JP2001117439A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To prevent the output of a deteriorated image due to, for example, forgetting to replace a fixing unit or an intermediate transfer body unit or not replacing a fixing unit or an intermediate transfer body unit. SOLUTION: A plurality of process cartridges 40 having at least a photosensitive drum 41 and process means acting on the photosensitive drum 41, an intermediate transfer unit 50 carrying an image formed on each photosensitive drum 41, A fixing unit 60 for fixing the image transferred from the intermediate transfer body unit 50 to the recording material onto the recording material, wherein the fixing unit 60 is detachable from the apparatus main body in an image forming apparatus in which the respective units are detachable. When the number of times is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the fixing unit 60 cannot be incorporated unless the intermediate transfer unit 50 is attached or detached.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic or electrostatic recording type image forming apparatus such as a color copying machine or a color printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a color image forming apparatus utilizing electrophotography, a process cartridge having a plurality of photosensitive members and process means such as charging means, developing means, cleaning means and the like acting on the photosensitive members, The image formed on the photoreceptor by the optical unit that forms the image is sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer unit, and after the image is transferred to the transfer material, the unfixed image is fixed by the fixing unit to form a color image. Is generally well known.

The process cartridge, the intermediate transfer unit, and the like are held by front and rear side plates, etc., which constitute the body of the color image forming apparatus. Among them, the process cartridge, the intermediate transfer body unit and the fixing unit are set so as to be detachable from the body which is the main body of the color image forming apparatus as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the direction of attachment / detachment of each of these detachable units from the main body of the color image forming apparatus. 9 and 10, reference numeral 10 denotes a front side plate which is a front side plate constituting the main body of the color image forming apparatus, 20 denotes a rear side plate which is a rear side plate constituting the main body of the color image forming apparatus, and 30 denotes a latent image formed on the photoconductor. The optical unit 31 and the optical unit 31
Is constituted by a holding plate 32 that holds the data. Reference numeral 40 denotes a process cartridge, 50 denotes an intermediate transfer unit, and 60 denotes a fixing unit.

The color image forming apparatus comprises the above-described units. The optical unit 30 is mainly fixed to the front side plate 10 and the rear side plate 20 by means of screws or the like. Is a process cartridge 4
The intermediate transfer body unit 50 and the fixing unit 60 can be detached from a portion (hereinafter, a core module) composed of the front plate 10, the rear plate 20, and the optical unit 30.

It is conceivable that these detachable units are detachable in three directions of arrows a, b, and c, respectively.

[0007]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the process cartridge 40 is configured to be attached and detached in the direction of arrow a.
Is removable in the direction of arrow b, and the intermediate transfer unit 50
Is configured such that attachment / detachment can be selected in any of the directions of the arrows a, b, and c.

If the intermediate transfer unit 50 is to be attached or detached in the direction of the arrow b, it will be in the same direction as the attachment / detachment direction of the fixing unit 60.

Normally, each of these detachable units has a service life for a service period except for replacement of the unit due to a failure of a part or the like.

For example, in the fixing unit 60, the life of the fixing roller 61 is deteriorated due to deterioration of the roller surface of the fixing roller 61, and the life of the fixing unit 60 is shortened. Regarding the life of each unit, each unit has its own life and should be replaced by the physical life caused by the detection of the number of electrically output images and the inability to obtain high quality images. Becomes

When the fixing unit 60 and the intermediate transfer body unit 50 are to be attached and detached in the same direction as described above when exchanging these units, when attaching and detaching units having different service lives, both units are simultaneously attached. When the fixing unit 60 as a unit and the intermediate transfer body unit 50 have to be replaced, if the replacement of the intermediate transfer body unit 50 is forgotten, it is necessary to remove the fixing unit 60 again and replace it.

If the intermediate transfer unit 50 needs to be replaced again with a slight difference in service life after the replacement of the fixing unit 60, the fixing unit 60 must be removed again. There was a problem that it was felt very much.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image capable of preventing the output of a deteriorated image due to, for example, forgetting to replace the fixing unit or the intermediate transfer unit or not replacing the fixing unit or the intermediate transfer unit. It is to provide a forming device.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge having at least a photoreceptor, a process means acting on the photoreceptor, and a photoreceptor. An image forming apparatus having an intermediate transfer body unit for carrying the formed image, and a fixing unit for fixing the image transferred from the intermediate transfer body unit to the recording material on the recording material, wherein each unit is detachable Wherein the fixing unit cannot be assembled unless the intermediate transfer unit is attached and detached when the number of attachment and detachment of the fixing unit from the apparatus main body is equal to or more than a predetermined number.

According to the above arrangement, for example, the number of times the fixing unit and the intermediate transfer unit are attached to and detached from the apparatus main body is detected as replacement due to the unit life, and the difference in the life required for replacement of the fixing unit and the intermediate transfer unit is detected. By setting in advance, it is determined that the product life of the intermediate transfer body unit has expired when the fixing unit is replaced a certain number of times. By preventing the fixing unit from being incorporated unless the intermediate transfer body unit is replaced, the intermediate transfer body unit is determined. Can prevent the output of deteriorated images due to forgetting to replace
Further, once the fixing unit is assembled, it is not necessary to perform complicated operations such as re-attaching and detaching the fixing unit by replacing the intermediate transfer body unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photoreceptor comprising: a plurality of process cartridges having at least a photoreceptor and process means for acting on the photoreceptor; An intermediate transfer member unit for fixing an image transferred from the intermediate transfer member unit to a recording material onto a recording material, and a fixing unit or an intermediate When one of the transfer unit is detached from the apparatus main body, the detached unit cannot be incorporated unless the other unit is detached.

According to the above arrangement, for example, it is assumed that the unit life of replacement of the fixing unit and the intermediate transfer unit is substantially the same, and if one of the units has reached the end of life, the other unit is replaced. If the unit is not replaced, the unit replacement is not completed, so that the frequency of outputting the deteriorated image can be reduced.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a color image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method is exemplified.

[First Embodiment] A color image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

In this embodiment, the structure of each assembly of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, and then the intermediate transfer unit 50 and the fixing unit will be described with reference to FIGS. The relationship between attachment and detachment of 60 will be described.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a color image forming apparatus. The color image forming apparatus is a process cartridge
A laser beam 33 emitted from an optical unit 30 capable of irradiating a laser beam onto a photoconductor drum 41 which is a photoconductor in 40.
A latent image is formed by a known process cartridge.
An image is formed by the developing device in 40. The process cartridge 40 as a developing process unit includes yellow (hereinafter abbreviated as Y), magenta (hereinafter abbreviated as M),
Each of the cyan (hereinafter abbreviated as C) and black (hereinafter abbreviated as K) developing process units is provided. An image is formed on these four process cartridges 40 by the same operation. Intermediate transfer unit 50
Is rotated by a drive unit (not shown). Each of the process cartridges 40Y, 40M, 40C,
The respective photosensitive drums 41 in 40K are in contact with each other, and the images formed on the photosensitive drums 41 are sequentially transferred onto the transfer belt 51 of the intermediate transfer unit 50.

On the other hand, when the transfer material P supplied from a paper feed cassette 80 as a paper feed unit is transported by a predetermined transfer material transport mechanism 70 and reaches the position of the transfer roller 52 of the intermediate transfer unit 50, Transfer belt 51 of intermediate transfer unit 50
The image formed thereon is transferred onto the transfer material P.
The transfer material P to which the image has been transferred is discharged after the image is fixed on the transfer material by the fixing roller 61 of the fixing unit 60.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are side views for explaining attachment and detachment of the intermediate transfer body unit 50 and the fixing unit 60. FIG.
The same members and units as those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

First, the process cartridge 40, the intermediate transfer body unit 50, and the fixing unit 60 are set to be detachable from the main body of the color image forming apparatus. Among them, the process cartridges 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K are included. Is configured to be attached to and detached from the front side in the figure. Next, the intermediate transfer body unit 50 and the fixing unit 60 are configured to be attached and detached in the direction of the arrow b in FIG. 4 (left side in the figure). This maintains the rigidity of the front plate (not shown) and the rear plate 20 constituting the core module, and the stays 21 serving as reinforcing beams are provided.
Is arranged on the right side in the figure, and by pulling out in the same direction, it is possible to reduce unnecessary openings on the main body due to attachment / detachment, and to reduce parts related to the attachment / detachment mechanism.

In addition, in the intermediate transfer unit 50, it is necessary to separate the contact portion between the photosensitive drum 41 and the transfer belt 51 when attaching or detaching the intermediate transfer unit 50 or the process cartridge 40.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 90 denotes an operation lever. The operation lever 90 rotates about a rotation shaft 91.
92 operates. The operation lever shaft 92 is fitted into a rectilinear groove 94 of a rectilinear plate 93 that moves straight in the left-right direction, and converts the movement of the operation lever shaft 92 due to the operation of the operation lever 90 into a rectilinear operation, and the rectilinear plate 93 moves left and right. I do. Next, since the rectilinear plate shaft 95 provided on the rectilinear plate 93 is in contact with the cam surface 97 of the cam plate 96, the cam surface 97 slides on the rectilinear plate shaft 95 with the operation of the rectilinear plate 93. The cam plate 96 moves up and down. The intermediate transfer body unit 50 is mounted on the cam plate 96, and the intermediate transfer body unit 50 also moves up and down as the cam plate 96 moves up and down. By the above operation, the intermediate transfer body unit 50 is separated from each of the process cartridges 40, the process cartridge 40 moves toward the near side in the figure, and the intermediate transfer body unit 50 and the fixing unit 60 move to the left side in the figure (direction of the arrow b in the figure). , Respectively.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are diagrams showing the relationship regarding the attachment and detachment of the intermediate transfer unit 50 and the fixing unit 60. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a fixing unit 60 and an intermediate transfer unit 5
Similarly, the detection first SW 110 for detecting the attachment / detachment of the intermediate transfer body unit 50 and the fixing unit 60
Plunger that regulates the attachment and detachment of the fixing unit.
And a receiving surface of the core module when the intermediate transfer body unit 50 is attached and detached.

FIG. 1 is a view of the core module as viewed from the side, and FIG. 2 is a top view as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG.

The fixing unit 60 has a core module receiving surface.
The fixing unit 60 is provided with a concave surface so as to be engaged with a rail 141 provided on the 140, and the fixing unit 60 travels substantially straight along the rail 141. First, the fixing unit 60 is moved along the rail 141 on the left side in FIG.
When it moves to, it contacts the detection first SW100. The detection first SW 100 is divided into a fixed SW unit 101 and an operation SW unit 102, and both SW units are in contact at a normal position. And
When the fixing unit 60 moves down, the fixing unit 60 pushes down the operation SW unit 102 to separate the two SW units, and detects that the fixing unit 60 has been removed from the core module. The operation switch 102 contacts the fixed switch 101 again. The OFF and ON are detected as one count.

Further, when the fixing unit 60 moves and reaches the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1, the operation switch 112 of the detection second switch 110 is pushed down. When the fixing unit 60 is removed from the core module, the operation SW unit 112 of the detection second SW 110
Is restored, and comes into contact with the fixed SW unit 111. Next, when a new fixing unit 60 is incorporated in the core module, the detection second SW 110 operates in a similar manner. Thereafter, when the fixing unit 60 is disposed at a predetermined position, the operation S of the detection first SW 100 is performed.
The W portion 102 is pushed down and contacts the fixed SW portion 101 again. The OFF and ON of both SWs are detected and the second count is performed.

When the fixing unit 60 is replaced again, a third count is performed by the same operation of the detection first SW 100. When the fixing unit 60 moves to the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. When the portion 112 is turned off, the plunger 130 operates, and the plunger core 131 projects as shown in FIG. When the plunger core 131 projects, as shown in FIG. 2, the plunger core 131 is arranged on the operation locus of the fixing unit 60. Therefore, even if the fixing unit 60 is returned to a predetermined position (solid line position in FIG. 1), the fixing is performed. A part of the unit 60 collides with the plunger core 131 and cannot be incorporated.

Next, when trying to pull out the intermediate transfer body unit 50, the outer peripheral portion of the intermediate transfer body unit 50 rides on the operation SW section 122 of the detection third SW 120, and the detection third SW 120
Is turned off. When the detection third SW 120 is turned off, the plunger core 131 of the plunger 130 is stored,
There are no obstacles on the operation trajectory when pulling out the intermediate transfer body unit 50.

After that, when the intermediate transfer body unit 50 is assembled, the detection third SW 130 is detected again, and then the detection first SW 100 is detected when the fixing unit 60 is replaced.
At that time, the count of each detection SW is reset and the detection operation ends.

The detection first SW 100 detects only the fixing unit 60, the detection third SW 120 detects only the intermediate transfer unit 50, and the detection second SW 110 detects each unit.

The exchange of the intermediate transfer unit 50 is completed by this series of operations. This operation is based on the premise that the life of each unit is "1" of the intermediate transfer body unit 50 and that of the fixing unit 60 is "2". Of course, other timings are also possible. . For example, even when the intermediate transfer unit 50 is replaced once when the fixing unit 60 is replaced for the third time, the plunger 130 may be replaced.
It is possible by changing the timing of the operation.

In this embodiment, the replacement timing of the fixing unit 60 is detected based on the number of times that the fixing unit 60 is detached, and if the fixing unit 60 is replaced more than a certain number of times, the replacement of the intermediate transfer unit 50 is forcibly performed. Therefore, the fixing unit 60 cannot be assembled unless the intermediate transfer unit 50 is replaced. By doing this,
It is possible to prevent the deterioration of the image drawn on the intermediate transfer body unit 50 transferred to the transfer material due to forgetting to replace the intermediate transfer body unit 50.

Next, a method for detecting when the fixing unit 60 is detached from or attached to the core module will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the initial state, the count of SW to be detected is all "0". First, when the fixing unit 60 is moved in the pulling-out direction in step S201, it is determined by the detection first SW 100 that the fixing unit 60 has been mounted, and counting is performed in step S202.
It is assumed that 1 = 1. Next, in step S203, the KS1 value is checked to determine the number of mounting operations of the fixing unit 60, and it is determined whether the KS1 value is larger or smaller than 3. Here, when the KS1 value is smaller than 3, it is determined that the fixing unit 60 is in the middle of operation or the replacement is completed, and the apparatus enters a standby state. At this time, the replacement operation of the fixing unit 60 is continued, and counting is performed by the detection first SW 100 when the fixing unit 60 is mounted again. Then, in step S202, the KS1 value is added, and KS1 = 2.
The value 1 is checked, and the KS1 value is smaller than 3, so that the apparatus enters a standby state.

At this point, the first replacement operation of the fixing unit 60 is completed. Thereafter, when the second replacement operation starts, the KS1 value in the standby state repeats the above-described operation by moving the fixing unit 60 on the detection first SW 100, and adds the KS1 value to KS1 = 3. KS1 value is 3
, The second detection SW1 is detected for the first time in step S203.
Permit to detect 10 counts. In step S204, the fixing unit 60 waits until the signal of the detection second SW 110 is detected, and the fixing unit 60 continues the replacement operation. SW110 is turned off and KS2 =
Therefore, by operating the plunger 130 in the operation of step S205, the plunger core 131 is projected on the operation locus of the fixing unit 60.

Thereafter, in step S206, the signal of the detection third SW 120 is confirmed. Since the detection third SW 120 operates only for the mounting operation of the intermediate transfer body unit 50 irrespective of the mounting operation of the fixing unit 60, the detection third SW 120 is operated in accordance with the operation of the intermediate transfer body unit 50.
When KS3 is changed from KS3 = 0 to KS3 = 1 when 120 is turned off, it is detected that the exchange operation of the intermediate transfer body unit 50 has started, and the plunger core 131 of the plunger 130 is stored in step S207. When the plunger core 131 is stored, the mounting of the intermediate transfer body unit 50 can be performed as usual. Further, when the intermediate transfer body unit 50 is assembled, in step S208, the detection third SW 120
With this signal, it is possible to detect that KS3 = 2 and that the intermediate transfer unit 50 has been assembled according to the procedure. Here, even if the fixing unit 60 is assembled before the intermediate transfer body unit 50 and the assembling of the intermediate transfer body unit 50 is forgotten, the detection third SW 120 does not operate. It is possible to instruct to forget to assemble.

Subsequently, when the fixing unit 60 is attached, KS1 is added by the signal of the detection first SW 100 in step S209, and when KS1 = 4, it can be confirmed that the fixing unit 60 has been assembled as expected, and step S210. Ends a series of operations.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 shows an example of detection relating to removal and attachment of the fixing unit 60 and the intermediate transfer unit 50, and the count and timing for detecting and determining are arbitrary.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the fixing unit 60 and the intermediate transfer body unit 50 need to be replaced at the same time, or when both have a slight difference in service life, they must be replaced almost simultaneously. In this case, the fixing unit 60 cannot be assembled to the core module unless the intermediate transfer unit 50 is detached and replaced after the fixing unit 60 is removed. , It is possible to prevent a deteriorated image output without replacing the image.

[Second Embodiment] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8,
A color image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

Since the mechanical structure of this embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, the same structural elements as those of the first embodiment are also shown in FIGS. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of these structural elements are omitted.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are different from the first embodiment described above in this embodiment in that an intermediate transfer unit 50 is used.
The mounting direction from the core module is different from the mounting direction of the fixing unit 60, and an independent plunger unit is provided for each unit to control the assembling of mounting.

In FIG. 7, the fixing unit 60 can be pulled out to the left (in the direction of arrow b), and the intermediate transfer unit 50 can be pulled out to the right (in the direction of arrow c). Each of these units is provided with a detection SW for detecting that the unit has been pulled out of the main body. The fixing detection SW 300 detects the fixing unit 60, and the intermediate detection SW 310 detects the intermediate transfer body unit 50. The plunger unit 400 is provided on the receiving surface 500 of the fixing unit 60, which is the receiving surface when each unit is pulled out.
However, similarly, a plunger unit 410 is arranged on the receiving surface 510 of the intermediate transfer body unit 50.

If the replacement operation of the fixing unit 60 is performed first, the fixing unit 60 is operated on the receiving surface 500. Fixing unit 6 at fixing detection SW300
When 0 arrives, the fixing unit is activated by the fixing detection SW300.
The replacement operation of the fixing unit 60 can be confirmed, the plunger unit 400 operates, and the fixing unit 60 cannot be mounted.

FIG. 8 shows this state. In the drawing, the fixing unit 60 has been removed from the color image forming apparatus main body for replacement, but in this state, the plunger core 410 of the plunger unit 400 protrudes above the receiving surface 500 when the fixing unit 60 is mounted. Because
The fixing unit 60 cannot be mounted.

In this state, it is necessary to remove the intermediate transfer body unit 50, and then the replacement operation of the intermediate transfer body unit 50 is performed.

Operation is performed along the receiving surface 510 of the intermediate transfer body unit 50 to remove it. 8 (arrow c in the figure)
When the intermediate transfer body unit 50 is pulled out in the opposite direction, the intermediate transfer body unit 50 can be removed from the main body at the position of the intermediate detection SW 310, and at the same time, the intermediate transfer body unit 50 is replaced by the SW section of the intermediate detection SW 310. An operation is detected, and it is detected that a predetermined unit has been replaced. When the replacement of the intermediate transfer body unit 50 is detected, the operation of the plunger unit 400 on the fixing unit 60 side is released, the plunger core 401 is stored, and the fixing unit 6 is removed.
So that the installation of 0 can be done.

With this operation, the replacement of the fixing unit 60 and the intermediate transfer unit 50 is completed. In the present embodiment, the replacement operation of the fixing unit 60 is started first, but the invention is not limited to this.For example, the replacement of the intermediate transfer body unit 50 may be performed first, and the replacement is not the same direction but the same. Each unit may be pulled out in the direction and replaced.

With this series of operations of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent forgetting to replace the fixing unit 60 or the intermediate transfer unit 50 due to the replacement operation of the other unit.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention,
For example, if the direction of replacing the fixing unit and the intermediate transfer unit from the main body of the image forming apparatus is the same, when removing the fixing unit for replacement, count the number of times when removing and attaching When the removal and attachment operations are performed a predetermined number of times, it is determined that the life of the intermediate transfer unit has reached the end of its life. At this point, the fixing unit cannot be attached to the image forming apparatus main body. It is necessary to perform a removal operation by exchanging the transfer unit, and the fixing unit can be attached to the main body by the detachment operation from the image forming apparatus main body by exchanging the intermediate transfer unit.

As a result, the operation of the image forming apparatus cannot be performed unless the fixing unit having reached a certain life and the intermediate transfer unit are securely replaced, so that the intermediate transfer can be performed despite the replacement of the fixing unit. It is necessary to perform a complicated operation such that the predetermined image cannot be obtained due to the body unit, or the fixing unit needs to be removed and inserted from the image forming apparatus main body in order to replace the intermediate transfer body unit again immediately after the replacement of the fixing unit. Disappears.

According to the present invention, for example, when either the fixing unit or the intermediate transfer unit is removed from the image forming apparatus main body for replacement, it is determined that the life of each unit is almost the same. However, if one of the replacement operations is performed, the removed unit cannot be attached unless the other replacement operation is performed. The displacement eliminates the need to perform a complicated operation such as replacing the other unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the relationship between the operation of a fixing unit and an intermediate transfer body unit and a detection SW according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view showing the relationship between the operation of the fixing unit and the intermediate transfer body unit and the detection SW according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a color image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a color image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a direction of an exchange operation of a fixing unit and an intermediate transfer body unit.

FIG. 6 shows a fixing unit, an intermediate transfer unit, and detection S
W timing chart

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the relationship between the operation of a fixing unit and an intermediate transfer unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a detection SW;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the operation of a fixing unit and an intermediate transfer body unit and a detection SW according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 P: Material to be transferred 10: Front plate 20: Rear plate 21: Stay 30: Optical unit 31: Optical unit 32: Holding plate 33: Laser beam 40: Process cartridge 41: Photosensitive drum 50: Intermediate transfer unit 51: Transfer Belt 52… Transfer roller 60… Fixing unit 61… Fixing roller 70… Transfer medium transport mechanism 80… Paper feed cassette 90… Operation lever 91… Rotating shaft 92… Operation lever shaft 93… Straight plate 94… Straight groove 95… Straight plate Axis 96… Cam plate 97… Cam surface 100… Detection first SW 101… Fixed SW unit 102… Operation SW unit 110… Detection second SW 111… Fixed SW unit 112… Operation SW unit 120… Detection third SW 121… Fixed SW part 122… Operation SW part 130… Plunger 131… Plunger core 140… Receiving surface 141… Rail 300… Fixing detection SW 310… Intermediate detection SW 400… Plunger unit 410… Plunger unit 500… Receiving surface 510… Receiving surface

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H027 DA27 DA41 EC10 ED24 ED25 EE02 EH03 FA28 FA33 HB01 HB05 HB15 HB16 HB18 ZA10 2H032 BA09 BA23 CA12 2H033 AA36 AA41 BA02 BA03 BB00 2H071 BA03 BA04 DA13 DA15

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of process cartridges having at least a photoconductor and a process means acting on the photoconductor, an intermediate transfer unit carrying an image formed on each photoconductor, and recording from the intermediate transfer unit. A fixing unit for fixing an image transferred to a recording material to a recording material, wherein each of the units is detachable. An image forming apparatus characterized in that a fixing unit cannot be incorporated unless an intermediate transfer unit is attached / detached. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first detection unit detects the number of attachment / detachment of the fixing unit, the second detection unit detects the number of attachment / detachment of the intermediate transfer unit, and regulates or regulates the assembly of the fixing unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restriction unit controls release of the fixing unit by the restriction unit in accordance with detection information of the number of times of attachment and detachment by the detection unit. 3. 3. The method of detecting the number of attachment / detachments of the fixing unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection is performed by an electrical detection device. 4. The method of detecting the number of attachment / detachments of the fixing unit,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection is performed by an electrical detection device and the addition or subtraction is performed. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the detection of the number of attachment / detachment of the fixing unit, the count of the number of attachment / detachment of the fixing unit is reset by performing attachment / detachment of the intermediate transfer body unit. Image forming device. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attachment and detachment directions of the fixing unit and the intermediate transfer unit from the apparatus main body are substantially the same. 7. A plurality of process cartridges having at least a photoreceptor and process means acting on the photoreceptor, an intermediate transfer unit for carrying an image formed on each photoreceptor, and recording from the intermediate transfer unit. A fixing unit for fixing the image transferred to the recording material onto the recording material, wherein each of the units is detachable, wherein one of the fixing unit and the intermediate transfer unit is removed from the apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus characterized in that when detached, the previously detached unit cannot be incorporated unless the other unit is detached. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first detection unit detects the number of attachment / detachment of the fixing unit, the second detection unit detects the number of attachment / detachment of the intermediate transfer unit, and regulates or restricts the assembly of the fixing unit. First regulating means for canceling, second regulating means for regulating or canceling the assembly of the intermediate transfer body unit, and regulation / regulation of assembly of the unit by the regulating means in accordance with detection information of the number of times of attachment / detachment by the detecting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cancellation is performed.