JP2002072648A - Developing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device and an image forming device provided with a constitution where soiling of a periphery of an installed part by leaked developer is prevented by preventing the deterioration of a seal in a developer cartridge that is provided to be attachable to and detachable from the image forming device. SOLUTION: In the developing device provided with the developer cartridge 4 that is provided to be attachable to and detachable from the image forming device, the developer cartridge 4 is installed with a sealing member 6 on an opening for discharging of the developer 5 and is provided with a constitution where the developer can be fed outside through a developer feeding means 7 that is inserted through the sealing member 6 and a constitution 20 where the number times of attaching and detaching can be outputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a cartridge mounting / removing structure which accommodates a developer therein and is detachable from the image forming device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A copying machine to which an electrophotographic copying method can be applied,
In an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine or a printer, a toner used as a developer is supplied to an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier such as a photoconductor to process the electrostatic latent image into a visible image. Developing process is performed.

In the developing step, not only a monochrome image but also a plurality of color images such as a full-color image may be targeted. In the latter case, a developer of a color complementary to the color in the electrostatic latent image is separately applied. Is used.

[0004] The amount of toner used as a developer decreases as it is consumed in a developing device, and in the worst case, the image density cannot be maintained. Therefore, conventionally, apart from the tank in which the developer in the developing device, in this case, the toner, is stored, a container containing replenishing toner for replenishing the toner tank with new toner, that is, the developer In some cases, a cartridge is provided in an image forming apparatus.

[0005]

In the replenishment developer cartridge, it is necessary that the developer contained in the replenishment cartridge flow smoothly. However, depending on the installation state of the cartridge, the developer stops inside the cartridge. May not be discharged smoothly. For example, a replenishment developer cartridge is often installed with its opening facing downward to promote flow in the direction of gravity. In many cases, the vicinity of the opening is tapered, including the case of the above-described cylindrical structure, so as to reduce the diameter toward the so-called opening, whereby the internal developer is formed in a bridge shape near the opening. The solidification phenomenon is likely to occur, and the outflow of the developer is likely to be hindered. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one of measures taken by a user when a developer shortage warning is issued, a developer cartridge for replenishment is taken out from a place where the developer is supplied and the cartridge is shaken to break down a developer causing a bridge phenomenon. .

In the case of a structure which can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus like a replenishing developer cartridge, the developer does not flow out of the opening of the replenishing developer cartridge carelessly when it is removed or mounted. In order to achieve this, a sealing structure is employed. For example, as a structure for this, a sealing member formed of a foam material is loaded in the opening, and when the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, a needle-like developing device arranged on the apparatus side is used. There is a structure that pierces the agent supply member to communicate the inside of the cartridge with the developing device side.

In the case where the above-described sealing structure at the opening is used, when the replenishing developer cartridge is repeatedly attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, the sealing member is housed inside due to deterioration or breakage of the mechanical characteristics of the sealing member. There is a possibility that the effect of sealing the developer cannot be obtained. If the developer leaks due to the deterioration of the seal in this way, the developer may be scattered around the installation location of the cartridge and become dirty,
There is a possibility that the function of the image forming unit may be deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems in the conventional developing device and the image forming apparatus using the same, an object of the present invention is to prevent the deterioration of a seal in a developer cartridge detachably provided to the image forming device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing device and an image forming apparatus having a configuration capable of preventing the surroundings of the installation portion from being soiled by the leaked developer.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In the developing device provided with a developer cartridge detachably provided to the image forming apparatus, the developer cartridge has a seal member mounted in a developer discharge opening, and a developer supply passage inserted through the seal member. It is characterized in that it has a configuration capable of supplying the developer to the outside via the means and a configuration capable of outputting the number of times of attachment and detachment.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the developing device of the first aspect, a medium capable of storing the number of times of attachment / detachment is used as the means for outputting the number of times of attachment / detachment of the developer cartridge. .

[0011] The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
The above-described developing device is characterized in that the number of times of attachment / detachment output means is configured to store the number of times of attachment / detachment in response to attachment / detachment detection means which operates when the developer cartridge is attached / detached.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the number of times of attachment / detachment output means stores the number of times stored until the developer cartridge is collected. It is characterized by maintaining.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the number of attaching / detaching times is output by the attaching / detaching number output means in addition to the number of attaching / detaching times. It is characterized in that information such as a model using the developer can be stored.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the third aspect, the attachment / detachment detection means is configured to be interlocked with an operation of a holding means having a habit of holding the developer cartridge in a fixed position. It is characterized by being.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus using the developing device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a cartridge holder for detachably supporting the developer cartridge and the cartridge holder are provided. A cartridge holding means provided so as to be swingable at a part thereof and having a swinging end opposed to the attaching / detaching number alarming means of the developer cartridge; and a cartridge attaching means provided at the swinging end of the cartridge holding means for alarming the attaching / detaching number. A control unit electrically connectable to the means, and an alarm unit for alarming the sealing state of the developer cartridge by a signal from the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to store the number of times of attachment and detachment in the developer cartridge. When the number of times reaches a predetermined number, a warning is issued.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the control unit pre-registers the information stored in the output number output means of the developer cartridge loaded in the cartridge holder with the information. An alarm is issued when the information on the cartridge holder described above does not match.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus using a container and a support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a cover (not shown) of a housing 1A removed. This is a full-color printer (hereinafter, referred to as a full-color printer 1) that uses a developing toner having a complementary color relationship with the color of the latent image. In the present invention, not only a printer but also a copying machine or a facsimile machine is included in the category of the image forming apparatus.

In FIG. 1, a full-color printer 1 is
An image forming unit (not shown) is provided inside, and as one of the components, as shown in FIG. 2, a drum-shaped photosensitive member 2 serving as a latent image carrier and a developing device 3 are collectively formed as a unit. An image forming unit having a configuration (for convenience, a developing unit is denoted by reference numeral DY) is provided.

In the full-color printer 1 shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit DY shown in FIG. 2 is provided for each color, and the visible image carried on the photoreceptor 2 is directly provided for each storage unit DY. The image is transferred to the recording sheet, and the image on the recording sheet superimposed in each of the storage units DY is fixed by a fixing device and discharged. By performing direct transfer on such a recording sheet, an intermediate transfer member used in an image forming apparatus of this type is eliminated, and the size of the apparatus is reduced.

A developing device 3 provided in the image forming unit DY shown in FIG. 2 includes a developing sleeve 3A for supplying the developing toner to the photoreceptor 2, and a conveying screw for conveying and stirring the developing toner contained therein. 3B, developing toner tank 3
The main part is provided with an introduction screw 3D located below the development toner discharge port formed below C and a blade 3E for regulating the thickness of the development toner carried on the development sleeve 3A. An opening 3 </ b> F through which the developing toner conveyed from the developer supply cartridge 4 formed of a container described later flows is formed in the space.

In FIG. 1, a developer replenishment cartridge 4 containing replenishment developing toner for the developing device 3 is provided.
Are arranged for each color in a cartridge mounting portion 1B provided in a housing 1A of the full-color printer 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the developer supply cartridge 4 forming a container. In FIG. 3, the main part of the developer supply cartridge 4 includes a container body 4 </ b> A and a container 5. Have been. The container body 4A is
It is a molded product using polyethylene or polypropylene resin that is assembled into a box shape by being folded from the unfolded state shown in FIG. 4, and has six surface pieces 4A1 to 4A6 so as to form each wall when assembled in a box shape. Are hingedly provided.

When the container main body 4A is folded and assembled from the expanded state, the edge on one longitudinal side of the opposing pieces 4A2 and 4A3 of the pieces is formed as an inclined piece CL1 or CL2. As shown in FIG. 3, the shape is set to be a truncated quadrangular pyramid-shaped top portion.

At the top of the truncated square pyramid, a notched opening 4A7 is formed.
A seal opening of the container 5 described later is mounted.

In FIG. 3, the container 5 is constituted by a bag which can be reduced in volume using a polyethylene film or the like.
A base 5A that can be attached to the opening 4A7 of the container body 4A is integrated with the opening.

A discharge port 5A1 for discharging the developing toner in the container 5 is formed in the base 5A. The discharge port 5A1 is filled with a sealing member 6 such as a sponge so that the inside of the container 5 is filled. It is designed to be sealed. The seal member 6 is torn by being pierced by a member having a sharp shape, so that the outside and the inside can communicate with each other. At the time of the communication, the stored developing toner can be discharged to the outside. . The discharge port 5A1 forms a seal opening that seals the inside of the container 5 except when the sharp member is pierced by the filling of the sealing material 6 as described above.

The container 4 is a housing 1 of the full-color printer 1.
A is configured to be removably mounted on the installation section provided in A, and a configuration for that is shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the container 4 is provided by being dropped into a cartridge holder 1B1 provided on the housing 1A and having an inner surface shape corresponding to the outer shape of the container main body 4A.

The cartridge holder 1B1 contains a container 5
The suction nozzle 7 having a length that can enter into the inside of the discharge port 5A1, which is a seal opening (see FIG.
See)). A hose (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 5) extending from a suction pump (not shown) is connected to the suction nozzle 7, and a suction opening 7A formed at the top by the suction action of the suction pump.
From the shape (see FIG. 6), the developing toner in the container 5 is sucked and discharged to the outside, in this embodiment, to the tank 3C of the developing device 3 (see FIG. 2).

In FIG. 5, the mounting portion 1C on which the base 5A of the container 5 exposed to the outside where the suction nozzle 7 is disposed, that is, the opening 4A7 (see FIG. 3) of the container body 4A is mounted. Is provided with a configuration for aligning the center positions of the suction nozzle 7 and the discharge port 5A1 forming a seal opening.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the mounting portion 1C in FIG. 5 viewed from the right side of the drawing to explain a configuration for aligning the center position. The mounting portion 1C in a horizontal plane across the center of the discharge port 5A1
A pair of nozzle guide members 1C1 protruding upward from the bottom of the mounting portion 1C is provided at the opposed position of the mounting portion 1C. The nozzle guide members 1C1 are provided in fitting portions 5A2 provided on the base 5A. It is to be inserted. When the positional relationship between the nozzle guide member 1C1 and the fitting portion 5A2 is set, a preset nozzle guide member 1C
The center position between the suction nozzle 7 and the discharge port 5A1 is aligned by engaging the nozzle guide member 1C1 with the fitting portion 5A2 based on the positional relationship between the suction nozzle 7 and the suction nozzle 7.

In FIG. 5, the cartridge holder 1B1
The developer supply cartridge 4 loaded therein is provided with an attachment / detachment number output unit 20 for outputting the number of attachment / detachment times. Further, the cartridge holder 1B1 side can be electrically connected to the attachment / detachment number output unit 20. A configuration is provided. Container main body 4A in developer supply cartridge 4
As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
An attachment / detachment number output unit 20 including a semiconductor element attached to a surface opposite to the surface where A1 is located is provided.
In this embodiment, an IC having a memory function is used as the number of times of attachment / detachment output means 20, and update / storing of the number of attachments / detachments and color information and granularity of the stored developer are set for each model of the image forming apparatus. Information can be stored.

On the cartridge holder 1B1 side, there is provided a holding member 21 having a swinging end which can be brought into contact with and separated from the number-of-attachments / removal-numbers output means 20. The holding member 21 has a base end integrated with a lower portion of the cartridge holder 1B1 and can swing. Usually, as shown in FIG. 5, by keeping the standing state, the developer replenishment cartridge 4 is prevented from falling out. The developer supply cartridge 4 can be inserted and removed by swinging and falling.

The swinging end of the holding member 21 is provided with a terminal 21A which can contact the number-of-attachments / outputs means 20, and this terminal 21A constitutes a connector and serves as a control unit 2 described later.
The number of attachment / detachment number output means 20 is electrically connected to 2.

Attaching / detaching frequency output means 2 to terminal 21A
An elastic body 23 such as a spring that presses the base 5A from below is disposed on the mounting portion 1C in order to maintain good contact with the zero.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the control unit 22. In FIG.
A main part is constituted by a microcomputer, and an input / output number of attachment / detachment number output means 20 (in FIG. 7, indicated as IC for convenience) is connected to the input side, and an alarm display means 24 is connected to the output side. The control unit 22 determines the deterioration of the sealing property due to the set of the sealing material 6 or the permanent deformation by taking in the number of times of attachment / detachment stored in the number of times of attachment / detachment output means 20.

When making a determination in the control section 22, the holding member 21
Swings only when the developer replenishment cartridge 4 is attached and detached, and separates from the so-called attachment / detachment number output means 20. Therefore, the number of storages in the attachment / detachment number output means 20 is updated using this operation. It has become. In this embodiment, an output from a limit switch (not shown) provided on the swinging portion of the holding member 21 or the number of times of attachment / detachment output means 2
The number of times of attachment / detachment is updated and stored based on the energization timing of the output means 20 due to the contact / separation of the terminal unit 21A with 0.

The number of attachment / detachment output means 20 for the control unit 22
When the information from is input, a warning is issued when the number of times of attachment and detachment reaches a value that causes deterioration of the sealing material 6. As a form of the warning, use is urged when the number of times the sealing effect of the sealing material 6 cannot be obtained at all, and a warning is given that the sealing effect will not be obtained soon after the previous number.

Since the present embodiment has the above configuration,
The operation of the control unit 22 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the developer supply cartridge 4 is loaded in the cartridge holder 1B1, the cartridge holder 1
The terminal portion 21A of the holding member 21 provided at B1 comes into contact with the number-of-attachments / detachments output means 20. Thereby, in the control unit 22,
The number of times of attachment / detachment stored in the number of times of attachment / detachment output means 20 is checked, and information on the developer is read in accordance with the stored contents (ST1).

If the number of times of attachment / detachment is not 0, a predetermined number of times set in advance (Max times corresponding to the number of times a sealing effect is not obtained at all, and a number (Max− n) times are compared (ST3, 4), and a prohibition alarm or a caution alarm is output to the alarm means 24 according to the comparison result (ST).
5, 6).

When the information read in step ST1 is different from the preset information for each cartridge holder 1B1, the alarm means 24 also issues an alarm. Accordingly, even if the user inserts and removes the developer supply cartridge 4 without knowing the number of times of attachment and detachment that affects the deterioration of the sealing property, an alarm can be issued on the developing device side. When it occurs, it is possible to prevent the surrounding area from being stained. In addition, the developer supply cartridge 4 is placed in the cartridge holder 1 which is not at the predetermined loading position.
Even when the printer is loaded in B1, the erroneous operation is determined and an alarm is issued, so that it is possible to prevent color mixing in a full-color printer using a non-K color developer.

In the above-described embodiment, the IC, which is one of the storage media capable of storing and updating the number of times, has been exemplified as the number-of-times-of-attachments output unit 20. In this case, the object to be electrically connected is an alarm or a display means.

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the developer cartridge is provided with a structure capable of outputting the number of times of attachment / detachment, the deterioration state of the seal member caused by repeated attachment / detachment can be determined. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the developer easily leaks, and it is possible to prevent stains around the developing device from occurring.

According to the second and fifth aspects of the present invention, since the means for outputting the number of times of attachment / detachment is a medium capable of storing information on the number of times of attachment / detachment and the characteristics of the developer and the type of equipment to be equipped, It is possible to manage the number of times of attachment and detachment and other information for each developer cartridge, prevent erroneous operation when loading the developer cartridge, and if the cartridge is loaded, the storage of the number of times of attachment and detachment is started again Since the number of times of attachment / detachment can be continuously stored without any change, the total number of times of attachment / detachment that deteriorates the sealing performance can be prevented from being different, and leakage and scattering of the developer can be surely prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the number of times of attachment / detachment output means stores the number of times in response to the attachment / detachment detection means which operates when the cartridge is attached / detached, it is possible to correspond to the actual attachment / detachment operation. It is possible to accurately monitor the deterioration state of the seal raw without causing a change in the stored value.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the storage contents do not change until the number of times of attachment / detachment output means is recovered by disposing of the developer cartridge or the like, the seal deteriorates due to an inadvertent change in the storage value. It is possible to prevent the state from being erroneously determined.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the number of attaching / detaching output means is operated in conjunction with the holding means operated when attaching / detaching the developer cartridge, so that only when the ten signs are attached / detached. Since the number of times of attachment and detachment can be captured, it is possible to improve the accuracy of information when judging deterioration of the seal life.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a warning can be issued when the number of times of attaching / detaching the developer cartridge reaches the predetermined number by the control unit. To prevent the developer from leaking or scattering.

According to the present invention, a warning can be issued when the information registered in the cartridge holder in which the developer cartridge is loaded does not match the information stored in the number-of-attachments / outputs means in the control unit. Therefore, an erroneous use state due to a difference in information can be determined even when the developer cartridges having the same shape are used. Thereby, for example, when using a plurality of color developers,
It is possible to prevent a problem such as color mixing from occurring, by eliminating the need to load a developer cartridge different from the color information preset for each cartridge holder.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus provided with a developing device used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a vulnerability like a developing device for describing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining an internal configuration of a developer cartridge used in the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an exploded view of a container body used in the developer cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a mounting portion of the developer cartridge shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining a mounting state of a developer cartridge on a mounting section shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an installation state of a detachment / attachment number output unit provided in the developer cartridge shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a control unit including the number-of-removal-times output unit shown in FIGS. 5 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit shown in FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Full-color printer which is one of image forming apparatuses 1A Housing of image forming apparatus 1B Cartridge mounting part corresponding to container mounting part 1B1 Cartridge holder 1C Mounting part of base 2 Photoconductor as latent image carrier 3 Developing device 4 Container 4A Container main body 4A7 Opening 5 Container 5A1 Discharge port 5A1 forming a seal opening 5A2 Fitting part 20 IC 21 serving as means for outputting the number of times of attachment / detachment 21 Holding member 21A Terminal part 22 Control part 24 Alarm display means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takaaki Yanagisawa 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masumi Sato 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Sota Fujimori 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo ・ Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Kazuhisa Sudo 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Ricoh Co., Ltd. (reference) 2H027 DA41 DD05 DE01 DE07 EC06 EC10 GA30 GB01 GB10 HB02 HB07 HB13 HB17 ZA09 2H077 AA02 AA05 AA07 AA33 AC11 AD24 AD32 DB10 GA04

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A developing device comprising a developer cartridge detachably provided to an image forming apparatus, wherein the developer cartridge has a seal member inserted in a developer discharge opening and is inserted through the seal member. A developing device having a configuration capable of supplying the developer to the outside via the supplied developer supplying means and a configuration capable of outputting the number of times of attachment / detachment. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a medium capable of storing the number of times of attachment / detachment is used as the means for outputting the number of times of attachment / detachment of the developer cartridge. 3. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein said number-of-attachments output means is configured to store the number of times of attachment / detachment in response to attachment / detachment detection means which operates when said developer cartridge is attached / detached. A developing device. 4. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein said number-of-removal-times output means maintains the stored number of times until the developer cartridge is collected. Developing device. 5. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the number-of-removals output means includes characteristics of a developer contained therein and a model using the developer in addition to the number of times of detachment. A developing device capable of storing information such as information. 6. A developing device according to claim 3, wherein said attachment / detachment detection means is configured to be able to interlock with an operation of a holding means having a habit of holding said developer cartridge in a fixed position. Developing device. 7. An image forming apparatus using the developing device according to claim 1, wherein a cartridge holder detachably supports the developer cartridge, and a part of the cartridge holder swings. A cartridge holding means which is provided so as to be movable and whose swinging end is opposed to the attaching / detaching frequency alarm means provided in the developer cartridge; and which is provided at the swinging end of the cartridge holding means and is electrically connectable to the attaching / detaching number alarm means. And a warning unit for warning the sealing state of the developer cartridge based on a signal from the control unit. The control unit is configured to perform the predetermined number of times based on storage of the number of times of attachment / detachment in the developer cartridge. An image forming apparatus, which issues an alarm when the temperature reaches a threshold. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to pre-register information stored in the output number output unit of the developer cartridge loaded in the cartridge holder and the cartridge holder. An image forming apparatus that issues an alarm when information about the information does not match.