JP2001066869A - Toner supply device and image forming device provided therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a device excellent in attaching/detaching operability and the exchangeability of toner container, automatically and accurately detecting the existence of toner in plural toner containers in advance at a low cost with hardly causing trouble, so that the carrying of toner is not interrupted, preventing the toner from scattering at the time of exchanging toner container and saving resources. SOLUTION: This toner supply device is constituted of a toner container insertion part 2 for inserting plural toner containers 1, a toner existence detection means 5 in a toner accumulating and storing part 4 for detecting the existence of the toner T accumulated in the storing part 4 by driving the container 1 by a toner container driving means 3, a mixture carrying means 6 forcibly carrying the accumulated toner T, and a cover opening/closing means 12 setting a replenishment state where the toner T is discharged from the container 1 for a specified time after driving the container 1 for the specified time in a state where the toner T is prevented from being discharged from the container 1 after forcibly carrying the toner T.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same, and more particularly, to a developing device which develops a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system to form a toner image. Supply device for supplying a toner from a position distant from the image forming apparatus and a toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system having the toner supply device from a position distant from a developing position to form an image The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of toner cartridges provided in a toner server provided adjacent to a toner tank of a developing device are rotated so as to be automatically converted a plurality of times, so that the toner cartridge can be automatically converted by an operator. A toner replenishing mechanism for reducing the replacement frequency is known (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-277083). There is also known a small developing device which supplies toner from a toner storing means provided separately from the developing device by using a mono pump to improve operability during maintenance (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-219329). See). A toner replenishing device that includes a toner cartridge storage portion into which two toner cartridges can be individually mounted, and replenishes toner to the developing device from one of the toner cartridges via a toner conveying pipe having two branch pipes and a main pipe. When the sensor detects that there is no toner passing near the sensor that measures the amount of toner passing through the toner conveying pipe, the agitator in the other toner cartridge is rotated to remove the toner in the other toner cartridge. It is also known to start to be carried out (JP-A-4-80779 or JP-A-8-13722).
No. 7, etc.). Further, it has been proposed by the inventor of the present invention that toner is conveyed to a developing device from a toner supply device having a plurality of toner containers separated from a developing position to form an image. However, in a conventional toner server or toner supply device having a plurality of toner cartridges of toner cartridges, the detachability and exchangeability of the toner containers are poor, and the toner ejection is delayed, so that the image forming operation is interrupted. In order to automatically detect the presence or absence of the toner in the toner container in advance, a plurality of detecting means are required, which not only increases the cost, but also when the toner container is frequently replaced, these detecting means are required. In addition to waste of resources due to reduced detection accuracy and frequent failures and toner scattering when replacing the toner container, etc., scattered toner adheres to the photoconductor etc. and the quality of the formed image Has also been incurred.

[0003]

The conventional toner server and toner supply device having the toner containers of the plurality of toner cartridges described above and the image forming apparatus having the same have poor operability and demountability of the toner container. In addition to delaying the discharge of the toner, the image forming operation is interrupted, and in order to automatically detect in advance the presence or absence of toner in a plurality of toner containers, a plurality of detection means are required, which not only increases the cost but also increases the cost. If the toner container is frequently replaced, the detection accuracy of these detecting means is reduced and failures frequently occur, and toner is scattered when the toner container is replaced, and the resources are simply wasted. The scattering toner adheres to the photoreceptor or the like, and the quality of the formed image is deteriorated. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve such a problem. That is, the operability of attaching / detaching and replacing the toner container is good, and the presence / absence of toner in a plurality of toner containers is automatically detected with low accuracy at low cost and with high accuracy in advance, without interrupting toner conveyance. The image forming operation is continued without interruption, and a resource-saving toner supply device for preventing the occurrence of toner scattering at the time of replacing the toner container and the like, and a high-quality image is continuously formed by using the same. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic system in which a latent image on an image carrier is visualized to form a toner image at a developing position. A toner supply device for supplying toner from a position away from the toner container, a toner container insertion portion into which at least two toner containers for storing and discharging toner are inserted, and the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion. A toner container driving unit that drives the toner for a predetermined time to discharge the toner, a toner accumulation container that accumulates and stores the toner ejected from the toner container that is driven by the toner container driving unit, and accumulates in the toner accumulation container. A toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation housing portion for detecting the presence / absence of the toner, and a toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation housing portion. An air / fuel mixture conveying means for forcibly conveying the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing as a gas mixture with a fluidizing gas until the absence of toner is detected when the presence of the toner accumulated in the accumulation housing is detected; A lid for driving the toner container driving means for a predetermined time in a state where the toner is prevented from being discharged from the toner container after forcible toner conveyance by the air-fuel mixture conveying means, and for setting the toner container to a replenishing state for discharging the toner from the toner container for a predetermined time. Opening / closing means for detecting the absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section by forcible toner conveyance by the air-fuel mixture conveyance means, and then causing the toner container driving means to discharge toner from the toner container. The toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container after being driven for a time. The detection of the presence or absence of performing a predetermined number of times, the most important being a toner supply device for detecting the presence or absence of the toner in the toner container. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply device according to the first aspect, two or more toner containers inserted into the toner container insertion portion are replenished toner containers in a replenishing state in which only one toner is replenished. The main feature of the present invention is that the other is a toner supply device including a standby toner container in a standby state for standby for toner supply or replacement. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply device according to the first or second aspect, the toner supply port of the toner container is prevented from being pulled out and the lid of the toner discharge port is opened. The main feature of the present invention is that the toner supply device has a lock means for canceling the removal of the toner and preventing the lid of the toner discharge port from being opened. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply device of the first, second or third aspect, the toner container driving unit drives the toner container for a predetermined time so as to discharge the toner from the replenished toner container in a replenished state. The main feature is that the toner supply device detects the absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container by the presence / absence detection means in the accumulation container and detects the end of the absence of toner in the supply toner container. I do.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply device of the first, second, third or fourth aspect, the toner container driving means is configured to discharge the toner from the replenished toner container in a replenished state for a predetermined time. After being driven, the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation / storage section detects the presence of the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation / accommodation section, and the toner supply device detects the presence of toner in the replenishment toner container. Main features. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply device according to the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect, the toner container set detection unit detects whether or not the toner container (1) is inserted in the toner container insertion portion. The main feature is that the toner supply device has means. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply device according to the sixth aspect, after the toner container set detecting means detects the presence of the toner container inserted in the toner container insertion portion, the toner container set detecting means detects the presence of the other toner container. At a predetermined time for detecting the presence or absence of toner,
The main feature of the present invention is that the toner supply device detects the presence or absence of toner in the toner container after displaying the proper state of the toner container with priority on a display unit. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply device according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh aspect, when the air-fuel mixture transporting means forcibly transports the toner, the toner container driving means is used. The main feature of the present invention is that the toner supply device stops the driving of discharging the toner from the toner container to the toner accumulation housing portion for a predetermined time. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply device according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the toner container driving means is driven for a predetermined time so as to discharge the toner from the toner container. The presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation housing after the number of times corresponding to the forced toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance means is performed. The main feature is that the toner supply device detects the presence or absence of the toner. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus which forms an image by supplying toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system from a position apart from a developing position. The toner supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a mixture transport path for transporting a mixture of toner and gas transported by the toner supply device, and a toner transport path configured to transport the mixture by the toner transport path. Is transported and supplied, an image carrier for carrying a toner image in which the electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developing device, and a toner image formed on the image carrier is transferred to a transfer-receiving member. The main feature of the present invention is that the image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit that performs the transfer.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same, wherein a toner container inserted into a toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner supply devices are inserted is driven by the toner container. Means for detecting the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing portion for accumulating and accommodating the toner to be ejected by driving by the means; Is detected, until the absence of toner is detected, the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is forcibly transported as a mixture with a gas for fluidizing the toner. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the toner container, the lid opening / closing means controls the toner container driving means to prevent the discharge of toner from the toner container. After driving for a predetermined time in the state, and then driving for a predetermined time so as to discharge the toner from the toner container, the presence or absence of the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner existence detecting means in the toner accumulation container. Is performed a predetermined number of times to detect the presence or absence of the toner in the toner container and supply the toner. Automatically in advance with less failure,
Shake the toner container up and down.Even if the toner loosening is insufficient, it is detected with high accuracy, the toner conveyance is performed without interruption, and the image forming operation continues without interruption. To provide a resource-saving toner supply device that prevents the occurrence of toner scattering. According to the second aspect, the toner which is driven by the toner container driving means and ejects the toner container inserted in the toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted,
When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing portion is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation housing portion which detects the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing portion which accumulates and accommodates the toner, until the absence of toner is detected After detecting the absence of the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container, by forcibly conveying the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container as a mixture with the gas for fluidizing the toner, and forcibly conveying the toner by the air-fuel mixture conveyance means. Driving the toner container driving means by the lid opening / closing means for a predetermined time in a state where the toner is not discharged from the toner container, and then driving the toner container driving means to discharge the toner from the toner container for a predetermined time; The presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected a predetermined number of times by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container. The two or more toner containers inserted into the toner container insertion portion while detecting the presence / absence of toner in the toner container are provided. The toner is supplied as a standby toner container that is in a standby state in which it waits for replenishment or replacement. If the toner container is insufficiently loosened when setting the toner container up and down automatically, it is detected with high accuracy without fail, and the toner conveyance is performed without interruption and the image forming operation is interrupted. It is possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply apparatus that prevents the occurrence of toner scattering when replacing a toner container.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner accumulation housing section for accumulating and accommodating toner which is driven by toner container driving means and ejects a toner container inserted into a toner container insertion section into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container detecting the presence or absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container, the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section by forcible toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance means for forcibly conveying the toner as an air-fuel mixture, the toner container driving means is detected by the lid opening / closing means. Is driven for a predetermined time in a state where discharge of toner from the toner container is stopped, and then the toner container After driving for a predetermined time so that the toner is discharged from the toner container, the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container for a predetermined number of times. The presence / absence of the toner container is detected and the locking means prevents the toner container from being pulled out of the toner container to open the lid of the toner discharge port. The opening and closing of the toner container is prevented so that the toner container can be easily attached / detached and exchanged. Even if the toner loosening during setting is insufficient, it is detected with high accuracy and the toner conveyance is performed without interruption, and the image forming operation is not interrupted. It continued, and it is to be able to provide a toner supply device further to resource saving to reliably prevent the occurrence of toner scattering at the time of replacement of the toner container. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a toner container inserted into a toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted is accumulated in a toner accumulation accommodating portion that accumulates and accommodates toner that is driven and ejected by a toner container driving unit. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container that detects the presence of toner, the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is fluidized until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container by the forced toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveying means for forcibly conveying the toner as an air-fuel mixture, the toner container driving means is moved to the toner container by the lid opening / closing means. The toner container is driven for a predetermined time in a state in which the discharge of the toner is stopped. After driving for a predetermined time so that the toner is discharged from the toner container, the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner storage container detects the absence of the toner accumulated in the toner storage container a predetermined number of times. The toner is supplied by detecting the absence of toner, and the detachability and exchangeability of the toner container are good. Prevention reduces the number of failures and automatically automatically shakes the toner container up and down. Even if the toner is not sufficiently loosened at the time of setting, it is detected with high accuracy and the toner conveyance is performed without interruption, and the image forming operation is interrupted. It is possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device that can continue without replacing the toner container and prevent the occurrence of toner scattering when replacing the toner container.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a toner container for accommodating and ejecting toner discharged by being driven by toner container driving means and having a toner container inserted in a toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation housing which detects the presence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing, the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section by forcible toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance means for forcibly conveying the toner as an air-fuel mixture, the toner container driving means is detected by the lid opening / closing means. Is driven for a predetermined time in a state where discharge of toner from the toner container is stopped, and then the toner container After driving for a predetermined time so that toner is discharged from the toner container in the replenished state, the presence or absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container for a predetermined number of times. By detecting the presence of toner in the toner container and supplying the toner, the operability of attaching and detaching the toner container and the exchangeability are good, and the presence / absence of toner in a plurality of toner containers can be performed at a low cost and the forced toner conveyance operation can be performed. Prevents over-operation, further reduces the number of failures, and automatically detects toner with high accuracy even if the toner container is not sufficiently loosened at the time of setting, so that toner conveyance is performed without interruption. It is possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device that continues the forming operation without interruption and prevents toner scattering when replacing a toner container. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted is driven by the toner container driving means to be discharged and accumulated in the toner accumulation housing portion for accumulating and storing the toner. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container that detects the presence of toner, the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is fluidized until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container by the forced toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveying means for forcibly conveying the toner as an air-fuel mixture, the toner container driving means is moved to the toner container by the lid opening / closing means. Is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the discharge of toner is
Then, the toner container driving unit is driven for a predetermined time so as to discharge the toner from the toner container, and then the presence or absence of the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing unit is detected by the toner presence / absence detection unit in the toner accumulation housing unit for a predetermined number of times. By detecting the presence or absence of toner in the toner container, the toner container insertion section has a toner container presence / absence detecting means so that toner is supplied, and the display section can display a more appropriate state of the toner container. The toner container has good operability in attaching and detaching and replacing the toner container, and the presence / absence of toner in a plurality of toner containers is low cost with little failure. Even if it is sufficient, it is detected with high accuracy, the toner conveyance is performed without interruption, the image forming operation continues without interruption, and the toner jumps when the toner container is replaced. It is to be able to provide a toner supply device resource saving to prevent occurrence.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner accumulation housing section for accumulating and storing toner which is driven by toner container driving means and which discharges a toner container inserted into a toner container insertion section into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container detecting the presence or absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container, the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section by forcible toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance means for forcibly conveying the toner as an air-fuel mixture, the toner container driving means is detected by the lid opening / closing means. Is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the discharge of the toner from the toner container is stopped, and then the toner container driving means is moved to the toner container. After driving for a predetermined time so that the toner is discharged from the toner container, the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container for a predetermined number of times. A predetermined time period for detecting the presence / absence of the toner container inserted in the toner container insertion portion and detecting the presence / absence of the toner container inserted in the toner container insertion portion, and then detecting the presence / absence of toner in another toner container. Then, after the proper state of the toner container is preferentially displayed on the display unit, the presence or absence of the toner in the toner container is detected to supply the toner. The state in which the message for exchanging the toner container is turned off is displayed with priority, so that a more appropriate status display is possible. The presence or absence of toner in the toner container is automatically detected in advance at low cost with little failure. Even if toner loosening is insufficient when setting the toner container up and down, it is detected with high accuracy and toner conveyance is interrupted. It is possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device which can be carried out without interruption, continues without interruption, and prevents occurrence of toner scattering when replacing a toner container. According to the present invention, the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted is driven by the toner container driving means to discharge and discharge the toner. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container that detects the presence of toner, the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is fluidized until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container by the forced toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveying means for forcibly conveying the toner as an air-fuel mixture, the toner container driving means is moved to the toner container by the lid opening / closing means. The toner container is driven for a predetermined time in a state where discharge of toner from the toner container is stopped. After driving for a predetermined time so as to cause ejection, the presence / absence of toner in the toner container is detected by detecting the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing by a predetermined number of times by the toner presence / absence detecting means in the toner accumulation housing. In addition, when the air-fuel mixture transporting unit forcibly transports the toner, the driving of the toner container driving unit to discharge the toner from the replenishment toner container of the toner container to the toner accumulation container is stopped for a predetermined time. The operation of the forced toner transfer operation is reduced at low cost and the operation time of the forced toner transport operation is reduced at low cost. In addition, even if toner loosening is insufficient when the toner container is shaken up and down, it is detected with high accuracy in a short time, and toner transfer is performed without interruption. Continued without image forming operation is interrupted, it is to be able to provide a toner supply device resource saving to prevent occurrence of toner scattering at the time of replacement of the toner container.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the toner accumulation accommodating portion for accumulating and accommodating the toner ejected by driving the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted by the toner container driving means. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container detecting the presence or absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container, the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section by forcible toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance means for forcibly conveying the toner as an air-fuel mixture, the toner container driving means is detected by the lid opening / closing means. Is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the discharge of the toner from the toner container is stopped, and then the toner is discharged from the toner container. After a predetermined time, the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container, and the number of times corresponding to the forced toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance means is determined. By detecting the presence or absence of the toner in the toner container and supplying the toner, the operability of attaching and detaching the toner container and the exchangeability are good, and the presence or absence of the toner in a plurality of toner containers is reduced at a low cost with less trouble. In advance, even if toner loosening is insufficient before setting the toner container up and down, it is detected with higher accuracy regardless of the toner consumption, and the toner conveyance is performed without interruption. Therefore, it is possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device that can continue the image forming operation without interruption and prevent the occurrence of toner scattering when replacing the toner container. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the toner is transported and supplied by a mixture transport path for transporting a mixture of a toner and a gas transported by the toner supply device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects. The developing unit transfers the toner image obtained by visualizing the electrostatic latent image carried on the image carrier to the transfer target by the transfer unit to form an image. Good, the presence or absence of toner in a plurality of toner containers is automatically detected in advance at low cost and with few failures, the toner conveyance is performed without interruption, and the image forming operation is continued without interruption, It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that continuously forms high-quality images of resource saving that prevents the occurrence of toner scattering when replacing a toner container.

[0011]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, a plurality of toner containers 1 are, in the case shown, an upper supply toner container 1a.
And the lower standby toner container 1b stores toner (T) for visualizing a latent image in the electrophotographic system to form a toner image in a cylindrical shape, and develops the toner by the developing unit 102 of the independent image forming apparatus 100. The insertion opening 2a of the toner container insertion portion 2 of the toner supply device 0 disposed at a position away from the position,
It is detachably attached to the insertion opening 2b from the direction of arrow A shown in the drawing, and is held by the toner container holding means 9a and the toner container holding means 9b of the toner container holding means 9.
The replenishment toner container 1a in the upper toner (T) replenishment state and the standby toner container 1b in the standby state for replenishment or replacement of the lower toner (T) of the plurality of toner containers 1 are: By the sensor of the toner container set detecting means 8a of the toner container set detecting means 8 and the sensor of the toner container set detecting means 8b and the control means 11, the toner container set detecting means 8 is attached to the insertion port 2a or the insertion port 2b of the toner container insertion section 2. Set or unset is detected. The upper of the refill toner container 1a and the lower the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1, the opening of the discharge port 1a ₁ and the discharge port for discharging the toner (T) from the tip 1
The b _1, and to be openable and closable by removable lid 1a ₂ and the lid 1b _2, when the refill toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b becomes replenishment of the toner (T), the discharge port 1a ₁ or the lid 1a ₂ or the lid 1b ₂ is removed from the discharge port 1b ₁ by the lid opening / closing means 12a or the lid opening / closing means 12b of the lid opening / closing means 12 and opened, and the toner container driving means 3a of the toner container driving means 3 is opened. or toner When the container independently by driving means 3b rotates, the toner container 1 of the upper of the refill toner container 1a or the lower part of the stand-toner container 1b the discharge port 1a ₁ or above the discharge port 1b ₁
, The toner (T) is ejected from the toner accumulating portion and is accumulated and stored in the toner accumulating and accommodating section 4. The amount of toner (T) discharged by the rotation of the replenishment toner container 1a in the upper stage of the toner container 1 or the standby toner container 1b in the lower stage is deposited on the toner accumulation housing unit 4 based on the presence or absence of toner in the toner accumulation housing unit. It is determined by the mounting position of the sensor of the detecting means 5. Toner presence / absence detection means 5 in the toner accumulation housing section
Is determined by the height level indicating the presence of toner in the toner accumulation housing section 4. At the level indicating the presence of toner, the rotation of the replenishment toner container 1a in the upper stage of the toner container 1 or the standby toner container 1b in the lower stage is determined. It is designed to stop. The toner (T) accumulated and accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section 4 is supplied with a driving force of a motor of a driving source 13 which is rotationally driven while the image forming apparatus 100 is forming an image by a toner replenishing clutch 14 with a screw member. 15, the toner transport port 4 of the toner accumulation container 4
The toner (T) is sequentially fed to the entrance of the elastic tube of the air-fuel mixture transporting path 103 connected to a.

The air-fuel mixture transporting means 6 is a diaphragm pump, and while the image forming apparatus 100 is forming an image, the knitting core cam 6b is rotated by the rotation of a driving motor 6a which is rotated to show the diaphragm 6c. The operation in the direction of arrow B of FIG.
a and the other end is connected to the hopper 102 of the developing means 102.
a, a gas flow is created from the toner transport port 4a of the toner accumulation housing section 4 toward the hopper 102a of the developing means 102 in the elastic pipe of the air-fuel mixture transport path 103 communicated with a. The toner (T) in the elastic tube of the air-fuel mixture transport path 103 becomes an air-fuel mixture and is transported to the hopper 102a of the developing means 102. The toner presence / absence detection means 102b in the hopper for detecting the presence / absence of toner (T) in the hopper 102a of the developing means 102 is used for the ON condition of the toner replenishment clutch 14. While the sensor of the toner presence / absence detecting means 102b in the hopper detects the absence of toner, the toner replenishment clutch 14
N, the normal transport of the toner (T) into the hopper 102a of the developing means 102 is performed. The refill toner container 1a and the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 to open and close the discharge port 1a ₁ and the discharge port 1b ₁ by the cover opening and closing means 12a or the cover opening and closing means 12b of the lid opening and closing means 12 the lid 1a ₂ or lid 1b ₂ can connect or disconnect each independently, are to be openable and closable by removable. The said refill toner container 1a and the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1, the discharge port 1a ₁ and the discharge port 1b ₁ the lid 1a ₂ or lid 1 from
When opening the b _2, so as not withdrawn by the locking means 7a and the lock means 7b of the locking means 7 in the control means 11. Turn on the power of the main motor (not shown)
Then, the supply toner container 1a of the toner container 1 is replaced with the toner container holding unit 9a of the toner container holding unit 9.
The toner (T) stored in the cylindrical shape of the replenishment toner container 1a is rotated by the toner container driving means 3a of the toner container driving means 3 while being held in the toner container.
Is discharged from the discharge port 1a ₁ provided at one axial end of the refill toner container 1a, housed deposited on the toner deposition accommodating portion 4, housed deposited on the toner deposition accommodating portion 4 The toner (T) is supplied to the developing means 102 by the diaphragm pump of the air-fuel mixture conveying means 6 through an elastic tube made of an elastic material of the air-fuel mixture conveying path 103.
Of the normal toner (T)
Is carried out. The toner (T) is supplied to the toner accumulation housing section 4 by a height sensor of the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation housing section provided at a lower position of the toner accumulation housing section 4 and the control means 11. It is performed by

That is, when the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation / storage section 4 is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means 5 in the toner accumulation / accommodation section by the air / fuel mixture conveying means 6, the toner accumulation / accumulation until the absence of toner is detected. Part 4
After the toner (T) deposited in the toner mixture is forcibly transported as a mixture with a fluidizing gas, the toner (T) is deposited in the toner accumulation container 4 by the forcible toner transport of the mixture transport unit 6. After detecting the absence of toner, the toner container driving unit 33a of the toner container driving unit 3 is set to a predetermined state in a state where the lid opening / closing unit 12 prevents the discharge of the toner (T) from the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1. The toner (T) in the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 is discharged to the discharge port side even when the toner loosening is insufficient when the toner container 1 is driven for a time and the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 is shaken up and down. The toner (T) is immediately discharged from the replenishment toner container 1a, which has been conveyed and collected, and is in the replenishment state of the toner container 1 when the lid opening / closing means 12 is opened, thereby enabling detection accuracy. The toner can be prevented from being replenished more than necessary when the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation / storage section has failed. When the lid opening / closing means 12 opens the discharge of (T), the toner container driving means 3 is moved from the replenishment toner container 1a in the replenishment state of the toner container 1 to the toner (T).
Is driven for a predetermined time so as to discharge the toner (T), the presence or absence of the toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation / accommodation section 4 is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means 5 in the toner accumulation / accommodation section 4 a predetermined number of times, or T) Irrespective of the consumption amount, when the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation / storage section 4 is detected by the air / fuel mixture conveying means 6 by the toner presence / absence detection means 5 in the toner accumulation / accommodation section, the absence of toner is detected. The amount of forced toner transported to transport the toner (T) deposited in the toner storage container 4 as a mixture with the fluidizing gas is counted, and the number of times corresponding to this count is performed. The presence or absence of the toner (T) in the supply toner container 1a is detected with high accuracy, and the presence of the toner (T) in the supply toner container 1a is detected. -When the absence of toner in the container 1a is detected, the standby toner container 1b is set in a toner replenishing state, the presence or absence of the toner (T) is detected by the same method as described above, and the presence of the toner (T) is detected. Then, the supply of the toner (T) to the toner accumulation container 4 by discharging the toner (T) is started. Then, the presence / absence of the toner (T) accumulated and stored in the toner accumulation housing section 4 is detected by the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation housing section 4, and the toner is accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section 4. When the amount of the stored toner (T) exceeds a predetermined height, supply of the toner (T) is stopped. Under the control of the control means 11, a predetermined amount of toner (T) is always stored in the toner accumulation housing section 4, and a stable developing process is guaranteed. The image forming apparatus 100 is an example of a copying machine. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a toner supply device 0, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 110, and an exposure unit 120 for forming an image by a conventionally known electrophotographic method. A groove is formed by the image forming unit 130, the paper feeding unit 140, and the like.

The exposing unit 120 includes a light source 121 for irradiating the original (O) placed on the contact glass 111 with the automatic original feeding unit (ADF) 110 or manual feed, and a document (O). The exposure optical system includes a mirror group 122 and a lens 123 for exposing the reflected light image from the drum-shaped photosensitive member of the image carrier 101 of the image forming section 130 to the image. The image forming unit 130 includes a drum-shaped photoconductor of the image carrier 101 and a charging unit 105 provided around the drum-shaped photoconductor, and the developing unit 10.
2. Registration roller 106, transfer unit 104, cleaning unit 107, fixing unit 108, paper discharge roller 109
And so on. Further, the paper supply section 140 is provided with a plurality of paper supply cassettes containing transfer papers (P) of various sizes. The exposure section 120 is an example of an analog exposure optical system. However, the exposure section 120 uses a laser scanning optical system using a laser light source and a deflector, and responds to an image signal according to an image signal. By using a method in which optical writing is performed on the drum-shaped photoreceptor, it is possible to function as a laser printer. Further, if a document reading device is installed between the automatic document feeder (ADF) 110 and the exposure unit 120, It becomes a configuration of a digital copying machine or a facsimile machine. When the image forming operation is started, the drum-shaped photoconductor of the image carrier 101 is charged by the charging unit 10.
5, the document image from the exposure unit 120 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. This electrostatic latent image is developed by the two-component developer or the one-component developer of the developing unit 102 to be visualized, and a toner image is formed on the drum-shaped photoconductor of the image carrier 101. The image carrier 101
The toner image formed on the drum-shaped photoconductor is supplied from the paper supply unit 140, and is transferred to the drum-shaped photoconductor of the image carrier 101 and the transfer belt 104a of the transfer unit 104 via the registration roller 106. Is transferred by the transfer means 104 to the transfer paper (P) fed to the nib portion of
The transfer paper (P) to which the toner image has been transferred is
4 is transferred to the fixing unit 108 by the transfer belt 104a, and the toner image is transferred to the transfer paper (P) by the fixing unit 108.
Is established. The transfer paper (P) after the fixing is discharged through the discharge roller 109 and stored in a discharge tray or the like.

On the other hand, the drum-shaped photosensitive member of the image carrier 101 after the transfer of the toner image onto the transfer paper (P) is cleaned by the cleaning means 107, and foreign matters such as residual toner and paper dust are removed and collected. And be prepared for the next step. or,
The transfer belt 104a of the transfer unit 104 after the transfer of the transfer paper (P) is also cleaned by the transfer cleaning unit 104b, so that foreign matters such as residual toner and paper dust are removed and collected. In the following description, as the developing means 102, an example using a two-component magnetic brush developing method using a toner (T) and a carrier will be described. The toner supply device 0 disposed at a position distant from the developing position of the developing means 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the developing means 102 via the air-fuel mixture conveyance path 103, and the toner supply device 0, the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 attached to the toner container insertion portion 2.
The toner (T) stored in the inside is supplied to the current means 102 through the mixture air conveyance path 103 by the powder air pump unit, also called a diaphragm pump, of the air / fuel mixture conveyance means 6, and is supplied with gaseous air. It is designed to be transported and supplied as an air-fuel mixture. The air-fuel mixture conveyance path 103 is a tube material that is flexible and has excellent toner resistance. For example, it is very effective to use nylon, Teflon, or the like. Therefore, the toner supply device 0
Since the connection at a position apart from the developing unit 102 is flexible, there is no restriction on the installation of each unit, the layout can be effectively utilized, the operability of attaching and detaching the container 1 is good, and the exchangeability is good. The presence / absence of the toner (T) in the toner container 1 is automatically detected at a low cost without any trouble and with high accuracy in advance, and the toner conveyance is performed without interruption and the image forming operation is continued without interruption. In addition, it is possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device for preventing the occurrence of toner scattering at the time of replacing the toner container 1 and an image forming device having the same and continuously forming high-quality images. Became. In FIG. 2, the developing means 102
Is composed of a developing container portion 102c and the hopper 102a, and the developing container portion 102c is
The hopper 102a is mounted in the vicinity of the drum-shaped photosensitive member, which is the image carrier 101, which is rotatably held in the direction, and the hopper 102a is mounted on the developing container portion 102c. A stirring roller 1 is provided inside the developing container 102c.
02d and a paddle wheel 102e are provided,
A two-component developer composed of a magnetic or non-magnetic toner (T) and a magnetic carrier, which are stirred and mixed by the stirring roller 102d and frictionally charged to opposite polarities, is pumped up by the paddle wheel 102e. I have.

The hopper 102a is connected to the image carrier 1
When the concentration of toner supplied to the 01 of the drum-shaped photosensitive member (T) was reduced, the toner (T) is adapted to pay out toward the stirring roller 102d by the rotation of the toner supply roller 102a _1. The paddle wheel 102e
A plurality of developing rollers 102f and a developing roller 102g are provided at a position where the developer is pumped up by the drum-shaped photoconductor of the image carrier 101 in close proximity to the drum. The developing roller 102f and the developing roller 102g
The first developing roller 102f is located on the upstream side along the rotation direction of the drum-shaped photoreceptor of the image carrier 101, and the second developing roller 102g is located on the downstream side. It has been. The first developing roller 102f and the second developing roller 102g are mainly composed of a sleeve rotatable in a counterclockwise direction by a driving unit (not shown) and a mag roller fixed inside the sleeve. Have. This sleeve is made of aluminum or stainless steel non-magnetic material,
The mag roller is made of a ferrite magnet or a rubber magnet, or a plastic magnet formed by kneading a nylon powder and a ferrite powder, and has a configuration in which a plurality of magnetic poles are arranged along a circumferential direction. The developing container section 102
c, the developer is pumped up by centrifugal force generated when the paddle wheel 102e rotates, and the first
Is discharged toward the above-described present twill roller 102f. A part of the discharged developer is directly transferred to the first developing roller 102.
and is carried on the surface of the first developing roller 102f. When the remaining part of the discharged developer rebounds by abutting against the second developing roller 102g, the first part is generated by the magnetic force on the first developing roller 102f side.
Of the developing roller 102f. To supply the developer to the first developing roller 102f also from the second roller 102g side, the second
In order to increase the amount of rebound from the developing roller 102g, it is necessary to relatively increase the rotational speed of the paddle wheel 102e and increase the centrifugal force. The developer carried on the first developing roller 102f moves on the roller surface with the rotation of the developing sleeve, and the layer thickness is regulated by the doctor blade 102h. The image reaches the first developing area (DI) where the drum-shaped photoconductor of the image carrier 101 faces.

The developer that has reached the development area (DI) is the first developer.
Moves to a position where the action of the magnetic force on the side of the developing roller 102f is weakened, the rotation of the second developing roller 102g and the magnetic force from the mag roller cause the second developing roller 102g and the The image carrier 101 is transported toward a second developing area (D2) with the drum-shaped photoconductor. Then, the second developing roller 102
g at the position where the magnetic force of
c, and falls again to the paddle wheel 102e.
Is stirred. The developer scraped by the doctor blade 102h is guided by the separator 102i toward the transport screw 102j located at the other end in the extension direction, and is dropped by the transport screw 102j onto the stirring roller 102d. I have.
For this reason, a slit for dropping the developer is formed at the other end of the separator 102i in the extending direction at a position facing the stirring roller 102d. First
Of the developing roller 102f and the second developing roller 10
In the mag roller provided in 2g, the arrangement of magnetic poles capable of forming a repulsive magnetic field by the same pole is set between the closest positions between the first developing cola 102f and the second developing roller 102g. The transfer direction of the developer is forcibly set in a direction toward the second developing roller 102g. Thus, the developer is transferred to the second developing roller 102g by the magnetic force of the magnetic pole on the second developing cola 102g side. In the vicinity of the stirring roller 102d in the developing container unit 102c, a toner density sensor serving as a toner density detecting unit 102k for detecting a mixing ratio between toner and carrier is arranged. The toner density sensor of the toner density detecting means 102k uses, as an example, a method of detecting the toner density from the content of the toner (T) in the developer by using a change in inductance of a coil located in the developer. I have. In FIG. 3, the supply toner container 1 of the toner container 1
a is the axial end of the cylindrical shape of the container body 1a ₃ to accumulate toner (T) to the inside, than open diameter of the container body 1a ₃ for discharging the toner that is accumulated in the small diameter the ejection forming an outlet 1a _1. The replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 is provided with the discharge port 1
A part of the inner surface of the shoulder at the end face where a ₁ is formed is pushed out from the inner surface of the shoulder to the edge of the discharge port 1a ₁ to form a protruding portion 1a ₄ for lifting the toner (T). I do.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the supply toner container 1a.
(D) shows the approaching portion 1a_FourAnd outlet opening section
1a_FiveShows how to guide toner (T) by
In each subfigure, the subfigure (a1), (b)
1), (c1) and (d1) are front views corresponding to them.
(A2), (b2), (c2), (d2)
Is a right side view. The supply toner container 1 is a schematic view
(A) rotated by 90 degrees in the direction of arrow D shown in the figure
Are a diagram (b), a diagram (c), and a diagram (d) in this order. Minute
In the state shown in FIG. 7A, the maximum diameter portion of the shoulder is located vertically below.
And guide groove 1a₆Of the head of the toner container 1a
The toner (T) is guided to the lower part of the peripheral wall of the maximum diameter part
I have. The state of the diagram (b) is shown from the state of the diagram (a).
Of the shoulder, turned 90 degrees in the direction of arrow D
The largest diameter part and the above-mentioned protruding part 1a_FourIs vertical
The guide groove 1a which is located below₆Has been guided by
Part of the toner (T) is exposed to the above-mentioned protruding portion 1a._FourListed in
You. The state of the diagram (c) is a further diagram from the state of the diagram (b).
In the state rotated by 90 degrees in the direction of arrow D shown in FIG.
During the 90-degree rotation until the state of (c) is reached, the above approach
Outgoing part 1a_FourIs like a spoon, and the discharge port 1a₁
Lift the toner (T) up to the edge of. State of distribution diagram (d)
Is further moved from the state shown in FIG.
Rotated by 0 degrees, rotated and shown in the figure (d)
Before and after the above, the squeezing part 1a_FourTop toner
(T) partially opens the opening protruding portion 1a._FiveTo
The above-mentioned discharge opening protruding part 1a_FiveDischarge by the inclination of
Mouth 1a₁, And can be ejected. here
In the example shown in the figure, as shown in FIG.
Writing part 1a _FourThe concave itself is like a spoon scooping part
It has a shape. Therefore, the above-mentioned discharge port 1a₁
If the neighborhood is a container shape, the inside of the supply toner container 1a
The toner (T) is supplied to the discharge port 1a.₁From the toner (T) powder
The toner is discharged and falls as a soul.
No dust is generated in the storage unit 4 and the toner
(T) The powder is gradually discharged. Further, the toner container 1
The stored toner (T) in the replenishment toner container 1a is exhausted.
Can be used up almost without leaving
You. Further, the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1
During rotation, the excess toner (T) is removed, so to speak
And only one cup of toner is scooped up and the discharge port 1a ₁
To discharge port 1a₁Discharge from toner
Is performed constantly.

In FIG. 4, the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 is inserted into the toner container insertion portion 2a of the toner container insertion portion 2 from the front of the main body of the toner supply device 0 in the direction of arrow A shown in the drawing. The toner container holding means 9 integrated with the toner supply device 0 is detachably set to the toner container holding means 9a. The toner container holding means 9a of the toner container holding means 9
Is is provided with the holder 9a ₂ among rotatably supported in the holder 9a _1, and can be rotated via the gear 9a ₃ by the rotational driving means for the inner holder 9a ₂ are not shown. The said supply toner container 1a of the toner container 1, irregularities (not shown) each for rotation in synchronism with the inner holder 9a ₂ is provided. The inner holder 9a _2, upon discharge of the toner (T), so that the toner does not scatter from between the receiving portion of the toner container 1 of the refill toner container 1a and the inner holder 9a _2, seals 9a
₄ are provided. The aforementioned holder 9a _1, the slider 12a ₁ and the chuck 12a ₂ of the cover opening and closing means 12a of the cover opening and closing means 12 are respectively slidably supported. The slider 12a ₁ is always the lid 1a ₂ Toner (T)
It is pushed by the spring 12a ₃ in a direction of pressing the. Moving direction of the arrow E illustrated the chuck 12a ₂ from this state, the knob portion 1a ₂₁ of the lid 1a ₂
Claw 12a ₂₁ of the chuck 12a ₂ are gripping, the lid 1a ₂ is adapted to be pulled out from the refill toner container 1a of the toner container 1. In FIG. 5, the lid 1a ₂ is the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1.
More withdrawn, when rotated by the rotational driving source 3a ₁ of the gear of the gear 9a ₃ above the holder 9a ₂ is rotated,
When the refill toner container 1a of the toner container 1 is rotated in synchronism with the inner holder 9a _2, the toner in the toner replenishment container 1a of the toner container 1 (T) is discharged from the discharge port 1a _1. When the amount of toner (T) in the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 decreases, after a predetermined time sufficient for the toner (T) stored in the toner container 1a to run out, the moving means 12a ₄ causes the chuck 1 to move.
The 2a ₂ is moved in the direction of arrow F shown in the figure, the discharge port 1a ₁ is adapted to the lid 1a ₂ is closed. In FIG. 6, the moving means 12a ₄ is
a ₄₁ , worm gear 12a ₄₂ , worm wheel (or helical gear) 12a ₄₃ , pinion 12a ₄₄ , rack 12
consists a _45, the drive motor 12a ₄₁ is by rotating in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, are adapted to be movable in the lateral direction of arrow G shown the chuck 12a _2.

[0020] In FIG. 7, the stopper 7a ₁ of the locking device 7a of the locking device 7, the toner container 1
Of to lock the locking portion 1a ₇ provided in the supply toner container 1a, which is supported by the holder 9a ₁ bunk screw 7a ₂ and spring 7a _3, the force which the cover 1a ₂ is closed, The spring 7 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow H so as not to be lifted to the position shown by the two-dot chain line.
It has been pressed by a _3. Therefore, the toner container 1
The force of closing the above replenishing the lid 1a ₂ to the toner container 1a, when closing the lid 1a _2, does not occur that as the refill toner container 1a of the toner container 1 can escape. However, when the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 becomes the standby toner container 1b, the standby toner container 1b is used.
The a _1, OFF the energization of the solenoid 7a ₄ by subtracting stronger the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 by the control unit 11 (not shown), the ejection of the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 Exit 1b ₁
The Close in the lid 1b _2, by retracting the stopper 7a ₁ to the position of two-dot chain line in the illustration,
It can be easily replaced. 8 and 9, the CPU 11a of the control means 11 is provided with a ROM 11b.
It operates according to the program stored in. The RAM 11c is a work memory for executing a program. The output port 11d, the input port 11e, the LCD controller 11f, and the CPU 11a are connected by an address bus / data bus 11g. The bit map developed by the CPU 11a in the VRAM 11h via the LCD control unit 11f is displayed on a display unit (LCD) on the operation panel 11i.
Module 11j for display. The sensors such as the language switching key 11k, the print key 11l, the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 and the toner container set detecting means 8 in the toner accumulation housing section are read by the CPU 11a via the input port 11e. I have. The toner container driving means 3, the driving motor 6a of the air-fuel mixture conveying means 6, the solenoid 7a ₄ of the locking means 7, the LED 10, the lid opening / closing means 1.
2, motors such as the drive motor 12a ₄₁ , the drive source 13 and the toner replenishment clutch 14, solenoids, LE
D. The clutch is controlled by the output port 11d via the driver 11m.

In FIG. 10, the state of the toner container 1 in the toner container insertion portion 2 is the upper supply toner container 1a and the lower supply toner container 1a.
b is held independently of each other. Apart from this state,
The main toner container has a data store expressed as "upper toner container | lower toner container". The default main toner container is the top toner container. This default is a default value at the time of product shipment, and the data store of the main toner container is nonvolatile. However, the extractable state in which the stand-toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is not open to the lid 1b _2, the toner container 1 while the power OFF
The standby toner container 1b described above may be operated.
In the case of states 6 and 9, the state is initialized to state 8.
In the target state, the “toner container withdrawal” event is enabled (see the row F in FIG. 12). On the other hand,
The lid 1 of the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1
to open open a _2, the state 2 to 7, state 9 7, a 4-state 3, to close the lid 1b ₂ of the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1, from state 5 6, State 7 to 6;
The locked state of each toner container 1 is shown in FIG.
See description in column. Hereinafter, the transition will be described in order. Recognizing that the toner container has been set from state 1 “unset: previous history exists”, state 2 “unknown toner container”
Transition to. Since the lid has not been opened so far, the toner container can be pulled out and the state 1 is restored. State 2 remains only when the other toner container is the main toner container. As long as it is not the main toner container, the toner in the toner container does not operate even if it is removed and inserted many times. At the same time, when the toner container is to be diverted to another machine, it can be pulled out.

When the next toner container becomes the main toner container, the state is changed to state 7 "Check toner container". The main toner container is used when the other toner container changes from state 4 “present toner container: main” to state 5 “NE (near-end) toner container”. When the operation is performed with one toner container from the beginning, a continuous transition is made from state 1 to state 2 to state 3 “present toner container: sub”.
In state 7, the toner in the toner container is checked (see FIG. 14). When a transition has been made from state 2, the main toner container has been reached. If the result of the toner check indicates that there is toner, the state shifts to state 4. At this time, an event of “toner supply device NE (near end) release” is generated. This event is the input to FIG. If there is no toner, the state transits to State 6 “E (end) toner container”. This transition occurs when an empty toner container is inserted during an exceptional operation. When the condition of “NE (near end)” is satisfied in state 4, the state transits to state 5.
The condition is that the sensor of the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation / storage section does not become "toner present" even if the toner container is rotationally driven by the toner container driving means 3 for a predetermined time. At this time, the main toner container (the supply toner container 1)
A) is determined for the replacement of the sub toner container (the standby toner container 1b). If the other toner container is “present toner container: sub-container” or “unknown toner container”, the main toner container (supplementary toner container 1a) and the sub-toner container (the standby toner container 1b) are switched. If the E (end) condition is satisfied in state 5, the state is changed to state 6 for the sub toner container.
Transition to. In the case of the last main toner container, a “countdown start” event is generated simultaneously with the transition.
This event is the input to FIG. This is a trigger for continuing image formation for a while, for example, 50 sheets, until the last toner container reaches E (end) and is interrupted due to the image formation disabled by the remaining toner accumulation container 4. become. In state 6, the standby toner container 1
b lid 1b ₂ to the discharge port 1b ₁ is closed, the replacement of the toner container is displayed. In the state 6, the toner container is pulled out. The state 8 transits to “not set: previous history E (end).” The state 8 indicates “not set” but the previous history is the toner container E (end). The previous history is different from the state 1. Here, when the sensor of the toner container set detecting means 8 detects the setting of the toner container, the state transits to the state 7 via the state 9 “check toner container: standby”. State 9 is a state in which, when two E (end) toner containers are replaced together, the previous toner container remains as a “check toner container”. There are three transitions in the “check toner container” that has transitioned from state 9. If the main toner container has toner and the sub-toner container of the E (end) toner container has been replaced with toner, the process proceeds to state 3. In state 3, the discharge port 1b ₁ of the standby toner container 1b
The lid 1b ₂ is closed and the standby toner container 1b is closed.
Is possible.

In the first replacement of the E (end) toner container, the replacement toner container becomes the main toner container (supplementary toner container 1a), and the state transits to state 4. At this time, an event of “toner supply device NE (near end) release” is generated. This event is the input to FIG. E
(End) When the toner container is inserted again into the toner container insertion portion 2 and set, the toner is not present as a result of the confirmation of the presence or absence of the toner in the toner container, and the state 6 is entered. In FIG. 11, the toner supply device 0 is
Usually you are in state 1. A “countdown” event (in FIG. 10, generated at the time of transition from state 5 to state 6, ie, a state in which the toner in the last one toner container is empty) is transitioned to state 2. Here, one count is performed for each image formation. State 2 indicates that the toner end state of the toner supply device 0 is “N”.
E (near end) ". Here, when 50 sheets of images have been formed, the state transits to state 1. State 1
Indicates that the toner end state of the toner supply device 0 is “E”
(End) ". An event of “toner supply device (0) NE (near end) release” occurs in state 1 and state 2 (that is, the toner container 1 with toner is newly inserted into the toner container insertion portion 2 and the toner container When the sensor of the set detecting means 8 recognizes the set), the state is returned to the state 3 “toner present”. In FIG. 12, rows A, B, and C in the drawing are arranged one for each of the insertion ports 2a and 2b of the toner container insertion ports 2 into which the toner containers 1 are inserted. These are the LED 10a and the LED 10b of the LED 10.
The LED 10a and the LED 10b of the LED 10
Is turned on to prompt the operator to "replace" or "set" the supply toner container 1a of the toner container 1 or the standby toner container 1b. LED above
Even if the supply toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is pulled out and the LED 10a and the LED 10b of 10 are lit, the LED is lit as it is and the supply toner container 1a of the toner container 1 or When the standby toner container 1b is set in the insertion opening 2a or the insertion opening 2b of the toner container insertion opening 2, the light is turned off. At this time, the display is turned off regardless of whether the toner container 1 is "with toner" or "no toner". If the toner container 1 is "E (end)", the state is changed from state 7 to state 6, and LED above
The 10 LEDs 10a or 10b turn on again (see FIG. 10).

Column D is the display unit (LCD module)
11j (see FIG. 9). Rows E and F represent the toner container 1 in the replenishment toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b in each state.
The set state and the lock means 7a of the lock means 7
Alternatively, the lock status by the lock means 7b is displayed on the screen of the display unit (LCD module) 11j (see FIG. 9). In FIG. 13, the condition of “E (end)” of the toner (T) of the toner supply device 0 is determined by a combination of the states of the supply toner container 1a of the toner container 1 and the standby toner container 1b. The above toner container 1
Of the supply toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b
If either of them is “with toner” or “NE (near end)”, image formation is possible regardless of the other state. The combination between "E (end)" and "not set" of the supply toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1, that is, the state of FIG.
From the "E (end)" detection timing of the replenishment toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 which finally becomes "E (end)", for example, it is possible to form only 50 sheets of images. . At this time, a warning message is displayed on the screen of the display unit (LCD module) 11j (see FIG. 9). Thereafter, if an image is being formed, it is interrupted and the image cannot be formed. At this time, an entire warning is displayed on the screen of the display (LCD module) 11j (see FIG. 9). The toner supply unit 0 of the toner container 1 or the standby toner container 1b is in a combination of “with toner” or “NE (near end)” and “check”, and the state of the toner supply device 0 is NE.
(Near end), image formation is possible. This means that "NE (near end)" is displayed in a normal state in which "E (end)" of the replenishment toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is set to "toner present". Since it is inappropriate, the "NE (near end)" display is deleted. This is a process for requiring a predetermined time to confirm the presence or absence of the toner (T) in the replenishment toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1. When the toner in the replenishment toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is inserted in an empty state, the replenishment toner container 1 of the toner container 1
a or after checking the toner in the standby toner container 1b,
Since the state transitions to E (end), the toner container 1 at E (end) is combined with the supply toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b. On the other hand, if the state of the toner supply device 0 is E (end), "W (please wait)" is displayed. This is a state in which both the replenishment toner container 1a and the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 become empty, and after 50 images have been formed and the image formation has become impossible, the toner container 1 is replaced. Become. Since the reserve remaining in the toner supply device 0 has already been consumed, it is necessary to remove the remaining toner from the check toner container state.
It is necessary to wait for image formation until the operation of confirming the presence or absence of the toner (T) in the replenishment toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is completed. In addition, when the 45th image is formed after the system NE (near end) and the image forming apparatus is replaced, the image formation reaches 50 images during confirmation. At this time, the image formation is interrupted, and if “toner is present” after confirmation, the interruption of the image formation is canceled and the image forming operation is resumed.

In FIG. 14, the control means 11 controls the air-fuel mixture conveying means 6 so that the toner is forcibly conveyed. The presence / absence of toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section 4 is detected by a sensor of the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation housing section (step 1), and the toner (T) is accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section 4. If there is no toner (T), the process ends at (end). However, if there is toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4,
The drive source 13 is turned on (step 2), and the drive motor 6a of the diaphragm pump of the air-fuel mixture transfer means 6 is turned on.
N (step 3), and after waiting for the diaphragm pump of the air-fuel mixture conveying means 6 to rise (step 4), the toner replenishment clutch 14 is turned on (step 5).
A forced toner conveyance flag is set (step 6),
When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section 4 is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means 5 in the toner accumulation housing section by the air / fuel mixture conveying means 6, the toner is accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section 4 until the absence of toner is detected. The forcible toner transport amount for transporting the toner (T) as a mixture with the fluidizing gas is counted (Step 7), and the presence or absence of the toner (T) deposited in the toner storage container 4 is determined. The driving source 1 is detected by the sensor of the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the accumulation housing section 5 (step 8), and the absence of toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section 4 is detected.
3 is turned off (step 9), and
The drive motor 6a of the diaphragm pump is turned off (step 10), and the toner replenishment clutch 14 is turned off.
FF is performed (step 11), and the processing ends. In FIG.
The control means 11 controls the air-fuel mixture conveying means 6 so that normal toner (T) conveyance is performed. The presence / absence of toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation / storage section 4 is detected by a sensor of the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation / accommodation section (step 21).
If there is toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section 4 (end), the process ends in (end).
If there is no toner (T) accumulated in the printer, the forced toner transport flag is set (step 22), and if it is detected that the forced toner transport flag is not set, step 2 is performed.
At 5, the CPU waits for a predetermined time to elapse with the forced toner transport flag set (step 23), clears the forced toner transport flag (step 24), and drives the replenishment (main) toner container 1a. and ON the motor of the driving source 3a ₁ to (step 25), the toner deposition accommodating portion 4
The presence or absence of toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the sensor of the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation container (step 26), and the toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 exists. Then, the replenishment (main) toner container 1
OFF the motor of the driving source 3a ₁ which drives the a completed (step 27).

In FIG. 16, when the toner container 1 is re-inserted into the toner container insertion portion 2 in a state of “no toner (E)” by the control means 11, the “toner” in the toner container 1 "Yes" or "No toner (E)"
Is determined by high-precision detection even if toner loosening is insufficient when the toner container 1 is shaken up and down. It is determined whether or not the toner container 1 is in the state of "no toner (E)" (step 3).
1) If the toner container 1 is not in the “toner out (E)” state (end), the process ends.
Is in the state of "no toner (E)", it is determined whether or not the toner container has been reinserted into the toner container insertion section 2 (step 32). If the toner container is reinserted into the toner container insertion section 2, the toner mixture is forcibly conveyed by the air-fuel mixture conveying means 6 (step 33), and the toner container driving means 3 is turned on. The toner (T) is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the toner (T) is not discharged from the toner container 1 (step 34), and the lid opening / closing means 12 is set in a replenishing state in which the toner (T) is discharged from the toner container 1 for a predetermined time ( Step 35) The toner container driving means 3 is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the toner (T) is discharged from the toner container 1 (Step 36), and the toner presence / absence detecting means in the toner accumulation container is detected. 5 by the toner deposited accommodating portion 4
The presence or absence of the toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected (step 37), and the toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 by the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation container is present. For example, it is determined that "toner is present" in the toner container 1 (step 38), and the process is terminated. However, the toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 by the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation container is determined. If no) is found, it is determined whether or not the number of times has performed the predetermined number of times (step 39). If the number of times has not performed the predetermined number of times, the process returns to step 36. If so, it is determined that "there is no toner (E)" in the toner container 1 (step 40), and the process ends.

In FIG. 17, when the toner container 1 is re-inserted into the toner container insertion portion 2 in a state of “no toner (E)” by the control means 11, the “toner” in the toner container 1 "Yes" or "No Toner (E)"
Is determined by highly accurate detection regardless of the toner consumption. It is determined whether or not the toner container 1 is in the state of "no toner (E)" (step 5).
1) If the toner container 1 is not in the “toner out (E)” state (end), the process ends.
Is "toner out (E)", it is determined whether the toner container has been reinserted into the toner container insertion section 2 (step 52). However, if the toner container has been reinserted into the toner container insertion portion 2, the toner mixture is forcibly conveyed by the air-fuel mixture conveying means 6 (step 53), and the toner container driving means 3 is moved from the toner container 1 to the toner container driving means 3. The toner (T) is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the discharge of the toner (T) is blocked (step 54), and the lid opening / closing means 12 is set in a replenishment state in which the toner (T) is discharged from the toner container 1 for a predetermined time (step 5).
5) The toner container driving means 3 is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the toner (T) is discharged from the toner container 1 (step 56), and the toner accumulation detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation accommodating section is used for the toner accumulation and storage. The presence or absence of the toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation unit 4 is detected (step 57), and the toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means 5 in the toner accumulation container. If there is, it is determined that "there is toner" in the toner container 1 (step 58), and the process is terminated.
If there is no toner (T) accumulated in the toner, the number of times the toner (T) does not depend on the amount of toner (T) consumed, is determined by the mixture presence / absence conveying means 6 and by the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation housing section. When the presence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing 4 is detected, the toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation housing 4 is conveyed as a mixture with a fluidizing gas until the absence of toner is detected. The amount is counted, and it is determined whether or not the number of times corresponding to this count has been performed (step 59). If the number has not been performed, the process returns to step 56, but if the number has been performed the predetermined number of times. For example, it is determined that "there is no toner (E)" in the toner container 1 (step 60), and the process ends.

[0028]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted is provided. The toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation housing section for detecting the presence / absence of the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section for accumulating and housing the toner to be discharged by being driven by the driving means When the presence of toner is detected, until the absence of toner is detected, the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing unit is forcibly transported as a mixture of the toner and the fluidizing gas. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the unit, the lid container opening / closing unit controls the toner container driving unit to stop discharging toner from the toner container. And drive time, then, after driving a predetermined time so as to discharge the toner from the toner container, the toner presence detection means in the toner accumulation accommodating portion,
Since the presence / absence of the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected a predetermined number of times, the presence / absence of the toner in the toner container is detected, and the toner is supplied. Automatically detect the presence or absence of toner in multiple toner containers at low cost and with few failures.In advance, shake the toner container up and down. Performed without interruption, the image forming operation continues without interruption,
It has become possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device that prevents the occurrence of toner scattering when replacing a toner container. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the toner container accommodated in the toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted is driven by the toner container driving means to discharge and eject toner. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container detecting the presence or absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container, the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section by forcible toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance means for forcibly conveying the toner as an air-fuel mixture, the toner container driving means is detected by the lid opening / closing means. The toner container is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the toner is prevented from being discharged from the toner container. After a predetermined time so as to discharge the toner, the presence / absence of the toner in the toner container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation / storage section for a predetermined number of times. The two or more toner containers which are inserted into the toner container insertion portion while detecting the toner supply condition are only a replenishment toner container in a replenishment state for replenishing toner, and a standby state in which the other is in standby for replenishment or replacement of toner. The toner is supplied as a standby toner container in, so that the operability of attaching and detaching the toner container and the exchangeability are good. Even if the toner is not sufficiently loosened when the container is shaken up and down, it is reliably detected with high accuracy, and the toner conveyance is performed without interruption and the image forming operation may be interrupted. Without continued, to provide a toner supply device resource saving to prevent occurrence of toner scattering at the time of replacement of the toner container became possible.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the toner for driving the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted and ejecting the toner by accumulating the toner is stored. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation housing that detects the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the accumulation housing, the toner accumulation in the toner accumulation housing is detected until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the toner accumulation chamber by the forced toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance unit that forcibly conveys the accumulated toner as a gas mixture with the fluidizing gas, the lid opening / closing unit detects the toner. The container driving unit is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the toner is prevented from being discharged from the toner container. After driving for a predetermined time so that the toner is discharged from the container, the presence / absence of the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container for a predetermined number of times. Is detected and the locking means prevents the toner container from being pulled out of the toner container and opens the lid of the toner discharge port. Since the toner is supplied by preventing the lid from being opened, the operability of attaching and detaching the toner container and the exchangeability are good, and the presence or absence of toner in multiple toner containers is automatically determined in advance at low cost with few failures. Shake the toner container up and down. Even if the toner is not sufficiently loosened at the time of setting, it is detected with high accuracy, and the toner conveyance is performed without interruption and the image forming operation is interrupted. Continued without and,
It has become possible to provide a further resource-saving toner supply device that reliably prevents toner scattering when the toner container is replaced. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the toner accumulation accommodating portion for accumulating and accommodating the toner ejected by driving the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted by the toner container driving means. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container detecting the presence or absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container, the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section by forcible toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance means for forcibly conveying the toner as an air-fuel mixture, the toner container driving means is detected by the lid opening / closing means. Is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the toner is prevented from being discharged from the toner container, and then the toner container driving unit is replenished with the toner container. After driving a predetermined time so as to discharge the toner from the on purpose since the toner container, the toner presence detection means in the toner accumulation accommodating portion,
The absence of toner in the toner container is detected a predetermined number of times to detect the absence of toner in the toner container, and toner is supplied. The presence or absence of the toner in the toner container is low cost, and the prevention of the overoperation of the forced toner conveyance operation further reduces the trouble and automatically automatically shakes the toner container up and down even if the toner loosening is insufficient at the time of setting. Provided is a resource-saving toner supply device that detects toner with high precision, performs toner conveyance without interruption, continues image forming operation without interruption, and prevents occurrence of toner scattering when replacing a toner container. Now you can do it.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the toner for driving the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted and ejecting the toner is stored in the toner container. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation housing which detects the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the accumulation housing, the toner accumulation in the toner accumulation housing is detected until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container by the forced toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance unit that forcibly conveys the accumulated toner as a gas mixture with the fluidizing gas, the lid opening / closing unit detects the toner. The container driving unit is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the toner is prevented from being discharged from the toner container. After driving a predetermined time so as to discharge the toner from the toner container became supply state of the container, the toner presence detection means in the toner accumulation accommodating portion,
Since the presence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected a predetermined number of times, the presence of toner in the toner container is detected, and toner is supplied. The presence or absence of the toner in the toner container is low cost, and the prevention of the overoperation of the forced toner conveyance operation further reduces the trouble and automatically automatically shakes the toner container up and down even if the toner loosening is insufficient at the time of setting. Provided is a resource-saving toner supply device that detects toner with high precision, performs toner conveyance without interruption, continues image forming operation without interruption, and prevents occurrence of toner scattering when replacing a toner container. Now you can do it. According to the invention of claim 6, in the toner accumulation accommodating portion for accumulating and accommodating the toner ejected by driving the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more are inserted by the toner container driving means. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation housing which detects the presence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing, the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting the absence of the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container by the forced toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance means for forcibly conveying the toner as an air-fuel mixture, the toner container driving means by the lid opening / closing means The toner container is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the toner is not discharged from the toner container, and then the toner container driving means is moved from the toner container to the toner container. Over from driving a predetermined time so as to eject, by the toner presence detection means in the toner accumulation accommodating portion,
The presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected a predetermined number of times to detect the presence / absence of toner in the toner container, and the toner container insertion unit has a toner container presence / absence detecting means to supply toner. As a result, a more appropriate status of the toner container can be displayed on the display unit, the operability of attaching / detaching and replacing the toner container is good, and the presence / absence of toner in multiple toner containers can be automatically determined at low cost with little failure. In advance, even if toner loosening at the time of setting the toner container up and down is insufficient, it is detected with high accuracy, the toner conveyance is performed without interruption, and the image forming operation is continued without interruption. It has become possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device that prevents the occurrence of toner scattering at the time of container replacement.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the toner for driving the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted and ejecting the toner by accumulating and storing the toner. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation housing which detects the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the accumulation housing, the toner accumulation in the toner accumulation housing is detected until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container by the forced toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance unit that forcibly conveys the accumulated toner as a gas mixture with the fluidizing gas, the lid opening / closing unit detects the toner. The container driving unit is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the toner is prevented from being discharged from the toner container. After driving for a predetermined time so that the toner is discharged from the container, the presence / absence of the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container for a predetermined number of times. The toner container presence / absence detecting means provided in the toner container insertion portion detects the presence / absence of the toner container inserted in the toner container insertion portion, and then detects the presence / absence of toner in another toner container. At time, after the appropriate state of the toner container is displayed preferentially on the display unit, the presence or absence of the toner in the toner container is detected and the toner is supplied, so that the toner container with the toner in the appropriate state is set. When the message for exchanging the toner container is turned off, priority is given to the status, so that a more appropriate status display is possible, making it easier to attach / detach and replace the toner container. In addition, the presence / absence of toner in multiple toner containers is automatically detected in advance at low cost and with few failures. Is performed without interruption, the image forming operation is continued without interruption, and it is possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device that prevents the occurrence of toner scattering when replacing the toner container. According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the toner accumulation accommodating portion for accumulating and accommodating the toner ejected by driving the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more are inserted by the toner container driving means. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation housing which detects the presence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing, the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting the absence of the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container by the forced toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance means for forcibly conveying the toner as an air-fuel mixture, the toner container driving means by the lid opening / closing means The toner container is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the toner is prevented from being discharged from the toner container. After a predetermined time so as to discharge the toner, the presence / absence of the toner in the toner container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation / storage section for a predetermined number of times. When the air-fuel mixture conveyance unit performs forced toner conveyance, the driving of the toner container driving unit to discharge the toner from the replenishment toner container of the toner container to the toner accumulation container is stopped for a predetermined time. As the toner is supplied by means of the toner container, the operability of attaching and detaching the container and the exchangeability are good, and the presence or absence of toner in multiple toner containers is reduced at low cost, the operation time of the forced toner transport operation is shortened, and the number of failures is reduced and automatic operation is performed. In advance, even if the toner container is not sufficiently loosened at the time of setting by shaking the toner container up and down, it is detected with high accuracy in a short time and the toner conveyance is not interrupted. We continued without image forming operation is interrupted, to provide a toner supply device resource saving to prevent occurrence of toner scattering at the time of replacement of the toner container became possible.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the toner that accumulates and stores the toner that is driven by the toner container driving means and ejects the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted. When the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation housing which detects the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the accumulation housing, the toner accumulation in the toner accumulation housing is detected until the absence of toner is detected. After detecting that there is no toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container by the forced toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance unit that forcibly conveys the accumulated toner as a gas mixture with the fluidizing gas, the lid opening / closing unit detects the toner. The container driving means is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the toner is not discharged from the toner container, and then the toner is discharged from the toner container. After driving a predetermined time so as to, by the toner presence detection means in the toner accumulation accommodating portion,
The detection of the presence or absence of the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing unit is performed a number of times corresponding to the forced toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance unit, and the presence or absence of the toner in the toner container is detected to supply the toner. Therefore, the toner container can be easily attached / detached and exchanged, and the presence / absence of toner in multiple toner containers can be checked at low cost with few failures. But also
Regardless of the toner consumption, the toner is detected with higher accuracy, the toner conveyance is performed without interruption, the image forming operation is continued without interruption, and the occurrence of toner scattering when replacing the toner container, etc. This makes it possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device that prevents the toner supply. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the toner is transported by a mixture transport path for transporting a mixture of a toner and a gas transported by the toner supply device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects. The supplied developing means transfers the toner image, which is a visualized electrostatic latent image carried by the image carrier, to the transfer medium by the transfer means to form an image. It is easy to detect the presence or absence of toner in multiple toner containers at low cost, with few failures, is automatically detected in advance, and toner transfer is performed without interruption and image forming operation is interrupted. Thus, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that continuously forms a high-quality resource-saving image that prevents the occurrence of toner scattering when replacing a toner container.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of an image forming apparatus having a toner supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of a main part of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the toner supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another main part of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another main part of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another main part of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another main part of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating another main part of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 10 is a transition diagram illustrating a state of another main part of the toner supply device and the image forming apparatus including the same according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a transition diagram illustrating another state of another main part of the toner supply device and the image forming apparatus having the same according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 13 is a table illustrating another state of the toner supply device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus including the toner supply device.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of another main part of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of another main part of the toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of another main part of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

0 toner supply device toner container, 1a supply toner container, 1a ₁ discharge port,
1a ₂ lid, 1a ₂₁ knob portion, 1a ₃ toner container main body, 1a ₄ protruding portion, 1a ₅ discharge port protruding portion, 1
a ₆ guide groove, 1a ₇ engaging portion, 1b standby toner container,
1b ₁ discharge port, 1b ₂ lids, 1b ₃ container body,
1b ₄ Protruding part, 1b ₅ Discharge port protruding part, 1b ₆
Guide groove, 1b ₇ locking portion Toner container insertion portion, 2a insertion opening, 2b insertion opening Toner container driving means, 3a Toner container driving means, 3a
₁ drive source, 3b toner container driving means, 3b ₁ drive source toner accumulation container, 4a toner conveyance port toner presence / absence detection means in toner accumulation container gas mixture conveyance means, 6a drive motor, 6b knitting cam,
6c diaphragm locking means, 7a locking means, 7a ₁ stopper,
7a ₂ Danhadakako, 7a ₃ spring, 7a ₄ solenoids, 7b the locking means 8 toner container setting detector, 8a toner container setting detector, 8b toner container setting detector 9 toner container holding means, 9a toner container holding means,
9a ₁ holder, 9a ₂ in the holder, 9a ₃ gear, 9a ₄
Seal, 9b Toner container holding means 10 LED, 10a LED, 10b LED 11 Control means, 11a CPU, 11b ROM, 1
1c RAM, 11d output port, 11e input port, 11f LCD control unit, 11g address bus / data bus, 11h VRAM, 11i operation panel,
1j display unit (LCD module), 11k language switching key, 11l print key, 11m driver 12 lid opening / closing means, 12a lid opening / closing means, 12a ₁ slider, 12a ₂ chuck, 12a ₂₁ pawl, 12a ₃ spring, 12a ₄ moving means, 12a ₄₁ drive motor, 12a ₄₂ worm gear, 12a ₄₃ worm wheel, 12a ₄₄ pinion, 12a ₄₅ rack, 12b
Lid opening / closing means 13 Drive source 14 Toner replenishing clutch 15 Screw member 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Image carrier 102 Developing means, 102a Hopper, 102a ₁ Toner replenishing roller, 102b Detecting means of toner in hopper, 102c Developing container part, 102d Stirring roller,
102e paddle wheel, 102f developing roller, 1
02g developing roller, 102h doctor blade, 10
2i separator, 102j conveying screw, 102k
Toner concentration detecting means 103 Air / fuel mixture transport path 104 Transfer means, 104a Transfer belt, 104b
Transfer cleaning unit 105 Charging unit 106 Registration roller 107 Cleaning unit 108 Fixing unit 109 Discharge roller 110 Automatic document feeder (ADF) 111 Contact glass 120 Exposure unit 121 Light source 122 Mirror group 123 Lens 130 Image forming unit 140 Paper feed unit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A toner supply device which supplies a toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system from a position distant from a developing position, wherein the toner is stored and discharged inside. A toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers are inserted, a toner container driving device for driving the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion for a predetermined time to discharge toner, and a toner container driving device A toner accumulation container that accumulates and accommodates toner discharged from the toner container driven by the toner container,
The presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation accommodation section for detecting the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation accommodation section, and the presence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation accommodation section. Then, until the absence of toner is detected, the mixture transporting means forcibly transporting the toner as a mixture with the gas for fluidizing the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container, and after the forced toner transport of the mixture transporting means A lid opening / closing means for driving the toner container driving means for a predetermined time in a state where the toner is prevented from being discharged from the toner container, and then setting a supply state for discharging the toner from the toner container for a predetermined time; After detecting the absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container by the forced toner conveyance of
The toner container driving unit is driven for a predetermined time so as to discharge the toner from the toner container, and then the presence / absence of the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner existence detection unit in the toner accumulation container for a predetermined number of times. And detecting whether toner is present in the toner container. 2. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein at least two toner containers inserted into the toner container insertion portion are replenished toner containers in a replenishing state for replenishing toner. A toner supply device comprising: a standby toner container in a standby state for standby for toner supply or replacement. 3. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein the replenishment toner container of the toner container is prevented from being pulled out, and the lid of the toner discharge port is opened. And a lock means for releasing the lid of the toner discharge port by releasing the lock. 4. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein the toner container driving unit is driven for a predetermined time so as to discharge the toner from the replenished toner container in the replenished state, and then the toner container driving unit is configured to store the toner in the toner accumulation container. A toner presence detecting means for detecting the absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing section and detecting the end of toner absence in the supply toner container. 5. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein the toner container driving unit drives the toner container for a predetermined time so as to discharge the toner from the replenished toner container in a replenished state, and then stores the toner in the toner container. A toner supply device, wherein the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation housing unit is detected by toner presence / absence detection means in the housing unit, and the presence of toner in the supply toner container is detected. 6. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein the toner container insertion section has a toner container set detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the inserted toner container. Toner supply device. 7. The toner supply device according to claim 6, wherein the toner container set detection means detects the presence of the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion, and then detects the presence or absence of toner in the other toner container. After the priority state of the appropriate state of the toner container is displayed on the display unit for a predetermined time for detecting
A toner supply device for detecting the presence or absence of toner in the toner container. 8. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein the toner-container is driven by the toner-container driving unit when the air-fuel mixture conveying unit performs forcible toner conveyance. A toner supply device, wherein driving for discharging toner from a replenishment toner container to a toner accumulation housing portion is stopped for a predetermined time. 9. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein the toner container driving means is driven for a predetermined time so that the toner is discharged from the toner container. The presence / absence of the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation / storage section by the toner presence / absence detection section in the accumulation / accommodation section is determined by performing the number of times corresponding to the forced toner conveyance of the air-fuel mixture conveyance section to determine the presence / absence of the toner in the toner container. A toner supply device for detecting. 10. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by supplying toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system from a position apart from a developing position. 10. The toner supply device according to any one of 1 to 9, a toner mixture transport path for transporting a mixture of toner and gas transported by the toner supply device, and toner being transported by the mixture transport path. Carrying means, an image carrier for carrying a toner image obtained by visualizing an electrostatic latent image by the developing means, and a transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier to a transfer object An image forming apparatus comprising: