JP6008186B2 - Developer supply device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a developer replenisher having a developer container mounted on a first mounting portion provided in an image forming apparatus, and a developing device mounted on a second mounting portion provided in the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to an apparatus and an image forming apparatus having a developer supply device.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine of these, a developing device, a charging device, a photosensitive member, etc. are integrated into an image forming unit, which is connected to the main body of the image forming device. A system configured to be detachable is known. This system has been adopted in many products because of the advantage that the user can easily maintain the apparatus by exchanging the unit.

  In addition, there is known an image forming unit of this type and a developer container that contains a developer such as toner, which are separately configured and can be replaced independently. In this case, if there is no developer stored in the developer container, only the developer container can be replaced with a new one. It is possible to use it continuously without exchanging.

  For example, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an image forming apparatus in which a developer container (toner cartridge) can be replaced independently. A shutter (rotary shutter and slide shutter) capable of opening and closing the discharge port is provided at the discharge port of the developer container.

  However, in the configuration as described above, when replacing the image forming unit including the developing device and the photosensitive drum, if the user forgets to install a new image forming unit and closes the cover of the apparatus main body, the image forming unit The developer container discharge port is opened in a state in which is not mounted. In this case, the developer discharged from the discharge port is scattered in the space where the image forming unit should originally exist. If the developer scatters inside the image forming apparatus, the main body of the apparatus or the hands of the operator may become dirty, and the developer may adhere to various devices provided in the image forming apparatus, resulting in malfunction or functional degradation. is there.

  The above problems are not limited to the case where the developing device is unitized as a photoconductor and an image forming unit, but may occur when at least the developer container and the developing device can be replaced independently.

  Therefore, in view of such circumstances, the present invention reliably prevents the scattering of the developer inside the image forming apparatus in the developer supply device in which the developer container and the developing device can be replaced independently. is there.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a developer container mounted on a first mounting portion provided in an image forming apparatus, and the developer container separately from the developer container. A developer replenishing device having a developing device mounted on the second mounting portion provided, wherein the developer container is provided in the container main body, the container main body capable of storing the developer therein, and the container main body The developing device includes a discharge port and an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the discharge port, and the developing device replenishes from the developer container via the supply port, a supply port that can communicate with the discharge port of the developer container. A developing housing that can accommodate the developer to be contained therein, and a second mounting detecting unit that detects mounting of the developing device is provided in the second mounting unit, and the second mounting detecting unit includes the developing device. After detecting the mounting of the developer on the second mounting portion. In which the were to open the opening and closing mechanism.

  According to the present invention, since the mounting of the developing device to the second mounting portion is detected by the second mounting detecting portion and the opening / closing mechanism of the developer container is opened, the developing device is attached to the second mounting portion. The developer container is not opened and the developer is not discharged without being mounted. Therefore, even when the developing device is forgotten to be mounted, it is possible to reliably prevent the developer from being scattered inside the image forming apparatus.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state where an upper cover of the image forming apparatus is opened. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state where an upper cover and an intermediate cover of the image forming apparatus are opened. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating how a toner cartridge is mounted on a container mounting portion. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that a process unit is mounted | worn in a unit mounting part. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the toner cartridge. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge with an upper case removed. 2 is an external perspective view of a toner cartridge. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a toner supply device. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a shutter opening operation of a toner cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the shutter mechanism. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where a cover member is attached to a side surface of the toner cartridge. It is an external appearance perspective view of an outer shutter. It is an external appearance perspective view of an inner side shutter. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure from power ON to toner supply start. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a toner replenishing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings for explaining the embodiments of the present invention, constituent elements such as members and components having the same function or shape are described once by giving the same reference numerals as much as possible. Then, the explanation is omitted.

  First, an overall configuration and operation of a color laser printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The configuration of the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a monochrome printer, other printers, a copier, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 1, four process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk as image forming units are detachably mounted on a unit mounting portion 130 of an apparatus main body (image forming apparatus main body) 100 of a color laser printer. ing. Each process unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk contains toners of different colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) corresponding to the color separation components of the color image. Other than that, the configuration is the same.

  Specifically, each of the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk includes a drum-shaped photoconductor 2 as a latent image carrier (image carrier) and a charging roller as a charging unit that charges the surface of the photoconductor 2 3, a developing device 4 as a developing unit that visualizes a latent image on the photosensitive member 2, a cleaning blade 5 as a cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the photosensitive member 2, and the like. An exposure device 6 serving as a latent image forming unit that forms a latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 2 is provided at a position facing each photoconductor 2. In the present embodiment, an LED unit is used as the exposure device 6.

  Above each developing device 4, a toner cartridge 30 as a developer container that contains toner as image forming powder (developer) is detachably mounted. Each toner cartridge 30 contains toner of the same color as the toner in the corresponding developing device 4. When the toner in the developing device 4 falls below a predetermined amount, the toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 30. ing. In this embodiment, the one-component developer made of toner is used as the image forming powder. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is also applied to a configuration using a two-component developer made of toner and carrier. Is possible.

  A transfer device 7 is disposed below each photoconductor 2. The transfer device 7 has an intermediate transfer belt 8 formed of an endless belt as an intermediate transfer member (image carrier). The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched around a driving roller 9 and a driven roller 10 as support members. When the driving roller 9 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, the intermediate transfer belt 8 is in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. It is comprised so that it may run around (rotate).

  A primary transfer roller 11 as a primary transfer unit is disposed at a position facing each photoconductor 2. Each primary transfer roller 11 presses the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 at each position, and a primary transfer nip is formed at a place where the pressed portion of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and each photoconductor 2 are in contact with each other. Has been. Each primary transfer roller 11 is connected to a power source (not shown), and a predetermined direct current voltage (DC) and / or alternating current voltage (AC) is applied to the primary transfer roller 11.

  A secondary transfer roller 12 as a secondary transfer unit is disposed at a position facing the drive roller 9. The secondary transfer roller 12 presses the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8, and a secondary transfer nip is formed at a location where the secondary transfer roller 12 and the intermediate transfer belt 8 are in contact with each other. Similarly to the primary transfer roller 11, the secondary transfer roller 12 is connected to a power source (not shown), and a predetermined DC voltage (DC) and / or AC voltage (AC) is applied to the secondary transfer roller 12. It has become so.

  A belt cleaning device 13 for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface on the right end side of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the drawing. A waste toner transfer hose (not shown) extending from the belt cleaning device 13 is connected to an entrance of a waste toner container 14 disposed below the transfer device 7.

  A lower part of the apparatus main body 100 is provided with a paper feed tray 15 that stores paper P as a recording medium, a paper feed roller 16 that feeds the paper P from the paper feed tray 15, and the like. Here, the paper P includes thick paper, postcard, envelope, plain paper, thin paper, coated paper (coated paper, art paper, etc.), tracing paper, and the like. Further, an OHP sheet, an OHP film, or the like can be used as a recording medium.

  A pair of paper discharge rollers 17 for discharging the paper to the outside and a paper discharge tray 18 for stocking the paper discharged by the paper discharge roller 17 are provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 100.

  In the apparatus main body 100, a transport path R for transporting the paper P from the paper feed tray 15 through the secondary transfer nip to the paper discharge tray 18 is disposed. In the transport path R, a pair of registration rollers 19 are provided on the upstream side in the paper transport direction from the position of the secondary transfer roller 12 as a timing roller for transporting the paper to the secondary transfer nip by measuring the transport timing. Yes. In addition, a fixing device 20 that fixes an image on a sheet is provided downstream of the position of the secondary transfer roller 12 in the sheet conveyance direction.

Next, a basic operation of the printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
When the image forming operation is started, the photosensitive members 2 of the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk are rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1, and the surface of each photosensitive member 2 is made to have a predetermined polarity by the charging roller 3. It is charged like this. Based on image information of a document read by an image reading device (not shown), the exposure device 6 irradiates the charged surface of each photoconductor 2 with laser light, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of each photoconductor 2. The At this time, the image information to be exposed on each photoconductor 2 is single-color image information obtained by separating a desired full-color image into color information of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. As the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member 2 is supplied with toner by each developing device 4, the electrostatic latent image is visualized (visualized) as a toner image.

  When the image forming operation is started, the drive roller 9 that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 8 is rotationally driven, so that the intermediate transfer belt 8 runs in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Further, by applying a constant voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity or a voltage controlled by a constant current to each primary transfer roller 11, a primary transfer portion between each primary transfer roller 11 and each photoconductor 2. A transfer electric field is formed.

  Thereafter, when each color toner image on the photoconductor 2 reaches the primary transfer portion as the photoconductor 2 rotates, the toner image on each photoconductor 2 is generated by the transfer electric field formed in the primary transfer portion. Are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. Thus, a full-color toner image is carried on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8. Further, the toner on each photoreceptor 2 that could not be transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 is removed by the cleaning blade 5.

  In the lower part of the apparatus main body 100, the paper feed roller 16 starts to rotate, and the paper P is sent out from the paper feed tray 15 to the transport path R. The paper P sent to the transport path R is temporarily stopped by the registration roller 19.

  Thereafter, the rotation of the registration roller 19 is started at a predetermined timing, and the paper P is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit in accordance with the timing at which the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the secondary transfer unit. At this time, a transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is applied to the secondary transfer roller 12, thereby forming a transfer electric field in the secondary transfer portion. . Then, the toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are collectively transferred onto the paper P by this transfer electric field. The residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 that could not be transferred onto the paper P is removed by the belt cleaning device 13, and the removed toner is transported to the waste toner container 14 and collected.

  Thereafter, the paper P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 20, and the toner image on the paper P is fixed on the paper P in the fixing device 20. Then, the paper P is discharged out of the apparatus by the pair of paper discharge rollers 17 and stocked on the paper discharge tray 18.

  The above description is an image forming operation when a full-color image is formed on a sheet. A single-color image is formed using any one of the four process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk, or two Alternatively, it is possible to form two-color or three-color images using three process units.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer according to the present embodiment includes an upper cover 101 serving as a first cover provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 100 and a second cover provided on the inner side (lower side) of the upper cover 101. As an intermediate cover 102. The upper cover 101 and the intermediate cover 102 are configured to be openable and closable by rotating around support shafts 103 and 104 provided in the apparatus main body 100, respectively. 2 shows a state in which the upper cover 101 is opened, and FIG. 3 further shows a state in which the intermediate cover 102 is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the upper cover 101 is opened, each toner cartridge 30 can be attached to and detached from the intermediate cover 102 from above.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the intermediate cover 102 is opened, the toner cartridges 30 can be integrally retracted from above the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk. At this time, since each exposure device 6 is retracted from above each photoconductor 2 together with the intermediate cover 102, each process unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk can be attached and detached from above. As described above, in the present embodiment, the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk can be attached and detached without removing the toner cartridge 30 from the intermediate cover 102, and exchanging workability is excellent.

  The intermediate cover 102 is formed with a container mounting portion 120 (first mounting portion) on which a plurality of toner cartridges 30 can be mounted. As shown in FIG. 4, each container mounting portion 120 is provided with a conductive member 121 at a position corresponding to a conductive member 58 (details will be described later) provided in each toner cartridge 30. Each conductive member 121 is connected to the first mounting detector 122. In addition, the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk of the respective colors can be mounted on a unit mounting portion 130 (second mounting portion) formed on the inner side (lower side) of the intermediate cover 102. As shown in FIG. 5, each unit mounting portion 130 has a conductive member at a position corresponding to a conductive member 59 (details will be described later) provided in the developing device 4 of each process unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk. 131 is provided. Each conductive member 131 is connected to the second mounting detector 132.

  By mounting the toner cartridge 30 on each container mounting portion 120 of the intermediate cover 102 and closing the intermediate cover 102 with the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk mounted on the unit mounting portions 130 of the apparatus main body 100. The toner cartridges 30 and the developing devices 4 of the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk are connected to constitute a toner replenishing device as a developer replenishing device.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the toner cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS.
6 is a cross-sectional side view of the toner cartridge, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge with the upper case removed, and FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the toner cartridge. Each toner cartridge 30 has the same configuration except that it contains toners of different colors, so the configuration of one toner cartridge 30 will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the toner cartridge 30 includes a container body 33 formed by joining an upper case 31 and a lower case 32. As a method for joining both cases 31 and 32, welding such as vibration welding or ultrasonic welding, or adhesion using a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape or an adhesive is used.

  Inside the container body 33, there are a powder container 34 (developer container) for storing replenishing toner, and a powder transport unit partitioned from the powder container 34 by a semicylindrical eaves part 36. 35 is formed. The powder container 34 is provided with an agitator 37 as a stirring member for stirring the toner. On the other hand, the powder conveying unit 35 is provided with a conveying screw 38 as a conveying member for conveying toner.

  A discharge port 39 for discharging the toner transported by the transport screw 38 is formed in the lower portion of the container body 33. The discharge port 39 is connected to a communication port 105 provided in the intermediate cover 102 via the seal member 106 in a state where the toner cartridge 30 is mounted on the container mounting portion 120 of the intermediate cover 102. The communication port 105 is connected to a replenishment port 40 provided in the upper part of the developing device 4. That is, when the toner cartridge 30 is mounted on the intermediate cover 102, the discharge port 39 and the replenishing port 40 communicate with each other via the communication port 105, and the toner can be replenished from the toner cartridge 30 to the developing device 4.

  Further, the toner cartridge 30 includes a shutter mechanism for opening and closing the discharge port 39. This shutter mechanism has a double shutter structure having an inner shutter 41 (opening / closing mechanism) disposed inside the discharge port 39 and an outer shutter 42 (other opening / closing mechanism) disposed outside the discharge port 39. It has become.

  The inner shutter 41 is a cylindrical rotary shutter accommodated in the powder conveying section 35, and an opening 43 penetrating in the radial direction is formed in a part of the circumferential direction. The inner shutter 41 can be switched between an open position in which the opening 43 is disposed at a position facing the discharge port 39 and a closed position in which the opening 43 is retracted from the open position by rotating around the axis. It has become.

  The outer shutter 42 is a rotary shutter that rotates concentrically with the inner shutter 41. By rotating the outer shutter 42, the outer shutter 42 can be switched between a closed position that faces the discharge port 39 and closes the discharge port 39 and an open position that retreats from the closed position and opens the discharge port 39.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a gear train including a plurality of gears 44, 45, 46 for transmitting a driving force to the conveying screw 38 and the agitator 37 is provided on the lateral outer surface of the lower case 32. Among these gears, a gear indicated by reference numeral 44 is a conveyance drive gear attached to one end of the rotation shaft of the conveyance screw 38, and a gear indicated by reference numeral 46 is attached to one end of the rotation shaft of the agitator 37. The stirring drive gear. A gear 45 is a torque transmission gear that meshes with the conveyance drive gear 44 and the agitation drive gear 46 to transmit rotational torque.

  When the toner cartridge 30 is attached to the apparatus main body 100, here, the conveyance drive gear 44 is brought into mesh with a main body side drive gear (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 100. In this state, when the main body side drive gear is rotationally driven, the transport drive gear 44, the torque transmission gear 45, and the stirring drive gear 46 are rotated in the directions indicated by the arrows in FIG. 7, respectively, and the transport screw 38 and the agitator 37 are moved. It is designed to rotate. The gear that meshes with the main body side drive gear may be the torque transmission gear 45 or the agitation drive gear 46 in addition to the conveyance drive gear 44.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a cover member 47 that covers the gears 44, 45, 46 is provided on the side surface on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the container body 33. The cover member 47 is provided with an information storage medium 48, and information storage medium 48 stores information relating to the toner cartridge 30 such as the color and amount of toner contained therein. The information storage medium 48 has a plurality of connection terminals. Each connection terminal is electrically connected to an information reading device (not shown) provided on the image forming apparatus main body 100 side, thereby reading information relating to the toner cartridge 30 or updating information stored in the information storage medium 48. Can be done.

  A conductive member 58 is provided on the surface of the toner cartridge 30. The conductive member 58 is made of, for example, a conductive plate, specifically a metal plate. The conductive member 58 is provided at a position facing the conductive member 121 of the container mounting portion 120 in a state where the conductive member 58 is mounted on the container mounting portion 120 {see FIG. 4B}, and attached to the cover member 47, for example. In the present embodiment, the information recording medium 48 described above functions as the conductive member 58. The conductive member 58 may be provided separately from the information recording medium 48.

  Further, a cap member 49 for sealing a filling port for filling toner is provided at the end of the container body 33 on the side where the cover member 47 is provided. After the toner cartridge 30 is filled with toner from the filling port, a cap member 49 is attached to the filling port and sealed, thereby preventing toner leakage from the filling port.

  A handle 50 is provided on the upper surface of the central portion of the container body 33 in the longitudinal direction. The handle 50 is formed of a flexible member made of a material such as polypropylene or polyethylene. When the toner cartridge 30 is replaced, an operator or the like can easily attach and detach the toner cartridge 30 by holding the handle 50.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of the toner replenishing device.
As shown in FIG. 9, the developing device 4 includes a developing housing 440 that contains toner, a developing roller 441 as a developer carrying member that carries toner, and a developer supply member that supplies toner to the developing roller 441. A supply roller 442, a developing blade 443 as a regulating member that regulates the amount of toner carried on the developing roller 441, two conveying screws 444 and 445 as conveying members that convey toner, and two light guide members 446 , 447 and the like.

  The internal space (developer housing portion) of the developing housing 440 is divided into a first region E1 on the upper side of the drawing and a second region E2 on the lower side of the drawing by a partition member 448 having a communication port 448a. Yes. The communication port 448a is provided at each end of the partition member 448 (the near side and the far side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 9). That is, the first region E1 and the second region E2 communicate with each other at a place where the two communication ports 448a are formed.

  One conveyance screw 444 and two light guide members 446 and 447 are provided in the first region E1. On the other hand, the other conveying screw 445 and the supply roller 442 are provided in the second region E2. Further, a developing roller 441 and a developing blade 443 are provided in an opening portion facing the photoconductor 2 in the second region E2.

  The two conveying screws 444 and 445 are formed by providing spiral blades 444b and 445b on the outer circumferences of the rotation shafts 444a and 445a, respectively. When the conveying screws 444 and 445 rotate, the toner is conveyed in the respective axial directions. Here, the toner conveying directions by the conveying screws 444 and 445 are opposite to each other.

  The developing roller 441 includes a metal cored bar and a conductive rubber disposed on the outer periphery of the cored bar. In the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the core metal is set to φ6, the outer periphery of the conductive rubber is set to φ12, and the rubber hardness Hs75. In addition, the conductive rubber is adjusted to have a volume resistance of about 105 to 107Ω. For example, conductive urethane rubber or silicone rubber can be used as the conductive rubber. The developing roller 441 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9 and conveys the developer held on the surface to a position facing the developing blade 443 and the photoreceptor 2.

  As the supply roller 442, a sponge roller or the like is generally used. As the sponge roller, it is appropriate that the foamed polyurethane mixed with carbon and made semiconductive is attached to the outer periphery of a metal core. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the metal core is set to φ6, and the outer diameter of the sponge portion is set to φ12. The supply roller 442 is in contact with the developing roller 441. The nip formed by the contact between the supply roller 442 and the developing roller 441 is usually set to about 1 mm to 3 mm. In this embodiment, the nip is 2 mm. Further, the supply roller 442 rotates in the counter direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 9) with respect to the developing roller 441 so that the toner in the developing housing 440 can be efficiently supplied to the surface layer of the developing roller 441. . Furthermore, in this embodiment, a favorable toner supply function is ensured by setting the rotation speed ratio between the developing roller 441 and the supply roller 442 to 1.

  The developing blade 443 is made of, for example, a metal plate such as SUS having a thickness of about 0.1 mm. The developing blade 443 is in contact with the surface of the developing roller 441 on the tip side. Control of the amount of toner on the developing roller 441 by the developing blade 443 is a very important parameter in order to stabilize the developing characteristics and obtain good image quality. Therefore, in a normal product, the contact pressure of the developing blade 443 with respect to the developing roller 441 is strictly controlled to about 20 to 60 N / m, and the position of the nip portion is strictly controlled to about 0.5 ± 0.5 mm from the tip of the developing blade 443. Yes. These parameters are appropriately determined according to the characteristics of the toner to be used, the developing roller, the supply roller, and the like. In this embodiment, the developing blade 443 is made of a SUS material having a thickness of 0.1 mm, the contact pressure is 45 N / m, the nip portion is 0.2 mm from the tip of the developing blade 443, and the supporting end of the developing blade 443 By setting the length (free length) from to the free end (tip) to 14 mm, a stable thin toner layer can be formed on the developing roller 441.

  The two light guide members 446 and 447 are formed using a material having good light transmittance. For example, when a resin is used as the material, an acrylic material or a PC material having high transparency is preferable. Further, as a material for each of the light guide members 446 and 447, it is possible to use optical glass or the like that can obtain better optical characteristics. Or you may use an optical fiber for each light guide member 446,447. In this case, the degree of freedom in designing the optical path formed by the light guide members 446 and 447 is improved.

  One end portions of the light guide members 446 and 447 are exposed outside the developing housing 440. In a state where the process unit is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, a light emitting element (not shown) as a toner amount detecting means provided on the main body side and a light receiving element face each of the exposed end portions. Yes. In a state where the light emitting element and the light receiving element face the exposed end portions of the light guide members 446 and 447, an optical path for guiding light from the light emitting element to the light receiving element is formed via the light guide members 446 and 447. That is, light emitted from the light emitting element is guided into the developing housing 440 by one light guide member 446, and further, the light is guided to the light receiving element by the other light guide member 447. In the developing housing 440, a predetermined gap is provided between the opposite ends of the light guide members 446 and 447.

Hereinafter, the developing operation of the developing device will be described with reference to FIG.
When there is an instruction to start an image forming operation and the developing roller 441 and the supply roller 442 start to rotate, toner is supplied and carried on the surface of the developing roller 441 by the supply roller 442. The toner carried on the developing roller 441 passes through the nip portion between the developing roller 441 and the developing blade 443, so that the thickness of the toner layer is regulated and frictionally charged. When the toner on the developing roller 441 is conveyed to a position (development area) facing the photoreceptor 2, the toner is electrostatically transferred to an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 2 to form a toner image. The

Next, a toner replenishing operation to the developing device will be described.
The replenishment of toner to the developing device is performed when the amount of toner in the developing housing 440 becomes a predetermined reference value or less. Specifically, when the amount of toner in the developing housing 440 is larger than a predetermined reference value, the toner exists between the ends of the two light guide members 446 and 447 that are opposed to each other, and the end portion is caused by the toner. Since the optical path between them is blocked, the light does not reach the light receiving element. Thereafter, when the toner in the developing housing 440 is consumed and the toner amount becomes a predetermined reference value or less, the toner does not exist between the ends of the light guide members 446 and 447 facing each other, and light is transmitted between the ends. It becomes transparent. By detecting the transmission of light at this time, an instruction to replenish toner is issued.

  When an instruction to replenish toner is issued, the conveying screw 38 in the toner cartridge 30 rotates. Thus, the toner is conveyed toward the discharge port 39, and the first region of the developing housing 440 is passed through the discharge port 39 of the toner cartridge 30, the communication port 105 of the intermediate cover 102, and the replenishment port 40 of the developing device 4. Toner is replenished in E1. In the present embodiment, the agitator 37 also starts rotating at the same time as the conveying screw 38 in the toner cartridge 30 starts rotating. By the rotation of the agitator 37, the toner in the toner cartridge 30 is agitated and moved toward the conveying screw 38. Thereafter, when the amount of toner in the developing housing 440 exceeds a predetermined reference value due to toner supply (when the optical path between the two light guide members 446 and 447 is blocked by the toner), the conveying screw 38 and the agitator 37 Is stopped, and the toner supply is finished.

  On the other hand, in the developing housing 440, when toner is supplied, the conveying screw 444 provided in the first area E1 and the conveying screw 445 provided in the second area E2 rotate, and the areas E1 and E2 are rotated. The toners are conveyed in opposite directions. The toner transported to the downstream end in the transport direction of each region E1, E2 by each transport screw 444, 445 passes through each communication port 448a formed at both ends of the partition member 448, and in the other region (from the region E1). It is sent to the area E2 or the area E1 to the area E1). The toner sent into the other area is conveyed by the conveying screws 444 and 445 in each area, and returned to the original area through the communication port 448a on the opposite side. By repeating this operation, the toner circulates between the first area E1 and the second area E2, and the replenished new toner and the toner in the developing housing 440 are mixed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the toner is circulated in the developing housing 440 so that the state of the toner (ratio of new toner in the toner) is made uniform, and problems such as color unevenness and background contamination are prevented. ing.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the shutter mechanism of the toner cartridge 30.
As shown in FIG. 10, the outer shutter 42 is configured to be rotatable in the directions indicated by arrows A and B. A tension spring 52 (see FIG. 11) is attached to the outer shutter 42 as outer shutter urging means. The outer shutter 42 is biased in the direction of arrow B by the bias of the tension spring 52. The outer shutter 42 is provided with an operation unit 53 for rotating the outer shutter 42 in the direction of arrow A.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the inner shutter 41 is configured to be rotatable in the directions indicated by the arrows A and B. A tension spring 51 (see FIG. 11) is attached to the inner shutter 41 as inner shutter urging means. The inner shutter 41 is biased in the direction of arrow B by the bias of the tension spring 51. Further, the inner shutter 41 is provided with a contact portion 55 with which a slide member 57 described later contacts.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit that rotates the outer shutter 42 and the inner shutter 41.
As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, convex ribs 56 are provided on the apparatus main body side as contact members for rotating the outer shutter 42. The rib 56 is provided integrally with the intermediate cover 102, and protrudes upward (in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 30) from the bottom surface of the container mounting portion 120 of the intermediate cover 102. When the rib 56 comes into contact with the operation portion 53 of the outer shutter 42 as the toner cartridge 30 is mounted, the outer shutter 42 is rotated in the direction of arrow A {see FIG. 10B).

  As shown in FIG. 11, as an inner shutter operation member that rotates the inner shutter 41, a longitudinal slide member 57 that is movable in the directions indicated by arrows C and D is provided on the apparatus main body side. In the present embodiment, the slide member 57 is triggered by a detection signal from the first attachment detection unit 122 and the second attachment detection unit 132 after the upper cover 101 is closed and the printer is turned on. It is moved in the direction of arrow C by driving means (not shown) such as a solenoid or a cam.

  Further, when the slide member 57 moves in the arrow C direction and the projecting shape 57a provided on the slide member 57 contacts the contact portion 55 of the inner shutter 41, the inner shutter 41 is rotated in the arrow A direction. {See FIG. 10 (c)}. Thus, in the present embodiment, the contact portion 55 of the inner shutter 41 functions as an operation portion for rotating the inner shutter 41 when the slide member 57 contacts.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state where a cover member is attached to the side surface of the toner cartridge.
As shown in FIG. 12, in a state where the cover member 47 is attached to the side surface of the container main body 33 of the toner cartridge 30, the operation portion 53 of the outer shutter 42 and the contact portion 55 of the inner shutter 41 are covered by the cover member 47. It becomes a broken state. For this reason, the rib 56 and the slide member 57 as the operation members are configured to be able to enter the inside of the cover member 47 in order to contact the operation unit 53 or the contact unit 55.

FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of the outer shutter 42, and FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of the inner shutter 41.
As shown in FIG. 13, the outer shutter 42 is provided integrally with an arcuate shutter portion 60 that can be disposed at a position facing the discharge port 39 of the toner cartridge 30 and one end portion of the shutter portion 60. And an annular holder 61.

  A seal member 62 for preventing toner leakage is provided on the inner surface of the shutter unit 60. The seal member 62 is interposed between the inner surface of the shutter portion 60 and the outer surface of the container main body 33 of the toner cartridge 30, so that the discharge port 39 is sealed by the seal member 62 when the outer shutter 42 is closed. {Refer to FIG. 10 (a)}.

  The holder portion 61 is fitted into the outer peripheral surface of the inner shutter 41. Accordingly, the outer shutter 42 is held so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction with respect to the inner shutter 41. The holder unit 61 is provided with the operation unit 53. In the present embodiment, the operation portion 53 is configured by a convex portion 63 protruding in the outer diameter direction of the holder portion 61.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the inner shutter 41 is provided integrally with a cylindrical shutter portion 65 housed in the container main body 33 of the toner cartridge 30 and one axial end of the shutter portion 65 and the container main body 33. And a protruding portion 66 protruding outward.

  The shutter portion 65 has the opening 43 that can be disposed at a position facing the discharge port 39. Further, a seal member 67 for preventing toner leakage is provided on the outer surface of the shutter portion 65. Since the seal member 67 is interposed between the outer surface of the shutter portion 65 and the inner surface of the container main body 33 of the toner cartridge 30, the discharge port 39 is sealed by the seal member 67 when the inner shutter 41 is closed. {Refer to FIG. 10 (a)}. Similarly, an opening 69 for discharging toner is formed in a portion of the seal member 67 facing the opening 43 of the inner shutter 41.

  The projecting portion 66 is provided with a contact portion 55 that also serves as the operation portion. In the present embodiment, the contact portion 55 is configured by a convex portion 68 that protrudes in the outer diameter direction of the protruding portion 66. Further, the holder portion 61 of the outer shutter 42 is fitted on the outer periphery of the protruding portion 66.

The shutter opening / closing operation will be described below with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10A shows a state before the toner cartridge 30 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100. In this state, the outer shutter 42 and the inner shutter 41 are each pulled by the tension springs 51 and 52, and both are held in a state of being disposed at the closed position where the discharge port 39 is closed.

  Next, when the toner cartridge 30 is attached to the apparatus main body 100, as shown in FIG. 10B, the rib 56 on the apparatus main body side comes into contact with the operation portion 53 of the outer shutter 42, and the outer shutter 42 is moved to the tension spring 52. Rotate counterclockwise against the urging force. Thereby, the outer shutter 42 is switched to an open position where the discharge port 39 is opened.

  When the mounting of the toner cartridge 30 to the apparatus main body 100 is completed, the upper cover 101 is closed, and the printer is turned on, the first mounting detection unit 122 and the second mounting detection unit are performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Attachment detection by 132 is performed. Hereinafter, the procedure of this attachment detection will be described. First, the second mounting detection unit 132 detects whether or not the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk are mounted on the unit mounting units 130 (step S1). Specifically, the presence or absence of conduction between the conductive member 59 provided in the developing device 4 of each process unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk and the conductive member 131 provided in each unit mounting portion 130 is detected. If conduction between all the conductive members 59 and the conductive members 131 is detected, it is considered that the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk have been normally attached, and the process proceeds to the next step. If conduction between any of the conductive members 59 and 131 is not detected, the mounting of any of the process units is regarded as defective and an alarm (unset alert) is output.

  Next, the first mounting detection unit 122 detects whether or not the toner cartridge 30 is mounted in each container mounting unit 120 (step S2). Specifically, the presence / absence of conduction between the conductive member 58 (in this embodiment, the information recording medium 48) provided in each toner cartridge 30 and the conductive member 121 provided in each container mounting portion 120 is detected. If conduction between all the conductive members 58 and the conductive members 121 is detected, it is considered that each toner cartridge 30 has been normally mounted, and the process proceeds to the next step. If conduction between any of the conductive members 58 and the conductive member 121 is not detected, it is determined that any of the toner cartridges 30 is not properly mounted, and an alarm (unset alert) is output.

  When the first mounting detector 122 and the second mounting detector 132 confirm that the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk and the toner cartridge 30 are mounted, the inner shutter 41 is opened (step S3). Specifically, the slide member 57 is driven by driving means (not shown). In this case, as shown in FIG. 10C, the slide member 57 is moved in the direction of arrow C and abuts against the abutment portion 55 of the inner shutter 41. As a result, the inner shutter 41 is rotated clockwise in the figure against the urging force of the tension spring 51 and switched to the open position where the discharge port 39 is opened. As a result, the discharge port 39 is completely opened, and toner can be discharged. Thereafter, when a print job is input, printing is started. At this time, after the opening operation of the inner shutter 41 is completed, development by the developing device 4, specifically, rotation of the developing roller 441 and the supply roller 442 is started.

  When replacing the toner cartridge 30, the upper cover 101 is opened (see FIG. 2). At this time, the inner shutter 41 is closed in conjunction with the opening operation of the upper cover 101. Specifically, the slide member 57 moves in the direction D in the figure in conjunction with the opening operation of the upper cover 101 from the state shown in FIG. As a result, the inner shutter 41 is rotated in the direction of arrow B in the figure by being pulled by the tension spring 51, and the inner shutter 41 is returned to the initial position as shown in FIG. 10B. As a result, the discharge port 39 is closed by the inner shutter 41.

  Then, when the toner cartridge 30 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 100 from the state shown in FIG. 10B, the rib 56 is relatively separated from the operation portion 53 of the outer shutter 42. Accordingly, the outer shutter 42 is pulled by the tension spring 52 and rotates in the direction of arrow B in the figure. As a result, the outer shutter 42 is switched to the closed position shown in FIG. 10A, and the discharge port 39 is completely closed by the inner shutter 41 and the outer shutter 42. Thereafter, a new toner cartridge 30 is mounted on the first mounting portion 120.

  When replacing the process unit, the upper cover 101 is opened, the inner shutter 41 of the toner cartridge 30 is closed, and then the intermediate cover 102 is opened (see FIG. 3). Then, the process unit to be replaced is removed from the unit mounting portion 130, and a new process unit is mounted on the unit mounting portion 130. When the intermediate cover 102 and the upper cover 101 are closed, attachment of the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk and the toner cartridge 30 is detected according to the flow shown in FIG. As a result, if all the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk and the toner cartridge 30 are mounted, the inner shutter 41 of the toner cartridge 30 is opened.

  In the toner replenishing device of the present embodiment, as described above, the second mounting detection unit 132 confirms the mounting of all the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk to the unit mounting unit 130, and then the inner shutter 41. Is open. As a result, the inner shutter 41 is not opened unless at least one process unit is mounted, so that it is possible to prevent the toner from being scattered in the image forming apparatus when the inner shutter 41 is opened without the process unit being mounted.

  Further, when even one toner cartridge 30 is insufficiently mounted, for example, when a foreign object is caught between the bottom surface of the toner cartridge 30 and the bottom surface of the container mounting portion 120, the toner cartridge is moved when the slide member 57 is moved. The slide member 57 may collide with the 30 container main bodies 33 and the like, and the container main body 33 and the slide member 57 may be damaged. In the present embodiment, since the first mounting detection unit 122 confirms that all the toner cartridges 30 are mounted on the container mounting unit 120, the slide member 57 is moved to open the inner shutter 41. Can be avoided.

  If the discharge port 39 of the toner cartridge 30 is open during transportation of the image forming apparatus, a large amount of toner may be supplied from the toner cartridge 30 to the developing device 4 due to vibration or impact during transportation. In this case, the toner may be scattered from a connecting portion (a connecting portion via the communication port 105 of the intermediate cover 102 in this embodiment) between the discharge port 39 of the toner cartridge 30 and the supply port 40 of the developing device 4. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, after the image forming apparatus is turned on, the second attachment detection unit 132 detects attachment. As a result, the second attachment detection unit 132 does not operate when the power supply of the image forming apparatus is OFF, so that no attachment detection signal is transmitted from the second attachment detection unit 132 and the second shutter 41 does not open. Accordingly, when the image forming apparatus is transported with the power off, the second shutter 41 is always in a closed state, and thus toner scattering during transport can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the second mounting detection unit 132 detects conduction between the conductive member 59 provided in the developing device 4 and the conductive member 131 provided in the second mounting unit 130. Therefore, the mounting of the developing device 4 on the second mounting portion 130 can be detected with a simple configuration. In the present embodiment, the first attachment detection unit 122 detects conduction between the conductive member 58 provided in the toner cartridge 30 and the conductive member 121 provided in the first attachment unit 120. Therefore, the mounting of the toner cartridge 30 on the first mounting portion 120 can be detected with a simple configuration.

  In the present embodiment, since the developing device 4 starts development after the opening operation of the inner shutter 41 is completed, vibration or the like due to the opening operation of the inner shutter 41 does not affect the output image. , The printing quality can be stabilized.

  In the present embodiment, the inner shutter 41 of the toner cartridge 30 is closed in conjunction with the operation of opening the upper cover 101. Thus, when the upper cover 101 is opened to replace the toner cartridge 30, the discharge port 39 of the toner cartridge 30 is always closed by the inner shutter 41, so that the toner scatters when the toner cartridge 30 is replaced. The situation can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, an outer shutter 42 is provided in addition to the inner shutter 41 as a mechanism for opening and closing the discharge port 39 of the toner cartridge 30. Thus, by closing the discharge port 39 with a double shutter, toner leakage from the discharge port 39 can be reliably prevented. Then, by attaching the toner cartridge 30 to the first mounting portion 120, the operation portion 53 of the outer shutter 41 is brought into contact with the rib 56 provided in the first mounting portion 120, and the outer shutter 41 is rotated and opened. it can.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the rib 56 for opening the outer shutter 42 is integrally provided on the intermediate cover 102, and the outer shutter 42 is opened and closed simultaneously with the attachment / detachment of the toner cartridge 30 to / from the first mounting portion 120. Not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the outer shutter 42 may be opened and closed by opening and closing the intermediate cover 102. In this embodiment, the rib 56 is provided in the upper part of process unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk. In this configuration, after the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk are mounted on the second mounting portion 130 and the intermediate cover 102 is closed, the rib 56 is inserted into the intermediate cover 102 from the insertion hole 107 formed in the intermediate cover 102. 102 protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the first mounting portion 120. In this case, since the rib 56 for opening the outer shutter 42 does not exist in a place where the process unit is not mounted, the outer shutter 42 does not open.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first mounting detection unit 122 and the second mounting detection unit 132 detect the mounting of the toner cartridge 30 or the process unit by conduction between the conductive members. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the attachment of the toner cartridge 30 or the process unit is detected by a proximity sensor or the like, and the first attachment detection unit 122 and / or the second attachment detection unit 132 may be configured.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the photosensitive member 2, the charging roller 3, the developing device 4, and the cleaning blade 5 are integrated as a process unit is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the developing device 4 is replaced alone. It is good also as a possible structure.

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk Process unit 2 Photoconductor 3 Charging roller 4 Developing device 30 Toner cartridge 33 Container body 34 Powder container (developer container)
37 Agitator 38 Conveying screw 39 Discharge port 40 Supply port 41 Inner shutter (opening / closing mechanism)
42 Outer shutter (other opening / closing mechanism)
57 Slide member 58 Conductive member 59 Conductive member 100 Device main body 101 Upper cover 102 Intermediate cover 105 Communication port 120 Container mounting portion (first mounting portion)
121 Conductive member 122 First mounting detection unit 130 Unit mounting unit 131 Conductive member 132 Second mounting detection unit 440 Development housing 441 Development roller

JP 2012-32460 A

Claims (14)

A developer container mounted on a first mounting portion provided in the image forming apparatus, and a developing device mounted on a second mounting portion provided in the image forming apparatus are separate from the developer container. A developer replenishing device comprising:
The developer container includes a container main body that can store a developer therein, a discharge port provided in the container main body, and an opening and closing mechanism that opens and closes the discharge port.
The developing device includes a replenishing port capable of communicating with a discharge port of the developer container, and a developing housing capable of accommodating therein a developer replenished from the developer container via the replenishing port,
The second mounting unit is provided with a second mounting detection unit that detects mounting of the developing device, and the second mounting detection unit detects mounting of the developing device to the second mounting unit, and then A developer replenishing device configured to open the opening / closing mechanism of the developer container.   The first mounting unit is provided with a first mounting detection unit that detects the mounting of the developer container, and the first mounting detection unit detects mounting of the developer container to the first mounting unit. The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing mechanism of the developer container is opened.   The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein after the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on, mounting detection is performed by the second mounting detection unit.   The second mounting detection unit detects the continuity between the conductive member provided in the developing device and the conductive member provided in the second mounting unit, whereby the second mounting unit of the developing device. The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the developer replenishing device detects attachment to the developer.   The first attachment detection unit detects electrical continuity between the conductive member provided in the developer container and the conductive member provided in the first attachment part. The developer replenishing device according to claim 2, wherein the developer replenishing device detects attachment to the first attachment portion.   The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein after the opening operation of the opening / closing mechanism is completed, development by the developing device is started.   The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein a slide member is provided in the first mounting portion, and the slide mechanism is slid and brought into contact with the open / close mechanism to open the open / close mechanism.   An image forming apparatus comprising the developer supply device according to claim 1. An apparatus main body having the second mounting portion, a first cover attached to the apparatus main body so as to be opened and closed, attached to the apparatus main body so as to be opened and closed, provided inside the first cover, and The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a second cover that includes a first cover and covers the second mounting portion.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the opening / closing mechanism is closed in conjunction with an operation of opening the first cover.   By providing another opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the discharge port of the developer container, a contact member is provided on the first mounting portion, and the developer container is mounted on the first mounting portion, thereby The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the other opening / closing mechanism is brought into contact with a contact member to be opened.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the contact member is provided integrally with the second cover. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the other opening / closing mechanism is opened / closed in conjunction with an opening / closing operation of the second cover. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the abutting member is provided in the developing housing, an insertion hole is provided in the second cover, and the abutting member protrudes from the first mounting portion through the insertion hole. apparatus.

Images