JP2000147881A - Developer supply device, developing device provided with the same and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To supply developer to a developing container without giving the damage to an image and to reduce time loss in which image formation is inoperable, by setting an amount of developer supplied from a developer replenishment container to a developer storage part larger than an amount of developer supplied from the developer storage part to the developing container. SOLUTION: Based on outputs from developer detection means 7a and 7b, a carrying means 4 supplies toner in a bottle 1 to a storage device 2 via a connection part 1a so that an amount of toner supplied form the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 per unit time is larger than an amount of toner supplied from the storage device 2 to a developing container 102a per unit time. Further, a developer uniformizing means 5 supplies the toner in the storage device 2 to the developing container 102 via the connection part 2a while stirring it. Thus, the toner can be supplied to the developing container 102a without giving the damage to an image, time loss in which image formation is inoperable is reduced, and, further, time required to supply the developer to the developing container 102a can be shortened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic type or the like, which is used for storing a fine powdery developer used for developing a latent image formed on a latent image carrier. The present invention relates to a developer supply device and an image forming apparatus including the developer supply device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image forming apparatus for electrophotography and the like, as shown in FIG.
An electrostatic latent image as a latent image is formed on the photoreceptor 101 by a charger (not shown), an exposure device, or the like, and a developer is applied to the electrostatic latent image by a developing device 102. A visual image is formed.

[0003] The visible image is supplied to the paper cassette 10.
3, the paper feed roller 105, the transport roller 106,
The image is transferred to a transfer material S as a recording medium supplied to the photoreceptor 101 via the transfer member 107 and the like, and is transferred to the fixing device 111 by a transfer device 110 provided in close proximity to a heat exhaust fan 113 together with the transfer material S The sheet is conveyed and fixed on the transfer material S by being heated and pressed by the fixing device 111 to form a permanent image, and is discharged together with the transfer material S to the outside of the apparatus as a final copy.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus having such a configuration, the developing device 102
A developing sleeve 102b for attaching to the upper electrostatic latent image and a developing container 102a for storing the developer are required.
As the image formation is repeated, the developer in the developing container 102a is sequentially consumed, and the remaining amount of the developer in the developing container 102a decreases. Is required.

However, the work of replenishing the developer to the developing device 102 is troublesome and involves the scattering of the developer. Therefore, it is preferable to reduce the number of times as much as possible.

Therefore, in such a conventional image forming apparatus, the developing device 102
Above the developer storage device (hereinafter referred to as a developer storage unit)
A storage device 112 is provided.

That is, the storage device 112 is formed so as to be large enough to store a large amount of developer.
The developer can be automatically replenished with respect to 2a, and the number of complicated developer replenishment operations manually can be greatly reduced.

Further, since the amount of the developer in the storage device 112 decreases with the use of the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to replenish the developer to the storage device 112. Conventionally, as shown in FIG. Using a bottle 114 as a developer replenishing container,
The developer has been transferred into the storage device 112. And
Since the time required for the replenishment of the developer is preferably as short as possible, the discharge port 114a of the bottle 114 and the receiving port 112a of the storage device 112 are both formed as shown in FIG.

In such a conventional image forming apparatus, the bottle 1
When the discharge port 114a of the nozzle 14 is enlarged, the developer is very easy to be scattered because it is composed of ultra-fine particles having high fluidity, and when the developer is transferred from the bottle 114 to the storage device 112, or when the transfer is completed. The developer scatters immediately after the bottle 114 is removed from the storage device 112 later, and there is a possibility that the scattered developer may contaminate nearby members. Therefore, in order to prevent this, Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-386
As disclosed in No. 73, a slide-type opening / closing lid is attached to each of the storage device 112 and the bottle 114,
A storage device has been proposed in which one opening / closing lid is driven by the other opening / closing lid to perform a developer supply operation.

However, in such a storage device,
Since it is impossible to check the remaining amount of the developer in the storage device 112 before the replenishment operation, there is a possibility that the developer is replenished from the bottle 114 to the storage device 112 when the developer is replenished. When the developer is supplied, the bottle 114 may not come off the storage device 112, or the bottle 114 may come off from the storage device 2 with the opening / closing lid being half-open, and the developer may scatter around. Was.

Further, in such a conventional image forming apparatus, since the developer is replenished from the bottle 114 to the storage device 112 by free fall, the developer is not uniformly stored in the storage device 112. As shown in FIG.
A connection port 112b from the second container 2a to the developing container 102a is provided in the entire longitudinal direction of the developing container 102a, and a shutter (not shown) is opened and closed to supply the developer to the entire longitudinal region of the developing container 102a. There is a possibility that the developer contained in the inside 102a becomes uneven in the longitudinal direction.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
12 ′ is provided with a conveying screw 112c to
A method is proposed in which the developer is supplied from the longitudinal end of 2a and the developer container 102a is provided with a transport screw 102c and a developer regulating wall 102d to make the developer in the developer container 102a uniform. Was done.

However, according to the above method, the conveying amount of the conveying screw 102c used in the developing container 102a may not be stable due to a change in the environment or the like. The distribution may be non-uniform, which may lead to image degradation. Conventionally, for this purpose, the diameter and the number of revolutions of the conveying screw 102c and the height of the developer regulating wall 102d are optimized, but the conveying screw 102c, the developer regulating wall 102d, The dimensional tolerance of 102a or the like is strict and the latitude is small, which may lead to an increase in manufacturing cost.

Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time required for replenishing the developer from the bottle to the storage device while suppressing the scattering of the developer, and to prevent excessive supply of the developer from the bottle to the storage device. Further, a configuration as shown in FIG. 11 has been newly proposed as an image forming apparatus capable of making the developer distribution uniform in the longitudinal direction of the developing container.

In the image forming apparatus having the above-described structure, the supply of the developer from the bottle 114 to the storage device 112 ″ is performed in the longitudinal direction of the storage device 112 ″ instead of forming the discharge port of the bottle 114 large. The operation is performed through a connection port 101a which is a first communication portion provided at an end portion.
The supply of the developer from ″ to the developing container 102a is performed over the entire area in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 102a.

As described above, by supplying the developer from the longitudinal end of the storage device 112 ″, the bottle 11 can be supplied to the developer composed of ultra-fine particles having high fluidity.
4 when transferring the developer from the storage device 112 ″ to the storage device 112 ″ or after the transfer is completed,
A large amount of developer is not scattered immediately after being removed from 2 ″.

Further, in order to prevent the time required for replenishing the developer from being lengthened by making the outlet of the bottle 114 small, as shown in FIG.
In the bottle 114, a conveying means 104 constituted by a screw or the like is provided, and the developer is replenished in a short time.

Further, the developer is supplied to the longitudinal end portion of the storage device 112 '' so that the developer distribution in the longitudinal direction of the storage device 112 '' is not uneven. As shown in FIG.
Developer leveling means (hereinafter referred to as leveling means) within 12 ''
115 is provided to supply the developer from the storage device 112 '' to the developing container 102a over the entire area in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 102a.

Therefore, when the developer is supplied from the storage device 112 '' to the developing container 102a, the distribution of the developer in the longitudinal direction becomes uniform, so that image defects do not occur.

[0020]

However, in a newly proposed image forming apparatus having such a bottle, a storage device, and a developing container, the amount of toner supplied from the bottle to the storage device per unit time has hitherto been required. And the relationship between the amount of toner supplied from the storage device to the developing container per unit time has not been clarified.

For this reason, the amount of toner supplied from the bottle to the storage device per unit time is changed from the storage device to the developing container due to the rotation speed of the screw serving as the conveying means in the bottle, or variations in the dimensions of the container of the storage device. May be smaller than the toner supply amount per unit time.

In this case, especially when an image with a large amount of toner consumption is continuously taken, the amount of the developer exiting the storage device becomes larger than the amount of the developer entering the storage device, and the storage device may be emptied. .

At this time, if toner supply from the bottle to the storage device and toner supply from the storage device to the developing container are continuously performed, as is apparent from FIG. (Right side in the figure), the toner is replenished, which causes trouble on the image.

Therefore, it is conceivable that only replenishment from the bottle to the storage device is performed until the toner is evenly distributed in the longitudinal direction of the storage device.

However, in this case, the toner is not replenished to the developing container until the toner is evenly distributed in the storage device. In some cases, the toner in the developing container runs short and the copying operation is performed. But it becomes impossible.

If the amount of toner supplied from the bottle to the storage device per unit time is smaller than the amount of toner supplied from the storage device to the developing container per unit time, it is difficult to install the image forming apparatus. The following inconvenience may occur.

When the image forming apparatus is installed, a storage device,
Both developing containers are empty. Therefore, first, the toner is supplied from the bottle to the storage device, and the toner in the storage device is evenly distributed in the longitudinal direction, and then the supply from the storage device to the developing container starts. However, if the toner in the storage device is emptied halfway, in order to uniformly supply the toner in the entire longitudinal direction of the developing container, the toner in the storage device must be uniformed again in the longitudinal direction. The toner supply to the developing container must be interrupted. Therefore, it takes extra time until a certain amount of toner enters the developing container, and the time until the image forming apparatus is installed becomes longer.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the developer can be supplied to the developing container without hindering the image, the time loss during which the image forming operation cannot be performed is reduced, and further, when the apparatus is installed, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developer supply device capable of reducing a time required for supplying a developer to a developing container, a developing device including the developer supply device, and an image forming apparatus.

[0029]

According to the present invention, there is provided a developer supply device for supplying a developer to a developing container containing a developer carried on a rotatable developer carrier. A developer storage unit for storing the developer supplied to the developing container, and a developer replenishing container detachably provided in the developer storage unit and storing the developer supplied to the developer storage unit. In the developer supply device, for supplying the developer from the developer storage unit to the developer container in the axial direction of the developer carrier, a first communication unit that communicates the developer storage unit and the developer container, Developer leveling means for leveling the developer in the developer storage section in the axial direction, and for supplying the developer in one region in the axial direction from the developer replenishment container to the developer storage section, A second communication unit that communicates the developer replenishment container and the developer storage unit, A developer detecting unit that detects an amount of the developer in the image storing unit; and a conveying unit that is driven based on an output of the developer detecting unit and conveys the developer in the developer replenishing container to the second communication unit. The developer supply amount from the developer supply container to the developer storage unit per unit time is set to be larger than the developer supply amount per unit time from the developer storage unit to the developer container. This is also achieved by one invention.

Further, according to the present invention, the above object is achieved in the first aspect, wherein the developer leveling means comprises: a shaft rotating around an axis; and a plurality of plates having a surface intersecting the shaft at an oblique angle. The plate-shaped member is also achieved by the second invention in which an opening is formed around the shaft.

Further, according to the present application, the above object is also achieved by the third invention in the second invention, wherein the plate-like member has an elliptical or substantially elliptical surface.

According to the present application, the above object is achieved in any one of the first to third aspects by providing two developer detecting means in the developer storage section in the developer increasing / decreasing direction. This is also achieved by the fourth invention.

Further, according to the present application, there is provided a developing device for forming a latent image into a visible image by disposing a developer carrier on a latent image carrier for carrying a latent image and applying a developer, The present invention is also achieved by the fifth invention including the developer supply device of the first invention.

According to the present application, the above object is achieved according to the fifth aspect, wherein the developer leveling means comprises: a shaft rotating around an axis; and a plurality of plates having a surface intersecting the shaft at an oblique angle. The plate-like member is also achieved by the sixth invention in which an opening is formed around the shaft.

Furthermore, according to the present application, the above object is also achieved by the seventh invention in which, in the sixth invention, the surface of the plate-like member is formed in an elliptical shape or a substantially elliptical shape.

According to the present application, the above object is achieved in any one of the fifth to seventh inventions by providing two developer detecting means in the developer storage section in the developer increasing / decreasing direction. This is also achieved by the eighth invention.

Further, according to the present application, the above object is achieved by applying a developer to a latent image carrier for carrying a latent image to convert the latent image into a visible image, and then recording the visible image on a recording medium. The present invention is also achieved by a ninth aspect of the present invention, which is an image forming apparatus having the development supply device of the first aspect.

According to the present application, the above object is achieved according to the ninth aspect, wherein the developer leveling means comprises: a shaft body rotating around an axis; and a plurality of plates having surfaces intersecting the shaft body at an inclined angle. The plate-like member is also achieved by the tenth invention in which an opening is formed around the shaft.

Further, according to the present application, the above object is also achieved by the eleventh invention in which, in the tenth invention, the plate-like member has an elliptical or substantially elliptical surface. .

According to the present application, the above object is achieved in any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects by providing two developer detecting means in the developer storage section in the developer increasing / decreasing direction. The invention is also achieved by the twelfth invention.

That is, in the first aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit per unit time is equal to the unit time from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The conveying means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit so as to be larger than the developer supply amount per unit, based on the output of the developer detecting unit, The developer leveling means supplies the developer in the developer reservoir through the second communicating portion into the developing container while stirring.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit per unit time is equal to the unit time from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The conveying means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit so as to be larger than the developer supply amount per unit, based on the output of the developer detecting unit, The developer leveling means supplies the developer in the developer reservoir through the second communicating portion into the developing container while stirring.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit per unit time is equal to the unit time from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The conveying means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit so as to be larger than the developer supply amount per unit, based on the output of the developer detecting unit, The developer leveling means supplies the developer in the developer reservoir through the second communicating portion into the developing container while stirring.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishment container to the developer storage unit per unit time is equal to the unit time from the developer storage unit to the developer container. The conveying means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit so as to be larger than the developer supply amount per unit, based on the output of the developer detecting unit, The developer leveling means supplies the developer in the developer reservoir through the second communicating portion into the developing container while stirring.

Further, in the fifth invention according to the present application, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit per unit time is equal to the unit time from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The conveying means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit so as to be larger than the developer supply amount per unit, based on the output of the developer detecting unit, The developer leveling means supplies the developer in the developer reservoir through the second communicating portion into the developing container while stirring.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit per unit time is equal to the unit time from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The conveying means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit so as to be larger than the developer supply amount per unit, based on the output of the developer detecting unit, The developer leveling means supplies the developer in the developer reservoir through the second communicating portion into the developing container while stirring.

Further, according to the seventh invention of the present application, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit per unit time is equal to the unit time from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The conveying means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit so as to be larger than the developer supply amount per unit, based on the output of the developer detecting unit, The developer leveling means supplies the developer in the developer reservoir through the second communicating portion into the developing container while stirring.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit per unit time is equal to the unit time from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The conveying means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit so as to be larger than the developer supply amount per unit, based on the output of the developer detecting unit, The developer leveling means supplies the developer in the developer reservoir through the second communicating portion into the developing container while stirring.

Further, according to the ninth invention of the present application, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit per unit time is equal to the unit time from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The conveying means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit so as to be larger than the developer supply amount per unit, based on the output of the developer detecting unit, The developer leveling means supplies the developer in the developer reservoir through the second communicating portion into the developing container while stirring.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit per unit time is equal to the unit time from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The conveying means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit so as to be larger than the developer supply amount per unit, based on the output of the developer detecting unit, The developer leveling means supplies the developer in the developer reservoir through the second communicating portion into the developing container while stirring.

Further, in the eleventh invention according to the present application, the amount of developer supplied per unit time from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit is determined by the unit from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The conveying unit supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit based on the output of the developer detection unit so that the developer supply amount is greater than the developer supply amount per time. The developer leveling means supplies the developer in the developer reservoir through the second communicating portion into the developing container while stirring the developer.

In the twelfth invention according to the present application, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit per unit time is equal to the unit supply from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The conveying unit supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit based on the output of the developer detection unit so that the developer supply amount is greater than the developer supply amount per time. The developer leveling means supplies the developer in the developer reservoir through the second communicating portion into the developing container while stirring the developer.

[0053]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic apparatus according to the present embodiment has a photosensitive member 101 as a latent image carrier, and a charger (not shown) is provided on the photosensitive member 101. ), An electrostatic latent image as a latent image is formed by an exposure device or the like, and a developer is adhered to the electrostatic latent image by a developing device 102 to form a visible image.

The visible image is stored in the sheet cassette 10.
3, the paper feed roller 105, the transport roller 106,
The transfer material S supplied to the photoconductor 101 via 107 or the like
The transfer device 110 which is transferred by the transfer device 109 and is provided with the transfer material S in the vicinity of the heat exhaust fan 113.
The toner image is conveyed to the fixing device 111 and is fixed on the transfer material S by being heated and pressurized in the fixing device 111 to form a permanent image, and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus together with the transfer material S as a final copy.

In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the developing device 102 includes a developing sleeve 102b for attaching the developer to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 101, and a developing container 102a for storing the developer. And are provided,
Also, a developer storage device (hereinafter referred to as a storage device) as a developer storage unit for supplying the developer to the developing container 102a.
2 are provided.

Further, the storage device 2 is provided above the storage device 2.
A bottle 1 as a developer replenishing container which is detachable from the storage device 2 is provided so that the developer can be supplied to the storage device 2.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the supply of the developer from the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 is performed at the longitudinal end of the storage device 2 instead of making the outlet of the bottle 1 large. The developer supply from the storage device 2 to the developing container 102a is performed over the entire area of the developing container 102a in the longitudinal direction.

As described above, by supplying the developer from the longitudinal end of the storage device 2, even if the developer is composed of ultra-fine particles having a high fluidity, the developer is supplied from the bottle 1 to the storage device 2. When the developer is transferred or after the transfer is completed, a large amount of the developer is not scattered immediately after the bottle 1 is removed from the storage device 2.

Also, in order to prevent the time required for replenishing the developer from being lengthened by making the outlet of the bottle 1 small, in this configuration, as shown in FIG. Is provided, and the developer is replenished in a short time.

Further, FIG. 2 shows that the developer is supplied to the longitudinal end of the storage device 2 so that the developer distribution in the longitudinal direction of the storage device 2 does not become uneven. As described above, the developer leveling means (hereinafter, referred to as leveling means) 5 is provided in the storage device 2, and the developer container 102a
Of the developer container 10 from the storage device 2 over the entire area in the longitudinal direction of the
The configuration is such that the developer is supplied to 2a.

Therefore, the developer container 10 is stored in the storage device 2.
In the supply of the developer to 2a, the distribution of the developer in the longitudinal direction becomes uniform, so that image defects do not occur.

FIG. 3 is a view of the bottle 1, the storage device 2, and the developing container 102a as viewed from the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.

Further, in the present embodiment, the storage device 2
Is provided with a developer detecting means 7a composed of a piezo-type sensor or the like, so that excessive developer supply from the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 is prevented.

That is, when the amount of the developer in the storage device 2 decreases, the output of the phenomenon agent detecting means 7a changes. Therefore, the transporting means 4 in the bottle 1 is driven based on the output, and the developer is removed from the bottle 1. It is discharged from the discharge port, and when the output of the developer detecting unit 7a changes again due to the increase in the amount of the developer in the storage device 2, the driving of the transporting unit 4 is stopped.
The amount of the developer inside the storage device 2 is always kept constant.

Similarly, the developer container 102a is also provided with a developer detecting means 7b, and the supply amount of the developer from the storage device 2 to the developing container 102a is controlled based on the output of the developer detecting means 7b. It has become.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the discharge of the toner from the bottle 1 is performed by providing the bottle 1 with a conveying means constituted by a screw or the like.

The toner discharged from the bottle 1 is supplied to one end of the storage device 2 in the longitudinal direction, and is leveled in the longitudinal direction by leveling means provided in the storage device.

Next, the leveling means will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the developer sent from the connecting portion 1a is sent to the end in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, as it is, the developer only peaks at the end as shown in FIG. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by operating the leveling means 5, the developer at the end is made uniform over the entire area in the longitudinal direction.

As in the prior art, when a transport screw is used, the transport is simply performed in one direction. In the present embodiment, the leveling means 5 is provided with an opening inside as shown in FIG. An oval plate (hereinafter, referred to as an oval shape) as a plate-shaped member having the oval-shaped plate 8a was attached to the shaft 5b as a shaft at a certain angle. Thus, the effect of spreading the developer over the entire area while rotating can be achieved.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the leveling means 5 having the oval plate 5a allows the inside of the storage device 2 to be leveled uniformly over the entire area in the longitudinal direction at all times. Further, it has excellent stirring ability, and can stir even when the developer hardens.

As described above, the developer in the storage device 2 which is evenly distributed in the longitudinal direction is supplied to the connection port 2 as a communication portion provided substantially over the entire longitudinal direction of the developing container 102a.
a, it is supplied uniformly over substantially the entire area in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 102a, thereby preventing image defects from occurring.

Further, the developer in the storage device 2 is configured to be supplied to the developing device 102 through the connecting portion 2a by the operation of the shutter roller 8 as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the screw in the bottle 1 is 80 rpm, the rotation speed of the leveling means in the storage device 2 is 60 rpm, and the rotation speed of the shutter roller 8 is 8 rpm.

At this time, the amount of toner supplied from the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 is 80 g / min.
The toner supply amount to 2a is 50 g / min.

Next, control of toner supply from the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 and control of toner supply from the storage device 2 to the developing container 102a will be described.

In this embodiment, during the copying operation, when the developer detecting means 7a shown in FIG. 3 does not detect the toner for 0.5 second, the supply of the toner from the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 is started. Then, when the developer detecting means 7a detects the toner for 0.5 seconds, the supply of the toner from the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 is terminated.

Similarly, during the copying operation, the developer detecting means 7
b, the toner supply from the storage device 2 to the developing container 102a is started when the toner is not detected for 0.5 seconds, and when the developer detecting unit 7b detects the toner for 0.5 seconds,
The supply of the toner from the storage device 2 to the developing container 102a is terminated.

In the image forming apparatus having such a configuration,
As a result of continuing to take 100,000 images at a rate of 80 sheets per minute, a relatively large amount of toner consumption of 0.4 g per A4 size sheet was obtained.
During the copying operation, the developing container 1 is always replenished with toner uniformly in the longitudinal direction without emptying the toner in the storage device 2 on the way, and the image density becomes uneven in the longitudinal direction. There was no problem such as becoming.

Since the storage device 2 did not become empty,
During the copying operation, there was no time loss such that copying was impossible due to a shortage of toner in the developing container 102a.

According to the present embodiment, the amount of toner supplied from the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 per unit time is larger than the amount of toner supplied from the storage device 2 to the developing container 102a per unit time. In addition, the conveying means 4 supplies the toner in the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 through the connecting portion 1a based on the outputs of the developer detecting devices 7a and 7b, and the developer leveling device 5 controls the toner in the storage device 2 Is supplied into the developing container 102a through the connecting portion 2a while stirring the toner, so that the toner can be supplied to the developing container 102a without disturbing the image, and the time during which the image forming operation cannot be performed. In addition, the time required for supplying the developer to the developing container 102a when the apparatus is installed can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

In the present embodiment, the position of the developer outlet of the bottle 1 may be anywhere in the longitudinal direction of the storage device 2 and depends on the bottle shape and the like, but as shown in FIG. Even in the center, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, the position of the developer outlet can be freely designed in consideration of other components of the copying apparatus.

In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a transporting means 4 ′ capable of transporting the developer to the center of the bottle 1 may be used.

In the present embodiment, the case where the toner installation mode is performed in the bottle and the storage device having the above-described configuration will be described.

The toner setting mode is a mode in which a certain amount of toner is supplied from a bottle to an empty developing container and a storage device in order to start using the copying apparatus first, thereby enabling a copying operation. is there. Therefore, since this mode is a mode for starting to use the copying apparatus, it is preferable that the mode be ended as soon as possible.

In the present embodiment, the screw in the bottle, the rotation speed of the leveling means in the storage device, the rotation speed of the shutter roller, the amount of toner supply from the bottle to the storage device, and the toner supply from the storage device to the developing container The amount is the same as in the first embodiment.

Next, the toner supply control in the toner setting mode in the present embodiment will be described.

In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, first, the toner setting mode is started, and the developer
When the toner is not detected for one second, the storage device 2
Is started, and at the same time, the leveling means 5 in the storage device 2 is rotated to level the toner in the storage device 2 in the longitudinal direction.

Next, when the developer detecting means 7a detects the toner for 0.5 seconds, the shutter roller 8 is rotated to start toner supply to the developing container 102. At this time,
A toner conveying means (not shown) provided in the developing container 102a conveys the toner supplied in the developing container 102a toward the developing sleeve 102.

While the toner in the storage device 2 is naturally reduced while the toner is being supplied from the storage device 2 to the developing container 102a, the toner is stored in the storage device 2 from the bottle 1 based on the presence or absence of the toner detection signal from the developer detection means 7a. The toner is supplied as appropriate.

When both developer detecting means 7a and 7b detect the state of being present for 0.5 second or longer, the developing container 102
It is considered that a certain amount of toner has been supplied to the storage device 2 and the storage device 2, and the toner installation mode ends.

As described above, when the toner installation mode is performed using the configuration of the present embodiment, the toner in the storage device 2 is emptied halfway, and
The toner supply to the developer container 2a can be performed without any time loss such that the toner supply to the developer container 2a is interrupted, and the toner in the developing container 102a is evenly distributed in the longitudinal direction when the installation mode ends.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the amount of toner supplied from the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 per unit time is larger than the amount of toner supplied from the storage device 2 to the developing container 102a per unit time. In addition, the transporting unit 4 ′ supplies the toner in the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 through the connection unit 1 a based on the outputs of the developer detecting units 7 a and 7 b,
Since the developer leveling means 5 supplies the toner in the storage device 2 to the developing container 102a through the connecting portion 2a while stirring, the toner is supplied to the developing container 102a without disturbing the image. In addition, it is possible to reduce a time loss in which an image forming operation is not possible, and to further reduce a time required for supplying the developer to the developing container 102a when the apparatus is installed.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, two developer detecting means are provided in the storage device in the vertical direction (in the direction of increase and decrease of toner). Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

In a system provided with only one developer detecting means, the role of detecting whether or not the toner is evenly distributed in the storage device in the longitudinal direction, and the amount of the toner in the storage device is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. It also has the role of detecting whether or not it is. Therefore, if the developer detecting means is provided only below the storage device, it is immediately detected that the toner has been evenly distributed. Therefore, when the toner installation mode is performed, the toner is transferred from the storage device to the developing container. Replenishment is started immediately, which leads to shortening of the toner setting mode. However, at the same time when the toner is evenly distributed, it is also detected that the amount of toner in the storage device is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. The toner in the storage device can be considered as a spare toner when the toner in the bottle runs out. The fact that the amount of toner in the storage device is small means that if the toner in the bottle runs out, copying cannot be performed immediately, which is very inconvenient.

On the other hand, if the developer detecting means is provided only above the storage device, the amount of toner in the storage device increases, but it is difficult to detect that the toner is evenly distributed in the storage device. Therefore, even in the installation mode, the supply of toner from the storage device to the developing container is delayed.

Therefore, in this embodiment, two developer detecting means are provided above and below the storage device, and the lower developer detecting device detects that the toner is evenly distributed in the storage device, and The developer detecting means detects that the amount of toner in the storage device has exceeded a predetermined amount.

Actually, when the toner installation mode is performed in the apparatus according to the present embodiment, the operation is completed in a short time, and more toner can be put into the storage device.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the amount of toner supplied from the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 per unit time is larger than the amount of toner supplied from the storage device 2 to the developing container 102a per unit time. In addition, the conveying means 4 supplies the toner in the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 through the connecting portion 1a based on the outputs of the developer detecting devices 7a and 7b, and the developer leveling device 5 controls the toner in the storage device 2 Is supplied into the developing container 102a through the connecting portion 2a while stirring the toner, so that the toner can be supplied to the developing container 102a without disturbing the image, and the time during which the image forming operation cannot be performed. In addition, the time required for supplying the developer to the developing container 102a when the apparatus is installed can be reduced.

[0105]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the supply amount of the developer per unit time from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit is reduced. The conveying means transfers the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage section based on the output of the developer detecting means so that the amount of developer supplied to the developer container per unit time becomes larger than Since the developer is supplied through the communicating portion and the developer leveling means supplies the developer in the developer reservoir through the second communicating portion while stirring the developer in the developer storage portion, the image is not hindered. The developer can be supplied to the developing container,
It is possible to reduce the time loss in which the image forming operation is not possible, and to further reduce the time required for supplying the developer to the developing container when the apparatus is installed.

According to the second invention of the present application,
The conveying means is provided so that the supply amount of the developer per unit time from the developer supply container to the developer storage unit is larger than the supply amount of the developer per unit time from the developer storage unit to the developer container. Based on the output of the developer detecting means, the developer in the developer replenishing container is supplied to the developer storing section through the first communication section, and the developer leveling means agitates the developer in the developer storing section. Since the developer is supplied into the developing container through the two communicating portions, the developer can be supplied to the developing container without disturbing the image, and the time loss in which the image forming operation becomes impossible is reduced. Further, it is possible to shorten the time required for supplying the developer to the developing container when the apparatus is installed.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the supply amount of the developer per unit time from the developer replenishment container to the developer storage unit can be reduced per unit time from the developer storage unit to the developer container. The transporting means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit based on the output of the developer detecting means so that the developer supply amount becomes larger than the developer supply amount. Since the agent leveling means supplies the developer in the developer container through the second communication part while stirring the developer in the developer storage part, without hindering the image,
The developer can be supplied to the developing container, the time loss during which the image forming operation is not possible can be reduced, and the time required for supplying the developer to the developing container when the apparatus is installed can be shortened.

According to the fourth invention of the present application,
The conveying means is provided so that the supply amount of the developer per unit time from the developer supply container to the developer storage unit is larger than the supply amount of the developer per unit time from the developer storage unit to the developer container. Based on the output of the developer detecting means, the developer in the developer replenishing container is supplied to the developer storing section through the first communication section, and the developer leveling means agitates the developer in the developer storing section. Since the developer is supplied into the developing container through the two communicating portions, the developer can be supplied to the developing container without disturbing the image, and the time loss in which the image forming operation becomes impossible is reduced. Further, it is possible to shorten the time required for supplying the developer to the developing container when the apparatus is installed.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit per unit time can be reduced per unit time from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The transporting means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit based on the output of the developer detecting means so that the developer supply amount becomes larger than the developer supply amount. Since the agent leveling means supplies the developer in the developer container through the second communication part while stirring the developer in the developer storage part, without hindering the image,
The developer can be supplied to the developing container, the time loss during which the image forming operation is not possible can be reduced, and the time required for supplying the developer to the developing container when the apparatus is installed can be shortened.

According to the sixth invention of the present application,
The conveying means is provided so that the supply amount of the developer per unit time from the developer supply container to the developer storage unit is larger than the supply amount of the developer per unit time from the developer storage unit to the developer container. Based on the output of the developer detecting means, the developer in the developer replenishing container is supplied to the developer storing section through the first communication section, and the developer leveling means agitates the developer in the developer storing section. Since the developer is supplied into the developing container through the two communicating portions, the developer can be supplied to the developing container without disturbing the image, and the time loss in which the image forming operation becomes impossible is reduced. Further, it is possible to shorten the time required for supplying the developer to the developing container when the apparatus is installed.

Further, according to the seventh invention of the present application, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit per unit time can be reduced per unit time from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The transporting means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit based on the output of the developer detecting means so that the developer supply amount becomes larger than the developer supply amount. Since the agent leveling means supplies the developer in the developer container through the second communication part while stirring the developer in the developer storage part, without hindering the image,
The developer can be supplied to the developing container, the time loss during which the image forming operation is not possible can be reduced, and the time required for supplying the developer to the developing container when the apparatus is installed can be shortened.

According to the eighth invention of the present application,
The conveying means is provided so that the supply amount of the developer per unit time from the developer supply container to the developer storage unit is larger than the supply amount of the developer per unit time from the developer storage unit to the developer container. Based on the output of the developer detecting means, the developer in the developer replenishing container is supplied to the developer storing section through the first communication section, and the developer leveling means agitates the developer in the developer storing section. Since the developer is supplied into the developing container through the two communicating portions, the developer can be supplied to the developing container without disturbing the image, and the time loss in which the image forming operation becomes impossible is reduced. Further, it is possible to shorten the time required for supplying the developer to the developing container when the apparatus is installed.

Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishment container to the developer storage unit per unit time can be reduced per unit time from the developer storage unit to the developer container. The transporting means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit based on the output of the developer detecting means so that the developer supply amount becomes larger than the developer supply amount. Since the agent leveling means supplies the developer in the developer container through the second communication part while stirring the developer in the developer storage part, without hindering the image,
The developer can be supplied to the developing container, the time loss during which the image forming operation is not possible can be reduced, and the time required for supplying the developer to the developing container when the apparatus is installed can be shortened.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention,
The conveying means is provided so that the supply amount of the developer per unit time from the developer supply container to the developer storage unit is larger than the supply amount of the developer per unit time from the developer storage unit to the developer container. Based on the output of the developer detecting means, the developer in the developer replenishing container is supplied to the developer storing section through the first communication section, and the developer leveling means agitates the developer in the developer storing section. Since the developer is supplied into the developing container through the two communicating portions, the developer can be supplied to the developing container without disturbing the image, and the time loss in which the image forming operation becomes impossible is reduced. Further, it is possible to shorten the time required for supplying the developer to the developing container when the apparatus is installed.

Further, according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit per unit time can be reduced by the unit time from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The conveying means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit so as to be larger than the developer supply amount per unit, based on the output of the developer detecting unit, Since the developer leveling unit is configured to supply the developer in the developer container through the second communication unit while stirring the developer in the developer storage unit, without hindering the image.
The developer can be supplied to the developing container, the time loss during which the image forming operation is not possible can be reduced, and the time required for supplying the developer to the developing container when the apparatus is installed can be shortened.

Further, according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit per unit time is equal to the unit time from the developer storage unit to the developing container. The conveying means supplies the developer in the developer replenishing container to the developer storage unit through the first communication unit so as to be larger than the developer supply amount per unit, based on the output of the developer detecting unit, Since the developer leveling unit is configured to supply the developer in the developer container through the second communication unit while stirring the developer in the developer storage unit, without hindering the image.
The developer can be supplied to the developing container, the time loss during which the image forming operation is not possible can be reduced, and the time required for supplying the developer to the developing container when the apparatus is installed can be shortened.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a developer supply device and a developing device provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the developer supply device and the developing device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developer leveling unit provided in the developer supply device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a state when the developer is supplied by the developer supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a developer supply device and a developing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a developer supply device and a developing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a developer supply device and a development device provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a developer supply device and a developing device provided in another conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a developer supply device and a developing device provided in a conventionally proposed image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 102 developing device 112 developer supply device 5 leveling means (developer leveling means) 102b developing sleeve (developer carrier) 101 photoconductor (latent image carrier) 102a developing container 2 developer storage device (developer storage unit) 1) Bottle (developer replenishing container) 1a Connection port (first communication part) 2a Connection port (second communication part) 5a Oval plate (plate-like member) 5b Shaft (shaft) 4 Transport means S Transfer material (Recording medium) 7a, 7b Developer detecting means

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A developer supply device for supplying a developer to a developer container containing a developer carried on a rotatable developer carrier, wherein the developer contains a developer supplied to the developer container. A developer supply unit including a developer storage unit and a developer supply container detachably provided in the developer storage unit and containing a developer to be supplied to the developer storage unit; And a first communicating portion for supplying the developer in the axial direction of the developer carrier with the developer reservoir and the developer container, and the developer in the developer reservoir is evenly distributed in the axial direction. A developer leveling means for communicating the developer replenishing container and the developer storing part for supplying the developer from the developer replenishing container to the developer storing part in one region in the axial direction with respect to the developer storing part; Developer detection that detects the amount of developer in the communication section and developer storage section Means for transporting the developer in the developer replenishing container to the second communication portion, the unit being driven based on the output of the developer detecting device, and a unit time from the developer replenishing container to the developer storing portion. Wherein the developer supply amount per unit is set to be larger than the developer supply amount per unit time from the developer storage unit to the developing container. 2. The developer leveling means includes a shaft that rotates around an axis, and a plurality of plate members having a surface that intersects the shaft at an inclined angle. 2. The developer supply device according to claim 1, wherein an opening is formed around the periphery. 3. The developer supply device according to claim 2, wherein the plate-shaped member has an elliptical or substantially elliptical surface. 4. The developer supply according to claim 1, wherein two developer detection means are provided in the developer storage section in the developer increasing / decreasing direction. apparatus. 5. A developing device for forming a latent image into a visible image by disposing a developer carrier on a latent image carrier for carrying a latent image and applying a developer to the latent image carrier. A developing device comprising a developer supply device. 6. The developer leveling means has a shaft rotating around an axis, and a plurality of plate members having a surface intersecting the shaft at an angle. The developing device according to claim 5, wherein an opening is formed around the periphery. 7. The developing device according to claim 6, wherein the plate-like member has an elliptical or substantially elliptical surface. 8. The developing device according to claim 5, wherein two developer detecting means are provided in the developer storage section in the developer increasing / decreasing direction. 9. An image forming apparatus for forming a latent image into a visible image by applying a developer to a latent image carrier that carries the latent image, and then recording the visible image on a recording medium,
An image forming apparatus comprising the development supply device according to claim 1. 10. The developer leveling means has a shaft rotating around an axis, and a plurality of plate-like members having surfaces intersecting the shaft at an oblique angle. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein an opening is formed around the periphery. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the plate-shaped member has an elliptical or substantially elliptical surface. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein two developer detecting units are provided in the developer storage section in the developer increasing / decreasing direction. .