Abstract:
An apparatus and method of forming a color image on a recording sheet by transferring respective images onto a single recording sheet conveyed by a conveying belt, where the combination of the respective images form the color image. The respective color images are formed with a plurality of electrophotographic processing sections disposed along the conveying belt such that the respective color images are superimposed on one another to make the color image. The electrophotographic processing sections also form more than two colors, of a same pattern, of image positional deviation detecting marks. The image positional deviation detecting marks include a line in a main scanning direction and another line positioned at an incline with respect to the former line in order on the conveying belt. A detector is included that detects the image positional deviation detecting mark with a single detecting device composed of a light source, a slit, and a light accepting element.

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/972,413 Filed on Nov. 18, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,459. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus and method of forming a color image using an electrophotographic process. 
     2. Discussion of the Background 
     A so-called tandem-type method is used in a color image forming apparatus in which a color image is obtained by transferring by superposition respective color images formed with an electrophotographic processing section of the apparatus onto a recording sheet. 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a color image forming apparatus of the tandem-type method. As shown in FIG. 1, a sheet conveying path  4  is provided for guiding a transfer sheet  1 , as a recording sheet, from a sheet feeding section  2  through a sheet discharging section  3  in the color image forming apparatus. The sheet conveying path  4  includes a conveying belt  7  that is movably positioned between a belt drive roller  5  that is rotated by drive power from a drive power source (not shown) and a belt driven roller  6  coupled to the drive power source. Further, on the conveying belt  7 , four electrophotographic processing sections  8 Y,  8 M,  8 C, and  8 K, for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are respectively disposed in order. These electrophotographic processing sections respectively include a photoconductive drum  9 , as a photoconductive element, that contacts the conveying belt  7 , as well as a charging device  10 , an exposing device  11 , a developing device  12 , a transferring device  13 , and a photoconductive element cleaner  14  each being disposed in order around the photoconductive element  9 . In addition, the conveying path  4  is provided with a fixing unit  15  at a position just after the conveying belt  7 , as shown. 
     Typically, the color image forming apparatus that has such a construction feeds an uppermost transfer sheet  1  from a sheet feeding section  2  towards the sheet conveying path  4 , and is conveyed with the conveying belt  7 . During the sheet conveying process, an image forming operation for each of the four colors is performed by each electrophotographic processing section, using electrophotographic processes, i.e., charging, exposing, developing, and transferring processes. A color toner image is transferred onto the transfer sheet  1 , and fixed thereon by being heated and pressed with the fixing unit  15 . This is a principle of image forming by the color image forming apparatus of the tandem-type method as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates from a perspective view the conveying belt  7  and respective drums  9 . As will be discussed herein, a main scanning direction is indicated by a mark B, and a sub-scanning direction is indicated by a mark C. 
     Even though the color image forming apparatus of the tandem-type method has an advantage of high printing speed, the present inventors recognized that this conventional apparatus has a shortcoming in that an alignment of each of the colors is difficult to achieve and maintain. Therefore, for example, a slight positional deviation often occurs when a user or a service engineer moves a part of the electrophotographic processing section from a proper position when removing a jammed sheet or repairing the apparatus, and this slight positional deviation causes a color deviation between the respective colors. 
     Several approaches to preventing the color image positional deviation have been proposed in recent years. 
     For example, as discussed in reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, an image positional deviation detecting method is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication NO. 6-18796/1994. Image positional deviation detecting sensors  102 , which include two CCD line sensors  101  (in FIG.  4 ), are positioned so as to face the conveying belt  7 . Image positional deviation detecting marks  103  are formed on the conveying belt  7  by the electrophotographic processing section before the image forming operation is performed. The detecting marks  103  are positioned in areas where the CCD line sensors  101  can read them such that an amount of image positional deviation corresponding to the electrophotographic processing sections  8 Y,  8 M,  8 C, and  8 K can then be detected by reading the positional deviation detecting marks  103  by the CCD line sensors  101  as shown in FIG.  3 . The image positional deviation detecting sensor  102  includes a light source  104  and a light collecting lens  105  for collecting and providing reflection light to the CCD line sensor  101 , reflected by the conveying belt  7 , which is emitted from the light source  104  as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     However, as presently recognized, the image positional deviation detecting method disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-18796/1994 has some problems in that parts costs are greater than desired due to the inclusion of the expensive CCD line sensor  101  or light collecting lens  105 . Furthermore, focusing of the reflection light from the conveying belt  7  must be adjusted by the light collecting lens  105 , and therefore the successful operation of the apparatus becomes troublesome. 
     In reference to FIGS.  5  through  8 ( b ), and in light of the limitations of the above-mentioned method, a device is described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-118735/1994 as detecting the color image positional deviation using an inexpensive reflection-type optical sensor  204  composed of a light source  201 , and a slit  202 , and a light accepting element  203 . Namely, V-shaped image positional deviation detecting marks  205  are formed on the conveying belt  7 , and a leading edge and a trailing edge thereof are detected with two reflection-type optical sensors  204 , as shown in FIG.  6 . For example, in the case of detecting the image positional deviation between a black electrophotographic processing section  8 K (FIG. 1) and a magenta electrophotographic processing section  8 M (FIG.  1 ), two black lines K 1  and K 2  which compose each edge of the first V-shaped mark, two magenta lines M 1  and M 2  which compose each edge of the second V-shaped mark, a black line K 3  which composes one edge of the third V-shaped mark, and a magenta line M 3  which composes another edge of the third V-shaped mark are formed on the conveying belt  7 , as shown. 
     FIG. 7 shows an example in which the magenta electrophotographic processing section  8 M deviates in a sub-scanning direction. Namely, when the image positional deviation detecting mark  205  is detected with respective reflection-type optical sensors  204 , an output signal from one side of the reflection-type optical sensor  204   a  (lower part of FIG. 7) is represented in FIG.  8 ( a ), and another side of the reflection-type optical sensor  204   b  (upper part of FIG. 7) is represented by a diagram in FIG.  8 ( b ). Thus, if a time difference between pulses based on a signal of one side reflection-type optical sensor  204  is not constant {FIG.  8 ( a )}, and a time difference between pulses based on a signal of another side reflection-type optical sensor  204  is constant {FIG.  8 ( b )}, an electrophotographic processing section of a certain color is judged to have deviated in a sub-scanning direction. 
     In light of the above description regarding deviation in the subscanning direction, it is possible for deviations to occur in the main scanning direction. More particularly, when an electrophotographic processing section of a certain color deviates in position along the main scanning direction, the timing of output signals from two reflection-type optical sensors  204   a ,  204   b  deviates. For example, if the image positional deviation detecting mark  205 , composed of two black lines K 1  and K 2  which construct each edge of the first V-shaped mark, deviates upwards, it is assumed that a pulse based on the output signal of the reflection-type optical sensor  204   b  {FIG.  8 ( b )} precedes a pulse based on the output signal of the reflection type optical sensor  204   a  {FIG.  8 ( a )}. Therefore, the image positional deviation in the main scanning direction of the electrophotographic processing section can be detected by detecting the output pulse timing of the respective reflection-type optical sensors  204   a ,  204   b.    
     Since the invention disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-118735/1994 has a construction which detects the image positional deviation detecting mark  205  using the inexpensive reflection-type optical sensor  204  composed of the light source  201 , the slit  202 , and the light accepting element  203 , the parts costs are much less than the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-18796/1994. 
     However, in accordance with a detection aspect of the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-118735/1994, two reflection-type optical sensors  204  are required, and therefore, the parts cost is greater than that for an apparatus requiring a single detector, and the construction thereof becomes complicated due to the need to secure enough space for mounting the two reflection-type optical sensors  204 . 
     Further, since the image positional deviation detecting mark  205  is formed on the conveying belt  7  with an electrophotographic process, toner is randomly scattered at an edge part E of the image positional deviation detecting mark  205 . As shown in FIG. 9, this scattering of toner gives rise to a problem in that a sharply contrasted output signal cannot be obtained by the reflection-type optical sensor  204 . Namely, an output waveform from the reflection-type optical sensor  204  has a gentle slope as shown in FIG. 10 which increases the difficulty of detecting a leading edge and a trailing edge of the mark  205 . 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above-mentioned considerations, it is an object of the present invention to provide a color image forming apparatus capable of decreasing image positional deviation and overcoming the above-described limitations of conventional methods and apparatuses. 
     This and other objects may be obtained with an apparatus and a method of forming a color image on a recording sheet that is attained by transferring respective images formed with a plurality of photographic processing sections disposed along a conveying belt, on which the respective images are superimposed in order and subsequently onto the single recording sheet conveyed with the conveying belt. More than two colors of a same pattern of image positional deviation detecting marks are formed and include a line in a main scanning direction and another line positioned, inclining to the former line, in order on the conveying belt by operating at least two of the electrophotographic processing sections. 
     An image positional deviation detecting mark formed on the conveying belt is detected with a single detecting device composed of a light source, a slit, and a light accepting element. The slit is constructed with a combination of slits that are oriented parallel with each other and provided with approximately a same width as that of the image positional deviation detecting mark. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete appreciation of the invention and the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained by referring to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of a prior-art color image forming apparatus of a tandem-type method; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a conveying belt and a photoconductive element; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the conveying belt, the photoconductive element, and a detecting sensor of a prior-art apparatus for experimenting with a color deviation preventing method; 
     FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view of the detecting sensor; 
     FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional side view of the reflection-type optical sensor; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the conveying belt, the photoconductive element, and a detecting sensor of another prior-art apparatus for experimenting with a color deviation preventing method; 
     FIG. 7 is a top view showing an image positional deviation detecting mark formed on the conveying belt; 
     FIGS. 8 a  and  8   b  are timing charts showing pulse signals based on output signals of the reflection-type optical sensors, which is read from the image positional deviation detecting mark; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged top view showing a portion of the image positional deviation detecting mark; 
     FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an output signal of the reflection-type optical sensor that is read from the image positional deviation mark; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the conveying belt, the photoconductive element, and the detecting device showing a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a top view showing a positional relation between the detecting device (reflection-type optical sensor) and the image positional deviation detecting mark; 
     FIG. 13 is a top view illustrating an example occurrence of a color positional deviation with respect to FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a timing diagram showing an example time occurrence of a mark signal based on the detecting signal of the detecting device (reflection-type optical detecting sensor); 
     FIGS.  15 ( a ) and  15 ( b ) are top views showing respective relationships of respective parts of the mark when the slanting angle of the slanting line which composes the image positional deviation detecting mark is relatively small; 
     FIGS.  16 ( a ) and  16 ( b ) are top views showing respective relationships of respective parts of the mark when the slanting angle of the slanting line which composes the image positional deviation detecting mark is at an angle of 45 degrees; 
     FIGS.  17 ( a ) and  17 ( b ) are top views showing respective relationships of respective parts of the mark when the slanting angle of the slanting line which composes the image positional deviation detecting mark is relatively large; 
     FIG. 18 is a top view showing a variation of the image positional deviation detecting mark; 
     FIG. 19 is a vertical sectional elevation of a transmission-type optical sensor used for a variation detecting device; 
     FIGS.  20 ( a ) and  20 ( b ) are illustrations showing relationships between a width of a slit that is provided in the detecting device (reflection-type optical sensor, for FIG.  20 ( a )) and an output waveform of the detecting device (reflection-type optical sensor, for FIG.  20 ( b )) as a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS.  21 ( a ) and  21 ( b ) are illustrations showing relationships between a width of a slit that is provided in the detecting device (reflection-type optical sensor, for FIG.  21 ( a )) and an output waveform of the detecting device (reflection-type optical sensor, for FIG.  21 ( b )) as a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS.  22 ( a ) and  22 ( b ) are illustrations showing relationships between a width of a slit that is provided in the detecting device (reflection-type optical sensor, for FIG.  22 ( a )} and an output waveform of the detecting device (reflection-type optical sensor, for FIG.  22 ( b )) as a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS.  23 ( a ) and  23 ( b ) are illustrations showing relationships between a width of a slit that is provided in the detecting device (reflection-type optical sensor, for FIG.  23 ( a )} and an output waveform of the detecting device (reflection-type optical sensor, for FIG.  23 ( b )) as a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG.  24 ( a ) through  24 ( h ) are top views showing examples of various kinds of shapes of the slit which can be provided in the detecting device (reflection-type optical sensor); 
     FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the conveying belt, the photoconductive element, and the detecting device (reflection-type optical sensor) showing a third embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 26 is a top view showing a positional relationship between the detecting device (reflection-type optical sensor) and the image deviation detecting mark. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A first embodiment of the present invention is explained in reference to FIGS.  11  through  17 ( b ). Because common reference numerals represent the same elements previously explained in reference to FIGS. 1,  2 , and  5 , further explanation of these common elements is omitted. 
     In the present embodiment, an apparatus and method for detecting an image positional deviation is shown in FIG. 11 for preventing a color image deviation induced by a positional deviation of respective electrophotographic processing sections with photoconductive elements  9 , as shown. As shown in FIG. 11, only one reflection-type optical sensor  204  is disposed on the conveying belt  7  and is used as a detecting device. An image positional deviation detecting mark  21  (hereinafter called a detection mark  21 ) is formed by the electrophotographic processing section on the conveying belt  7  along an axis A l , as shown before performing an image forming operation. As parts of the detection mark  21 , a same pattern of marks of more than two colors including lines  21 a (i.e.,  21 Ka,  21 Ma, . . . ) are formed in the main scanning direction B and lines  21   b  are formed at an inclination relative to the respective lines  21   a  (see, e.g., FIGS.  12  and  13 ). In FIGS. 12 and 13, lines  21 Ka and  21 Kb are patterns formed with the black electrophotographic processing section  8 K (FIG.  1 ), and lines  21 Ma and  21 Mb are patterns formed with the magenta electrophotographic processing section  8 M (FIG.  1 ). As the reflection-type optical sensor  204  is the same as that described in FIG. 5, the explanation is omitted. 
     FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing a signal based on a detecting signal of the reflection-type optical sensor  204 . In this timing chart, TK 1 , TK 2 , TM 1 , and TM 2  show the respective times when the lines  21 Ka,  21 Kb,  21 Ma, and  21 Mb of the detection mark  21  pass by the reflection-type optical sensor  204  respectively. An amount of the color image positional deviation between a standard reference color (black, in this case) and the other color (magenta, in this case) in the main scanning direction B and the sub-scanning direction C is obtained from an ideal interval time T 0  (=S d /V) which is calculated from each of the times TK 1 , TK 2 , TM 1 , and TM 2  in the timing chart, and a conveying speed V of the detection mark  21  (i.e., the speed of the conveying belt  7 ), where S t  is a time difference of arrival of respective portions of the image positional deviation detecting mark that corresponds with a lineal distance Sd. An inclination of θ, as shown in FIG. 15 a,    15   b  for example, corresponds with the angle between line  21   b  and  21   a  of the main scanning direction B. 
     From this information, an amount of a color image positional deviation E in the main scanning direction B is obtained as follows: 
     
       
           E ={( TM   2 − TM   1 )−( TK   2 − TK   1 )} V cot θ, 
       
     
     or 
     
       
           E ={( TM   2   −TM   1 )−( TK   2   −TK   1 )} V   (equation 1) 
       
     
     when 
     θ=45°. 
     A color image positional deviation F in the sub-scanning direction C is obtained as follows: 
     
       
           F ={( TM   1 − TK   1 )− T   0 }V  (equation 2.) 
       
     
     Thus, in the present embodiment, the color image positional deviation of the main scanning direction B and the sub-scanning direction C can be detected together with the amount of the color image positional deviation by mounting one inexpensive reflection-type optical sensor. 
     Regarding the detection mark  21 , the inclining angle of the line  21   b  that is formed at an inclination angle of 45° relative to the line  21   a  of the main scanning direction B {FIGS.  16 ( a ) and  16 ( b )} notice that in FIGS.  15 ( b ),  16 ( b ) and  17 ( b ) the line Z 1 Mb is offset in the main scanning direction by length L, but there is no such offset in FIGS.  15 ( b ),  16 ( b ) and  17 ( b ). This offset separates lines ZlK b  and ZlM b  along the axis A l , as shown, by the time differences t 2  and t′ 2 . The reason why the above structure is adopted is that the larger the inclination angle θ of the line  21   b  becomes (where θ 2  in FIGS.  16 ( a ) and  16 ( b ) is less than θ 3  in FIGS.  17 ( a ) and  17 ( b )), the larger the time difference t and other time difference t′ becomes, and thus the color deviation detection accuracy is improved. On the other hand, if the inclination angle θ is set to too large of a value, toner is wasted because the line  21   b  is extended too much in the subscanning direction, in order to have a length l in the main scanning direction {FIGS.  17 ( a ),  17 ( b )}. Namely, if the inclining angle θ 1  of the line  21   b  is too small, the time difference t 1  and the time difference t′ 1  become relatively small and the accuracy of the detection deteriorates {FIGS.  15 ( a ) and  15 ( b )}. On the other hand, when the inclining angle θ 3  is too large, the time difference t 3  and t′ 3  increases and the accuracy of the detection improves, but toner is wasted because of the extension of the line  21   b  (FIGS. 17 a,    17   b ). 
     FIG. 18 shows a modified detection mark  21 , different than the detection mark shown in FIG. 11, that can be detected. The method by which the detection mark  21  of FIG. 18 can be detected by a transmission-type optical sensor, instead of the reflection-type optical sensor  204 , is applicable as a modification of the present invention. This transmission-type optical sensor  301  has a construction, as shown in FIG. 19, in which light rays are radiated from the light source  302  onto the conveying belt  7  and transmitted therethrough, and thereafter accepted by the light-accepting element  304  via slit  303 . When the transmission-type optical sensor  301  is used, the detection mark  21  formed on the conveying belt  7  is surely detected, and the amount of the color image positional deviation based on the detected result from the detection mark  21  can be detected accurately. 
     Further, the light-accepting element of the reflection-type optical sensor  204  or the light accepting element  304  of the transmission-type optical sensor  301  may be provided as any one of a single element type or a multiple element type. 
     The second embodiment of the present invention is explained in reference to FIGS.  20 ( a ) through  23 ( b ). Because same reference numerals have been used for common components of the first embodiment, an explanation of these common elements is omitted. 
     A relationship between a width of the slit  202  which is provided in the reflection-type optical sensor  204  and an output waveform of the reflection-type optical sensor  204  is shown in FIGS.  20 ( a ) through  23 ( b ) As seen in FIGS.  20 ( a )- 23 ( a ), a width of a line of the detection mark  21  is indicated with the label “h”. FIG.  20 ( a ) shows a case in which the slit  202  has the width wider (H 1 ) than that of the detection mark  21  width (H) and in this case, a peak level P at the output waveform of the reflection-type optical sensor  204  becomes flat {FIG.  20 ( b )}. FIG.  21 ( a ) shows a case in which the slit  202  has approximately a same width (H 2 ) as that of the detection mark  21 , and in this case, a peak level P at the output waveform of the reflection-type optical sensor  204  becomes sharp {FIG.  21 ( b )}. FIG.  22 ( a ) shows a case in which the width of the slit  202  (H 3 ) is narrower than that of the detection mark  21 , and in this case, a peak level P at the output waveform of the reflection-type optical sensor  204  becomes flat {FIG.  22 ( b )}. Further, FIG.  23 ( a ) shows a case in which the slit  202  (width H) is inclined to the detection mark  21 , and in this case, a peak level P at the output waveform of the reflection-type optical sensor  204  also becomes somewhat flat {FIG.  23 ( b )}. 
     In each of these cases, the peak level P of the output waveform of the reflection-type optical sensor  204  has a predetermined pattern and thus by detecting the pattern (or a feature of the pattern) a position of the detection mark  21  may be accurately determined, particularly when the peak level P is as sharp as possible. Therefore, in accordance with FIGS.  20 ( a ) through  23 ( b ), it is understood that a condition to obtain the highest detection accuracy of the detection mark  21  with the reflection-type optical sensor  204  is that the slit  202  be positioned in parallel with the detection mark  21 , and the width thereof be approximately the same as that of the detection mark  21 . 
     Moreover, it is desirable for the slit  202 , or a combination of parallel slits, to have a shape(s) being an approximately same width as that of the lines  21   a  and  21   b  of the detection mark  21 . 
     Therefore, various kinds of the slits  202  which are constructed with a combination of segments being parallel with each other and of approximately same width as that of the lines  21   a  and  21   b  of the detection mark  21  are proposed in this embodiment of the present invention. The shapes of the slits  202  are shown in detail in FIGS.  24 ( a ) through  24 ( h ). 
     The third embodiment of the present invention is explained in reference to FIGS. 25 and 26. In this embodiment, three reflection-type optical sensors  204  are mounted so as to face the conveying belt  7 , and three detection marks  21 ,  22 , and  23  are formed to be detected by the sensors  204 . A magnification error and an inclination error in a main scanning direction B are detected at the same time. 
     This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 08-306569/1996, filed on Nov. 18, 1996, and Japanese Patent Application No. 09-007746/1997, filed on Jan. 20, 1997, the entire contents of both of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The processes set forth in the present description may be implemented using a conventional general purpose microprocessor programmed according to the teachings of the present specification, as will be appreciated to those skilled in the relevant art(s). Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will also be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s). 
     The present invention thus also includes a computer-based product which may be hosted on a storage medium and include instructions which can be used to program a computer to perform a process in accordance with the present invention. The storage medium can include, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disk, optical disk, CD-ROMS, and magneto-optical disks, ROMS, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions. 
     Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.