected with the process cartridge at the connecting portion. In order to eliminate this disadvantage, a complicated sealing member to seal the connecting portion becomes necessary, wherein the sealing member is opened and closed when the toner supply unit is connected with and disconnected from the process cartridge. Especially, in the case of a colour image forming apparatus, it is necessary to supply a plural kinds of toner to a plurality of developing units. Accordingly, the structure becomes further complicated and even when a small amount of toner leaks out and disperses, the image quality is lowered because of colour mixture caused by mixed toner.

[0010] The above-described colour image forming apparatus has the further disadvantages, that colour mixture tends to occur, and that it is difficult to maintain stability of the apparatus to acquire balance because a plurality of developing units stacked horizontally in the process cartridge are horizontally provided close to the photoreceptor drum. The above-described colour image forming apparatus has the further disadvantage, that the transfer and conveyance mans of transfer paper tends to be stained by the toner which leaked out and dispersed because the means is located below the photoreceptor drum.

[0011] Conventionally, various types of electrostatic image forming apparatuses have been used. One has the features that; a photoreceptor drum and a developing unit are provided to a unit which can be rapidly attached to and removed from the apparatus. Another has the features that; a unit including a photoreceptor drum and a unit including a developing unit are individually provided to the apparatus, wherein both units can be rapidly attached to and removed from the apparatus. The above-mentioned electrostatic image forming apparatuses are formed in such a manner that the inspection of the inside of the apparatus, the exchange of parts, and the cleaning of the inside of the apparatus can be easily and positively conducted.

[0012] The life of a photoreceptor which is repeatedly used to form images, is limited. For example, the photoreceptor is generally replaced with a new one when it has been used to the limit defined as the number of times in which the photoreceptor has been used to form images, wherein the number of times can be 10000, 30000 or 50000 times. The life of a developing unit is limited in the same way as the photoreceptor. The photoreceptor is commonly replaced with a new one when it has been used to the limit.

[0013] The photoreceptor and the developing unit have the endurance limit within which an image of good quality can be formed. The endurance limit is determined by the number of times in which images have been formed. When the photoreceptor is used to the limit, it is suddenly degraded. For that reason, the photoreceptor must be replaced with a new one before is has been worn beyond the limit. In the case of the developing unit, although the endurance limits of Y, M, C, and BL developing units are the same, the frequency of use of each developing unit is different when multicolour image forming is conducted. Accordingly, each developing unit reaches the limit of use at different times. In many cases, the frequence of use of the black developing unit is high and the frequency of use of the colour developing unit is not so high. In the case described above, if each colour developing unit is discarded on the assumption that each colour unit has worn out synchronously with the black developing unit, it will amount to discarding colour developing units which still have enough capacity, which can be considered enormous losses from the view point of economical use of colour developer and colour developing units.

[0014] In the case of multicolour image forming, the frequency of use of Y, M, and C developers or of B, G, and R developers can be regarded as almost the same.

[0015] According to the present invention there is provided a colour image forming apparatus for forming a colour image comprising:
   an image retainer for carrying said colour image,
   a charging means for charging a surface of said image retainer,
   a means for forming a latent image on the charges surface of said image retainer,
   a multicolour developing unit for developing said latent image,
   a black developing means for developing said latent image,
   a means for conveying a transfer sheet and transferring said developed latent image onto said transfer sheet,
   a cleaning means for cleaning a residual developer on the surface of said image retainer;
   wherein said multicolour developing unit and said black developing means are formed as detachable cartridges,
   characterised in that said multicolour developing unit includes a plurality of colour developing means wherein each of said colour developing means develops said latent image with one of yellow, magenta, and cyan colour developers,
   wherein said image retainer and said cleaning means are formed as a detachable processing cartridge;
   wherein said colour image forming apparatus further comprises a means for simultaneously coupling said detachable cartridges of the multicolour developing unit to a body means of said colour image forming apparatus,
   wherein said body means has an upper half member which is pivotally movable by a hinge means between an open position where said detachable cartridges may be removed from said apparatus, and a closed position,
   wherein said multicolour developing unit is located in the vicinity of said hinge means, and
   wherein said detachable processing cartridge and said detachable cartridges are located in said upper half member.

[0016] In an electrostatic image forming apparatus according to the present invention there are the advantages that: a cartridge is provided in which the units having the same frequency of use are built so that the work of inspection, cleaning and replacing parts can be conducted precisely and easily, and furthermore the photoreceptor, the developing unit and the cleaning unit can be utilized until they wear out to the limit.

[0017] Furthermore, there are the advantages that: a colour image of stable quality is obtained; the quality of a black and white image is stabilized by adopting a black and white process cartridge; the apparatus is made compact by the proper arrangement and composition of image forming units; and the image forming mode is easily converted from colour image forming to black and white image forming without being restricted by a cartridge.

[0018] The invention will be better understood from the following description, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

[0019] Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a colour printer.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the colour printer illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a sectional view of another colour printer.

[0022] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the colour printer illustrated in Fig. 3.

[0023] Fig. 5 is a left side sectional view of an example of the present invention.

[0024] Fig. 6 is a right side sectional view of the example of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 7 is a drawing which illustrates the upper portion of the apparatus of the example of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the clam-shell of the example of the present invention, wherein the clam-shell is opened.

[0027] Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a colour printer which does not fall within the scope of the claims, but is nonetheless useful to understand the present invention. The numeral 1 is a process cartridge in which the photoreceptor 2, the charger 3, the colour developing unit 4, the cleaning unit 10, and the waste toner collecting container 15 are provided. The developing unit 4 comprises the Y developing unit 5, the M developing unit 6, and the C developing unit 7, wherein the above developing units share some portions of the walls of the developing unit 4, and are integrally composed. The developing rollers 5a, 6a, and 7a, the stirring rollers 5b, 5c, 6b, 6c, 7b, and 7c, and the layer thickness regulating rollers 5d, 6d, and 7d, are provided in the above-described developing units. The developing rollers and the stirring rollers are vertically located in the developing units. The developing units are located below the photoreceptor drum 2 so that the developing units surround the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor 2. The cleaning unit 10 has the waste toner collecting tube 10a, the waste toner collecting film 10b, the cleaning blade 10c, and the discharge lamp 10d used before cleaning. The waste toner scraped off from the surface of the photoreceptor by the blade 10c, is collected to the toner collecting tube 10a through the waste toner collecting film 10b. The toner collecting tube 10a is connected with one end of the waste toner conveyance tube 12 and the other end of the waste toner conveyance tube 12 is connected with the waste toner recovery tube 10a in the waste toner recovery container 15. Accordingly, the waste toner which has been scraped off is collected to the toner recovery container 15 through the waste toner conveyance tube 12.

[0028] The BK developing unit 8 is separated from the process cartridge 1, wherein the developing unit can be rapidly attached to and removed from the apparatus without being restricted by the process cartridge. Therefore, the BK developing unit 8 can meet the demand to form a plurality of black and white images, which is the important characteristics of the present invention.

[0029] The numeral 20 is an optical unit for laser beams to expose an image. The optical unit 20 for laser beams has the polygon mirror 20a, the collimator lens 20b, the reflection mirror 20c, 20d, and 20e, the f-0 lens 20f, and the dustproof type glass 20g. The letter L is an exposure light beam. The semiconductor laser beams modulated by the video signal sent from the outside of the apparatus, are introduced to the optical unit 20, and the surface of the photoreceptor drum is exposed to the image exposing light L to form an electrostatic latent image.

[0030] The numeral 30 is a transfer paper feed cassette. Transfer paper P which was sent by the feed roller 31 from the paper feed cassette 30, is conveyed to the transfer region through the conveyance passage 32 and the upper conveyance roller 33a and the lower conveyance roller 33b of the conveyance rollers 33.

[0031] The numeral 40 is a transfer and conveyance unit. The numeral 40a is a transfer and conveyance belt. The numeral 40b and the numeral 40c are drive rollers to drive the belt 40a. The numeral 40d is a belt tension roller. The numeral 40e is a transfer pole. The numeral 41 is a fixing unit which is composed of the press roller 41a and the heat roller 41b. A fixed transfer paper is delivered to the delivery tray 43 by the upper delivery roller 42a and the lower delivery roller 42b of the delivery rollers 42.

[0032] The apparatus is composed of the upper box unit K₂ and the lower box unit K₁, and the boundary between K₂ and K₁ is the line P₁ - P₂. The upper box unit K₂ can be opened with regard to the line P₁ - P₂, wherein the upper box unit K₂ comprises the upper transfer paper conveyance roller 33a, the transfer and conveyance unit 40, the press roller 41a of the fixing unit 41, and the upper delivery roller 42a, wherein the lower box unit K₁ comprises the process cartridge 1, so that a transfer paper jam which occurs in the transfer and conveyance system can be recovered.

[0033] When the side lid K₃ including the delivery tray 43 is opened with regard to the boundary P₃ - P₄, the transfer paper feed cassette 30 can be attached to and removed from the apparatus. A transfer paper jam which occur in the transfer paper conveyance process, can be treated by opening the side lid K₄, which includes one side of the conveyance passage, with regard to the boundary P₅ - P₆.

[0034] Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the way how the process cartridge 1 is attached to and removed from the apparatus, will be explained. In Fig. 1, the upper box unit K₂ is opened around the shaft Q₁ as a center and the upper box unit K₂ is opened from the lower box unit K₁, which includes the process cartridge 1, with regard to the boundary P₁ - P₂. Then, the front door A is opened toward the viewer's side by pulling the handle M and the front side of the apparatus is opened. After that, the lower protrusions 11a and 11b of the process cartridge 1 are slid along the guide rails 12a and 12b. In this way, the process cartridge 1 is pulled out toward the viewer's side to be replaced. In the case of the BK developing unit 8 which is one of the characteristics of the present invention, the front door A is opened to the viewer's side in the same way as described above, and the sliding members 13a and 13b, which engage with the guide rails 14a and 14b, are slid so that the BK developer 8 can be pulled out.

[0035] The developing roller 8a, the stirring rollers 8b and 8c, and the layer thickness restricting rollers 8d and 8e are included in the above-described BK developer 8. Toner is supplied to the color developing units 5, 6, and 7 of Y, M, and C from the toner supply units 5e, 6e, and 7e which are provided at the rear of the apparatus.

[0036] Image forming of the present example was carried out by the above-described color image forming apparatus as follows. The color process stored in the memory 45 was read out beforehand by operating the color process designation key 48 in the process designation keys 47, and the color process was designated through the CPU 46. According to a color video signal, an image was formed by the color developing units of Y, M, and C in the process cartridge and by the BK developing unit provided to the apparatus.

[0037] First of all, the cleaning unit was released and at the first rotation of the photoreceptor drum 2 the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 was uniformly charged by the charger 3 so that the drum 2 was charged to the electrical potential -700V. Then, the laser beams emitted from the semiconductor laser unit 22 were modulated by the signal Y which was the first video signal, and the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 was exposed to the obtained modulated laser beams to form an electrostatic latent image. Then the latent image was developed by the Y developing unit 5 containing two-component developer on which the developing bias of D.C component -600V and A.C component 3KHz, 500V, was impressed, wherein the development was conducted by the method of noncontact reversal development. In this way, a Y toner image was formed on the photoreceptor drum.

[0038] At the next stage, the photoreceptor drum 2 was rotated and charged by the charger 3 to the electrical potential -700V again. Then the photoreceptor was exposed to the laser beams modulated by M signals and the latent image was developed by the M developing unit 6. In this way, a M toner image was superimposed on the Y toner image previously formed on the photoreceptor. In the same way, at the third revolution and the fourth revolution of the photoreceptor drum 2, the photoreceptor drum was exposed to the laser beams modulated by C signals and BK signals. Then, reversal development by the C developing unit 7 and the BK developing unit 8 was conducted in order to superimpose the C toner image and the BK toner images onto the previously formed Y and M toner image. The color toner image was formed in this way. Image forming of the M toner image, the C toner image, and the BK toner image was carried out under the same condition as image forming of the Y toner image.

[0039] Then, a transfer paper was sent out by the paper feed roller 31 from the paper supply cassette 30 according to the predetermined image forming program. Then the transfer paper was conveyed by the transfer belt 40a to the transfer region T through the conveyance passage 32. The color toner image on the photoreceptor 2 was transferred onto the above-described transfer paper by the transfer pole 40e in the transfer region T. The transferred image on the paper was fixed by the heat roll 41b of the fixing unit 41. Then the transfer paper was delivered onto the delivery tray 43 by the delivery rollers 42, wherein the transfer paper was delivered face down. After the color toner image was transferred onto the transfer paper, the above-described cleaning unit was turned on and the residual toner on the photoreceptor 2 was removed from the surface of the photoreceptor so that the photoreceptor 2 was ready for the next image formation. The above-described operation was repeated 1000 times so as to form color images: The color toner was successively supplied to the developing unit 4 from the toner supply units 5e(Y), 6e(M), and 7e(C) and the BK toner was stably supplied from the toner chamber 8e in the BK developing unit 8 during the image forming. Accordingly, clear images of high density could be obtained from the beginning of the operation to the end.

[0040] Then the image forming process was changed to the black and white image forming process by operating the monochrome (black) process designation key 49 of the process designation key 47, and images were formed with the BK developing unit 8 according to the black and white video signal.

[0041] The electrical potential of -700V was uniformly impressed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 by the charger 3 while the cleaning blade 10c came into contact with the photoreceptor 2. Then, the laser beams modulated according to the BK video signal, were emitted from the laser unit 22 and the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 was exposed to the modulated laser beams through the optical laser unit 20 so that an electrostatic latent image could be formed. This electrostatic latent image was developed by the BK developing unit 8 which contained two-component-developer and on which the bias of D.C component -600V and A.C component 3KHz, 500V was impressed, wherein noncontact reversal development was conducted. A BK toner image was formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 2 in this way. This BK toner image was transferred and fixed onto the transfer paper sent from the paper supply cassette 30 so that the BK image could be formed. After the image was transferred onto the transfer paper, the photoreceptor drum was cleaned by the cleaning unit 10. The above-described operation was repeated 5000 times to form black and white images. While the operation was repeated, the BK developing unit was replaced, wherein the replacement was conducted having no relation with the process cartridge 1, to continue image forming. As a result, clean images of high density could be obtained.

[0042] In this example, image formation could be conducted over long periods of time by putting the waste toner scraped off from the surface of the photoreceptor 2 by the cleaning unit to the waste toner collecting container 15.

[0043] The above-described apparatus is a colour printer. If the colour printer is combined with a colour scanner, the apparatus can be a colour copier.

[0044] It is clear from the above explanations that in the colour image forming apparatus above, the apparatus can be made compact; the arrangement of image forming units can be made stable; the conversion between a colour image and a black and white image can be rapidly conducted without being restricted by the process cartridge; and furthermore the image of stable quality can be obtained.

[0045] Fig. 3 is a sectional view which shows a second colour printer which does not fall within the scope of the claims. In Fig. 3, the numeral 1 is a process cartridge. The photoreceptor drum 2, the charger 3, the BK developing unit 8, the cleaning unit 10, and the waste toner collecting container 15 are provided in the process cartridge 1. The developing roller 8a, the stirring rollers 8b, 8c, the layer thickness restricting roller 8d, the developer scraping member 8e (the scraper) used for scraping the developer from the photoreceptor after development, and the toner supply cylindrical member 8f are provided in the above described BK developing unit 8. A plurality of black and white images can be printed as the toner is successively supplied from the toner supply cylindrical member 8f.

[0046] The cleaning unit 10 has the waste toner collecting tube 10a, the waste toner collecting film 10b, the cleaning blade 10c, and the discharge lamp 10d used before cleaning. The wasted toner scraped off from the surface of the photoreceptor 2 is collected to the waste toner collecting tube 10a through the waste toner collecting film 10b. The waste toner collecting tube 10a is connected with one end of the waste toner conveyance tube 12 which is provided on the front side of the apparatus, and the other end of the waste toner conveyance tube 12 is connected with the waste toner recovery tube 15a of the waste toner recovery container 15. The scraped waste toner is recovered into the waste toner recovery container 15 through the waste toner conveyance tube 12.

[0047] The charger 3 is a scorotron charger with a grid and its discharging wire can be cleaned by a manually operated cleaning means. The color developing unit 4 comprises the Y developing unit 5, the M developing unit 6, the C developing unit 7, wherein the developing units are integrally assembled sharing some portions of the walls located between them, and each developing unit can be easily attached to and removed from the apparatus. The developing units have the developing rollers 5a, 6a, 7a, the stirring rollers 5b, 6b, 7b, 5c, 6c, 7c, the layer thickness restricting rollers 5d, 6d, 7d, and the scrapers 5e, 6e, 7e. This color image developing unit 4 can be replaced according to the demand of a user without being restricted by the process cartridge 1. In the present example, toner hoppers to supply the toner are provided to the Y, M, and C developing units so that color images can be successively formed until the carrier in the developer is worn out to its limits.

[0048] As the developing rollers and the stirring rollers of the BK developing unit 8 and the color developing unit 4 are vertically located, the efficiency of stirring and mixing is high enough that sufficient triboelectric charging can be conducted to the developer.

[0049] The above-described developing units are located below the photoreceptor drum 2, wherein the developing units surround the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor. Accordingly, the apparatus can be made further compact.

[0050] Referring to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the way how to attach the process cartridge 1 and the color developing unit 4 to the lower box unit K₁ and how to remove them from it, will be explained as follows. First of all, in order to remove the process cartridge 1 and the color developing unit 4 from the lower box unit K₁, the upper box unit K₂ is opened around the shaft Q₁ as a center with regard to the lower box unit K₁. Then, the handle M located on the front side of the cartridge and the handle M′ located on the rear side of the cartridge are held and the process cartridge 1 is drawn up to remove the cartridge from the apparatus. Successively, the color developing unit 4 located below the process cartridge 1 is drawn up in the same way.

[0051] In order to attach the process cartridge 1 and the color developing unit 4 to the lower box unit K₁, the color developing unit 4 is forced to engage with the unit receivers 4a, 4b, and then the process cartridge 1 is forced to engage with the cartridge receivers 1a, 1b provided to the lower box unit K₁. After that, the upper box unit K₂ is closed to the lower box unit K₁ so that the apparatus becomes ready to form an image. When the upper box unit K₂ is closed, the protrusion N (N′) provided to the process cartridge 1 is pressed downward by the protrusion L (L′) provided to the upper box unit K₂ so that the process cartridge can be fixed to the cartridge receivers 1a, 1b. The gap between the photoreceptor drum 2 and the color developing unit 4 is maintained by a bumping member which is not shown in the drawings. When the upper box unit is closed, the color developing unit is also fixed to the unit receivers 4a, 4b through the above-described bumping member.

[0052] The image forming process in the second example is the same as that in the first example. The BK toner image in the second example was transferred and fixed onto the transfer paper sent from the transfer paper supply cassette 30 and the BK image was formed. After transferring, the photoreceptor drum 2 was cleaned by the cleaning unit 10. When image forming was conducted 25000 times while toner was supplied to the developing unit from the cylindrical toner supply member 8f, the process cartridge was replaced in case the carrier was worn out, and image forming was successively carried out. As a result, a clear black and white image of high density could be obtained. Other characteristics of the obtained images were the same as those in the first example.

[0053] It is clear from the above explanations that in the second image forming apparatus above; the apparatus can be made compact; the image forming units can be arranged stable; the conversion between color image forming and black and white image forming can be rapidly carried out without being restricted by the process cartridge; black and white images which are in great demand can be stably printed; and additionally color images can be printed.

[0054] An example of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 5, 6, 7, and 8.

[0055] Fig. 5 and 6 are sectional side views of the electrostatic image forming apparatus of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line X-X' of Fig. 7 which is the plan view of the example of the present invention.

[0056] In the drawings, the numeral 10 is a photoreceptor which is rotated clockwise in Fig. 6 and counterclockwise in Fig. 5. The numeral 20 is a charging electrode which impresses electrical potential on the surface of the photoreceptor 10. The numeral 30 is a laser writing unit which is an optical exposure system.

[0057] The image forming method in the example of the present invention is the same as that in the two apparati shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

[0058] The composition of the developing unit 600 will be explained as follows. The developing unit 600 is composed of the developing unit 611A in which Y (yellow) developer is contained, the developing unit 611B in which M (magenta) developer is contained, the developing unit 611C in which C (cyan) developer is contained, and the developing unit 611D in which BL (black) developer is contained. The above-described Y, M, and C developing units are integrally provided to the cartridge frame 602 to form a color developing unit. They can be rapidly attached to and removed from the apparatus through the opening 713 being guided by the guide rails 713A and 713B, wherein the opening 713 is provided to the frame 701 of the clam-shell opening and closing unit 700 which is formed in the upper portion of the base unit 800 of the image forming apparatus 1. The developing unit 611D in which the black developer is contained, can be attached to and removed from the apparatus through the opening 713 being guided by the guide rails 713, wherein the black developing unit 611D can be set to the apparatus independently from the above-mentioned clam-shell opening and closing unit 700.

[0059] The four developing units described above have almost the same structure. The structure of the developing unit 611A will be explained as follows. The developing roller (the developing sleeve) 612 and the stirring rollers 614 and 615 are provided in the developing unit container. The outer diameter portions 613 are provided to both sides of the developing roller 612, wherein the outer diameter of the outer diameter portions 613 is larger than that of the developing roller 612. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the gear train 630 through which the driving force is transmitted, is provided on the right side of the developing unit container. The toner receiving inlet 621 is provided on the left side of the developing unit container.

[0060] The opening and closing member 618 which is pushed by the spring 617 and the guide pin 616, is provided along the rail 619 mounted on the developing unit container so that the opening and closing member 618 can close the toner receiving inlet 621 in Fig. 7.

[0061] The developing unit container is pushed by the spring 625 (This spring may be either a leaf spring or a coil spring.) so that the outer diameter portions 613 provided to both sides of the developing roller 612 can come into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 10 with pressure. Accordingly, the gap between the developing rollers 612 and the photoreceptor drum 10 can be maintained to be the most adequate distance in order to form a magnetic brush.

[0062] The toner supply tank 200 and the toner supply unit 250 will be explained as follows.

[0063] Concerning the tank 200, as illustrated in Fig. 6 and 7, the containers 201A, 201B, 201C and 201D in which the toners of Y, M, C and BL are contained, are provided in a line to the frame 701 of the clam-shell opening and closing unit 700, wherein the shapes of the containers are the same. The stirring shafts and the spiral rotary shafts 208 of the containers 201A, 201B, 201C and 201D are driven by the motor 205 through the gears 205A, 206, 207 and 208A. The spiral shafts 208 are provided to the toner supply and conveyance inlets 209 of the above-described tank 200 and the ends of the hoses 272A, 272B, 272C and 272D are connected with the toner supply and conveyance inlets 209. The flexible spiral members 271 connected with the spiral rotary shafts 208 are provided in the hoses. When the spiral rotary shafts 208 are rotated, the flexible spiral members 271 are driven so that the toner can be conveyed.

[0064] The other end of each hose is connected with the pipe 259 of the toner distribution container 351 which is provided according to the color of the toner. The toner distribution container 251 has the toner supply inlet 257. The rails 254 are provided to the toner distribution container 251, and the opening and closing member member 258 which slides on the rails 254 are also provided to the toner distribution container 251. The opening and closing member 258 is always pushed in the right direction in Fig. 1 by the pin 252 and the spring 253 which are provided to the extension portion 251A of the bottom of the toner distribution container 251. The toner supply inlet 257 is usually closed by the opening and closing member 258.

[0065] The extension portion 251A of the bottom of the toner distribution container 251 of the toner supply unit, is provided with the pins 266, 267 and 264 which engage with the long holes 708 and 709 provided to the frame 701 of the clam-shell opening and closing unit 700. The extension portion 251A is fixed to the bent portion 262 of the plate 261 which can slide in the direction of the long hole.

[0066] The frame 701 of the clam-shell opening and closing unit 700 is provided with the shaft 702 which engages with the bearing unit 802 provided to the frame 801 of the base unit 800, and the frame 701 can be opened and closed, wherein the shaft 702 is used as a supporting point.

[0067] The cam lever 703 provided with the grooves 703A, 703B, 703C and 703D, engages with the pins 704 and 705 fixed to the frame 701 of the clam-shell opening and closing unit 700, the pins 266 fixed to the above-described plate 261, and the pins 805 fixed to the frame 801 of the base unit 800.

[0068] When the clam-shell opening and closing unit is opened as illustrated in Fig. 8, the position of the cam lever 703 is changed as shown in the drawing. Accordingly, the pins 266, 267 and 264 move in the long holes 708 and 709. As a result, the plate 261 to which the pins are provided, moves in the left direction.

[0069] As explained above, the toner distribution container 252 the bottom extension portion 252A of which is fixed to the bent portion 262 of the plate 261, can be moved in the left direction. When the toner distribution container 252 is moved in the left direction, it is separated from the container 603 of the developing unit and the toner supply inlet 257 is closed by the opening and closing member 258 which is pushed by the spring 255, so that the toner contained in the toner distribution container 251 can be prevented from dropping.

[0070] On the other hand, the toner receiving inlet 621 of the container 603 of the developing unit 600 is closed by the opening and closing member 618 which is pushed by the spring 617, wherein the opening and closing member 618 slides on the rail 619. The toner contained in the container 603 of the developing unit 600 is prevented from dropping.

[0071] As explained above, when the clam-shell opening and closing unit 700 is closed, the toner supply unit 250 is moved backward and the toner supply inlet 257 is closed. At the same moment, the toner receiving inlet 621 is also closed so that the toner is automatically prevented from dropping.

[0072] When the clam-shell opening and closing unit 700 is opened, the cartridge composed of Y, M and C developing units can be integrally attached to and removed from the apparatus through the opening 713, wherein the cartridge is guided by the guide rails 713A and 713B.

[0073] The developing unit 611D for use in the black toner forms an independent cartridge. The cartridge can be easily attached to and removed from the apparatus through the opening 713 provided to the frame 701 of the clam-shell opening and closing unit.

[0074] When the clam-shell opening and closing unit is opened as illustrated in the perspective view of Fig. 8, the photoreceptor drum cartridge 500 which is composed of the cleaning unit 100, the charger 20, the electrode 90 used before exposure and the toner recovery unit 130, can be easily attached to and removed from the apparatus, wherein the guide units 510A and 510B provided to both sides of the cartridge 500 are slidably guided along the guide rail introduction portion 712A and the guide rail 712, so that the drum center pin 11 can be set to the predetermined position being guided by the guide 711 provided to the frame.

[0075] The leg portions 503 and 504 are provided to the cartridge 500 so that the cartridge can be easily inspected and cleaned when the cartridge 500 is pulled out from the clam-shell opening and closing unit 700.

[0076] As explained above, when the clam-shell opening and closing unit is opened, each cartridge can be easily attached to and removed from the apparatus in order to inspect and maintain the cartridge. Accordingly, the cartridge can be easily replaced with a new one. As the three cartridges are provided to the apparatus, each color toner can be positively loaded to the cartridge without making a mistake. The above-described characteristics are advantageous in the case of multicolor image forming as well as full color image forming. Furthermore as the drum cartridge including the photoreceptor is provided meeting at right angles with the developing cartridge, the assembly work can be conducted more safely and positively in the above-described case than the case in which the drum cartridge are provided in parallel with the developing cartridge. It is preferable to attach and remove the photoreceptor cartridge earlier than the developing unit cartridge because the structure of the apparatus can be made simple in this case as compared with the reverse case. When the developing unit cartridge is attached to and removed from the apparatus earlier than the photoreceptor cartridge, the developing roller and other units must be withdrawn so that the surface of the photoreceptor can not be damaged by them. That is the reason why the structure becomes complicated when the developing unit cartridge is attached to and removed from the apparatus earlier than the photoreceptor cartridge. Although the structure becomes complicated in the case the developing unit cartridge is provided to the apparatus earlier than the photoreceptor cartridge, it is not so serious. However, it is preferable to avoid the case in which the structure of the apparatus becomes complicated.

[0077] In the example, the toner supply tank 200 and the toner supply unit 250 are provided to the apparatus. However, the alternative means which will be explained as follows may be adopted: the toner supply tank 200 and the toner supply unit 250 are not provided to the apparatus; the toner the amount of which corresponds to the life of the developing unit, is stored in the developing unit; when the toner was used up, the developing unit is replaced with a new one mounted on a new cartridge, wherein the old developing unit is discarded together with the cartridge.

[0078] In the example, the color developing units are mounted on a cartridge and the black developing unit is mounted on another cartridge. Consequently, the color developing units and the black developing unit can be replaced according to the frequency of use of each cartridge. However, when the apparatus is used as a multicolor image forming apparatus, a specific color is often used according to the usage of a customer. In such a case, an auxiliary cartridge may be provided to the main cartridge so that the developing unit of a color which is often used can be rapidly replaced.

[0079] As shown in the example of the present invention, the maintenance and inspection of a photoreceptor and developing unit can be easily, positively, and effectively conducted.

[0080] When each image forming means has been used and worn out to the limit, the old cartridge can be immediately replaced with a new one so that the function can be recovered. Furthermore, the operation to recover the function is only to replace a cartridge, which is so simple and positive that not an expert but an ordinary operator who does not have specific expertise can easily replace it. As the cartridges can be replaced according to the frequency of use, it is not necessary to use expensive materials and the cartridges can be resonably replaced with new ones.

Claims

1. A colour image forming apparatus for forming a colour image comprising:
   an image retainer (10) for carrying said colour image,
   a charging means (20) for charging a surface of said image retainer (10),
   a means (30) for forming a latent image on the charges surface of said image retainer (10),
   a multicolour developing unit (602) for developing said latent image,
   a black developing means (611D) for developing said latent image,
   a means for conveying a transfer sheet and transferring said developed latent image onto said transfer sheet,
   a cleaning means for cleaning a residual developer on the surface of said image retainer;
   wherein said multicolour developing unit (602) and said black developing means (611D) are formed as respective detachable cartridges,
   characterised in that said multicolour developing unit (602) includes a plurality of colour developing means (611A,B,C) wherein each of said colour developing means develops said latent image with one of yellow, magenta, and cyan colour developers,
   wherein said image retainer (10) and said cleaning means are formed as a detachable processing cartridge;
   wherein said colour image forming apparatus further comprises a means for simultaneously coupling said detachable cartridges of the multicolour developing unit to a body means of said colour image forming apparatus,
   wherein said body means has an upper half member (701) which is pivotally movable by a hinge means (702) between an open position where said detachable cartridges may be removed from said apparatus, and a closed position,
   wherein said multicolour developing unit (602) is located in the vicinity of said hinge means (702), and
   wherein said detachable processing cartridge and said detachable cartridges are located in said upper half member (701).

2. The apparatus claimed in Claim 1,
   wherein said multicolour developing means and said black developing means are located under said image retainer.

3. The apparatus claimed in Claim 1 or 2,
   wherein said transfer conveyance means is located above said image retainer.

4. The apparatus claimed in any preceding claim,
   wherein said multicolour developing means uses yellow, magenta, and cyan toners.

Ansprüche

1. Farbbilderzeugungsvorrichtung zum Erzeugen eines Farbbilds, umfassend:
   einen Bildaufnehmer (10) zum Tragen des Farbbilds,
   eine Aufladeeinheit (20) zum Aufladen einer Oberfläche des Bildaufnehmers (10),
   eine Einheit (30) zum Erzeugen eines Latentbilds auf der aufgeladenen Oberfläche des Bildaufnehmers (10),
   eine Mehrfarb-Entwicklungseinheit (602) zum Entwickeln des Latentbilds,
   eine Schwarz-Entwicklungseinheit (611D) zum Entwickeln des Latentbilds,
   eine Einrichtung zum Transportieren eines Übertragungsblatts und zum Übertragen des entwickelten Latentbilds auf das Übertragungsblatt, (und)
   eine Reinigungseinrichtung zum Reinigen der Oberfläche des Bildaufnehmers von einem Restentwickler,
   wobei die Mehrfarb-Entwicklungseinheit (602) und die Schwarz-Entwicklungseinheit (611D) als jeweilige herausnehmbare Patronen ausgebildet sind,
   dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Mehrfarb-Entwicklungseinheit (602) eine Anzahl von Farbentwicklungsmitteln (611A,B,C) aufweist, von denen jedes Farbentwicklungsmittel das Latentbild mit einem Gelb-, Magenta- und (bzw.) Cyan-Farbentwickler entwickelt,
   wobei der Bildaufnehmer (10) und die Reinigungseinrichtung als eine herausnehmbare Verarbeitungspatrone geformt sind,
   wobei die Farbbilderzeugungsvorrichtung ferner eine Einrichtung zum gleichzeitigen Koppeln der herausnehmbaren Patronen der Mehrfarb-Entwicklungseinheit mit einer Körper- oder Aufbaueinrichtung der Farbbilderzeugungsvorrichtung aufweist,
   wobei die Körper- oder Aufbaueinrichtung ein oberes Halbelement (701) aufweist, das mittels einer Scharniereinrichtung (702) zwischen einer Offenstellung, in welcher die herausnehmbaren Patronen herausgenommen werden können, und einer Schließstellung bewegbar ist,
   wobei die Mehrfarb-Entwicklungseinheit (602) in der Nähe der Scharniereinrichtung (702) angeordnet ist und
   wobei die herausnehmbare Verarbeitungspatrone und die herausnehmbaren Patronen im oberen Halbelement (701) angeordnet sind.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei
die Mehrfarb-Entwicklungseinheit und die Schwarz-Entwicklungseinheit unter dem Bildaufnehmer angeordnet sind.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei
die Übertragungs-Transporteinrichtung über dem Bildaufnehmer angeordnet ist.

4. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei
die Mehrfarb-Entwicklungseinheit Gelb-, Magenta- und Cyan-Toner benutzt.

Revendications

1. Dispositif de formation d'images en couleurs pour former une image en couleurs, comprenant:
   un élément de retenue d'image (10) pour supporter ladite image en couleurs,
   un moyen de charge (20) pour charger une surface dudit élément de retenue d'image (10),
   un moyen (30) pour former une image latente sur la surface de charges dudit élément de retenue d'image (10),
   une unité de développement multicouleurs (602) pour développer ladite image latente,
   un moyen de développement de noir (611D) pour développer ladite image latente,
   un moyen pour acheminer une feuille de transfert et transférer ladite image latente développée sur ladite feuille de transfert,
   un moyen de nettoyage pour nettoyer un révélateur résiduel sur la surface dudit élément de retenue d'image,
   ladite unité de développement multicouleurs (602) et ledit moyen de développement de noir (611D) étant constitués sous forme de cartouches détachables respectives,
   caractérisé en ce que ladite unité de développement multicouleurs (602) comprend une pluralité de moyens de développement de couleur (611A, B, C), chacun desdits moyens de développement de couleur développant ladite image latente avec l'un des révélateurs de couleur jaune, magenta et cyan,
   ledit élément de retenue d'image (10) et ledit moyen de nettoyage étant constitués sous forme d'une cartouche de traitement détachable,
   ledit dispositif de formation d'images en couleurs comprenant en outre un moyen pour accoupler simultanément lesdites cartouches détachables de l'unité de développement multicouleurs à un moyen de corps dudit dispositif de formation d'images en couleurs,
   ledit moyen de corps comprenant un demi-élément supérieur (701) qui peut être déplacé de façon pivotante par un moyen à charnière (702) entre une position ouverte dans laquelle lesdites cartouches détachables peuvent être retirées dudit dispositif, et une position fermée,
   ladite unité de développement multicouleurs (602) étant située au voisinage dudit moyen à charnière (702), et
   ladite cartouche de traitement détachable et lesdites cartouches détachables étant situées dans ledit demi-élément supérieur (701).

2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1,
   dans lequel lesdits moyens de développement multicouleurs et ledit moyen de développement de noir sont situés au-dessous dudit élément de retenue d'image.

3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 ou 2,
   dans lequel ledit moyen d'acheminement de transfert est situé au-dessus dudit élément de retenue d'image.

4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
   dans lequel lesdits moyens de développement multicouleurs utilisent des toners jaune, magenta et cyan.

Drawing