JP2001296777A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of detecting the full of developer in a recovering part with a simple structure. SOLUTION: In this image forming device, controlling parts C and CS judge the developer quantity recovered in a containing part 15, based on the quantity of developer being fed from a feeding roll 52 of a developer cartridge 51 to a developing unit 5, the device performs maintenance display on an operation panel CP in the case of judging that the containing part 15 becomes full of the developer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer apparatus in which a transfer bias is applied while being opposed to the surface of an image carrier for transferring a developer image formed on the image carrier onto a transfer material. More specifically, it is intended to collect deposits such as waste toner that are removed by cleaning the surface of the transfer device facing the image carrier, and to fully replace the collection unit that collects the collected deposits. The present invention relates to a cleaning device of a transfer device that predicts a time and prevents the attached matter collected from a collecting unit from overflowing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to electrostatically transfer a developer image formed on the surface of an image carrier onto a transfer material, a transfer device using a corona discharge having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the developer is generally used. However, recently, a transfer bias is applied in a state of being close to or in contact with an image carrier such as a transfer roller or a transfer belt to transfer a developer image formed on the image carrier onto a transfer material. Things are mainstream. This is one method for preventing ozone generated by corona discharge, and is mounted on a product as a transfer device in consideration of environmental issues.

[0003]

However, in this transfer roller or transfer belt system, since the transfer roller or transfer belt itself is in contact with or close to the surface of the image carrier, the transfer roller or the transfer belt is statically attached to the surface of the image carrier. A problem arises in that the developer that has electrically adhered adheres to the surface of the transfer roller or the transfer belt. Then, when the transfer is continued using the transfer roller or the transfer belt in which this problem occurs, the developer adhering to the surface of the transfer roller or the transfer belt from time to time is transferred to the back surface of the transfer material,
A new problem arises as a stain on the back surface of the recording material.

Therefore, a method is known in which a cleaning process for removing and recovering the developer adhered to the transfer belt or the transfer roller is mounted to solve the problem of back surface contamination of the transfer material in the transfer process. One of the methods for mechanically removing and collecting the developer adhered to the surface of the transfer belt or the transfer roller is to remove the developer with a cleaning blade. According to this, the developer adhered to the surface of the rotating roller or belt is reliably removed and collected,
It is possible to prevent back contamination on the back surface of the transfer material. However, the problem here is related to the collection of the removed developer, and how to detect the capacity of the developer in the collection unit, which is the collection destination, to accurately judge that the storage unit is full. There is a need. If this capacity (fullness) cannot be accurately detected, the developer overflows from the container and scatters into the apparatus.

Therefore, a fullness detection sensor for detecting the amount of the developer in the storage section is generally provided. However, if a detection sensor is provided, there is a problem in terms of cost, and the collected developer also contains relics and is hardened, so that proper collection and detection cannot be performed. The developer overflows from the portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of detecting the fullness of the developer in a collecting section with a simple configuration. And

[0007]

The present invention has the following configuration to achieve the above object. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier, and a developing unit which faces the developing surface of the image carrier. A transfer unit configured to transfer the developer image formed on the development surface onto a transfer material passing between the image carrier and the developer; and removing the developer from a surface of the transfer unit facing the image carrier. A cleaning unit, a recovery unit that recovers the developer removed by the cleaning unit, a developer supply unit that supplies the developer to the development unit, and a developer supply amount that is supplied from the developer supply unit to the development unit. Control means for outputting a determination signal indicating that the amount of developer collected in the collection section is full at the stage when the level reaches a predetermined level.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the developer comprises:
In order to perform stable development on the image carrier, the developer is supplied and maintained in a stable state from the developer supply unit to the development unit. Therefore, the control unit supplies the developer supply amount from the developer supply unit to the development unit. , It is possible to accurately predict the full time of the collection unit due to the accumulation of toner,
It is possible to prevent the collected toner from overflowing the collection unit and soiling the inside of the apparatus. That is, when the toner in the collecting unit is directly detected by the sensor as in the related art, the toner in the collecting unit is solidified due to pressure at the time of transfer and the like, so that it is difficult to make an accurate determination. In the first gist, since the full time is determined based on the toner in a stable state that is not subjected to pressure or the like, a stable determination can be made while detecting indirectly.

A second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control means changes the full time based on the operating environment state of the image forming apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a transfer environment condition in an electrophotographic process changes according to an operation environment state of an image forming apparatus, such as a transfer output amount and a developer characteristic. Since the amount of adhered toner also changes, the amount of toner to be cleaned and removed also changes, and the full time can be changed according to the operating environment of the device, so that the correct time of the fullness of the collection unit can be predicted. As a result, the collected toner does not overflow from the container and stain the inside of the apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control means changes the full time based on a developer to be used.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, for example, the transfer efficiency in the electrophotographic process changes according to the characteristics of the developer contained in the developer cartridge loaded in the apparatus. Since the amount of toner adhering to the belt also changes, and the amount of toner to be removed after cleaning also changes, it is necessary to predict the full time more accurately, and the collected toner overflows from the collection unit and contaminates the inside of the apparatus. Is also gone.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control means changes the full time based on the temperature or humidity in the apparatus.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the transfer efficiency in the electrophotographic process changes according to the environment (temperature, humidity, etc.) in which the apparatus is installed, and the amount of toner adhering to the transfer belt also changes. Therefore, the recovery amount of the toner to be removed by cleaning also changes, and by changing the full time according to the temperature or the humidity, it is possible to accurately predict the full time of the recovery unit, and the collected toner is stored in the container. Also, the inside of the apparatus is not polluted.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control means changes the full time according to the history of the stagnation of the transfer material during the image forming operation. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the toner image formed on the photosensitive member may not be transferred to the transfer material due to some trouble during the image forming operation, for example, a paper jam. Since the toner to be transferred to the material directly adheres to the surface of the transfer means, the amount of toner collected from the surface of the transfer means becomes larger than usual.
Therefore, by changing the full time according to the history of the stagnation of the transfer material during the image forming operation, the exact full time is predicted, and the collected toner does not overflow from the container and contaminate the inside of the apparatus. .

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 1. An electrophotographic processing unit P centered on the photosensitive drum 2 is disposed substantially at the center right side of the apparatus main body. A charging unit 3 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 and an optical scanning unit for writing an electrostatic latent image by scanning an optical image on the uniformly charged photosensitive drum 2 around the photosensitive drum 2 And a developing unit 5 for reproducing the electrostatic latent image written by the optical scanning unit 4 with a developer
A transfer unit 6 for transferring an image stored and reproduced on the photosensitive drum 2 onto a recording material, and recording a new image on the photosensitive drum 2 by removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 2 Cleaning units 7 are sequentially arranged.

Next, a sheet-shaped recording material S such as a sheet of paper or the like housed in the main body of the apparatus 1 (stored in the main body of the apparatus without protruding from the main body of the apparatus 1) is accommodated below the main body of the apparatus 1. A recording material supply unit 8 is disposed, and the recording material S separated and supplied one by one from the recording material supply unit 8 has a timing between the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer unit 6 of the electrophotographic process unit P. The photosensitive drum 2
The image recorded and reproduced above is transferred. When the recording material S is set in the recording material supply unit 8, the recording material storage tray 9 is pulled out toward the front side of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 to supply the recording material S or replace the recording material S. Do.

A fixing unit 10 is disposed above the electrophotographic process section P. The fixing unit 10 sequentially receives the recording material S on which the image has been transferred, and heat-fixes the developer image transferred on the recording material S. Then, it is formed by a facing roller for discharging the recording material outside the apparatus. Then, the recording material S on which the image is fixed and recorded is received by the discharge unit 11 on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 1.

In the upper and lower spaces 12 of the optical scanning unit 4,
Although not shown, a process control unit (PCU) board that controls the electrophotographic process P, an interface board that receives image data from outside the apparatus, and performs predetermined image processing on image data received from the interface board, and performs optical scanning. An image control unit (ICU) substrate for scanning and recording as an image by the unit, a power supply unit for supplying power to the various substrates and units, and the like are arranged.

Note that the image forming apparatus 1 alone may be used as an image processing apparatus (externally connected device) such as a personal computer.
Can be connected to operate as a printer that records and outputs image data. Further, in the present embodiment, a recording material supply unit 8 that stores the recording material S in the apparatus 1 main body.
Is described as one, but two or more recording material supply units 8
Can be installed inside the main body of the apparatus 1.

FIG. 2 shows a side unit 1b provided on the left side of the main body of the apparatus 1 along a sheet conveying path (dashed line) extending from the recording material supply unit 8, via the transfer unit 6, and from the fixing unit 10 to the paper discharge unit. Is open in the lateral direction A. This is because even if a conveyance error (jam) of the recording material S occurs in the sheet conveyance path of the apparatus 1 in the state of FIG. 1, the side surface of the apparatus 1 main body along the sheet material conveyance path (dashed line). By opening the unit 1b in the direction of arrow A, it is possible to easily remove the recording material S stagnating in the sheet material conveyance path.

FIG. 3 shows a side unit 1b of the main body of the apparatus 1 which is opened along the sheet material conveying path as shown in FIG.
This indicates that the transfer unit 6 and the cleaning unit 13 for cleaning the transfer unit can be removed in the direction of arrow B as an integral replacement unit U. The cleaning unit 13 includes a cleaning blade 14 that contacts the surface of the transfer member (belt) 62 of the transfer unit 6.
And a storage section 15 for collecting and storing the developer removed from the surface of the transfer member (belt) 62 by the cleaning blade 14.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control block configuration including a control unit and various sensor groups arranged inside the apparatus 1. First, sensors S1, S2, and S3 are arranged along the transport direction of the recording material S in the sheet material transport path. The sensor S1 is a sensor for confirming the recording material S sent from the recording material supply unit 8 and performing registration for supplying the recording material S to the electrophotographic processing unit P at a certain timing. The sensor S2 is a sensor for confirming whether or not the recording material S on which the toner image has been transferred in the electrophotographic process unit P is heated and fixed by the fixing unit 10 and is surely conveyed from the fixing unit 10.
The sensor S3 is a sensor for confirming whether or not the sheet is discharged from the main body of the apparatus 1 toward the paper discharge section 11 on the upper surface of the apparatus.

Next, the sensor S4 is connected to the electrophotographic process section P
This sensor detects an environment such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure in the surroundings, that is, an environment in which the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 is installed.

The sensor S5 is a sensor for confirming the characteristics of the developer loaded in the apparatus main body 1 and supplied to the developing unit 5. This sensor S5 is connected to the developing unit 5
Developer cartridge 51 containing the developer supplied to
By detecting the signal source M provided in the developer cartridge, the characteristics of the developer housed in the developer cartridge 51 can be confirmed as an apparatus. Note that the signal source M may be a display material in which characters and symbols are visually described and expressed, or a recorded material in which characters and symbols are electrically readable. Accordingly, it is necessary to appropriately select the reading sensor S5 according to the type of the signal source M.

The developer cartridge 51 is provided with a supply roller 52 for supplying the developer contained in the cartridge to the developing unit 5, and supplies the developer stored in the developing unit 5. Appropriate supply is performed so that constant and stable development conditions are always obtained in accordance with consumption. The supply of the developer is performed by a supply roller 52.
Is controlled by the control unit C connected to the
Are also managed by the control unit C.

The control section C also manages the operation of the transfer unit 6 in the electrophotographic processing section P.
The transfer unit 6 mainly transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 onto the recording material S by controlling the application of the transfer bias by the transfer roller 61. Although the transfer unit 6 is described as being controlled by the control unit C in the present embodiment, a configuration in which the operations of the charging unit 3, the developing unit 5, and the like are controlled may be employed.

In the above embodiment, the control unit C controls the supply roller 52 for supplying the developer housed in the developer cartridge 51 to the developing unit 5.
The developer supply amount by the developer is controlled, and the developer developing unit 5 is controlled.
When the supply amount to the cleaning unit 13 reaches a predetermined amount, it is determined that the accommodating portion 15 of the cleaning unit 13 is filled with the collected developer and it is time to replace the replacement unit U, and the replacement time of the replacement unit U is managed. An exchange time signal is output to the predetermined output means so as to notify the user as visual information or auditory information. Note that the full amount of the storage unit 15 that is determined to be the replacement time of the replacement unit U is an amount arbitrarily determined by the manufacturer or the operator in managing the apparatus, and is not limited to the maximum storage amount of the storage unit 15. Absent. Similarly, full replacement time
It refers to the time when the storage unit 15 becomes full.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when the supply amount of the developer by the supply roller 52 managed by the control unit C (main CPU) reaches a predetermined level, the operation of the operation panel CP is managed. Control unit SC (sub CP
U) outputs a replacement time signal of the replacement unit U to the operation panel CP so that the user can visually notify the user using the display unit of the operation panel CP.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for controlling the replacement time of the replacement unit U of the control unit C and the control unit C for managing the replacement time of the replacement unit U based on the amount of the developer supplied from the developer cartridge 51 to the developing unit 5. And count up the counter in accordance with the amount of developer supplied.
(S10, S11), occurrence of a counter correction condition (S1
2) With this, the value of the counter is corrected (S13). Then, the value of the counter is determined (S1).
4) When the value of the counter has reached a predetermined level, the replacement of the replacement unit U is displayed on the operation panel CP (S1).
5) On condition that the replacement process of the replacement unit U is executed (S16), the counter value is reset (S17),
Again, the replacement collection process of the replacement unit U is managed based on the developer supply amount from the developer cartridge 51 to the developing unit 5.

The correction conditions of the counter in step S12 are as follows. (1) The full replacement time of the replacement unit U is corrected according to the operation environment of the apparatus (first correction condition). That is, the device 1
The transfer environment conditions in the electrophotographic process also change according to the operating environment (transfer output amount, developer characteristics, etc.). As a result, the amount of toner adhering to the transfer belt 62 also changes, so that the amount of toner removed for cleaning also changes. Thus, by correcting the full replacement time of the replacement unit U in accordance with the operating environment of the device 1, it is possible to accurately predict the replacement time of the storage unit 15.

(2) The full replacement time is corrected according to the information on the developer loaded in the apparatus (second correction condition).
The transfer efficiency in the electrophotographic process changes according to the characteristics of the developer contained in the developer cartridge 51 loaded in the apparatus 1. As a result, the amount of toner adhering to the transfer belt 62 also changes, and the amount of toner removed for cleaning also changes. Therefore, it is possible to accurately predict the replacement time of the storage unit 15 by correcting the full replacement time according to the characteristics of the developer stored in the developer cartridge 51 loaded in the apparatus 1.

(3) The full replacement time is corrected according to the environment (temperature, humidity, etc.) in which the apparatus is installed (third correction condition). The transfer efficiency in the electrophotographic process changes according to the environment (temperature, humidity, etc.) in which the apparatus 1 is installed. Since the amount of toner attached to the transfer belt 62 also changes, the amount of toner to be cleaned and removed also changes, and the correct replacement section is corrected by correcting the full replacement time according to the installation environment of the apparatus 1. 15 replacement time can be predicted.

(4) The full replacement time is corrected according to the history of stagnation during the image forming operation (fourth correction condition). The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 may not be transferred to the recording material S due to some trouble (for example, paper jam) during the image forming operation. In this case, the toner may directly adhere to the surface of the transfer belt 62. Becomes the transfer belt 6
The amount of toner collected from the two surfaces also becomes larger than usual. Therefore, by correcting the full replacement time according to the history of stagnation during the image forming operation, it is possible to accurately predict the replacement time of the collection container. The above first to fourth correction conditions may be applied alone or in combination.

As described above, the amount of the developer that will adhere to the transfer belt 62 is estimated and, depending on the case (condition), the management information for the estimation is corrected and the collection unit 1 is corrected.
5 is managed while correcting so that the developer collected from 5 does not overflow. In the above-described embodiment, the transfer unit using the transfer belt 62 has been described as an example. However, a transfer unit such as a transfer roller that is in contact with or close to the photosensitive drum 2 may be used.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, the developer is used to perform stable development on the image carrier.
Since the developer is supplied from the developer supply unit to the developing unit in a stable state, the control unit determines the supply amount of the developer to be supplied from the developer supply unit to the development unit. It is possible to accurately predict the time, and it is possible to prevent the collected toner from overflowing the collection unit and soiling the inside of the apparatus.

Further, the full time can be changed according to the operating environment of the apparatus, the characteristics of the developer, the temperature and humidity in the apparatus, or the history of the stagnation of the transfer material during the image forming operation, so that accurate timing can be obtained. Since the full time of the collecting section is predicted, the collected toner does not overflow from the container and stain the inside of the apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the side unit 1b is opened in the lateral direction A from FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state where a replacement unit U is removed from a side unit 1b of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for controlling a replacement time of a replacement unit U in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Photoreceptor drum 3 Charging unit 4 Optical scanning unit 5 Developing unit 6 Transfer unit S Recording material 62 Transfer member 13 Cleaning unit 14 Cleaning blade 15 Housing U Replacement unit 51 Developer cartridge 52 Supply roller C, SC controller CP operation panel S1 to S5 Sensor M signal source

Claims (5)

[Claims] An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier; Transfer means for transferring the developer image formed on the surface onto a transfer material passing between the image carrier, cleaning means for removing the developer from the surface of the transfer means facing the image carrier, A collection unit that collects the developer removed by the cleaning unit, a developer supply unit that supplies a developer to the development unit, and a developer supply amount that is supplied from the developer supply unit to the development unit. Control means for outputting a full judgment signal indicating that the amount of developer collected in the collecting section is at the full time;
An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the full time based on an operating environment state of the image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the full time based on a developer to be used. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the full time based on a temperature or humidity in the apparatus. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a full time according to a history of stagnation of the transfer material during the image forming operation.