JP3534165B2 - Toner supply device and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same, and more particularly, to a developing position of a toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system. A toner supply device that supplies the toner image from a position away from the developing device, and a toner supply device that includes the toner supply device and visualizes the latent image on the image carrier to form a toner image. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a composite machine of these machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of toner cartridges provided in a toner server provided adjacent to a toner tank of a developing device are rotated to be automatically converted a plurality of times so that the toner cartridges of A toner replenishing mechanism that reduces the frequency of replacement is known (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-277).
083). A developing device which is small in size and has improved operability during maintenance is also known in which toner is supplied as a mixture with air from a toner storage means provided separately from the developing device using a mono pump. 7-219329). A toner cartridge accommodating portion capable of individually mounting a plurality of toner cartridge containers is provided, and toner is supplied to a developing device from one or the other toner cartridge container via a plurality of branch pipes and a toner transfer pipe having a main pipe. In the toner replenishing device that replenishes the toner, when the sensor detects that there is no toner passing near the sensor that measures the amount of toner passing through the toner transfer tube, the agitator in the container of the other toner cartridge is rotated, It is also known that the toner in the container of the other toner cartridge is started to be carried out (see JP-A-4-80779 and JP-A-8-137227). Further, it has been proposed by the inventor of the same applicant to convey toner to a developing device from a toner supply device provided with a plurality of toner containers apart from a developing position to form an image. However, in a conventional toner server or toner supply device having a plurality of toner cartridge toner containers, the operability and replaceability of the toner container are poor, and the toner in the toner container in the toner supply device remote from the developing position is It is impossible to know the presence or absence and the status of the presence or absence of the toner container, or even if it is possible, it is difficult to know the toner status (amount of remaining toner) in the toner supply device. As a result, there is a problem in that the image forming operation is interrupted, toner is scattered when the toner container is replaced, and the resources are wasted.

[0003]

The conventional toner supply device and the image forming apparatus having the conventional toner supply device described above include a toner server and a toner supply device having a toner container of a plurality of toner cartridges. It is not possible to grasp the presence / absence of toner in the toner container in the toner supply device far from the developing position and the presence / absence of the toner container, or even if it is possible, Since it is difficult to grasp the toner status, the toner supply is delayed and the image forming operation is interrupted, or toner scattering occurs when the toner container is replaced, etc., and the quality of the formed image deteriorates or resources are wasted. There was a problem saying that. Then, the subject of this invention is solving such a problem. In other words, the toner container has good operability and exchangeability, and the toner status in the toner supply device can be easily grasped by an appropriate identification display, so that the toner supply is not interrupted and therefore the image forming operation is interrupted. A resource-saving toner supply device that enables high-quality image formation by preventing toner scattering when the toner container is replaced, and an image formed using the same It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that operates.

[0004]

To achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 uses a toner for developing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system to form a toner image at a developing position. A toner supply device that supplies toner from a position remote from
A toner container insertion part for inserting at least two toner containers; a toner container holding means for detachably holding the toner container inserted through at least two insertion ports of the toner container insertion part; Toner container presence / absence detection means for detecting the presence / absence of the toner container inserted into the insertion port of the insertion part and held in the toner container holding means; and toner from the opening of the toner container held in the toner container holding means. And a gas flow transfer means for transferring the toner discharged to the toner transfer path as a mixture of a fluidizing gas and a toner for detecting the presence / absence of toner in the toner container. Presence / Absence Detection Unit, Status of Presence / Absence of Toner Container Detected by the Toner Container Presence / Absence Detection Unit, and Toner Container Detected by the Toner Presence / Absence Detection Unit In accordance with the state of the presence or absence of toner
An identification display is activated for each insertion port of the toner container insertion section.
The toner container and the toner inside the toner container
Condition, the toner container is present, and the toner in the toner container is empty
The state immediately before or empty, or the state without a toner container
A toner container by means of toner container presence / absence detection means , which comprises display means for selectively switching and displaying on the same display surface.
Based on the presence / absence detection result, toner is supplied or
The most important feature is to stop the supply of the ginger . A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the toner supply device according to the first aspect, the display means is a toner supply device arranged on the front surface of the main body. The present invention according to claim 3 provides
The toner supply device according to claim 1 or 2 is characterized mainly in that the toner supply device stops the supply of toner when the presence / absence of at least one toner container is detected by the toner container presence / absence detecting means. The present invention according to claim 4 is
The toner supply device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the shielding means for shielding between the insertion port of the toner container insertion portion and the toner transfer path detects the toner container by the toner container presence / absence detection unit. A main feature is a toner supply device that shields or unblocks between the insertion port of the container insertion portion and the toner transfer path. Claim
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply device according to the fourth aspect , the shielding unit is a toner supply device that shields between the insertion port of the toner container insertion portion other than the toner container and the toner transfer path. The main feature is that there is. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply device according to the fourth or fifth aspect , the shielding means releases the shielding between the insertion port of the toner container insertion portion in which the toner container is inserted and the toner transfer path. The main feature is that it is a toner supply device. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply device according to the fourth, fifth or sixth aspect , the toner supply is stopped when the toner container presence / absence detection unit detects the absence of the toner container in all the insertion ports of the toner container insertion portion. The main feature is that it is a toner supply device. The present invention according to claim 8 is an image forming apparatus for forming an image by supplying toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system, from a position apart from a developing position to form an image. The toner supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , an air-fuel mixture conveying path including an elastic tube that conveys a mixture of toner and gas supplied from the toner supply device, A developing device to which the toner is conveyed and supplied by the air-fuel mixture conveying path; and an image carrier that carries a toner image in which the electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developing device,
The most main feature of the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus including a transfer unit that transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier to the transfer target.

[0005]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the toner supply device, wherein at least two toner containers storing toner therein are inserted into a toner container insertion portion. The toner container holding means detachably holds it, and the toner container presence / absence detection means detects it.
The presence / absence of the toner container and the detection of the toner presence / absence detection means
Check the status of the presence or absence of the toner in the known toner container.
Identification display operation corresponding to each insertion port of the container insertion section
Check that the toner container is present and that the toner in the toner container is present.
Status, the toner container is present, and the toner in the toner container is empty.
The status immediately before
On the display surface of one
-For the detection result of the presence / absence of a toner container by the container presence / absence detection means
Supply toner or stop toner supply based on
It is also possible that the toner discharged from the toner container to the toner transfer path is supplied as a mixture with the gas fluidized by the gas flow transfer means from a position away from the developing position, and the toner container is attached / detached. The toner container is easy to understand and can be easily exchanged.
Each can be selectively switched by an appropriate identification display,
Further, it is possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device by making a toner supply determination and preventing toner scattering during toner container replacement without interruption of toner supply. According to another aspect of the present invention, at least two or more toner containers storing toner therein are inserted into the toner container insertion portion and detachably held by the toner container holding means, and the toner is displayed on the display means arranged on the front surface of the main body. Toner discharged from the toner container to the toner transfer path while displaying the presence / absence state of the toner container detected by the container presence / absence detection unit and the presence / absence state of toner stored in the toner container detected by the toner presence / absence detection unit. Is supplied as a mixture with the gas fluidized by the gas flow transfer means from a position away from the developing position, so that the toner container can be easily attached / detached and replaced, and the state of the toner in the toner supply device can be grasped. With an appropriate display, it will be easier from the front of the main body, toner will not be interrupted, toner will be scattered when the toner container is replaced, etc. Preventing it has to be able to provide a toner supply device resource saving. According to a third aspect of the present invention, at least two or more toner containers storing toner therein are inserted into the toner container insertion portion and detachably held by the toner container holding means, and the display means detects the toner container presence / absence detection means. The toner discharged from the toner container to the toner transfer path while also displaying the presence / absence of the toner container and the toner stored in the toner container detected by the toner presence / absence detecting unit immediately before or when the toner is empty. Is supplied from a position distant from the developing position as a mixture with the fluidized gas by the gas flow transfer means, and the toner supply is stopped by the toner container presence / absence detection means detecting the absence of at least one toner container. And the operability and exchangeability of the toner container are good,
It is easy to understand the toner status in the toner supply device by an appropriate identification display, and the toner supply is not interrupted and the occurrence of toner scattering from the toner container insertion part where the toner container is not inserted is automatically performed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a toner supply device that saves resources. In claim 4 , at least two toners are stored inside.
At least one toner container is inserted into the toner container insertion portion and detachably held by the toner container holding means, and the presence / absence of the toner container detected by the toner container presence / absence detection means and the detection of the toner presence / absence detection means are displayed on the display means. The toner discharged from the toner container to the toner transfer path is separated from the developing position as a mixture with the gas fluidized by the gas flow transfer means while displaying the presence or absence of the toner stored in the toner container. When the toner container presence / absence detection unit detects the presence / absence of the toner container, the shielding unit that supplies the toner container from the insertion port of the toner container insertion unit and the toner transfer path is provided with the shielding unit. By blocking or unblocking the space between the transfer path and the toner container, the operability and the replaceability of the toner container are good, and the state of the toner in the toner supply device can be properly grasped. The identification display makes it easy to perform, and the shielding of the shielding means is automatically performed or the shielding is released without interrupting the toner supply, thereby preventing toner scattering when replacing the toner container and saving. To be able to provide a toner supply device for resources. In claim 5, the at least two toner container for storing toner therein, is inserted into the toner container insertion portion detachably held in the toner container holding means, detection of the toner container presence detection means on the display means The toner discharged from the toner container to the toner transfer path is displayed on the gas flow transfer means while displaying the presence / absence status of the toner container and the presence / absence status of the toner stored in the toner container detected by the toner presence detection means. Is supplied from a position away from the developing position as a mixture with the fluidized gas, and the shielding means for shielding between the insertion port of the toner container insertion portion and the toner transfer path is a toner container of the toner container presence / absence detection unit. By detecting nothing, the space between the insertion port of the toner container insertion part and the toner transfer path is blocked, and the operability and the replaceability of the toner container are good. The state of the toner in the toner supply device is easily identified by an appropriate identification display, and the toner supply is not interrupted and the shielding means without the toner container is automatically shielded. (EN) It is possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device by preventing occurrence of toner scattering when replacing a container. In the sixth aspect, at least two or more toner container for storing toner therein, is inserted into the toner container insertion portion detachably held in the toner container holding means, detection of the toner container presence detection means on the display means The toner discharged from the toner container to the toner transfer path is displayed on the gas flow transfer means while displaying the presence / absence status of the toner container and the presence / absence status of the toner stored in the toner container detected by the toner presence detection means. Is supplied as a mixture with the fluidized gas from a position away from the developing position, and the shielding means for shielding between the insertion port of the toner container insertion portion and the toner transfer path is a toner container in which the toner container is inserted. By removing the shield between the insertion opening of the insertion section and the toner transfer path, the toner container can be easily attached and detached, and the toner container can be easily replaced. The status of the toner container can be easily identified by appropriate identification display, and the toner supply is not interrupted and the shielding means in which the toner container is inserted is automatically unshielded. It is possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device by preventing the toner scattering and the like. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, at least two or more toner containers that store toner therein are inserted into the toner container insertion portion and detachably held by the toner container holding means, and the display means detects the toner container presence / absence detection means. The toner discharged from the toner container to the toner transfer path is displayed on the gas flow transfer means while displaying the presence / absence status of the toner container and the presence / absence status of the toner stored in the toner container detected by the toner presence detection means. Is supplied as a mixture with the fluidized gas from a position away from the developing position, and the toner supply is stopped by the toner container presence / absence detection means detecting the absence of all toner containers, and the toner container attachment / detachment operation is performed. Of the toner supply device is easy to understand and the status of the toner inside the toner supply device can be easily identified by the appropriate identification display. Without exchange chromatography container can and become toner supply interrupted, it is to be able to provide a toner supply device for preventing resource saving the occurrence of toner scattering at the time of replacement of the toner container. In claim 8 , claims 1 to 7
The toner supplied from the toner supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is carried as a mixture with a gas by a developing means supplied by a mixture conveying path conveyance to carry a toner image in which an electrostatic latent image is visualized. The toner image formed on the image bearing member is transferred to the transfer target member by the transfer unit, so that the operability and the exchangeability of the toner container are good, and the state of the toner in the toner supply device can be properly grasped. The identification display makes it easy to carry out the toner supply without interruption, and thus allows the image forming operation to continue without interruption, preventing the occurrence of toner scattering when the toner container is replaced. (EN) An image forming apparatus that forms an image with a resource-saving toner supply device that enables high-quality image formation.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a main part of an example of a toner supply device of the present invention.
Toner (T) that visualizes a latent image in an electrophotographic system to form a toner image is stored inside a cylindrical shape, and is placed at a position away from the developing position of the developing unit 102 of the independent image forming apparatus 100 (not shown). The toner container holding unit 2 is detachably inserted into the insertion port 2a (insertion port 2a1, insertion port 2a2, insertion port 2a3) of the toner container insertion portion 2 of the toner supply device 0 which is arranged, from the front surface 0a of the main body in the direction of arrow A shown in the drawing. It is adapted to be held by the means 3. That is, in the toner supply device 0, a plurality of toner container holding means 3 are arranged in a vertical positional relationship in the housing, and each toner container holding means 3 is attached with the toner container insertion portion 2 and each toner container. The toner container 1 is removably inserted into the insertion opening of the insertion portion 2. The toner container presence / absence detecting means 4 includes the insertion ports 2a of the insertion ports 2a of the toner container insertion portion 2.
1. The presence / absence of the toner container 1 inserted into the insertion port 2a2 and the insertion port 2a3 and held by the toner container holding means 3 is detected. The gas flow transfer means 6 mixes the toner (T) held by the toner container holding means 3 and discharged from the opening 1a of the toner container 1 to the toner transfer path 5 and accumulated in the toner accumulation container 10 with the gas. It is a powder pump unit which is also called a mohno pump, which is fluidized as gas and is transferred to the developing means 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 (not shown) through a mixture transfer path 101 formed of an elastic tube. The toner presence / absence detection means 7 detects the height of the toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulating / accommodating section 10 by the height sensor 7a for detecting the remaining amount of toner, and the control section 11 (control section 11).
The toner near end or empty, which is just before the toner (T) transferred by the gas flow transfer means 6 and stored in the toner container 1 via a) is emptied, is recognized. The display means 8 is an LED display member, and an opening / closing door 1 corresponding to the three toner containers 1 inserted from the front surface 0a of the main body into the respective insertion openings 2a1-3 of the toner container insertion portion 2.
2 is provided on the front display surface 8a. The display means 8 combines the toner container presence / absence state detected by the toner container presence / absence detection means 4 with the toner (T) presence / absence state in the toner container 1 detected by the toner presence / absence detection means 7. indicate.

FIG. 2 shows the operating state of the display means.
The LED display member of the display means 8 displays, on the same display surface 8a, (a) the state of "with toner container 1 and toner (T) in toner container 1" with "unlit". , (B) "Toner container 1 is present and the toner in the toner container 1 is empty or the toner in the toner container 1 is empty" is displayed by "flashing", or "not empty" is displayed. "Toner near end just before" is "slow blink",
"Empty toner end" may be displayed by "quick blink". In addition, the state of “no toner container 1” in (c) is displayed as “lighted”. Since each of these identification displays can be switched selectively, the toner supply device 0
The necessary and sufficient appropriate toner (T) state is widely displayed and easy to see, so that the appropriate toner state in the toner supply device 0 can be easily grasped.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation relating to the presence / absence of a toner container and the presence / absence of toner. In the toner supply device 0, the control section 11a uses the toner container presence / absence detecting means 4 to detect the toner. The insertion ports 2a1 and 2a of the respective insertion ports 2a of the container insertion portion 2
2. After detecting whether or not the toner container 1 is inserted into all the insertion ports 2a3 (step 1), the toner containers 1 not yet inserted into the insertion ports 2a1, 2a2, and 2a3 are detected. It is judged whether or not the toner container 1 is present (step 2), and if there is the toner container 1 not yet inserted, the toner supply is stopped (step 3), and "no toner container 1" is displayed on the display surface 8a of the display means 8. (FIG. 2 (c)) is lit and displayed (step 4), but if the uninserted toner container 1 is exhausted, toner supply is continued (step 2N).
o, step 5), the process ends. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner from scattering from the toner transfer path 5 through the insertion port 2a of the toner container insertion portion 2 to prevent waste of toner and save resources.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the main part of the toner supply device. The toner container 1 is inserted from the insertion port 2a of the toner container insertion portion 2 and held by the toner container holding means 3. Then, when the filler 4a of the toner container presence / absence detecting unit 4 comes into contact with the sensor unit 4b to shield the sensor unit 4b, the presence of the toner container 1 is detected. The sensor unit 4b is composed of a photo interrupter, a limit switch, and the like. Toner container presence / absence detecting means 4
When the presence of the toner container 1 is detected by the control unit 11
"No toner container 1" (FIG. 2 (c)) is lit and displayed on the display surface 8a of the display means 8 via a, and the toner container insertion portion 2 and the toner transfer port 2a are transferred. The shielding plate 9a of the shielding means 9 that shields the path 5 from the path 5 is driven by the drive motor 9b to move in the direction of the arrow B shown in the figure to release the shielding.
The toner (T) can be discharged from the opening 1a to the toner transfer path 5. In FIG. 5, if the toner container 1 has not been inserted into the insertion port 2a of the toner container insertion portion 2, the toner container presence / absence detecting unit 4
The filler 4a is rotated clockwise by its spring force so as not to interfere with the sensor portion 4b, and "absence" of the toner container 1 is detected. When the toner container presence / absence detection unit 4 detects “absence” of the toner container 1, the shield plate 9a for shielding between the insertion port 2a of the toner container insertion unit 2 and the toner transfer path 5 via the control unit 11a, Driven by the drive motor 9b,
Since it moves in the direction of arrow C in the figure to shield between the insertion port 2a of the toner container insertion part 2 and the toner transfer path 5, the insertion port of the toner container insertion part 2 from the toner transfer path 5 is blocked. It is possible to prevent the toner from scattering through 2a.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation based on the presence / absence of toner container insertion detection, and the shielding means 9 for shielding the toner supply device 0 between the insertion port 2a of the toner container insertion portion 2 and the toner transfer path 5. 4 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5), the control unit 11a causes the toner container insertion unit 2 of the toner container presence / absence detection unit 2 to have the respective insertion ports 2 described above.
After detecting whether or not the toner container 1 is inserted into all of the insertion ports 2a1 to 3a of step a (step 1), the toner container 1 is not inserted into all of the insertion ports 2a1 to 3 of each of the insertion ports 2a. It is judged (step 2), and if all the toner containers 1 are not inserted, the toner supply is stopped (step 3), and "no toner container 1" is displayed on the display surfaces 8a of all the display units 8. 2 (c)) is lit and displayed (step 4), but if the toner container 1 is inserted, the toner supply is continued (step 5), and the process ends. Therefore, the toner container 1 can be replaced while supplying the toner (T).

Next, FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with the toner supply device of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is a vertical sectional view showing its internal structure. In FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, when the power source of the main motor (not shown) is turned on and the toner container 1 is held by the toner container holding means 3 and is rotationally driven by the rotation driving means 3 a, the toner container 1
The toner (T) stored in the cylindrical shape is discharged from the opening 1a provided at one end of the toner container 1 in the axial direction to the toner transfer path 5 and accumulated in the toner accumulation accommodating portion 10 to be accommodated therein. The toner (T) accumulated and accommodated in the toner accumulating and accommodating portion 10 is transferred and supplied to the developing means 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 by the gas flow transfer means 6. The toner (T) is supplied to the toner accumulating / accommodating section 10 based on the height sensor 7a of the toner presence / absence detecting means 7 provided at a lower position of the toner accumulating / accommodating section 10 and a detection signal from the height sensor 7a. Is performed by the control unit 11a that outputs a control signal. That is, when the amount of toner (T) detected by the piezoelectric element of the height sensor 7a of the toner presence / absence detecting means 7 is below a predetermined height, the opening 1a provided at one end of the toner container 1 in the axial direction is provided. And the supply of toner (T) is started. Then, the presence / absence of toner is detected by the height sensor 7a, and the toner supply is stopped when the amount of the toner (T) accumulated and accommodated in the toner accumulating and accommodating portion 10 exceeds a predetermined height. To do.
Under the control of the control unit 11a, the insertion opening 2a1, the insertion opening 2a2, and the insertion opening 2 of the respective insertion openings 2a of the toner container insertion unit 2 are
Each display surface 8a corresponding to the toner container 1 inserted into the toner container holding means 3 and inserted into the a3, and the image forming apparatus 1
Operation panel 100 provided on the front surface 100a of the main body 00
Toner supply display surface 1 of toner supply display means 105 on b
In the area 05a, "Toner container 1 and toner (T) in toner container 1" (FIG. 2A) are displayed without lighting, so that a predetermined amount of toner ( T) is stored and a stable development process is guaranteed.

The height sensor 7a of the toner container 1 discharging the toner (T) detects that the amount of the toner (T) is below a certain height, and this is detected a predetermined number of times. When the time or the like is exceeded, the toner presence / absence detecting means 7 recognizes the toner near end, which is just before the toner (T) stored therein becomes "empty", by the control section 11a. Then, the control unit 11a displays the message "Toner container 1 is present and toner is present" on the display surface 8a and the toner supply display surface 105a of the toner supply display means 105 on the operation panel 100b provided on the front surface 100a of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Another toner container 1 is displayed without lighting, indicating that the toner (T) in the container 1 is present ”(FIG. 2A).
The drive stop of the rotation driving means 3a is released, and the toner (T) stored inside is discharged to the toner transfer path 5 and accumulated in the toner accumulation accommodating portion 10 to be accommodated therein. The stopper 13 that closes the opening 1a of the toner container is stored in the toner container 1 after the toner presence / absence detection unit 7 recognizes the toner near-end state immediately before the toner (T) in the toner container 1 becomes “empty”. After a lapse of a predetermined time sufficient for the toner (T) to disappear, the opening 1a of the toner container 1 from which the toner (T) inside has been discharged is closed. Opening 1a of toner container 1
After closing the plug with the plug 13, the display surface 8a of the display means 8 and the front surface 1 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.
On the toner supply display surface 105a of the toner supply display means 105 on the operation panel 100b provided on the control panel 100b via the control section 11a, "just before the toner container 1 is present and the toner in the toner container 1 is empty. Or "empty" (FIG. 2 (b)) blinks, or although not shown, it is "toner near the end of the toner container 1 and immediately before the toner in the toner container 1 becomes empty" Blinking, a rapid blinking indicating "Toner container 1 is present and toner in toner container 1 is empty" is displayed, and the identification display is selectively switched to display the message of toner container 1 replacement state.

Therefore, in the toner supply device 0, not only the operability of attaching and detaching the toner container 1 is good, but also the state of the toner (T) in the toner supply device 0 can be easily grasped, and therefore the replaceability of the toner container 1 is good. Immediately before the toner (T) in the toner container 1 becomes “empty”, the next toner (T) in the other toner container 1 is discharged to the toner transfer path 5, and the transfer of the toner (T) is interrupted. The image forming operation is continuously performed without performing the operation, and the toner (T) in the toner container 1 is prevented from being discharged and remaining unused, and the occurrence of toner scattering when the toner container 1 is replaced is prevented. To prevent dirt,
Saves resources. The image forming apparatus 100 is an example of a copying machine and includes a toner supply device 0 and an automatic document feeder (AD).
F) 110, and an exposure unit 120, an image forming unit 130, a paper feeding unit 140, etc. for forming an image by a conventionally known electrophotographic method. The exposure unit 120 is
A light source 121 for irradiating the document (O) placed on the contact glass 111 by the automatic document feeder (ADF) 110 or manually, and a reflected light image from the document (O) are formed into the image. The exposure optical system includes a mirror group 122 and a lens 123 for exposing the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 103 of the unit 130.

The image forming section 130 includes a photosensitive drum of the image carrier 103 and a charging means 106, a developing means 102, a registration roller 107, a transfer means 104, a cleaning means 108 and a fixing means arranged around the photosensitive drum. 10
It is composed of 9 and the like. In addition, the paper feeding unit 140
Is provided with a plurality of paper feed cassettes containing transfer papers (P) of various sizes. The exposure unit 120 is an example of an analog type exposure optical system, but a laser scanning optical system using a laser light source and a deflector is used as the exposure unit 120, and a photoconductor of the image carrier 103 is used according to an image signal. The optical writing on the drum makes it possible to function as a laser printer, and further, the automatic document feeder (A
If a document reading device is installed between the DF) 110 and the exposure section 120, the structure of a digital copying machine or a facsimile device is obtained. When the image forming operation is started, the image carrier 103
The photosensitive drum is charged by the charging unit 106, the original image from the exposure unit 120 is exposed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed with a two-component developer or a one-component developer of the developing means 102 to be visualized, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 103. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 103 is fed from the paper feeding unit 140, and passes through the registration roller 107 and the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 103 and the transfer belt of the transfer unit 104. The transfer paper (P) transferred by the transfer means 104 to the transfer paper (P) fed to the nip portion with 104a and the toner image transferred is the transfer means 10
The transfer belt 104a of No. 4 conveys it to the fixing unit 109,
The fixing unit 109 fixes the toner image on the transfer paper (P). The transfer paper (P) after fixing is discharged to a tray (not shown) and stored in a discharge tray or the like.

On the other hand, after the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper (P), the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 103 is cleaned by the cleaning means 108 to remove and collect the residual toner and foreign matter of the paper dust brush, and Prepared for the process. Further, the transfer belt 104a of the transfer means 104 after the transfer paper (P) is conveyed.
Is also cleaned by the cleaning means 104b to remove and collect foreign matter such as residual toner and paper dust. As the developing means 102, an example using a two-component magnetic brush developing method using toner (T) and a carrier will be described below. Developing unit 102 of image forming apparatus 100
The toner supply device 0 arranged at a position distant from the developing position is connected to the developing means 102 by a mixed gas supply pipe of the toner (T) and the gas, which is a flexible tube member of the mixed gas conveying path 101. And the toner supply device 0 which is also the front surface 100a of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.
The toner (T) stored in the toner container 1 attached to the front surface 0a of the main body is removed from the flexible pipe member of the air-fuel mixture transfer path 101 by the powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 6, which is also called a mono pump. Developing means 102 via a mixed gas supply pipe of toner and gas
In addition, the gas is conveyed and supplied as a mixture with air. The mixed gas supply pipe of the toner (T) and the gas in the mixed gas conveying path 101 is a pipe material which is flexible and has excellent toner resistance, and it is very effective to use, for example, nylon, Teflon or the like. is there. Therefore, since the connection between the toner supply device 0 and the developing means 102 is flexible, there are no restrictions on the installation of each, and the attachment / detachment operation and the replaceability of the toner container 1 are good, and the layout can be effectively utilized.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display method, which is a display surface 8a of the display means 8 provided in the toner supply device 0,
Toner supply display means 10 on the operation panel 100b provided on the front surface 100a of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.
5 shows another example of the display method using the toner supply display surface 105a of No. 5. That is, the state of the toner container 1 inserted into the toner container insertion portion 2 of the toner supply device 0 and each opening 1 of the toner container 1 inserted into the toner container insertion portion 2
The state corresponding to "a" is "Toner container 1 and toner (T) in toner container 1" (FIG. 9A), "Toner container 1 and toner (T) in toner container 1 are Immediately before emptying "(Fig. 9 (b ')) or" the toner container 1 is present and the toner (T) in the toner container 1 is empty "(Fig. 9).
(B)) Even if the toner container 1 is absent (FIG. 9 (c)) is displayed by the pattern shown in the figure, it is easy to grasp the proper toner (T) state in the toner supply device 0. You can do it.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of the structure of the gas flow transfer means. The powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 6 is conventionally known as a so-called mohno pump and is composed of a rotor 6a, a stator 6b, a holder 6c and the like. Then, the toner (T) discharged from the opening 1a of the toner container 1 to the toner transfer path 5 and accumulated in the toner accumulation accommodating portion 10 is stored,
The gas is transferred in a mixed state with air.
The rotor 6a is connected to a drive source (not shown) via a lateral transport screw 6d and is rotationally driven. The stator 6b is made of an elastic material such as a rubber material and surrounds the rotor 6a. The holder 6c holds the stator 6b. There is a gap 6e of about 1 mm between the side surface of the stator 6b and the inner side surface of the holder 6c.
It communicates with the toner passage 6f. A gas supply port 6g is provided so as to blow into the toner passage 6f from the gap 6e. The gas supply port 6g communicates with the toner passage 6f, and communicates with the gas discharge port 6i provided in the air pump of the gas supply unit 6h through the gas supply pipe 6j. When the air pump of the gas supply means 6h is activated, 0.5 (0.5) of toner (T) is discharged through the gas supply port 6g.
Gaseous air is blown at a blowing rate of about 1.0 liter / minute. Thereby, the gas flow transfer means 6
The toner (T) discharged from the toner passage 6f of the powder pump unit is accelerated in fluidization, and in a mixed state with the gas air, the mixture of the toner and the gas is formed by the flexible tube member of the mixture transfer path 101. Developing means 1 via a pipe
No. 02 is carried and supplied as a mixture with gaseous air, the transfer of the powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 6 becomes more reliable.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the toner supply device and the developing means, and the developing means 102 from the powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 6 of the toner supply device 0 through the air-fuel mixture conveying path 101. The toner (T) supply operation toward the toner is performed by the height sensor 7b of the toner presence / absence detection unit 7 provided in the toner supply unit 102a of the developing unit 102 and the control unit 11b of the control unit 11. The toner (T) stored in the cylindrical shape of the toner container 1 is rotated while the toner container 1 is held by the toner container holding means 3 by turning on the power source of a main motor (not shown). The toner (T) discharged from the opening 1a provided at one end in the axial direction to the toner transfer path 5 and accumulated and accommodated in the toner accumulation accommodating portion 10, and the toner (T) accumulated and accommodated in the toner accumulation accommodating portion 10 is the above gas. Developing means 1 by flow transfer means 6
No. 02 toner supply unit 102a is started to be supplied. Toner (T) is supplied to the developing unit 102 by the toner replenishing unit 10.
This is performed by the height sensor 7b of the toner presence / absence detection unit 7 provided at the lower position of 2a and the control unit 11b. That is,
When the amount of toner (T) detected by the height sensor 7b of the toner presence / absence detection unit 7 is equal to or lower than a predetermined height, the powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer unit 6 is driven and the developing unit 102 is operated. Toner (T) to the toner replenishing section 102a
Is started to be supplied. Then, when the amount of the toner (T) accumulated and stored in the toner replenishing section 102a exceeds a predetermined height, the height sensor 7b detects it and stops the toner supply. By these controls, a predetermined amount of toner (T) is always stored in the toner supply unit 102a, and a stable developing process is guaranteed.

Further, the toner container 1 discharging the toner (T) is detected by the height sensor 7b as being below a certain height, and this is predetermined. When the number of times, the time, etc. are exceeded, the toner near-end detection means 7 and the control unit 11b cause the toner (T) stored in the toner container 1 to be "empty" immediately before the toner near-end or the inside of the toner container 1. Recognize that the toner (T) stored in is empty. Then, the rotation driving means for the other toner containers 1 displayed on the display surface 8a as "non-lighted" indicating "there is the toner container 1 and the toner (T) in the toner container 1" (FIG. 9A). The toner (T) stored inside the drive suspension 3a is released and discharged to the toner transfer path 5 to be accumulated in the toner accumulation accommodating portion 10 and accommodated therein. The toner (T) stored in the other toner container 1 is discharged to the toner transfer path 5 to be deposited and stored in the toner deposition container 10, and the powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 6 is driven. Then, by the transportation of the air-fuel mixture transportation path 101, the supply to the toner replenishing portion 102a of the developing means 102 is started. In the toner replenishing portion 102a of the developing means 102, a toner replenishing opening 102a2 is formed at one axial end of a stirring member 102a1 provided in the toner replenishing portion 102a, and the toner replenishing opening 102a2 is provided with toner recovery. The means 102b is detachably installed.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the main part of the developing means provided with the toner collecting means. The toner collecting means 102b has a unit structure constituted separately from the toner replenishing portion 102a, and supplies toner (T). The toner (T) conveyed from the toner supply device 0, which is the source, in the mixed state of the gas and air through the mixture gas supply pipe of the toner and the gas, which is formed of the flexible pipe member of the mixture transfer path 101, is , Is used to replenish when the toner (T) to be replenished, which is separated from the air and is stored in the toner replenishing portion 102a of the developing unit 102, has decreased. The toner collecting unit 102b has a funnel-shaped toner separating unit 102b1 set in the longitudinal direction in the longitudinal direction. Toner separation unit 102
b1 separates the toner (T) conveyed by gaseous air from the toner supply device 0, which is a toner supply source, and the gaseous air, and drops only the toner (T) by gravity to replenish the toner of the developing unit 102. It is composed of a hopper that can be introduced into the section 102a. Therefore, one end of a mixture gas supply pipe for toner and gas, which is a flexible pipe member of the mixture transfer path 101, which is one of toner transfer means, is connected to an upper position of the toner separation unit 102b1. At the position, an opening 102b2 that can be connected to the toner replenishing portion 102a of the developing means 102 is formed. As a result, the mixture of the gas air and the toner (T) sent from the mixture pipe of the mixture of the toner (T) and the gas air formed of the flexible pipe member of the mixture transfer path 101 is the toner. When it collides with the inner peripheral wall of the separating portion 102b1, a spiral motion is caused due to the shape of the toner separating portion 102b1 and the discharge position of the mixture of toner and gas from the supply pipe of the flexible tube member of the mixture conveying path 101. While descending, the gaseous air having a low specific gravity rises, while only the toner (T) having a large specific gravity falls, so that the gaseous air and the toner (T) are separated. A filter 102b3 for discharging only gaseous air is provided on the upper surface of the toner separating portion 102b1.
And the opening 102b is formed on the lower surface.
An opening / closing member 102b4 for opening / closing 2 is provided.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the construction of an example of the developing means. In FIG. 13, the developing means 102 is composed of a toner replenishing portion 102a and a developing container portion 102c, and the developing container portion 102c. The toner replenishing section 102a is mounted in the developing container section 102c. The toner replenishing section 102a is mounted in the vicinity of a photosensitive drum, which is an image carrier 103 held rotatably in the direction of arrow D shown in the drawing. Developer container 102c
Inside the inside, the stirring roller 102d and the paddle wheel 1
02e is provided, and is composed of a magnetic or non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier that are agitated and mixed by the agitation roller 102d and frictionally charged to have opposite polarities.
The component type developer is pumped up by the paddle wheel 102e. Toner supply unit 102a
Is a toner replenishing roller 1 when the density of the toner (T) supplied to the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 103 decreases.
The toner (T) is agitated by the rotation of 02a3.
It is designed to be extended to 02d. At the position where the developer is pumped up by the paddle wheel 102e,
A plurality of developing rollers 102f and 102g are provided close to the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 103. Of the developing roller 102f and the developing roller 102g, the one located on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 103 is the first developing roller 102f,
The second developing roller 102g is located on the downstream side. Each of the first developing roller 102f and the second developing roller 102g includes a sleeve rotatable in a counterclockwise direction in the drawing by a driving unit (not shown) and a mag roller fixed inside the sleeve as main portions. There is. This sleeve is made of a non-magnetic material such as aluminum or stainless steel, and the mag roller is made of a ferrite magnet, a rubber magnet, or a plastic magnet formed by kneading nylon powder and ferrite powder. And a plurality of them are arranged.

In the developing container 102c, the developer is drawn up by the centrifugal force generated when the paddle wheel 102e rotates, and is discharged toward the first present traverse roller 102f. Part of the discharged developer is directly supplied to the first developing roller 102f and carried on the surface of the first developing roller 102f. The remaining part of the discharged developer bounces by hitting the second developing roller 102g, and is supported on the surface of the first developing roller 102f by the magnetic force on the side of the first developing roller 102f. In order to supply the developer to the first developing roller 102f from the second roller 102g side as well,
In order to increase the amount of rebound from the developing roller 102g, it is necessary to make the rotational speed of the paddle wheel 102e relatively high to increase the centrifugal force. The developer carried on the first developing roller 102f moves on the roller surface as the developing sleeve rotates, and the doctor blade 10
After the layer thickness is regulated by 2h, the first developing roller 102f reaches the first developing area (DI) where the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 103 faces. Development area (DI)
When the developer reaches the position where the action of the magnetic force on the first developing roller 102f side is weakened, the second developing roller 1
Due to the rotation on the 02g side and the magnetic force from the mag roller, the second developing area (D) between the second developing roller 102g and the photoconductor drum of the image carrier 103 as indicated by the wavy line in the drawing (D).
Transferred to 2). Then, the second developing roller 10
At the position where the magnetic force of 2 g does not act, the developing container 102c
Of the paddle wheel 102e, and is again stirred by the paddle wheel 102e. The developer scraped off by the doctor blade 102h is guided by the separator 102i toward the conveying screw 102j located at the other end in the extension direction, and is dropped onto the stirring roller 102d by the conveying screw 102j. There is. Therefore, at the other end of the separator 102i in the extending direction, a slit for dropping the developer is formed at a position facing the stirring roller 102d. The mag rollers provided on the first developing roller 102f and the second developing roller 102g are repulsed by the same poles between the positions where the first developing roller 102f and the second developing roller 102g are closest to each other. The arrangement of magnetic poles that can form a magnetic field is set, and the developer transfer direction is the second developing roller 10.
It is forcibly set in the direction toward 2g. As a result, the developer is transferred to the second developing roller 10 described above.
The second developing roller 102g is driven by the magnetic force of the magnetic pole on the 2g side.
To be delivered to. In the vicinity of the agitating roller 102d in the developing container 102c, a toner concentration sensor 102k serving as a toner concentration detecting means 102k for detecting the mixing ratio of the toner (T) and the carrier is arranged. As a toner concentration sensor of the toner concentration detecting means 102k, a method of detecting the toner concentration from the content of the toner (T) in the developer by utilizing the inductance change of the coil located in the developer is used as an example. .

FIG. 14 shows the process of rotating the toner.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which toner is reliably discharged from the opening 2 by the action of the shoulder portion 200. The toner container 1 has an opening 1a having a diameter smaller than that of the openable / closable toner container body 1b for discharging the stored toner, at one axial end of a cylindrical toner container body 1b for storing the toner therein. There is. Further, in the toner container 1, a part of the inner surface of the shoulder portion of the end surface where the opening 1a is formed is opened from the inner surface portion of the shoulder portion to the opening 1a.
The protrusion portion 1c for lifting the toner is formed so as to extend to the edge of the. The drawings (a) to (d) of the toner container 1 show how to guide the toner by the above-mentioned projecting portion 1c and the opening projecting portion 1b. (B1),
(C1) and (d1) are front views, and corresponding drawings (a2), (b2), (c2), and (d2) are right side views. The state in which the toner container 1 is rotated by 90 degrees in the direction of rotation of the arrow C shown in the drawing (a) is shown in order in the drawing (b), the drawing (c), and the drawing (d). . In the state shown in the drawing (a), the maximum diameter portion of the shoulder portion 200 is located vertically downward, and the guide groove 1 is formed in a spiral shape on the inner wall of the container.
By e, the toner is guided to the lower part of the peripheral wall of the maximum diameter part of the head part of the toner container body 1. The state of diagram (b) is
In the state of being rotated by 90 degrees in the direction of arrow C from the state shown in FIG.
The boundary portion with c is located vertically downward, and a part of the toner guided by the guide groove 1e is part of the protruding portion 1c.
It is listed in. The state of the chart (c) is a state in which the state of the chart (b) is further rotated by 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow C in the figure, and during the rotation of 90 degrees until the state of the chart (c) is reached. ,
The protruding portion 1c is like a spoon and the opening 1a
Lift the toner to the edge of. The state of the chart (d) is a state in which the state of the chart (c) is further rotated by 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow C in the figure, and before and after being rotated to the state of the chart (d), The toner on the ejection portion 1c partially moves to the opening protrusion portion 1d, and is ejected from the opening 1a by the inclination of the opening formation portion 1d. Here, in the illustrated example, the protruding portion 1c itself has a concave shape like the scooping portion of a spoon, as well shown in the drawing (c). Therefore, if the vicinity of the opening 1a is formed in such a shape, the toner in the toner container 1 will be exposed to the opening 1a.
The toner powder is gradually discharged without causing any dust to be generated in the hopper (not shown) by dropping from the hopper. Further, the toner stored in the toner container 1 can be used up to almost the end without being left.
Further, when the toner container 1 is rotated, excess toner is removed, so to speak, only one spoon of toner is scooped up and lifted to the opening 1a, so that the amount of toner discharged from the opening 1a becomes constant.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of the toner container holding means. The toner container 1 is inserted from the main body front surface 0a of the toner supply device 0 in the direction of arrow A shown in the figure, and the toner supply device 0 is inserted. It is detachably set on the holder portion 3b of the toner container holding means 3 which is integral with. The holder portion 3b has an inner holder 3b2 rotatably supported in the holder 3b1, and the inner holder 3b2 can be rotated via a gear 3b3 by a rotation driving means (not shown). The toner container 1 is provided with irregularities (not shown) so that it can rotate in synchronization with the inner holder 3b2. When the toner (T) is ejected, the inner holder 3b2 is
A seal 3c is provided to prevent the toner from scattering between the toner container 1 and the receiving portion of the inner holder 3b2.
A slider 3d and a chuck 3e are slidably supported in the holder 3b1. The slider 3d is constantly pressed by the spring 3f in the direction in which the toner (T) is pressed against the plug 13. From this state, if the chuck 3e is moved in the direction of arrow F shown in the drawing,
The tab 13a of the stopper 13 is connected to the claw 3 of the chuck 3e.
The e1 is grasped and the stopper 13 can be pulled out from the toner container 1.

FIG. 16 is a more detailed view of the toner container holding means. When the stopper 13 is pulled out from the toner container 1 and the gear 3b3 is rotated by the gear of the rotation driving means 3a, the inner holder 3b2 rotates, When the toner container 1 rotates in synchronization with the inner holder 3b2, the toner (T) in the toner container 1 is discharged from the opening 1a. Immediately before the toner (T) in the toner container 1 becomes low and becomes “empty”, the toner presence / absence detection unit 7 and the control unit 11 not shown are shown.
After recognizing the toner near end by means of the above, after a lapse of a predetermined time sufficient for the toner (T) stored inside to disappear, the chuck 3e is moved by the moving means 3g in the direction of arrow G shown in the drawing to open the opening 1a. The stopper 13 is closed. FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of the moving means. The moving means 3g includes a drive motor 3g1, a worm gear 3g2, a worm wheel (or a helical gear) 3g3, a pinion 3g4, and a rack 3.
g5, the drive motor 3g1 rotates clockwise and counterclockwise, so that the chuck 3e can be moved to the left and right in the direction of arrow H in the figure.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an example of a toner container locking mechanism. The stopper 3h is attached to the holder 3b1 by a step screw 3i and a spring 3j so as to be locked to the locking portion 1f of the toner container 1. Is supported and has the above-mentioned plug 13
With the force to close, the spring 3j is pressed so as not to rotate in the direction of the arrow I and lift up to the position shown by the chain double-dashed line. Therefore, when the opening 1a of the toner container 1 is closed with the plug 13, the toner container 1 does not escape. However, at the time of replacing the toner container 1, by pulling out the toner container 1 more strongly or by manually operating the stopper 3h, or by retracting the stopper 3h to the position of the two-point iron wire shown by adding a lever or the like (not shown), It can be easily replaced. FIG. 19 is a flow chart for explaining the operations of the toner supply device and the image forming apparatus, and the toner presence / absence detection unit 7
The control unit 11 of the control unit 11 detects the presence or absence of toner in the toner container 1 by the height sensor 7a or the height sensor 7b.
a or the control unit 11b determines whether the power supply of the main motor is 0N (step 1), the power supply of the main motor is turned on, and the toner container presence / absence detection unit 4 inserts the toner container insertion unit 2 into each of the above insertions. It is detected whether the toner container 1 is inserted into the insertion port 2a1, the insertion port 2a2, or the insertion port 2a3 of the opening 2a (step 2). If the toner container 1 is not inserted, the display surface 8a of the display means 8 is displayed. "No toner container 1" (c) is lit and displayed (step 3), but if the toner container 1 is inserted, the height sensor 7a or the height sensor 7b of the toner presence / absence detection unit 7 displays the toner (T). ) Is detected (step 4), and if the amount of toner (T) accumulated and accommodated in the toner accumulation accommodating portion 10 or the toner replenishing portion 102a is not less than a predetermined height, the toner container The rotation driving means 3a for driving the rotation of the toner container 1 is turned off at the time (T1) to stop the toner discharge from the toner container 1 (step 5). "Toner (T) is present in container 1" (a) is displayed by a method that does not light up (step 6), and the process ends.

However, when the amount of the toner (T) accumulated and accommodated in the toner accumulation accommodating portion 10 or the toner replenishing portion 102a falls below a certain height (step 4 Ye
s), the rotation driving means 3 for rotating the toner container 1
After turning on a for (T2) time (step 7),
The presence / absence of toner (T) is detected by the height sensor 7a or the height sensor 7b of the toner presence / absence detection unit 7 (step 8), and the toner accumulation container 10 or the toner replenishment unit 102a is detected.
If the amount of the toner (T) accumulated and stored in the toner container is equal to or larger than a predetermined height, the rotation driving means 3a for rotating the toner container 1 is turned off at the time (T3) to turn off the toner container. The toner discharge of No. 1 is stopped (step 9), and "the toner container 1 is present and the toner (T) is present in the toner container 1" (a) is displayed on the display surface 8a of the display means 8 in a non-lighting manner ( Step 6) ends. However, in step 8, the toner accumulation container 10 or the toner supply unit 102
When the amount of toner (T) accumulated and stored in a becomes less than a predetermined height, the rotation driving means 3a for rotating the toner container 1 is turned on for (T4) time (step 10) The presence / absence of toner (T) is detected by the height sensor 7a or the height sensor 7b of the toner presence / absence detection unit 7 (step 11), and the toner is accumulated in the toner accumulation container 10 or the toner replenishment unit 102a. If the amount of the stored toner (T) is not less than a predetermined height, the rotation driving means 3a for rotating the toner container 1 (T
5) Only the time is turned off to stop the toner discharge from the toner container 1 (step 12), and the message "Toner container 1 is present and toner (T) in the toner container 1 is empty" is displayed on the display surface 8a of the display unit 8. "(B ')" is switched to the slow blinking and displayed (step 13), and the process ends.

However, when the amount of the toner (T) accumulated and accommodated in the toner accumulation accommodating portion 10 or the toner replenishing portion 102a is not more than a predetermined height, the toner is transferred by the gas flow transfer means 6. When the toner (T) stored in the toner container 1 is recognized as "empty", it is inserted into the insertion port 2a2 or the insertion port 2a3 of each of the insertion ports 2a of the toner container insertion portion 2. The stopper 13 is removed from the opening 1a of the other toner container 1 and opened to release the driving suspension of the rotation driving means 3a (step 14), and the rotation of the other toner container 1 is rotationally driven. After the driving means 3a is turned on for (T6) time (step 15), the opening 1a of the toner container 1 in which the toner (T) is recognized to be "empty" is closed with the stopper 13 to turn the rotation driving means 3a. Stop driving (step 6), the display surface 8a of the display device 8
The display of "the toner container 1 is present and the toner (T) in the toner container 1 is empty" (FIG. 2 (b)) is switched to a quick blink and displayed (step 17), and the process is ended.

[0029]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, at least two or more toner containers storing toner therein can be inserted into the toner container insertion portion and detached by the toner container holding means. Hold the toner container
Presence / absence of toner container detected and toner presence / absence detection
The status of the presence / absence of toner in the toner container detected by
At the same time, identify each corresponding to each insertion port of the toner container insertion part
Performs the display operation and displays the toner container and toner inside the toner container.
-With toner, toner container and toner in toner container
Just before empty or empty, no toner container
Do not switch and display the status on the same display surface.
The presence / absence of the toner container by the toner container presence / absence detecting means.
Toner supply or toner supply based on the knowledge
Since it is possible to stop the supply , the toner discharged from the toner container to the toner transfer path is supplied from a position apart from the developing position as a mixture with the gas fluidized by the gas flow transfer means. Good container operability and exchangeability, and grasp the toner status in the toner supply device
Is selectively cut by an appropriate identification mark for each toner container.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device by preventing the occurrence of toner scattering when the toner container is replaced without interrupting the toner supply after the toner supply is determined. Became. In other words, in the conventional toner supply device, it is difficult to grasp the presence / absence of the toner container, the amount of residual toner in the toner container, and display, so that the toner supply may be delayed, the toner may be scattered when the toner container is replaced, and the like. In the present invention, since the presence / absence of the toner container and the amount of residual toner in the toner container are grasped and displayed in real time in the present invention, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems. According to the second aspect of the invention, at least two or more toner containers for storing toner therein are inserted into the toner container insertion portion, detachably held by the toner container holding means, and arranged on the front surface of the main body. While displaying the state of presence / absence of the toner container detected by the toner container presence / absence detecting unit and the state of presence / absence of toner stored in the toner container detected by the toner presence / absence detecting unit,
The toner discharged from the toner container to the toner transfer path is supplied as a mixture with the gas that is fluidized by the gas flow transfer unit from a position away from the developing position. Good, it is easier to understand the status of the toner in the toner supply device, because it is done from the front of the main body, and it is possible to prevent toner scattering during toner container replacement without interrupting toner supply. It is now possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device. Since the display means is arranged on the front surface of the apparatus main body, the operator can very easily know the presence / absence of the toner container in the toner supply apparatus and the remaining toner amount during the operation.

[0030]

According to the third aspect of the present invention, at least two toner containers for storing the toner therein are inserted into the toner container insertion portion and detachably held by the toner container holding means, and the toner is displayed on the display means. Toner from the toner container is displayed while also displaying the state of the presence or absence of the toner container detected by the container presence detection unit and the toner stored in the toner container detected by the toner presence detection unit immediately before or when the toner is empty. The toner discharged to the transfer path is supplied as a mixture with the gas fluidized by the gas flow transfer means from a position away from the developing position, and the toner container presence / absence detection means detects the absence of at least one toner container Since the supply of toner is stopped, the operability and exchangeability of the toner container are good, and it is appropriate to know the state of the toner inside the toner supply device. A toner supply device that saves resources by automatically preventing the occurrence of toner scattering from the toner container insertion part where the toner container is not inserted, without interruption of toner supply I can do it now.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, at least two toner containers for storing the toner therein are inserted into the toner container insertion portion and detachably held by the toner container holding means, and the toner is displayed on the display means. Toner discharged from the toner container to the toner transfer path while displaying the presence / absence state of the toner container detected by the container presence / absence detection unit and the presence / absence state of toner stored in the toner container detected by the toner presence / absence detection unit. Is supplied as a mixture with the gas fluidized by the gas flow transfer means from a position away from the developing position, and the shielding means for shielding between the insertion port of the toner container insertion portion and the toner transfer path is a toner container presence or absence. By detecting the presence or absence of the toner container by the detecting means, the shielding or unblocking between the insertion port of the toner container insertion portion and the toner transfer path is performed. -Easy operability and exchangeability of the container, and easy confirmation of the toner status in the toner supply device by proper identification display, without interrupting the toner supply, blocking or releasing the blocking of the shielding means. It is possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device by automatically performing the above process and preventing toner scattering when the toner container is replaced. When the toner container is not inserted, the shielding means is arranged to shield the toner, so that the toner can be prevented from scattering. According to the invention of claim 5 , at least two or more toner containers storing toner therein are inserted into the toner container insertion portion and detachably held by the toner container holding means, and the toner container presence / absence detection is performed on the display means. The toner discharged from the toner container to the toner transfer path is displayed as gas while displaying the presence / absence state of the toner container detected by the means and the presence / absence state of the toner stored in the toner container detected by the toner presence / absence detection means. The shielding means for supplying a mixture with the gas fluidized by the flow transfer means from a position away from the developing position and shielding between the insertion port of the toner container insertion portion and the toner transfer path is the toner container presence / absence detection means. By detecting the absence of the toner container, the space between the insertion port of the toner container insertion part and the toner transfer path is blocked, so that the operability of attaching and detaching the toner container and the interchangeability of the toner container are eliminated. Sexual well, the state grasping of the toner in the toner supply device by an appropriate identification,
It can be easily performed without interrupting the toner supply and automatically shielding the shielding means in which the toner container is not inserted to prevent toner scattering when replacing the toner container and save resources. It has become possible to provide a toner supply device.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, at least two toner containers for storing the toner therein are inserted into the toner container insertion portion and detachably held by the toner container holding means, and the toner is displayed on the display means. Toner discharged from the toner container to the toner transfer path while displaying the presence / absence state of the toner container detected by the container presence / absence detection unit and the presence / absence state of toner stored in the toner container detected by the toner presence / absence detection unit. Is supplied from a position distant from the developing position as a mixture with the gas fluidized by the gas flow transfer means, and the toner container is shielded between the insertion port of the toner container insertion portion and the toner transfer path. Since the shield between the insertion port of the inserted toner container insertion portion and the toner transfer path is released, the toner container can be easily attached and detached and replaced easily. The toner status in the toner supply device can be easily identified by appropriate identification display, and the shielding of the shielding means in which the toner container is inserted is automatically released without interrupting the toner supply. It has become possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device by preventing the occurrence of toner scattering when the toner container is replaced. According to the invention of claim 7 , at least two toner containers for storing toner therein are inserted into the toner container insertion portion and detachably held by the toner container holding means, and the toner container presence / absence detection is performed on the display means. The toner discharged from the toner container to the toner transfer path is displayed as gas while displaying the presence / absence state of the toner container detected by the means and the presence / absence state of the toner stored in the toner container detected by the toner presence / absence detection means. The toner is supplied from a position away from the developing position as a mixture with the gas that is fluidized by the flow transfer means, and the toner supply is stopped when the toner container presence / absence detection means detects all toner containers. It has good operability and replaceability of the container, and the status of the toner in the toner supply device can be easily grasped by the appropriate identification display to supply the toner. But without interrupting the exchange can and become toner supply in the toner container, to prevent the occurrence of toner scattering at the time of replacement of the toner container to provide a toner supply device resource saving has become possible.

According to the invention of claim 8 , claims 1 to 7
The toner supplied from the toner supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is carried as a mixture with a gas by a developing means supplied by a mixture conveying path conveyance to carry a toner image in which an electrostatic latent image is visualized. Since the toner image formed on the image carrier is transferred to the transfer target by the transfer means, the operability and the replaceability of the toner container are good, and the state of the toner in the toner supply device can be properly grasped. With a unique identification,
It is easy to perform, and the toner supply can be continued without interruption, so that the image forming operation can be continued without interruption, and the occurrence of toner scattering at the time of replacement of the toner container can be prevented and high quality images can be obtained. It has become possible to provide an image forming apparatus having a resource-saving toner supply apparatus capable of forming an image and forming an image .

[0035]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of a toner supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of a main part of the toner supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of another main part of the toner supply device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of another main part of the toner supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another state of another main part of the toner supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of another main part of the toner supply device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the outline of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view illustrating a state of a main part of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another main part of the toner supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another main part of a toner supply device and another image forming apparatus including the same according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a toner supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus including the same.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another main part of the image forming apparatus including the toner supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

14 (a1), (a2) to (d1) (d2) are explanatory views illustrating the states of a toner supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus including the same.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus including the same.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another main part of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another main part of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of a toner supply device and another main part of an image forming apparatus including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a toner supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus including the toner supply device.

[Explanation of symbols]

0 toner supply device, 0a front surface of main body 1 toner container, 1a opening, 1b toner container main body, 1c protruding portion, 1d opening protruding portion, 1e
Guide groove 1f Locking part 2 Toner container insertion part, 2a insertion port, 2a1 insertion port, 2a2 insertion port, 2a3 insertion port 3 Toner container holding means, 3a Rotation drive means, 3b
Holder part, 3b1 holder, 3b2 inner holder, 3b
3 gears, 3c seal, 3d slider, 3e chuck, 3e1 claw, 3f spring, 3g moving means, 3g1 drive motor, 3g2 worm gear, 3g
3 worm wheel (or helical gear), 3g4 piniono, 3g5 rack, 3h stopper, 3i step screw, 3j spring 4, toner container presence / absence detecting means, 4a filler, 4b
Sensor part 5 toner transfer path 6 gas flow transfer means, 6a rotor, 6b stator,
6c holder, 6d horizontal transfer screw, 6e gap, 6
f toner passage, 6g gas supply port, 6h gas supply means, 6i gas discharge port, 6j gas supply pipe 7, toner presence detection means, 7a height sensor, 7b height sensor 8, display means, 8a display surface 9 shielding means, 9a Shielding plate, 9b Drive motor 10, Toner accumulation unit 11, Control unit, 11a Control unit, 11b Control unit 12 Opening / closing door 13 Plug, 13a Knob part 100 Image forming apparatus, 100a Main body front surface, 100
b Operation panel 101 Air-fuel mixture conveying path 102 Developing means, 102a Toner supply section, 102
a1 stirring member, 102a2 toner supply opening, 10
2a3 toner replenishing roller, 102b toner collecting means, 102b1 toner separating section, 102b2 opening, 1
02b3 filter, 102b4 opening / closing member, 102c
Developing container part, 102d stirring roller, 102e paddle wheel, 102f developing roller, 102g developing roller, 102h dokuro blade, 102i separator, 102j transport screw, 102k toner concentration detecting means 103 image carrier 104 transfer means, 104a transfer belt, 104b
Cleaning means 105 Toner supply display means 105a Toner supply display surface 106 Charging means 107 Registration roller 108 Cleaning means 109 Fixing means 110 Automatic document feeder (ADF) 111 Contact glass 120 Exposure section 121 Light source 122 Mirror group 123 Lens 130 Image forming section 140 paper feeder

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-8-137227 (JP, A) JP-A-9-325670 (JP, A) JP-A-9-185232 (JP, A) JP-A-7-110619 (JP , A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/08 G03G 21/00

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. In a toner supply device for supplying a toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system from a position apart from a developing position, the toner is internally stored and ejected. A toner container insertion part for inserting at least two or more toner containers, and a toner container holding means for detachably holding the toner container inserted through at least two or more insertion ports of the toner container insertion part, A toner container presence / absence detecting unit for detecting the presence / absence of the toner container held in the toner container holding unit by being inserted from the insertion port of the toner container inserting unit; and a toner container held in the toner container holding unit. A toner transfer path for receiving and transferring the toner discharged from the opening, and the toner discharged to the toner transfer path flows as a mixture with gas. Gas flow transfer means for converting and transferring,
Toner presence / absence detection means for detecting the presence / absence of toner in the toner container, presence / absence state of the toner container detected by the toner container presence / absence detection means, and toner presence in the toner container detected by the toner presence / absence detection means Match the presence / absence status of each toner container and identify each corresponding to each insertion port
Performs the display operation and displays the toner container and toner inside the toner container.
-With toner, toner container and toner in toner container
Just before empty or empty, no toner container
A toner container presence / absence detection means , and a display means for selectively displaying the state on the same display surface.
ー Whether to supply toner based on the detection result of the presence or absence of the container
Alternatively , the toner supply device is characterized in that the supply of toner is stopped . 2. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein the display means is arranged in front of the main body of the toner supply device. 3. A toner supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, based on the detection of at least one of the toner container free from the toner container presence detection means, a toner supply apparatus characterized by stopping the supply of the toner. 4. The toner supply device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 , wherein the shielding means for shielding between the insertion port of the toner container insertion portion and the toner transfer path detects whether the toner container is present or absent. A toner supply device characterized by releasing or blocking the shield between the insertion port of the toner container insertion portion and the toner transfer path by detection. 5. The toner supply device according to claim 4, wherein the shielding means shields between the toner transfer path and the insertion port of the toner container insertion portion in which the toner container is not inserted. apparatus. 6. The toner supply device according to claim 4, wherein the shielding means releases the shielding between the toner transfer path and the insertion port of the toner container insertion portion in which the toner container is inserted. Toner supply device. 7. The toner supply device according to claim 4, 5 or 6 , wherein the toner supply is stopped when the toner container presence / absence detection unit detects the absence of the toner container in all the insertion ports of the toner container insertion portion. Characteristic toner supply device. 8. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by supplying toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image bearing member in an electrophotographic system from a position apart from a developing position to form an image. and the toner supply device according to any one of 1 to 7, wherein a mixture conveyance path composed of a tube of elastic material for conveying the mixture of the toner and the gas supplied from the toner supply device, the fuel-air mixture conveying The toner is conveyed by the path and is supplied, the image carrier that carries the toner image that visualizes the electrostatic latent image by the developer, and the toner image formed on the image carrier. An image forming apparatus comprising: a transfer unit configured to transfer to a transfer body.