JP2003084634A - Toner scattering suppressing apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the cost for maintenance in a toner scattering suppressing apparatus for an image forming apparatus. SOLUTION: The apparatus includes a developing apparatus 13 for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor (image bearer) 10 by applying toner and a cleaning apparatus 15 for removing the toner remaining on the photoreceptor after a toner image is transferred to a sheet, a transfer medium, etc. The same air filters 74 and 75 are provided at respective air draining openings 70 and 72 on the developing and cleaning apparatuses, and the maintenance intervals between the air filters are made equal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine thereof. Especially, dry toner is used to form toner images on the image carrier by repeating charging, writing, development, transfer, cleaning, etc., and the toner images are sequentially transferred to transfer sheets, intermediate transfer members, etc. The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an image on a material. And, in such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a charging device,
The present invention relates to a process cartridge in which at least one of a developing device and a cleaning device and an image carrier are integrated and can be attached to and detached from a main body of an image forming apparatus, and toner for preventing toner scattering from the developing device and the cleaning device. Related to shatterproof device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, as the image carrier rotates, its surface is uniformly charged by a charging device.
Next, writing is performed by irradiating writing light from a writing device to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier, and then a developing device attaches toner to develop the electrostatic latent image,
Then, the toner image formed by the development is transferred to a transfer material such as a sheet / intermediate transfer member by a transfer device, and finally, a transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier after the image transfer is removed by a cleaning device. In preparation for another image formation starting from the charging device.

However, in a developing device or a cleaning device that stores toner, the rotation of the image carrier and the developing roller
The rotation of an internal rotating member such as a cleaning roller causes an air flow to increase the internal pressure, and even a small gap such as a joint between parts causes the air flow to leak, and the toner leaks along with the air flow, causing the toner to leak inside and outside the image forming apparatus. Could pollute the

Therefore, conventionally, a developing device or a cleaning device is provided with a pressure relief opening, and an air filter is attached to the pressure relief opening to prevent toner scattering from there.
However, as the air filter is used, the effect of preventing clogging with toner to prevent an increase in internal pressure is diminished, and the dust collection effect is diminished, which may cause toner scattering from the developing device or the cleaning device.

Therefore, it is necessary to regularly maintain the air filter. Specifically, the air filter is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or the like, washed with water to wash off the toner, or replaced with a new one.

[0006]

However, in such a conventional image forming apparatus, it is necessary to prepare two air filters, one for the developing device and one for the cleaning device, which increases the number of parts. There is also a problem that maintenance inventory increases and maintenance costs increase.

Further, in the conventional toner scattering prevention device, since the maintenance intervals of the air filter for the developing device and the air filter for the cleaning device are different, there is a problem that the maintenance frequency increases and the maintenance cost increases. . If an air filter with a long maintenance interval is also to be maintained at the same time as an air filter with a short maintenance interval, there is a problem that the quality becomes excessive and the maintenance cost increases.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to reduce the maintenance cost in the toner scattering prevention device of the image forming apparatus.

A second object of the present invention is to reduce the maintenance cost by making the parts common and reducing the maintenance stock in the toner scattering prevention device of the image forming apparatus, and making the maintenance intervals of both air filters the same. It is to plan.

Further, in the conventional toner scattering prevention device,
Since the maintenance time is different for each part, there is a problem that maintenance is troublesome and maintenance cost increases.

Therefore, a third object of the present invention is to prevent the toner from scattering in the image forming apparatus at the same maintenance time as possible to save the labor of maintenance.
It is to reduce the maintenance cost.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus equipped with a toner scattering prevention device which achieves the above-mentioned first to third objects.

A fifth object of the present invention is to improve the maintainability and reduce the maintenance cost in the toner scattering prevention device of the image forming apparatus.

A sixth object of the present invention is to improve the maintainability of a toner scattering prevention device for an image forming apparatus, reduce the maintenance stock by sharing parts, and make the maintenance intervals of both air filters the same. , To reduce maintenance costs.

A seventh object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge provided with a toner scattering prevention device which achieves the above-mentioned first, fifth and sixth objects.

An eighth object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus equipped with a process cartridge which achieves the seventh object.

By the way, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, conventionally, the transfer residual toner removed from the image bearing member by the cleaning device is transferred to the waste toner tank and stored therein, and the waste toner tank is stored in each tank. It was disposed of regularly. However, in recent years, in consideration of the environment, there is an increasing number of so-called toner recycles in which the collected transfer residual toner is returned to the developing device and reused without being discarded.

When the toner is recycled, the transfer residual toner is returned to the developing device by using a carrying coil or a powder pump, but not only the toner but also the air is sent to the developing device on the receiving side. As a result, the internal pressure of the developing device is further increased, and even if a small gap such as a joint between parts occurs, the air flow leaks, and the toner leaks together with the air flow, and the inside and outside of the image forming apparatus are more likely to be contaminated.

A ninth object of the present invention is to provide a toner scattering prevention device which can prevent toner leakage surely even in an image forming apparatus equipped with such a toner recycling device and which also reduces maintenance cost. Especially.

A tenth object of the present invention is to prevent the toner leakage surely even in the image forming apparatus which is also equipped with the toner recycling device, save the labor of maintenance, and use the common parts to maintain the maintenance stock. Another object of the present invention is to provide a toner scattering prevention device that reduces maintenance costs by reducing the maintenance intervals of both air filters at the same time.

An eleventh object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a toner recycle device as well, which can surely prevent toner leakage and, at the same time as possible, reduce maintenance time by reducing maintenance time. An object is to provide a toner scattering prevention device with reduced cost.

A twelfth object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus equipped with a toner scattering prevention device that achieves the above ninth to eleventh objects.

A thirteenth object of the present invention is to prevent scattering of toner even in an image forming apparatus equipped with a toner recycling device, improve toner maintainability, and reduce toner cost to prevent toner scattering. To provide.

A fourteenth object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a toner recycle device as well, which can surely prevent toner leakage, improve maintainability, and use common parts to maintain a maintenance inventory. Another object of the present invention is to provide a toner scattering prevention device that reduces maintenance costs by reducing the maintenance intervals of both air filters at the same time.

The fifteenth object of the present invention is to provide the above-mentioned first object.
An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge including a toner scattering prevention device that achieves the first, thirteenth, and fourteenth objects.

A sixteenth object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a process cartridge which achieves the fifteenth object.

[0027]

Therefore, in order to achieve the first object, the invention according to claim 1 is a developing device for adhering toner to develop an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, In a toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus having a cleaning device for transferring the toner image after the development to a transfer material to remove transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier afterwards, each of the developing device and the cleaning device The same air filter is provided in the pressure release opening.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the first object, a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier by adhering toner, and a toner image after the development are provided. In a toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus having a cleaning device that removes transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier after being transferred to a transfer material, provided in each pressure release opening of the developing device and the cleaning device. The air filter maintenance intervals are the same.

In order to achieve the second object, the invention according to claim 3 is a developing device for adhering toner to develop an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, and a toner image after the development. In a toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus having a cleaning device for removing transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier after being transferred to a material, the same pressure release opening is provided for each of the developing device and the cleaning device. Is provided, and the maintenance intervals of these air filters are made the same.

In order to achieve the third object, the invention according to claim 4 is the toner scattering prevention device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an air filter and at least one component of the developing device and the cleaning device are provided. It is characterized in that the maintenance intervals are also the same.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the fourth object, an image forming apparatus is provided with the first to fourth aspects.
The toner scattering prevention device according to any one of 1 to 4 is provided.

In order to achieve the fifth object, the invention according to claim 6 is a charging device for charging the surface of an image carrier and a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier by adhering toner. An image forming apparatus having a device and a cleaning device that transfers a toner image after development to a transfer material to remove residual toner after transfer remaining on an image carrier, including a charging device, a developing device, and a cleaning device. A toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus in which at least one of the above apparatus and an image carrier are integrated to form a process cartridge, and the process cartridge is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. And the same air filter is provided in each pressure release opening of the cleaning device.

In order to achieve the fifth object, the invention according to claim 7 develops an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier by charging a charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier and toner. An image forming apparatus having a developing device and a cleaning device for transferring a toner image after development to a transfer material to remove transfer residual toner remaining on an image carrier after a charging device, a developing device, and a cleaning device. At least one of the devices
In a toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus in which one device and an image carrier are integrated to form a process cartridge, and the process cartridge is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, each of a developing device and a cleaning device. The maintenance intervals of the air filters provided in the pressure relief openings are the same.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned sixth object, the invention according to claim 8 is a charging device for charging the surface of an image bearing member,
A developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier by adhering toner, and a cleaning device that transfers the developed toner image to a transfer material and removes transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier later. An image forming apparatus having a charging device,
Toner scattering prevention in an image forming apparatus in which at least one of a developing device and a cleaning device is integrated with an image carrier to form a process cartridge, and the process cartridge is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. In the apparatus, the same air filter is provided in each pressure release opening of the developing device and the cleaning device, and the maintenance intervals of these air filters are made the same.

In order to achieve the third object, the invention according to claim 9 is the toner scattering prevention device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein an air filter and at least one component of the developing device and the cleaning device are provided. It is characterized in that the maintenance intervals are also the same.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in order to achieve the seventh object, a process cartridge is provided with the toner scattering prevention device according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the eighth object, the image forming apparatus is provided with the process cartridge according to the tenth aspect.

In order to achieve the ninth object, a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier by adhering toner, and a toner image after the development are transferred. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning device that removes transfer residual toner remaining on an image carrier after being transferred to a material, including a toner recycling device that conveys the transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning device to a developing device. In the toner scattering prevention device of the image forming apparatus, the same air filter is provided in each of the pressure release openings of the developing device and the cleaning device.

The invention according to claim 13 is likewise the above ninth aspect.
And a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member to transfer the toner image after the development to a transfer material and remaining on the image bearing member. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning device for removing residual toner, comprising: a developing device, a toner scattering prevention device, in an image forming device equipped with a toner recycling device that conveys transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning device to a developing device. The maintenance intervals of the air filters provided at the pressure relief openings of the cleaning device are the same.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the tenth object, a developing device for adhering toner to develop an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, and a toner image after the development are transferred. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning device that removes transfer residual toner remaining on an image carrier after being transferred to a material, including a toner recycling device that conveys the transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning device to a developing device. In the toner scattering prevention device of the image forming apparatus, the same air filter is provided in each pressure release opening of the developing device and the cleaning device, and the maintenance intervals of these air filters are made the same. .

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the eleventh object, in the toner scattering prevention device according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, an air filter and at least one component of the developing device and the cleaning device are provided. It is characterized in that the maintenance intervals are also the same.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the twelfth object, the image forming apparatus is provided with the toner scattering prevention device according to any one of the twelfth to fifteenth aspects. .

According to a seventeenth aspect of the invention, in order to achieve the thirteenth object, a charging device for charging the surface of the image bearing member,
A developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier by adhering toner, and a cleaning device that transfers the developed toner image to a transfer material and removes transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier later. An image forming apparatus having a charging device,
At least one of the developing device and the cleaning device and the image carrier are integrated to form a process cartridge, and the process cartridge is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the transfer collected by the cleaning device is performed. In an image forming apparatus equipped with a toner recycling device that conveys residual toner to a developing device, in the toner scattering prevention device, the same air filter is provided in each pressure release opening of the developing device and the cleaning device. .

The invention according to claim 18 is the same as the first aspect.
In order to achieve the purpose of 3, the charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier, the developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier by adhering toner, and the toner image after the development as the transfer material. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning device for removing transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier after being transferred, wherein at least one of a charging device, a developing device and a cleaning device and an image carrier are provided. In an image forming apparatus having a toner recycling device that integrally forms a process cartridge, and that the process cartridge is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming device, and that transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning device is conveyed to the developing device. In the toner scattering prevention device, the maintenance intervals of the air filters provided in the pressure relief openings of the developing device and the cleaning device should be the same. That, characterized in that.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the invention, in order to achieve the fourteenth object, a charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier is provided.
A developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier by adhering toner, and a cleaning device that transfers the developed toner image to a transfer material and removes transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier later. An image forming apparatus having a charging device,
At least one of the developing device and the cleaning device and the image carrier are integrated to form a process cartridge, and the process cartridge is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the transfer collected by the cleaning device is performed. In a toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus equipped with a toner recycling device that conveys residual toner to a developing device, the same air filter is provided in each depressurizing opening of the developing device and the cleaning device, and the air filter The maintenance intervals are the same.

In order to achieve the eleventh object, the invention according to claim 20 is the toner scattering prevention device according to claim 18 or 19, wherein an air filter and at least one component of the developing device and the cleaning device are provided. It is characterized in that the maintenance intervals are also the same.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the invention, in order to achieve the fifteenth object, the process cartridge is provided with the toner scattering prevention device according to any one of the seventeenth to twentieth aspects.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the invention, in order to achieve the sixteenth object, the image forming apparatus is provided with the process cartridge according to the twenty-first aspect.

[0049]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic configuration of an internal mechanism of a digital copying machine equipped with a toner scattering prevention device according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 100 is
This is the main body of the copying machine. The copying machine main body 100 has a reading / writing device 200 mounted thereon and is mounted on a table-shaped sheet bank 300.

The main body 100 of the copying machine is internally provided with a drum-shaped photoreceptor 10 as an image carrier. Around the photoconductor 10, from a charging device 12 disposed above, in the order of the rotation direction (clockwise direction) A, a developing device 13, a transfer / conveyance device 14, a cleaning device 15, and a charge eliminating device 11
(See FIG. 2) and so on.

A sheet transport for transporting a sheet (transfer material) such as a sheet or an OHP film from the right side to the left side in the drawing through the photoconductor 10 and the transfer / transport device 14 inside the apparatus main body 100. Form path B. Then, in the sheet conveying path B, the registration roller 1 is provided at a position upstream of the photoconductor 10.
6 is provided. A fixing device 17 is provided at a position downstream of the photoconductor 10 along the sheet conveyance path B. In the fixing device 17,
Fixing roller 18 having a built-in heater and its fixing roller 1
8 is provided with a pressure roller 19 which is pressed from below. A discharge roller 20 is provided further downstream of the fixing device 17.

The reading / writing device 200 includes a laser writing device 22 and a document reading device 23. The laser writing device 22 is provided with a laser light source (not shown), a rotary polygon mirror 24 for scanning, a polygon motor 25, a scanning optical system 26 such as an fθ lens, and the like. The document reading device 23 includes a light source 28, a plurality of mirrors 29, and an image sensor 3 such as a CCD.
Set 0 or the like.

A contact glass 31 is provided on the upper surface, and a document holder 32 is attached so as to be openable and closable so as to cover the contact glass 31.

The sheet bank 300 is internally provided with a plurality of sheet cassettes 34. Each of the sheet cassettes 34 corresponds to the feeding roller 35 and the separating roller 3 respectively.
6 is provided. A sheet feeding path C leading to the sheet conveying path B of the apparatus main body 100 is formed on the right side of the sheet cassettes 34 provided in multiple stages in the drawing. The paper feed path C is provided with some transport rollers 37.

In the copying machine main body 100, a manual feed tray 38 for guiding the manual feed sheet to the sheet conveying path B is provided on the right side in the drawing so as to be openable and closable. On the other hand, a sheet discharge tray 39 for receiving the image-recorded sheet discharged by the discharge roller 20 is attached to the left side surface.

Now, when making a copy using this digital copying machine, the document holder 32 is opened, the document is set on the contact glass 31, and a start switch (not shown) is pushed.

Then, the document reading device 23 is driven to move the light source 28 along the contact glass 31, and the light source 28 is moved.
Reflects the light from the document surface on the contact glass 31,
The reflected light is reflected by a plurality of mirrors 29 and enters the image sensor 30, and the image sensor 30 reads the content of the document.

At the same time, at the same time, the photoconductor 10 is rotated by a photoconductor drive motor (not shown), the surface of the photoconductor 10 is uniformly charged by a charging device 12 using a charging roller in the illustrated example, and then the above-mentioned document reading is performed. A laser beam is emitted according to the content of the original read by the device 23 to perform writing by the laser writing device 22, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 10, and then toner is attached by the developing device 13. The electrostatic latent image is visualized.

At the same time when the start switch is pressed, the appropriate feeding roller 35 is rotated to move the sheet bank 3
The sheets are fed out from the corresponding sheet cassettes 34 in the plurality of sheet cassettes 34 provided in the multi-stage 00, separated one by one by the subsequent separation roller 36, and placed in the sheet feeding path C,
The sheet is conveyed by the conveying roller 37, guided to the sheet conveying path B, and abutted against the registration roller 16 to be stopped. Then, the registration roller 16 is rotated in synchronism with the rotation of the photoconductor 10 described above and is fed below the photoconductor 10.

Alternatively, the feeding roller 41 in the manual paper feeding portion is rotated, the manual paper sheet set on the open manual paper feed tray 38 is put into the sheet conveying path B, and the registration roller 16 also rotates the photosensitive member 10 at the timing. Together and are fed below the photoconductor 10.

Then, on the sheet fed below the photoconductor 10, the transfer / transferring having the transfer belt 40 in the illustrated example is performed.
The transfer device 14 transfers the visible image on the photoconductor 10. The residual toner on the photoconductor 10 after the image transfer is removed and cleaned by the cleaning device 15, and the residual potential on the photoconductor 10 is removed by the charge removing device 11 (see FIG. 2) to start the next image starting from the charging device 12. Prepare for formation.

On the other hand, the sheet after the image transfer is conveyed by the transfer / conveyance device 14 and placed in the fixing device 17, and the fixing roller 1
8 and the pressure roller 19 apply heat and pressure to the fixing device 1.
At 7, the transferred image is fixed. Then, the sheet is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 39 by the discharge roller 20 and is stacked there.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the developing device 13
Will be described. The developing device 13 includes a developing tank 43 and a developing hopper 44.

In the developing tank 43, the developing roller 46,
Paddle wheel 47, stirring roller 48, transport screw 4
9, a separator 50, a doctor blade 51, a toner concentration sensor 52, etc. are provided. Then, in the developing tank 43, a two-component developer including a carrier and toner is stored.

The developing roller 46 is made of aluminum, brass,
A developing sleeve 65 in which a non-magnetic material such as stainless steel or a conductive resin is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a magnet provided in the developing sleeve 65 in a fixed state and forming a magnetic field so that the developer stands on the surface of the developing sleeve 65. It is composed of a roller body 66. The developing sleeve 65 rotates counterclockwise by a rotation drive mechanism (not shown).

In the developing hopper 44, a rotating gear-shaped toner replenishing member 54, a replenishment regulating plate 55 that is pressed against the replenishing member 54, a rotating agitator 56, and the like are provided, and new toner is stored therein.

In the developing device 13, the two-component developer in the developing case 58 is agitated by the rotation of the agitating roller 48 to be frictionally charged, and is flipped up by the rotation of the paddle wheel 47 to be attached to the developing roller 46. . As a result, on the developing sleeve 65 of the developing roller 46, the carrier is erected in a chain shape by the magnetic force lines of the magnet roller body 66, and the charged toner is attached to the carrier erected in the chain shape to form a magnetic brush. To do.

Then, the magnetic brush is attached to the developing sleeve 6
The blade height is regulated by the doctor blade 51 while being conveyed along with rotation of 5, that is, the surplus is scraped off, and then the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 10 is developed by adhering to the photoconductor 10 by the developing bias.

In the developing device 13, the photoconductor 10
When the toner adheres to and consumes the toner, the ratio (toner density) decreases. Therefore, when the toner concentration in the developer becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value with respect to the target value of the toner concentration, the agitator 56 is rotated to stir the toner and convey the toner to the toner replenishing member 54, and the toner replenishing member 54 is rotated. Then, the replenishment regulation plate 55 is swung to replenish toner from the developing hopper 44 into the developing tank 43 to maintain the toner concentration in the developer.

The toner density in the developer is determined by the developing case 58.
It is measured by the toner concentration sensor 52 attached to. The target value of the toner density is set by a value obtained by measuring the measurement toner image (P pattern) formed on the photoconductor 10 with a photo sensor.

By the way, as described above, the toner attached to the photoconductor 10 is electrostatically transferred onto the sheet by the transfer / conveyance device 14. However, about 10% of the toner remains untransferred and remains on the photoconductor 10. The residual toner that has not been transferred and remains on the photoconductor 10 is the cleaning blade 60 and the brush roller 6 provided in the cleaning device 15.
It is scraped off from the photoconductor 10 by 1.

Next, the cleaning device 15 will be described with reference to FIG. The cleaning device 15
The recovery tank 62 is formed in the cleaning case 64,
A cleaning blade 60, a brush roller 61, a recovery screw 63, etc. are provided.

The cleaning blade 60 is made of a rubber material and has a tip with a predetermined angle and a predetermined pressure.
Press against. As the brush roller 61, a brush of a metal rod is used, and the brush roller 61 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow in the drawing by a driving unit (not shown). The recovery screw 63 is made of metal or a resin molded product in a spiral shape.

Then, the transfer residual toner on the photoconductor 10 is
First, the brush roller 61 scrapes off. Then, the toner remaining on the photoconductor 10 is removed by the cleaning blade 6
Completely remove with 0. The toner scraped off the surface of the photoconductor 10 by the cleaning blade 60 and the brush roller 61 is put into the recovery tank 62 of the cleaning device 15. Then, the recovery screw 63 conveys the cleaning device 15 to one side.

In the present invention, the depressurizing opening 70 is formed in the developing case 58 of the developing device 13, the filter holding frame 71 is provided around the depressurizing opening 70, and the cleaning device 1 is used.
The cleaning case 64 of No. 5 is formed with a pressure relief opening 72, and a filter holding frame 73 is provided around it. Then, air filters 74 and 75 of the same material and having the same shape are detachably attached to the respective filter holding frames 71 and 73.

The air filters 74 and 75 are made of paper, cloth, non-woven fabric, or porous synthetic resin, and remove toner by physical filtration, electrostatic adsorption method or the like.

In the developing device 13, when the developing sleeve 65 of the developing roller 46 rotates together with the photoconductor 10 in the developing device 13, an air flow shown by a dotted arrow in the drawing is generated in the developing case 58. The internal pressure of the developing device 13 does not rise because it flows out to the outside. Then, at this time, by catching the floating toner by the air filter 74, it is possible to prevent the floating toner from leaking out of the developing device 13.

Further, in the cleaning device 15, when the brush roller 61 rotates together with the photoconductor 10, an air flow shown by a dotted arrow in the drawing is generated in the cleaning case 64, and the air flow flows to the outside through the pressure relief opening 72. Therefore, the internal pressure of the cleaning device 15 does not rise. Then, at this time, by catching the floating toner by the air filter 75, it is possible to prevent the floating toner from leaking out of the cleaning device 15.

As described above, in the illustrated example, the pressure releasing openings 70 and 72 of the developing device 13 and the cleaning device 15, respectively.
In addition, since the air filters 74 and 75 made of the same material and having the same shape are provided, it is possible to reduce the maintenance cost by reducing the maintenance inventory by sharing the components.

At this time, in consideration of the toner scattering amount in the developing device 13 and the cleaning device 15, the maintenance intervals of the air filters 74 and 75 provided respectively are made the same, and the air filters 74 and 75 are provided at the same time.
For example, by cleaning with a vacuum cleaner or the like, washing with water to wash off the toner, or replacing the toner with a new one, the labor of maintenance can be reduced and the maintenance cost can be reduced.

In the illustrated example, the toner scattering amounts of the developing device 13 and the cleaning device 15 are substantially the same. for that reason,
The same air filters 74 and 75 are provided in the pressure relief openings 70 and 72, and the air filters 7 and 72 are provided.
The maintenance intervals of 4.75 are the same. As a result, the parts can be made common to reduce the maintenance stock, and the maintenance time can be made the same to reduce the labor of the maintenance and reduce the maintenance cost.

At this time, the air filters 74 and 75
If the maintenance intervals of at least one component of the developing device 13 and the cleaning device 15 are also the same, not only the air filters 74 and 75 but also the maintenance timing of other components can be saved, and the maintenance cost can be reduced. It can be reduced.

By the way, in FIG. 3, the air filter 74
The relationship between the area of 75 and the life is shown. As can be seen from FIG. 3, when the area of the air filters 74 and 75 is increased,
Longer life. Therefore, as shown by the dotted line in the figure, if the air filters 74 and 75 having the optimum areas are used according to the service life of the parts, the maintenance intervals can be made the same.

As a result, the air filters 74 and 75 do not need to reach the end of their lives or the air filters 74 and 75 that are still fully usable need not be replaced, and maintenance costs can be reduced. it can.

In FIG. 4, the photoconductor 10, the charging device 12, the cleaning device 15, the static eliminator 11 and the like are provided in one cartridge case 81 and integrated to form a process cartridge 80, which constitutes the main body of the copying machine (image formation). The case where the apparatus main body (100) can be collectively attached and detached is shown. In FIG. 4, the reference numerals assigned to the corresponding parts of the digital copying machine in FIG. 1 are used as they are, and the duplicated description will be omitted.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the process cartridge 80 is composed of the photoconductor 10, the charging device 12, the cleaning device 15, the static eliminator 11, and the like, but in the present invention, the charging device 12, the developing device 13, and the cleaning device 15 are provided. At least one of these devices and the image carrier 10 may be integrated to form a process cartridge. Of course, all of the charging device 12, the developing device 13, the cleaning device 15 and the image carrier 10 are process cartridges. May be formed.

In this way, by integrating devices having almost the same life as a process cartridge and exchanging the process cartridge 80 together, it is possible to save the labor of individual replacement and improve the maintainability.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning device 15
The case where the toner recycle device 84 that conveys the transfer residual toner collected in step 1 to the developing device 13 is shown. The toner recycling device 84 includes the cleaning device 15 and the developing device 1.
3 is provided with a recovery pipe 85, and the transfer coil 86 is housed in the recovery pipe 85. Carrier coil 86
Are continuously provided from one end position of the recovery screw 63.

Then, the driving force from a driving source (not shown) is transmitted to rotate the carrying coil 86 together with the collecting screw 63, and the transfer residual toner collected in the collecting tank 62 is carried to the one side of the cleaning device 15 as recycled toner. After that, it is conveyed by the conveying coil 86 and returned to the developing hopper 44 of the developing device 13 through the inside of the recovery pipe 85. In the developing hopper 44, the toner is mixed with new toner and sent to the developing tank 43, and is again used for developing in the developing device 13.

In the image forming apparatus of the illustrated example, the developing hopper 4
4 and the developing tank 43 have almost the same internal pressure through the toner replenishing path by the toner replenishing member 54, and when not only the toner but also the air is sent to the developing device 13 on the receiving side. The internal pressure is further increased, and even if a small gap such as a joint between parts causes a leakage of an air flow, toner leakage may occur together with the air flow, and the inside and outside of the digital copying machine (image forming apparatus) may be contaminated.

However, in the illustrated digital copying machine, the pressure releasing opening 70 is provided in the developing device 13, and the pressure releasing opening 7 is provided.
By attaching the air filter 74 to 0, even in the image forming apparatus including the toner recycling device 84,
By releasing the pressure while preventing the toner from scattering, it is possible to reliably prevent the toner from leaking from the developing device 13.

In the above example, when the toner image formed on the photoconductor 10 which is an image carrier is directly transferred to form an image on a sheet which is a transfer material, for example, when applied to a monochrome copying machine. I explained. However, the present invention can be applied not only to the copying machine but also to other image forming apparatuses such as printers and facsimiles, and the toner image formed on the image carrier is once transferred to the intermediate material which is the transfer material. It can be similarly applied to, for example, a color image forming apparatus in which an image is formed on a sheet by transferring the image on a transfer body and then retransferring it from the intermediate transfer body.

[0093]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, since the same air filter is provided in each of the pressure relief openings of the developing device and the cleaning device, the air filter is made common and the developing process is performed. It is not necessary to separately provide an air filter for the apparatus and an air filter for the cleaning apparatus, and it is possible to reduce the maintenance inventory and reduce the maintenance cost.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the maintenance intervals of the air filter for the developing device and the air filter for the cleaning device are the same, the maintenance time of both of these air filters is the same, and the maintenance work is troublesome. The maintenance cost can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the same air filter is provided in each of the pressure relief openings of the developing device and the cleaning device, and the maintenance intervals of these air filters are the same, By using a common filter, there is no need to separately provide an air filter for the developing device and an air filter for the cleaning device,
It is possible to reduce the maintenance stock and reduce the maintenance cost by reducing the maintenance time for both air filters at the same time.

According to the invention described in claim 4, since the maintenance intervals of the air filter and at least one component of the developing device and the cleaning device are the same, the maintenance timing of not only the air filter but also other components Similarly, the labor of maintenance can be saved and the maintenance cost can be reduced.

According to the invention of claim 5, claim 1
Since the toner scattering prevention device according to any one of items 1 to 4 is provided, it is possible to obtain the image forming apparatus including the toner scattering prevention device having each of the above effects.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the process cartridge is provided, it is possible to replace the entire process cartridge and improve the maintainability. In addition, since the same air filter is provided in each pressure release opening of the developing device and the cleaning device, it is necessary to share the air filter and separately provide the air filter for the developing device and the air filter for the cleaning device. It is possible to reduce the maintenance cost by eliminating the maintenance inventory.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the process cartridge is provided, it is possible to replace the entire process cartridge and improve the maintainability. Further, since the maintenance intervals of the air filter for the developing device and the air filter for the cleaning device are the same, it is possible to reduce the maintenance labor by reducing the maintenance time of both air filters at the same time.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the process cartridge is provided, it is possible to replace the entire process cartridge and improve the maintainability. In addition, since the same air filter is provided in each pressure release opening of the developing device and the cleaning device, it is necessary to share the air filter and separately provide the air filter for the developing device and the air filter for the cleaning device. It is possible to reduce the maintenance cost by eliminating the maintenance inventory. Further, since the maintenance intervals of the air filters for the developing device and the air filter for the cleaning device are the same, the maintenance time of both air filters should be the same to reduce the maintenance time and maintenance cost. You can

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, since the process cartridge is provided, it is possible to replace the entire process cartridge and improve the maintainability. Further, since the maintenance intervals of the air filter and at least one component of the developing device and the cleaning device are the same, the time and effort for maintenance are reduced not only for the air filter but also for the other components, thus reducing the maintenance cost. It can be reduced.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the process cartridge includes the toner scattering prevention device according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, and thus has the effects of the above-described sixth to ninth aspects. It is possible to obtain a process cartridge including a toner scattering prevention device.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the process cartridge according to the tenth aspect is provided, the image forming apparatus including the process cartridge having the effect of the tenth aspect can be obtained.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, since the same air filter is provided in each of the depressurizing openings of the developing device and the cleaning device, the air filter is shared and the air filter for the developing device is used. It is not necessary to separately provide an air filter for the cleaning device, so that the maintenance inventory can be reduced and the maintenance cost can be reduced. Further, since the air filter is provided, even in the image forming apparatus including the toner recycling device, the toner leakage from the developing device can be reliably prevented by releasing the pressure while preventing the toner from scattering.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, since the maintenance intervals of the air filter for the developing device and the air filter for the cleaning device are the same, the maintenance time of both air filters is the same and the maintenance labor is reduced. It is possible to reduce the maintenance cost. Further, since the air filter is provided, even in the image forming apparatus including the toner recycling device, the toner leakage from the developing device can be reliably prevented by releasing the pressure while preventing the toner from scattering.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, since the same air filter is provided in each of the pressure relief openings of the developing device and the cleaning device, the air filter is shared and the air filter for the developing device is used. It is not necessary to separately provide an air filter for the cleaning device, so that the maintenance inventory can be reduced and the maintenance cost can be reduced. In addition, since the maintenance intervals of the air filters for the developing device and the cleaning device are the same, the maintenance time for both air filters is the same and the maintenance labor is reduced.
Maintenance costs can be reduced. further,
Since the air filter is provided, even in an image forming apparatus having a toner recycling device, it is possible to reliably prevent toner leakage from the developing device by releasing pressure while preventing toner scattering.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the invention, since the maintenance intervals of the air filter and at least one component of the developing device and the cleaning device are the same, the maintenance timing of not only the air filter but also other components is also maintained. Similarly, the labor of maintenance can be saved and the maintenance cost can be reduced. Further, since the air filter is provided, even in the image forming apparatus including the toner recycling device, the toner leakage from the developing device can be reliably prevented by releasing the pressure while preventing the toner from scattering.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, since the toner scattering prevention device according to any one of the twelfth to fifteenth aspects is provided, the toner scattering prevention device having each of the above-described twelfth to fifteenth effects. It is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus including.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, since the process cartridge is provided, it is possible to replace the entire process cartridge and improve the maintainability. In addition, since the same air filter is provided in each pressure release opening of the developing device and the cleaning device, it is necessary to share the air filter and separately provide the air filter for the developing device and the air filter for the cleaning device. It is possible to reduce the maintenance cost by eliminating the maintenance inventory. Further, since the air filter is provided, even in the image forming apparatus having the toner recycling device, the toner leakage from the developing device can be surely prevented by releasing the pressure while preventing the toner scattering.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, since the process cartridge is provided, it is possible to replace the entire process cartridge and improve the maintainability. Further, since the maintenance intervals of the air filter for the developing device and the air filter for the cleaning device are the same, it is possible to reduce the maintenance labor by reducing the maintenance time of both air filters at the same time. Further, since the air filter is provided, even in the image forming apparatus having the toner recycling device, the toner leakage from the developing device can be surely prevented by releasing the pressure while preventing the toner scattering.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, since the process cartridge is provided, it is possible to replace the entire process cartridge and improve the maintainability. In addition, since the same air filter is provided in each pressure release opening of the developing device and the cleaning device, it is necessary to share the air filter and separately provide the air filter for the developing device and the air filter for the cleaning device. It is possible to reduce the maintenance cost by eliminating the maintenance inventory. Further, since the maintenance intervals of the air filters for the developing device and the air filter for the cleaning device are the same, the maintenance time of both air filters should be the same to reduce the maintenance time and maintenance cost. You can Further, since the air filter is provided, even in an image forming apparatus having a toner recycling device, it is possible to reliably prevent toner leakage from the developing device by performing pressure relief while preventing toner scattering.

According to the twentieth aspect of the invention, since the process cartridge is provided, it is possible to replace the entire process cartridge and improve the maintainability. Further, since the maintenance intervals of the air filter and at least one component of the developing device and the cleaning device are the same, the time and effort for maintenance are reduced not only for the air filter but also for the other components, thus reducing the maintenance cost. It can be reduced. In addition, since the air filter is provided, even in an image forming apparatus having a toner recycling device, it is possible to reliably prevent toner leakage from the developing device by performing pressure relief while preventing toner scattering. .

According to the twenty-first aspect of the invention, the process cartridge includes the toner scattering prevention device according to any one of the seventeenth to twentieth aspects, so that the above-described seventeenth to twentieth effects are obtained. It is possible to obtain a process cartridge including a toner scattering prevention device.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the invention, since the process cartridge according to the twenty-first aspect is provided, it is possible to obtain the image forming apparatus including the process cartridge having the effect of the twenty-first aspect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an internal mechanism of a digital copying machine including a toner scattering prevention device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged configuration diagram around the photosensitive member.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between an area and a life of an air filter used in the toner scattering prevention device.

FIG. 4 shows another example of the present invention, and is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an internal mechanism of a digital copying machine including a process cartridge.

FIG. 5 shows still another example of the present invention and is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an internal mechanism of a digital copying machine including a toner recycling device.

[Explanation of symbols] 10 Photoconductor (image carrier) 12 Charging device 13 Development device 15 Cleaning device 70 Depressurizing opening of developing device 71 Filter holding frame of developing device 72 Cleaning device pressure relief opening 73 Filter holding frame for cleaning device 74 Air Filter for Developing Device 75 Cleaning device air filter 80 process cartridges 81 cartridge case 84 Toner recycling device 85 Recovery pipe 86 carrier coil 100 Copier machine body (image forming machine body)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03G 21/10 G03G 15/08 507D 21/00 326 F term (reference) 2H027 HB01 HB16 JA03 JB02 JB03 JC06 JC07 2H077 AA37 AC07 AC16 AD06 BA09 CA11 EA03 GA04 2H134 GA01 GB02 JA02 JA11 KF04 KF06 KG03 KH07 KH16

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier by adhering toner, and a transfer residue that remains on the image carrier after transferring the developed toner image onto a transfer material. A toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus having a cleaning device for removing toner, characterized in that the same air filter is provided in each pressure release opening of the developing device and the cleaning device. apparatus. 2. A developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier by adhering toner, and a transfer residue that remains on the image carrier after transferring the developed toner image onto a transfer material. In a toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus having a cleaning device for removing toner, the maintenance intervals of the air filters provided in the pressure release openings of the developing device and the cleaning device are the same. Toner scattering prevention device. 3. A developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier by adhering toner, and a transfer residue remaining on the image carrier after transferring the developed toner image onto a transfer material. In a toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus having a cleaning device for removing toner, the same air filter is provided in each pressure release opening of the developing device and the cleaning device, and a maintenance interval of those air filters is provided. The toner scattering prevention device is characterized in that 4. The maintenance intervals of the air filter and at least one component of the developing device and the cleaning device are also the same.
Or the toner scattering prevention device as described in 3. 5. An image forming apparatus comprising the toner scattering prevention device according to claim 1. Description: 6. A charging device for charging the surface of an image bearing member, a developing device for adhering toner to develop an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member, and a toner image after the development is transferred to a transfer material. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning device that removes transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier after at least one of the charging device, the developing device, and the cleaning device, and the image carrier. A toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is formed by integrating the body and the process cartridge, and the process cartridge is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. A toner scattering prevention device, wherein the same air filter is provided in the opening. 7. A charging device for charging the surface of an image bearing member, a developing device for adhering toner to develop an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member, and a toner image after the development is transferred to a transfer material. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning device that removes transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier after at least one of the charging device, the developing device, and the cleaning device, and the image carrier. A toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is formed by integrating the body and the process cartridge, and the process cartridge is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. A toner scattering prevention device, characterized in that the maintenance intervals of the air filters provided in the openings are the same. 8. A charging device for charging the surface of an image carrier, a developing device for developing a latent electrostatic image on the image carrier by adhering toner, and a toner image after the development is transferred to a transfer material. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning device that removes transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier after at least one of the charging device, the developing device, and the cleaning device, and the image carrier. A toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is formed by integrating the body and the process cartridge, and the process cartridge is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The same air filter is provided in the opening, and the maintenance intervals of these air filters are made the same. Apparatus. 9. The maintenance interval of the air filter and at least one component of the developing device and the cleaning device are also the same.
Or the toner scattering prevention device as described in 8. 10. A process cartridge comprising the toner scattering prevention device according to claim 6. 11. An image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to claim 10. 12. A developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier by adhering toner, and a transfer residue that remains on the image carrier after transferring the developed toner image onto a transfer material. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning device for removing toner, comprising: a toner recycling device that conveys transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning device to the developing device. And a toner scattering prevention device, wherein the same air filter is provided in each pressure release opening of the cleaning device. 13. A developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier by adhering toner, and a transfer residue that remains on the image carrier after transferring the developed toner image onto a transfer material. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning device for removing toner, comprising: a toner recycling device that conveys transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning device to the developing device. And a toner scattering prevention device in which the maintenance intervals of the air filters provided in the pressure relief openings of the cleaning device are the same. 14. A developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier by adhering toner, and a transfer residue that remains on the image carrier after transferring the developed toner image onto a transfer material. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning device for removing toner, comprising: a toner recycling device that conveys transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning device to the developing device. The toner scattering prevention device is characterized in that the same air filter is provided in each pressure release opening of the cleaning device and the maintenance intervals of the air filters are made the same. 15. The toner scattering prevention device according to claim 13, wherein the maintenance intervals of the air filter and at least one component of the developing device and the cleaning device are also the same. 16. A toner scattering prevention device according to claim 12, wherein the toner scattering prevention device is provided.
Image forming apparatus. 17. A charging device for charging the surface of an image carrier,
A developing device that adheres toner to develop the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier, and transfers the developed toner image to a transfer material to remove transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier. In an image forming apparatus having a cleaning device, at least one of the charging device, the developing device, and the cleaning device is integrated with the image carrier to form a process cartridge. A toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus, which is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus and includes a toner recycling device that conveys transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning device to the developing device, the developing device and the cleaning device. A toner scattering prevention device characterized in that the same air filter is provided in each pressure release opening of the apparatus. Place 18. A charging device for charging the surface of an image carrier,
A developing device that adheres toner to develop the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier, and transfers the developed toner image to a transfer material to remove transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier. In an image forming apparatus having a cleaning device, at least one of the charging device, the developing device, and the cleaning device is integrated with the image carrier to form a process cartridge. A toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus, which is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus and includes a toner recycling device that conveys transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning device to the developing device, the developing device and the cleaning device. The maintenance intervals of the air filters provided in the pressure relief openings of the device are the same. A toner scattering prevention device. 19. A charging device for charging the surface of an image carrier,
A developing device that adheres toner to develop the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier, and transfers the developed toner image to a transfer material to remove transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier. In an image forming apparatus having a cleaning device, at least one of the charging device, the developing device, and the cleaning device is integrated with the image carrier to form a process cartridge. A toner scattering prevention device in an image forming apparatus, which is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus and includes a toner recycling device that conveys transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning device to the developing device, the developing device and the cleaning device. Provide the same air filter in each pressure relief opening of the device, and A toner scattering prevention device characterized in that the maintenance intervals are the same. 20. The toner scattering prevention device according to claim 18, wherein maintenance intervals of the air filter and at least one component of the developing device and the cleaning device are also the same. 21. A toner scattering prevention device according to any one of claims 17 to 20 is provided.
Process cartridge. 22. An image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to claim 21.