CN101673072B

CN101673072B - Toner exhaustion detecting device, developing device, processing unit, and image forming device

Info

Publication number: CN101673072B
Application number: CN2008101494658A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 谭宏杰; 杨传义; 裴海丽
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2008-09-11
Filing date: 2008-09-11
Publication date: 2012-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2028-09-11
Also published as: CN101673072A

Abstract

The invention discloses a toner exhaustion detecting device used for detecting the exhaustion of a toner of a developing device capable of mounting and disassembling an image forming device. The toner exhaustion detecting device comprises a detection part, an arm, a rotary part and a sensor, wherein the detection part is arranged near a supply part for supplying the toner to a developing agent supporting body of the developing device, and is provided with a surface rotating in the direction of the supply part and changing the rotating range corresponding to the toner amount; the arm is coaxial with a rotating shaft of the detection part, or coaxial with a rotating shaft to which the rotation of the detection part is transmitted, and is exposed out of a developer unit; the rotary part is arranged in the image forming device body, and is contacted with the arm and rotates corresponding to the rotation of the arm when the developing device is arranged on the image forming device; and the sensor detects the rotation of the rotary part.

Description

Toner exhaustion detection and developing apparatus, processing unit, and image forming apparatus

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of developer residue detecting equipment, developing apparatus, processing unit, and image forming apparatus, the residual amount of toner during said developer residue detecting equipment can form at the image of the electrofax mode of duplicating machine, printer, facsimile recorder (FAX) or the like in the detection developing apparatus.

Background technology

In the past, in using the image forming apparatus of for example electrofax mode, receiving photographic developer also made developer move to image carrier, made latent electrostatic image developing, so that form electrostatic latent image on the image carrier surface, and made this electrostatic latent image become visual image.Visualization way in the image forming apparatus is divided into two composition visualization way and a composition visualization way substantially.Two composition visualization way are used the developer that contains toner and magnetic carrier, and a composition visualization way is used the developer that does not contain magnetic carrier and contain toner.And a composition visualization way can further be categorized as for example magnetic one a composition toner and a non magnetic composition toner.

Under the situation of one composition visualization way; In developing apparatus; Donor rollers is equipped with in the developing sleeve that is transported to toner relative photoreceptor; This donor rollers is supplied with toner when developing sleeve is in the opposite direction rotated, through between developing sleeve and photoreceptor, applying the development bias voltage, form visual image.Toner is consumables, must often replenish and supply with toner to developing sleeve.Therefore, need toner residue detecting equipment, and sensor, be used for detecting at developing apparatus or be used for replenishing the toning dosage in the toner container (replenishing toner container) of toner, with the consumption of detection toner.Yet,, also require the miniaturization and the low price of developing apparatus itself along with the miniaturization and the low price of nearest black and white/color printer, black and white/color copy machine.

Therefore; In patent document 1, disclose the toner exhaustion checkout equipment, this toner exhaustion checkout equipment makes the toner detecting device contact with the interior residual toner of toner loading hopper (hopper), based on the contact load of toner; Detect according to the detection signal that sends by said toner detecting device whether toner is arranged; At this moment, this toner exhaustion checkout equipment has the toner drawing device, is used for taking out the residual toner in the toner loading hopper.

And; The toner residue detecting equipment is disclosed in patent document 2; Be provided with pull bar in this toner residue detecting equipment, this pull bar moves up and down in holding the outer container of toner, when moving down, presses developer; The moving according to detection part 27 of an end that reaches the pull bar of outer container outside detected, and detects the residual amount of toner.

But

patent document

1 and 2 toner exhaustion checkout equipment etc. detect the residual amount of toner in the toner loading hopper.Therefore, existence does not detect the toner exhaustion of the toner that in the developing sleeve of reality, uses, the low problem points of accuracy of detection of the residual amount of toner.And, there is the big and problem of incompatibility miniaturization of structure scale.

And, owing to need sensor etc. in each developing apparatus, therefore there is the problem points of cost degradation difficulty.

[patent document 1] opened clear 62-No. 118248 communiques in fact

[patent document 2] spy opens flat 02-No. 20887 communiques

Summary of the invention

The problem that the present invention will solve

Therefore; The present invention considers the problems referred to above and makes; Its problem is through the checkout equipment that mechanically detects the residual amount of toner is set in developing apparatus or processing unit, outside developing apparatus or processing unit, sensor to be set; Detect the residual amount of toner, thereby a kind of toner exhaustion checkout equipment, developing apparatus, processing unit, and image forming apparatus that comes the residual amount of high Precision Detection toner with low cost is provided.

The technical scheme that is adopted is following:

1. toner exhaustion checkout equipment is used for detecting and can installs and the toner exhaustion of the developing apparatus of dismounting the image forming apparatus body, and said toner exhaustion checkout equipment comprises:

Detection part, be arranged to the developer carrier of developing apparatus supply with toner supply part near, have the face that rotates in the direction of supply part, and change its slewing area accordingly with toning dosage;

Arm, coaxial with the rotation axis of this detection part, the rotation axis that perhaps is sent to the rotation of detection part is coaxial, and is set to expose from developer;

Rotatable parts are arranged at the image forming apparatus body, when being installed on image forming apparatus to developing apparatus, contact with arm, and rotate accordingly with the rotation of arm; And

Sensor detects the rotation of rotatable parts.

2. developing apparatus; Can be installed in image forming apparatus body or dismounting from it; Comprise: rotatable parts contact with the arm of said developing apparatus when said developing apparatus is installed on the image forming apparatus body, and rotate accordingly with the rotation of this arm; Sensor detects the rotation of rotatable parts,

Said developing apparatus also comprises:

Detection part, be arranged to developer carrier supply with toner supply part near, have the face that rotates in the direction of supply part, and change its slewing area accordingly with toning dosage; And

Arm, coaxial with the rotation axis of said detection part, the rotation axis that perhaps is sent to the rotation of detection part is coaxial, and is set to expose from developer.

3. according to above-mentioned 1 described toner exhaustion checkout equipment or above-mentioned 2 described developing apparatuses, wherein, the face in the outside of arm be configured in side face inboard of developing apparatus or at least with this side face for one side.

4. according to above-mentioned 1 described toner exhaustion checkout equipment or above-mentioned 2 or above-mentioned 3 described developing apparatuses; Wherein, The end of the rotation axis that the rotation axis of detection part or the rotation of detection part are sent to is configured in the inboard of face in the outside of arm, or is at least with one side.

5. processing unit; At least become one and integrally comprise image carrier and developing apparatus; And can be installed on the image forming apparatus body or dismounting is down from it; Wherein said processing unit has any described developing apparatus of above-mentioned 2 to 4, and arm is set to expose from said processing unit.

6. according to above-mentioned 5 described processing units, wherein, opening portion is set one of in the side of said processing unit, arm exposes from this opening portion.

7. according to above-mentioned 6 described processing units, wherein, the inboard of side that the face in the outside of arm is configured in processing unit perhaps is at least with one side.

8. image forming apparatus; Wherein have developing apparatus or comprise the processing unit of this developing apparatus; Can install and dismantle, said developing apparatus comprises: detection part, be arranged to developer carrier supply with toner supply part near; Have the face that rotates in the direction of supply part, and change its slewing area accordingly with toning dosage; Arm, rotation axis coaxial or that be sent to the rotation of detection part is coaxial with the rotation axis of this detection part, and it is set to expose from developing apparatus,

Said image forming apparatus also comprises:

Rotatable parts contact with arm when the processing unit that perhaps comprises developing apparatus this developing apparatus is installed on image forming apparatus, and rotate accordingly with the rotation of arm; And

Sensor detects the rotation of rotatable parts.

9. according to above-mentioned 1 described toner exhaustion checkout equipment or above-mentioned 8 described image forming apparatus; Wherein, Sidewall at the housing of image forming apparatus has opening portion, and rotatable parts are configured in this opening portion, rotate, and sensor configuration is in this outside.

10. according to above-mentioned 1 described toner exhaustion checkout equipment or above-mentioned 8 or above-mentioned 9 described image forming apparatus, wherein, the rotation direction of said rotatable parts transition arm is rotated.

11., wherein, convert the rotation direction of rotatable parts into developing apparatus or processing unit installation and the identical direction of disassembly direction according to above-mentioned 10 described toner exhaustion checkout equipment or image forming apparatus.

12. according to above-mentioned 11 described toner exhaustion checkout equipment or image forming apparatus, wherein, the rotation axis of rotatable parts is disposed at the installation of developing apparatus or processing unit and a forward side of disassembly direction.

The effect of invention

The present invention can be through near the toner exhaustion the developer carrier that detects developing apparatus; Come with the residual amount of the employed toner of high Precision Detection; And can simple structure and low-cost device be provided through being arranged on sensor the outside of developing apparatus or processing unit.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates the formation of the image forming apparatus that possesses developing apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates the formation of processing unit.

Fig. 3 illustrates the formation as the developing apparatus of one embodiment of the present of invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates the shape that stirs transfer unit.

Fig. 5 illustrates the formation of detection part.

Fig. 6 illustrates the formation of synchronization section.

Fig. 7 illustrates the shape of the synchronization section with opening portion.

Fig. 8 illustrates the state that stirring transfer unit, synchronization section, detection part in the developing apparatus make up.

Fig. 9 illustrates the synchronous operation of the interior stirring transfer unit of developing apparatus, synchronization section, detection part.

Figure 10 illustrates the position relation of detection part and other component parts.

Figure 11 illustrates the opening portion of the outer surface of processing unit.

Figure 12 illustrates the axle of detection part and the bonding part of arm.

Figure 13 illustrate in the past arm with the axle connection status.

Figure 14 illustrates the flow process that detects toner exhaustion (detection part, arm, rotatable parts, sensor).

Figure 15 is used for explaining the state that is installed to processing unit the image forming apparatus body.

Figure 16 is the planimetric map of rotatable parts.

Figure 17 illustrates the planimetric map that is installed to processing unit the state of image forming apparatus body.

Figure 18 illustrates from signal of sensor.

Figure 19 is the process flow diagram that the operating process of toner exhaustion checkout equipment is shown.

Symbol description

1 image forming apparatus

The sidewall of 101 image forming apparatus housings

102 guide tracks

103 opening portions

2 processing units

205 processing unit housings

206 guides

207 opening portions

3 photoreceptors

10 paper feed unit

11 input trays

12 intake rollers

13 separating components

14 alignment rolls

15 exit rollers

16 discharge trays

20 developing apparatuses

201 housings

202 bossings

21 developer rolls

22 donor rollers

23 limiting parts

24 stir transfer unit

241a, 241b blade

242 turning axles

243 disks

25 cams

26 synchronization section

261 column parts

262 axis holes

263 first pull bars

264 second pull bars

The 264a support

265 opening portions

266 elastomeric elements

27 detection parts

271a, 271b axle

272 smooth parts

273 grooves

274 convexities

275 check-out consoles

276 bonding parts

28 arms

281 axis holes

282 burnishing surfaces

283 sunk parts

29 rotating parts

291 rotation axiss

30 sensors

301 light-emitting components

302 photo detectors

31 brackets

32 elastic parts

34 accommodating chambers

35 developing rooms

36 partitioning portions

40 charging equipments

41 charging rollers

50 cleaning equipments

51 cleaning blades

60 exposure sources

70 transcription equipment

80 fixation facilities

300 spaces

Embodiment

0009

Below, be used for the preferred forms of embodiment of the present invention based on accompanying drawing explanation.And; Those skilled in the art can easily change and revise the present invention in above-mentioned scope; And envision other embodiment; These changes and modification are included within the above-mentioned scope of the present invention, and the explanation of hereinafter is the example of embodiment among the present invention, do not limit the above-mentioned scope of claim.

The image forming apparatus that is equipped with developing apparatus of the present invention has image carrier, charging device, exposure device, developing apparatus, transfer device, fixing device at least; And; The device that also can have other as required is such as electric discharge device, cleaning device, retracting device, control device or the like.Specify below.

Fig. 1 illustrates the formation of the image forming apparatus that is equipped with developing apparatus 20 of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1, in the centre configuration process unit 2 of image forming apparatus 1, configuration has the paper feed unit 10 of input tray 11 below this processing unit 2.Configuration exposure sources 60 above processing unit 2, this exposure sources 60 forms sub-image to photoreceptor 3 irradiating lasers as the image carrier of drum type.In processing unit 2, be provided with photoreceptor 3, around it, be provided with: charging equipment 40, carry out charging process to the surface of photoreceptor 3; Developing apparatus 20 makes the electrostatic latent image that forms in face exposure visual through toner; Cleaning equipment 50 is removed and to be recovered in the residual toner of photoreceptor 3.

And in image forming apparatus 1, configuration respectively: transfer apparatus 70 is transferred to the toner image on the photoreceptor 3 on the recording chart; Fixation facility 80 through making transfer printing have the recording chart of toner image to pass between the paired roller and applying heat and pressure, makes the toner image on the recording chart.

Though the image forming apparatus 1 of present embodiment can be as described above as coming the image forming apparatus of the function with printer of image recording on recording chart based on digitized image information; But in addition also can be multifunctional image forming device with following function, as through be provided with control assembly its as can with distant location send to receive image information facsimile equipment function and the fetch equipment that reads original copy is set and the function of the duplicating machine of original copy conveying equipment.

Describe each processing procedure of image forming apparatus below in detail.

As photoreceptor 3,, can select according to purpose about its material, shape, structure, size or the like.As shape, can enumerate drum type, sheet, banded or the like for no reason.Size can be selected according to the size and the pattern of image forming apparatus 1.As material, can enumerate inorganic photoreceptor or polysilane such as amorphous silicon, selenium, CdS, ZnO etc., the Organophotoreceptor (OPC) of phthalein polymethin dye (Phthalopolymethine) etc., or the like.Layer as such Organophotoreceptor constitutes, and roughly is divided into monolayer constructions will and lit-par-lit structure.The photoreceptor of monolayer constructions will has matrix and the single-layer type photographic layer on this matrix, in addition as required can also matcoveredn, middle layer, and other layer.The photoreceptor of lit-par-lit structure has the charge generating layers on matrix, this matrix at least successively and reaches charge transport layer, and all right as required matcoveredn, middle layer and other layer.

Charging process is the process to photoreceptor 3 surface chargings, is undertaken by charging equipment 40, applies voltage through the surface to photoreceptor 3 and comes to charge equably.As charging equipment 40, have through contact the way of contact of charging, and and the photoreceptor 3 noncontacts noncontact mode of charging with photoreceptor 3.

As the charging equipment 40 of the way of contact, can enumerate charging roller, Magnetic brush, fur brush, film, rubber tree leaf of electric conductivity or semiconduction or the like.Wherein, charging roller is compared the growing amount that can significantly reduce ozone with corona discharge, and excellent in stability when photoreceptor 3 uses repeatedly can effectively prevent deterioration in image quality.The other embodiment of the charging roller 41 of present embodiment does, and though not shown in the drawings, can have: metal-cored, as cylindrical conductive base; Electric resistance adjusting layer forms on metal-cored outer peripheral face; Protective seam, the surface of covering electric resistance adjusting layer, anti-heads.Charging roller 41 is connected to power supply, is applied in predetermined voltage.Though voltage can only be direct current (DC) voltage, also can be that the dc voltage stack exchanges the resulting voltage of (AC) voltage.Through so applying AC voltage, can charge more equably to the surface of photoreceptor 3.

As non-contacting charging equipment 40, can enumerate the non-contact charge lead that utilizes corona discharge, pin electrode device, have electric conductivity that minim gap disposes or charging roller of semiconduction or the like with respect to photoreceptor 3.Corona discharge is to be applied to the non-contacting charging method on the surface of photoreceptor 3 with referring to through carrying out plus or minus ion that corona discharge generates in the air; Corona tube (Corton) charger has the characteristic that applies certain charge volume to photoreceptor 3, and grid corona tube (Scorotron) charger has the characteristic of the certain potentials of applying.The corona tube charger has case (casing) electrode that occupies electrical discharge wire half space on every side and the electrical discharge wire that places its approximate centre position.Grid corona tube charger obtains through appending gate electrode to the corona tube charger, and gate electrode is arranged on and the position of photoreceptor 3 surfaces at a distance of 1.0-2.0mm.Has small gap and the charging roller that disposes makes it have slight gap with respect to photoreceptor 3 to obtain through improving charging roller with respect to photoreceptor 3.As slight gap, be preferably 10-200 μ m, more preferably 10-100 μ m.

Exposure process can be the process of face exposure that makes the photoreceptor 3 of charging, is undertaken by exposure sources 60.Exposure can be carried out through making public the surface of photoreceptor 3 by picture pattern.There are big difference in optical system in the exposure and simulated optical system and digit optical system.The simulated optical system directly projects to the optical system on the photoreceptor 3 to original copy through optical system.The digit optical system makes image information apply as electric signal, and it is transformed to light signal, to the optical system of photoreceptor 3 exposures and imaging.As exposure device,, just can select according to purpose as long as can come the image exposure that forms accordingly based on information on the surface of the photoreceptor 3 of charging.Can enumerate the various exposers of rod lens array, liquid crystal optical shutter system, LED optical train or the like, preferred especially laser (LD) optical system.

Developing process can be to make latent electrostatic image developing through the developing apparatus 20 that use has a toner, to form the process of visual image.Developing apparatus 20 uses a composition developer to develop.As a composition developer, can be magnetic color tuner, nonmagnetic toner any one.About this developing apparatus 20, literary composition is described in the back.

Transfer process is the process that is transferred to visual image recording medium, uses transfer apparatus 70 to carry out.As transfer apparatus 70; Can roughly be divided into the visual image on the photoreceptor 3 directly be transferred to recording medium transfer device, or use the intermediate transfer body, after being transferred to visual image on the intermediate transfer body successively the secondary transfer printing device of visual image secondary transfer printing to the recording medium; At this; For the miniaturization of image forming apparatus 1, preferably carry out the transfer apparatus 70 of direct transfer printing.As transfer apparatus 70, can enumerate such as the corona transfer device that adopts corona discharge, transfer belt, transfer roll, pressure transfer roll, adhesion transfer printing device or the like.At this, use be the transfer apparatus 70 of roller mode.

And as recording medium, representational is common paper, yet so long as the uncertain image after can transfer printing developing can be selected not have to limit especially according to purpose, can also use film that is used for OHP or the like.

Fixing uses fixation facility 80 to make the visual image photographic fixing that is transferred to recording medium.

As fixation facility 80, multiple choices can be arranged, the preferred fixation facility 80 that uses the thermal source that has fixing member and fixing member is heated.

As fixing member, form clamping (nip) part if can contact, just can select for use, can enumerate combination such as combination, roller and the roller of endless band and roller or the like.

At fixing member is under the situation of roller, and the metal-cored of roller preferably formed by non-resilient parts, to prevent owing to high pressure is out of shape.As non-resilient parts, can select according to purpose, and not special restriction, the material of high thermal conductivity of preferred aluminium, iron, stainless steel, brass or the like.And the preferred overlay offset in the surface of roller prevents layer.As the material that forms the excursion preventing layer, can select according to purpose, and not special restriction for example can be enumerated such as RTV siloxane, tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoro alkyl vinyl ether resin (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or the like.

In the fixing; Be transferred to recording medium to the image of toner; Can there be the record images medium to pass retained part through making transfer printing, makes image fixing on recording medium, also can utilize retained part to carry out transfer printing and the photographic fixing of image simultaneously to recording medium.

Therefore cleaning course is undertaken by cleaning equipment 50 owing to remove toner residual on photoreceptor 3.

And the developer rolls 21 that developing apparatus 20 can utilize and photoreceptor 3 surface contacts are recovered in the remaining toner on the photoreceptor 3 in the latent electrostatic image developing that will on photoreceptor 3, form, and clean and need not to be provided with separately cleaning equipment 50.

As cleaning equipment 50,, just various selections can be arranged as long as can remove toner residual on the photoreceptor 3.Cleaning equipment can be enumerated such as Magnetic brush descaler, static bruss descaler, magnetic roller descaler, cleaning blade, brush descaler, net descaler or the like.Wherein, preferred especially toner is removed ability, small-sized, cheap cleaning blade 51.As the material of the rubber that is used for cleaning blade, for example, can enumerate chemglaze, silicone rubber, fluororubber, neoprene, BR or the like, wherein, especially preferably gather chemglaze.

Below, the flow process that forms operation about the image forming apparatus 1 corresponding image with present embodiment describes.

As shown in Figure 1, photoreceptor 3 is when being driven in rotation, and its surface is in the scanning that receives the laser that sends from exposure sources 60 through the charging equipment 40 that uses charging roller 41 after the uniform charging, and electrostatic latent image forms on the surface of photoreceptor 3.This exposure scanning is based on carrying out from the image information of outside.In addition, photoreceptor 3 forms processing unit 2 with charging equipment 40, developing apparatus 20, cleaning equipment 50 with the mode of an integral body.Handle the developing apparatus 20 in the unit 2 according to this, the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 3 is developed, and visual image forms.On the sense of rotation of photoreceptor 3, also to be in the downstream than developing apparatus 20, configuration transfer apparatus 70.

On the other hand, from the recording chart that input tray sends,, send into transfer area from being clipped in two alignment rolls 14 between the roller in timing that can be overlapping with the visual image on the photoreceptor 3.

In transfer area, be transferred to recording chart to visual image from photoreceptor 3 by transfer apparatus 70.

On the surface of the photoreceptor that passes transfer area 3, the remaining toner of transfer printing is by drum cleaning equipment 50 cleanings.This drum cleaning equipment 50 utilizes the clearer that is applied with the cleaning bias voltage to clean the remaining toner of transfer printing.

The recording chart that forms visual image is sent into fixation facility 80.The recording chart of sending into is carried when folder advances in the photographic fixing zone that fixing roller forms with contacting of backer roll.Visual image on the recording chart receives the influence of applied pressure in the heat that applies from fixing roller and the photographic fixing zone, and photographic fixing is on recording chart.After this, pass the discharge tray 16 that exit roller 14 is sent into image forming apparatus 1 from fixation facility 80.

Below, be described in detail about processing unit.

Fig. 2 illustrates the formation of processing unit 2.

Processing unit possesses photoreceptor and at least one treating apparatus, and is as shown in Figure 2 as treating apparatus in processing unit 2 of the present invention, integrally is equipped with as one: charging equipment 40 has the charging roller 41 to photoreceptor 3 chargings; Developing apparatus 20 is to the image development that on photoreceptor 3, forms; Cleaning equipment 50 has cleaning blade 51, with the toner of cleaning at the remained on surface of photoreceptor 3.

This handles unit 2 and can install and dismounting image forming apparatus 1, and is as shown in Figure 1, from the side of image forming apparatus 1, installs along the guiding devices such as track that are arranged at image forming apparatus 1.Thus,, therefore can shorten and safeguard the required time, thereby realize that cost reduces owing to can easily carry out the exchange of photoreceptor 3 and other processing element in the short time.And, because each equipment and the photoreceptor 3 handled are done as a whole formation, therefore have the advantage that can make relative positional precision improvement or the like.

The developing apparatus 20 of present embodiment possesses: accommodating chamber 34, hold a composition developer; Developing room has as the developer roll 21 that is used for carrying and carrying the developer carrier of the composition developer that the sub-image on the photoreceptor 3 is developed, reaches as donor rollers 22 from the supply part of a composition developer to developer roll 21 that supply with.And, between accommodating chamber 34 and developing room 35, form partitioning portion 36.Partitioning portion 36 is a chevron, is divided into accommodating chamber 34 and developing room these two chambers 35 to developing apparatus 20 thus.

Developing apparatus 20 forms toner layer on developer roll 21, developer is carried through making toner layer and photoreceptor 3 contacted modes on the developer roll 21, carries out the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 3 is shown. and contact one composition of shadow develops.

In accommodating chamber 34, be equipped with and stir transfer unit 24, the toner in the developing apparatus 20 stirs through the rotation of stirring transfer unit 24, crosses partitioning portion 36 and mechanically is transported to developing room 35, and supply to the donor rollers 22 as supply part.This donor rollers 22 is formed by foaming polysiloxane or the like, has pliability, forms the structure of easy carrying toner through the cabin of 50-500 μ m diameters.And the JIS-A hardness of donor rollers 22 is lower 10-30 °, can contact equably with developer roll 21.

Donor rollers 22 is driven in rotation with identical direction with developer roll 21, that is, in the zone of two rollers contact, the surface is each other to moving in the other direction.And the linear velocity of two rollers is preferably 0.5-1.5 than (donor rollers/developer roll).And, donor rollers 22 is being rotated with developer roll 21 opposite directions, that is, in the part that two rollers are faced mutually, reciprocally move to equidirectional on the surface.And, in the present embodiment, donor rollers 22 with the rotation of developer roll 21 at equidirectional in, its linear velocity ratio is set to 0.9.Donor rollers 22 is set to 0.5-1.5mm with respect to the wedging amount of developer roll 21.In the present embodiment, the effective dimensions in the unit is under the situation of 240mm (length of A4 size), and necessary moment of torsion is 14.7-24.5Ncm.

Developer roll 21 forms through the top layer that on conductive base, has elastomeric material, and diameter is 10-30mm, and the surface is suitably coarse, and surfaceness Rz is 1-4 μ m.The value of preferred this surfaceness Rz is 13-80% with respect to the mean grain size of toner.Thus, toner just can not be embedded in the surface of developer roll 21, but is transferred.Particularly, the surfaceness Rz of developer roll 21 is preferably 20-30% scope of toner mean grain size, so that do not carry charged significantly few toner.As elastomeric material, can enumerate such as silicone rubber, BR, NBR rubber, Xi Duolin (ヒ De リ Application) rubber, EPDM rubber or the like.And, preferably in the surface coverage coating of developer roll 21, so that make the stable in properties of the time of going through especially.As coating material, can enumerate material such as silicone material, Teflon (registered trademark) class or the like.The toner charging property of the material of silicone is good, and the release property of Teflon (registered trademark) type material is good.And, can make its conductive material that contains carbon black or the like, to obtain electric conductivity.Coating thickness is preferably 5-50 μ m.If depart from this scope, the problem that then easily is prone to break or the like.

The toner of the predetermined polarity (being negative polarity under the situation at present embodiment) that exists on the donor rollers 22 or inside; Through being clipped in along with rotation at contact point each other along between the developer roll 21 and donor rollers 22 of opposite direction rotation; Through electrostatic force by the electronegative gained of triboelectric action; And, through by the resulting conveying effect of the surfaceness of developer roll 21, and remain on the developer roll 21.But the toner layer on the developer roll 21 of this moment is also inhomogeneous, but adheres to (1-3mg/cm very superfluously ²).Therefore, be used for limiting the limiting part 23 of toner layer thickness, on developer roll 21, form toner thin layer with uniform layer thickness through contact.The end of limiting part 23 is towards the downstream with respect to the sense of rotation of developer roll 21; The middle body of contact limiting part 23, promptly so-called waist contact, still; Limiting part also can also can be realized edge contact in the form setting of the opposite direction contact (contrary connecing) of the rotation direction of developer roll.

As the material of limiting part 23, the metal of preferred SUS304 or the like, thickness is 0.1-0.15mm.Except metal, can also used thickness be the higher resin material of hardness of elastomeric material and silicone resin or the like of the urethane rubber or the like of 1-2mm.And, even because through sneaking into carbon black beyond the metal or the like, also can low resistanceization, therefore also can through connect grid bias power supply and developer roll 21 between form electric field.

In developing apparatus 20, as shown in Figure 3, be provided with and stir transfer unit 24, detection part 27, reach synchronization section 26.

Stir transfer unit 24 and be arranged in the accommodating chamber 34, have following function:, further, carry toner to developer 35 through rotating the toner that stirs the composition developer in the accommodating chamber 34 and making it charged.

Detection part 27 detects the residual amount of toners, is arranged in the developing room 35, and its turned position changes corresponding to the amount of the toner in the developing room 35.

Synchronization section 27 is used for confirm stirring the timing of the rotation of transfer unit 24 and detection part 27, and is used for transmitting driving forces to detection part 27, be arranged on partitioning portion 36 near.

Below about stir transfer unit 24, detection part 27, and synchronization section 26 describe particularly.

In the formation that stirs transfer unit 24 shown in Fig. 4, Fig. 5 illustrates the formation of detection part 27, and Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B illustrate the formation of synchronization section 26.

And Fig. 8 illustrates the state that stirs transfer unit 24, detection part 27, reaches synchronization section 26 combinations.

Like Fig. 3, Fig. 4, and shown in Figure 8, stir transfer unit 24 and have turning axle 242 and the blade 241a and the 241b that are arranged at this turning axle 242.Turning axle 242 is equipped with cam 25 in the end of one of which side, and is further as shown in Figure 8, and disk 243 is installed.Turning axle 242 is arranged to accept the driving force of drive motor (not shown) and is rotated along the direction of arrow shown in Figure 3.

Fig. 4 illustrates the shape that stirs transfer unit.Stir plate-shaped member that transfer unit 24 is equipped with rotation, or membranaceous blade 241a and 241b.Stir transfer unit 24 and have the function that makes the toner frictional electrification through the toner in the stirring accommodating chamber 34.And, also have the function of carrying toner to developing room 35 from accommodating chamber 34.The blade 241a and the 241b that stir transfer unit 24 can not separate function fully, yet, in order to make and each the shape of the corresponding blade of function, be that center line is asymmetricly made with turning axle 242.And, Durchgangshohle in blade, and the area of adjustment blade, simultaneously, control transport capacity, stirring capacity.

For example, be that main blade 241a is made as the more shape of perforation with the agitating function, on the other hand, be the toning dosage that main blade 241b adjustment area is carried with adjusting with the conveying function.In the blade of stirring transfer unit 24 at least one is to be main blade with the conveying function.

And these

blades

241a and 241b use has flexible resinous film.Because film has pliability, bottom shell that therefore can rubbing contact developing apparatus 20, and carry the almost whole toners in the accommodating chambers 34 to developing room 35.As resin, can use polypropylene, the polyalkenes resin of tygon etc., poly terephthalic acid butylidene ester, poly terephthalic acid ethylidene ester and polyorganosiloxane resin etc. are not limited to membranaceously in addition as blade, and sheet also can.

And, on the turning axle 242 of stirring transfer unit 24 shown in Figure 8, disk 243 is set.This disk 243 is pressed to developing apparatus housing 201 to synchronization section 26, and, decide the position of synchronization section 26 through the thickness of disk 243.In view of the above, just can suppress synchronization section 27 change axially, improve running accuracy, make the rotation and the rotation of coaxial stirring transfer unit 24 and synchronization section 26 effectively.

Like Fig. 3, Fig. 5, and shown in Figure 8, comprise a 271a, 271b, check-out console 275, and bonding part 276 at detection part 27.

Check-out console 275 is to contact with toner to be used for detecting the plate object of the residual amount of toner, and its turned position is according to the amount of toner and difference.

Axle

271a and 271b install with rotating freely, and the elastomeric element through being provided with at its shaft end

(not shown), check-out console 275 are pressed towards the downward direction towards donor rollers 22.

The check-out console 275 of detection part 27 rises on the space in developing room 35 according to the rotation of detection part 27 and descends.During rising from donor rollers 22 away from, during decline near donor rollers 22.

Bonding part 276 is provided with to become as a whole mode with check-out console 275 in a side of axle 271, and the shank 264a of its downside and synchronization section 26 combines.

With different angle settings, bonding part 278 is in the position of upside with respect to

axle

271a and 271b for bonding part 276 and check-out console 275.

Check-out console 275 adopts the material that has rigidity, is difficult to be out of shape.Material with pliability, easy deformation is even the toner of a non magnetic composition developer can not detect the residual amount of toner.Therefore, the material that can enumerate is ABS resin, ACS resin, ethylene/vinyl base monomer copolymer, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, vibrin, gather the thermoplasticity or the thermosetting resin of urethane resin, melmac, alkyd resin etc.Also can make it contain carbon black as filling agent, silicon dioxide, aluminium dioxide etc.

And the area of the detection faces of check-out console 275 is at 1000-1500mm ²Under the little situation of area, owing to can detect a spot of toner, the therefore suitable residual amount of toner that detects.For this reason, if area surpasses 1500mm ², then push the power grow of toner, the accuracy of detection step-down of the residual amount of toner.And, if becoming, area compares 1000mm ²Little, then check-out console 275 is damaged sometimes.

And the amplitude of preferred detection plate 275 from the root to the end is more than 10mm.This amplitude is long more, can detect the residual amount of a spot of toner more, can improve the accuracy of detection of the residual amount of toner.If long, then cause load in the end of check-out console 275, possibly cause damage, and it is difficult that the miniaturization of equipment becomes.

Synchronization section 26 is like Fig. 3, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 A, Fig. 7 B and shown in Figure 8, because first pull bar 263, second pull bar 264 are set on the column part 261 that becomes axle.263 contacts of first pull bar and the coaxial cam 25 of conveying mixing component.At second pull bar 264 shank 264a is set, joins with the downside of the bonding part 276 of detection part 27.

In column part 261, form the inaccessible axis hole 262 of an end, the bossing 202 that is arranged at the axle of housing 201 inserts this axis hole 262, and thus, synchronization section 26 is installed with mode free to rotate.

And as shown in Figure 8 in the column part 261 of synchronization section 26, its shaft end is equipped with elastomeric element 266, and thus, synchronization section 26 is pressed towards the direction of first pull bar, 263 contact cams 25.

The column part 261 that Fig. 7 A, Fig. 7 B are illustrated in synchronization section 26 is provided with the opening portion 265 that communicates with axis hole 262.

Explanation is provided with the reason of opening portion 265 below, because, in developing apparatus 20, holding toner, toner can get between the axis hole 262 and bossing 202 of synchronization section 26 of rotation sometimes.If toner gets between the axis hole 262 and bossing 202 of synchronization section 26; The heat of friction that produces owing to the friction of the rotation of synchronization section 26; Toner can melt, after this, and when cooling off and solidifying; Synchronization section 26 can be adhered with bossing 262, and the conveying that can not carry out toner and detection of the residual amount of toner or the like become.So, synchronization section 26 is become problem owing to use for a long time by toner adhesion and operating performance deterioration, need tackle this.

Fig. 7 A, Fig. 7 B illustrate the synchronization section with the opening portion 265 that is used to tackle above-mentioned problem.

Like Fig. 7 A, shown in Fig. 7 B, in the column part 261 of this synchronization section 26, opening portion 265 is set.Through this opening portion 265 is set, can discharge the toner that gets among the axis hole 262.Thus, can prevent to stay inside, thereby, can prevent that toner from fusing in inside, bossing 202 and synchronization section 26 adhesions.

Fig. 7 A illustrates the rectangle as the shape of opening portion 265, and Fig. 7 B illustrates spiral-shaped.Particularly, shown in Fig. 7 B,, can discharge the toner of entering rapidly, the generation of the fault that prevents thus to adhere through make spiral-shaped opening portion 265 in rotation direction.

In such formation; As shown in Figure 3; Stir transfer unit 24 and accept the driving force of drive motor (not shown), rotate along the direction of arrow, when the composition toner in the accommodating chamber 34 is stirred; The housing bottom of rubbing contact accommodating chamber 34 is to the toner of developing room 35 supplies as a composition developer.

At this moment, first pull bar 263 of synchronization section 26 since contact with carry the coaxial cam 25 of mixing component, so synchronization section 26 via cam 25 by stirring transfer unit 24 drivings, shake along the shape of cam 25.

The leg 264a of the downside of the bonding part 276 of detection part 27 and second pull bar 264 of synchronization section 26 is pressurized and contact, and detection part 27 rotates along with shaking of synchronization section 26.

Particularly; Detection part 27 upwards pushes away and carries out to second pull bar 264 by synchronization section 26 of moving through of top; Mobile utilization is downwards carried out the acting force downwards of detection part 27, and this motion is till the position that the motion of second pull bar 264 is prevented from.

So, detection part 27 has been limited extreme lower position in the rising driving force that receives synchronization section 26 transmission.

The lowest positions of second pull bar 264 is till the position that does not contact partitioning portion 36 when shaking.

Keep the bonding part 276 of detection part 27 and the angle between the check-out console 275; The position of bonding part 276 above check-out console 275; Thus, through so configuration, even the lowest positions of second pull bar 264 is not when when contacting the position of partitioning portion 36; The lowest positions that moves downwards that still can make check-out console 275 is near donor rollers 22, so that can detect toner exhaustion.

Through the position relation of change check-out console like this 275 and bonding part 276, just can change the toning dosage that retains in the developing room 35 with the situation of what degree as toner exhaustion.

The state that detects of explanation toner exhaustion below detects amount and difference that lower end position that check-out console 275 rotational angles as shown in Figure 3 of the detection part 27 of the residual amount of toner promptly rotate depends on toner.In above-mentioned mode of operation, check-out console 275 rotates towards donor rollers 22, yet; At this moment; If in the developing room 35 of developing apparatus 20 a large amount of toners is arranged, then owing between check-out console 275 and donor rollers 22, have toner, so the rotation of check-out console 275 is prevented from; The angle of rotating diminishes, and check-out console 275 stops (position of the dotted line of Fig. 3) in the rotated position of separating with donor rollers 22.

The amount of the toner that in developing room 35, exists is under the situation about almost not having, and it is big that the rotational angle of check-out console 275 becomes, can turn near the position of donor rollers 22 or almost (position of the solid line of Fig. 3) till the position contacting.

Therefore, through detecting the size of the angle that this check-out console 275 rotates, the situation of the lower end position that promptly rotates can detect the residual amount of toner of developing apparatus 20.

Following with reference to figure A, Fig. 9 B, Fig. 9 B. Fig. 9 C explain stirring conveying operations and the timing of toner detection in the developing apparatus 20.

In addition, at Fig. 9 A, Fig. 9 B among Fig. 9 B. Fig. 9 C, has represented as in the blade that stirs conveyance member 24 that the length ratio that with the agitating function is master's blade 241a is the short situation of length of master's blade 241b with the conveyance function.

In Fig. 9 A, stir the situation lower edge direction of arrow that signal that situation that transfer unit 24 is sent out in the toner supplementary signal or image form operation is sent out and begin rotation.If stir transfer unit 24 rotations, then be installed on the also rotation simultaneously of cam 25 of turning axle 242.

First pull bar 263 of synchronization section 26 is exerted pressure by elastomeric element 266 (referring to Fig. 8) and is contacted this cam 25.

In the state shown in Fig. 9 A and since first pull bar 263 to the contact position of cam 25 with turning axle 242 immediate positions, therefore the position of second pull bar 264 becomes minimum position.The check-out console 275 of detection part 27 is pressed to downward direction by elastomeric element, towards under direction rotate because the position of second pull bar 264 is minimum, therefore till moving to minimum position through second pull bar 264, it moves and is not hindered.

Therefore, check-out console 275 also turn under the few state of toning dosage according to toner rotate the position that is prevented from till, perhaps turn to till it moves the extreme lower position that is prevented from through second pull bar 264.

The position of the check-out console 275 shown in Fig. 9 A illustrates the position under the few situation of the amount of toner, and under this state, the check-out console 275 of detection part 27 gets into owing to place the bottom in the developing room 35 thereby block the state of developing room 35.

Subsequently; Stirring transfer unit 24 and cam 25 rotations; Under the situation of the state of entering Fig. 9 B; Because the contact position of first pull bar 263 is in and turning axle 242 immediate positions, so the invariant positionization of second pull bar 264 and check-out console 275, the state that the detection faces 275 of detection part 27 is blocked developing rooms 35 continues.

In the rotation of stirring transfer unit 24 from the state of Fig. 9 A during to the state transitions of Fig. 9 B; The blade 241a that stirs transfer unit 24 passes near the partitioning portion 36, carries out pressing to moving of developing room 35 directions to toner, yet; Because the function of blade 241a is main with agitating function; Therefore, continue, influence also little even detection faces 275 is blocked the state of developing room 35 gradually.

And in the state shown in Fig. 9 A, under the many situation of the amount of toner, the end of the detection faces 275 of detection part 27 gets into the position of the upside of the partitioning portion 36 between accommodating chamber 34 and the developing room 35, and developing room 35 gets into open state.

In the rotation of stirring transfer unit 24 from the state of Fig. 9 B during to the state transitions of Fig. 9 C; The contact position of first pull bar 263 change to gradually from position near turning axle 242 away from the position; Owing to be depressed into till turning axle 242 position farthest, till therefore the position of second pull bar rises to the highest position from minimum position.The check-out console 275 of detection part 27 is pressed to downward direction by elastomeric element, yet because second pull bar rises, thereby the power that check-out console 275 receives second pull bar is pressed onto the highest position on also.

Under this state, because the upside of the partitioning portion 36 of the end of the detection faces 275 of detection part 27 between accommodating chamber 34 and developing room 35, so developing room 35 is in open state.

Stirring transfer unit 24 and cam 25 rotations; Under the situation of the state of entering Fig. 9 D; Because the contact position of first pull bar 263 is in apart from turning axle 242 position farthest, so the invariant position of second pull bar 264 and check-out console 275, the open state of developing room 35 continues.

From the state of Fig. 9 C during to the state transitions of Fig. 9 D, the blade 241b that stirs transfer unit 24 passes near the partitioning portion 36, carries out pressing to moving of developing room 35 directions to toner in the rotation of stirring transfer unit 24.

Because the function of blade 241b is main with conveying function, so toner is carried to the developing room 35 of opening.

In the rotation of stirring transfer unit 24 from the state of Fig. 9 D during to the state transitions of Fig. 9 A, carry out with when the rotation of stirring transfer unit 24 from the state of Fig. 9 B opposite process during to the state transitions of Fig. 9 C, return the state of Fig. 9 A.

Be in minimum position through the position that makes second pull bar, utilize second pull bar 264, from changing near the timing Fig. 9 B, carry out the detection of toner exhaustion up to moving to Fig. 9 A that extreme lower position do not hindered according to the rotation of the downward direction of check-out console 275.

And, in this embodiment, owing to regularly be not vulnerable to accept the influence that toner is carried, therefore very little to the baneful influence that detects.

So; In developing apparatus 20, be arranged at the cam 25 of the turning axle 242 that stirs transfer unit 24 through making synchronization section 26 contacts of exerting pressure by elastomeric element 266, need not to obtain other driving force from others; Can make synchronization section 26 rotations; And can come moving of control detection parts 27 in rotation through this synchronization section 26, so that when detecting the residual amount of toner, the conveying of carrying out toner replenishes.

Figure 10 illustrates the position relation of detection part and other component parts.The position of detection part 27 does, its turning axle 271 be centered close to the high position of contact area than supply part 22 and developer roll 21.In this contact area, toner is supplied to developer roll 21 from supply part 22.Because the center of the turning axle of detection part 27 places the position higher than contact area, therefore can improve the precision that the residual amount of toner detects.

And the position of detection part 27 does, its

turning axle

271a and 271b are centered close to the position than the height of center of the turning axle of supply part 22.Supply part 22 does not supply to developer roll 21 to the composition developer in the developing room 35 with not remaining as far as possible.Therefore; Make the housing bottom surface rubbing contact of developing room 35 rotate or rotate with the gap that is similar to rubbing contact; Yet, if the turning axle 271a of

detection part

27 and 271b be centered close to the position lower, the amplitude of the detection part 27 that the extends difficulty that becomes than supply part 22.

Describe about the structure that detects toner exhaustion in the image forming apparatus 1 below.

Axle 271a to detection part shown in Figure 5 27 installs arm 28 shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11 illustrates the part of the outward appearance of processing unit 2.

In the processing unit 2, be provided with processing unit housing 205.In a side of this housing 205, the scope so that arm 28 rotates forms opening portion 207, the state that being configured to of arm 28 exposed from this opening portion 207.The face in the end face of the rotation axis 271a of detection part 27 and the outside of arm 28 is configured to be same face with the side outside of housing 205.

Owing to pass through so to settle, arm 28 and rotation axis 271a are outstanding laterally from housing 205, therefore, when processing unit 2 is installed and dismantled, can move smoothly.And, when processing unit 2 is installed, with rotatable parts 29 (as after Figure 14 of stating to shown in Figure 16) contact and can carry out smoothly.

Form the guide 206 of a pair of circle respectively in the two sides of housing 205.This guide 206 processing unit 2 install and dismounting when moving and the guide track 102 of when installation contact body sidewall 101 (as after Figure 15 A of stating, shown in Figure 15 B) above, support processing unit 2.

Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B illustrate the axle 271a of detection part 27 and the bonding part of arm 28.

Detection part 27 the axle 271a the end; The formation smooth part 272 smooth, and pass the groove 273 that round center connects outer surface from outer surface through a part of grinding circular axle; And, be provided with a pair of hemispheric protruding 274 at the outer surface of axle 271a.

Because it is rectangular tabular that arm 28 is roughly,, form the axis hole 281 that inserts axle 271a in the individual end of one of which.

In the part of axis hole 281, form the smooth part 272 corresponding burnishing surfaces 282 with axle 271a, the hemispheric sunk part 283 of convexity 274 interlocks of a pair of and axle 271a is set at axis hole 281 medial surfaces.

The smooth part 272 of axle 271a forms the length roughly the same with the thickness of arm 28, and the length of groove 273 is longer than the thickness of arm 28.

Through such structure, only, promptly can embed through being pressed into the end of the axle 271a of detection part 27 axis hole 281 of arm 28.And, because

smooth part

272 and 282 with plane contact, reaches convexity 274 and sunk part 283 interlocks, thereby slip and axial moving that the sense of rotation of a 271a does not take place.Further, through forming groove 273, the axle 271a of detection part 27 can flexibly embed the axis hole 281 of arm 28.

Figure 13 illustrate in the past arm with the axle connection status.

In the past, axle 27 ends from arm 28 of detection part went out to the outside, and, in the past,, fixed axle through C ring or E ring 37 are installed at outstanding axle.But if like this, then essential the setting and the corresponding space of outstanding axle will have problems aspect the processing unit miniaturization.And, because C ring or the like is installed, also be difficult to the shortening time.

In an embodiment of the present invention, do not need the joint of screw, welding or the like, can be installed to a 271a of detection part 27 simply by holding arms 28,, therefore can realize miniaturization owing to there is not the part of outstanding axle.As stated; The rotary state of detection part 27 and is sent to image forming apparatus 1 body, in equipment 1 body via the arm 28 of the axle 271a that is installed on detection part; Through detecting the situation of the lower end position that rotates, can detect the residual amount of toner of developing apparatus 20.

Figure 14 illustrates the structure of image forming apparatus 1 base side that can detect toner exhaustion; In equipment 1 body; When being installed on equipment 1 body to processing unit 2; Joint is installed on axle 271 the arm 28 of the detection part of developing apparatus 20, and the sensor 30 of rotatable parts 29 that rotate accordingly with the rotation of arm 28 and the rotation that detects rotatable parts 29 is set.

Rotatable parts 29 are tabular, thereby, with mode free to rotate in the horizontal direction, be installed on the rotation axis of installing at equipment 1 body 291, and press to arm 28 1 sides by elastomeric element 32.The shape that the rotational angle that is shaped as rotatable parts 29 of the face that engages with arm 28 of rotatable parts 29 can change with the turned position of arm 28 accordingly, the rotation of arm 28 is conversion direction with the rotation of the horizontal direction of rotatable parts 29.

Sensor 30 can be the light-transmission type optical sensor of photo detector 302 with light-emitting component 301 and downside of upper side, is installed to the housing (not shown) of equipment 1 body by bracket 31.

If rotatable parts 29 rotate, then its part is crossed between light-emitting component 301 and the photo detector 302, and thus, the rotation of detection part 27 is to be detected.

Rotation axis 271a with detection part 27 rotates coaxially through the arm that disposes with the mode of exposing from developing apparatus 20 28, and is transmitted and should be rotated by rotatable parts 29, carries out the detection of the residual amount of toner.

Have under the state of toner, because the angle that arm 28 rotates is little, so the angle that rotatable parts 29 rotate is little, is not having under the state of toner, and rotatable parts 29 wide-angles are rotated.If rotatable parts 29 wide-angles are rotated, then the part of rotatable parts 29 is crossed sensor 30.According to the light-emitting component 302 that whether arrives downside from light-emitting component 301 issued lights that are in sensor 30 upper side, therefore just can detect the residual amount of the toner that is present in the developing room 35, and can detect toner exhaustion.

And, also can adopt the structure of the angle that rotatable parts 29 is not set and rotates by the direct detection arm of optical sensor 28.

Figure 15 A, Figure 15 B explanation is installed to processing unit 2 state of image forming apparatus 1 body.

Figure 16 is Figure 15 A, the enlarged drawing of the part of Figure 15 B.

The state of rotatable parts 29 when Figure 15 A illustrates installation treatment unit 2 not or the like, Figure 15 B illustrates the state that is installed to processing unit 2 image forming apparatus 1 body.

Figure 15 A, among Figure 15 B and Figure 16,300 both sides form the sidewall 101 of image forming apparatus 1 body in the space, are used to be installed in the processing unit 2 that image forming apparatus 1 body forms.The shell (not shown) of configuration image forming device 1 in the outside of this sidewall 101.Form guide track 102 in the sidewall 101, guide track 102 is boot process unit 2 when installing and dismantle processing unit 2, after installation, is used for supporting.In a side of sidewall 101, form opening portion 103 with the moving range size of rotatable parts 29, rotatable parts 29 are installed in this opening portion 103.

Rotatable parts 29 can rotate in the horizontal direction, and rotation axis 291 is configured in a forward side of the direction of insertion of the processing unit 2 shown in the arrow.

Be used for detecting the sensor 30 of toner exhaustion in the configuration of the outside of the opening portion 103 of sidewall 101, be installed to sidewall 101 by bracket 31.

Rotatable parts 29 are shown in figure 16; Press to the direction in space 300 by elastomeric element 32, the state of installation treatment unit 2 is not shown in 1 among Figure 16, and its end gets into 300 inboards, space a little; Meanwhile, get into the state of the light that does not block the sensor 30 that is positioned at sidewall 101 outsides.

In such structure, processing unit 2 is inserted into and installs in the direction shown in the arrow along guide track 102.At this moment, the lateral surface of rotatable parts 29 contact arms 28, and be the center with rotation axis 291, rotate a little to the direction of the sensor 30 that is positioned at sidewall 101 outsides.Rotatable parts 29 are set to, and under the unexhausted state of toner, are in the position that the light of sensor 30 is not blocked.But the shape and the position that also can change rotatable parts 29 concern that shading light through adjusting the threshold value that toner exhaustion detects in this case, can be distinguished the detection of the installation of processing unit 2 and toner exhaustion mutually a little.

In Figure 16 2 shown in, the state that is installed to processing unit 2 image forming apparatus 1 body is shown, the position of rotatable parts 29 illustrates the state of toner exhaustion.

In this state, the original position of rotatable parts 29 during from installation treatment unit 2 begins further rotation, reaches the light that blocks sensor 30 fully, detects toner exhaustion.

Direction of motion at rotatable parts 29 is under the situation that the direction identical with the direction of insertion of processing unit 2 is difficult to rotate; For example; Under the situation that the direction of motion and the processing unit 2 of rotatable parts 29 are conflicted; For the insertion of processing unit 2, rotatable parts 29 are conflicted, and the insertion of processing unit 2 becomes and can not carry out smoothly.At this, the rotation axis 291 of rotatable parts 29 is disposed at the forward direction of the direction of insertion of processing unit 2.Thus, rotatable parts 29 with the insertion of processing unit 2 not contrary but identical direction rotate, the installation of processing unit 2 is carried out smoothly.

And Figure 17 illustrates the planimetric map that is installed to processing unit 2 state of image forming apparatus 1 body.Utilization is provided to the elastomeric element 33 of image forming apparatus, presses to processing unit 2 depths of image forming apparatus 1.Thus, the distance of rotatable parts 29 and arm shortens, and perhaps, is applied in certain power, therefore, can carry out the stable detection operation.

Figure 18 A, Figure 18 B illustrate the output signal from sensor 30.

Carry out the signal of signal Processing gained based on detecting the output (not shown) from sensor 30 outputs.Be present at toner under the state of developing room 35 of developing apparatus 20, as signal output, shown in Figure 18 A, rank L is exported.

Be not present at toner under the state of developing room 35, the circulation of the rotation through the stirring transfer unit 24 that undertaken by rotatable parts 29 is because the light of sensor 30 is blocked; Therefore, shown in Figure 18 B, corresponding with it; As signal output, the pulse of rank H appears.Through intensity and the task that preestablishes signal H, can detect with developing room 35 in the corresponding signal of the residual amount of toner.

Figure 19 is the process flow diagram that the operating process of toner exhaustion checkout equipment is shown.Utilize image forming apparatus 1,, begin image and form operation (step S2) through beginning copy button or printing to be set to start (ON).Meanwhile, the sensor 30 that makes the toner exhaustion checkout equipment is for starting (ON) (step S3).

Under the situation of toner exhaustion,, detect the signal H (step S4) that Figure 18 B is shown through the rotation of the detection part in the toner exhaustion checkout equipment 27.When detecting this signal H, detection starting is handled, so that carry out the judgement (step S5) of toner exhaustion.If signal H only representes once, then, be no judge of toner exhaustion soon because the conveying of toner is inhomogeneous and developing room inhomogeneous.Therefore, for example, under N above situation of signal H continuous representation, judge toner exhaustion (step S6).In contrast, under signal H representes less than N time situation, turn back to the step S4 of detection signal H.

Under the situation of judging toner exhaustion, image forms operation and ends (step S7), in monitor picture, shows the expression (step S8) of toner exhaustion.

Illustrated like preceding text; In the developing apparatus 20 of present embodiment; Detection part 27 is arranged on to being used for the developer roll of the image development on the photoreceptor 3 21 supplied with near the donor rollers 22 of toners; Through this detection part 27, can detect near the residual amount of the particularly toner donor rollers 22 of developing room 35.The rotation of detection part 27 is sent to image forming apparatus 1, and the detection of the residual amount of toner is undertaken by the sensor 30 of image forming apparatus 1.

Through stirring transfer unit 24, toner is crossed partitioning portion 36 and is delivered to developing room 35.Detection part 27 is accepted to be driven from driving force that stirs transfer unit 24 and quilt through what synchronization section 26 sent, and thus, the detection of the residual amount of toner is for getting regularly with getting the conveying operations that stirs transfer unit 24 on one side, Yi Bian carry out.

And, through discharging the toner of the axis hole 262 that gets into the synchronization section 26 of rotating, can carry out the detection of toner exhaustion steadily in the long term.

Claims

Sensor detects the rotation of rotatable parts.

2. according to the described toner exhaustion checkout equipment of claim 1, wherein, the face in the outside of arm be configured in side face inboard of developing apparatus or at least with this side face for one side.

3. according to the described toner exhaustion checkout equipment of claim 1, wherein, the end of the rotation axis that the rotation axis of detection part or the rotation of detection part are sent to is configured in the inboard of face in the outside of arm, or is at least with one side.

4. according to the described toner exhaustion checkout equipment of claim 1, wherein, have opening portion at the sidewall of the housing of image forming apparatus, rotatable parts are configured in this opening portion, rotate, and sensor configuration is in this outside.

5. according to the described toner exhaustion checkout equipment of claim 1, wherein, the rotation direction of said rotatable parts transition arm is rotated.

6. according to the described toner exhaustion checkout equipment of claim 5, wherein, convert the rotation direction of rotatable parts into developing apparatus or processing unit installation and the identical direction of disassembly direction.

7. according to the described toner exhaustion checkout equipment of claim 6, wherein, the rotation axis of rotatable parts is disposed at the installation of developing apparatus or processing unit and a forward side of disassembly direction.

8. developing apparatus; Can be installed in image forming apparatus body or dismounting from it; Comprise: rotatable parts contact with the arm of said developing apparatus when said developing apparatus is installed on the image forming apparatus body, and rotate accordingly with the rotation of this arm; Sensor detects the rotation of rotatable parts,

Said developing apparatus also comprises:

9. according to the described developing apparatus of claim 8, wherein, the face in the outside of arm be configured in side face inboard of developing apparatus or at least with this side face for one side.

10. according to claim 8 or 9 described developing apparatuses, wherein, the end of the rotation axis that the rotation axis of detection part or the rotation of detection part are sent to is configured in the inboard of face in the outside of arm, or is at least with one side.

11. processing unit; At least become one and integrally comprise image carrier and developing apparatus; And can be installed on the image forming apparatus body or dismounting is down from it; Wherein said processing unit has any described developing apparatus of claim 8 to 10, and arm is set to expose from said processing unit.

12. according to the described processing unit of claim 11, wherein, opening portion is set one of in the side of said processing unit, arm exposes from this opening portion.

13. according to the described processing unit of claim 12, wherein, the inboard of side that the face in the outside of arm is configured in processing unit perhaps is at least with one side.

14. image forming apparatus; Wherein have developing apparatus or comprise the processing unit of this developing apparatus; Can install and dismantle, said developing apparatus comprises: detection part, be arranged to developer carrier supply with toner supply part near; Have the face that rotates in the direction of supply part, and change its slewing area accordingly with toning dosage; Arm, rotation axis coaxial or that be sent to the rotation of detection part is coaxial with the rotation axis of this detection part, and it is set to expose from developing apparatus,

Said image forming apparatus also comprises:

Sensor detects the rotation of rotatable parts.

15. according to the described image forming apparatus of claim 14, wherein, have opening portion at the sidewall of the housing of image forming apparatus, rotatable parts are configured in this opening portion, rotate, sensor configuration is in this outside.

16. according to claim 14 or 15 described image forming apparatus, wherein, the rotation direction of said rotatable parts transition arm is rotated.

17., wherein, convert the rotation direction of rotatable parts into developing apparatus or processing unit installation and the identical direction of disassembly direction according to the described image forming apparatus of claim 16.

18. according to the described image forming apparatus of claim 17, wherein, the rotation axis of rotatable parts is disposed at the installation of developing apparatus or processing unit and a forward side of disassembly direction.