JP2010002672A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To hold a consumable unit in a predetermined state, even when delivered with the consumable unit attached preliminarily to an image forming device body, and to easily prevent the consumable unit from being used without separating a portion to be separated from the consumable unit. <P>SOLUTION: A grip member 96 is restored to a predetermined shape by own elasticity, when a process unit 32 is separated from the image forming device body 12. A height h extended upwards gets higher than a clearance d in the grip member 96, when restored to the predetermined shape. The process unit 32 cannot be attached to the image forming device body 12 until the grip member 96 is separated integrally together with a bonding member 72, because the grip member 96 collides with the process unit 32 or the image forming device body 12, after the grip member 96 is restored to the predetermined shape. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a communication unit that communicates with a memory provided on a detachable consumable member, and a protective sheet presence / absence determining unit that determines the presence / absence of a protective sheet included in the consumable member according to the communication status of the communication unit with the memory An image forming apparatus is disclosed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses an image forming apparatus having detection means for detecting whether or not the operation of the process cartridge main body is possible in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. Patent Document 3 discloses a state change member whose state changes between when the cartridge is unused and when the cartridge is used, and determines whether the cartridge is unused based on a change in the state of the state change member. An image forming apparatus including a print control unit that notifies an operator to remove a member is disclosed.

JP 2006-285091 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-314351 JP 2007-093833 A

  The present invention maintains the consumable unit in a predetermined state even when the consumable unit is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in advance and uses the part that should be detached from the consumable unit without being detached. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily preventing the occurrence of the above.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 is directed to an image forming apparatus main body, and one or more consumable units that are previously attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. And the consumable unit is deformed when the consumable unit is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the consumable unit is deformed when the consumable unit is detached from the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus includes an interference unit that interferes with the consumable unit so that the consumable unit is not attached to the image forming apparatus main body again unless the detaching unit is detached from the unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the interference portion is detached from the consumable unit together with the separation portion.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image according to the first or second aspect, wherein the interference unit is deformed so as to be restored to a predetermined shape when the consumable unit is detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Forming device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the interference portion is deformably deformed by being inserted into a gap necessary for the consumable unit to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Item 4. The image forming apparatus according to Item 3.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a determination means for determining whether or not the consumable unit has been detached, and a control means for controlling whether or not the consumable unit can be operated based on a determination result of the determination means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

  The present invention according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an output unit that outputs a determination result of the determination unit.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if a consumable unit is mounted in advance in the image forming apparatus main body and shipped, the consumable unit is kept in a predetermined state and is a part to be detached from the consumable unit. Can be easily prevented from being used without being detached.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the interference part is more reliable than the case where the interference part is not detached from the consumable unit integrally with the separation part. The separation part can be detached.

  According to the present invention of claim 3, in addition to the effect of the present invention of claim 1 or 2, the interference section can be easily configured as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to the third aspect, it is possible to prevent the consumable unit from being used without detaching the portion that should be separated from the consumable unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a new space, the configuration can be simplified as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, and the image forming apparatus can be prevented from being enlarged.

  According to the present invention of claim 5, in addition to the effects of the present invention of any one of claims 1 to 4, the portion to be detached from the consumable unit compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided It is possible to reliably prevent the consumable unit from being used without being detached.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the present invention according to the fifth aspect, the portion to be separated from the consumable unit is removed as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the consumable unit from being used.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 show an outline of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 12, and an opening / closing portion 16 that opens and closes around a fulcrum 14 is provided on the front side (left side in FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus main body 12. An image forming unit 18 is disposed in the image forming apparatus main body 12. A recording medium supply device 20 for supplying a recording medium such as paper to the image forming unit 18 is disposed at the lower part of the image forming apparatus main body 12, and an image is formed at the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body 12. A recording medium discharge unit 21 for discharging the recording medium is provided.

  The image forming unit 18 includes, for example, roll-shaped image carriers 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22B that hold toner images, and charging devices 24Y and 24M that uniformly charge the image carriers 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22B. 24C, 24B, an optical writing device 26 for writing an electrostatic latent image to each image carrier 22Y, 22M, 22C, 22B, and an electrostatic latent written on each image carrier 22Y, 22M, 22C, 22B. The image is formed on each of the image carriers 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22B, and developing units 28Y, 28M, 28C, and 28B that store and develop a two-component developer including a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier. And a transfer unit 30 that transfers the toner image to a recording medium.

  The optical writing device 26 is composed of, for example, a laser exposure device that irradiates four laser beams. The image carrier 22Y has a laser beam corresponding to a yellow image, and the image carrier 22M has a laser beam corresponding to a magenta image. Laser light corresponding to a cyan image is emitted to the image carrier 22C, and laser light corresponding to a black image is emitted to the image carrier 22B, and electrostatic latent images are respectively applied to the image carriers 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22B. It comes to write.

  The image carrier 22Y, the charging device 24Y, and the developing device 28Y are integrated as a process unit 32Y that is a detachable unit that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 12. Similarly, the image holding member 22M, the charging device 24M, and the developing device 28M are integrated as a process unit 32M, and the image holding member 22C, the charging device 24C, and the developing device 28C are integrated as a process unit 32C, and the image holding member. 22B, the charging device 24B, and the developing device 28B are integrated as a process unit 32B. The process unit 32Y, the process unit 32M, the process unit 32C, and the process unit 32B are configured in substantially the same manner except that the color of the toner to be stored is different. Further, the process unit 32Y, the process unit 32M, the process unit 32C, and the process unit 32B may be integrated as a replacement unit 34.

  The transfer unit 30 is disposed so as to contact the image carriers 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22B. The transfer unit 30 is integrated as a unit, two support rolls 36a and 36b, a transport belt 38 as a transport member for transporting the recording medium, and an unillustrated suction roll for attracting the recording medium to the transport belt 38 In addition, transfer rolls 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40B for transferring the toner images formed on the image holding members 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22B are mounted on a recording medium that is being conveyed by the conveyance belt 38, respectively.

  The transfer rolls 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40B are each applied with a transfer bias, and the toner images formed on the image carriers 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22B are sequentially transferred onto the recording medium being conveyed by the conveyance belt 38. Then, a color toner image is formed by superimposing toner images of, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black in a predetermined order on the recording medium.

  The cleaning device 42 removes toner adhering to the surface of the conveyor belt 38 by a scraping member 44 made of, for example, a cleaning blade. For example, the cleaning device 42 performs or stops the collection (removal) of the waste toner remaining on the surface of the conveyance belt 38.

  A fixing device 46 for fixing the toner image transferred to the recording medium by the transfer unit 30 to the recording medium is provided in the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body 12. The fixing device 46 includes a heating roll 48a and a pressure roll 48b, and heats and presses the recording medium passing between the heating roll 48a and the pressure roll 48b, thereby fixing the toner image on the recording medium. It has become.

  In the image forming apparatus main body 12, a conveyance path 50 that conveys the recording medium supplied from the recording medium supply apparatus 20 to the recording medium discharge unit 21 is provided. A recording medium conveyance direction along the conveyance path 50 is provided. In order from the upstream side, a resist roll 52, a transfer unit 30, a fixing device 46, and a discharge roll 54 are arranged. The discharge roll 54 discharges the recording medium conveyed from the fixing device 46 to the recording medium discharge unit 21.

The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a user interface device (UI device) 100 including a display device and a keyboard, a storage device 102 such as an HDD / CD device, a communication device 104, a control device 106, and sensors 108a to 108d (see FIG. 6). Used later). The control device 106 includes a CPU 110, a memory 112, and the like, and controls each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 10.
That is, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a function as a computer, and performs processing such as printing by executing a program received via the storage medium 113 or the communication device 104.

  Next, the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B will be described in detail. The process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B are configured in substantially the same manner as described above. Accordingly, the process unit 32Y will be described below. When any of the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B is specified, the process units are distinguished by attaching Y, M, C, or B.

3 and 4 show details of the process unit 32Y.
The process unit 32Y has a process unit main body 56Y, and the image carrier 22Y, the charging device 24Y, and the developing unit 28Y are integrated as described above. The process unit main body 56Y is provided with a gripping portion 58 on the front side (left side in FIG. 3). When the operator grips the gripping portion 58, the process unit main body 56Y is moved from the front side of the image forming apparatus 10. It can be attached and detached. In addition, an optical path 60 through which the laser beam emitted from the optical writing device 26 passes to the image holding body 22Y is formed at the approximate center of the process unit main body 56Y. A part of the image carrier 22Y is exposed on the front side of the process unit 32Y.

  The developing device 28Y is divided into a developer accommodating portion 62, a developer accommodating space 64, and a developing chamber 68 in which a developing roll 66 is disposed. The developer storage unit 62 stores in advance a developer composed of non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier from the time of shipment of the image forming apparatus 10 (pre-installation), and supplies the stored developer to the developing chamber 68. The supply port 70 for sealing is sealed by attaching the attaching member 72 at the time of shipment. The supply port 70 is a long hole that is substantially parallel to the developing roll 66 that opens the lower portion of the developer container 62. The affixing member 72 is a member (detachment portion) that should be detached from the process unit 32Y before the process unit 32Y is used. For example, a handle member 96 described later is bonded to an end portion and integrated with the handle member 96. Detach from the process unit 32Y.

  The developer storage space 64 is configured so that toner can be supplied after the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped. The supplied toner is supplied to a later-described dispense chamber 90 by the agitating and conveying members 74 and 74. It has become.

  The developing chamber 68 accommodates a developing roll 66, a first agitating / conveying member 76 and a second agitating / conveying member 78, which will be described later, and the developer accommodating portion 62 accommodates when the sticking member 72 is peeled off. The developer that has been received is received, and toner is also received from the developer storage space 64. A part of the developing roller 66 is exposed from the developing chamber 68 so as to face the image carrier 22Y, and is rotatably supported. Further, the developing roller 66 adsorbs the carrier contained in the developer by magnetic force, forms a magnetic brush of the developer on the surface of the developing roller 66, and develops the toner adsorbed on the carrier facing the image carrier 22Y. Supply to the area. The developer comprising the carrier and toner supplied by the developing roll 66 is configured such that the layer thickness of the magnetic brush is regulated by the layer thickness regulating member 79. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier 22Y is visualized by a developer magnetic brush formed on the surface of the developing roll 66 to become a developer image.

  The first agitating and conveying member 76 and the second agitating and conveying member 78 are disposed below the developing roll 66 along the axial direction of the developing roll 66. Further, the supply port 70 described above is positioned above the second stirring and conveying member 78. As shown in FIG. 4, the first agitation transport member 76 and the second agitation transport member 78 include rotation shafts 76 a and 78 a, respectively, and the rotation shafts 76 a and 78 a are supported rotatably. . The first stirring and conveying member 76 and the second stirring and conveying member 78 are formed by spirally winding spiral blades 76b and 78b at a predetermined pitch. When the first stirring / conveying member 76 and the second stirring / conveying member 78 are rotated, the first agitating / conveying member 76 and the second agitating / conveying member 76 and the second agitating / conveying member 76 are stirred while the developer stored in the developing chamber 68 is stirred by the spiral blades 76b and 78b. The second agitating and conveying member 78 is conveyed in the axial direction. Here, the first agitating and conveying member 76 supplies the developer to the developing roll 66 by conveying the developer contained in the developing chamber 68 in the longitudinal direction of the developing roll 66 while stirring.

  The first partition wall 80 is provided between the first stirring / conveying member 76 and the second stirring / transporting member 78, and the first partition wall 80 allows the inside of the developing chamber 68 to be in the first stirring state. The first agitating path 82 in which the conveying member 76 is disposed and the second agitating path 84 in which the second agitating and conveying member 78 is disposed are divided into two. Connection ports 86 and 88 are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first partition wall 80, and the first stirring channel 82 and the second stirring channel 84 are connected by the connection ports 86 and 88. Has been. Accordingly, the developer in the developing chamber 68 is stirred in the first stirring path 82 and the second stirring path 84 by the rotation of the first stirring and conveying member 76 and the second stirring and conveying member 78, respectively. The toner is transported in alternate directions, and the toner is frictionally charged to a predetermined polarity by the carrier and circulates between the first stirring path 82 and the second stirring path 84.

  A tunnel-like dispensing chamber 90 is provided between the developer accommodating space 64 and the developing chamber 68. A dispense member 92 that stirs and conveys toner along the longitudinal direction is provided in the dispense chamber 90, and the toner in the developer accommodating space 64 is conveyed to the developer chamber 68 at a predetermined timing by the dispense member 92. Is done.

The image forming apparatus 10 is shipped with the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12. However, when the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped, the above-described pasting member 72 (and the handle member 96) and a protection member 94 described later are attached to each of the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B.
The process unit 32 is a consumable unit that is replaced with a new process unit 32 when the toner is consumed or the image carrier 22 is worn. A new process unit 32 to be replaced after the image forming apparatus 10 is installed is delivered, for example, in an aluminum pack for environmental management such as humidity and protection from damage.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the process unit 32Y mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 12 when the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12 are viewed from the front side when the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the process unit 32Y, when the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped, the protective member 94 is provided so as to protect the image carrier 22Y that is partially exposed from the front side where the grip portion 58 is provided. It is wrapped around. The protection member 94 is made of paper, for example, and is wound around the process unit 32Y so that the outer surface of the process unit 32Y goes around from the back side to the front side.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped, the process unit 32Y has the pasting member 72 stuck inside as described above. The affixing member 72 is made of, for example, a belt-like plastic film, and is thermally bonded from below to a supply port 70 extending in the longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating portion 62. In addition, the attaching member 72 attached to the supply port 70 in the process unit main body 56Y is folded downward on one end side (for example, the right side in FIG. 5) of the supply port 70, and is opposite to the process unit main body 56Y. For example, it extends to the vicinity of the drawer opening 95 provided on the left side surface in FIG.

  A grip member 96 is bonded to, for example, the end of the sticking member 72 on the outlet 95 side, and the sticking member 72 and the grip member 96 are integrated. The handle member 96 is made of, for example, a thin and belt-like plastic or PET film (PET) whose waist strength is predetermined, and has a predetermined shape (for example, straight) unless it receives external force. Plate-like shape extending on the line). The sticking member 72 and the handle member 96 may be integrally formed of the same member.

However, when the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped, the handle member 96 is drawn upward as shown in FIG. 6 and is freed by a force received from, for example, another process unit 32 or the image forming apparatus main body 12. The side is deformed (bent) so as to be substantially along the upper surface of the process unit 32. Here, the handle member 96 has a thin shape and is inserted into a gap d necessary for the process unit 32 to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 12, so that the other process unit 32 or the image forming apparatus main body is inserted. 12 is deformed so as to be restored. The portion of the protection member 94 that protrudes from the process unit 32 is also thin, and is accommodated in a gap d or the like necessary for the process unit 32 to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 12.
In the image forming apparatus main body 12, sensors 108a to 108d for detecting the presence or absence of each of the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B are arranged. The sensors 108a to 108d are, for example, photosensors or microswitches.

Next, a procedure for newly installing the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.
As described above, when the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped, the protection member 94, the sticking member 72, and the handle member 96 are attached to each of the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B. The protection member 94, the sticking member 72, and the handle member 96 are members that should be removed before the image forming apparatus 10 starts image formation. Therefore, the operator needs to remove the protective member 94, the sticking member 72, and the handle member 96 before first image formation by the image forming apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B have the opening / closing portion 16 opened around the fulcrum 14, and can be detached from the front side (left side in FIG. 7) of the image forming apparatus main body 12. ing. The transfer unit 30 is configured to move as the opening / closing part 16 opens and closes.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the process unit 32 in a state of being detached from the image forming apparatus main body 12. When the process unit 32 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 12, the handle member 96 does not receive a force from another process unit 32 or the image forming apparatus main body 12, so that the handle member 96 is predetermined by its own elasticity. The shape is restored (for example, a plate extending on a straight line). When the handle member 96 is restored to a predetermined shape, for example, the height h extending upward becomes higher than the gap d described above. When the handle member 96 is restored to a predetermined shape, the handle member 96 may collide with the process unit 32 or the image forming apparatus main body 12 unless the handle member 96 is detached from the pasting member 72 integrally. The process unit 32 cannot be attached to the forming apparatus main body 12. In other words, the handle member 96 is an interference unit that prevents the process unit 32 from being attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12 by restoring it to a predetermined shape.

Further, when the process unit 32 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 12 and the handle member 96 is restored to a predetermined shape, the protective member 94 is easily restrained from being moved, such as being pressed down. Will be withdrawn.
As described above, when the process unit 32 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 12, the process unit 32 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12 unless the handle member 96 is detached from the process unit 32 integrally with the attaching member 72. Operators easily realize that they cannot.

FIG. 9 is a program configuration diagram showing the configuration of the activation program 200 that is executed when the image forming apparatus 10 is powered on.
As shown in FIG. 9, the activation program 200 includes a print history database (DB) 202, a detachment history database (DB) 204, a print history determination unit 206, a mounting determination unit 208, a detachment history determination unit 210, a display control unit 212, and An activation control unit 214 is included.

  The print history DB 202 is a database that stores a history of image formation (printing) performed by the image forming apparatus 10 to which the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B are attached. For example, the print history DB 202 is stored in the storage device 102.

  The detachment history DB 204 is a database that stores a detachment history indicating that each of the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B is attached after being detached once according to the detection results of the sensors 108a to 108d. Is remembered.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on, the print history determining unit 206 accesses the print history DB 202 to determine whether there is a history of image formation (printing) by the image forming apparatus 10. When there is no history, a signal indicating that is output to the mounting determination unit 208, and when there is a history, a signal indicating that is output to the activation control unit 214.

  When receiving the signal from the print history determination unit 206, the mounting determination unit 208 receives the current detection results from the sensors 108a to 108d, determines whether or not the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B are mounted, and mounts them. If not, a signal indicating that is output to the display control unit 212, and if it is mounted, a signal indicating that is output to the desorption history determination unit 210.

  When the desorption history determination unit 210 receives a signal from the mounting determination unit 208, the desorption history determination unit 210 accesses the desorption history DB 204, determines whether or not all of the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B have a desorption history. If not, a signal indicating that is output to the display control unit 212, and if there is a desorption history, a signal indicating that is output to the activation control unit 214. Here, when the process unit 32 has a desorption history, the desorption history determination unit 210 determines that the sticking member 72, the handle member 96, and the protection member 94 have been detached.

  When receiving a signal from the mounting determination unit 208, the display control unit 212 controls the UI device 100 so that the UI device 100 displays that at least one of the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B is not mounted. When the signal is received from the attachment / detachment history determination unit 210, the UI device 100 displays a display prompting removal of the protection member 94, the attaching member 72, and the handle member 96 (or attachment / detachment of the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B). The UI device 100 is controlled to perform.

  When the activation control unit 214 receives a signal from the print history determination unit 206 or the detachment history determination unit 210, the activation control unit 214 controls each part of the image forming apparatus 10 to permit the image forming apparatus 10 to start image formation. To do.

Next, processing of the image forming apparatus 10 that has executed the startup program 200 will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the process (S10) of the activation program 200 executed when the power of the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on.
As shown in FIG. 10, in step 100 (S100), the print history determination unit 206 accesses the detachment history DB 204 to determine whether there is a history of image formation (printing) by the image forming apparatus 10. If there is no history, the process proceeds to S102. If there is a history, the process proceeds to S110.

  In step 102 (S102), the mounting determination unit 208 receives the current detection result from the sensors 108a to 108d, determines whether or not the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B are mounted. If not, the process proceeds to S106.

  In step 104 (S104), the display control unit 212 controls the UI device 100 so that the UI device 100 displays that the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B are not attached. Here, the UI device 100 performs a display prompting the user to attach the process unit 32.

  In step 106 (S106), the desorption history determination unit 210 accesses the desorption history DB 204 to determine whether or not all of the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32B have a desorption history. The process proceeds to S108, and if there is a desorption history, the process proceeds to S110.

  In step 108 (S108), the display controller 212 prompts the removal of the protection member 94, the sticking member 72, and the handle member 96 (detachment member) (or the attachment / detachment of the process units 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32B). The UI device 100 is controlled so that the UI device 100 performs the above. In other words, the UI device 100 performs display (output) for prompting removal of the detachable member or detachment of each process unit 32.

  In step 110 (S110), each part of the image forming apparatus 10 is controlled so as to permit the image forming apparatus 10 to start image formation (activation of the image forming apparatus 10).

1 is a side view illustrating an outline of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an overview of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing seen from the side surface which shows the outline | summary of a process unit. It is sectional drawing seen from the upper direction which shows the outline | summary of a developing device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a process unit mounted on the image forming apparatus main body when the image forming apparatus is shipped. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which each process unit mounted on the image forming apparatus main body is viewed from the front side when the image forming apparatus is shipped. It is a side view showing an outline of an image forming apparatus in a state where an opening / closing part is opened. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a process unit in a state of being detached from the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a program configuration diagram showing a configuration of a startup program that is executed when the image forming apparatus is powered on. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a startup program executed when a power source of an image forming apparatus is turned on.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Image forming apparatus main body 14 Support point 16 Opening and closing part 18 Image forming part 20 Recording medium supply apparatus 22Y, 22M, 22C, 22B Image holding body 24Y, 24M, 24C, 24B Charging apparatus 26 Optical writing apparatus 28Y, 28M, 28C, 28B Developing device 30 Transfer unit 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32B Process unit 38 Conveying belt 40Y, 40M, 40C, 40B Transfer roll 50 Conveying path 56 Process unit main body 58 Holding portion 62 Developer accommodating portion 64 Developer accommodating space 66 Developing roll 68 Developing chamber 70 Supply port 72 Sticking member 94 Protection member 95 Drawer port 96 Handle member 100 UI device 102 Storage device 106 Control devices 108a to 108d Sensor 110 CPU
112 Memory 200 Startup Program 202 Print History DB
204 Desorption history DB
206 Print history determination unit 208 Attachment determination unit 210 Desorption history determination unit 212 Display control unit 214 Activation control unit

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus main body;
One or more consumable units that are pre-mounted on the image forming apparatus main body and detached from the image forming apparatus main body,
The consumable unit is
A detachable portion to be detached from the consumable unit before the first operation;
The consumable unit is deformed when it is detached from the image forming apparatus main body, and interferes so that the consumable unit is not reattached to the image forming apparatus main body unless the separation unit is detached from the consumable unit. An image forming apparatus having an interference unit. The interference unit is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to be detached from the consumable unit integrally with the separation unit. The interference unit is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the consumable unit is detached from the image forming apparatus main body, the image forming apparatus is deformed so as to be restored to a predetermined shape. The interference unit is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is deformably deformed by being inserted into a gap necessary for detaching the consumable unit from the image forming apparatus main body. Determining means for determining whether or not the consumable unit has been removed;
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit that controls whether or not the consumable unit can operate based on a determination result of the determination unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an output unit that outputs a determination result of the determination unit.

Images