JP2002372882A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an image recording apparatus capable of easily switching between formation of a glossy image and formation of a glossless image. SOLUTION: A glossy image is formed on paper 2;
First fixing roller 17 and first backup roller 18
A second fixing roller 16 for forming a glossless image on the sheet 2 and a second fixing device 16 including a second backup roller 20. And a control unit for selecting one of the first fixing unit 15 and the second fixing unit 16, and an image is formed on the sheet 2 using the fixing unit selected by the control unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image recording apparatus, for example, there is a tandem type color image recording apparatus. The color image recording apparatus includes a recording head in which recording elements are arranged in a line and image forming units for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black having different color toners.

At the time of printing, sheets of recording medium stored in a sheet storage section are fed one by one, and then the sheets are attracted to a transport belt by static electricity, so that the sheets are oriented in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the recording elements. Conveyed sequentially to each image forming unit,
Based on the image data of each color, the image forming unit transfers the toner onto the paper by sequentially superimposing the color images in line units using yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners.

Thereafter, the sheet with the toner attached thereto is further fed, and the sheet is passed between a fixing unit composed of a heated heat roller and an elastic backup roller, thereby fixing the toner on the sheet. Let me.

[0005] In addition to the above-described color printing, the color image recording apparatus can also perform monochrome printing using only black toner.

On the other hand, in a monochrome image recording apparatus,
It has a recording head in which recording elements are arranged in a line and one black image forming section having black toner.

At the time of printing, the paper stored in the paper storage unit is fed one by one, and then the paper is sequentially conveyed to the image forming unit in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the recording elements, and based on the image data. In the image forming section, a toner image is recorded on paper using black toner.

Thereafter, the sheet on which the toner image is adhered is further fed, and the sheet is passed through a fixing device composed of a heated heat roller and an elastic backup roller, whereby toner is transferred onto the sheet. Has established.

In the above-described color image recording apparatus, the same toner is used for printing a black image in color printing and for printing a black image in printing text mainly composed of characters.

In general, color toners (yellow, magenta,
Cyan) increases the amount of wax, which is a toner content, so that the printed portion becomes glossy when printed on paper, thereby making the print result more glossy. Along with this,
Similarly, the black toner is adjusted so that the gloss content of the printed matter becomes the same when mixed and printed with the color toner by increasing the content of the wax so that the gloss is obtained. Therefore, in a color image recording apparatus, an image printed with black toner is glossy in color printing or in monochrome printing in which only black image data is printed.

When a photographic image is printed in a monochrome image recording apparatus, a glossy image is preferred.
On the other hand, when printing a text or a graph, a matte image without gloss tends to be preferred. Therefore, in a conventional monochrome image recording apparatus, a single image recording apparatus can finish a glossy image and a matte image without gloss, for example, as disclosed in
As described in JP-A-158364, there is a printer having a function of fixing a toner on a recording medium by switching between glossy finish and non-glossy finish during fixing.

[0012]

In the above-mentioned conventional image recording apparatus, in a color image recording apparatus provided with a black toner having a high wax content, a text (monochrome image) mainly composed of characters is printed using the black toner. In this case, since the black toner has too much gloss, the printed surface of the image is glaring, greatly different from the gloss of characters of a general book or the like, and there is a problem that it is difficult to read printed matter.

Further, in a monochrome image recording apparatus capable of switching between fixing the toner on the paper in a glossy state and fixing the toner on the paper in a matte state without a gloss, the toner has a glossy state. In order to fix the image on the paper in a certain state, it is necessary to provide a belt fixing device that has a long running distance of the medium in the fixing device, and there is a problem that the outer shape of the image recording apparatus becomes large. There has been a problem that a glossy image and a non-glossy image cannot be switched and used. As described above, the conventional image recording apparatus has a problem that the glossy image and the non-glossy image cannot be easily switched and used in the color image recording apparatus and the monochrome image recording apparatus. Was.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a glossy image forming means for forming a glossy image on a print medium and a glossy image formation means for forming a glossy image on a print medium. A non-glossy image forming means for forming the image, and a selecting means for selecting any one of the glossy image forming means and the non-glossy image forming means. This is for forming an image on a print medium.

According to the above arrangement, an image is formed on a print medium by using a glossy image forming means in the case of glossy finish, while printing is performed by using a non-glossy image forming means in the case of non-glossy finish. By forming an image on a medium, glossy printing or non-glossy finishing printing can be performed by a single image recording device depending on the image forming means used.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Elements common to the drawings are assigned the same reference numerals.

[0017] The First Embodiment FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of an image recording apparatus of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the image recording device is a monochrome image recording device that performs only black printing.
A cover that covers the entire image recording apparatus is not shown.

In FIG. 1, an image recording apparatus 1 has a paper 2
The paper cassette 3 for stacking the sheets is provided. Then, the paper 2 serving as a print medium to be printed is stacked on the paper cassette 3, and the paper 2 is set in the image recording apparatus 1.

In the image recording apparatus 1, when the paper 2 is stacked on the paper cassette 3, the paper 2 is provided at a position where the leading end of the paper 2 contacts, and the paper 2 is fed out into the apparatus 1. A roller 4 is provided. Note that this paper feed roller 4
The rotation is controlled by a drive system (not shown) constituted by an electromagnetic clutch or the like. A drive motor (not shown) for performing a printing operation is disposed inside the image recording apparatus 1.

A paper transport path 6 through which the paper 2 is transported from the paper feed roller 4 to an outlet 5 from which the paper 2 is discharged out of the apparatus.
Are formed. In the paper transport path 6, a writing sensor (not shown), an image drum cartridge 7, and a fixing unit (a first fixing unit 15, a second fixing unit 16) ), A paper discharge sensor (not shown), and a discharge roller (not shown).

The writing sensor detects the conveyed sheet 2 and, based on this, a control unit (not shown),
Is determined and the timing for starting the writing of the print data is determined.

The image drum cartridge 7 includes a photosensitive drum 8, a charger 9 and a developing roller 10 around the photosensitive drum 8. Further, the image drum cartridge 7 has a built-in hopper 12 for storing charged toner 11 near the developing roller 10. The photosensitive drum 8 is coated on the surface of an aluminum cylinder with a photosensitive conductor that exhibits physical properties of a conductor when exposed and an insulator when not exposed. The charger 9 uses a corona discharge to expose the photosensitive drum. 8 Charge the surface. The developing roller 10 causes toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 8. Further, the toner 11 is composed of a kneaded and crushed product of carbon or a pigment as a coloring component and a thermoplastic resin as a fixing agent. In addition, if the plastic resin is re-cured after melting,
It has the property of showing resin luster.

The image recording apparatus 1 further includes an LED head 1 which is provided at a position facing the photosensitive drum 8 and is an optical writer for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged photosensitive drum 8.
3 are provided. Further, the image recording apparatus 1 is provided with a transfer roller 14 facing the photosensitive drum 8. The transfer roller 14 controls the photosensitive drum 8
The upper toner image is transferred to the sheet 2.

The fixing section is provided in a state where a first fixing section 15 and a second fixing section 16 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction. Then, in order to convey the sheet 2 to each of the first fixing unit 15 and the second fixing unit 16, the sheet conveying path 6
Are two between the image drum cartridge 7 and a paper discharge sensor (not shown) (paper transport path 6a, paper transport path 6b)
Divided into

The first fixing unit 15 is provided opposite to the first fixing roller 17 and a first fixing roller 17 formed of a hollow cylinder having a heating element such as a halogen lamp therein. The first fixing roller 17 is
, And a first backup roller 18 made of a heat-resistant elastic body. The first
The surface of the fixing roller 17 (the surface that comes into contact with the sheet 2) has a glossy mirror finish. Also, the first fixing roller 17
Can heat the sheet 2 above the melting point of the thermoplastic resin contained in the toner 11.

The second fixing device 16 is provided opposite to the second fixing roller 19 and a second fixing roller 19 formed of a hollow cylinder having a heating element such as a halogen lamp therein. And a second backup roller 20 made of a heat-resistant elastic body, which is pressed against the second fixing roller 19 by a spring. The surface of the second fixing roller 19 (the surface that comes into contact with the sheet 2) has a rough surface finer than the toner particles. Also, the second
The fixing roller 19 can heat the paper 2 to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin contained in the toner 11.

The heat and pressure generated by the first fixing roller 17 and the first backup roller 18 or the second
The toner image on the sheet 2 is fixed to the sheet 2 by the heat and pressure by the fixing roller 19 and the second backup roller 20.

The sheet 2 is divided into two parts by the first fixing unit 15 or the second fixing unit
6 is provided. The director 21 is movable to the position shown by the solid line or the position shown by the broken line. When the director 21 is at the position shown by the solid line, the sheet 2 is in the first position.
The sheet 2 is conveyed to the second fixing device 16 when the director 21 is at the position shown by the broken line.

Further, the sheet discharge sensor (not shown) detects the sheet 2, and the control unit (not shown) stops detecting the sheet 2 after the sheet discharge sensor detects the sheet 2.
Detected from the

The image drum cartridge 7
, The transfer roller 14 and the LED head 13 constitute an image forming unit 118.
8 and a fixing device (a first fixing device 15 and a second fixing device 1).
6) forms an image forming means.

Next, the operation of the image recording apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described.

Before the image recording apparatus 1 starts a printing operation, the operator performs a gloss finish on the image recording apparatus 1 for fixing the toner to the paper 2 in a glossy state in this printing.
Alternatively, information is input as to which of the non-glossy printing in which the toner is fixed on the paper 2 in a glossless state is to be performed. Then, this information is transmitted to a control unit (not shown).

In FIG. 1, when a switch (not shown) is depressed in a state where the sheets 2 are stacked in the sheet cassette 3 and printing is started, a control unit (not shown) drives a drive motor (not shown), As a result, the paper feed roller 4 rotates in the direction of arrow C, and only one uppermost sheet on the paper cassette 3 is fed to the paper transport path 6 by this rotation.

When the write sensor (not shown) detects the leading end of the sheet 2, the detection is transmitted to a control unit (not shown). Upon receiving this signal, the control unit determines, based on this signal, the conveyance confirmation of the sheet 2 and the timing to start writing print data. The control unit controls a drive motor (not shown) to move the photosensitive drum 8 in the direction indicated by the arrow C in FIG.
Is rotated in the direction of arrow D, and when the gloss finish is selected based on the input of the operator, the first fixing roller 17 is rotated in the direction of arrow C, and the first backup roller 18 is also rotated in the direction of arrow C. Rotate in the D direction. On the other hand, when the non-glossy finish is selected, the second fixing roller 1
9 is rotated in the direction of arrow C, and the second backup roller 20 is also rotated in the direction of arrow D. While rotating these rollers, the rotation of the paper feed roller 4 is stopped. By providing a one-way clutch, an electromagnetic clutch, or the like (not shown) in the paper feed roller 4, the running of the paper 2 is not hindered even when the rotation of the paper feed roller 4 is stopped.

On the other hand, in the image drum cartridge 7,
Under the control of a control unit (not shown), the charger 9 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 and controls the LED head 6 to expose a portion of the photosensitive drum 8 to be developed.
The D head 6 is exposed. Thereby, the photosensitive conductor on the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 shows the physical properties of the conductor. The aluminum cylinder of the photoreceptor drum 8 is grounded, and a portion exposed and made conductive by the LED head 13 forms an electrostatic latent image due to a difference in charging potential due to the charge charged by the charger 9 flowing to the ground. Is done.

A control unit (not shown) drives a drive motor (not shown) to rotate the developing roller 10 in the direction of arrow D, so that the thinned toner 11 on the developing roller 10 is transferred to the photosensitive drum. 8 carried to the surface. It should be noted that the toner 11 is previously attracted to a portion exposed by the LED head 13, and is charged to a potential that repels a portion that has not been exposed and is charged. A real image is formed by adsorbing the toner 11 only on the image portion.

The transfer roller 14 is applied with a potential sufficient to peel off the toner 11 adsorbed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 from the surface of the photosensitive drum 8, and the paper 2 is transferred to the photosensitive drum 8 and the transfer roller 14. When the sheet reaches the position where the sheet 11 and the sheet 11 face each other, the toner 11 is sucked across the sheet 2, so that the actual image of the toner 11 formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 is transferred to the sheet 2.

If the gloss finish is selected, the above operation causes the first fixing roller 17 to rotate in the direction of arrow C, while the first backup roller 18 rotates in the direction of arrow D. When the gloss finish is selected, the control unit (not shown) sets the leading end of the paper 2 to the director 21.
Is reached, the director 21 is positioned as indicated by the solid line.

The paper 2 on which the real image (toner) is transferred
Is guided to the director 21 and reaches the first fixing device 15. At this time, the heating element inside the first fixing roller 17 has risen to a predetermined temperature, and the first backup roller 18 causes the paper 2 to move the first fixing roller 17 due to its own elasticity.
Press Since the surface of the first fixing roller 17 is finished to a glossy mirror surface, the toner 11 melted by the first fixing roller 17 is pressed by the glossy surface of the first fixing roller 17 and melted. Then, the surface of the toner 11 on the sheet 2 that has passed through the point where the first fixing roller 17 and the first backup roller 18 are in contact with each other is glossy due to the glossy mirror finish of the first fixing roller 17. It is in a certain state.

Thereafter, the sheet 2 that has passed through the first fixing device 15
The sheet 2 is further conveyed while the toner 11 is kept glossy and the sheet 2 reaches a sheet discharge sensor (not shown). The sheet discharge sensor detects the sheet 2. When detecting the leading end of the sheet 2, the sheet discharge sensor transmits the detection to a control unit (not shown). When the control unit (not shown) receives this signal, it drives a drive motor (not shown) based on this signal, whereby the discharge roller (not shown) rotates.
By this rotation, the paper 2 is discharged from the discharge port 5 onto a paper tray (not shown) outside the apparatus 1. At this time, the toner 11 is kept in a glossy state. The control unit (not shown) determines that the paper 2 has been discharged from the discharge port 5 after a lapse of a predetermined time after the paper discharge sensor stops detecting the paper 2, and controls a drive motor (not shown) to control the photosensitive drum. 8. The rotation of the developing roller 10, the transfer roller 14, the first fixing roller 17, the first backup roller 18, and the discharge roller is stopped.

On the other hand, if a non-glossy finish is selected,
The control unit (not shown) rotates the second fixing roller 19 in the direction of arrow C when the write sensor (not shown) detects the leading end of the sheet 2, while rotating the second backup roller 20 in the direction of arrow D. When the non-glossy finish is selected, the control unit (not shown) sets the leading end of the sheet 2 to the director 21.
Before reaching, the director 21 is attached to the position shown by the broken line.

The sheet 2 on which the real image (toner) is transferred
Is guided to the director 21 and reaches the second fixing device 16. At this time, the heating element inside the second fixing roller 19 has risen to a predetermined temperature, and the second backup roller 20 applies the paper 2 to the second fixing roller 19 by its own elasticity.
Press Since the surface of the second fixing roller 19 is finished to a rough surface finer than the toner particles, the toner 11 melted by the second fixing roller 19 is pressed by the rough surface of the second fixing roller 19 and melted. . Then, the surface of the toner 11 on the sheet 2 that has passed through the point where the second fixing roller 19 and the second backup roller 20 are in contact with each other is matted because the second fixing roller 19 has a rough surface. It is in a state.

Thereafter, the sheet 2 having passed through the second fixing device 16
The sheet 2 is further conveyed while the toner 11 is kept in a matte state, and when the sheet 2 reaches a sheet discharge sensor (not shown), the sheet discharge sensor detects the sheet 2.
When detecting the leading end of the sheet 2, the sheet discharge sensor transmits the detection to a control unit (not shown). When the control unit (not shown) receives this signal, it drives a drive motor (not shown) based on this signal, whereby the discharge roller (not shown) rotates. By this rotation, the paper 2 is discharged from the discharge port 5 onto a paper tray (not shown) outside the apparatus 1. At this time, the toner 11 is kept in a matte state. The control unit (not shown) determines that the paper 2 has been discharged from the discharge port 5 after a predetermined time has elapsed after the paper discharge sensor stops detecting the paper 2, and controls a drive motor (not shown) to control the photosensitive drum 8. The rotation of the developing roller 10, the transfer roller 14, the second fixing roller 19, the second backup roller 20, and the discharge roller is stopped.

In the first embodiment, the paper 2 onto which the toner 11 has been transferred is passed by passing through one of a fixing device capable of glossy finish and a fixing device capable of non-glossy finish. By the fixing device, glossy printing or non-glossy printing can be performed by one image recording apparatus. Also, even when performing glossy finish printing, it is not necessary to use a belt fixing device, so even if the image recording apparatus is capable of performing both glossy finish and non-glossy finish printing, the apparatus becomes larger. Can be prevented.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment.

In FIG. 2, between the image drum cartridge 7 of the image recording device 29 and a sheet discharge sensor (not shown), a fixing section for fixing the toner image on the sheet 2 to the sheet 2 is provided. The fixing unit is provided in a state where a first fixing unit 22 and a second fixing unit 23 are arranged in a direction parallel to the sheet conveying direction. Therefore, the paper 2 that has passed through the first fixing unit 22 passes through the second fixing unit 23 and
Transported to

The first fixing section 22 is provided opposite to the first fixing roller 24 and a first fixing roller 24 formed of a hollow cylinder having a heating element such as a halogen lamp therein. The first fixing roller 24 is
And a first backup roller 25 made of a heat-resistant elastic body. The first
The surface of the fixing roller 24 (the surface that comes into contact with the paper 2) has a glossy mirror finish. Also, the first fixing roller 24
Can heat the sheet 2 above the melting point of the thermoplastic resin contained in the toner 11.

The second fixing unit 23 is formed as a hollow cylinder having a heating element such as a halogen lamp having a smaller amount of heat than a heating element (eg, a halogen lamp) incorporated in the first fixing roller 24. A second fixing roller 26,
And a second backup roller 27 made of a heat-resistant elastic body, which is provided opposite to the fixing roller 26 and is pressed against the second fixing roller 26 by a spring (not shown). Note that the heating element incorporated in the second fixing roller 26 can be prevented from generating heat under the control of a control unit (not shown). Also the second
The surface of the fixing roller 26 (the surface that comes into contact with the paper 2) has a rough surface finer than the toner particles. Further, the second fixing roller 26 can heat only the surface of the thermoplastic resin contained in the toner 11 to the melting point or higher.

The heat and pressure generated by the first fixing roller 24 and the first backup roller 25,
The toner image on the sheet 2 is fixed to the sheet 2 by the heat and pressure generated by the fixing roller 26 and the second backup roller 27.

The first fixing unit 22 and the second fixing unit 23
And a cooling fan 2 serving as a cooling means.
8 are provided. The cooling fan 28 is driven under the control of a control unit (not shown). When the cooling fan 28 is driven, the toner 2 on the sheet 2 is moved before the sheet 2 that has passed through the first fixing unit 22 reaches the second fixing unit 23. Is cooled below the melting point.

The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Next, the operation of the image recording apparatus 29 having the above configuration will be described.

Before the image recording apparatus 29 starts the printing operation, the operator inputs information to the image recording apparatus 29 as to whether to perform glossy finishing or non-glossy finishing in the current printing.

The operation is the same as that in the first embodiment until the actual image of the toner 11 is transferred to the sheet 2, and the description is omitted. This time, it is assumed that the gloss finish is selected.

In FIG. 2, the first fixing roller 24 rotates in the direction of arrow C under the control of a control unit (not shown).
On the other hand, the first backup roller 25 is rotating in the direction of arrow D. The second fixing roller 2 is controlled by the control unit.
6 rotates in the direction of arrow C, while the second backup roller 27 rotates in the direction of arrow D. Further, the control unit controls the first fixing roller 24 to heat the heating element in the first fixing roller 24, whereby the heating element in the first fixing roller 24 is made of a thermoplastic resin contained in the toner 11. Temperature above the melting point of On the other hand, the control unit does not perform control for heating the heating element in the second fixing roller 26. The control unit drives the cooling fan 28 in advance.

In this state, the sheet 2 onto which the real image (toner) has been transferred reaches the first fixing unit 22. At this time, the heating element inside the first fixing roller 24 has risen to a predetermined temperature, and the first backup roller 25 presses the sheet 2 against the first fixing roller 24 by its own elasticity. Since the surface of the first fixing roller 24 is finished with a glossy mirror surface, the toner 11 melted by the first fixing roller 24
Is pressed against the glossy surface of the first fixing roller 24 and melted. Then, the surface of the toner 11 on the sheet 2 that has passed through the point where the first fixing roller 24 and the first backup roller 25 are in contact with each other is glossy due to the glossy mirror finish of the first fixing roller 24. It is in a certain state.

The glossy toner on the sheet 2 discharged from the first fixing device 22 is cooled by the cooling fan 28 and hardened. The toner 11 is hardened in a glossy state by the glossy mirror finish of the first fixing roller 24.

Subsequently, the sheet 2 arrives at the second fixing unit 23. At this time, the second fixing roller 26 is not in a heated state. Therefore, the second fixing roller 26 and the second
The toner 11 on the paper 2 does not melt even when the paper 2 reaches a position where the backup roller 27 is in contact with the backup roller 27. Further, since the hardened toner 11 is sufficiently harder than the second fixing roller 26, the toner 11 passes through the second fixing device 23 while maintaining a glossy state and is conveyed to a paper discharge sensor (not shown). .

The subsequent operation is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

On the other hand, if the non-glossy finish is selected,
Under the control of a control unit (not shown), the first fixing roller 24 is rotating in the direction of arrow C, while the first backup roller 25 is rotating in the direction of arrow D. Further, under the control of the control unit, the second fixing roller 26 is rotating in the direction of arrow C, while the second backup roller 27 is rotating in the direction of arrow D. Further, the control unit controls the first fixing roller 24,
The heating of the heating element in the first fixing roller 24 is controlled, whereby the temperature of the heating element in the first fixing roller 24 is raised to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin contained in the toner 11. Further, the control unit performs control to heat the heating element in the second fixing roller 26, whereby the heating element in the second fixing roller 26 heats only the surface of the thermoplastic resin contained in the toner 11 to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point. The temperature can be raised. The control unit drives the cooling fan 28 in advance.

In this state, the paper 2 onto which the real image (toner) has been transferred reaches the first fixing device 22. At this time, the heating element inside the first fixing roller 24 has risen to a predetermined temperature, and the first backup roller 25 presses the sheet 2 against the first fixing roller 24 by its own elasticity. Since the surface of the first fixing roller 24 is finished with a glossy mirror surface, the toner 11 melted by the first fixing roller 24
Is pressed against the glossy surface of the first fixing roller 24 and melted. Then, the surface of the toner 11 on the sheet 2 that has passed through the point where the first fixing roller 24 and the first backup roller 25 are in contact with each other is glossy due to the glossy mirror finish of the first fixing roller 24. It is in a certain state.

The glossy toner on the sheet 2 discharged from the first fixing device 22 is cooled by the cooling fan 28 and hardened. The toner 11 is hardened while maintaining the gloss by the glossy mirror finish of the first fixing roller 24.

Subsequently, the sheet 2 arrives at the second fixing device 23. At this time, the heating element inside the second fixing roller 26 has risen to a predetermined temperature, and the second backup roller 27 causes the paper 2 to move the paper 2 due to its own elasticity.
Press The surface of the second fixing roller 26 has toner 1
Because the surface is finished finer than the particles of No. 1,
The toner 11 melted by the fixing roller 26 is pressed against the rough surface of the second fixing roller 26 and melted. And the second
The surface of the toner 11 on the sheet 2 that has passed through the point where the fixing roller 26 and the second backup roller 27 are in contact with each other is in a matte state due to the rough surface finish of the second fixing roller 26. ing.

The matte toner on the sheet 2 discharged from the second fixing device 23 is cooled and hardened. The toner 11 hardens while maintaining a matte state due to the rough surface finish of the second fixing roller 25. Thereafter, the sheet 2 is transported to a sheet discharge sensor (not shown).

The operation thereafter is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

In the second embodiment, the paper 2 onto which the actual image of the toner 11 has been transferred passes through the first fixing device 22 whose surface finish of the fixing roller is a glossy mirror surface. Second fixing device 23 having a rough finish
In the case of glossy finish, the heating element of the second fixing device 23 is stopped. On the other hand, in the case of non-glossy finish, the heating element of the second fixing device 23 is activated to operate the toner 11. A matte pattern is generated on the surface of
Gloss finish printing or non-gloss finish printing can be performed by one image recording apparatus. Also, even when performing glossy finish printing, it is not necessary to use a belt fixing device, so even if the image recording apparatus is capable of performing both glossy finish and non-glossy finish printing, the apparatus becomes larger. Can be prevented.

Further, a mechanism for switching the transport path of the sheet 2 as in the first embodiment can be omitted.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the third embodiment.

In FIG. 3, a fixing device 31 for fixing the toner image on the paper 2 to the paper 2 is provided between the image drum cartridge 7 of the image recording device 30 and a paper discharge sensor (not shown).

The fixing device 31 has a fixing roller 32 formed of a hollow cylinder having a heating element such as a halogen lamp therein.
And a backup roller 33 made of a heat-resistant elastic body, which is provided to face the fixing roller 32 and is pressed against the fixing roller 32 by a spring (not shown), and a heat-resistant film feeding / storing means 34. I have. Note that the surface of the fixing roller 32 (the surface that comes into contact with the paper 2) has a glossy mirror finish. Further, the fixing roller 32 can heat the sheet 2 to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin contained in the toner 11.

Then, the toner image on the sheet 2 is fixed on the sheet 2 by the heat and pressure by the fixing roller 32 and the backup roller 33. Note that the fixing roller 32 and the backup roller 33 have the same configuration as the first fixing roller 24 and the first backup roller 25 of the second embodiment, respectively.

The heat-resistant film feeding and storing means 34 comprises a film parking 35, a mat film 36, a feeding roller 37, a storing roller 38, and a separating claw 39. The film parking 35, the feeding roller 37, and the storage roller 38 constitute a heat-resistant film driving unit. Film parking 35
Is provided above the fixing roller 32 and stores the mat film 36 in a standby state. Matte film 36 is paper 2
It is formed of a heat-resistant film having a slightly larger area than that of the first embodiment and having a high thermal conductivity. The lower surface of the mat film 36 (the surface in contact with the paper 2) has a rough surface finer than the toner particles. A feed roller 37 and a storage roller 38 are provided at both ends of the film parking 35, and a feed roller 37 is provided at an end near the image drum cartridge 7 of the two ends. A storage roller 38 is provided at an end near the discharge port 5. Then, the mat film 36 is fed from the film parking 35 by the rotation of the feeding roller 37 to a position where the fixing roller 32 and the backup roller 33 are in contact with each other. Are conveyed to the film parking 35 from the position where the. A separation claw 39 is provided in the vicinity of the fixing roller 32 and between the fixing roller 32 and the storage roller 38. The separation claw 39 is attached to the sheet 2 and the mat film 36 which are adhered and conveyed. To separate the mat film 36 from the paper 2. The mat film 36 is always held by one or both of the feeding roller 37 and the storage roller 38. Further, when the mat film 36 is stored in the film parking 35, the mat film 36 is always held by the feeding roller 37.

Guide plates 40 and 41 are provided between the fixing roller 32 and the feeding roller 37 and between the fixing roller 32 and the storage roller 38, respectively. The guide plate 40 fixes the mat film 36 fed from the film parking 35 by the feed roller 37 to the fixing roller 3.
The guide plate 41 guides the mat film 36 from the fixing roller 32 and the backup roller 33 to the storage roller 38.

The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Next, the operation of the image recording apparatus 30 having the above configuration will be described.

Before the image recording apparatus 30 starts the printing operation, the operator inputs information to the image recording apparatus 30 as to whether to perform glossy finish printing or non-glossy finish print in this printing.

The operation is the same as that in the first embodiment until the actual image of the toner 11 is transferred to the sheet 2, and the description is omitted. This time, it is assumed that the gloss finish is selected. In this case, since the mat film 36 is not used, a control unit (not shown) controls the mat film 36 to be held in the film parking 35.

In FIG. 3, the control of a control unit (not shown) rotates the fixing roller 32 in the direction of arrow C, and rotates the backup roller 33 in the direction of arrow D. Further, the control unit controls the fixing roller 32 to heat the heating element in the fixing roller 32, whereby the heating element in the fixing roller 32 rises to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin contained in the toner 11. I have.

In this state, the sheet 2 onto which the real image (toner) has been transferred reaches the fixing device 31. At this time, the fixing roller 3
The heating element inside 2 has risen to a predetermined temperature, and the backup roller 33 presses the sheet 2 against the fixing roller 32 by its own elasticity. Since the surface of the fixing roller 32 is finished to a glossy mirror surface, the toner 11 melted by the fixing roller 32 is pressed by the glossy surface of the fixing roller 32 and melted. The surface of the toner 11 on the sheet 2 that has passed through the point where the fixing roller 32 and the backup roller 33 are in contact with each other is in a glossy state because the fixing roller 32 has a glossy mirror finish.

As described above, when the sheet 2 is passed through the position where the fixing roller 32 and the backup roller 33 are in contact with the mat film 36 being held in the film parking 35, the surface of the toner 11 becomes glossy. Is discharged from the fixing device 32. Then, the sheet 2 is transported to a sheet discharge sensor (not shown).

The subsequent operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

On the other hand, if the non-glossy finish is selected,
The control unit (not shown) rotates the fixing roller 32 in the direction of arrow C, while rotating the backup roller 33 in the direction of arrow D. The control unit controls the fixing roller 32 to
The heating element in the fixing roller 32 is heated to a temperature higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin contained in the toner 11. The control unit also adjusts the mat film 36 to the fixing roller 32 and the backup roller 3 at the timing when the paper 2 passes through the position where the fixing roller 32 and the backup roller 33 are in contact with each other.
Control is performed to rotate the feeding roller 37 so as to pass the position where the fixing roller 3 is in contact with the fixing roller 32 and the sheet 2.

Therefore, when the paper 2 onto which the real image (toner) has been transferred reaches the fixing device 31, the backup roller 33
The paper 2 through the matte film due to its own elasticity,
The internal heating element presses against the fixing roller 32 which has been heated to a predetermined temperature. As a result, the toner 11 is heated while the mat film 36 is superimposed on the surface of the paper 2. Since the lower surface of the mat film 36 (the surface in contact with the paper 2) is finished to a finer surface than the particles of the toner 11,
When the sheet 2 together with the mat film 36 passes through the position where the fixing roller 32 and the backup roller 33 are in contact with each other, the toner 11 on the surface of the sheet 2 is matted and the fixing device 3
Exhausted from 1 Then, the sheet 2 is transported to a sheet discharge sensor (not shown). On the other hand, the mat film 36 is separated from the sheet 2 by the separation claws 39 and is stored in the film parking 35 by the rotation of the storage roller 38.

The operation thereafter is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the third embodiment, when the glossy finish is used, the sheet 2 on which the actual image of the toner 11 has been transferred is coated with the glossy mirror surface while the mat film 36 is stored in the film parking 35. In the case of a non-glossy finish, the paper 2 on which the actual image of the toner 11 has been transferred is roughened with the lower surface (the surface in contact with the paper 2) having finer particles than the toner particles. Since the sheet is passed through the fixing roller 32 in a state of being superimposed on the finished mat film 36, glossy printing or non-glossy printing can be performed by one image recording apparatus. Also, even when performing glossy finish printing, it is not necessary to use a belt fixing device, so even if the image recording apparatus is capable of performing both glossy finish and non-glossy finish printing, the apparatus becomes larger. Can be prevented.

Further, there is no need for a mechanism for switching the transport path of the sheet 2 as in the first embodiment, and there is no need to provide two fixing units as in the second embodiment.

In the first to third embodiments, the heat fixing type fixing device has been described. However, in the first embodiment, the present invention is also applied to a pressure fixing type fixing device. Is possible. Further, if the rough surface of the mat film 36 is configured to withstand the pressure in the third embodiment, the third embodiment can be applied to a pressure fixing type fixing device. Further, these techniques can be applied to an apparatus for additionally finishing a print output obtained by a thermal transfer image recording apparatus or a thermal sublimation image recording apparatus in glossy or non-glossy.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first, second, and third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the image recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the color image forming unit of FIG. In the present embodiment, the image recording device is a color image recording device capable of performing color printing.

In FIG. 4, the image recording device 42 is provided with a paper cassette 43 for loading the paper 2. The paper cassette 43 is a paper storage box 44 for storing the paper 2.
And a push-up plate 45 provided in the paper storage box 44 and loaded with the paper 2, one end is attached to the paper storage box 44, and the other end is attached to the push-up plate 45. The push-up plate 45 will be described later. Pressing means 46 for pressing against the paper feed roller
It is composed of Then, the paper 2 as a print medium to be printed is stacked on the push-up plate 45, so that the paper 2 is set in the image recording device 42.

A hopping mechanism 47 is provided inside the image recording device 42. When the sheet 2 is stacked on the sheet cassette 43, the hopping mechanism 47
Paper 2 is provided at a position where the leading end of
A feed roller 48 for feeding out the inside, discriminating means 49 for feeding only one uppermost sheet when a plurality of sheets 2 are fed by the feed roller 48, A spring 50 is attached to a frame (not shown), the other end is attached to the discriminating means 49, and presses the discriminating means 49 against the paper feed roller 48.

The rotation of the paper feed roller 48 is controlled by a drive system (not shown) constituted by an electromagnetic clutch or the like. A drive motor (not shown) for performing a printing operation is disposed inside the image recording device 42.

Guide plates 51 and 52 are provided in the vicinity of the paper feed roller 48 to guide the paper 2 to a transport roller described later. A transport roller 53 for transporting the paper 2 is provided near the guide plates 51 and 52 and downstream of the guide plates 51 and 52 in the paper 2 transport direction. Registration roller 54 and the second
Registration rollers 55 are provided.

Then, the paper 2 fed by the hopping mechanism 47 is guided by the guide plates 51 and 52 to be between the transport roller 53 and the first registration roller 54, and between the transport roller 53 and the second registration roller 55. It is led to between.

The paper cassette 43, the hopping mechanism 47, the transport roller 53, the first registration roller 54, and the second registration roller 55 constitute a paper feeding mechanism 62.

The image recording device 42 is provided with a manual feed tray 56 for manually feeding the paper 2 into the device 42 and a guide plate 57 for guiding the paper 2 to the transport roller 53. Then, the operator places the sheet 2 in the manual feed tray 56.
The sheet 2 is stacked on the upper side, and the sheet 2 is inserted into the device 42 along the guide plate 57. In the image recording device 42, a photo sensor 58 for detecting the manually inserted paper 2 is provided near the guide plate 57. Then, the manually inserted paper 2 is guided by a conveyance roller 53 and a second registration roller 55 between a suction roller described later and a conveyance belt.

A guide plate 59 for guiding the sheet 2 to a suction roller described later is provided near the transport roller 53.
In the vicinity of the guide plate 59, the paper 2
A suction roller 60 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction,
The suction roller 60 is pressed against a driven roller 61 around which a transport belt 64 is stretched. Note that the transport belt 64 is also stretched over a drive roller 65 provided near a fixing device described later. The driving roller 65 is connected to a motor 81 shown in FIG. 5, and the driving force of the motor 81 rotates the driving roller 65 in the direction of arrow E.

The attraction roller 60 charges the paper 2 transported by the paper feed mechanism 62 and electrostatically attracts the paper 2 to the upper surface of the transport belt 64. For this reason, the suction roller 60 is made of a high-resistance semiconductive rubber material.

On the conveyor belt 64, five sets of image forming units, a yellow image forming unit 66Y, a magenta image forming unit 66M, a cyan image forming unit 66C, and a glossy black image are arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet 2. A forming unit 66B1 and a matte black image forming unit 66B2 are sequentially arranged. Each image forming unit is an electrophotographic LED
It has a printing mechanism. A photo sensor 67 for detecting the leading end of the sheet 2 is provided between the suction roller 60 and the yellow image forming section 66Y.

The yellow image forming section 66Y, the magenta image forming section 66M, the cyan image forming section 66C, the glossy black image forming section 66B1, and the matte black image forming section 66B2 are image drum cartridges 68Y, 68M, respectively.
68C, 68B1, and 68B2. Then, the image drum cartridges 68Y, 68M, 68C, 68
B1 and 68B2 are photosensitive drums 69Y and 69, respectively.
M, 69C, 69B1, 69B2 and the charging roller 70
Y, 70M, 70C, 70B1, 70B2, and developing section 7
1Y, 71M, 71C, 71B1, 71B2 and cleaning units 84Y, 84M, 84C, 84B1, 8
4B2.

The photosensitive drums 69Y, 69M, 69C, 6
9B1 and 69B2 are coated on the surface of the aluminum cylinder with a conductor when exposed, and a photosensitive conductor which shows the properties of an insulator when not exposed, and are provided with charging rollers 70Y, 70M and 70B.
C, 70B1, and 70B2 uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum. The developing units 71Y, 71M, 71C, 71B
1, 71B2 are developing rollers 72Y, 72M, 72C, 7
2B1, 72B2, a developing blade (not shown), a sponge roller, and a toner tank.

A glossy black toner containing a large amount of wax and containing a large amount of wax to fix the paper 2 is stored in a toner tank (not shown) of the glossy black image forming section 66B1. On the other hand, in the toner tank (not shown) of the matte black image forming section 66B2, in order to print a monochrome image, the amount of wax is set such that the gloss amount does not appear when fixing to the paper 2 so that the glossy black image is formed. A matte black toner having less gloss than the amount contained in the black toner contained in the toner tank of the forming section 66B1 is contained. Then, the developing rollers 72Y, 72M, 72C, 72B1, 72B2
Are photosensitive drums 69Y, 69M, 69C, 69B1, 6
The toner is made to adhere to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of 9B2. The cleaning units 84Y, 84M, 84
C, 84B1, 84B2 are photosensitive drums 69Y, 69
M, 69C, 69B1, and 69B2 are scraped off the toner remaining on the surfaces thereof, and are imaged by image forming units 66Y, 66M, 66C, 66B1, and 66B2 using a screw shaft (not shown).
The toner is discharged to an external waste toner tank (not shown).

The image forming section 66 includes a photosensitive drum 69
Y, 69M, 69C, 69B1, and 69B2 are provided at positions facing the photosensitive drums 69Y, 69M, 69C, 69B1, and 69B2 according to image data, and the photosensitive drums 69Y, 69M, 69C, and 69B are exposed.
LED heads 73Y, 73M, 73C, 73B1, 73 which are optical writers for forming electrostatic latent images on 1, 69B2
B2 is provided. Further, the image forming section 66 faces the photoconductor drums 69Y, 69M, 69C, 69B1, 69B2, and has transfer rollers 74Y, 74M, 74C, 74B1,
74B2 is provided. And this transfer roller 74
The photoconductor drums 69Y, 69M, 69C, 69B1, 69B2 are formed by Y, 74M, 74C, 74B1, 74B2.
The upper toner image is transferred to the sheet 2. The image drum cartridges 68Y, 68M, 68C, 68B1, 6
8B2 is a motor 75, 76, 77, 78, 7 shown in FIG.
9 are individually driven.

The LED heads 73Y, 73M, 73
C, 73B1 and 73B2 each include an LED array (not shown), a substrate on which a drive IC for driving the LED array is mounted, a selfoc lens array for condensing light from the LED array, and the like. The LED array emits light in response to the image data signal, and the photosensitive drums 69Y, 69M, 69C, 69B1,
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of 69B2.

Next, the function of the developing unit will be described on behalf of the yellow image forming unit 66Y. An appropriate amount of the non-magnetic one-component toner supplied from a toner tank (not shown) reaches a developing blade by a sponge roller (not shown). And a developing roller 7 formed of a semiconductive rubber material by a developing blade.
The layer is circumferentially thinned on the 2Y surface and reaches the contact surface with the photosensitive drum 69Y. That is, the photosensitive drum 69Y
The toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface by the developing roller 72 by electrostatic force, and an image is formed. When the toner is thinned, the toner is strongly rubbed by the developing roller 72Y and the developing blade, and is triboelectrically charged. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the toner is negatively charged. Further, when the toner runs out, the toner can be newly supplied by replacing the toner tank.

The transport belt 64 is connected to the photosensitive drum 6
It is arranged to run between 9Y and the transfer roller 74Y.

The other magenta image forming section 66
M, cyan image forming section 66C, glossy black image forming section 6
6B1, the developing unit 71 of the matte black image forming unit 66B2
The configuration of M, 71C, 71B1, and 71B2 is the same as that of the developing unit 71Y of the yellow image forming unit 66Y, and therefore, the description is omitted.

Then, the LED of the yellow image forming section 66Y
The head 73Y receives the yellow image signal of the color image signals, the magenta image forming section 66M receives the magenta image signal of the color image signal to the LED head 73M, and the LED head 73C of the cyan image forming section 66C. The cyan image signal of the color image signal is input to the LED head 73B1 of the glossy black image forming unit 66B1, the black image signal of the color image signal is input to the LED head 73B1, and the L of the matte black image forming unit 66B2.
A black image signal such as a character image is input to the ED head 73B2.

Next, the transport belt 64 will be described. The transport belt 64 is made of a high-resistance semiconductive plastic film, is formed on a seamless endless belt, and is wound around a driving roller 65 and a driven roller 61. The resistance value of the transport belt 64 is a range in which the paper 2 can be attracted to the transport belt 64 and static electricity remaining on the transport belt 64 when the paper 2 is separated from the transport belt 64 can be neutralized. Shall be

The transport belt 64 has a yellow image forming section 66.
Y, magenta image forming section 66M, cyan image forming section 66
C, the photosensitive drum 69Y, the photosensitive drum 69M, the photosensitive drum 69C, and the photosensitive drum 69 of the glossy black image forming unit 66B1 and the matte black image forming unit 66B2, respectively.
B1, photosensitive drum 69B2, transfer roller 74Y, transfer roller 74M, transfer roller 74C, transfer roller 74B1,
It is disposed between the transfer roller 74B2. In the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 69Y, the photosensitive drum 69M, the photosensitive drum 69C, the photosensitive drum 69B1,
The photosensitive drum 69B2, the transfer roller 74Y, the transfer roller 74M, the transfer roller 74C, the transfer roller 74B1, and the transfer roller 74B2 are in contact with the transport belt 64, respectively.

A cleaning blade 85 is pressed against the driving roller 65 with the transport belt 64 interposed therebetween. The cleaning blade 85 is made of a flexible rubber or plastic material. Then, the residual toner having the tip end of the cleaning blade 85 adhered to the surface of the transport belt 64 is removed by the cleaning blade 85.
Is scraped off to a waste toner tank 86 provided in the vicinity of.

A static eliminator 87 is provided above the transport belt 64 near the driving roller 65. This static eliminator 87
Is to remove electricity from the sheet 2 conveyed in a suction state to the conveyance belt 64, release the adsorption state, and facilitate separation of the sheet 2 from the conveyance belt 64. Further, a photo sensor 88 for detecting the rear end of the sheet 2 is provided downstream of the neutralizer 87 in the sheet 2 transport direction.

A guide 89 and a fixing device 90 are provided downstream of the static eliminator 86 in the sheet 2 transport direction. The guide 89 fixes the sheet 2 separated from the transport belt 64 to the fixing device 9.
The fixing device 90 fixes the toner on the sheet 2 onto which the toner has been transferred. The fixing device 90 is provided with a heat roller 9 for heating the toner on the sheet 2.
1 and a pressure roller 92 that is provided in a state pressed by the heat roller 91 and presses the sheet 2 against the heat roller 91.

The fixing device 90 has a cleaning pad 93 made of felt. The cleaning pad 93 is provided above the heat roller 91.
The surface of the heat roller 91 is cleaned by contacting the heat roller 91. A discharge port 94 for discharging the sheet 2 to the outside of the device 42 is formed near the fixing device 90.
The discharge port 94 is provided with a discharge stacker 95 on which the discharged sheets 2 are stacked.

The image forming unit (yellow image forming unit 66Y, magenta image forming unit 66M, cyan image forming unit 66C, glossy black image forming unit 66B1, matte black image forming unit 66B2) and fixing unit 90 are used to form an image. Forming means is formed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the yellow image forming section 66
Y, magenta image forming section 66M, cyan image forming section 66
C, a color image forming unit 119 is formed integrally with the glossy black image forming unit 66B1. And L
The components of the yellow image forming section 66Y, magenta image forming section 66M, cyan image forming section 66C, and glossy black image forming section 66B1 excluding the ED heads 73Y, 73M, 73C, 73B1 and the transfer rollers 74Y, 74M, 74C, 74B1 are as follows. It is supported by the frame 120.

Under the frame 120 of the color image forming unit 119, two camshafts 121a are provided.
An eccentric cam 122 is fixed to both ends of the camshafts 121a and 121b, respectively. In the lower four corners of the frame 120, a guide groove
20a are formed. A protruding plate portion 120b that contacts the eccentric cam 122 is formed above the guide groove 120a.

The frame 120 is pressed downward by a spring (not shown) via the LED heads 73Y, 73C, 73M, 73B1, so that the camshafts 121a,
When the rotation of the eccentric cam 122 occurs, the eccentric cam 122
As a result, the frame 120 moves in the direction of the arrow JK (vertical direction) by the amount of eccentricity of the eccentric cam 122. On the other hand, a gear 123 is fixed to the camshaft 121a, and the gear 123 is engaged with the motor gear 124. The motor gear 124 is fixed to a rotation shaft of the cam motor 125. The other camshaft 121b
The camshaft 12 is also moved via a gear or belt (not shown).
It rotates in the same rotation direction and rotation amount as 1a.

A slit disk 126 is fixed to one end of the camshaft 121a, and the slit disk 126 is provided with a slit 126a. The position of the eccentric cam 122 can be known by detecting the slit 126a with the photo sensor 127.

The frame 120 of the color image forming unit 119 has LED heads 73Y, 73M, 73C,
A window hole 120c of 73B1 is formed. The frame 120 also has LED heads 73Y, 73M, 73
C, 73B1 are formed with guide pin holes 120d, 120e, and thereby, each LED head 73Y, 73M, 73
C and 73B1 can be positioned with respect to the color image forming unit 119.

When the cam motor 125 is driven,
The color image forming unit 119 moves in the direction of the arrow JK, and the position separated from the conveyance belt 64 and the conveyance belt 64.
To move to and from the position where it contacts. That is, a control circuit described later drives the cam motor 125 via a motor drive circuit described later, and the slit 12 of the slit disk 126 is
The control circuit stops driving the cam motor 125 at the position where the photo sensor 127 has detected 6a a predetermined number of times.
Each photosensitive drum 69 of the color image forming unit 119
The Y, 69M, 69C, and 69B1 can be brought into contact with the conveyor belt 64, or can be positioned at a distance from the conveyor belt 64.

The yellow image forming section 66Y, the magenta image forming section 66M, the cyan image forming section 66C, and the glossy black image forming section 66B1 may be configured to be individually movable toward and away from the conveyor belt 64. .

The matte black image forming section 66B2
Are the yellow image forming section 66Y and the magenta image forming section 6
6M, a cyan image forming section 66C, and a glossy black image forming section 66B1 by a mechanism (not shown) different from that of the transport belt 64.
It is freely movable toward and away from

Next, a control system of the image recording apparatus 42 having the above configuration will be described. In FIG. 5, Y, M,
C, B1, and B2 are yellow, magenta, cyan,
It corresponds to each printing mechanism of the glossy black and matte black image forming units.

In FIG. 5, the image recording device 42 comprises a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, a timer, an I / O port, and the like. It has. The control circuit 96 includes an SP bias power supply 97 for supplying power to sponge rollers (not shown) provided on the image drum cartridges 68Y, 68M, 68C, 68B1, and 68B2, and image drum cartridges 68Y, 6B.
8M, 68C, 68B1, 68B2, a DB bias power supply 98 for supplying power to the developing rollers 72Y, 72M, 72C, 72B1, 72B2, and a charging roller provided for the image drum cartridges 68Y, 68M, 68C, 68B1, 68B2. 70Y, 70M, 70C, 70B1, 70
A charging power supply 99 for supplying power to B2;
6Y, 66M, 66C, 66B1, 66B2 Transfer Roller 7
A transfer power supply 100 for supplying electric power for charging the transfer rollers 74Y, 74M, 74C, 74B1, 74B2 is connected to the transfer rollers 4Y, 74M, 74C, 74B1, 74B2.

The output of each power supply is connected to each of the image forming units of yellow, magenta, cyan, glossy black and matte black, and can be turned on / off for each color. The display for each color of each power supply is, for example, 98-Y, 98-M, 98-
C, 98-B1, and 98-B2.

The control circuit 96 includes an attraction roller 60.
Charging power supply 101 for supplying charging power to the power supply, and static elimination power supply 10 for supplying a high voltage of the amount of charge elimination to the static eliminator 87
2 are connected. The driven roller 61 is grounded to the ground, so that the sheet 2 can be electrostatically attracted to the transport belt 64 by a potential difference from the attracting roller 60. The on / off control of the attraction power supply 101 and the charge elimination power supply 102 is performed according to an instruction from the control circuit 96.

The control circuit 96 is also connected to a print control circuit 103 corresponding to each image forming unit. The print control circuit 103 includes LED heads 73Y, 73M, 73
C, 73B1, 73B2 are connected respectively, and the print control circuit 103 includes LED heads 73Y, 73M, 73C,
The print data and control data are transferred to 73B1 and 73B2. And the LED heads 73Y, 73M, 73
In C, 73B1, 73B2, from the transfer of print data to LE
The exposure time of D is controlled, and the photosensitive drums 69Y, 69M, 6
Control for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of 9C, 69B1, 69B2 is performed.

An interface unit 104 is further connected to the control circuit 96, and an image memory 105 for storing image data transmitted from an external device (not shown) is connected to the interface unit 104. The interface unit 104 separates image data transmitted from an external device, for example, a host computer, for each color, and converts yellow image data, magenta image data, cyan image data, glossy black image data,
Each is separately stored in the image memory 105 as matte black image data. The image memory 105
Is connected to the print control circuit 103.

The control circuit 96 further includes a motor drive circuit 10
6 and the fixing device control circuit 107 are connected. The motor drive circuit 106 includes motors 75, 76, 77, 78, 7
9, 80, 81, 82, 83 and the cam motor 125, respectively, and control the driving of the motor. Incidentally, the motors 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 are provided with image drum cartridges 66Y, 66M, 66C, 66B1, 66, respectively.
Each roller in B2 and the corresponding transfer roller 74Y,
These are motors for rotating 74M, 74C, 74B1, and 74B2, respectively. The motor 80 is a motor for rotating the paper feed roller 48, and the motor 81 is a motor for rotating the transport roller 53 and the drive roller 65 (the transport belt 64). The motor 82 is a motor for rotating a heat roller 91 provided in the fixing device 90.
Is a motor for moving the matte black image forming unit 66B2 in the direction of coming into contact with and separating from the transport belt 64 when selecting an image forming unit. The yellow image forming unit 66Y,
The magenta image forming unit 66M, the cyan image forming unit 66C, and the glossy black image forming unit 66B1 are moved by the cam motor 125 in the direction of coming into contact with and separating from the transport belt 64 as described above. The respective motors are connected to respective members driven by gears or belts (not shown).

The fixing device control circuit 107 controls the fixing device 90.
The heat roller 91 is connected to a heater (not shown) in the heat roller 91 so as to keep the temperature of the heat roller 91 constant, and drives the heater.

The sensor receiver driver 108 is also connected to the control circuit 96. The sensor receiver driver 108 is connected to the photo sensors 58, 67, 88, respectively, and drives the photo sensors 58, 67, 88,
Receiving the output waveforms of the photo sensors 58, 67, 88,
The signal is transmitted to the control circuit 96.

Next, the printing operation of the image recording apparatus 42 having the above configuration will be described. FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, when a switch (not shown) is pressed while the sheets 2 are stacked in the sheet cassette 43, the control circuit 96 executes predetermined initial settings via the motor drive circuit 106. After that, the motor 82 for the fixing device 90 is driven to rotate the heat roller 91. Thus, while cleaning the surface of the heat roller 91 with the cleaning pad 93, the control circuit 96 controls the fixing device control circuit 107 to perform warm-up until the heat roller 91 in the fixing device 90 reaches a predetermined temperature. The above warm-up operation is also performed when temporarily returning from the slip mode in which the power supply to the heat roller 91 is temporarily cut off in order to reduce the power consumption of the image recording device 42 when there is no printing operation for a predetermined time.

The fixing device control circuit 107 includes a heat roller 91.
Is controlled so that it is always maintained at a constant temperature. When the heat roller 91 reaches a predetermined temperature, the control circuit 9
6 drives the motor 81 for the transport belt 64 via the motor drive circuit 106 to rotate the drive roller 65 in the direction of arrow E. Accordingly, the conveyance belt 64 starts moving in the direction of arrow G with the rotation of the driven roller 61 in the direction of arrow E. Then, at a point in time when the transport belt 64 is fed slightly longer than one rotation, the control circuit 96 stops the motor 81 via the motor drive circuit 106, and stops the movement of the transport belt 64. As a result, the residual toner and dust adhering on the surface of the transport belt 64 are scraped off to the waste toner tank 86 by the cleaning blade 85.

During the cleaning operation, the control circuit 96 controls the image drum cartridges 68Y, 68M, 68
C, 68B1, 68B2, and transfer rollers 74Y, 74M,
Motors 75, 76, 7 for 74C, 74B1, 74B2
7, 78, 79 are also driven to drive the rollers in the image drum cartridges 68Y, 68M, 68C, 68B1, 68B2 and the transfer rollers 74Y, 74M, 74C, 74B.
1. Rotate 74B2. Incidentally, the photosensitive drum 69Y,
Residual toner remaining on the surfaces of 69M, 69C, 69B1, 69B2 is removed from cleaning units 84Y, 84M, 84B.
C, 84B1 and 84B2 scrape off and perform a cleaning operation.

Further, the control circuit 96 controls the SP bias power supply 9
7, the power supplies for the respective colors of the DB bias power supply 98 and the charging power supply 99 are turned on, and the charging rollers 70Y, 70M, 70
C, 70B1, 70B2, developing rollers 72Y, 72M, 72
A predetermined voltage is applied to C, 72B1, 72B2 and a sponge roller (not shown).

With the above operation, the initial operation of the image recording device 42 is completed, and the control circuit 96
4 and waits for image data to be transmitted from an external device (not shown). The above-described initial operation is also performed after the cover (not shown) of the image recording device 42 is opened and closed.
Note that this cover is used when the paper 2 is jammed or when the image drum cartridges 68Y, 68M, 68C,
The paper 2 or the image drum cartridge 68 is transferred from the image recording device 42 to the outside when the
Y, 68M, 68C, 68B1, 68B2 are the covers installed to take out.

When the control circuit 96 receives image data transmitted from a host computer, which is an external device, not shown, through the interface unit 104, the control circuit 9
Reference numeral 6 determines whether the image data received from the host computer is color image data for a color image or only black image data for a monochrome image.
It is assumed that the monochrome image is formed only with black toner, and that color image data is transmitted this time. Accordingly, the control circuit 96 determines that the received image data is color image data and issues an instruction to the interface unit 104 and the image memory 105. In response to this instruction, the interface unit 104 separates the received image data signal by color, and converts the received image data signal into an image memory
To store. The image memory 105 stores image data of each color for one page to be printed on the sheet 2 for each color.

Next, the operation of printing image data on the paper 2 stored in the paper storage box 44 will be described.

Since the control circuit 96 has determined that the image to be printed is a color image, it drives the cam motor 125 via the motor drive circuit 106, and as shown in FIG. 4, the yellow image forming section 66Y and the magenta image forming section 66M, the cyan image forming section 66C, and the glossy black image forming section 66B1 are brought into contact with the conveyor belt 64, and the motor 83 is driven to move the matte black image forming section 66B2 to the conveyor belt 64.
Away from

Next, the control circuit 96 controls the motor drive circuit 106.
The motor 80 is driven through the
Rotate in the direction. At this time, the paper 2 stored in the paper storage box 44 is pressed by the pressing means 46 into the paper feed roller 4.
8. Then, in this state, the sheet feeding roller 48
Is rotated in the direction of arrow E, so that the sheet 2
The sheets are separated one by one, and the uppermost sheet in the paper storage box 44 is fed out of the paper storage box 44. The paper 2 is guided by the guide plates 51 and 52, and is transported to a position where the transport roller 53 and the first registration roller 54 face each other. After the sheet 2 is conveyed by a distance slightly longer than the distance that the leading end of the sheet 2 reaches the conveying roller 53 and the first registration roller 54, the control circuit 96 controls the motor 80 via the motor driving circuit 106. Stop. Thus, the conveyance of the sheet 2 is stopped in a state where the leading end portion is pressed between the conveyance roller 53 and the first registration roller 54 and slightly bent. The skew at the time of feeding the sheet 2 is corrected by the bending of the sheet 2.

Next, the control circuit 96 controls the motor drive circuit 106
, Motors 75, 76, 77 and 78 are driven through the photosensitive drum 69Y of the image drum cartridge 68Y, the charging roller 70Y, the developing roller 72Y, a sponge roller (not shown), the transfer roller 74Y, and the photosensitive drum 69M of the image drum cartridge 68M. , Charging roller 70M, developing roller 72M, sponge roller (not shown), transfer roller 74
M, photosensitive drum 6 of image drum cartridge 68C
9C, charging roller 70C, developing roller 72C, sponge roller (not shown), transfer roller 74C, photosensitive drum 69B1 of image drum cartridge 68B1, charging roller 7
0B1, a developing roller 72B1, a sponge roller not shown,
The transfer roller 74B1 is rotated. The control circuit 96 drives the motors 81 and 82 via the motor drive circuit 106 to rotate the transport roller 53 in the direction of arrow E, and the drive roller 65 to rotate in the direction of arrow E. Rotate 91.

Further, the control circuit 96 simultaneously operates the charging power supplies 99-Y, 99-M, 99-C, 99-B1, the DB bias power supplies 98-Y, 98-M, 98-C, 98-B1, S
P bias power supply 97-Y, 97-M, 97-C, 97-B1
Is turned on. Then, the charging power supply 99-
Y, 99-M, 99-C, 99-B1, DB bias power supply 9
8-Y, 98-M, 98-C, 98-B1, SP bias power supplies 97-Y, 97-M, 97-C, 97-B1 are a charging roller 70Y, a developing roller 72Y of the image drum cartridge 68Y, not shown. Sponge roller, charging roller 70M of image drum cartridge 68M, developing roller 72M,
Sponge roller (not shown), charging roller 70C of image drum cartridge 68C, developing roller 72C, sponge roller (not shown), image drum cartridge 68B1
A voltage is applied to the charging roller 70B1, the developing roller 72B1, and a sponge roller (not shown).

Accordingly, the photosensitive drums 69Y, 69M, 6
The surfaces of 9C and 69B1 are charged rollers 70Y and 70B, respectively.
While being uniformly charged via M, 70C and 70B1,
Sponge roller and developing roller 72Y, 72M, 72C,
72B1 is charged to a predetermined high voltage.

Since the transport roller 53 rotates in the direction of arrow E, the leading end of the sheet 2 is moved by the first registration roller 54 and the second registration roller 55 and the guide plate 59 to the suction roller 60 and the transport belt 64. Guided between. At this time, the control circuit 96 turns on the suction charging power supply 101 to supply a voltage to the suction roller 60. Then, the leading end of the sheet 2 is held by the suction roller 60 and the driven roller 61.
It is attracted to the conveyor belt 64 by the electrostatic force between them.

When the transport roller 53 further rotates in the direction of arrow E, the sheet 2 is sucked by the transport belt 64 while the arrow G
Conveyed in the direction. Then, the control circuit 96 detects the leading end of the sheet 2 via the photo sensor 67 and the sensor receiver driver 108.

When a certain period of time has elapsed after the start of rotation of the transport roller 53, the control circuit 96 issues a command to the image memory 105 storing the yellow image data, and stores the yellow image data for one line in the image memory 105. To the print control circuit 103. The print control circuit 103 converts the image data transmitted from the image memory 105 according to a command from the control circuit 96 into a yellow image forming unit 66Y.
LED head 73Y
The data is transmitted to the head 73Y. Then, the LED head 73Y turns on the LED corresponding to the transmitted image data, and forms one line of an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 69Y. The yellow toner is transferred from the developing roller 72Y of the developing unit 71Y to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 69Y, and the yellow toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image, so that the electrostatic latent image is developed. The electrostatic latent images are successively developed with yellow toner by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 69Y.

When the leading end of the sheet 2 reaches a position where the photosensitive drum 69Y and the transfer roller 74Y are opposed to each other, the control circuit 96 turns on the transfer power supply 100-Y, whereby the transfer power supply 100-Y is turned on. Supplies power to the transfer roller 74Y. As a result, the toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 69Y is electrically transferred onto the sheet 2 by the transfer roller 74Y.

The rotation of the photosensitive drum 69Y causes the toner to be successively transferred onto the sheet 2, and a one-page yellow image is transferred onto the sheet 2. Thus, the transfer of the yellow toner on the sheet 2 by the yellow image forming unit 66Y is completed. After a certain period of time has passed after the rear end of the sheet 2 has passed between the photosensitive drum 69Y and the transfer roller 74Y, the control circuit 96 turns off the transfer power supply 100-Y. As a result, power is not supplied to the transfer roller 74Y.

The transport belt 64 continues to rotate.
The leading end of the sheet 2 shifts from the yellow image forming section 66Y to the magenta image forming section 66M, and the sheet 2 of the magenta image
Is performed.

The control circuit 96 issues a command to the image memory 105 storing magenta image data, and causes the print control circuit 103 to transmit one line of magenta image data from the image memory 105. The print control circuit 103 converts the image data transmitted from the image memory 105 into a magenta image forming unit 66M in response to a command from the control circuit 96.
LED head 73M
The data is transmitted to the head 73M. Then, the LED head 73M turns on the LED corresponding to the transmitted image data, and forms an electrostatic latent image of one line corresponding to the image data on the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 69M.

In this manner, the magenta image data transmitted from the image memory 105 line by line is sequentially formed into an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 69M, and the magenta image data corresponding to the length in the sub-scanning direction is obtained. The exposure is completed by converting the image data into a latent image.

The magenta toner is transferred from the developing roller 72M of the developing section 71M to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 69M, and the magenta toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image, whereby the electrostatic latent image is developed. The electrostatic latent images are successively developed with magenta toner by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 69M.

When the leading end of the sheet 2 reaches a position where the photosensitive drum 69M and the transfer roller 74M are opposed to each other, the control circuit 96 turns on the transfer power supply 100-M, whereby the transfer power supply 100-M is turned on. Supplies power to the transfer roller 74M. As a result, the toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 69M is electrically transferred onto the sheet 2 by the transfer roller 74M.

The rotation of the photosensitive drum 69M causes the toner to be sequentially transferred onto the sheet 2, and the magenta image for one page is transferred onto the sheet 2. Thus, the transfer of the magenta toner on the sheet 2 by the magenta image forming unit 66M is completed. After a certain period of time has passed after the rear end of the sheet 2 has passed between the photosensitive drum 69M and the transfer roller 74M, the control circuit 96 turns off the transfer power supply 100-M. As a result, power is not supplied to the transfer roller 74M.

The sheet 2 further moves from the magenta image forming section 66M to the cyan image forming section 66C, and the cyan image forming section 66C transfers the cyan toner. When the transfer of the cyan toner is completed, the sheet 2 moves from the cyan image forming unit 66C to the glossy black image forming unit 66B1, and the glossy black image forming unit 66B1 transfers the glossy black toner.

The transfer operation of the cyan toner to the sheet 2 by the cyan image forming unit 66C and the transfer operation of the glossy black toner to the sheet by the gloss black image forming unit 66B1 are performed by the yellow image forming unit 66Y. The operation is the same as the operation of transferring the toner to the paper 2 and the operation of transferring the magenta toner to the paper 2 by the magenta image forming unit 66M, and the description is omitted.

As described above, the toner of each color is transferred onto the paper 2 in a superimposed manner. Thereafter, the paper 2 is conveyed to the neutralizer 87 by the conveyance belt 64. The control circuit 96 turns on the static elimination power supply 102 before the paper 2 is conveyed to the static eliminator 87, and the static eliminator 87 sets the conveyed paper 2
To remove electricity. As a result, the sheet 2 is easily separated from the transport belt 64, and the transport belt 64
And is guided to the fixing device 90 by the guide plate 89. At the time when the sheet 2 passes through the neutralizer 87, the control circuit 96 turns off the neutralizing power supply 102.

In the fixing device 90, the toner is fixed onto the sheet 2 by the heat roller 91 which has already reached the temperature at which the image can be fixed, and the pressure roller 92 which comes into pressure contact with the heat roller 91. When the fixing is completed, the sheet 2 is discharged to the discharge stacker 95. The control circuit 96 can detect the discharge of the sheet 2 by detecting the trailing end of the sheet 2 by the photo sensor 88.

When the discharge of the sheet 2 is completed, the control circuit 96
Are motors 75, 76, 7 via a motor drive circuit 106.
Driving of 7, 78, 81 and 82 is stopped. Thereby, the photosensitive drum 69Y of the image drum cartridge 68Y,
Charging roller 70Y, developing roller 72Y, sponge roller (not shown), transfer roller 74Y, photosensitive drum 69M of image drum cartridge 68M, charging roller 70M, developing roller 72M, sponge roller (not shown), transfer roller 7
4M, photosensitive drum 69C of image drum cartridge 68C, charging roller 70C, developing roller 72C, sponge roller (not shown), transfer roller 74C, photosensitive drum 69B1 of image drum cartridge 68B1, charging roller 70B1, developing roller 72B1, sponge not shown The rotation of the rollers, the transfer roller 74B1, the transport roller 53, the transport belt 64, and the heat roller 91 of the fixing device 90 stops. Further, the control circuit 96 includes charging power supplies 99-Y, 99-M,
99-C, 99-B1, DB bias power supply 98-Y, 98
-M, 98-C, 98-B1, SP bias power supply 97-
Y, 97-M, 97-C, and 97-B1 are turned off. Then, the charging power supply 99-Y, 99-M, 99-
C, 99-B1, DB bias power supply 98-Y, 98-M, 9
8-C, 98-B1, SP bias power supply 97-Y, 97-
M, 97-C, and 97-B1 denote a charging roller 70Y, a developing roller 72Y, a sponge roller (not shown) of the image drum cartridge 68Y, a charging roller 70M, a developing roller 72M of the image drum cartridge 68M, a sponge roller (not shown), and an image drum cartridge 68C. A charging roller 70C, a developing roller 72C, a sponge roller (not shown),
Charging roller 70B of image drum cartridge 68B1
1. The supply of the voltage to the developing roller 72B1 and the sponge roller (not shown) is stopped.

By the above operation, color image data can be recorded on the paper 2 fed from the paper storage box 44. When the photo sensor 88 detects the trailing end of the sheet 2, the control circuit 96 turns off the suction charging power supply 101 and stops supplying the voltage to the suction roller 60.

Incidentally, color image data can be similarly recorded on the sheet 2 inserted from the manual feed tray 56 into the image recording device 42. The following manual tray 56
The operation of recording color image data on the paper 2 inserted into the image recording device 42 from the first embodiment will be described.

First, the operator stacks the sheets 2 on the manual feed tray 56. The control circuit 96 detects the leading end of the sheet 2 via the photo sensor 58 and the sensor receiver driver 108. Then, the control circuit 96 drives the motors 75, 76, 77, 78, 81, 82 via the motor drive circuit 106, and the image drum cartridges 66Y, 66M, 66
C, 66B1 and transfer rollers 74Y, 74
M, 74C, 74B1, transport roller 53, transport belt 6
4. The heat roller 91 provided in the fixing device 90 is rotated.

The control circuit 96 is provided with a power supply 101 for suction charging.
Is turned on to supply a voltage to the suction roller 60. Furthermore, the control circuit 96 turns on the SP bias power supply 97, the DB bias power supply 98, and the charging power supply 99 for yellow, magenta, cyan, and gloss black, and turns on the charging rollers 70Y, 70M, 70C, 70B1, the developing rollers 72Y, 7
A predetermined voltage is applied to 2M, 72C, 72B1, and a sponge roller (not shown).

As a result, the sheet 2 inserted into the image recording device 42 from the manual feed tray 56 has the leading end formed by the suction roller 60 and the conveyance belt 64 by the conveyance roller 53 and the second registration roller 55, and the guide plate 59. Guided between. Then, the leading end of the sheet 2 is attracted to the transport belt 64 by the electrostatic force between the suction roller 60 and the driven roller 61.

When the transport roller 53 further rotates in the direction of arrow E, the sheet 2 is sucked by the transport belt 64 while the arrow G moves.
Conveyed in the direction.

The subsequent operation of printing a color image on the paper 2 is performed by the paper 2 stored in the paper storage box 44.
Since the operation is the same as that for printing a color image, the description is omitted.

The image data transmitted from the host computer, which is an external device (not shown), for explaining the printing operation of the image recording device 42 in the case where the image to be printed next is a monochrome image of only character black is printed by the control circuit. When the signal 96 is received via the interface unit 104, the control circuit 96 determines whether the image data received from the host computer is color image data or only black image data. It is assumed that only black image data has been transmitted this time. Therefore, the control circuit 9
6 judges that the received image data is black image data and issues an instruction to the interface unit 104 and the image memory 105. In response to this instruction, the interface unit 104 stores the received image data signal in the image memory 105 as matte black image data.
The image memory 105 stores one page of black image data to be printed on the sheet 2.

Next, the operation of printing image data on the paper 2 stored in the paper storage box 44 will be described.

Since the control circuit 96 has determined that the received image data is only black image data, it drives the motor 83 via the motor drive circuit 106, and as shown in FIG. 7, the matte black image forming section 66B2 Is brought into contact with the conveyor belt 64 and the cam motor 125 is driven to drive the yellow image forming section 66Y, the magenta image forming section 66M,
Cyan image forming section 66C, glossy black image forming section 66B
1 is separated from the conveyor belt 64. Thus, in the case of printing a monochrome image, the matte black image forming section 6
The printing operation is performed using 6B2.

Next, the control circuit 96 controls the motor drive circuit 106
The motor 80 is driven through the
Rotate in the direction. Note that the subsequent printing operation is the same as the case of printing color image data, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the printing operation of the image recording apparatus 42 when the color image and the monochrome image are mixed, such as a color image and a monochrome image, will be described.

When the control circuit 96 receives image data transmitted from a host computer, which is an external device, not shown, via the interface unit 104, the control circuit 9
Reference numeral 6 determines whether the image data received from the host computer is color image data or only black image data. In this case, it is assumed that color image data and black image data alone are transmitted in a mixed state. Accordingly, the control circuit 96 determines that the received image data is image data in which only color image data and black image data are mixed, and issues an instruction to the interface unit 104 and the image memory 105. In response to this instruction, the interface unit 104 separates the received image data signal by color, and converts the image data signal into yellow image data, magenta image data, cyan image data, glossy black image data, and matte black image data. It is stored in the memory 105. The image memory 105 stores image data of each color for one page to be printed on the sheet 2 for each color.

Next, the operation of printing image data on the paper 2 stored in the paper storage box 44 will be described.

Since the control circuit 96 has determined that the received image data is a mixture of color image data and black image data only, it drives the motor 83 and the cam motor 125 via the motor drive circuit 106, FIG.
As shown in (1), all of the yellow image forming section 66Y, the magenta image forming section 66M, the cyan image forming section 66C, the glossy black image forming section 66B1, and the matte black image forming section 66B2 are brought into contact with the transport belt 64. In the case of printing image data in which color image data and black image data are mixed, a yellow image forming unit 66Y and a magenta image forming unit 66Y print a color image.
M, cyan image forming section 66C, glossy black image forming section 6
The printing operation is performed using 6B1, and when printing a monochrome image, the printing operation is performed using the matte black image forming unit 66B2.

Next, the control circuit 96 controls the motor drive circuit 106
The motor 80 is driven through the
Rotate in the direction. Note that the subsequent printing operation is the same as the case of printing color image data, and a description thereof will be omitted.

It is to be noted that, if an image recording apparatus for monochrome printing having two black image forming units, that is, an image forming unit having a glossy black toner and an image forming unit having a matte black toner, this embodiment can be used. Can be applied to a monochrome printer.

In the fourth embodiment, the control circuit 96 determines whether the image to be printed is a color image or a monochrome image. Is performed using a glossy black toner having a high wax content, and in the case of a monochrome image, printing of black image data is performed using a matte black toner having a low wax content. The black portion can be expressed in a glossy state like other color toners, and the monochrome image can be expressed as glare-free characters with reduced gloss on the printing surface.

Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control system of the image recording apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, the image recording apparatus 109 of the fifth embodiment differs from the image recording apparatus 42 of the fourth embodiment in that only one black image forming section is provided. .

The image recording apparatus 109 has a black image forming section 66B, and the image drum cartridge 68B of the black image forming section 66B contains a large amount of wax so as to give a gloss. The glossy toner tank 110A shown in FIG. 9 containing the glossy black toner is attached, or the amount of wax is added to the black toner contained in the glossy toner tank 110A in order to print a monochrome image. A matte toner tank 110B, shown in FIG. 10, which contains less matte black toner than the amount contained is mounted.

A projection 112 is formed on the glossy toner tank 110A. And the image recording device 109
A toner sensor 111 is provided in the vicinity where the gloss toner tank 110A or 110B is mounted, and the output of the toner sensor 111 changes depending on whether or not the protrusion 112 is detected. The toner sensor 111 is connected to a sensor receiver driver 108 connected to a control circuit 96 shown in FIG. 11, and the output of the toner sensor 111 is transmitted to the control circuit 96 via the sensor receiver driver 108. According to the detection signal received from the toner sensor 111, the control circuit 96 determines whether the toner tank mounted on the image drum cartridge 68B of the black image forming section 66 is the glossy toner tank 110A containing the glossy black toner, or It is determined whether or not the matted toner tank 110B contains the erased black toner.

In FIG. 11, the image drum cartridge 66B and the transfer roller 74B are driven by a motor 115. Also, the image drum cartridge 68
B, the LED head 73B, and the transfer roller 74B are image drum cartridges 68B1, 66B shown in FIG.
2, LED heads 73B1, 73B2, transfer roller 74B
1, 74B2. Motor 8
3 moves the black image forming unit 66B in the direction of coming into contact with and separating from the transport belt 64 when selecting an image forming unit.
Then, the yellow image forming section 66Y, the magenta image forming section 66M, and the cyan image forming section 66C are moved by the cam motor 125 in a direction of coming and coming from the conveyor belt 64.

The image recording device 109 is provided with a display unit (not shown). The control circuit 96 determines that the toner tank mounted on the image drum cartridge 68B of the black image forming unit 66B is a toner tank 110A containing glossy black toner, and that the image data received from the host computer is black image data. If it is determined that the image is the only image, a display unit (not shown) indicates that printing a monochrome image in this state results in a glossy finish. After this display, the control circuit 96 performs an operation in which an instruction from the operator is not input after a predetermined time has elapsed, or an input indicating that the printing operation may be started in this state is performed by the operator. When the operation is detected, the operation is continued. on the other hand,
When the control circuit 96 detects that the input indicating that the printing is to be stopped is performed by the operator, the control circuit 96 displays a display unit (not shown) on the display unit.
It is displayed that a matte toner tank 110B containing a matte black toner having no gloss is to be mounted.

The other configuration is the same as that of the image recording device 42 of the fourth embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Next, the image recording apparatus 109 having the above configuration
Will be described.

In FIG. 9, the paper 2 is stored in the paper cassette 43.
When a switch (not shown) is pressed in a state where the image recording apparatus 109 is loaded, the control circuit 96 performs a predetermined initial operation of the image recording apparatus 109. When the predetermined initial operation is completed, the control circuit 9
Reference numeral 6 indicates whether the toner tank mounted on the image drum cartridge 68B of the black image forming unit 66B is a glossy toner tank 110A containing glossy black toner or contains matte black toner based on the output of the toner sensor 111. Matte toner tank 110B
Determine what it is.

This time, the toner sensor 111 is
Is detected, the control circuit 96 outputs the toner sensor 11
From 1, a signal indicating that the protrusion 112 is detected is received. As a result, the control circuit 96 determines that the attached toner tank is the glossy toner tank 110A containing the glossy black toner.

In this state, the control circuit 96 waits for image data to be transmitted from an external device (not shown) via the interface unit 104.

When the control circuit 96 receives image data transmitted from a host computer as an external device (not shown) via the interface unit 104, the control circuit 9
Reference numeral 6 determines whether the image data received from the host computer is color image data or only black image data. It is assumed that color image data has been transmitted this time. Accordingly, the control circuit 96 determines that the received image data is color image data,
Give instructions to By this instruction, the interface unit 10
Reference numeral 4 decomposes the received image data signal for each color, and stores them in the image memory 105 for each color as yellow image data, magenta image data, cyan image data, and black image data. The image memory 105 stores image data of each color for one page to be printed on the sheet 2 for each color.

Next, the operation of printing image data on the paper 2 stored in the paper storage box 44 will be described.

Since the control circuit 96 has determined that the image to be printed is a color image, the control circuit 96 drives the motor 83 and the cam motor 125 via the motor drive circuit 106, and as shown in FIG. The image forming unit 66M, the cyan image forming unit 66C, and the black image forming unit 66B are brought into contact with the transport belt 64. When the gloss toner tank 110A containing the gloss black toner is mounted on the image drum cartridge 68B, the black image data in the color image data is printed with the gloss black toner in the gloss toner tank 110A.

Next, the control circuit 96 controls the motor drive circuit 106
The motor 80 is driven through the
Rotate in the direction.

The operation of printing image data on the paper 2 thereafter is the same as the operation of printing color image data on the paper 2 stored in the paper storage box 44 shown in the fourth embodiment. The description is omitted because it is the same.

On the other hand, if the image data received by the control circuit 96 from the host computer, which is an external device (not shown), via the interface unit 104 is only black image data, the control circuit 96 sets the interface unit 10
4 and an instruction to the image memory 105. In response to this instruction, the interface unit 104 stores the received image data signal in the image memory 105 as black image data. The image memory 105 stores one page of black image data to be printed on the sheet 2. Note that the control circuit 96 determines that the toner tank attached to the image drum cartridge 68B of the black image forming unit 66B is a toner tank 110A containing glossy black toner, and that the image data received from the host computer is black. Since it is determined that the image data is only the image data, the display unit (not shown) displays that when a monochrome image is printed in this state, a glossy finish is obtained.

After this display, the control circuit 96 determines whether an instruction from the operator has not been input after a predetermined time has elapsed.
Alternatively, when it is detected that an input indicating that the printing operation may be started in this state is performed by the operator, the operation is continued as it is. On the other hand, when the control circuit 96 detects that the input indicating the stop of the printing has been performed by the operator, the control circuit 96 displays on the display unit (not shown) a matte toner tank 110B containing matte black toner without matte. Is displayed to be attached. This makes it possible to replace the toner tank before starting the printing operation, and to print a monochrome image in a matte state without gloss.

Next, the operation of printing image data on the paper 2 stored in the paper storage box 44 will be described.

Since the control circuit 96 has determined that the received image data is black image data, the control circuit 96 drives the motor 83 via the motor drive circuit 106 to bring the black image forming section 66B into contact with the transport belt 64, and By driving the cam motor 125, the yellow image forming section 66Y, the magenta image forming section 66M, and the cyan image forming section 66C are separated from the conveyor belt 64. When the glossy toner tank 110A containing the glossy black toner is mounted on the image drum cartridge 68B, the black image data of the monochrome image is stored in the glossy toner tank 11A.
Printed with glossy black toner within 0A.

Next, the control circuit 96 controls the motor drive circuit 106
The motor 80 is driven through the
Rotate in the direction.

The subsequent operation of printing image data on paper 2 is the same as the operation of printing black image data on paper 2 stored in paper storage box 44 shown in the fourth embodiment. The description is omitted because it is the same.

On the other hand, a switch (not shown) is depressed while the sheets 2 are stacked in the sheet cassette 43, and the control circuit 9
Reference numeral 6 indicates whether the toner tank mounted on the image drum cartridge 68B of the black image forming unit 66B is a glossy toner tank 110A containing glossy black toner from the output of the toner sensor 111, or contains matte black toner. Matte toner tank 110B
When the determination is made, if the toner sensor 111 does not detect the protrusion 112 as shown in FIG. 10, the control circuit 96 receives a signal indicating that the protrusion 112 is not detected from the toner sensor 111. I do. Thus, the control circuit 96 determines that the attached toner tank is the matte toner tank 110B containing the matte black toner.

In this state, the control circuit 96 waits for image data to be transmitted from an external device (not shown) via the interface unit 104.

When the control circuit 96 receives image data transmitted from a host computer, which is an external device not shown, through the interface unit 104, the control circuit 9
Reference numeral 6 determines whether the image data received from the host computer is color image data or only black image data. It is assumed that color image data has been transmitted this time. Accordingly, the control circuit 96 determines that the received image data is color image data,
Give instructions to By this instruction, the interface unit 10
Reference numeral 4 denotes an image memory 1 which separates the received image data signal for each color and obtains yellow image data, magenta image data, cyan image data, and black image data for each color.
05. The image memory 105 stores image data of each color for one page to be printed on the sheet 2 for each color.

Next, the operation of printing image data on the paper 2 stored in the paper storage box 44 will be described.

Since the control circuit 96 has determined that the image to be printed is a color image, the black image forming section 66B is not used when printing black image data, and the three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan are used. The black image data is printed with the black toner formed by mixing the above toners. Accordingly, the control circuit 96 drives the cam motor 125 via the motor drive circuit 106, and the yellow image forming section 66
Y, magenta image forming section 66M, cyan image forming section 66C
Is brought into contact with the conveyor belt 64, and the motor 83 is driven to move the black image forming section 66B away from the conveyor belt 64. When the matte toner tank 110B containing the matte black toner is mounted on the image drum cartridge 68B, the black image data in the color image data is a three-color toner of yellow, magenta, and cyan. Is printed with black toner.

Next, the control circuit 96 controls the motor drive circuit 106
The motor 80 is driven through the
Rotate in the direction.

The operation of printing the image data on the paper 2 thereafter is the same as the operation of printing color image data on the paper 2 stored in the paper storage box 44 shown in the fourth embodiment. The description is omitted because it is the same.

On the other hand, if the control circuit 96 determines that the image data received from the host computer, which is an external device, not shown, via the interface unit 104 is only black image data, the control circuit 96 transmits the image data to the interface unit 104 and the image data. An instruction is issued to the memory 105. In response to this instruction, the interface unit 104 converts the received image data signal into black image data in the image memory 105.
To store. The image memory 105 stores one page of black image data to be printed on the sheet 2.

Next, the operation of printing image data on the paper 2 stored in the paper storage box 44 will be described.

Since the control circuit 96 has determined that the received image data is black image data, the control circuit 96 drives the motor 83 via the motor drive circuit 106 to bring the black image forming section 66B into contact with the transport belt 64, and By driving the cam motor 125, the yellow image forming section 66Y, the magenta image forming section 66M, and the cyan image forming section 66C are separated from the conveyor belt 64. When the matte toner tank 110B containing the matte black toner is mounted on the image drum cartridge 68B, the black image data of the monochrome image is printed with the matte black toner in the matte toner tank 110B.

Next, the control circuit 96 controls the motor drive circuit 106
The motor 80 is driven through the
Rotate in the direction.

The subsequent operation of printing image data on paper 2 is the same as the operation of printing black image data on paper 2 stored in paper storage box 44 described in the fourth embodiment. The description is omitted because it is the same.

In the fifth embodiment, the matte toner tank 110B containing the matte black toner is used.
Is mounted on the image drum cartridge 68B, the black image data of the monochrome image is printed with the matte black toner, so that the monochrome image can be expressed as glare-free printed surface with less glare. . That is, it is possible to perform printing with improved visibility of characters of a monochrome image. When the matte toner tank 110B containing the matte black toner is mounted on the image drum cartridge 68B, the black image data in the color image data is a yellow image forming unit 66Y, a magenta image forming unit 66M,
Since the printing is performed using the black toner formed by mixing the three color toners of yellow, magenta, and cyan stored in the toner tank (not shown) of each of the cyan image forming units 66C, the gloss of the printing result is black. Can be prevented from lowering only in the portion.

Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the image recording apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

In FIG. 12, the image recording device 113 of the sixth embodiment is different from the image recording device 42 of the fourth embodiment.
Unlike this, only one black image forming unit is provided, and the black image forming unit 66B has the first black image forming unit.
Developing units 114a and 114b are provided.

The image recording device 109 has a black image forming section 66B. And this black image forming section 6
The 6B image drum cartridge 68B is provided with a first developing unit 114a and a second developing unit 114b. The first developing unit 114a is provided with a toner tank (not shown) that contains a glossy glossy black toner containing a relatively large amount of wax so as to give a gloss. In the second developing unit 114b,
In order to print a monochrome image, the amount of wax is
And a toner tank (not shown) in which a matte black toner having less luster than the amount contained in the black toner contained in the developing unit 114a is contained.

The first developing unit 114a and the second developing unit 114b are provided with a first developing roller 117a and a second developing roller 117b provided in each developing unit by a mechanism (not shown). The image drum cartridge 68B is provided movably so that the image drum cartridge 68B can come and go with respect to the image drum cartridge 68B. The mechanism (not shown) is driven by a motor 116 shown in FIG. This motor 1
Reference numeral 16 is connected to the motor drive circuit 106, and the first developing unit 114a and the second developing unit 114b can be freely moved toward and away from the photosensitive drum 69B under the control of the control circuit 96.

Further, the control circuit 96 determines whether the image to be printed is a color image centered on a color image or a monochrome image mainly composed of monochrome characters, and according to the determination result, the black image forming section 66B. The first developing roller 1 of the first developing unit 114a selects a type of black toner to be used in the first developing unit 114a and performs printing with the selected toner.
Control is performed such that one of the second developing roller 117b and the second developing roller 117b of the second developing unit 114b is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 69B.

The other configuration is the same as that of the image recording apparatus 109 according to the fifth embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the image recording apparatus 113 having the above configuration
Will be described.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, when a switch (not shown) is pressed in a state where the sheets 2 are stacked in the sheet cassette 43, the control circuit 96 performs a predetermined initial operation of the image recording apparatus 109. When the predetermined initial operation is completed, the control circuit 96 waits for transmission of image data of an external device color (not shown) via the interface unit 104.

When the control circuit 96 receives image data transmitted from a host computer, which is an external device, not shown, via the interface unit 104, the control circuit 9
Reference numeral 6 determines whether the image data received from the host computer is color image data or black image data. It is assumed that color image data has been transmitted this time. Accordingly, the control circuit 96 determines that the received image data is color image data and issues an instruction to the interface unit 104 and the image memory 105. In response to this instruction, the interface unit 104
Decomposes the received image data signal for each color and stores them in the image memory 105 for each color as yellow image data, magenta image data, cyan image data, and black image data. The image memory 105 stores image data of each color for one page to be printed on the sheet 2 for each color.

Next, the operation of printing image data on the paper 2 stored in the paper storage box 44 will be described.

Since the control circuit 96 has determined that the image to be printed is a color image, the control circuit 96 drives the motor 83 and the cam motor 125 via the motor drive circuit 106, and the yellow image forming section 66Y and the magenta image The forming unit 66M, the cyan image forming unit 66C, and the black image forming unit 66B are brought into contact with the transport belt 64. Further, since the control circuit 96 recognizes that the current printing is a color image, the motor driving circuit 106 and the motor 116
The developing roller 117a of the first developing unit 114a is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 69 through the second developing unit 1a.
14b is separated from the photosensitive drum 69B. When the image to be printed is a color image, glossy black toner is used for the black image data.

Next, the control circuit 96 controls the motor drive circuit 106
The motor 80 is driven through the
Rotate in the direction.

The operation of printing the image data on the paper 2 thereafter is the same as the operation of printing the color image data on the paper 2 stored in the paper storage box 44 shown in the fourth embodiment. The description is omitted because it is the same.

On the other hand, if the image data received by the control circuit 96 from the host computer, which is an external device, not shown, via the interface unit 104 is only black image data, the control circuit 96 transmits the image data to the interface unit 10.
4 and an instruction to the image memory 105. In response to this instruction, the interface unit 104 stores the received image data signal in the image memory 105 as black image data. The image memory 105 stores one page of monochrome image data to be printed on the sheet 2.

Next, the operation of printing image data on the paper 2 stored in the paper storage box 44 will be described.

Since the control circuit 96 has determined that the received image data is black image data, the control circuit 96 drives the motor 83 via the motor drive circuit 106 to bring the black image forming section 66B into contact with the transport belt 64, and By driving the cam motor 125, the yellow image forming section 66Y, the magenta image forming section 66M, and the cyan image forming section 66C are separated from the conveyor belt 64. Since the control circuit 96 recognizes that the current printing is a monochrome image, the control circuit 96 brings the developing roller 117b of the second developing unit 114b into contact with the photosensitive drum 69B, and the first developing unit 114a Is separated from the photosensitive drum 69B. In the case where the image to be printed is a monochrome character print or a monochrome image mainly composed of monochrome characters, the black image data uses matte black toner.

Next, the control circuit 96 controls the motor drive circuit 106
The motor 80 is driven through the
Rotate in the direction.

The subsequent operation of printing image data on paper 2 is the same as the operation of printing black image data on paper 2 stored in paper storage box 44 described in the fourth embodiment. The description is omitted because it is the same.

In the sixth embodiment, when the image to be printed is a monochrome image, the black image data is printed using matte black toner, so that the monochrome image is printed on the printing surface. It can be expressed as glare-free, easy-to-read characters without glare. That is, it is possible to perform printing with improved visibility of characters of a monochrome image. Further, when the image to be printed is a color image, the black image data is printed using the glossy black toner, so that it is possible to prevent the gloss of the print result from being reduced only in the black portion.

Further, if the image recording apparatus for monochrome printing is provided with two developing units, a developing unit containing a glossy black toner in a black image forming unit and a developing unit containing a matte black toner, the present invention The image recording device 113 according to the sixth embodiment can be applied to a monochrome printer.

As shown in FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16, the first fixing unit 15 and the second fixing unit shown in the first embodiment are used as fixing units of the color image recording apparatus 128. Either a fixing device similar to that of No. 16
A fixing device similar to the first fixing device 22 and the second fixing device 23 described in the third embodiment, or a fixing device similar to the fixing device 31 described in the third embodiment may be provided. You may do it.

Note that the black image forming section 66B of the image recording device 128 is replaced with another image forming section (yellow image forming section 6).
6Y, magenta image forming section 66M, cyan image forming section 66
It has the same configuration as C). For example, unlike the sixth embodiment, only one developing unit 71B and one developing roller 72B are incorporated. Black image forming section 6
The toner contained in 6B is a matte black toner having no gloss, in which the amount of wax is smaller than that contained in the glossy black toner. Further, in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, a paper transport path 129 through which the paper 2 is transported is formed between the photosensor 88 or the guide plate 89 and the discharge port 94. 14, two paper transport paths 129 are provided between the photosensor 88 and the discharge port 94 (the paper transport path 129a and the paper transport path 129).
b).

With such a configuration, in both a color image and a monochrome image, black image data can be printed as either a glossy image or a matte image. FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 show the sixth embodiment.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of another image recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

Although the tandem-type LED printers have been described in the fourth to sixth embodiments, the present invention is applicable to a printer using another light-emitting mechanism such as a laser as an exposure mechanism for a photosensitive drum. It is possible.

[0238]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a glossy image forming means for forming a glossy image on a print medium, and a non-glossy image formation for forming a glossless image on a print medium Means for selecting one of the glossy image forming means and the non-glossy image forming means, and forming an image on the print medium using the image forming means selected by the selecting means. By doing so, glossy printing or non-glossy finishing printing can be performed by one image recording device depending on the image forming unit to be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of an image recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a color image forming unit according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of an image recording apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of an image recording apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of another image recording apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of another image recording apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of another image recording apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image recording device 2 paper 15 first fixing device 16 second fixing device 22 first fixing device 23 second fixing device 28 cooling fan 29 image recording device 30 image recording device 31 fixing device 36 matte film 42 image recording Device 66B1 Glossy black image forming unit 66B2 Matte black image forming unit 96 Control circuit 109 Image recording device 110A Toner tank 110B Toner tank 111 Toner sensor 113 Image recording device 114 Developing unit 128 Image recording device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 15/01 G03G 15/01 RY113 113Z 15/08 503 15/08 503A 507 507L // G03G 9 / 09 9/08 361 F-term (reference) 2H005 AA21 CA14 CA18 CA21 2H027 DA12 DA32 DB01 DD05 DE04 DE07 DE09 EA04 EA12 EB04 EC06 EC18 EC19 ED08 ED19 ED24 ED25 EE01 EE04 EE05 EE07 EF09 FA28 FA30 AD35 AD03 A03 AD03 A03 AD04 BB02 BB23 BB33 BB38 BB43 BB53 2H033 AA10 AA11 AA45 AA49 BA01 BA08 BA10 BA12 BA29 BA30 BA58 BB01 BB04 BB17 BE03 BE08 CA04 CA07 CA30 CA35 CA53 2H077 AA33 AD02 AD06 BA07 BA10 DA05 DB15 DB14 DB15 GA16

Claims (13)

[Claims] A glossy image forming means for forming a glossy image on a print medium; a non-glossy image forming means for forming a glossless image on a print medium; An image recording apparatus comprising: a selection unit that selects one of the formation units; and an image forming unit that forms an image on the print medium using the image formation unit selected by the selection unit. 2. An image recording apparatus comprising a fixing unit for fixing a toner transferred on a print medium to the print medium, wherein the fixing unit fixes the toner to the print medium in a glossy state. A first fixing unit for fixing the toner to the print medium in a matte state without gloss, and the first fixing unit or the second fixing unit. An image recording apparatus, wherein the toner is fixed on the print medium using one of the fixing units. 3. The first fixing unit includes a first fixing roller having a heating element therein and a glossy mirror-finished surface in contact with the print medium. A first backup roller made of a heat-resistant elastic body, which is pressed, wherein the print medium passes through a contact point between the first fixing roller and the first backup roller, and The toner is fixed to a print medium in a glossy state, and the second fixing unit includes a heating element inside, and a surface that contacts the print medium has a rough surface finer than toner particles. A second fixing roller and a second heat-resistant elastic member pressed by the second fixing roller.
Wherein the print medium passes through a contact point between the second fixing roller and the second backup roller, thereby fixing the toner to the print medium in a matte state. 2. The image recording apparatus according to 2. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first fixing unit and the second fixing unit are provided in a state of being arranged in a direction orthogonal to the print medium conveying direction, and the toner is applied to the print medium in a glossy state. When fixing, the print medium is controlled to be guided to the first fixing unit. On the other hand, when the toner is fixed to the print medium in a matte state without gloss, the print medium is fixed to the first fixing unit. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a control unit that performs control for guiding to the second fixing unit. 5. The first fixing unit and the second fixing unit, wherein the first fixing unit is arranged in a direction parallel to the print medium conveying direction with the first fixing unit being the upstream side in the print medium conveying direction. The printing medium is provided between the first fixing unit and the second fixing unit and is driven so that the print medium that has passed through the first fixing unit reaches the second fixing unit. A cooling means for cooling the toner on the print medium to a temperature below the melting point before the fixing, and when the toner is fixed to the print medium in a glossy state, the first fixing roller melts the toner. Temperature to bring the cooling means into a driving state,
The second fixing roller is not heated so that the print medium is controlled to pass through the first fixing unit, the cooling unit, and the second fixing unit in this order. When fixing to the print medium in a matte state, the first fixing roller is raised to a temperature at which the toner melts, the cooling unit is driven, and the second fixing roller is also driven. 4. A control unit for controlling the passage of the print medium in the order of the first fixing unit, the cooling unit, and the second fixing unit in a state where the temperature is increased to a temperature at which the toner melts. Image recording device. 6. An image recording apparatus comprising a fixing unit for fixing toner transferred to a printing medium onto the printing medium, wherein the fixing unit includes a heating element therein and contacts the printing medium. A fixing roller having a glossy mirror-finished surface; a backup roller made of a heat-resistant elastic body pressed against the fixing roller; and contacting the toner with the toner when the toner is melted. A mat film having no matte state, and the fixing roller in a state in which the temperature of the fixing medium is raised to a temperature at which the toner melts in accordance with a timing at which the print medium passes through a position where the fixing roller and the backup roller are in contact with each other. And a heat-resistant film driving means for selectively passing the heat-resistant film between the printing medium and the printing medium, wherein the toner is in a glossy state. When fixing on the print medium, the print medium is brought into contact with the fixing roller and the backup roller while the heat-resistant film is retracted from a position where the fixing roller and the backup roller are in contact with each other. When the toner is fixed on the print medium in a matte state without gloss, the print medium passes through a position where the fixing roller and the backup roller are in contact with each other. An image recording apparatus provided with control means for controlling the heat-resistant film driving means so that the heat-resistant film passes between the fixing roller and the print medium at the same timing. 7. An image recording apparatus provided with an image forming section provided for each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners and forming an image to be printed on a print medium for each color of said toner, The black toner is composed of two types, a glossy glossy black toner and a glossy matte black toner. The image printed on the print medium is a color image, or the black toner alone. Judge whether the image is a monochrome image to be formed, and according to the judgment result,
An image recording apparatus, further comprising a control unit for performing a control for selecting one of the glossy black toner and the matte black toner. 8. When the control unit determines that the image to be printed on the print medium is the color image, the control unit performs control to select the glossy black toner, and controls the print on the print medium. 8. The image recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when it is determined that the image to be printed is the monochrome image, control for selecting the matte black toner is performed. 9. An image recording apparatus provided with an image forming unit provided for each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners and forming an image to be printed on a print medium for each color of the toner, The image forming section for forming a black image is composed of two image forming sections, a glossy black image forming section containing a glossy glossy black toner and a matte black image forming section containing the matte black toner without gloss. The image to be printed on the print medium is a color image or a monochrome image formed only with the black toner, and the image to be printed is the color image If it is determined that the image to be printed on the printing medium is up, control is performed to form a black image using the glossy black image forming unit. Monochrome if it is determined that the image of the image recording apparatus characterized in that a control means for controlling to form a black image using the matte black image forming unit. 10. An image recording apparatus provided with an image forming unit provided for each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners and forming an image to be printed on a print medium for each color of the toners. Among the image forming units, the image forming unit that forms a black image contains either glossy glossy black toner or matte black matte black toner, and prints on the print medium. It is determined whether the image is a color image or a monochrome image formed only with the black toner, and whether the glossy black toner or the matte black toner is contained in the image forming unit is determined. Is determined, the matte black toner is contained in the image forming unit, and the image printed on the print medium is the color image. If it is determined that the image is a black image and the yellow,
The magenta and the black toner formed by mixing the three cyan toners are controlled, while the matte black toner is contained in the image forming unit and printed on the print medium. An image recording apparatus, further comprising a control unit for performing control to form a black image with the matte black toner when it is determined that the image to be printed is the monochrome image. 11. When the control unit determines that the glossy black toner is contained in the image forming unit, the image to be printed on the print medium is the color image or the monochrome image. 11. The image recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein control is performed to form the black image using the glossy black toner. 12. An image recording apparatus comprising: an image forming unit provided for each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners and forming an image to be printed on a print medium for each color of said toner; Among the image forming units, an image forming unit that forms a black image contains two types of black toners, a glossy glossy black toner and a matte matte black toner, inside of the printing medium. It is determined whether the image to be printed is a color image or a monochrome image formed only with the black toner. If it is determined that the image to be printed is the color image, the gloss black Control is performed to form a black image with toner. On the other hand, when it is determined that the image to be printed on the print medium is the monochrome image, the matte brush is used. The image recording apparatus characterized in that a control means for controlling to form a black image in Kkutona. 13. An image forming section for forming a black image among the image forming sections includes a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and the glossy black toner. A first developing unit for attaching the glossy black toner to the electrostatic latent image, and a second developing unit for containing the matte black toner and attaching the matte black toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. A control unit that determines whether an image to be printed on the print medium is a color image or a monochrome image, and determines that the image to be printed is the color image. In this case, the first developing unit is controlled to contact the photosensitive drum to form a black image. On the other hand, when it is determined that the image to be printed on the print medium is the monochrome image. To The image recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said second developing unit performs control to form an image of black is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum.