JP3993976B2 - Toner bottle, toner supply mechanism, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toner cartridge for supplying toner to a developing device of an image forming apparatus that forms an electrostatic latent image and develops with toner, such as an optical printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, etc., particularly a cylindrical inner peripheral surface The present invention relates to a toner bottle having spiral protrusions, a toner replenishing mechanism including the toner bottle, and an image forming apparatus including the toner bottle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a toner replenishing mechanism having a toner cartridge for supplying toner to the developing device of the image forming apparatus as described above, particularly a toner bottle having a cylindrical shape and a spiral protrusion on the inner peripheral surface, the toner bottle is usually turned sideways. By placing the toner bottle in a tilted state and rotating the toner bottle, the toner inside is moved along the spiral toward the toner discharge port, and the discharged toner is supplied to the developing device.
[0003]
As the image formation is repeated, the toner in the toner bottle is consumed. However, it is known that the toner is exhausted only after the toner is completely removed. Is particularly inconvenient for the user. For this reason, conventionally, a technique is known in which the toner end is detected in advance, that is, near end, and is notified to the user. As a means for detecting the near end, a toner density sensor provided in the developing device is usually used. In other words, when the toner density sensor detects that the toner density in the developing device has decreased, the toner bottle is driven to rotate and the toner is supplied to the developing device, but the toner density recovery is slow even if the toner bottle is driven to rotate. Is being detected as being near-end.
[0004]
However, when the near end is detected by such conventional means, the number of images that can be formed from the near end detection to the toner end is very small, from several tens to several hundreds. Therefore, the user must prepare a replacement toner bottle immediately after the near end, but it may not be in time for the toner end. Also, for example, when the image forming apparatus is a facsimile and is frequently used at night, if it is not detected with some margin that it is near-end, there is a high possibility that reception will not be possible at night. It may interfere with business.
[0005]
Therefore, techniques for increasing the number of images that can be formed from near-end detection to toner end are proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 10-97129 and 11-109737. In the former, a retention member for accumulating toner is provided in a toner supply device corresponding to a toner bottle, and toner is supplied by driving the accumulation member at the end of the toner so that further image formation is possible. Is. In the latter case, when the near end is detected, the toner bottle is vibrated to peel off the toner adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the toner bottle, and the peeled toner is used for image formation, thereby increasing the number of images that can be formed up to the toner end. To do.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the former technique requires a configuration for disposing the retention member and a configuration for driving the storage member, which makes the structure complicated and difficult to apply the structure to the toner bottle. is there. In the latter configuration, since the number of images that can be formed after near-end detection depends on the amount of toner adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the toner bottle, there is a problem in that a sufficient number of images cannot always be formed after near-end detection. .
[0007]
The present invention provides a toner replenishment mechanism capable of sufficiently securing the number of images to be formed from the near end to the toner end without complicating the structure, an image forming apparatus having the toner replenishing mechanism, and a toner bottle used therefor. Let it be an issue.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above issues Resolution Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner bottle having a toner discharge port and a spiral protrusion formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof, and the toner bottle is engaged with the bottom of the toner bottle in one direction. In the toner replenishment mechanism having a rotation driving means for discharging the toner from the toner discharge port by rotating the toner to the toner discharge port, the spiral protrusion conveys the toner toward the toner discharge port by the rotation in the one direction. A first spiral portion provided on the toner discharge port side, and a second spiral portion provided on the opposite side of the toner discharge port in the reverse winding direction of the first spiral portion. When the detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle detects that the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle is low, the rotation driving means moves the toner bottle in the one direction. Driven in the opposite direction, the second spiral portion transports the toner in the formation region of the second spiral portion in the toner bottle toward the formation region of the first spiral portion in the toner bottle. Do It is characterized by that.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply mechanism according to the first aspect, the height of the second spiral portion is higher than the height of the first spiral portion.
[0011]
Claim 3 The described invention is claimed. 1 or 2 In the toner replenishing mechanism described above, the rotation driving unit rotates the toner bottle in the opposite direction and then continuously rotates the toner bottle in the one direction.
[0012]
Claim 4 The invention described in claim 1 to claim 1 3 In the toner replenishing mechanism according to any one of the above, the amount of toner that can be held by the second spiral portion in a state where the rotation driving unit rotates the toner bottle in the one direction is the amount of toner that is new to the toner bottle A toner replenishing mechanism characterized by being approximately 10% of the amount of toner in the toner.
[0013]
Claim 5 The invention described in claim 1 to claim 1 4 In the toner replenishing mechanism according to any one of the above, the amount of toner that can be held by the second spiral portion when the rotation driving unit rotates the toner bottle in the one direction is approximately 2000 to 3000 times. The amount is used for image formation.
[0014]
Claim 6 The invention described in claim 1 to claim 1 5 The image forming apparatus includes the toner replenishing mechanism described in any one of the above.
[0015]
Claim 7 The described invention A toner bottle for use in the toner replenishing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, In the toner bottle having a toner discharge port and a spiral protrusion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the toner bottle, the spiral protrusion conveys the toner toward the toner discharge port by the rotation in the one direction. A first spiral portion provided on the toner discharge port side; and a second spiral portion provided on the opposite side of the toner discharge port in a reverse winding direction to the first spiral portion. It is characterized by.
[0016]
【Example】
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration example of an image forming apparatus provided with a toner supply mechanism to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 2 includes a process cartridge 4 that is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body (not shown), and a toner replenishing device 6 as a toner replenishing mechanism that is detachably attached to the process cartridge 4. In the process cartridge 4, a photosensitive member 8 as an image carrier and a developing device 10 as a developing unit are integrally stored.
[0017]
Around the photosensitive member 8, a charging roller 12, a transfer roller 14, a cleaning blade 16, and the like are provided, and the developing device 10 is provided with stirring screws 18, 20, a developing sleeve 22, a doctor blade 24, and the like. Yes. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 26 denotes a toner recycling belt, and reference numeral 28 denotes a toner density sensor as detection means.
[0018]
The image forming operation is performed as follows. The photoreceptor 8 is neutralized by the neutralizing light 32, and the surface potential is averaged to a reference potential of 0 to -150V. Next, it is charged by the charging roller 12, and the surface potential becomes around -1100V. Next, the surface potential of the portion (image portion) that is exposed with the exposure light 34 and irradiated with light becomes 0 to −290V. Since a bias voltage of about −800 V is applied to the developing sleeve 22, the negative toner on the developing sleeve 22 adheres to the image portion.
[0019]
The photosensitive member 8 on which the toner image is formed rotates and moves, and a transfer sheet is fed from a sheet feeding unit (not shown) at a timing such that the leading end of the sheet and the leading end of the image coincide with each other at the transfer roller 14 site. Thus, the toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 8 is transferred to the transfer paper. Thereafter, the transfer sheet is sent to a fixing unit (not shown), and the toner image is fused to the transfer sheet by heat and pressure and discharged as a copy. Residual toner remaining on the photosensitive member 8 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 16, and then the residual charge of the photosensitive member 8 is removed by the charge removing light 32, and the process proceeds to the next image forming process again.
[0020]
The photoconductor 8, the charging roller 12, the developing device 10, the cleaning blade 16, and the like are housed in a case around the photoconductor. Residual toner collected by the cleaning device having the cleaning blade 16 is conveyed to the position of the toner recycling belt 26 provided at a position in the direction passing through the paper surface by a toner conveyance coil 29 provided coaxially with a pulley (not shown). . Then, the toner is recycled to the developer agitation unit having the agitation screws 18 and 20 by the toner recycling belt 26, and the toner is recycled.
[0021]
Next, the developing device 10 will be described. The developing sleeve 22 has a fixed shaft in which a five-pole magnet is arranged, and the outer peripheral surface is covered with a non-magnetic pipe material. When the pipe material rotates, the developer moves together with the developing sleeve 22. To do. The developer is a two-component type composed of small iron powder called a carrier and toner. The developer circulates while being agitated by the agitating screws 18 and 20, whereby the toner has an electric charge, adheres to the carrier and is carried to the surface of the photoreceptor 8, and can adhere to the photoreceptor 8 by the action of electrostatic force. Of the developer, the carrier circulates, but the toner adheres to the image portion on the photoconductor 8 and is consumed, so it needs to be replenished appropriately. If the amount of developer supplied to the photosensitive member 8 is not constant, image density defects and density unevenness occur. Therefore, a doctor blade 24 that restricts the amount of developer flow is provided.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, the toner replenishing device 6 generally includes a toner bottle 38 as a toner container, a toner receiving base 42 that integrally includes a toner hopper unit 40 and accommodates the toner bottle 38, and a toner hopper unit 40. And a bottle holding member 44 that rotates integrally with the toner bottle 38. The bottle holding member 44 has a plurality of push-out members 46. An opening 48 is formed in the toner hopper 40, and a supply amount regulating member 50 having elasticity for making the toner supply amount appropriate is provided on the outer surface of the opening 48. A toner introduction cover 52 is attached to the outside of the opening 48, and a toner supply port 54 that opens horizontally is formed at the lower end of the toner introduction cover 52.
[0023]
On the other hand, on the process cartridge 4 side, a toner receiving port 56 that is also opened horizontally is formed at the upper position of the stirring screw 20 of the developing device 10. The toner receiving ports 56 are opposed to each other.
[0024]
The toner that has flowed out of the toner discharge port 38 a of the toner bottle 38 into the toner hopper 40 (arrow A) is pushed up by the push-out member 46 of the bottle holding member 44 (arrow B), and enters the toner introduction cover 52 through the opening 48. (Arrow C), the toner is supplied into the developing device 10 through the toner supply port 54 and the toner receiving port 56 that are in communication (arrow D). Each of the toner supply port 54 and the toner receiving port 56 is opened and closed by a shutter member described later.
[0025]
Next, the toner replenishing device 6 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an external view of the toner bottle 38 attached to the toner replenishing device 6, and FIG. 3 is a component configuration diagram of the toner replenishing device 6. The toner bottle 38 is rotationally driven by a driving unit 60 as rotational driving means fixed to the apparatus main body rear side plate 58. The drive unit 60 is composed of a joint 62, a case 66 incorporating a motor and a shaft, and as shown in FIG. A convex part 62a and a cylindrical convex part 62b are formed. Correspondingly, on the bottom 38h, which is the rear end of the toner bottle 38, there are formed four convex portions 38c as engaged portions that engage with the convex portions 62a, and a concave portion 38b into which the convex portions 62b enter. Yes. The height of the columnar protrusion 62b is higher than the height of the protrusion 62a, and the bottom of the toner bottle 38 is held by fitting the columnar protrusion 62b into the recess 38b.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the front and rear surfaces in the direction of arrow E of each convex portion 62 a form surfaces 62 d and 62 c that are substantially perpendicular to the tip-side surface of the joint 62. Therefore, the convex portion 62a is convex due to the biasing force in the direction in which the toner bottle 38 and the driving portion 60 are brought into contact with each other by the spring 64 as the biasing means and the rotation of the joint 62 in the arrow E direction or the opposite direction H. The toner bottle 38 can be rotated by engaging with the portion 38c. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 11A and 11B, when the joint 62 of the drive unit 60 rotates in the direction of arrow E or arrow H, the toner bottle 38 also rotates in the same direction.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, the toner bottle 38 is formed with a spiral projection 38d on its inner wall surface. As shown in FIGS. It appears as a groove 38k on the peripheral surface of 38. The protrusion 38d includes a spiral portion 38j as a first spiral portion provided on the toner discharge port 38a side, which conveys toner toward the toner discharge port 38a by rotation of the toner bottle 38 in the E direction, and the spiral portion 38. And a reverse spiral portion 38i as a second spiral portion provided on the bottom 38h side opposite to the toner discharge port 38a. In the longitudinal direction of the toner bottle 38, that is, in the left-right direction on the paper surface in FIG. 12, the length of the storage portion 38m as the first storage portion, which is the region where the spiral portion 38j is provided, and the region where the reverse spiral portion 38i is provided. The ratio of the length of the storage part 38n as the second storage part is 9: 1. The height L1 of the reverse spiral portion 38i is higher than the height L2 of the spiral portion 38j.
[0028]
Accordingly, by rotating the toner bottle 38 in the E direction, the toner existing in the storage portion 38m is conveyed and discharged toward the toner discharge port 38a by the spiral portion 38j. During the rotation in the E direction, the toner present in the storage portion 38n is transported to the bottom 38h side by the reverse spiral portion 38, and is thus retained in the storage portion 38n. The amount of toner retained in the reservoir 38n is approximately 10% of the amount of toner that can be accommodated in the new state of the toner bottle 38. This amount corresponds to the amount of toner used for image formation approximately 2000 to 3000 times. The amount of toner retained in the storage portion 38n is determined by the height L1 of the reverse spiral portion 38i, the storage portion 38, the diameter of other toner bottles, and the like. A cap 68 that prevents toner from being discharged when not in use is fitted into the toner discharge port 38a.
[0029]
A plurality of ribs 44a are integrally formed on the front end side of the bottle holding member 44, and an extruding member 46 is attached to these ribs 44a with a double-sided tape or the like. The pushing member 46 is made of an elastic material such as Mylar or rubber. A rib 44b is formed on the inner wall surface of the bottle holding member 44, and the rib 44b is caught by a flat portion 38e or a convex piece provided on the head of the toner bottle 38 so that both rotate integrally. It has become.
[0030]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 70 denotes a collet chuck for picking and releasing a cap 68, which is built in a cylindrical case 72 and integrated with a shaft member 76 by a screw 74. Reference numeral 78 denotes a sealing material, 80 denotes a sealing member, 82 denotes a coil spring that constantly pressurizes a series of components such as the collet chuck 70, the cylindrical case 72, and the shaft member 76 toward the toner bottle 38 side. These assembly parts are held in the toner hopper 40. Reference numeral 84 denotes a handle for opening and closing the cap 68. The handle 84 is rotatable with a shaft portion 84 a formed integrally therewith supported by a shaft hole 42 a formed at the tip of the toner receiving base 42.
[0031]
Reference numeral 86 denotes a slide shaft that enters a hole 76 a formed in the shaft member 76. The slide shaft 86 is in contact with a cam portion 84 b formed on the handle 84, and the handle 84 is rotated in the direction F shown in FIG. 2 so that a series of parts such as the collet chuck 70 are separated from the toner bottle 38. When slid, the cap 68 is removed from the toner discharge port 38a, and the toner in the toner bottle 38 is discharged into the toner hopper 40 (FIGS. 9 and 10). Details of this will be described later.
[0032]
Next, a shutter member that opens and closes the toner supply port 54 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the replenishment amount regulating member 50 provided in the opening 48 of the toner hopper 40 is made of an elastic material such as Mylar or rubber, and has a slit hole 50a (elongated square hole). The toner replenishment amount is made appropriate by setting the width of the slit hole 50a. The supply amount regulating member 50 is attached to the opening 48 with a double-sided tape or the like.
[0033]
A shutter member 88 for opening and closing the toner supply port 54 is movable in the vertical direction inside the toner introduction cover 52 attached to the outside of the opening 48, that is, with respect to the toner supply port 54 opened horizontally. Are provided in a vertical state (crossing state). The shutter member 88 includes a bendable elastic member 90 as a shutter body, a support member 92 that supports the elastic member 90, and a columnar protrusion 94 that is integrated with the support member 92. Reference numeral 92 has a spring member 96 that urges the shutter member 88 to be always closed. In this embodiment, the elastic member 90 is formed of a polyester film such as Mylar, and is attached to the support member 92 with a double-sided tape or the like. The toner introduction cover 52 is formed with a movement hole 52a for the protrusion 94 to move.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 5, the toner introduction cover 52 has a toner supply port 54 formed on the bottom surface and arcuate guide portions 98 and 98 that guide the elastic member 90 of the shutter member 88. ing. In addition, a sponge seal member 100 as an elastic seal member is provided on the end side of the guide portion 98 so as to bite the tip of the elastic member 90 and prevent toner scattering.
[0035]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 104 displayed in the vicinity of the opening 48 indicates a second guide rib that protrudes in a trapezoidal shape in the horizontal direction for driving a second shutter member described later, and reference numeral 106 indicates an elastic member. The deformation | transformation control guide which supports the back side of 90 is shown.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 6, the cradle 42 is detachable on the guide plate 108 in the direction of arrow G. The guide plate 108 is fixed to the apparatus main body rear side plate 58 and the apparatus main body front side plate 59 with screws (not shown). Yes. Positioning pins 109 are formed on the apparatus main body front side plate 59, and the positioning of the guide plates 108 and the toner replenishing device 6 is performed when the positioning pins 109 enter the positioning holes 42b of the toner receiving base 42. In addition, a positioning pin is formed on the apparatus main body front side plate 59 so as to enter the positioning hole 42c of the receiving base 42. Further, a stopper stopper 112 supported by a leaf spring 110 fixed to the guide plate 108 is provided at the front end of the guide plate 108, and toner is replenished while the stopper stopper 112 is pushed down. When the apparatus 6 is mounted and the stopper stopper 112 is returned after the mounting, as shown in FIG. 7, the stopper stopper 112 is engaged with the tip of the cradle 42, and the toner replenishing apparatus 6 is in the stopper state. Retained.
[0037]
FIG. 8 shows a state in which the toner replenishing device 6 is pulled out. Under this state, the toner bottle 38 is attached to and detached from the toner replenishing device 6. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the stoppers 42d and 42e formed on the toner receiving base 42 are caught by the notches 108a and 108b formed on the guide plate 108, as shown in FIG. The process cartridge 4 is positioned and held by a positioning pin (not shown) provided on the apparatus main body rear side plate 58 and the apparatus main body front side plate 59 and is prevented from being detached by a stopper 113 formed integrally with the upper case 41 ( (See FIG. 8).
[0038]
In the state shown in FIG. 8, the toner bottle 38 is placed on the toner receiving stand 42, and the toner replenishing device 6 is pushed into the apparatus main body and set. In this case, before the toner supply device 6 is pushed in, the shutter member 88 is in a state in which the toner supply port 54 formed at the bottom of the toner introduction cover 52 is closed by the urging force of the spring member 96, and the elastic member 90 has an arc shape. The tip is bent along the guide portion 98, and its tip bites into the sponge seal member 100. For this reason, the gap between the opening 48 of the toner hopper 40 and the toner supply port 54 is sealed so as not to cause toner leakage.
[0039]
When the toner replenishing device 6 is pushed in from this state, the cylindrical portion of the protrusion 94 formed integrally with the support member 92 is brought into contact with the upward inclined surface 114a of the guide rib formed integrally with the developing unit upper case 43. It abuts and is pushed up against the urging force of the spring member 96 and finally stops at the flat top of the guide rib. With this operation, the elastic member 90 also rises (withdraws) along the guide portion 98, and the toner supply port 54 is opened. When the toner replenishing device 6 is pulled out, the protrusion 94 moves down the inclined surface 114a, so that the shutter member 88 automatically moves in the closing direction by the biasing force of the spring member 96, and the elastic member 90 moves from the vertical state to the toner. It curves along the supply port 54 and is in a closed state.
[0040]
When the toner supply device 6 is pushed in, the cylindrical second protrusion 118 comes into contact with the inclined surface of the second guide rib 102 that protrudes in the horizontal direction and is formed on the toner receiving base 42 of the toner supply device 6. 116 retreats horizontally from the closed state. When the second protrusion 118 passes through the inclined surface, the toner receiving port 56 is completely opened, and when the second protruding portion 118 reaches the center of the side surface of the toner introduction cover 52, the toner receiving port 56 and the toner supply port 54 face each other. Since the opening operation of the shutter 116 and the opening operation of the shutter member 88 occur simultaneously, the developing device 10 and the toner replenishing device 6 are in communication.
[0041]
FIG. 9 shows a state in which the toner supply port 54 and the toner receiving port 56 are opened, that is, a state in which the toner supply device 6 and the process cartridge 4 are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The head of the toner bottle 38 is positioned by engagement between the spherical protrusion 38f and the bottle holding member 44 and contact with the rib 44c of the bottle holding member 44 engaged with the hopper 40.
[0042]
From this state, when the handle 84 is rotated downward as indicated by an arrow F in FIG. 2, the cam portion 84b pulls the slide shaft 86 in the direction of the arrow J as shown in FIG. As a result, the shaft member 76 also starts to move in the J direction, the collet chuck 70 comes into contact with the protrusion 72a of the cylindrical case 72, and the collet chuck 70 begins to close accordingly, and the cap 68 is picked. When the movement in the J direction further proceeds in this state, as shown in FIG. 10, the cap 68 of the toner bottle 38 is removed by the collet chuck 70, and the toner in the toner bottle 38 enters the toner hopper 40 of the toner receiving tray 42. It will be in a state where it can flow out.
[0043]
The toner is replenished by detecting the toner density in the developing device 10 with the toner density sensor 28. When the detected value is equal to or lower than the reference density, the drive unit 60 is connected to the toner density sensor 28 and the drive unit 60 and is controlled by a control unit (not shown) that forms a detection unit together with the toner density sensor 28 as shown in FIG. , And the joint 62 is rotated in the direction of arrow E. As a result, the joint 62 engages with the bottom of the toner bottle 38, and the toner bottle 38 also rotates in the E direction. When the toner bottle 38 rotates, the toner existing in the storage portion 38m is discharged from the discharge port 38a and collected in the toner hopper portion 40. On the other hand, the rotation of the toner bottle 38 is transmitted through a rib 44 b integrated with the bottle holding member 44, and the pushing member 46 slides and rotates on the inner wall surface of the toner hopper 40, so that the toner accumulated in the toner hopper 40 is collected. Scratch up.
[0044]
When the pushing member 46 passes through the slit hole of the supply amount regulating member 50, the toner is pushed out from the slit hole. The pushed toner falls in the toner introduction cover 52 and is replenished into the developing device 10 through the toner supply port 54 and the toner receiving port 56 which are positioned below and open.
[0045]
The control unit has a timer inside, and if the detected value by the toner density sensor 28 does not exceed the reference density even if the drive unit 60 is operated for a certain period of time and the toner is replenished, the remaining amount of toner is low. Is detected. When image formation is repeatedly performed and toner is repeatedly supplied from the toner bottle 38, as shown in FIG. 13, the toner in the storage portion 38m is almost consumed. In this case, even if the toner bottle 38 is rotated in the E direction, the toner concentration in the developing device 10 does not increase, and it is detected that the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 38 is low.
[0046]
In this case, the user is notified that the near-end display is near-end on a display unit (not shown) provided outside the image forming apparatus 2 and, as shown in FIG. 38 rotates in the H direction opposite to the rotation direction E for discharging the toner. Then, the engagement between the surface 62d and the convex portion 38c is released, and the convex portion 62a moves toward the convex portion 38c adjacent to the convex portion 38c engaged so far, as shown in FIG. Further, the surface 62c engages with the convex portion 38c. When the joint 62 further moves in the H direction, as shown in FIG. 14, the toner retained in the storage portion 38n is conveyed to the storage portion 38m by the reverse spiral portion 38i.
[0047]
The toner bottle 38 is rotationally driven in the H direction for a time sufficient for the toner in the storage portion 38n to be conveyed to the storage portion m, and is then rotationally driven in the E direction again. The toner conveyed from the storage unit 38n to the storage unit 38m is discharged from the toner discharge port 38a and supplied to the developing device 10. Since the amount of toner retained in the storage unit 38n corresponds to the amount of toner used to form 2000-3000 images, the time until the toner in the toner bottle 38 is completely consumed is a new toner bottle. It is enough time to prepare 38. The rotation in the E direction after the rotation of the toner bottle 38 in the H direction is performed for a predetermined time continuously to the rotation in the H direction. Therefore, the toner conveyed from the storage unit 38n to the storage unit 38m is stored in the vicinity of the toner discharge port 38a, and toner is replenished to the developing device 10 quickly.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a toner bottle having a toner discharge port and a spiral protrusion formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof, and engaging with the bottom of the toner bottle to rotationally drive the toner bottle in one direction. In the toner replenishment mechanism having a rotation driving unit that discharges toner from the toner discharge port, the spiral protrusion conveys the toner toward the toner discharge port by rotation in the one direction. A first spiral portion provided on the outlet side, and a second spiral portion provided on the opposite side of the toner discharge port in the reverse winding direction of the first spiral portion. When the detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle detects that the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle is low, the rotation driving means moves the toner bottle in the one direction. Driven in the opposite direction, the second spiral portion transports the toner in the formation region of the second spiral portion in the toner bottle toward the formation region of the first spiral portion in the toner bottle. Do Therefore, toner that is not consumed in the normal toner replenishing operation can be stored in the toner bottle without using a special mechanism, and therefore, with a simple configuration without causing an increase in cost and complexity of the structure, A sufficient number of images can be secured from the near end to the toner end. At the same time, the toner held by the second spiral portion can be sent to the first spiral portion only after the near end is reached, and image formation after the near end is performed by the toner held by the second spiral portion. It can be carried out A toner supply mechanism can be provided.
[0049]
If the height of the second spiral portion is made higher than the height of the first spiral portion, the amount of toner that is not consumed in the normal toner replenishing operation can be increased, and the number of images that can be formed after near-end can be set. A replenishment mechanism can be provided.
[0051]
If the rotation driving means rotates the toner bottle in the opposite direction and then continuously rotates the toner bottle in one direction, image formation can be quickly performed with the toner held by the second spiral portion. It is possible to provide a toner replenishment mechanism capable of
[0052]
If the amount of toner that can be held by the second spiral portion is approximately 10% of the amount of toner in the new toner bottle in a state in which the rotation driving means rotates the toner bottle in one direction, It is possible to provide a toner replenishment mechanism that has a good balance between the number of image formations and the number of image formations after the near end, and can take a sufficient time to prepare a new toner bottle.
[0053]
If the amount of toner that can be held by the second spiral portion in a state where the rotation driving means rotates the toner bottle in one direction is an amount used for image formation of about 2000 to 3000 times, a new toner bottle is removed. It is possible to provide a toner replenishing mechanism capable of taking a sufficient time until preparation.
[0054]
According to the present invention, since the image forming apparatus has such a toner replenishment mechanism, the image forming apparatus has the above-described effects. For example, the image forming apparatus is a facsimile and is frequently used at night. In addition, it is possible to detect that it is near-end with sufficient margins, and it is possible to avoid the fact that it will not be possible to receive at night and hinder business operations. Can be provided.
[0055]
According to the present invention, A toner bottle used in such a toner supply mechanism, In a toner bottle having a toner discharge port and a spiral protrusion formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof, the spiral protrusion conveys toner toward the toner discharge port by rotation in the one direction. Since the first spiral portion provided on the toner discharge port side and the second spiral portion provided on the opposite side of the toner discharge port in the reverse winding direction of the first spiral portion are provided. The toner that is not consumed in the normal toner replenishing operation can be stored inside without using a special structure, so that the toner can be supplied from the near end with a simple configuration without increasing the cost and complicating the structure. It is possible to provide a toner bottle capable of sufficiently securing the number of image formations up to the end.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toner supply mechanism.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a toner supply mechanism.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a toner bottle bottom and a joint.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a toner introduction cover having a toner supply port.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a relationship between a toner receiving base of the toner supply mechanism and a guide plate on the apparatus main body side.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the toner receiving table is locked by a stopper for preventing slipping.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the toner supply device is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner replenishing operation in the toner replenishing mechanism in a state where the toner storage container is mounted on the toner hopper.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a toner replenishing operation in the toner replenishing mechanism, and is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the cap of the toner storage container is pulled out by the collet chuck and the toner flows into the toner hopper.
FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an engaged state between a toner bottle bottom and a joint.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the toner bottle.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which toner is consumed by rotation of the toner bottle in one direction.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a second spiral portion transports toner toward a toner discharge port by rotation in a direction opposite to one direction of the toner bottle.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a toner introduction cover having a toner supply port.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Image forming device
6 Toner supply mechanism
28 Detection means
38 Toner Bottle
38a Toner outlet
38d Spiral protrusion
38h bottom
38i second spiral
38j first spiral part
60 Rotation drive means
E One rotation direction of the toner bottle
H Direction of rotation of toner bottle in reverse
L1 Height of second spiral
L2 Height of the first spiral

Claims (7)

A toner bottle having a toner discharge port and a spiral protrusion formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof, and engaged with the bottom of the toner bottle and driven to rotate in one direction from the toner discharge port. In a toner replenishment mechanism having a rotation driving means for discharging toner,
The spiral projection includes a first spiral portion provided on the toner discharge port side that conveys toner toward the toner discharge port by rotation in the one direction, and a reverse winding of the first spiral portion. A second spiral portion provided on the opposite side of the toner discharge port in the direction ,
When the detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle detects that the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle is low, the rotation driving means moves the toner bottle in the direction opposite to the one direction. The toner in the formation area of the second spiral part in the toner bottle is transported toward the formation area of the first spiral part in the toner bottle by the second spiral part. A toner supply mechanism.   2. The toner replenishing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the height of the second spiral portion is higher than the height of the first spiral portion. 3. The toner replenishing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the rotation driving unit continuously rotates the toner bottle in the one direction after rotating the toner bottle in the opposite direction. Toner supply mechanism. 4. The toner replenishing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the amount of toner that can be held by the second spiral portion when the rotation driving unit rotates the toner bottle in the one direction is: A toner replenishing mechanism which is approximately 10% of the amount of toner in the new toner bottle . 5. The toner replenishing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the amount of toner that can be held by the second spiral portion in a state where the rotation driving unit rotates the toner bottle in the one direction is: A toner replenishing mechanism having an amount used for image formation of about 2000 to 3000 times . An image forming apparatus comprising the toner replenishing mechanism according to claim 1. A toner bottle for use in the toner replenishing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the toner bottle has a toner discharge port and a spiral protrusion formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof.
The spiral projection includes a first spiral portion provided on the toner discharge port side that conveys toner toward the toner discharge port by rotation in the one direction, and a reverse winding of the first spiral portion. And a second spiral portion provided on the opposite side of the toner discharge port in the direction .

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