JP4368658B2 - Image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and developing unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a process cartridge, and a developing unit.

  Conventionally, as a color image forming apparatus, latent images formed on a plurality of photoreceptors are converted into toner images by a developing device for each color, and the toner images are sequentially transferred to an intermediate transfer belt or a transfer material to form a color image. There is a tandem type image forming apparatus. As a method for forming a color image, for example, toner images of four colors of black (Bk), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) formed on a photoconductor are sequentially transferred to an intermediate transfer belt or transfer. It is realized by superimposing on the material.

  Further, a developing device and a device used in an image forming process such as a photosensitive member are integrated into a process cartridge so that the image forming device can be integrally attached and detached. In the case of the tandem type color image forming apparatus, four process cartridges of Y color, M color, C color, and Bk color corresponding to the color of toner to be supplied are mounted. In some cases, the process cartridge is mounted at a place where a process cartridge of another color is to be mounted. In this case, since the toner supplied from the image forming apparatus is different from the color toner stored in the developing device of the process cartridge, there is a risk that different toners are mixed in the developing device. Therefore, in order to prevent such erroneous mounting, the structure of the part (hereinafter referred to as a station) where the process cartridge of the main body of the apparatus is mounted has a different shape for each color to prevent the mounting of process cartridges of different colors. ing. As a result, the structure of the process cartridge itself must also be different for each color, and it is necessary to manufacture different parts for each color, and it is necessary to provide a process cartridge manufacturing line and mold for each color. Becomes higher.

  Therefore, various means for preventing erroneous mounting even when a common process cartridge is used have been proposed. In Patent Document 1, a storage unit is provided in a common process cartridge to store the color of toner that has been replenished first, and when mounted on a station, the toner color stored in the storage unit and the main body of the apparatus are stored. A comparison is made with a recorded toner color. As a result, when the process cartridge is installed in a station of a different color, the color stored in the storage means and the color stored in the main body of the apparatus are different, so that the image forming operation is prohibited or a warning is displayed. This prevents erroneous mounting of the process cartridge. Patent Document 2 describes a process cartridge common to each color, in which a seal having the same color as the toner stored in the developing device in the process cartridge is attached to the color identification display unit. Thus, the user can recognize the color of the process cartridge, and is prevented from being attached to a station of a different color. As described above, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, since a common process cartridge can be used, it is necessary to provide a process cartridge manufacturing line, a mold, and the like for each color, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, the user does not need to store the process cartridge for each color, and the management burden is reduced.

JP 2001-83862 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-24536

  However, in the case of the process cartridge of Patent Document 1, since there is no identification display that can be recognized by the user, once the toner is removed from the apparatus, it cannot be recognized what color toner is stored. For this reason, the user sometimes attaches the process cartridge to a station of a different color. In the case of the process cartridge of Patent Document 2, since there is an identification display, the user can recognize what color toner is stored in the process cartridge, but there is a detection means for detecting erroneous mounting. Absent. Therefore, when a user mistakenly installs a process cartridge in a station of a different color and performs an image forming operation without noticing it, there is a risk that toners of different colors are mixed in the developing device of the process cartridge.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress an erroneous mounting of a user and to detect an erroneous mounting even if it is erroneously mounted. A process cartridge is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing devices that store different color toners, the developing device is detachably mounted on the developing device mounting portion. The developing device is provided with color display means for displaying a color corresponding to the toner accommodated in the developing device, and the color display means includes a plurality of color display portions and the color display portions respectively. It is composed of a plurality of color display portion shielding members that are covered, and each of the color display portion shielding members is removable from the developing device .
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, when the developing device is mounted on the developing device mounting portion, the toner color stored in the developing device mounted on the developing device mounting portion is The image forming apparatus is characterized in that a detecting means for detecting whether or not the toner color is the same as the toner color stored in the developing device to be mounted on the developing device mounting portion is provided .
Further, the invention of claim 3, mounted in the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the detecting means, corresponding to each toner color, a plurality of the detected portion provided in the developing device, the developing mounting portion A detection unit corresponding to a toner color stored in the developing device to be mounted on the developing device mounting unit when the developing device is mounted on the developing device mounting unit. The detected portion is covered with a detected portion shielding member, and the detected portion shielding member is removable from the developing device, respectively. It is characterized by being.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the third aspect , the color display portion shielding member corresponds to the same toner color as the toner color of the color display portion covered by the color display portion shielding member. It is also used as a detected portion shielding member of the detected portion.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, the detected portion is a conductive member, and the detection portion is attached to the developing device mounting portion depending on a connection state with the conductive member. It is characterized by detecting whether or not the toner color to be mounted is the same.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, the detected portion shielding member is an insulating member.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect, each shielding member is provided in the vicinity of the detected portion shielding member or the color display portion shielding member. An auxiliary mark having the same color as the covering toner color is provided.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the third, fourth, or seventh aspect, the detected portion is painted with a color corresponding to each toner color, and the detected portion is the detected portion. It is an optical reflection type sensor that detects the color of the light.
The invention according to claim 9 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 7, or 8, wherein the color display portion shielding member or the detected portion shielding member is translucent. To do.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the output output from the optical reflective sensor differs depending on the color detected by the optical reflective sensor.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, an output value output from the optical reflective sensor according to a color detected by the optical reflective sensor and an output stored in the image forming apparatus in advance. When the output values are different from each other, the control means for prohibiting the image forming operation is provided.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, an output value output from the optical reflective sensor according to a color detected by the optical reflective sensor, and an image forming apparatus in advance. When the output value is different from the stored output value , the notifying means for notifying the warning content and the detection target shielding member are translucent, and output from the optical reflective sensor according to the color detected by the optical reflective sensor When the output value to be output is more than twice as large as the output value of each color stored in advance in the image forming apparatus, the warning is displayed so that the tape corresponding to the color of the installed station is peeled off. control means, when said little output value output from the optical reflection type sensor, the developing device controls該報knowledge means to display a warning to the effect that is not attached to the developing device mounting portion It is characterized in that provided and that the control unit.
The invention according to claim 13 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, wherein an IC tag is attached to the developing device. The IC tag has communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus main body, and when the communication between the IC tag and the image forming apparatus main body is not established, a control means for prohibiting the image forming operation is provided. It is characterized by that.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, after the communication between the IC tag and the image forming apparatus main body is established, the image is output according to the color detected by the optical reflection type sensor. The output is compared with the output value stored in advance in the image forming apparatus.
The invention according to claim 15 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising writing means for storing a color in the IC tag when no color ID is recorded in the IC tag. It is.
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the developing device, the image carrier, and at least one of the image forming process means of the charging means, the exposure means, and the cleaning means are integrated so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus. in the process cartridge, the developing device is provided with a color display means for displaying a color corresponding to the toner stored in, the color display unit covers a plurality of color display, the color display unit, respectively The color display portion shielding member includes a plurality of color display portion shielding members, and each of the color display portion shielding members is removable from the process cartridge.
The invention of claim 17, in the developing unit having at least a developing apparatus detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus, a color display means for displaying a color corresponding to the toner contained in the developing device The color display unit includes a plurality of color display units and a plurality of color display unit shielding members that respectively cover the color display units, and each of the color display unit shielding members is removable from the developing unit. It is characterized by being said.

  According to the first to fourteenth aspects of the present invention, since the color developing means is provided in the developing device, the toner color stored in the developing device can be displayed on the developing device. Thus, the user can recognize the color of the toner stored in the developing device only by looking at the developing device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the development device containing different toner colors from being attached to the development device attachment portion of the image forming apparatus. Even if a developing device containing different toner colors is attached to the developing device attachment portion of the image forming apparatus, the developing device containing different toner colors must be attached by the detection means. Can be detected. The detection result can be used to prohibit the image forming operation or warn the user that a different developing device is installed. Therefore, the user does not realize that a developing device containing different toner colors is mounted in the developing device mounting portion, and the image forming operation is activated, and different toner colors are mixed in the developing device. There is no.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 shows an electrophotographic full-color printer as an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, a plurality of photoconductor units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk as image carrier units are detachably attached to the apparatus main body 1 in a box-shaped apparatus main body 1. Needless to say, Y, M, C, and Bk added after the numerals of the respective symbols indicate members for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (the same applies hereinafter). A transfer belt 3 serving as a recording material carrier is disposed obliquely in the diagonal direction of the apparatus main body 1 at the center in the apparatus main body 1. The transfer belt 3 is provided so as to be rotatively driven in a direction indicated by an arrow A, spanned by a plurality of rollers to which the rotational driving force is transmitted.

  The transfer / conveying belt device 20 is provided with a transfer belt 3 on an endless belt. The transfer belt 3 is stretched around a driving roller 22, a driven roller 23, and tension rollers 24 and 25. On the inner side of the upper running surface of the transfer belt 3, transfer brushes 28 that constitute transfer means are located at positions facing the photosensitive drums 4M, 4C, 4Y, 4Bk of the color image forming units 2M, 2C, 2Y, 2Bk, respectively. In contact. A transfer bias having a polarity (plus polarity) opposite to the charging polarity of the toner (minus polarity in the present embodiment) is applied to the transfer brush 28. A paper suction roller 27 is provided above the driven roller 23 with the transfer belt 3 interposed therebetween. The recording paper is fed onto the transfer belt 3 from between the driven roller 23 and the suction roller 27, and is conveyed while being electrostatically attracted onto the transfer belt 3 by a bias voltage applied to the suction roller 27. In the present embodiment, since the transfer / conveyance belt device 20 extends obliquely, the space occupied by the transfer / conveyance device 20 in the horizontal direction can be reduced.

  The photoreceptor units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk have drum-shaped photoreceptors 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4Bk as image carriers, and the belts are arranged so that the surface of each photoreceptor is in contact with the transfer belt 3. It is arrange | positioned above. As the photoreceptors 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4Bk, a photoreceptor on a belt or the like may be used. The photoreceptor units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk are units for forming toner images of Y, M, C, and Bk colors on the photoreceptors 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4Bk, and are disposed in the apparatus main body 1. The configuration is the same except for the location. Only the yellow photoconductor unit 2Y will be described below. The developing device 5Y is disposed to face the photoconductor 4Y. The developing device 5Y develops each electrostatic latent image by supplying a two-component developer having yellow toner and a carrier to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 4Y.

  A writing device 6 as an exposure unit is disposed above the photoreceptor unit 2Y and the like, and a duplex unit is disposed below the photoreceptor unit 2Y and the like. Below the duplex unit, sheet feeding units 7 and 8 that can store transfer materials of different sizes are disposed. A fixing device 30 is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer belt 3.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a schematic configuration of the magenta photosensitive unit 2M among the photosensitive units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2Bk. Since the other photoconductor units 2Y, 2C, and 2Bk have the same configuration, their descriptions are omitted.
In FIG. 2, the photoconductor unit 2M constitutes a process cartridge 40M that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 1. That is, the photosensitive member 4M, the charging roller 11M as a charging unit that contacts the photosensitive member 4M, the cleaning device 14M that cleans the surface of the photosensitive member 4M with the brush roller 12M and the cleaning blade 13M, and the developing device 5M are integrally configured. is doing. In this way, by configuring the process cartridge 40M to be detachable from the apparatus main body, the photoconductor 4 and the like can be individually replaced to improve maintainability. An IC tag 41M is attached to the process cartridge 40M. This IC tag 41M is equipped with a non-volatile memory, and information necessary for controlling each color process cartridge, process cartridge color, cartridge ID, date of manufacture, start date of use, number of times of recycling, copy Number of sheets, current date, etc. are recorded. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive member 4M, a charging roller 11M, a cleaning device 14M, and a developing device 5M. However, the process cartridge is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. The photosensitive unit 2M and the developing unit 5M, which include the charging roller 11M and the cleaning device 14M, may be detachable from the apparatus main body. In this case, the IC tag 41M is attached to the developing unit 5M.

  In the photoconductor unit having the above configuration, first, the surface of the photoconductor 4M is uniformly charged by the charging roller 11M. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 4M by irradiating the surface with the laser light L modulated and deflected by the optical writing unit 6 while being scanned. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4M is developed by a developing device 5M described later to become a yellow toner image. At the transfer position where the recording paper on the transfer belt 3 passes, the toner image on the photoconductor 4M is transferred to the recording paper by the transfer bias applied from the transfer roller 28M. The surface of the photoreceptor 4M after the toner image is transferred is cleaned by a cleaning blade 13M after a predetermined amount of lubricant is applied by a brush roller 12M. Thereafter, it is neutralized and prepared for the formation of the next electrostatic latent image.

  The developing device 5M uses a two-component developer containing a magnetic carrier and a negatively charged toner. In the developing device 5M, a developing sleeve 31M is disposed so as to be partially exposed from the opening on the photosensitive member side of the developing case 5a. The developing device 5M is also provided with conveying screws 5b and 5c, a developing doctor 5d, a toner concentration sensor 5e, a powder pump 270, and the like. The toner concentration sensor 5e includes a magnetic permeability sensor (T sensor) that detects the magnetic permeability of the developer.

  The developer accommodated in the developing device 5M is agitated and conveyed by the conveying screws 5b and 5c, whereby the toner and the magnetic carrier are frictionally charged with opposite polarities. A part of the developer is carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 31, and after the layer thickness is regulated by the developing doctor 5d, the developer is conveyed to a developing position facing the photoconductor 4M. At the developing position, the toner in the developer on the developing sleeve 31 is directed toward the electrostatic latent image by a developing electric field formed by the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 4M and the developing bias applied to the developing sleeve 5d. Move. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 4M is developed.

  On the other hand, a recording sheet as a single recording medium is separated from the selected one of the sheet feeding cassettes 7 and 8, and a registration roller disposed on the sheet feeding side from the photosensitive unit 2Y. It hits 15. Then, the recording paper is conveyed by the back side on the transfer belt 3 in synchronization with the transfer timing of each color toner image, and reaches the transfer position facing each of the photoconductors 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4Bk. At this transfer position, a transfer electric field is formed by the action of a bias applied to the transfer brush 28 disposed on the back side of the transfer belt 3. By this transfer electric field, the color toner images on the photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4Bk are sequentially transferred onto the recording material so as to overlap each other. When a monochrome image is printed, a toner image is formed with black toner only on the photosensitive drum 4Bk of the black image forming unit 2Bk. Then, the recording paper is conveyed by the transfer belt 3 in synchronization with the transfer timing of the toner image, and only the black toner image is transferred.

  In this way, the recording paper on which each color toner image is transferred is separated from the transfer belt 3 at the position of the driving roller 22 and sent to the fixing device 30. Then, when passing through the fixing nip of the fixing device 30, each color toner image is fixed on the recording paper by heat and pressure. After the fixing, the recording paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray 10 provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body, or is delivered to the double-sided device 90 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the replacement process cartridge will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the replacement process cartridge has Y, M, C, and Bk detected portions on the upper surface. The detected portion is provided with C color, Y color, M color, and Bk color reflectors 45C, 45M, 45C, and 45Bk, respectively. These reflectors are arranged in order from the right in the drawing, in the order of a Y-color reflector 45Y, an M-color reflector 45M, a C-color reflector 45C, and a Bk-color reflector 45Bk. The front side surface 42 of the process cartridge 40 is provided with color display portions 46Y, 46M, 46C, and 46Bk as Y, M, C, and Bk color display means. This color display section is also arranged in the order of Y, M, C, and Bk in order from the right in the figure, similarly to the reflector. The Y-color reflector 45 </ b> Y and the Y-color display portion 46 </ b> Y are covered with a single translucent tape 47. Similarly, the M color reflection plate 45M and the M color display unit 46M, the C color reflection plate 45C and the C color display unit 46C, the Bk color reflection plate 45Bk, and the Bk color display unit 46Bk are also provided. Covered with translucent tape. Further, this process cartridge is provided with a Y auxiliary mark 48Y in the vicinity of the tape covering the Y reflecting plate 45Y and the color display portion 46Y. Similarly, in the vicinity of the tape covering the M-color reflector 45M and the color display portion 46M, the tape covering the M-color auxiliary mark 48M, the C-color reflector 45C and the color display portion 46C. A Bk auxiliary mark 48Bk is provided in the vicinity of the tape covering the C color auxiliary mark 48C and the Bk color reflecting plate 45Bk and the color display portion 46Bk.

  A drawer lever 43 is provided on the front side surface 42. As shown in FIG. 5, when the process cartridge is mounted in the apparatus main body, the drawer lever 43 is bent upward as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. Therefore, when pulling out, the lever 43 is tilted forward so that the process cartridge 41 can be easily pulled out. An IC tag 41 is provided on the side surface of the process cartridge.

  As shown in FIG. 6, stations 108Y, 108M, 108C, and 108Bk into which Y, M, C, and Bk process cartridges 40 are respectively inserted are provided in the image forming apparatus main body. In the vicinity of the openings of the stations 108Y, 108M, 108C, and 108Bk, station color display sections 107Y, 107M, 107C, and 107Bk corresponding to the toner colors are provided, respectively. As shown in FIG. 6, since the color display part is provided on the front side surface 44 of the process cartridge, the user opens the door of the apparatus main body, and the color display parts 46Y, 46M, 46C, 46Bk of each process cartridge It is possible to confirm whether or not the process cartridge is mounted in the correct station by simply comparing the station color display sections 107Y, 107M, 107C, and 107Bk.

Here, the process cartridge replacement method described above will be described. For example, when the life of the M color process cartridge 40M is reached, the user opens the door of the apparatus main body and pulls out the process cartridge to be replaced from the station 108M. At this time, the user performs the extraction process using the station color display unit 107M provided near the opening of the station 108M and the color display unit 46M provided on the front side surface 44M of the M process cartridge shown in FIG. Check the cartridge. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the drawer lever is tilted forward, and the M process cartridge is extracted. Then, the replacement process cartridge shown in FIG. 4 is taken out, looking at the auxiliary mark 48, searching for a tape to be peeled off, and removing the tape in front of the auxiliary mark 48M. Then, the reflecting plate 45 M, and the color display unit 46 M is exposed. The reflector 45 M and the color display unit 46 M is colored in M color. As a result, the user can easily recognize that the replacement process cartridge is used for M color replacement. The replacement process cartridge that has become the M color process cartridge is inserted into the apparatus main body. At this time, the station color display unit 107M provided near the opening of the station 108M is compared with the color display unit 46M to confirm that the colors are the same. The process cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body to obtain the state shown in FIG. At this time, the reflecting plate 45 M is in the photosensor 109M opposed. The IC tag 41M is also opposed to an antenna (not shown) provided in the station 108. Then, the door of the apparatus main body is closed. Then, the reflective photosensor 109M, detects the color of the reflector 45 M. If it is attached to the device without removing the seal, or if the tape of the wrong color is peeled off, the amount of light detected by the reflective sensor will be different, and the voltage value output to the CPU described later Will change. As a result, it is detected that a process cartridge of a different color has been inserted into the M-color station 108. When process cartridges of different colors are mounted in this way, a warning is displayed to the user and the image forming operation is prohibited. Further, it communicates with the IC tag 41M and writes the color ID. If the communication is not successful, the process cartridge is not correctly installed in the station, so that a warning is displayed.

  FIG. 8 is a circuit of the color detection means of each process cartridge. FIG. 8 specifically shows a circuit for detecting the color detection member of the M color process cartridge, but the other C, Y, and Bk circuits have the same configuration. The light from the LED is reflected by the reflection plate 45M of the process cartridge 40M, and the light enters the phototransistor (HTr). Different photocurrents flow through the phototransistor (HTr) depending on the intensity of the reflected light, and the output voltage is input to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier (OPA) through the resistor (R). This input voltage is amplified by an operational amplifier (OPA) and input to the input terminal of the A / D converter of the CPU. In the memory of the CPU, a voltage corresponding to the reflected light of the M-color reflector 45M is stored in advance, the voltage stored in advance is compared with the input voltage of the A / D converter, and the station 108M receives the M-color. It is confirmed whether the process cartridge 40M is inserted. If the voltage values are different as a result of the comparison, a warning is displayed indicating that the place where the seal 46 is to be peeled is wrong or that the process cartridge is mounted in a different station. If the A / D converter input voltage is more than twice the voltage value stored in advance, if the tape 47 is not peeled off, the light incident on the phototransistor (HTr) is about half of the translucent tape. Therefore, a voltage value half that of the previously stored voltage value is detected. In this case, a warning is displayed so as to remove the tape corresponding to the color of the installed station. Further, even when the process cartridge is not correctly mounted on the apparatus main body, the amount of light incident on the phototransistor (HTr) is reduced, so that a voltage value lower than the voltage value stored in advance is detected. In this case, a warning is displayed that the process cartridge is not correctly mounted.

  The IC tag 41M attached to the M-color process cartridge communicates with the apparatus main body in a non-contact manner. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an IC tag attached to an M color process cartridge. The other C, Y, and Bk have the same configuration. The receiving device provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 9 is housed in an I / O board 513 in the main body of the apparatus, and includes a CPU 517 and a non-contact communication unit 516. The CPU 517 and the non-contact means 516 are connected by a serial interface. On the other hand, the IC tag 41M includes a CPU 530, a system control logic 531, a ROM 532, a RAM 533, an EEPROM 534, an E-EEPROM 535, a non-contact communication means 536, a transmission / reception antenna 537, and a power supply 538 that rectifies the electromagnetic waves of the transmission / reception antenna 537 and supplies power. I have. The CPU 530 reads / writes data from / to the EEPROM 534 using a ROM 532 (program) stored therein and communicating with the receiving device on the apparatus main body side and commands from the receiving device. The System Control Logic 531 is a circuit that controls the inside of the IC tag 41M. The EEPROM 534 is a non-volatile memory that stores information necessary for controlling the process cartridge. In this memory, image forming conditions such as exposure amount, charge amount, and developing bias, cartridge lot, date of manufacture, type, and storage are stored. The period, identification number, start date of use, number of copies, cartridge component replacement time, toner lot, filling amount, filling time, manufacturer name, etc. are stored. The memory may store unit abnormalities such as a T sensor abnormality and a charging abnormality so as to be used for checking when the process cartridge is reused and for examining the replacement of the process cartridge parts. The E-EEPROM 535 is a memory that stores a dedicated command to be written to the EEPROM 534.

  The signal output from the CPU 517 on the main body side is modulated into a predetermined signal for transmission by the non-contact communication means 516 on the main body side, and sent to the antenna 110 for both transmission and reception. A signal transmitted from the antenna 110 on the main body side is received by the transmitting / receiving antenna 537 on the process cartridge side. This signal is demodulated from a predetermined signal for transmission by the non-contact communication means 536 on the process cartridge side, and then converted into a parallel signal and sent to the CPU 530. The same operation is performed when the CPU 530 of the IC tag 41M on the process cartridge side transmits data to the main body side by the non-contact communication means 536.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a part of an electric circuit of the image forming apparatus. In the figure, a controller board 501 has a plurality of application functions such as a scanner application, a facsimile application, a printer application, and a copy application, and controls the entire system. The controller board 501 includes a CPU, a ROM that controls the system controller board, an SRAM that is a working memory used by the CPU, a frame memory, and a work memory. In addition, the above-mentioned SRAM backup function, NV-RAM with built-in clock and lithium battery, system bus control of controller board 501, frame memory control, FIFO, ASIC for controlling CPU peripherals, its interface circuit, etc. It has. The controller board 501 is connected to an operation unit board 502 of the image forming apparatus and an HDD 503 for recording image data.

  The operation unit board 502 controls the input for inputting the system setting by the user operating the panel of the image forming apparatus, and controls the display for displaying the setting contents and status of the system to the user. . The operation unit board 502 is written with a CPU, a RAM which is a working memory used by the CPU, a control program for the operation board 502, a ROM for controlling input reading and display output of the operation board, and setting contents and status. LCD, ASIC (LCDC) for controlling key input, and the like are mounted.

  The HDD 503 is used as an application database for storing system application programs and device activation information of printer image forming process devices. Further, it is also used as an image database for storing image data of read images and write images, that is, image data and document data. The HDD 503 and the controller board 501 are connected to each other through an interface that conforms to ATA / ATAPI-4 for both physical and electrical interfaces.

  Also connected to the controller board 501 are a communication control device interface board 504 and a LAN interface board 505 that communicate with the outside using an analog line (telephone line). Communication with the management system is performed via the communication control device interface board 504 and the LAN interface board 505. The communication control device interface board 504 is a communication interface board between the communication control device and the controller board 501, and communication with the controller board 501 is connected by full-duplex asynchronous serial communication. The communication control device is multidrop-connected in accordance with the RS-485 interface standard. The LAN interface board 505 is a communication interface board between the in-house LAN (Internet) and the controller. The LAN interface board 505 is connected by a standard communication interface of a PHY chip I / F and an I2C bus I / F.

  Further, a general-purpose PCI bus is connected to the controller board 501, and a FAX control unit (FCU) 506, an IEEE 1394 board, a wireless LAN board, a USB board, and the like are connected to the PCI bus. The PCI bus is an image data bus / control command bus, and image data and control commands are transferred in a time division manner.

  An engine control board 510 is connected to the PCI bus, and the engine control board 510 and the controller board 501 are connected via the PCI bus. The engine control board 510 mainly performs image creation control of the image forming apparatus. The engine control board 510 incorporates a CPU and IPP which is a programmable arithmetic processing means for performing image processing, and a program necessary for controlling copying and printout. ROM, SRAM necessary for its control, and NV-RAM are mounted. The NV-RAM includes an SRAM and a memory that detects power-off and stores it in the EEPROM. Engine control board 510 also includes a serial interface that transmits and receives signals to and from the CPU that performs other controls. Further, the engine control board 510 is also equipped with an I / OASIC for controlling a nearby I / O (counter, fan, solenoid, motor, etc.) on which the engine control board is mounted.

In the engine control board 510, an I / O control board 513 for controlling I / O of the image forming apparatus, a scanner (SBU) board 511 for reading a copy original (image), and image data are written on the photosensitive member. An LDB board 512 is connected. The I / O control board 513 includes an I / O ASIC that controls I / O of the image forming apparatus including analog control, and a sub CPU. The I / O control board 513 is connected to a non-contact communication unit 516 that communicates with an IC tag attached to the process cartridge. Further, a circuit for detecting a color detection mark of the process cartridge is connected to the I / O control board 513. The I / O control board 513 and the engine control board are connected by a synchronous serial interface.
The SBU board 511 includes a circuit for generating drive timings of the analog ASIC, the CCD, and the analog ASIC.
Further, a PSU 514 that supplies power for controlling these image forming apparatuses is provided. The PSU 514 is supplied with commercial power by the main SW.

Next, image formation control will be described. The original is set in a reading unit 300 that optically reads the original provided with the color CCD 520 and the SBU board 511. Then, scanning of a document illumination light source (not shown) provided in the reading unit is performed, and the document is irradiated with light. The reflected light of the original is photoelectrically exchanged by the color CCD 520 to generate an image signal. The color CCD 520 is a three-line color CCD, and generates an EVENch / ODDch RGB image signal. The R, G, and B image signals are input to the analog ASIC of the SBU board 511 corresponding to each image signal. The R, G, and B image signals output from the CCD are sampled and held by a sampling and holding circuit inside the analog ASIC, and then A / D converted, and the R, G, and B image signals are converted into data signals. Convert to At the same time, the shading correction is performed by the analog ASICs of R, G, and B, and the image is sent to the image processor IPP of the engine control board 510 via the image data bus of the output I / F (interface) 520. Image data transferred from the SBU board 511 to the IPP is corrected for signal deterioration (scanner signal deterioration) due to quantization into an optical system and a digital signal by the IPP, and the controller is connected to the image data bus of the PCI bus. It is written in the frame memory of the board 501.
The black (B), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) write signals output from the work memory of the controller board 501 correspond to B, Y, M, and C of the LDB board 512, respectively. Each is input to an LD writing circuit (LDB). Then, LD current control (modulation control) is performed by the LD writing circuit (LDB) for each color, and the current is output to the LD for each color, and writing is performed on the surface of the photoreceptor of each color by laser light.

Next, process cartridge color detection control will be described. When the door of the apparatus main body is opened and closed for replacement with a new process cartridge, the door SW attached to the door is also opened and closed accordingly. The door SW is connected to the I / O board 515. When the door SW is opened and closed, the sub CPU of the I / O board 515 recognizes that the process cartridge has been replaced, and the process cartridge described above. The circuit for detecting the color detection mark is activated. Then, the result is transmitted from the I / O board 515 to the engine control board. At the same time, the process cartridge information is acquired through the IC tag attached to the process cartridge and the non-contact communication means 516. This communication is performed by the interface circuit of the I / O board.
Also, when the main SW is turned on, the above-described process cartridge color detection control is performed.

Next, the process cartridge color detection confirmation control will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the door of the apparatus main body is opened or closed, or when the main SW is turned on, the process cartridge color detection confirmation circuit operates. First, the CPU of the image forming apparatus checks whether the door of the apparatus body is open (F1-1). If it is open (YES in F1-1), a door open flag is set (F1-2). Next, communication with the memory of the IC tag attached to the process cartridge is stopped (F1-3). Then, the power supply to the process cartridge is stopped (F1-4), and the process cartridge color detection confirmation control is not executed. On the other hand, if the door of the apparatus main body is not open (NO in F1-1), it is checked whether the door open flag is set (F1-5). If the door open flag is set (in the case of YES in F1-5), whether or not the process cartridge corresponding to each of the Y, M, C, and Bk stations is correctly installed by the color detection unit in advance is determined. The recorded voltage value and the voltage value detected by the color detection means are compared and checked (F1-7). When the process cartridge of the color corresponding to each of the Y, M, C, and Bk color stations is correctly mounted (YES in F1-7), it is checked whether the color ID is already recorded in the memory of the IC tag. (F1-13) If it is recorded (YES in F1-13), since the process cartridge is mounted at the correct position, the process cartridge color detection confirmation control is terminated. On the other hand, if the color ID is not recorded in the IC tag memory, the color ID is stored in the IC tag memory (F1-15), and the process cartridge color detection confirmation control is terminated. When the color ID stored in the memory of the IC tag is different from the color ID stored in the main body, a confirmation warning display of the detachable member is displayed (F1-14), the copy start button is displayed in red, and the copy operation is performed. It is prohibited (F1-11). Next, the door flag and the power ON flag are cleared (F1-12), the power supply to the process cartridge and the communication with the IC tag memory are resumed (F1-13), and the color detection of the process cartridge is confirmed. End control.
Further, when the voltage value recorded in advance is different from the voltage value detected by the color detecting means, that is, at least one of the process cartridges of colors corresponding to the Y, M, C, and Bk stations is correctly mounted. If not (in the case of NO in F1-7), a display (F1-8) for confirming the mounting position of the process cartridge according to the difference between the voltage value recorded in advance and the voltage value detected by the color detecting means. ) And display (F1-9) for confirming the place where the peeling tape is peeled off. In order to disable the image forming operation, the copy start button is displayed in red, and the copy operation is prohibited (F1-11). Next, the door flag and the power ON flag are cleared (F1-12), the power supply to the process cartridge and the communication with the IC tag memory are resumed (F1-13), and the color detection of the process cartridge is confirmed. End control. If the door open flag is not set (NO in F1-5), it is checked whether the power ON flag set in the initialization routine at power ON is set. If it is set, the color of each process cartridge is read by the color detection means, and the flow from (F1-6) is executed. If it is not set, control ends.

Further, the color detection confirmation control in the process cartridge may be a flowchart as shown in FIG. 12 in addition to the flowchart shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, this color detection confirmation control communicates with the ID tag before detecting the mounting position of the process cartridge by the color detection means, and determines whether or not the process cartridge is mounted in the apparatus main body. I have confirmed. When the door of the apparatus main body is opened or closed, or when the main SW is turned on, the process cartridge color detection confirmation circuit operates. First, the CPU of the image forming apparatus checks whether the door of the apparatus main body is open (F2-1). If it is open (YES in F2-1), a door open flag is set (F2-2). Next, communication with the nonvolatile memory of the IC tag attached to the process cartridge is stopped (F2-3). Then, the power supply to the process cartridge is stopped (F2-4), and the process cartridge color detection confirmation control is not executed. On the other hand, if the door of the apparatus main body is not open (NO in F2-1), it is checked whether the door open flag is set (F2-5). When the door open flag is set (in the case of YES in F2-5), the IC tag and ID of each of the four colors are confirmed to check whether communication is established (F2-6). If communication has not been established (NO in F2-6), a confirmation warning display (F2-16) is performed to confirm that the process cartridge is mounted, the copy start button is displayed in red, and the copy operation is prohibited ( F2-9). When communication is established (in the case of YES in F2-6), process cartridges are attached to all the Y, M, C, and Bk stations. Whether or not the process cartridges corresponding to the respective stations C and Bk are correctly mounted is checked by comparing the voltage value recorded in advance with the voltage value detected by the color detection means (F1-7). As a result of checking, if all the process cartridges are mounted at the correct position (YES in F2-7), it is checked whether or not the color ID is already recorded in the memory of the IC tag (F2-13). If it is recorded (YES in F2-13), since the process cartridge is mounted at the correct position, the process cartridge color detection confirmation control is terminated. On the other hand, when the color ID is not recorded in the IC tag memory, the color ID is stored in the IC tag memory (F2-15), and the process cartridge color detection confirmation control is terminated. When the color ID stored in the memory of the IC tag is different from the color ID stored in the main body, the confirmation warning of the detachable member is displayed (F2-14), the copy start button is displayed in red, and the copy operation is performed. It is prohibited (F2-9). Next, the door flag and the power ON flag are cleared (F1-10), the power supply to the process cartridge and the communication with the IC tag memory are resumed (F2-11), and the color detection of the process cartridge is confirmed. End control.
Further, when the voltage value recorded in advance is different from the voltage value detected by the color detecting means, that is, at least one of the process cartridges of colors corresponding to the Y, M, C, and Bk stations is correctly mounted. If not (in the case of NO in F2-7), a display (F2-8) for confirming the mounting location of the process cartridge according to the difference between the voltage value recorded in advance and the voltage value detected by the color detection means ) And display (F2-9) for confirming the place where the peeling tape is peeled off. In order to disable the image forming operation, the copy start button is displayed in red, and the copy operation is prohibited (F2-11). Next, the door flag and the power ON flag are cleared (F2-12), the power supply to the process cartridge and the communication with the IC tag memory are restarted (F2-13), and the color detection of the process cartridge is confirmed. End control. If the door open flag is not set (NO in F2-5), it is checked whether the power ON flag set in the initialization routine at power ON is set. If it is set, the color of each process cartridge is read by the color detection means, and the flow after (F2-6) is performed. If it is not set, control ends.

  In the process cartridge shown in FIG. 4, each of the reflection plates 45Y, 45M, 45C, and 45Bk is a reflection plate of Y color, M color, C color, and Bk color, but is not limited thereto. The reflectors 45Y, 45M, 45C, and 45Bk may be mirror bodies. In this case, the amount of reflection of light from the LED increases, and reliable detection can be performed.

  In the above description, the process cartridge shown in FIG. 4 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a conductive member 146 such as a phosphor bronze plate may be used instead of the reflecting plate 46. As shown in FIG. 13, a conductive member 146 is provided at the position of the reflector shown in FIG. The surface of this conductive member is painted in Y, M, C, and Bk colors. For example, when the M-color process cartridge 140M is mounted in the M-color station, as shown in FIG. 14, the connecting portion 119 provided in the station contacts the conductive member. The other Y, C, and Bk have the same configuration. The tape 147 is an insulating tape, and prevents connection between the connecting portion and the conductive member even when process cartridges of different colors are mounted in the station.

  FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram of the color detection means of the process cartridge shown in FIG. When the process cartridge is correctly installed in the correct station, the connecting portion 119 and the conductive member 146 come into contact as shown in FIG. The conductive member 146 is in contact with a conductive wire extending into the process cartridge and connected to the GND. Thereby, the current flowing from the voltage source on the upstream side of the connecting portion 112 escapes to the GND via the conductive member 146, and the current does not flow to the CPU port. As a result, the voltage value of the CPU port becomes 0, and it is detected that the process cartridge is correctly mounted. On the other hand, when a process cartridge of a different color is mounted on the station 108, the conductive member 146 and the connection portion 112 are not connected, so that a voltage of Vcc is applied to the CPU port. It is possible to detect that a color process cartridge is mounted.

  Also in the process cartridge shown in FIG. 13, an IC tag 241 is provided. Then, communicate with the main body of the device, compare the color stored in the main body of the device with the color stored in the memory of the IC tag, and if it is different, display a warning and prohibit the image forming operation. Yes. If no color is recorded in the IC tag memory, the color is recorded in the IC tag memory.

  In the present embodiment, the process cartridge including the developing device and other image forming process means has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a developing device and a toner cartridge that are detachable from the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3 and a developing unit that includes the developing device and the toner cartridge.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the process cartridge is provided with the color display unit 46 that displays the color of the toner stored in the developing device in the process cartridge. Thus, the user can recognize the color of the toner stored in the developing device of the process cartridge by simply looking at the process cartridge. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the mounting of process cartridges of different toner colors at the stations of the image forming apparatus. Further, the process cartridge is provided with a reflection plate 45, and a detection unit for detecting the reflection plate 45 is provided in the station when the process cartridge is mounted on the station. As a result, even if a process cartridge of a different color is mounted on the station, the detection unit can detect that a process cartridge of a different color is mounted. Therefore, the user does not notice that process cartridges of different colors are mounted on the station, and the image forming operation is activated, so that different color toners are not mixed in the developing device of the process cartridge.
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the process cartridge is provided with the Y, M, C, and Bk color display portions 45Y, 45M, 45C, and 45Bk. The portions 45Y, 45M, 45C, and 45Bk are each covered with a tape as a shielding member. Then, when the process cartridge is replaced, the user removes the tape 47 covering the color display portion of the same color as that of the station to which the process cartridge is mounted, so that the same color as that of the station to which the process cartridge is mounted. Process cartridge. Thereby, the process cartridge can be shared. As a result, the user does not need to store the process cartridge for each color, and the management burden on the user can be reduced.
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the process cartridge is provided with the Y-color, M-color, C-color, and Bk-color reflecting plates 46Y, 46M, 46C, and 46Bk, and these reflecting plates 46Y. , 46M, 46C, and 46Bk are each covered with a tape as a shielding member. When the process cartridge is replaced, the user removes the tape 47 covering the reflector of the same color as that of the station to which the process cartridge is mounted, so that the station of the same color as the station to which the process cartridge is mounted is removed. It can be a process cartridge. Thereby, the process cartridge can be shared. As a result, the user does not need to store the process cartridge for each color, and the management burden on the user can be reduced. Further, the reflection type sensor in the station is attached so as to face a reflection plate having the same color as that of the station when the process cartridge is mounted on the station. As a result, when a process cartridge of a different color is mounted on the station, the reflective sensor detects the tape 47, and can detect that a process cartridge of a different color is mounted. On the other hand, when a process cartridge having the same color as that of the station is mounted, the reflective sensor detects the reflecting plate, and can detect that the process cartridge is mounted at the correct location.
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the Y-color reflecting plate 45Y and the Y-color display portion 46Y are covered with one translucent tape 47. Similarly, the M color reflection plate 45M and the M color display unit 46M, the C color reflection plate 45C and the C color display unit 46C, the Bk color reflection plate 45Bk, and the Bk color display unit 46Bk are also provided. Covered with translucent tape. Thereby, it is possible to expose the color display portion and the reflector of the same color only by peeling off one tape, and it is possible to reduce a user's trouble of replacement work.
In the present embodiment, the detected member is a conductive member, the detection member is a connection portion, and whether or not the process cartridge is mounted at the correct position is detected based on the conductive state between the connection portion and the conductive member. be able to. The tape covering the conductive member is an insulating tape. Thereby, even if process cartridges of different colors are mounted on the station, conduction with the conductive member can be reliably prevented. Therefore, more accurate detection is possible.
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the auxiliary mark 48 is provided in the vicinity of the tape covering the reflection plate of the process cartridge and the color display unit 46. Thus, the user can recognize which color of the reflective plate and the color display mark are exposed when the tape is peeled off. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a tape peeling error.
In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the color of the reflector is detected by an optical reflection sensor. Thereby, it can be detected that the process cartridge is mounted at the same color position as the station, and erroneous mounting can be prevented.
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the tape covering the reflector and the color display unit is made translucent. As a result, the color display portion can be seen through, so that the user can recognize which color of the reflective plate and the color display mark are exposed when the tape is peeled off. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a tape peeling error.
In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the voltage value output by the optical reflection type sensor is compared with the voltage value stored in the apparatus body in advance. Therefore, the image forming operation is prohibited. As a result, the user does not accidentally start copying, and the toner stored in the developing device and the toner of a different color are not mixed.
In the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, the voltage value detected by the detection unit is compared with the voltage value stored in the apparatus main body in advance to detect the mounting state of the process cartridge. As a result, it is possible not only to detect whether or not the process cartridge is mounted at the same color position as the station, but also to detect the mounting state of the process cartridge or the like based on the voltage value difference. For example, when the voltage output from the detection means is more than twice the voltage value stored in advance in the apparatus body, it can be detected that two or more seals 46 have been peeled off, or the voltage value is hardly detected. Can detect that the process cartridge is not installed in the station. Thereby, it is possible to display an accurate warning to the user.
In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, an IC tag is attached to the process cartridge, and an image forming operation is prohibited when communication is not established between the IC tag and the apparatus main body. If communication with the IC tag is not established, the process cartridge is not installed in the station or is not installed correctly. If an image forming operation is performed in such a state, there is a problem with the apparatus. May occur. However, in this embodiment, since the image forming operation is prohibited, there is no problem with the apparatus. In addition, after the communication with the IC tag is established, the voltage value detected by the detecting means is compared with the voltage value stored in the apparatus main body in advance to detect the mounting state of the process cartridge. As a result, it is possible to detect whether the process cartridge is not installed in the station or in the wrong place, and a more accurate warning can be displayed.
Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when the color ID is not stored in the IC tag, the color ID is stored in the IC tag. As a result, when the process cartridge has reached the end of its life and is recycled, it is possible to grasp the color toner stored in the developing device by reading the information stored in the IC tag.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a process cartridge including a developing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus including a developing device and a photosensitive unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a process cartridge according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for pulling out an M-color process cartridge from a station. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus in a state where a process cartridge is mounted. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus in a state where an M color process cartridge is mounted. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a detection circuit that detects the color of an M-color process cartridge. Explanatory drawing of an IC tag. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 5 is a control flow diagram for detecting the color of a process cartridge. FIG. 10 is another control flow diagram for detecting the color of the process cartridge. The schematic block diagram of the process cartridge in other embodiment. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus in a state where an M color process cartridge is mounted. FIG. The detection circuit diagram of the process cartridge provided with the other detection means.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printer 2 Charging device 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4Bk Photoconductor 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5Bk Developing device 40, 240 Process cartridge 41, 241 IC tag 45Y, 45M, 45C, 45Bk Reflector 46Y, 46M, 46C, 46Bk Color Display unit 47 Tape 48Y, 48M, 48C, 48Bk Auxiliary mark 107Y, 107M, 107C, 107Bk Station color display unit 108Y, 108M, 108C, 108Bk Station 109Y, 109M, 109C, 109Bk Optical reflection type sensor 119Y, 119M, 119C, 119Bk Connection unit 146Y, 146M, 146C, 146Bk conductive member 501 controller board 502 operation unit control board 510 engine control board 513 I / O board

Claims (17)

In the image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing devices accommodating different color toners to each other, the toner developing device is detachably attached to the developing device mounting portion, said developing device, stored in the developing device Color display means for displaying a color corresponding to the color display means, the color display means comprising a plurality of color display parts and a plurality of color display part shielding members respectively covering the color display parts. The image forming apparatus , wherein each of the part shielding members is removable from the developing device.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the developing device is mounted on the developing device mounting portion, a toner color stored in the developing device mounted on the developing device mounting portion is mounted on the developing device mounting portion. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a detecting unit configured to detect whether the toner color is the same as a toner color stored in a developing device to be stored. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the detecting means has to correspond to the respective toner colors, a plurality of the detected portion provided in the developing device, and a detection unit attached to the developing mounting portion,
When the developing device is mounted on the developing device mounting portion, the detecting portion faces the detected portion corresponding to the toner color stored in the developing device to be mounted on the developing device mounting portion. Is to detect,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the detected part is covered with a detected part shielding member, and the detected part shielding member is removable from the developing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, the color display unit shielding member, the detected part shielding member of the detected portion corresponding to the toner color and the same toner colors of a color display unit in which the color display unit shielding member covers An image forming apparatus that is also used as an image forming apparatus.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the detected portion is a conductive member, and the detection portion has the same toner color as that to be mounted on the developing device mounting portion depending on a connection state with the conductive member. An image forming apparatus that detects whether or not   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the detected portion shielding member is an insulating member.   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the vicinity of the detected portion shielding member or the color display portion shielding member, the same color as the toner color covered by each shielding member. An image forming apparatus provided with a mark.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the detected portion is coated with a color corresponding to each toner color, and the detecting portion detects the color of the detected portion. An image forming apparatus. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color display portion shielding member or the detected portion shielding member is translucent.   9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the output of the optical reflective sensor differs depending on the color detected by the optical reflective sensor.   11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an output value output from the optical reflective sensor according to a color detected by the optical reflective sensor is compared with an output value stored in the image forming apparatus in advance, and both output values are compared. An image forming apparatus comprising a control means for prohibiting an image forming operation when they are different from each other. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein an output value output from the optical reflective sensor according to a color detected by the optical reflective sensor is different from an output value stored in advance in the image forming apparatus. In this case, the notification means for informing the content of the warning and the detection target shielding member are translucent, and the output value output from the optical reflective sensor according to the color detected by the optical reflective sensor is pre-image-formed. When the output value of each color stored in the apparatus is more than twice the difference, the notification means is controlled to display a warning so as to peel off the tape corresponding to the color of the mounted station, and the optical reflection type when there is little output value outputted from the sensor that the developing device is provided with a control means for controlling the該報knowledge means to display a warning to the effect that is not attached to the developing device mounting portion An image forming apparatus comprising.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, wherein the developing device is attached with an IC tag, An image forming apparatus having a communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus main body, and provided with a control means for prohibiting an image forming operation when communication between the IC tag and the image forming apparatus main body is not established .   14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein an output to be output in accordance with a color detected by the optical reflection sensor after the communication between the IC tag and the image forming apparatus main body is established, and stored in the image forming apparatus in advance. An output value is compared with an output value.   15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising writing means for storing a color in the IC tag when a color ID is not recorded in the IC tag. A process cartridge in which a developing device, an image carrier, and at least one of an image forming process unit of a charging unit, an exposure unit, and a cleaning unit are integrated and configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus. the color display means for displaying a color corresponding to the toner stored is provided with, the color display unit includes a plurality of color display, a plurality of color display unit shielding member for covering each said color display unit Each of the color display shielding members is removable from the process cartridge. In a developing unit including at least a developing device configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus, color display means for displaying a color corresponding to the toner stored in the developing device is provided. Is composed of a plurality of color display portions and a plurality of color display portion shielding members respectively covering the color display portions, and the color display portion shielding members are removable from the developing units, respectively. Development unit.

Images