CN1854927A - Image forming apparatus and removable cartridge - Google Patents
Image forming apparatus and removable cartridge Download PDFInfo
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- CN1854927A CN1854927A CN 200610055015 CN200610055015A CN1854927A CN 1854927 A CN1854927 A CN 1854927A CN 200610055015 CN200610055015 CN 200610055015 CN 200610055015 A CN200610055015 A CN 200610055015A CN 1854927 A CN1854927 A CN 1854927A
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Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes: an electrostatic latent image bearing member; a toner cartridge; a developing member; a transfer member; a developing device; and a circulating member. The toner cartridge is removably coupled to the developing device. The developing device incorporates the developing member. The circulating member is capable of operating while the toner cartridge remains coupled to the developing device, to circulate the toner between the developing device and the toner cartridge irrespective of whether the developing member is operating.
Description
Quoting alternately of related application
The application requires to enjoy Japanese patent application 2005-53706 number and Japanese patent application 2005-208443 number the right of priority of submitting on February 28th, 2005 of submitting on July 19th, 2005.The full content of each is combined in herein by reference in the above-mentioned priority application.
Technical field
The latent electrostatic image developing that the present invention relates to form on a kind of wherein electrostatic latent image supporting body is toner image, and this toner image is transferred to used box in electronic imaging type image forming apparatus on the recording medium and this image forming apparatus.
Background technology
Proposed a kind of image forming apparatus, it comprises: the image carrier that forms electrostatic latent image on the surface that is had; Deposit the toner cartridge of the toner of this used for static latent image developing; Be used to make toner from toner cartridge through electrification by friction, thereby and toner to be added on the surface of image carrier latent electrostatic image developing be the developing parts of toner image; Be used for toner image is transferred to transfer member on the recording medium from image carrier; And wherein at least in conjunction with developing parts and be provided with the developing apparatus of toner cartridge in removable mode.In this image forming apparatus, electrostatic latent image is formed at after the image carrier surface, and developing parts is added to toner on the electrostatic latent image supporting body surface from toner cartridge by electrification by friction, thereby makes this image development.Form toner image thus.Then, transfer member is transferred to recording medium with this toner image.As a result, on recording medium, form and the corresponding image of electrostatic latent image.Because toner cartridge can remove from the developing apparatus that wherein is combined with developing parts, thereby the toner cartridge of toner replaceable Cheng Xin when using up.Therefore, image forms and is proceeded.
United States Patent (USP) proposes a kind of image forming apparatus of the above-mentioned type for No. 5867756, wherein be provided with in the toner cartridge such as this supply part of agitator, be used for toner is supplied to developing apparatus from toner cartridge, and be provided with in the housing of this developing apparatus such as this Returning part of helical feed roller, be used for toner is back to the toner cartridge from developing apparatus.Supply part and Returning part are worked simultaneously, and toner is circulated between the two at developing apparatus and toner cartridge.Thereby prevent the toner hardening of on ad-hoc location, condensing.Guarantee the flowability of toner, improve picture quality.
But the formed image of this image forming apparatus, quality possible deviation when being replaced with new toner cartridge.When image forming apparatus repeats image formation action, the toner degradation.Toner, particularly non magnetic one-component toner, with the pigment particle by with image forming apparatus in set developer roll and layering regulate the parts sliding contact the mode repeating motion and in friction recharge, cause degradation.Therefore, the chargeable property reduction of the toner of variation like this.Thereby, under some situation, repeat through the old toner of electrification by friction and not pass through the new toner of electrification by friction different aspect chargeable property.The old and new's toner mixes use, just can't be charged as same polarity.New toner will be by positive charge, and the toner of old toner or performance decline will be charged by negative sense.Old toner through negative sense charging will adhere to those electrostatic latent image parts through positive charge, and promptly those should develop and are the electrostatic latent image part of white solid part or blank portion in the toner image.Thereby so-called printing atomizating phenomenon can take place.
Summary of the invention
In view of the foregoing, the objective of the invention is to, a kind of image forming apparatus and box that atomizating phenomenon takes place that can prevent to print is provided.
In order to reach above-mentioned and other purposes, image forming apparatus provided by the invention comprises: the electrostatic latent image load bearing component; Toner cartridge; Developing parts; Transfer member; Developing apparatus; And circulation member.This electrostatic latent image load bearing component have its on form the surface of electrostatic latent image.Toner cartridge is deposited toner.Developing parts is fed to toner on the surface of electrostatic latent image load bearing component from toner cartridge, thereby is toner image with latent electrostatic image developing.Transfer member with toner image from the surface transfer of electrostatic latent image load bearing component to recording medium.Toner cartridge is connected with developing apparatus in removable mode.Be combined with developing parts in this developing apparatus.Circulation member is at toner cartridge can work when being connected state with developing apparatus, no matter always so that whether developing parts works toner is circulated between the two at developing apparatus and toner cartridge.
According on the other hand, the invention provides the removable cartridge that uses in the image forming apparatus, comprising: the receiving portion of admitting the toner cartridge of depositing toner with removably; Make from the toner of toner cartridge and the surface of image carrier is added toner, thereby make the developing parts of the latent electrostatic image developing that forms on this image carrier through electrification by friction; And Returning part, toner is back to the toner cartridge from described box, no matter whether the Returning part developing parts works can work.
According on the other hand, removable toner cartridge provided by the invention, be configured to be connected with developing apparatus, developing apparatus comprises developing parts at least, this developing parts makes toner process electrification by friction add that to the surface of image carrier it is toner image that thereby toner makes the latent electrostatic image developing that forms on this image carrier surface, this toner cartridge comprises: supply part, no matter whether developing parts is worked and can be worked when being connected with developing apparatus, and be configured to stored toner in the developing apparatus supply toner cartridge.
According on the other hand, image forming apparatus provided by the invention comprises: the electrostatic latent image load bearing component; Toner cartridge; Developing parts; Transfer member; Developing apparatus; Supply part; And Returning part.This electrostatic latent image load bearing component has the surface that forms electrostatic latent image on it.Toner cartridge is deposited toner.Developing parts is fed to toner on the surface of electrostatic latent image load bearing component from toner cartridge, thereby is toner image with latent electrostatic image developing.Transfer member with toner image from the surface transfer of electrostatic latent image load bearing component to recording medium.Toner cartridge is connected with developing apparatus in removable mode.Be combined with developing parts in this developing apparatus.Supply part is supplied to developing apparatus with toner from toner cartridge.Returning part is back to toner the toner cartridge from developing apparatus.Returning part can be independent of the work of supply part and carry out work.
According on the other hand, used removable cartridge in the image forming apparatus provided by the invention comprises: receiving portion, and admit with removably and to deposit the toner cartridge of toner, and be provided with supply part developing parts supply toner; This developing parts is supplied to the surface of electrostatic latent image supporting body with toner from toner cartridge, thereby makes the latent electrostatic image developing that forms on the image carrier; And toner is back to Returning part in the toner cartridge, Returning part can be independent of the supply work of supply part and carry out work.
By above-mentioned arrangement, can prevent to print atomizating phenomenon and take place.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the stereographic map of the laser printer of first embodiment of the invention;
How Fig. 2 opens the stereographic map of the laser printer of laser printer lid for explanation;
How Fig. 3 pulls out the stereographic map of the laser printer of carton from the laser printer main body for explanation;
Fig. 4 cuts the sectional view that shows its inner structure open for laser printer along Fig. 2 center line IV-IV;
Fig. 5 for explanation how with photosensitive drums box, Delevoping cartridge and the toner cartridge sectional view of the laser printer that removes from the laser printer main body of unit as a whole;
The sectional view of how Fig. 6 is connected toner cartridge for explanation with the Delevoping cartridge disengagement laser printer;
The sectional view of the laser printer how only Fig. 7 removes toner cartridge from the laser printer main body for explanation;
Fig. 8 for explanation how with Delevoping cartridge and the toner cartridge sectional view of the laser printer that removes from the laser printer main body of unit as a whole;
Fig. 9 is for removing the left view of the photosensitive drums box of Delevoping cartridge and toner cartridge from it;
Figure 10 has shown the configuration that the inside surface of left side wall in the laser printer main body ends;
Figure 11 is in the left view of the state of being connected to each other for showing toner cartridge and Delevoping cartridge;
The front elevation of the toner cartridge retainer when Figure 12 A is connected for throwing off when toner cartridge and Delevoping cartridge from the Delevoping cartridge that the toner cartridge side is observed;
Figure 12 B for when the disengagement of toner cartridge and Delevoping cartridge is connected from the rear view of the toner cartridge of toner cartridge retainer side observation;
Figure 12 C for when toner cartridge is connected with Delevoping cartridge from the Delevoping cartridge of toner cartridge side observation the front elevation of toner cartridge retainer;
Figure 12 D for when toner cartridge is connected with Delevoping cartridge from the rear view of the toner cartridge of toner cartridge retainer side observation;
Figure 13 is in the right view of the state of being connected to each other for showing toner cartridge and Delevoping cartridge;
Figure 14 is the sectional view that its inner structure when toner cartridge and Delevoping cartridge are connected to each other is described;
Figure 15 is the sectional view of the Delevoping cartridge cut open along the layout line of helical feed roller;
Figure 16 is for illustrating the wherein block diagram of the configuration of the control system of institute's combination of laser printer;
Figure 17 carries out the process flow diagram of handling for the explanation control system;
Figure 18 A is that demonstration is according to the toner cartridge of the modification of first embodiment and the left view that Delevoping cartridge is in the state of being connected to each other;
Figure 18 B is for showing that some wherein shown gear is hidden, not shown in Figure 18 A according to the toner cartridge of the modification of first embodiment and the left view that Delevoping cartridge is in the state of being connected to each other.
Figure 19 is the sectional view that its inner structure when toner cartridge and Delevoping cartridge are connected to each other is described;
The left view that Figure 20 is in the state of being connected to each other for toner cartridge and the Delevoping cartridge that shows according to second embodiment;
The right view that Figure 21 is in the state of being connected to each other for toner cartridge and the Delevoping cartridge that shows according to second embodiment;
Figure 22 A is when toner cartridge and Delevoping cartridge disconnect when being connected from the Delevoping cartridge of the toner cartridge side observation front elevation of toner cartridge retainer according to second embodiment;
Figure 22 B is when toner cartridge and Delevoping cartridge disconnect when being connected from the rear view of the toner cartridge of toner cartridge retainer side observation according to second embodiment;
Figure 22 C for according to second embodiment when toner cartridge is connected with Delevoping cartridge from the Delevoping cartridge of toner cartridge side observation the front elevation of toner cartridge retainer;
Figure 22 D is for according to second embodiment rear view from the toner cartridge of toner cartridge retainer side observation when toner cartridge is connected with Delevoping cartridge;
Figure 23 has shown the configuration according to the inside surface of left side wall in the second embodiment laser printer main body;
Figure 24 is for showing the enlarged drawing of the configuration of a part of inside surface of left side wall in the laser printer main body shown in Figure 23;
Figure 25 is for showing the enlarged drawing according to the configuration of a part of inside surface of right side wall in the second embodiment laser printer main body;
Figure 26 is the block diagram of explanation according to the configuration of the control system of combination in the second embodiment laser printer; And
Figure 27 explains to carry out the process flow diagram of handling according to the second embodiment control system.
Embodiment
Below with reference to the image forming apparatus of description of drawings, mark identical part and parts with identical with reference to label in the accompanying drawing, to avoid repeat specification according to various embodiments of the present invention.
Fig. 1 is the stereographic map that illustrates according to laser printer 1 its outward appearance of first embodiment of the invention.Laser printer 1 is used to utilize the non magnetic one-component toner of positively charged character to form image.The representative example of this toner is the styrene-propene polymerized toner.
All used term " makes progress " in the explanation, " downwards ", " top ", " bottom ", " top ", " below ", " following ", " left side ", " right side " etc. suppose that all laser printer 1 is by its direction setting that will use.Laser printer 1 in the use is placed as shown in Figure 1.The Width that the left and right directions of laser printer 1 qualification is equal to the paper of being carried in the laser printer 1.
As shown in Figure 1, the outer periphery of set lid 2 covering laser printers 1 main body.Carton 3 is installed on and covers under 2.
As shown in Figure 2, lid 2 limits opening 2a in its face side, and the lid 4 that is had can open and close opening 2a.Usually, lid 4 is closed opening 2a as shown in Figure 1.
As shown in Figure 3, carton 3 can be pulled out forward from laser printer 1 main body.Thereby carton 3 can remove from laser printer 1 main body.
As shown in Figure 4, spring 6 and support plate 5 are installed in the carton 3.The spring jack-up support plate 5 that makes progress.Paper-feed roll 9 is arranged at the top of the leading edge of support plate 5.The paper (not shown) that paper-feed roll 9 will be placed on the support plate 5 is fed to image formation unit 7 by each one.7 paper transportation path disposes conveying roller 11, guiding piece 13 and a pair of registration roller 14,15 successively along paper-feed roll 9 to image formation unit.Conveying roller 11 and paper-feed roll 9 collaborative conveyance of sheets.Guiding piece 13 is accepted by the paper of conveying roller 11 conveyings and by about 180 degree upset paper along the periphery of conveying roller 11. Registration roller 14,15 stops operating with seizure paper forward position by suitable timing, and eliminates the crooked of paper.
In the fixation unit 31, make toner image photographic fixing on this paper by warm-up mill 33 and backer roll 35 occlusal position between the two with paper.Toner image is now then carried by a pair of conveying roller 36 through the paper of photographic fixing on it.
Set guiding piece 37 will be directed to by the paper that conveying roller 36 is carried cover 2 above.A pair of exit roller 38 is discharged to paper on the paper disc 39 that covers the setting of 2 end faces.
The reed 26 that is provided with on the photosensitive drums box 20 remains in Delevoping cartridge 40 on the photosensitive drums box 20.The free front end of reed 26 is provided with handle 25.Delevoping cartridge 40 is installed on the photosensitive drums box 20 with removably.Developer roll 41 is installed in the Delevoping cartridge 40 in rotatable mode.Developer roll 41 with color powder feeding to photosensitive drums 21 surfaces, thereby on photosensitive drums 21, be toner image with latent electrostatic image developing.Then, when paper during by between the two occlusal position of photosensitive drums 21 and transfer roll 22 toner image just be transferred on this paper from photosensitive drums 21.
Paper scrap reclaims brush 24 and closely contacts with the surface of photosensitive drums 21 on the downstream position that is transferred to this position on the paper on the sense of rotation of photosensitive drums 21 with respect to toner image from photosensitive drums 21.This paper scrap is reclaimed brush 24 add positive bias, remove electronegative paper scrap from photosensitive drums 21.
As shown in Figure 4, developer roll 41 props up in rotatable mode and is held in the Delevoping cartridge 40.Developer roll 41 is driven by mechanism's (back is addressed), contacts with photosensitive drums 21 simultaneously.
Specifically, Delevoping cartridge 40 has development section 40a and toner cartridge maintaining part 40b.Among the development section 40a, developer roll 41, top helical feed roller 43, bottom helical feed roller 44, color powder feeding roller 45 and development scraping blade 47 are installed in the Delevoping cartridge 40.
As shown in figure 15, helical feed roller 43 with 44 by with helical feed roller 43 and 44 its axially the opening 42a that faces mutually of middle part admit toner from toner cartridge 60. Helical feed roller 43 and 44 circulates at its end, left and right sides chien shih toner along its direction of principal axis.
Color powder feeding roller 45 is admitted the toner from upper and lower helical feed roller 43 and 44, and gives developer roll 41 with color powder feeding.Development scraping blade 47 makes from color powder feeding roller 45 by friction and is fed to developer roll 41 lip-deep toner chargings, and forms the thin layer toner on developer roll 41.
The following describes scanning element 90.
Scanning element 90 comprises polygonal mirror 91, two catoptrons 91 and 92, f θ lens 95 and cylindrical lenses 97.Polygonal mirror 91 deflections and the emitted laser bundle L of scan laser transmitter unit (not shown) institute. Catoptron 92 and 93 reflection lasering beam L guide to photosensitive drums 21 with laser beam L.F θ lens 95 place polygonal mirror 91 to extend on the light path of catoptron 92.Cylindrical lens 97 places catoptron 92 to extend on another light path of catoptron 93.
Laser cell (not shown) makes polygonal mirror 91 and photosensitive drums 21 rotations simultaneously with suitable timing emission of lasering beam L at intermittence.The result forms electrostatic latent image on the surface of photosensitive drums 21.Thereby it is toner image with latent electrostatic image developing that developer roll 41 is given photosensitive drums 21 with color powder feeding.Then, toner image is transferred on the paper from photosensitive drums 21.Thereby image is formed on the paper according to the electronic imaging method.
As shown in Figure 5, cover 4 when drawing on the photosensitive drums box 20 handle 25 that is provided with, just photosensitive drums box 20 is removed in the middle of laser printer 1 main body by opening 2a with Delevoping cartridge 40 and toner cartridge 60 when the user opens.
As shown in Figure 8, when the user presses handle 25 on the photosensitive drums box 20, just reed 26 is also pressed.The user is not up pulling handle 62 forward under the situation of rotating handles 62 then.In this case, toner cartridge 60 and Delevoping cartridge 40 be unit dismounting together from the photosensitive drums box 20 as a whole as shown in Figure 8, and removes in the middle of laser printer 1 main body by opening 2a.
Describe image below in detail and form each parts in the unit 7.
As mentioned above, handle 25 is fastening with respect to photosensitive drums box 20 with fixed form by reed 26.As shown in Figure 9, reed 26 is bent upwards therein, and the sweep that is step shape 26a is provided.When Delevoping cartridge 40 was installed on the photosensitive drums box 20 as shown in Figure 4, sweep 26a just engaged with the lower edge of toner cartridge retainer 42, and consequently Delevoping cartridge 40 is connected with photosensitive drums box 20.When handle 25 was pressed (with reference to Fig. 8) as mentioned above, sweep 26a just was disengaged with the lower edge of toner cartridge retainer 42.Therefore, Delevoping cartridge 40 can be connected with throwing off with respect to 20 connections of photosensitive drums box.
As shown in Figure 9, photosensitive drums 21 has from the outwards outstanding metal rotating shaft 21a in the left and right sides of photosensitive drums box 20.The left end of photosensitive drums 21 is provided with gear 21b.This gear 21b and the rotation of photosensitive drums 21 one.Gear 21b stretches out from the rear end of photosensitive drums box 20.
As shown in figure 10, guide groove 121 is formed at the inside surface of left side wall in laser printer 1 main body.Guide groove 121 is used for guiding the rotating shaft 21a of photosensitive drums 21.Be provided with gear 121b in laser printer 1 main body.Gear 121b can be driven by drum motor 122 (with reference to Figure 16).When photosensitive drums box 20 placed the position of laser printer 1 main body, gear 121b engaged with gear 21b.Therefore, driving force is sent to photosensitive drums 21 from laser printer 1 main body.
As shown in figure 11, driving shaft 51 is arranged at the left side of development section 40a place Delevoping cartridge 40.Driving shaft 51 is used for receiving driving force from driving shaft 151, and driving shaft 151 is arranged at the inside surface of left side wall in laser printer 1 main body as shown in figure 10.Driving shaft 151 has plate shape projection 151a on its top.Driving shaft 51 has the hollow circuit cylinder part and a pair of projection 51a that is arranged in the hollow circuit cylinder part at its top end.This can engage with the plate shape projection 151a of driving shaft 51 projection 51a.Therefore, driving shaft 151 can be suitable with driving shaft 51.Driving shaft 51 and 151 constitutes so-called driving and is connected.
As shown in figure 11, gear 51b is installed on driving shaft 51 with fixed form.Gear 51b is in the outer surface of the left side wall of development section 40a place Delevoping cartridge 40.Gear 51b and the rotation of driving shaft 51 one.
The rotating shaft 41b of developer roll 41 and the rotating shaft of color powder feeding roller 45 are outwards outstanding from the left side wall of Delevoping cartridge 40.Gear 41a is fixed in the left end of rotating shaft 41b, and rotates with developer roll 41 one.Gear 45a is fixed in the left end of the rotating shaft of color powder feeding roller 45, and rotates with color powder feeding roller 45 one.Thereby gear 41a and gear 45a are positioned at development section 40a place on the outer surface of left side wall of Delevoping cartridge 40.Gear 51b engages with gear 41a and gear 45a.
Shown in Figure 12 B, toner cartridge 60 has inner cylinder 63 and exterior circular column 64.
Exterior circular column 64 is coaxial with inner cylinder 63, around the axial central portion of inner cylinder 63.Inside and outside circle cylinder 63 and 64 by columniform toner cartridge retainer 42 with the coaxial manner support.
Exterior circular column 64 has elongated projection 64a on its outer surface.This elongated projection 64a projects to the interior perimeter surface of toner cartridge retainer 42.Toner cartridge retainer 42 has elongated groove 42b on the perimeter surface within it.Suitable by projection 64a and elongated groove 42b, exterior circular column 64 is supported by toner cartridge retainer 42.Therefore, exterior circular column 64 is fastening with respect to toner cartridge retainer 42 with fixed form, and can't rotate with respect to exterior circular column 64.
Shown in Figure 12 A, pair of guide rails 42c is located on the interior perimeter surface of toner cartridge retainer 42.Metal valve 48 its a pair of opposed ends are installed on the pair of guide rails 42c with sliding type.Valve 48 rectangular shapeds, wherein long limit is positioned at the axial of toner cartridge retainer 42.This valve 48 can move up mobile with the open position that exposes opening 42a shown in Figure 12 C between the two along the periphery of columniform toner cartridge retainer 42 is closed opening 42a at valve 48 shown in Figure 12 A off-position and valve 48 from opening 42a.
Two couples of projection 63a are arranged on the outer surface of inner cylinder 63.Along with valve 48 is sandwiched between these two couples of projection 63a, these two couples of projection 63a are disconnected from each other on the circumferencial direction of inner cylinder 63.It is disconnected from each other on the direction of principal axis of inner cylinder 63 to constitute each two right projection 63a, and faces with two of valve 48 relative longitudinal ends.Along with the rotation of inner cylinder 63, two couples of projection 63a move valve 48, and the interior perimeter surface along toner cartridge retainer 42 remains in it between the two with this valve 48 in a circumferential direction simultaneously.When handle 62 rotates to connection disengaged position shown in Figure 6, just valve 48 makes opening 42a close shown in Figure 12 A.
This elongated groove 42b is positioned on the perimeter surface of toner cartridge retainer 42 in valve 48 lower position, even if valve 48 moves to its extreme lower position shown in Figure 12 A and closes opening 42a fully in this case, also is unlikely to make valve 48 overlapping.
Pair of engaging part 63c and inner cylinder 63 are integrally formed on the outer surface of inner cylinder 63.This is located at this position on the inner cylinder 63 to fitting piece 63c, and promptly each fitting piece 63c can engage this position to 42c with guide rail when the handle 62 of inner cylinder 63 is in link position shown in Figure 4.Should point out that every guide rail 42c has the L type profile, and the section shape that each fitting piece 63c is had can engage with the L type profile of corresponding guide rail 42c.
Exterior circular column 64 is formed with opening 64b, and it has the shape identical with opening 42a.This opening 64b is located at this position in the exterior circular column 64, promptly when by elongated projection 64a and elongated groove 42b is suitable when being installed on exterior circular column 64 in the toner cartridge retainer 42 opening 63b will with opening 42a in the face of this position.Mutually bonding with the sponge member 65 that sponge member 49 is identical shaped around the outer surface of opening 64b and exterior circular column 64.
The connection disengaged position of the handle 62 of toner cartridge 60 from Fig. 6 is rotated down link position shown in Figure 4, keeps projection 64a and elongated groove 42b suitable simultaneously.The result is that opening 64b and 63b overlap each other shown in Figure 12 D, and projection 63a promotes valve 48 from opening 42a shown in Figure 12 C.As a result, the inboard fluid communication that realizes of inner cylinder 63 inboard development section 40a with Delevoping cartridge 40.Therefore toner can be supplied to development section 40a the Delevoping cartridge 40 from toner cartridge 60.
At this moment, sponge member 49 with 65 both closely contact mutually, each fitting piece 63c engages with each guide rail 42c.Therefore, its whole periphery of opening 64b and 42a obtains tight seal, does not allow the toner outflow.When fitting piece 63c engaged like this with guide rail 42c, Delevoping cartridge 40 and toner cartridge 60 just were connected to each other as shown in Figure 4.Therefore, box 40 and 60 can be as shown in Figure 8 as a whole the unit shift out and insert with respect to photosensitive drums box 20.Like this, box 40 and 60 can be as shown in Figure 8 as a whole the unit shift out and insert with respect to laser printer 1 main body.
But operating handle 62 rotates inner cylinder 63, unclamps each fitting piece 63c from each guide rail 42c.Like this, Delevoping cartridge 40 can be thrown off mutually with toner cartridge 60 and is connected.Thereby, can in the middle of laser printer 1, only remove toner cartridge 60 as shown in Figure 7.
As Figure 12 A and shown in Figure 13, gear 53 is installed on the private side of the right side end wall of toner cartridge retainer 42.When toner cartridge 60 placed toner cartridge retainer 42, gear 53 just was meshed with gear 61b.
As shown in figure 15, top helical feed roller 43 and bottom helical feed roller 44 are outwards outstanding from the right side wall of Delevoping cartridge 40.As shown in figure 13, gear 43a and 44a are attached to the right-hand end of top helical feed roller 43 and bottom helical feed roller 44 respectively.Thereby gear 43a and 44a are positioned on the outer surface of right side wall of Delevoping cartridge 40. Gear 43a and 44a poor other and top helical feed roller 43 and the rotation of bottom helical feed roller 44 one.Gear 53 is meshed with gear 43a and 44a.Should point out, for convenience of explanation, not shown in Figure 15 such as gear 43a and these parts that are disposed at Delevoping cartridge 40 outsides of 44a.
As shown in figure 10, driving shaft 161 is arranged on the surface, inside of the left side wall in printer 1 main body.The rotating shaft 61a of driving shaft 161 and agitator 61 shown in Figure 11 constitutes so-called driving and is connected.Specifically, driving shaft 161 has plate shape projection 161a on its top.Rotating shaft 61a has the hollow cylindrical part that is in its left-hand axis top, and set a pair of projection 61c in this hollow cylindrical part.This can engage with the plate shape projection 161a of driving shaft 161 projection 61c.Like this, driving shaft 161 can be suitable with rotating shaft 61a.
When driving force when driving shaft 161 is sent to rotating shaft 61a, agitator 61 just rotates.This driving force is sent to gear 53 from gear 61b, is sent to gear 43a and 44a from gear 53 then.As a result, helical feed roller 43 and 44 rotations.
As shown in figure 10, gear 171 is fastening with respect to the rotating shaft of development motor 170 with fixed form, and rotates with the rotating shaft one of development motor 170.Set gear 172 is meshed with gear 171.
The electromagnetic clutch 275 of She Zhiing makes driving shaft 151 be connected with throwing off with respect to gear 172 connections as shown in figure 16.When electromagnetic clutch 275 is in when driving shaft 151 is connected this connection status with gear 172, driving shaft 151 just rotates with gear 172 one.When electromagnetic clutch 275 is in when driving shaft 151 and gear 172 being thrown off is connected this disengaged condition, even if gear 172 rotates, driving shaft 151 does not rotate yet.
When electromagnetic clutch 275 is transformed into connection status, the driving force of development motor 170 just from driving shaft 151 and 161 both export to box 40 and 60.As a result, developer roll 41, color powder feeding roller 45, top helical feed roller 43, bottom helical feed roller 44 and agitator 61 obtain driving.On the other hand, when electromagnetic clutch 275 was transformed into disengaged condition, the driving force of development motor 170 was then only exported to driving shaft 161.In this case, top helical feed roller 43, bottom helical feed roller 44 and agitator 61 obtain driving, and developer roll 41 and color powder feeding roller 45 then still are in halted state.
Driving shaft 151 and 161 is arranged on the left side wall in laser printer 1 main body, and both can stretch out and withdraw together simultaneously.Specifically, driving shaft 151 and 161 is connected to linkage assembly (not shown), and stretches out when closing when lid 4, covers 4 and then withdraws when opening.When lid 4 was opened, driving shaft 151 and 161 was disengaged with driving shaft 51 and rotating shaft 61a respectively.Like this, photosensitive drums box 20, Delevoping cartridge 40 and toner cartridge 60 can remove in the middle of laser printer 1 main body.On the other hand, when lid 4 was closed, driving shaft 151 and 161 just engaged with driving shaft 51 and rotating shaft 61a respectively.The result can drive above-mentioned each parts.
Describe agitator 61 in detail below with reference to Figure 14.
The a pair of relative axle head (left and right sides axle head) from rotating shaft 61a is outstanding respectively on the reverse direction of blades 61d projected direction for scraping blade supporter 61e.As following will the explanation, a pair of toner amount detection window 63d is located on a pair of opposite side end wall (left and right sides end wall) of inner cylinder 63.A scraping blade spare 67 is fixed with respect to each scraping blade supporter 61f, contacts with the internal table surface elastic of the corresponding end wall (left side or right side end wall) of inner cylinder 63, thus the toner amount detection window 63d on can the corresponding end wall of wiping.
Should point out that this is formed at the rear lower of the left and right sides end wall of inner cylinder 63 respectively to toner amount detection window 63d.This to detection window 63d relative to each other.As Figure 11 and shown in Figure 13, toner cartridge retainer 42 is formed with a pair of circular printing opacity through hole 42d.This forms left and right sides end wall by toner cartridge retainer 42 respectively to circular printing opacity through hole 42d, and relative with toner amount detection window 63d.
As shown in figure 15, top helical feed roller 43 and bottom helical feed roller 44 have spiral vane 43b and 44b respectively.When agitator 61 was activated, shown in arrow among the figure, bottom helical feed roller 44 was delivered to the left and right sides of Delevoping cartridge 40 with toner from opening 42a, and top helical feed roller 43 is then carried the middle part of getting back to box 40 with toner from the left and right sides of Delevoping cartridge 40.Therefore, toner can be recovered to its middle part from the left and right sides of Delevoping cartridge 40, and returns toner cartridge 60 by opening 42a.
Therefore, top helical feed roller 43, bottom helical feed roller 44 and agitator 61 and make the toner circulation not only at Delevoping cartridge 40 and toner cartridge 60 between the two in Delevoping cartridge 40.This toner that prevents that performance from descending on ad-hoc location, condense, form lump and with its secure bond, thereby the flowability of maintenance toner.
As Figure 14 and shown in Figure 15, dividing plate 55 is arranged at Delevoping cartridge 40 middle and upper part helical feed rollers 43 and bottom helical feed roller 44 position between the two.This dividing plate 55 helps the smooth delivery of power toner.
As Figure 12 B and shown in Figure 14, a pair of spring base 66 is arranged on the outer surface of inner cylinder 63.This spring base 66 is in the position of the end, the left and right sides of a little higher than handle 62.The center section of each spring base 66 on the circumferencial direction of right cylinder 63 has recess.It is as shown in Figure 2, a pair of that to push part 71 outstanding from covering 4 the back side.Each push part 71 on its projected direction by being installed on spring (not shown) application of force of pushing in the part 71.When lid 4 is closed, the thrust that part 71 is pushed in spring base 66 acceptance.This thrust reliably remains in its installation site with box 20,40 and 60.
It is also outstanding from covering 4 the back side to pushing position between the part 71 at this to intervene parts 72.This intervenes parts 72 and handle 62 interferences, unless handle 62 places link position shown in Figure 4.Therefore, lid 4 can't be closed before handle 62 suitably places link position.
As shown in figure 16, laser printer 1 has cover sensor 198 and uses up sensor 199.This cover sensor 198 for example is a limit switch, detects to cover 4 and open or close.This uses up sensor 199 for example is photo-coupler, carries out optical detection by toner amount detection window 63d and printing opacity through hole 42d to whether leaving toner in the toner cartridge 60.In this example, this uses up sensor 199 and comprises photocell 199a and light receiving element (not shown).As shown in figure 10, this photocell 199a is arranged on the surface, inside of the left side wall in laser printer 1 main body.Although not shown, light receiving element is arranged on the surface, inside of the right side wall in laser printer 1 main body.
The control module 200 of laser printer 1 is the microcomputer of known type, comprising CPU201, ROM202, RAM203, I/O204 and bus 205.Bus 205 is connected to each other each parts 201,202,203 and 204.I/O port 204 receives cover sensor 198 and uses up the signal of sensor 199 outputs.I/O port 204 is connected with scanning element 90, photosensitive drums motor 122, development motor 170 and electromagnetic clutch 275 by driving circuit 211,212,213 and 214 respectively.Each mechanism such as operation panel and this known type of hummer also is connected with I/O port 204.
Figure 17 presses the process flow diagram of the processing that program stored is carried out among the ROM202 according to present embodiment CPU201 for explanation.This processing regularly repeats with predetermined behind the power connection of laser printer 1.
When this handled beginning, at first CPU201 determined according to the detection signal that uses up sensor 199 whether toner cartridge 60 uses up in S1.In other words, CPU201 determines whether toner has consumed a lot and makes that light continues to reach the relatively long time by printing opacity through hole 42d.Should point out that even if the toner of q.s is arranged in the toner cartridge 60, light also can pass through printing opacity through hole 42d, because agitator 61 stirs toner in inner cylinder 63.But along with the minimizing of toner amount in the box 60, light continues just to increase by the time span of printing opacity through hole 42d.Therefore, by detecting the time span that light continues to pass through printing opacity through hole 42d, CPU201 determines whether toner cartridge 60 uses up.
Should point out, when in the normal process at S2 during carries out image formation work, electromagnetic clutch 275 is transformed into connection status, and drives development motor 170, thereby drives developer roll 41, color powder feeding roller 45, top helical feed roller 43, bottom helical feed roller 44 and agitator 61.It should be noted that also to drive photosensitive drums motor 122, with rotating photosensitive drum 21.
On the other hand, when toner cartridge 60 used up (being to affirm situation among the S1), this processing entered S3.Among the S3, the display display message that provides on the operation panel, and also the hummer on the laser printer 1 sends alarm, notifies this box 60 of user to use up.Detect toner and use up, at this moment laser printer 1 often forms piece image on paper.In light of this situation, after the current image formation work of just carrying out is finished, forbid among the S4 that image forms processing.
CPU201 determines whether cover 4 opens in S6.Repeat the processing of S6, to detect information or alarm that the user sends in order responding among the S3, to be replaced with new toner cartridge 60 and to open and cover till 4 until cover sensor 198.
When lid 4 was opened (being to affirm situation among the S6), this processing entered S7.Whether CPU201 determines user's closing cap 4 among the S7.The processing that repeats S7 is till user's closing cap 4.When lid 4 still was in open mode, most applications user was replaced with new toner cartridge 60.In a single day lid 4 closes (being to affirm situation among the S7), and CPU201 determines that just the user places laser printer 1 with new toner cartridge 60.Handle then and enter S8.
In the above-mentioned steps, new toner cartridge 60 is with after Delevoping cartridge 40 is connected, and top helical feed roller 43, bottom helical feed roller 44 and agitator 61 are activated and reach predetermined amount of time and mix the old and new's toner.Because developer roll 41 and color powder feeding roller 45 are in halted state and reach predetermined amount of time, thereby toner is unlikely to friction and is with electric charge.Can prevent that undesirable printing atomizating phenomenon from taking place.
Specifically, laser printer 1 uses non magnetic one-component toner to be used for electrification by friction.Non magnetic one-component toner (especially styrene-propene polymerized toner) descends to becoming with the toner performance and has chargeable property hardly.Specifically, old toner has chargeable property hardly, and new toner then has bigger chargeable property.If the old and new's toner mixes mutually and charges by friction, toner just charges not according to identical polar.New toner is through the positive polarity charging, and old toner is then through the negative polarity charging.If the new toner through the positive polarity charging is present near the of developer roll 41 in a large number, new toner just can mainly adhere on the developer roll 41 owing to the image acting force.Therefore, even if through the old toner of negative polarity charging be present in developer roll 41 near, do not have yet and print atomizating phenomenon and take place.
On the contrary, if having new toner to be added to through negative polarity charging and be present in a large number in the middle of near the developer roll 41 the old toner, old toner is just because image acting force and can mainly adhering on the developer roll 41, thereby the generation of the atomizating phenomenon of printing is arranged inevitably.
According to present embodiment, be replaced with the processing that S8 is carried out in new toner cartridge 60 backs.New toner and old toner can mix mutually, and do not have electrification by friction.After a large amount of new toners and a small amount of full and uniform mixing of old toner, will begin to drive developer roll 41 and color powder feeding roller 45, to make the toner charging by friction.In other words, prevent that then electrification by friction from taking place in the time of when a small amount of new toner is present in developer roll 41 with a large amount of old toners (being the toner that performance reduces) near.Thereby can prevent to print atomizating phenomenon and take place.
Should point out, if among the S8 with the speed drive development motor 170 higher than common image formation work (S2), can more promptly mix new toner and old toner.In this case, after being replaced with new toner cartridge 60, can start common image formation work rapidly.
Because developer roll 41 and color powder feeding roller 45 are set to contact with each other, in a single day each roller 41 and 45 is activated and rotates, and the particle of new toner and old toner just moves with sliding contacting mode between above-mentioned each roller 41 and 45, and through electrification by friction.But according to present embodiment, developer roll 41 and color powder feeding roller 45 are in halted state and reach predetermined amount of time during S8 handles.Thereby, for this predetermined amount of time, can reliably prevent electrification by friction.
Because agitator 61 and helical feed roller 43 and 44 all are activated in S8, thereby toner is circulated smoothly.
The chargeable property that toner had is high more, and the possibility of printing atomizing is high more.Because the styrene-propene polymerized toner has higher chargeable property, the above-mentioned advantage of present embodiment is very outstanding when therefore using the styrene-propene polymerized toner.Because this polymerized toner has high fluidity, even if therefore among the S8 developer roll 41 be in halted state, to the recycling also almost not influence of toner.Stop 41 pairs of recycling influences of toner of developer roll among the S8 by using this polymerized toner, can reducing.
When finding that developer roll 41 its performances too reduce, the Delevoping cartridge 40 of replaceable Cheng Xin.This improves the maintenance benefit.Equally, find that photosensitive drums 21 its performances reduce the photosensitive drums box 20 of replaceable Cheng Xin.This same maintenance benefit that improves.
Should point out when toner cartridge 60 and Delevoping cartridge 40 keeps being connected disengagement, do not have driving force to be sent to top helical feed roller 43 or bottom helical feed roller 44.Top helical feed roller 43 and bottom helical feed roller 44 is in case be activated throwing off under the state that is connected with toner cartridge 60, and toner might overflow Delevoping cartridge 40.Owing to not only do not drive top helical feed roller 43 but also do not drive bottom helical feed roller 44, unless and this situation or up to toner cartridge 60 with till Delevoping cartridge 40 is connected, thereby prevent reliably that as mentioned above toner from overflowing Delevoping cartridge 40.
Specifically, when toner cartridge 60 was connected with Delevoping cartridge 40, driving force was by driving connection is input to the rotating shaft 61 of agitator 61 from the driving shaft 161 on laser printer 1 main body left side axle head.Then, driving force exports helical feed roller 43 and 44 by the gear 61b on the right side axle head that is positioned at rotating shaft 61a to from the rotating shaft 61 of agitator 61.Thereby helical feed roller 43 and 44 is activated.Throw off when being connected when toner cartridge 60 and Delevoping cartridge 40, the rotating shaft 61a with driving force importation (left side axle head) and driving force output part branch (gear 61b) also is removed.Driving force can no longer be sent to helical feed roller 43 and 44.Thereby preventing that helical feed roller 43 and 44 from throwing off under the state that is connected at toner cartridge 60 and Delevoping cartridge 40 works.This prevents that toner from overflowing Delevoping cartridge 40.
As long as toner cartridge 60 is connected with Delevoping cartridge 40, helical feed roller 43 and 44 and agitator 60 just mutually interact.Therefore, laser printer 1 can be easy to controlled.
The left side axle head of rotating shaft 61a links to each other with driving shaft 161 and fetches the reception driving force, and the right-hand axis that gear 61b then is arranged at rotating shaft 61a is brought in and exported this driving force to helical feed roller 43 and 44.Therefore, the part of the part of reception driving force and output drive strength is arranged at the relative both sides of toner cartridge 60.Just might be easy to design such as this driving force importation and near the drive system of driving force output part branch of being positioned at of gear arrangement.Thereby might be easy to make toner cartridge 60, Delevoping cartridge 40 and laser printer 1 miniaturization.
Specifically, in the Delevoping cartridge 40, developer roll 41 and helical feed roller 43 and 44 must be mutually near configurations.And then color powder feeding roller 45 must be disposed in the Delevoping cartridge 40.Therefore, according to present embodiment, one of them driving mechanism be arranged at Delevoping cartridge 40 wherein a side (left side) drive developer roll 41 and color powder feeding roller 45, another driving mechanism then be arranged at Delevoping cartridge 40 wherein opposite side (right side) drive helical feed roller 43 and 44.So, driving force just by toner cartridge 60 (rotating shaft 61a) from toner cartridge 60 wherein a side (left side) be sent to wherein opposite side (right side).Therefore, developer roll 41, color powder feeding roller 45 and helical feed roller 43 and 44 all can be driven by single development motor 170.Thereby need not all to install one and two motor are installed in each side of Delevoping cartridge 40.So can make laser printer 1 miniaturization.
The helical feed roller that use has easy configuration makes the toner circulation to 43 and 44.This helps to reduce the manufacturing cost of laser printer 1.
[modification of first embodiment]
Among above-mentioned first embodiment, when new toner cartridge 60 was connected with Delevoping cartridge 40, new toner just mixed with old toner in S8, and developer roll 41 and color powder feeding roller 45 are stopped.As an alternative, according to the modification of first embodiment, new toner only makes developer roll 41 stop when mixing with old toner, is described as follows.
Shown in Figure 18 A and Figure 18 B, be meshed with gear 41a with the gear 51b of driving shaft 51 one rotation, but the different gear 45a that rotates with color powder feeding roller 45 one is meshed with the rotation of developer roll 41 one.Gear 61g is fastening with respect to the left end of the rotating shaft 61a of agitator 61, and rotates with rotating shaft 61a one.Gear 61g is positioned at outside one side of the left side end wall of inner cylinder 63.Gear 68 and 69 is arranged on the surface, inside of left side wall of Delevoping cartridge 40, and intermeshes.Gear 69 and gear 45a engagement.When toner cartridge 60 was installed in the Delevoping cartridge 40, gear 68 was just realized the engagement with gear 61g.Therefore, when driving force when driving shaft 151 is sent to driving shaft 51, can make developer roll 41 rotations.When driving force when driving shaft 161 is sent to rotating shaft 61a, can make color powder feeding roller 45, agitator 61, top helical feed roller 43 and 44 rotations of bottom helical feed roller.
As shown in figure 19, color powder feeding roller 45 separates with developer roll 41, and is in and the developer roll 41 this position that do not contact.Therefore, even if color powder feeding roller 45, agitator 61, top helical feed roller 43 and bottom helical feed roller 44 are all rotated and just make developer roll 41 still be in halted state, toner also is unlikely to be rubbed when developer roll 41 and color powder feeding roller 45 are mobile between the two.Therefore, toner will can not rubbed and be charged.Therefore, carry out with top during with reference to the described identical processing of Figure 17 when laser printer 1, this variation can obtain the advantage identical with first embodiment.Specifically, when electromagnetic clutch 275 is transformed into disengaged condition and drive development motor 170 in S8, color powder feeding roller 45, top helical feed roller 43, bottom helical feed roller 44 and agitator 61 just are activated and reach the schedule time, make developer roll 41 still be in halted state simultaneously.For this schedule time, new toner and old toner can evenly mix, and can not rubbed and charge.
Because developer roll 41 and color powder feeding roller 45 are configured to not contact each other, thereby the toner particle no longer moves at above-mentioned each roller 41 and 45 between the two with the sliding contacting mode of electrification by friction.Even if top helical feed roller 43, bottom helical feed roller 44 and agitator 61 are activated and reach the schedule time in the time of color powder feeding roller 45 rotations, but because developer roll 41 is stopped the rotation, thereby can prevent the electrification by friction of toner at this predetermined time period.
[second embodiment]
Below with reference to Figure 20-Figure 27 second embodiment is described.
Different aspect the type of drive of second embodiment each parts in Delevoping cartridge 40 and toner cartridge 60 with first embodiment.
The configuration of Delevoping cartridge 40 and toner cartridge 60 is totally identical with first embodiment, but different in following each side:
The left side axle head of rotating shaft 61a does not constitute the configuration that above-mentioned driving connects.Gear 61b is not arranged on the right side axle head of rotating shaft 61a.As an alternative, but as shown in figure 20, gear 61h and rotating shaft 61a are integrally formed in its left side axial end.Gear 61h is positioned at outside one side of the left side end wall of inner cylinder 63.
As shown in figure 21, driving shaft 54 is arranged at the right side of toner cartridge retainer 42.As shown in figure 25, driving shaft 154 is arranged on the surface, inside of the right side wall in laser printer 1 main body.Driving shaft 54 and 154 constitutes so-called driving and is connected.Driving shaft 154 has the projection 154a of similar writing board shape on its top.Driving shaft 54 has the hollow cylindrical part on its top.The two projection 54a that driving shaft 54 has can engage with this plate shape projection 154a.Therefore this driving shaft 154 can be suitable with driving shaft 54.
Gear 54b installs fastening with respect to driving shaft 54, and is positioned on the surface, inside of right side end wall of toner cartridge retainer 42.Gear 54b is with meshing with respect to upper and lower helical feed roller 43 and 44 fastening gear 43a and 44a respectively.
Therefore, when driving shaft 154 is sent to driving shaft 54 with driving force, can rotate upper and lower helical feed roller 43 and 44.
Should point out, toner cartridge 60 with first embodiment in identical mode be connected with Delevoping cartridge 40 and be connected with throwing off.Specifically, Figure 22 A and Figure 22 B illustrate according to the second embodiment toner cartridge 60 and throw off the state that is connected with Delevoping cartridge 40, and promptly the handle 62 of box 60 has rotated up to as the disengaged position among Fig. 6.Figure 22 C illustrates the state that is connected with Delevoping cartridge 40 according to the second embodiment toner cartridge 60 with Figure 22 D, and promptly the handle 62 of box 60 has been rotated down to as the link position among Fig. 4.Figure 22 A-Figure 22 D is corresponding with Figure 12 A-Figure 12 D of first embodiment respectively.
The configuration of the laser printer 1 of second embodiment is totally identical with first embodiment, but different in following each side:
As shown in figure 23, according to second embodiment, there is not driving shaft 161 to be arranged at left side wall in laser printer 1 main body.
As shown in figure 24, according to present embodiment, gear 151b is set to rotate with driving shaft 151 one.Gear 151b is by gear 272 and gear 171 engagements.Same with first embodiment, gear 171 and the rotation of development motor 170 one.Thereby when development motor 170 was activated, driving shaft 51 just drove developer roll 41, color powder feeding roller 45 and agitator 61.
Drive system shown in Figure 25 is located on the surface, inside of the right side wall in laser printer 1 main body.This drive system is in the position relative with drive system shown in Figure 24.As shown in figure 25, the right side wall in laser printer 1 main body also has guide groove 121 and is formed on the interior surface thereof.The rotating shaft 21a of these guide groove 121 guiding photosensitive drums 21.Driving shaft 154 is arranged at the middle part of guide groove 121.Gear 154b is set to rotate with driving shaft 154 one.Returning motor 175 is arranged on the right side wall in laser printer 1 main body.Gear 176 is set to return with this rotating shaft one rotation of motor 175.Gear 154b and gear 176 engagements.Thereby when returning motor 175 and be activated, rotating shaft 54 can drive upper and lower helical feed roller 43 and 44 simultaneously.
It should be noted that with first embodiment in driving shaft 151 and 161 to sample, driving shaft 151 and 154 can stretch out and withdraw.Rotating shaft 151 is connected with linkage assembly (not shown) with 154, thus when lid 4 when closing above-mentioned rotating shaft can stretch out, can withdraw when opening and cover 4.When lid 4 was opened, rotating shaft 151 and 154 was just withdrawn, and is disengaged with driving shaft 51 and 54 respectively.Therefore, can in the middle of laser printer 1 main body, remove photosensitive drums box 20, Delevoping cartridge 40 and toner cartridge 60.When lid 4 when closing, driving shaft 151 and 154 just stretches out to be realized and the engaging of driving shaft 51 and 54.Can drive above-mentioned each parts in this case.
As shown in figure 25, light receiving element 199b is arranged on the surface, inside of the right side wall in laser printer 1 main body.Constitute by Figure 23 and photocell 199a shown in Figure 24 and light receiving element 199b and to use up sensor 199.
As shown in figure 26, the control system of present embodiment laser printer 1 is totally identical with first embodiment (Figure 16) situation, this just is set returns motor 175 and replace electromagnetic clutch 275, and store among the ROM202 be its process flow diagram as shown in figure 27 program but not the program of Figure 17.
Press the processing of program stored execution among the ROM202 according to the CPU201 of present embodiment control module 200 below with reference to Figure 26 explanation.
Same with first embodiment, repeat this processing in predetermined timing behind the power connection of laser printer 1.When this handles beginning, at first carry out the processing of S11.The processing that it should be noted that S11-S14 is identical with the processing of the S1-S4 of first embodiment.
After forbidding among the S14 that image forms, this program enters into S15.
Begin to reclaim control among the S15.Specifically, return motor 175 and be activated, development motor 170 then still is in halted state.As a result, agitator 61 stop supplies are from the toner of toner cartridge 60, and developer roll 41 and color powder feeding roller 45 stop the rotation.On the other hand, upper and lower helical feed roller 43 and 44 is activated.Bottom helical feed roller 44 is transported to the left and right sides with the toner in the Delevoping cartridge 40, and top helical feed roller 43 is transported to the middle part with toner then.Toner is back in the toner cartridge 60 by opening 42a.As routine independently, this recovery control continues to carry out the long period section, is enough to make the toner in the Delevoping cartridge 40 to be recycled to toner cartridge 60 fully.When toner reclaimed fully, this recovery control stopped automatically.Specifically, return motor 175 and stop, development motor 170 then still is in halted state.
After reclaiming the control beginning among the S16, CPU201 judges whether cover 4 opens.If information or alarm that the user is sent in (among the S16 for negating situation) no matter S13, the processing that repeats S16 until cover sensor 198 detect the user open cover 4 be replaced with new toner cartridge 60 till.
When lid 4 is opened (S16 is for affirming situation), forbid reclaiming control among the S17.CPU201 judges whether reclaim control finishes in S18 then.Reclaim control and do not finish (being negative situation among the S18) as yet, this processing enters S19.Send alarm among the S19, notify the user can not change toner cartridge 60.Then, CPU201 judges whether the user accepts alarm and closing cap 4 in S20.The user is closing cap 4 (among the S20 for negate situation) not as yet, and the processing that just repeats S20 is till user's closing cap 4.User's closing cap 4 (being to affirm situation among the S20), S15 is just returned in this processing, carries out and reclaims control.
Recovery control has been finished bonnet 4 and has just been opened (being to affirm situation among the S18), and this processing just enters S21.CPU201 judges whether cover 4 closes among the S21.The processing that repeats S21 is till lid 4 is closed.Usually during S21 handled and repeats, the user was replaced with new toner cartridge 60 with toner cartridge 60.User's closing cap 4 (being to affirm situation among the S21), this processing just enters S22.With scheduled volume driven agitator 61, toner is filled in the Delevoping cartridge 40 among the S22.For instance, agitator 61 is activated and reaches predetermined amount of time.This processing enters S23 then, laser printer 1 is removed the image that sets among the S14 form illegal state.S11 is returned in this processing then.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, toner cartridge 60 uses up (being to affirm situation among the S11), and the toner in the Delevoping cartridge 40 just is recovered to (among the S15) in the toner cartridge 60 automatically.After toner has been recovered to toner cartridge 60, toner cartridge 60 is replaced with new toner cartridge 60.
Specifically, when (being to affirm situation among the S18) finished in recovery control, only leave a small amount of toner (being the old toner that performance descends) in the Delevoping cartridge 40.Under this state, toner cartridge 60 replaceable Cheng Xin's.Therefore, can by the new toner of new toner cartridge 60 supplies the time, prevent that a large amount of old toners from mixing with new toner.Thereby, also can avoid printing atomizating phenomenon in the present embodiment.
Along with by helical feed roller 43 and 44 toner being circulated in Delevoping cartridge 40 among the S15, toner can homogenize and fully be back to toner cartridge 60.
After in the above-mentioned explanation, that toner cartridge 60 is replaced with is new (among the S21 for situation) certainly, in S22 with scheduled volume (for example section) on schedule driven agitator 61.Then, the cancellation image forms illegal state among the S23.This brings following advantage.
Although detect toner when using up, the user can mistake reinstall to old toner cartridge 60 on the Delevoping cartridge 40, and is not replaced with new toner cartridge 60.In this case, a large amount of toners are recycled in the toner cartridge 60 among the S15, survey thereby flase drop might take place in S11.But, after toner cartridge 60 is replaced with a certain toner cartridge (among the S21 for certainly situation), in S22, just return S11 with this processing after scheduled volume (for example section) the on schedule driven agitator 61 according to present embodiment.Thereby, can prevent that this flase drop survey from taking place.
In addition, because after toner cartridge 60 is replaced with a certain toner cartridge (being to affirm situation among the S21), S11 is just returned in this processing drive stirrer 61 with scheduled volume (for example section) on schedule in S22 after, so always guarantees to be filled with carries out image formation work under the state of q.s toner at Delevoping cartridge 40.Thereby can prevent that image is too light.
It should be noted that in order to prevent the flase drop survey, can be appropriate value according to the prior size (for example length of predetermined amount of time) of setting above-mentioned scheduled volume of the configuration of toner cartridge 60 and agitator 61.
Although with reference to the foregoing description the present invention is specified, obviously, those skilled in the art can carry out many variations and modification under the situation that does not deviate from essence of the present invention.
For instance, determine whether and to be replaced with toner cartridge 60 new by detecting the toner amount of retaining in the toner cartridge 60 in the above-mentioned explanation.As an alternative, can print what page paper by detection determines whether to change toner cartridge 60.
In the above-mentioned explanation, be to determine by cover sensor 198 whether toner cartridge 60 is changed.But can determine whether toner cartridge 60 is changed by using up sensor 199.As an alternative, also can be by detecting the replacing of toner cartridge 60 with being attached to the IC tag reader that is provided with on IC tag on the toner cartridge 60 and the laser printer 1.
In the above-mentioned explanation, because photosensitive drums box 20 and Delevoping cartridge 40 be installed in the main body of laser printer 1 with removably, thereby can more renew when needing.This helps laser printer 1 is safeguarded easily.But photosensitive drums box 20 and Delevoping cartridge 40 can be anchored in the main body of laser printer 1 with fixed form.
In the above-mentioned explanation, photosensitive drums box 20 can be thrown off mutually with Delevoping cartridge 40 and is connected.This helps photosensitive drums box 20 and Delevoping cartridge 40 are safeguarded easily.But photosensitive drums box 20 and Delevoping cartridge 40 can be integrally formed in the handle box mutually.Photosensitive drums box 20 can not thrown off each other with Delevoping cartridge 40 and is connected.
Among first and second embodiment of above-mentioned explanation, all use the styrene-propene polymerized toner.But available any polymerized toner substitutes the styrene-propene polymerized toner.Also can use non-polymeric toner.
Claims (31)
1. an image forming apparatus is characterized in that, comprising:
Form the electrostatic latent image load bearing component of electrostatic latent image on the surface that is had;
Deposit the toner cartridge of toner;
Toner is fed on the surface of electrostatic latent image load bearing component from toner cartridge, thereby latent electrostatic image developing is the developing parts of toner image;
With the transfer member of toner image on from the surface transfer of electrostatic latent image load bearing component to recording medium;
Developing apparatus, described toner cartridge is connected with it movably, and is combined with described developing parts; And
Circulation member can be worked when described toner cartridge is in the state that is connected with described developing apparatus, no matter so that described developing parts whether work, always toner circulates between the two at described developing apparatus and described toner cartridge.
2. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, further comprise control of working unit, described toner cartridge with make described circulation member work predetermined amount of time after described developing apparatus is connected, allow described developing parts to be in halted state simultaneously.
3. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, described toner is non magnetic one-component toner.
4. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, described toner is the styrene-propene polymerized toner.
5. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, the work the when work of described circulation member when described developing parts is in halted state is more in running order than described developing parts is rapider.
6. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that described developing apparatus is provided with in removable mode.
7. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that described image carrier is provided with in removable mode.
8. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that,
Described developing parts is a developer roll, the feed rolls that described developing apparatus is combined with described developer roll and gives described developer roll with color powder feeding,
Described control of working unit makes the described predetermined amount of time of described circulation member work, allows described developer roll and described feed rolls to be in halted state simultaneously.
9. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that,
Described developing parts is a developer roll, the feed rolls that described developing apparatus is combined with described developer roll and gives described developer roll with color powder feeding, and described feed rolls is positioned at and the not contacted position of described developer roll,
Described control of working unit makes described circulation member and the described predetermined amount of time of described feed rolls work, allows described developer roll to be in halted state simultaneously.
10. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, described circulation member comprises:
Supply part is arranged in the described toner cartridge, and is configured to toner is supplied to described developing apparatus from described toner cartridge;
And
Returning part is arranged in the described developing apparatus, and is configured to toner is back to the described toner cartridge from described developing apparatus.
11. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that, described toner cartridge comprises: the driving force input block that receives driving force from the main body of image forming apparatus; And the driving force output unit that the driving force that inputs to the driving force input block can be exported to described Returning part.
12. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, described driving force input block and described driving force output unit and described supply part collaborative work.
13. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, described driving force input block and described driving force output unit are arranged on the surfaces opposite to each other of described toner cartridge.
14. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that, described Returning part comprises:
The toner round-robin supply spiral conveyer that described toner cartridge is supplied; And
Make such round-robin toner be back to the spiral conveyer that returns in the described toner cartridge.
15. the removable cartridge that uses in the image forming apparatus is characterized in that, comprising:
Receiving portion is admitted the described toner cartridge of depositing toner with removably;
Developing parts makes from the toner of described toner cartridge through electrification by friction, toner being provided to the surface of image carrier, thereby makes the latent electrostatic image developing that forms on the described image carrier; And
Returning part makes toner be back to the described toner cartridge from described box, no matter whether the described developing parts of described Returning part works can work.
16. box as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that, described toner is non magnetic one-component toner.
17. box as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, described toner is the styrene-propene polymerized toner.
18. box as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that, described developing parts is a developer roll,
Further comprise the feed rolls of color powder feeding being given described developer roll, and
Described Returning part can work when described developer roll and described feed rolls are in halted state.
19. box as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that, described developing parts is a developer roll,
Further comprise the feed rolls of color powder feeding being given described developer roll, described feed rolls is in and the not contacted position of described developer roll, and
Described Returning part and described feed rolls can be worked when described developer roll is in halted state.
20. box as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that, described Returning part comprises:
The toner round-robin supply spiral conveyer that described toner cartridge is supplied; And
Make such round-robin toner be back to the spiral conveyer that returns in the described toner cartridge.
21. removable toner cartridge, be configured to be connected with developing apparatus, described developing apparatus comprises developing parts at least, described developing parts makes toner through electrification by friction, toner is provided to the surface of image carrier, thereby making the latent electrostatic image developing that forms on the described image carrier surface is toner image, it is characterized in that, described toner cartridge comprises:
Supply part no matter whether described developing parts is worked and can be worked when being connected with described developing apparatus, and is configured to supply stored toner in the described toner cartridge to described developing apparatus.
22. an image forming apparatus is characterized in that, comprising:
Form the electrostatic latent image load bearing component of electrostatic latent image on the surface that is had;
Deposit the toner cartridge of toner;
Toner is fed on the surface of described electrostatic latent image load bearing component from described toner cartridge, thereby latent electrostatic image developing is the developing parts of toner image;
With the transfer member of toner image on from the surface transfer of described electrostatic latent image load bearing component to recording medium;
Developing apparatus, described toner cartridge is connected with it movably, and is combined with described developing parts;
Toner is supplied to the supply part of described developing apparatus from described toner cartridge; And
Toner is recycled to Returning part the described toner cartridge from described developing apparatus, and described Returning part can be independent of the work of supply part and carry out work.
23. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, described Returning part circulates toner in described developing apparatus, thereby toner is back in the described toner cartridge.
24. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, described developing apparatus is provided with in removable mode.
25. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, described electrostatic latent image supporting body is provided with in removable mode.
26. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, when described Returning part work and described supply part were in halted state, described developing parts stopped.
27. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, further comprises:
When decision should change the replacing time detecting unit of described toner cartridge; And
Control module when the decision of described replacing time detecting unit should be changed described toner cartridge, carries out to reclaim to control that described Returning part is worked when described supply part is in halted state.
28. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 27 is characterized in that, comprises that further the described toner cartridge of detection is to install or the attaching/detaching detecting unit of dismounting with respect to the main body of image forming apparatus,
Described replacing time detecting unit detects whether should change this toner cartridge according to the toner amount of depositing in the described toner cartridge, and
Described attaching/detaching detecting unit detects the main body that described toner cartridge has been installed to image forming apparatus, and described supply part has been worked after the scheduled volume, and described control module is being carried out the testing result of described recovery control back with reference to described replacing time detecting unit.
29. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 28 is characterized in that,
Further comprise the housing that is formed with opening, described toner cartridge is installed to described housing by described opening and dismantles from described housing,
Described attaching/detaching detecting unit comprises that detecting described opening is in and opens the still open state detecting unit of closed condition.
30. image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, described toner is non magnetic one-component toner.
31. the removable cartridge that uses in the image forming apparatus is characterized in that, comprising:
Receiving portion is deposited the toner cartridge of toner with the removably admittance, and is provided with the supply part of color powder feeding being given developing parts;
Described developing parts is supplied to the surface of electrostatic latent image supporting body with toner from described toner cartridge, thereby makes the latent electrostatic image developing that forms on the described image carrier; And
Toner is back to Returning part in the described toner cartridge, and described Returning part can be independent of the supply work of described supply part and carry out work.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2005053796 | 2005-02-28 | ||
| JP2005053796A JP4325572B2 (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2005-02-28 | Image forming apparatus |
| JP2005208443 | 2005-07-19 |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN2008101767706A Division CN101430525B (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2006-02-27 | Image forming apparatus and removable cartridge |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN1854927A true CN1854927A (en) | 2006-11-01 |
| CN100489687C CN100489687C (en) | 2009-05-20 |
Family
ID=37056787
Family Applications (3)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN2008101767706A Expired - Fee Related CN101430525B (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2006-02-27 | Image forming apparatus and removable cartridge |
| CNB2006100550153A Active CN100489687C (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2006-02-27 | Image forming apparatus and removable cartridge |
| CN 200620003215 Expired - Lifetime CN200947164Y (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2006-02-28 | Image forming equipment and detachable box |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN2008101767706A Expired - Fee Related CN101430525B (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2006-02-27 | Image forming apparatus and removable cartridge |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN 200620003215 Expired - Lifetime CN200947164Y (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2006-02-28 | Image forming equipment and detachable box |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP4325572B2 (en) |
| CN (3) | CN101430525B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN101770197B (en) * | 2008-12-26 | 2013-10-30 | 兄弟工业株式会社 | Developing device |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP4325572B2 (en) * | 2005-02-28 | 2009-09-02 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
| US7979006B2 (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2011-07-12 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Image forming apparatus and removable cartridge |
| JP4899887B2 (en) * | 2006-09-28 | 2012-03-21 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Process unit and image forming apparatus |
| JP4899754B2 (en) * | 2006-09-28 | 2012-03-21 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Process unit and image forming apparatus |
| JP2009139490A (en) | 2007-12-04 | 2009-06-25 | Brother Ind Ltd | Image forming apparatus |
| JP5119891B2 (en) | 2007-12-04 | 2013-01-16 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH0962074A (en) * | 1995-08-23 | 1997-03-07 | Fujitsu Ltd | Electrophotographic image forming device |
| JP3361929B2 (en) * | 1996-02-18 | 2003-01-07 | 株式会社リコー | Electrophotographic equipment |
| US5867756A (en) * | 1996-05-27 | 1999-02-02 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Developing device with an auger roller for providing a fresh and consistent stream of developer in an image forming apparatus |
| JP4325572B2 (en) * | 2005-02-28 | 2009-09-02 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
-
2005
- 2005-02-28 JP JP2005053796A patent/JP4325572B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2006
- 2006-02-27 CN CN2008101767706A patent/CN101430525B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-02-27 CN CNB2006100550153A patent/CN100489687C/en active Active
- 2006-02-28 CN CN 200620003215 patent/CN200947164Y/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN101770197B (en) * | 2008-12-26 | 2013-10-30 | 兄弟工业株式会社 | Developing device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN101430525B (en) | 2011-08-24 |
| JP2006235518A (en) | 2006-09-07 |
| CN100489687C (en) | 2009-05-20 |
| CN101430525A (en) | 2009-05-13 |
| JP4325572B2 (en) | 2009-09-02 |
| CN200947164Y (en) | 2007-09-12 |
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