JP2000194183A - Toner supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent toner concentration from getting high in a developing unit because of the defective circulation of the toner in facsimile equipment or the like having a cleaner toner magazine(CTM). SOLUTION: This toner supply device is constituted so that the toner of the CTM 3 is delivered from a delivery opening 54a, carried to the vicinity of a recovery opening 54b by a carrying spring 62 while being stirred by a paddle 61 in the developing unit 2 and recovered through the opening 54b by a magnet roller 51. Then, the toner in the CTM 3 is carried to the opening 54a from the opening 54b by rotating a spring 55 by the rotation of a shaft 58. Thus, since the toner is not heaped at the opening 54b, the circulation thereof becomes excellent and the toner concentration in the unit 2 is prevented from getting high.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image output apparatus having a cleaner toner magazine (CTM) for an image output apparatus using an electrophotographic process, such as a facsimile, a printer, and a copying machine, and a toner replenishing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some conventional image output apparatuses using an electrophotographic process, such as printers and copiers, have a cleaner toner magazine (CTM) (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-11610). FIG. 8 shows the overall configuration of a FAX having a CTM. When sending by this FAX,
The document is placed on the document table 33 and a start button (not shown) is pressed. Then, the original is sent by the transport roller 34,
The original contacts the contact glass 31. At this time, light is emitted from the optical scanning device 10 and irradiates the original through the mirror 32. Therefore, the original is read and transmission becomes possible.

When receiving by FAX, the received data is printed on paper. The procedure is as follows. The paper 12 is loaded on the paper feed cassette 22.
The paper 12 is lifted by the bottom plate 23. Bottom plate 2
3 is lifted by a spring 14. Paper 1
2 is conveyed to the photosensitive drum 1 by the paper feed roller 24.
At this time, the paper 12 is separated by the claw 20 and transported one by one. An electrostatic latent image of the received data is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 by exposure. The developing unit 2 is supplied with toner from a cleaner toner magazine 3. Then, the toner is rubbed against the photosensitive drum 1 from the developing device 2, and the toner image is developed. The toner image is rubbed on the sheet 12 by the photosensitive drum 1. The paper 12 to which the toner image has been rubbed is sent to the fixing device 8, and the toner is fixed on the paper 12.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of the photosensitive drum 1, the developing unit 2, and the cleaner toner magazine 3. To supply toner to the developing device 2 from the cleaner toner magazine 3, first, the toner inside the toner case 52 is scraped by the scraper 5.
Raise by 0. The scraped-up toner is attracted to the magnet roller 51 having magnetic force. The mag roller 51 rotates and sends the toner to the opening 54. The toner drops from the opening 54 and is supplied to the developing device 2. The toner is stirred by the paddle 61. As described above, since the toner is continuously fed from the toner case 52 to the developing device 2, there are problems that the toner overflows from the developing device 2 and that the toner density (density) is not kept constant. .

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the photosensitive drum 1, the developing device 2, and the cleaner toner magazine 3. In order to cope with the above problem, the following toner circulation system is employed. The toner is fed into the developing device 2 from the delivery openings 54a at both left and right ends of the toner case 52. The fed toner is stirred by the paddle 61, and the paddle 61
The toner is collected near the center of the toner case 52 by a transport spring 62 attached to the toner case 52. Mag roller 51,
The toner is collected from the collection opening 54b at the center.

[0006]

Here, the conveyance of the toner in the toner case 52 is agitation by rotation of the scraper 50 parallel to the mag roller 51 at a constant speed. Therefore, the toner is agitated in the S direction in FIG. However, the toner is not agitated in the L direction of FIG. 12, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the mag roller.
Therefore, the amount of toner collected in the cleaner toner magazine is
At the initial stage immediately after the replacement of the cleaner toner magazine, for example, at 3 to 7 g / sec, the toner transport amount in the toner case 52 to the left and right in the toner case 52 is insufficient.
The toner accumulates in the collection opening 54b in the second container 2. Then, the toner is not collected because the toner density increases. As a result, the toner density in the developing device 2 increases, and image defects such as black streak background stains occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to prevent an increase in toner density in a developing device due to defective toner circulation.

[0008]

A toner case having a built-in toner and having a delivery opening for delivering the toner and a collection opening for collecting the toner, and a toner delivery means for delivering the toner inside the toner case to the delivery opening. A toner concentrating unit that conveys the toner sent from the sending opening to the vicinity of the collecting opening, a toner collecting unit that collects the toner conveyed near the collecting opening to the toner case through the collecting opening, In the toner replenishing apparatus provided with (1), first toner uniforming means for transporting the toner from the collection opening to the delivery opening is provided in the toner case.

The toner is stirred in the toner case by the first toner uniforming means (toner is sent from the collection opening to the delivery opening), so that the toner does not accumulate in the collection opening, so that the toner is circulated. This improves the toner density. The first toner uniforming means may include either a screw or an auger spring. Since the screw or the like is helical, the toner is transported in the direction in which the screw or the like advances, and the toner is agitated.

The toner delivery means includes a scraper which rotates in the toner case and agitates the toner, and a magnet roller which adsorbs the toner agitated by the scraper and is long in one direction and rotates about one direction as a rotation axis, The toner collecting unit may include a mag roller, and may include a second toner uniforming unit that conveys the toner from the collecting opening to the delivery opening while scraping the toner from the mag roller.

By the second toner uniforming means, the circulation of the toner is further improved and the increase in the toner density can be prevented.
The second toner uniformizing means is a thin film component that contacts the surface of the mag roller and is provided obliquely to one direction, or is provided obliquely to one direction with a gap between the surface of the mag roller. May be used.

[0012] The mag roller may be screw-shaped. Since the screw is in a screw shape, when the mag roller rotates, the toner advances in the direction in which the screw advances, and the toner is stirred in one direction in which the mag roller extends. Further, the mag roller may have a magnetized portion that has a magnetic force and attracts toner, and the magnetized portion may have a spiral shape. Since the toner has a spiral shape, when the mag roller rotates, the toner advances in the direction in which the spiral advances, and the toner is stirred in one direction in which the mag roller extends, thereby improving the circulation of the toner.

[0013] The toner delivery means may be provided with a scraper having a screw-shaped stirring surface or a stirring surface oblique to the rotation axis, which rotates in the toner case to stir the toner. However, the rotation axis here is the rotation axis of the scraper. The toner is also agitated in the direction of the rotation axis of the scraper by the agitating surface of the scraper, and the circulation of the toner is improved.

The scraper may have a parallel stirring surface parallel to the rotation axis. However, the rotation axis here is the rotation axis of the scraper. In order to prevent the toner from being sent out too much in the direction of the rotation axis of the scraper, a parallel stirring surface is mixed. An operation detecting means for detecting the number of operating sheets or the operating time of the toner replenishing apparatus; And may be provided.

By changing the direction of rotation of the scraper at a certain timing, a further stirring effect can be achieved. That is, the rotation direction of the scraper is changed so that the toner is not excessively conveyed to the delivery opening or the collection opening.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toner supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The side view is substantially the same as that of the prior art, so that the illustration is omitted. The toner scraped up by the scraper 50 in the toner case 52 is supplied to the developing device 2 by the mag roller 51 via the delivery openings 54a at both right and left ends. Developing device 2
The toner supplied to the transfer pad 6 attached to the paddle 61 is stirred while the toner supplied to the paddle 61 rotates.
2 collects near the collection opening 54b in the center. Therefore, the mag roller 5 is connected through the collection opening 54b.
1 attracts the toner, and the toner is collected and circulated in the toner case 52. Here, the scraper 50 and the mag roller 51 serve as toner sending means, the transport spring 62 serves as a toner concentration means, and the mag roller 51 serves as a toner collecting means.

At this time, the toner in the vicinity of the collecting opening 54b attracted to the mag roller 51 is scraped by the collecting scraper 56 and adheres to the spirally formed spring 55. A shaft 58 is inserted into the spring 55 and the shaft 5
8 is also the shaft of the gear 57. When the gear 57 rotates, the shaft 58 also rotates. Therefore, the spring 55 also rotates around the longitudinal direction. When the spring 55 rotates around its longitudinal direction, the toner adhering to the spring 55 is removed because the spring 55 is formed in a spiral shape.
The spring 55 moves in the longitudinal direction. Then, the toner in the vicinity of the collection opening 54b moves to the vicinity of the delivery opening 54a. Note that, instead of the spring 55, an auger spring or a screw may be used. The spiral of the spring 55 (or the auger spring or screw) may be reversed near the center. Here, the spring 5
5, the gear 57 and the shaft 58 correspond to first toner uniforming means.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the spring 55 prevents the toner from accumulating in the collection opening 54b, improves the circulation of the toner, and prevents the toner density of the developing device 2 from increasing. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the toner supply device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the shape of the recovery scraper 56 is different from that of the first embodiment. The contact portions 56a and 56b where the collection scraper 56 contacts the mag roller 51 are
And the direction does not coincide with the longitudinal direction L. Then, with the rotation of the mag roller 51, the toner 70 attached to the mag roller 51 becomes contact portions 56 a, 5
6b moves in the a and b directions along the contact portions 56a and 56b. Here, the recovery scraper 56 is desirably a thin film component such as a film. Further, the contact portion 56
a and 56b correspond to a second toner uniforming means.

The movement of the toner in the directions a and b corresponds to the movement of the toner in the vicinity of the collection opening 54b to the vicinity of the delivery opening 54a. Further, the circulation of the toner is improved, and an increase in the toner density can be prevented. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a toner supply device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a rib 59 is provided. The rib 59 is provided on the upper surface of the toner case 52. Slight gaps 59 a, 59 between the rib 59 and the mag roller 51.
There is b. The gaps 59a and 59b are oblique to the longitudinal direction L of the mag roller 51, and do not coincide with the longitudinal direction L. Then, as the mag roller 51 rotates, the toner 70 attached to the mag roller 51 moves in the a and b directions along the gaps 59a and 59b by the gaps 59a and 59b. Here, the gaps 59a and 59b correspond to a second toner uniforming unit.

Since the movement of the toner in the directions a and b corresponds to the movement of the toner near the collection opening 54b to the vicinity of the delivery opening 54a, the toner is agitated, and compared with the first embodiment. Further, the circulation of the toner is improved, and an increase in the toner density can be prevented. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of a toner supply device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the shape of the mag roller 51 is different from that of the first embodiment. Mag roller 51,
It is formed in a spiral shape, so to speak, a screw shape.
Moreover, the helical windings of the portions 51a and 51b of the mag roller are reversed. Therefore, the toner adhering to the mag roller portion 51a moves in the longitudinal direction a of the mag roller 51, and the toner adhering to the mag roller portion 51b moves in the direction b opposite to the a direction. Thereby, the collection opening 54b
Since the toner in the vicinity moves to the vicinity of the delivery opening 54a, the toner is agitated, the toner circulation is further improved as compared with the first embodiment, and the increase in the toner density can be prevented. In the mag roller 51, the spiral may be wound in the same manner.

The fifth embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the mag roller 51 has a magnetized portion that has a magnetic force and attracts toner, and the magnetized portion has a spiral shape. . Since the toner adheres along the spiral, the toner is transported with the rotation of the mag roller 51, and the circulation of the toner is further improved as compared with the first embodiment, so that an increase in the toner density can be prevented.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of a toner replenishing device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the sixth embodiment, the shape of the scraper 50 is different from that of the first embodiment. The scraper 50 has stirring surfaces 50a and 50b and a parallel stirring surface 50c. The stirring surfaces 50a and 50b are inclined with respect to the rotation axis 50d of the scraper 50. The parallel stirring surface 50c is parallel to the rotation axis 50d. When the scraper 50 rotates around the rotation axis 50d, the stirring surfaces 50a and 50b and the parallel stirring surface 50c stir the toner inside the toner case 52. Stir surface 50a, 5
0b is oblique to the rotation axis 50d,
The toner 70 agitated by the a and 50b is
It moves in a and b directions along a and 50b. The parallel stirring surface 50c is parallel to the rotation shaft 50d, and the toner stirred by the parallel stirring surface 50c does not move in the direction in which the rotation shaft 50d extends.

According to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, since the toner agitated by the agitating surfaces 50a and 50b moves in the directions a and b, the toner near the collection opening 54b is moved near the delivery opening 54a. Therefore, the toner is agitated, the toner circulation is further improved as compared with the first embodiment, and the increase in the toner density can be prevented.
In addition, since the toner agitated by the parallel agitating surface 50c does not move in the direction in which the rotating shaft 50d extends, the amount of the toner in the vicinity of the collection opening 54b moving to the vicinity of the delivery opening 54a is not too large, and is appropriate. Amount. Therefore, proper toner circulation can be achieved.

FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of a toner supply device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the seventh embodiment, the shape of the scraper 50 is different from that of the first embodiment. The scraper 50 has a screw-shaped stirring surface 5.
0e and 50f. Screw-shaped stirring surface 50e,
50f differs in the manner of winding the spiral. Scraper 50
Is rotated around the rotation axis 50d, the screw-shaped stirring surfaces 50e and 50f stir the toner inside the toner case 52. The screw-like stirring surfaces 50e and 50f are helical, and the toner 70 to be stirred moves in the a direction in which the rotating shaft 50d extends, and in the b direction opposite to the a direction.

According to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the toner agitated by the screw-shaped agitating surfaces 50e and 50f moves in the a and b directions, so that the toner near the collection opening 54b is sent out. Since the toner is moved to the vicinity of the portion 54a, the toner is agitated, the circulation of the toner is further improved as compared with the first embodiment, and an increase in the toner density can be prevented.

It should be noted that in the seventh embodiment, the sixth
As in the embodiment, a parallel stirring surface 50c parallel to the rotation axis 50d may be provided. The amount of the toner in the vicinity of the collection opening 54b moving to the vicinity of the delivery opening 54a is not too large, becomes an appropriate amount, and a proper toner circulation can be achieved. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system of the toner supply device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. The eighth embodiment relates to a control system of the toner supply device according to the sixth and seventh embodiments. The CPU 80 controls the entire control system of the toner supply device. Operation sensor 81
Detects the operating time or the number of operating sheets of the cleaner toner magazine 3, that is, the number of sheets printed by the cleaner toner magazine 3. The operation sensor 81 detects, for example, the time during which the power of the main motor 84 that drives the cleaner toner magazine 3 is on, or detects the leading end or the trailing end of the sheet passing through the photosensitive drum 1. It is something. The working number calculation section 82 calculates the working number and the operating time from the signal sent from the operation sensor 81. The scraper rotation changing unit 83 reverses the direction of rotation of the main motor 84 or changes the number of rotations when the operating number or the operating time calculated by the operating number calculation unit 82 reaches a certain numerical value. If the direction of rotation of the main motor 84 is reversed or the number of rotations changes, the scraper 50
The direction of rotation is reversed or the number of rotations changes. Here, the operation sensor 81 corresponds to an operation detecting unit, and the scraper rotation changing unit 83 corresponds to a scraper rotation changing unit.

According to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, the toner is well-balanced by changing the rotation direction of the scraper 50 at a certain timing, so that a further stirring effect can be achieved.

[0028]

According to the present invention, the toner is stirred in the toner case by the first toner uniforming means (toner is sent from the collection opening to the delivery opening). Since the toner does not accumulate, the circulation of the toner is improved, and an increase in the toner density can be prevented. Also,
By the second toner uniforming means, the circulation of the toner is further improved, and an increase in the toner density can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of a toner supply device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a toner supply device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of a toner supply device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of a toner supply device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of a toner supply device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system of a toner supply device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8: F with prior art cleaner toner magazine
It is a side view which shows the whole structure of AX.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of a conventional photosensitive drum 1, a developing device 2, and a cleaner toner magazine 3.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a conventional photosensitive drum 1, a developing device 2, and a cleaner toner magazine 3.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Developing device 3 Cleaner toner magazine 50 Scraper 50a, 50b Stir surface 50c Parallel stirring surface 50d Rotary shaft 50e, 50f Screw-shaped stirring surface 51 Mag rollers 51a, 51b Mag roller portion 52 Toner case 54a Delivery opening 54b Collection opening 55 Spring 56 Collection scraper 56a, 56b Contact portion 57 Gear 58 Shaft 59 Rib 59a, 59b Clearance 61 Paddle 62 Transport spring 70 Toner 80 CPU 81 Operating sensor 82 Operating number etc. calculating unit 83 Scraper rotation changing unit 84 Main motor

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A toner case which contains a toner and has a delivery opening for delivering the toner and a collection opening for collecting the toner, and a toner delivery means for delivering the toner inside the toner case to the delivery opening. A toner concentrating unit that conveys the toner sent from the sending opening to the vicinity of the collecting opening; and collects the toner conveyed near the collecting opening to the toner case through the collecting opening. And a first toner uniforming means for transporting the toner from the recovery opening to the delivery opening in the toner case. Replenishment device. 2. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein said first toner uniforming means includes one of a screw and an auger spring. 3. A scraper which rotates in the toner case and agitates the toner, wherein the toner delivery means adsorbs the toner agitated by the scraper,
The toner collecting means includes the mag roller, which is long in one direction and rotates about the one direction as a rotation axis, and conveys the toner from the collection opening to the delivery opening while scraping the toner from the mag roller. 2. The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, further comprising a second toner uniforming unit that performs the operation. 4. The second toner equalizing means is a thin-film component contacting the surface of the mag roller and is provided obliquely with respect to the one direction, or has a gap between itself and the surface of the mag roller. The toner supply device according to claim 3, wherein the toner supply device is provided obliquely with respect to the one direction. 5. The toner supply device according to claim 3, wherein said mag roller is screw-shaped. 6. The toner replenishing device according to claim 3, wherein the mag roller has a magnetized portion having a magnetic force and attracting the toner, and the magnetized portion has a spiral shape. 7. The toner delivery means includes a scraper which rotates in the toner case and stirs the toner, and has a screw-shaped stirring surface or a stirring surface oblique to a rotation axis. Claim 1
3. The toner supply device according to 1. 8. The toner replenishing device according to claim 7, wherein said scraper has a parallel stirring surface parallel to a rotation axis. 9. An operation detecting means for detecting an operation number or an operation time of the toner replenishing device, and reversing a rotation direction of the scraper when the operation number or the operation time reaches a predetermined value. The toner replenishing device according to claim 7, further comprising: a scraper rotation changing unit configured to change the rotation of the toner supply device.