Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6229967
-
Patent Number
6,229,967
-
Date Filed
Friday, June 16, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 8, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 399 111
- 399 121
- 399 116
- 399 114
- 399 12
- 399 13
- 399 25
- 399 24
- 399 162
- 399 303
- 399 313
- 399 358
- 399 360
-
International Classifications
- G03G1500
- G03G2116
- G03G2112
-
Abstract
The present invention provides a recording apparatus capable of detecting whether a transfer unit is an unused unit or not, including a cover that covers a transfer medium over which a plurality of color images is superimposed to form a color image and has an opening that exposes part of the transfer medium, pasting one end of a seal for detecting whether the transfer unit is an unused unit or not near the opening of the cover in the direction in which the transfer medium moves, pasting the other end of the unused unit detecting seal to the transfer medium through the opening. This allows one end of the unused unit detecting seal to be pasted to the transfer medium through the opening and the other end of the seal to be pasted to the cover near the opening in the direction in which the transfer medium moves. With the unused unit detecting seal pasted in this way, it is possible to detect whether this transfer unit is an unused unit or not.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, and more particularly, to a recording apparatus that transfers images to a recording sheet using a transfer film.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, color recording is performed based on an electrophotographic system. In this type of color recording, a transfer film is used to superimpose images in 4 colors. That is, images in 4 colors are transferred to a same position to form a color image on a transfer film. This color image is further transferred to a recording sheet. When the transfer of the color image to the recording sheet is completed, used toner remaining on the transfer film is cleaned.
Conventionally, the cleaned used toner is collected in a used toner box. When the used toner box is filled with used toner, this used toner box is replaced. This used toner box is normally provided in a location different from the location where the transfer film is placed. The transfer film cleaning mechanism and the used toner box are connected via a pipe that carries used toner.
However, when the used toner box is replaced, such a conventional configuration requires the used toner box to be removed from the pipe. In this case, there is a problem that used toner leaks from the pipe, causing the recording apparatus interior to get soiled. Moreover, providing an additional mechanism that prevents soiling when the used toner box is removed from the pipe will increase the size of the recording apparatus due to the additional mechanism as well as costs due to increased number of parts.
In order to solve such a problem, a unit that combines the used toner box and transfer film (hereinafter referred to as “transfer unit”) is provided in which the used toner box is housed in a space inside the transfer film circulation path. It is also possible to replace the entire transfer unit when the used toner box is filled with used toner.
According to such a recording apparatus, the entire transfer unit containing the used toner box is replaced, and therefore it is not necessary to remove the used toner box from the pipe. This prevents used toner from leaking, which will also prevent the recording apparatus interior, etc. from getting soiled. Housing the used toner box inside the transfer unit also reduces the size of the recording apparatus.
With such a recording apparatus, however, the transfer unit needs to be replaced not only when the used toner box in the transfer unit is filled with used toner, but also when the number of times the transfer film is developed reaches the maximum number of times the transfer film can be developed. Thus, since the number of times the transfer film is developed can reach the maximum number of times the transfer film can be developed before the used toner box in the transfer unit is filled with used toner, it is necessary to precisely control the development count of the transfer film.
Thus, every time the transfer unit is replaced it is detected whether the replaced transfer unit is an unused unit or not. If the transfer unit is an unused unit, it is necessary to reset the development count of the transfer film in this transfer unit and restart counting. Then, when this count reaches a predetermined value, the entire transfer unit is replaced. Therefore, with this recording apparatus it is necessary to detect whether the replaced transfer unit is an unused unit or not.
As a method for detecting whether the replaced transfer unit is an unused unit or not, it is possible to attach a fuse to the transfer unit which is blown out when the transfer unit is mounted and detect whether the transfer unit is an unused unit or not by the presence or absence of the fuse. However, such a detection method requires a circuit for burning out the fuse and a circuit for detecting the presence or absence of the fuse. This will increase the number of parts in the recording apparatus, causing a problem of increasing costs as well. Moreover, the necessity for providing an additional electric circuit will make the configuration of the recording apparatus complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus capable of reliably detecting whether the transfer unit is an unused unit or not with a simple configuration without increasing the number of parts.
That is, the present invention provides a cover that covers a transfer medium on which a color image is formed by superimposing images of a plurality of colors, with an opening that exposes part of the transfer medium, pastes one end of an unused unit detection seal to near the opening in the direction in which the transfer medium moves and pastes the other end of the unused unit detection seal to the transfer medium through the opening to detect whether the transfer unit is an unused unit or not. In this way, one end of the unused unit detection seal is pasted to the transfer medium through the opening and the other end is pasted to the cover near the opening in the direction in which the transfer medium moves. Therefore, if the unused unit detection seal is pasted in such a way, it is possible to detect that this transfer unit is an unused unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects and features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein one example is illustrated by way of example, in which;
FIG. 1
is an outlined cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a recording apparatus having a transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of the transfer unit according to the embodiment above;
FIG. 3
is an enlarged view around an opening of the transfer unit according to the embodiment above;
FIG. 4
is another enlarged view around the opening of the transfer unit according to the embodiment above;
FIG. 5A
is an enlarged view of the front of an identification tape used for the transfer unit according to the embodiment above;
FIG. 5B
is an enlarged view of the back of the identification tape used for the transfer unit according to the embodiment above;
FIG. 5C
is an enlarged view of a register mark used for the transfer unit according to the embodiment above;
FIG. 6A
is an enlarged view around the opening when the transfer unit according to the embodiment above is an unused unfit;
FIG. 6B
is an enlarged cross-sectional view around the opening when the transfer unit according to the embodiment above is an unused unit;
FIG. 7A
is an enlarged view around the opening when the transfer unit according to the embodiment above starts to be used;
FIG. 7B
is an enlarged cross-sectional view around the opening when the transfer unit according to the embodiment above starts to be used;
FIG. 8A
is an enlarged view when the identification tape of the transfer unit according to the embodiment above is peeled off;
FIG. 8B
is an enlarged cross-sectional view when the identification tape of the transfer unit according to the embodiment above is peeled off;
FIG. 9A
illustrates a modification example of a detection sensor in the transfer unit according to the embodiment above; and
FIG. 9B
is another illustration of the modification example of the detection sensor in the transfer unit according to the embodiment above.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference now to the attached drawings, an embodiment of the present invention is explained in detail below.
FIG. 1
is an outlined cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 1
, this recording apparatus
100
has paper feed cassette
101
at the bottom. The top recording sheet of recording sheet bundle
102
is picked up from paper feed cassette
101
by pickup roller
103
. The recording sheet picked up from paper feed cassette
101
is handed over to register roller
104
. Transfer unit
105
is placed in an area directly ahead of register roller
104
.
Transfer unit
105
consists of transfer film
106
over which 4 color images are superimposed and used toner cleaning apparatus
107
. These are covered with cover
108
of transfer unit
105
. Transfer film
106
is made of a material of low optical reflectivity such as a black material. Cover
108
has openings where transfer film
106
has contact with a process unit that will be described later and a recording sheet. Through these openings, transfer film
106
has direct contact with a photosensitive material and recording sheet. Transfer film
106
is supported by three transport rollers
109
and rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A by a drive motor, which is not shown in the figure. Transfer roller
110
is placed facing transport roller
109
placed where transfer film
106
has contact with the recording sheet. Transfer roller
110
transfers images superimposed over transfer film
106
to the recording sheet. Used toner box
111
is housed inside three transport rollers
109
. Used toner box
111
is connected with cleaning apparatus
107
via a pipe. Used toner removed from transfer film
106
by cleaning apparatus
107
is conducted through the pipe and collected in used toner box
111
. This transfer unit
105
is housed in this recording apparatus
100
in a detachable manner. Thus, when used toner box
111
is filled with used toner, entire transfer unit
105
can be replaced. This prevents used toner from leaking and soiling the interior of this recording apparatus
100
.
Detection sensor
112
is placed in a predetermined location over transfer unit
105
. Detection sensor
112
detects a register mark provided on transfer film
106
.
Detection sensor
112
consists of a light-emitting device and photoreceptor device. Detection sensor
112
emits light toward a register mark through the opening on cover
108
of transfer unit
105
and detects the register mark by receiving reflected light from the register mark.
Process unit
113
is installed next to transfer unit
105
. Process unit
113
contains 4 color process cartridges
114
. LSU
115
, which consists of a laser drive unit and polygon mirror, etc., forms an electrostatic latent image on photosensitive material
116
provided for every cartridge. The 4 color images created by 4 color process cartridges
114
are superimposed over a same area of transfer film
106
. Transfer roller
110
transfers the images superimposed on transfer film
106
to the recording sheet. At this time, register roller
104
carries out positional adjustment between transfer film
106
and the end of the recording sheet.
The recording sheet with the image transferred is handed over from transfer unit
105
to fixing unit
117
. Fixing unit
117
is equipped with fixing roller
118
, pressurizing roller
119
and cleaning roller
120
that applies oil, which enhances the peeling off characteristic of toner remaining on fixing roller
118
. Fixing roller
118
heats the recording surface of the recording sheet and pressurizing roller
119
pressurizes the recording sheet against fixing roller
118
, and in this way the image is fixed to the recording sheet. Discharge roller
121
is provided at the outlet of fixing unit
117
.
FIG. 2
shows a perspective view of transfer unit
105
above. As shown in
FIG. 2
, opening
201
is provided on cover
108
of transfer unit
105
. When transfer unit
105
is mounted in recording apparatus
100
, detection sensor
112
is placed directly above opening
201
.
Furthermore, register mark
202
is provided in a predetermined position of transfer film
106
corresponding to opening
201
. That is, when transfer film
106
rotates, register mark
202
passes beneath opening
201
. Opening
201
is slightly bigger than register mark
202
. Register mark
202
is made of a material of high optical reflectivity. Register mark
202
is used to determine the position of transfer film
106
to prevent images from deviating from the right position when 4 color images are superimposed over transfer film
106
.
This recording apparatus
100
detects whether transfer unit
105
is an unused unit or not using such a configuration without increasing the number of parts. More specifically, recording apparatus
100
detects whether transfer unit
105
is an unused unit or not by adding a detection target to be detected by detection sensor
112
. This allows recording apparatus
100
to grasp timing for replacing transfer unit
105
. The following gives an explanation of the configuration and operation of recording apparatus
100
of detecting whether transfer unit
105
is an unused unit or not.
FIG.
3
and
FIG. 4
show enlarged views before and after identification tape
301
to be detected by detection sensor
112
is pasted so that recording apparatus
100
detects whether transfer unit
105
is an unused unit or not. In recording apparatus
100
, identification tape
301
is pasted to unused transfer unit
105
near opening
201
.
In FIG.
3
and
FIG. 4
, identification tape
301
is made of a material of low optical reflectivity such as a black material as in the case of transfer film
106
. Identification mark
302
, which will be described later, is provided on one end of the identification tape. Identification tape
301
is slightly narrower than opening
201
of transfer unit
105
. One end of identification tape
301
is pasted to cover
108
beneath opening
201
. In other words, one end of identification tape
301
is pasted to cover
108
in the direction in which transfer film
106
moves from opening
201
. On the other hand, the other end of identification tape
301
is pasted to transfer film
106
through opening
201
.
Here, identification tape
301
is pasted so that its one end pasted to cover
108
coincides with the lower edge of cover
108
as shown in FIG.
4
. Pasting identification tape
301
in this way prevents identification tape
301
from pasting to transfer film
106
by letting it hang over the edge of cover
108
. Furthermore, since the pasting position of identification tape
301
is fixed, it is easier to paste identification tape
301
.
FIG. 5
shows enlarged views of identification tape
301
and register mark
202
. FIG.
5
A and
FIG. 5B
show enlarged views of the front and back of identification tape
301
, respectively.
FIG. 5C
shows an enlarged view of register mark
202
.
As shown in
FIG. 5A
, identification mark
302
is provided at one end of identification tape
301
. Identification mark
302
is made of a material of high optical reflectivity as in the case of register mark
202
. Identification mark
302
is also divided into a plurality of portions.
FIG. 5A
shows a case where identification mark
302
is divided into two portions. Detection sensor
112
emits light toward this identification mark
302
. Detection sensor
112
then detects reflected light from identification mark
302
twice during a predetermined time interval to detect identification tape
301
. This allows detection sensor
112
to detect that transfer unit
105
is an unused unit.
Here, the area between two identification marks
302
is set to be almost equal to the area of register mark
202
. This allows single detection sensor
112
to detect both identification mark
302
and register mark
202
without the need to provide any additional detection sensor.
Furthermore, regarding the back side of identification tape
301
shown in
FIG. 5B
, area
303
on the identification mark
302
side is set to have less adhesion than that of area
304
opposite to identification mark
302
. That is, area
303
on the identification mark
302
side is peeled more easily than area
304
opposite to identification mark
302
.
Next, the operation of detecting unused transfer unit
105
by this recording apparatus
100
is explained using
FIG. 6
to FIG.
8
.
FIG. 6
shows an enlarged view around opening
201
of unused transfer unit
105
.
FIG. 7
shows an enlarged view around opening
201
when transfer film
106
starts to move.
FIG. 8
shows an enlarged view around opening
201
when identification tape
301
is peeled off transfer film
106
as transfer film
106
moves.
When unused transfer unit
105
is mounted in recording apparatus
100
, as shown in
FIG. 6A
, one end of identification tape
301
is pasted to cover
108
and the other end is pasted to transfer film
106
through opening
201
. At this time, transfer film
106
cannot move.
FIG. 6B
shows a cross-sectional view around this opening
201
. As shown in
FIG. 6B
, detection sensor
112
emits light toward predetermined detection position X through opening
201
and monitors the reflected light. When unused transfer unit
105
is mounted in recording apparatus
100
, the area other than identification mark
302
of identification tape
301
is located at detection position X. Therefore, detection sensor
112
receives no reflected light from identification tape
301
.
After transfer unit
105
is mounted in recording apparatus
100
, the user gives an instruction for recording an image. In response to the instruction for recording the image, the drive motor drives transport roller
109
. In synchronization with this, transfer film
106
moves in the direction shown by arrow A in FIG.
7
. When transfer film
106
moves in the direction of arrow A, the portion of identification tape
301
pasted to transfer film
106
also moves in the direction of arrow A in synchronization with transfer film
106
. Thus, identification mark
302
also moves in the direction of arrow A.
FIG. 7B
shows a cross-sectional view around opening
201
in this case. As shown in
FIG. 7B
, identification mark
302
approaches detection position X of detection sensor
112
in synchronization with transfer film
106
. When identification mark
302
reaches detection position X, detection sensor
112
receives a first reflected light from identification mark
302
. Then, after a short interval of receiving no reflected light, detection sensor
112
receives a second reflected light from identification mark
302
. At this time, since detection sensor
112
receives the reflected light twice during a predetermined time interval, detection sensor
112
detects that identification tape
301
is pasted to transfer unit
105
. This allows a determination section (for example, CPU) of recording apparatus
100
to detect that transfer unit
105
is an unused unit.
Once transfer unit
105
detects that transfer unit
105
is an unused unit, recording apparatus
100
resets the development counter provided inside the apparatus. By doing so, recording apparatus
100
recounts the number of times development of transfer unit
105
has been carried out. As a result, recording apparatus
100
keeps track of the timing of replacing transfer unit
105
.
On the other hand, when transfer film
106
moves in the direction of arrow A, as shown in
FIG. 8
, identification tape
301
is caught in the direction of arrow A. At this time, regarding the adhesion of the back side of identification tape
301
, the area on the identification mark
302
is peeled more easily than the area opposite to identification mark
302
. For this reason, when identification tape
301
is caught in the direction of arrow A, identification tape
301
starts to peel starting from the portion of identification tape
301
pasted to transfer film
106
. Identification tape
301
peeled off transfer film
106
is caught in by cover
108
with its adhesive surface facing the back of cover
108
.
When transfer film
106
further moves, as shown in
FIG. 8A
, identification tape
301
is completely peeled off transfer film
106
. Identification tape
301
, which is peeled off transfer film
106
, is kept with its adhesive surface facing the back of cover
108
or stuck to the back of cover
108
. Because of this, peeled identification tape
301
does not interfere with the movement of transfer film
106
or the detection operation of detection sensor
112
.
FIG. 8B
shows a cross-sectional view around opening
201
. As shown in
FIG. 8B
, transfer film
106
is completely released from identification tape
301
. Therefore, transfer film
106
moves singly. When transfer film
06
starts to move singly, detection sensor
112
only receives the reflected light from register mark
202
provided on transfer film
106
. Therefore, after identification tape
301
is peeled off transfer film
106
, it is possible to continue image recording operation in the same way as normal operation of transfer unit
105
.
As shown above, recording apparatus
100
of this embodiment is provided with identification tape
301
indicating whether transfer unit
105
is an unused unit or not pasted to opening
201
for detecting register mark
202
. Detection sensor
112
for detecting register mark
202
detects identification mark
302
of this identification tape
301
. This makes it possible to reliably detect whether transfer unit
105
is an unused unit or not with a simple configuration without increasing the number of parts.
Moreover, according to recording apparatus
100
of this embodiment, identification tape
301
peels off transfer film
106
as transfer film
106
moves. The adhesive surface of peeled identification tape
106
remains facing the back of cover
108
or pasted to the back of cover
108
. For this reason, identification tape
301
does not interfere with the movement of transfer film
106
or cause misoperation of detection sensor
112
. Therefore, after identification tape
301
is peeled off transfer film
106
, recording apparatus
100
can continue normal image recording operation.
Furthermore, according to recording apparatus
100
of this embodiment, identification mark
302
is divided into a plurality of portions and detection sensor
112
detects that transfer unit
105
is an unused unit when detection sensor
112
receives the reflected light from this identification marks
302
by the number of times corresponding to the number of identification marks
302
. At this time, the area between the plurality of identification marks
302
is set to have approximately the same area as that of register mark
202
. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether transfer unit
105
is an unused unit or not using existing detection sensor
112
for detecting register mark
202
without installing any additional sensor for detecting identification mark
302
.
Furthermore, this embodiment describes detection sensor
112
that detects whether transfer unit
105
is an unused unit or not by emitting light toward identification mark
302
made of a light reflecting material and receiving the reflected light. However, the present invention is not limited to such detection sensor
112
alone, but this sensor can also be replaced by a penetration type detection sensor. The apparatus with such a sensor can also attain the same effect as that of this embodiment.
In this case, as shown in
FIG. 9A
, opening
901
, which is used as a register mark, is provided at a predetermined position at one end of transfer film
106
. Then, penetration type detection sensor
902
is placed at a location where opening
901
passes in such a way that transfer film
106
is sandwiched. Penetration type detection sensor
902
consists of a light-emitting device and photoreceptor device. Penetration type detection sensor
902
detects the register mark by the photoreceptor device receiving the light from the light-emitting device only when opening
901
arrives at the detection position. On the other hand, as shown in
FIG. 9B
, identification tape
903
is pasted to opening
901
for unused transfer unit
105
. This identification tape
903
has two slits
904
formed, which will be placed just above opening
901
. Penetration type detection sensor
902
detects identification tape
903
when the photoreceptor device receives light from the light-emitting device twice through slits
904
during a predetermined interval. This allows the penetration type detection sensor
902
to detect whether transfer unit
105
is an unused unit or not.
Furthermore, this embodiment describes identification tape
301
with the adhesion on the transfer film
106
side is set to be weaker than the adhesion on the cover
108
side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, but it is also possible to set the adhesion on the transfer film
106
side to be weaker by differentiating the area of adhesive surface of identification tape
301
. The apparatus with such a modification can also attain the same effect as that of recording apparatus
100
of this embodiment.
As described above, the present invention allows the existing detection sensor to detect an identification tape that can detect an unused transfer unit, making it possible to reliably detect whether the transfer unit is an unused unit or not with a simple configuration without increasing the number of parts.
The present invention is not limited to the above described embodiments, and various variations and modifications may be possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.
This application is based on the Japanese Patent Application No.HEI11-197453 filed on Jul. 12, 1999, entire content of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
Claims
- 1. A transfer unit, comprising:a transfer medium on which a color image is formed by superimposing a plurality of color images; a cover that covers said transfer medium and has an opening that exposes part of said transfer medium; and a seal having one end pasted to said transfer medium through said opening and the other end pasted to said cover near said opening in the direction in which said transfer medium moves, said one end having an identification mark for use by a determination section of a recording apparatus to detect whether said transfer unit is an unused unit or not.
- 2. The transfer unit according to claim 1, further comprising a used toner box provided inside space surrounded with a circulation path of said transfer medium, said used toner box collecting used toner remaining on said transfer medium after transferring said color image to a recording sheet.
- 3. The transfer unit according to claim 1, wherein one end of said seal pasted to said transfer medium is peeled more easily than the other end pasted to said cover.
- 4. A recording apparatus, comprising:a transfer unit having: a transfer medium on which a color image is formed by superimposing a plurality of color images; a cover that covers said transfer medium and has an opening that exposes part of said transfer medium; and a seal having one end pasted to said transfer medium through said opening with an identification mark and the other end pasted to said cover near said opening in the direction in which said transfer medium moves; a sensing device that detects a register mark provided on said transfer medium through said opening for positioning when superimposing said plurality of color images over said transfer medium and also detects said identification mark provided on said seal; and a determination section that determines said transfer unit is an unused unit when said identification mark is detected by said sensing device.
- 5. A recording apparatus, comprising:a transfer unit having: a transfer medium on which a color image is formed by superimposing a plurality of color images; a cover that covers said transfer medium and has an opening that exposes part of said transfer medium; a seal having one end pasted to said transfer medium through said opening with an identification mark and the other end pasted to said cover near said opening in the direction in which said transfer medium moves; and a used toner box provided inside space surrounded with a circulation path of said transfer medium, said used toner box collecting used toner remaining on said transfer medium after transferring said color image to a recording sheet; a sensing device that detects a register mark provided on said transfer medium through said opening for positioning when superimposing said plurality of color images over said transfer medium and also detecting said identification mark provided on said seal; and a determination section that determines said transfer unit is an unused unit when said identification mark is detected by said sensing device.
- 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said sensing device detects said seal by detecting an identification mark of a shape different from that of said register mark.
- 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said identification mark and said register mark have approximately a same area, one having a single detection surface and the other having a plurality of detection surfaces divided in the area.
- 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said identification mark has a plurality of detection surfaces and said register mark has a single detection surface.
- 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said register mark has a plurality of detection surfaces and said identification mark has a single detection surface.
- 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, if said transfer medium moves, one end of said seal remains pasted to said cover and the other end peels off as said transfer medium moves and does not return to the detection position of said sensing device.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
11-197453 |
Jul 1999 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (4)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
4963939 |
Kurando et al. |
Oct 1990 |
|
5596388 |
Ohkubo et al. |
Jan 1997 |
|
5946521 |
Budnik et al. |
Aug 1999 |
|
5995772 |
Barry et al. |
Nov 1999 |
|