JP2003140458A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that reduces developer scatter, shortens time required for the supply of developer from a bottle to a storage device, prevents excessive supply of developer from the bottle to the storage device, and uniformizes developer distribution in the longitudinal direction of a developing container. SOLUTION: The bottle 1 and the storage device 2 are connected by a connecting part 1a formed at the longitudinal end. Based upon an output of a developer detecting means 7a disposed in the storage device 2, a carrying means 4 in the bottle 1 is driven to supply developer. Within the storage device 2, a developer uniformizing means 5 is disposed. The developer uniformizing means 5 has oval plates disposed on its shaft, each oval plate having a plurality of openings made in it. The means 5 supplies developer to the developing container 102a via a connecting part 2a formed over the longitudinal entire area of the container.

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 an electrophotographic apparatus, for storing a fine powdery developer used when developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member. And an image forming apparatus including the developer storage device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic apparatus has a photoconductor 101 as an image carrier as shown in FIG. 11, and a charger (not shown) is provided on the photoconductor 101. An electrostatic latent image is formed by an exposure device or the like, and a developer is attached to the electrostatic latent image by a developing device 102 to form a visible image.

Then, this visible image is displayed on the paper feed cassette 10.
3, the paper feed roller 105, the transport roller 106,
The transfer material S supplied to the photoconductor 101 via 107 or the like.
A transfer device 110 which is transferred by the transfer device 109 and is provided in the vicinity of the heat exhaust fan 113 together with the transfer material S.
Is conveyed to the fixing device 111, and is fixed on the transfer material S by being heated and pressed by the fixing device 111 to form a permanent image, and is discharged together with the transfer material S to the outside of the apparatus main body as a final copy.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus having such a configuration, the developing device 102 stores the developer in the photoreceptor 1.
Developing sleeve 102b to be attached to the electrostatic latent image on 01
And a developing container 102a for accommodating the developer are required, and as the image formation is repeated, the developing container 102a
The developer in “a” is sequentially consumed, and the remaining amount of the developer in the developing container 102a decreases. Therefore, it is necessary to replenish the developing device 102 with the developer as appropriate.

However, since the replenishment work of the developer to the developing device 102 is troublesome and involves the scattering of the developer, it is preferable to reduce the number of times as much as possible.

Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional image forming apparatus, in order to reduce the number of times of replenishment, a developer storage device (hereinafter referred to as a storage device) 11 is provided above the developing device 102.
2 are arranged.

That is, the storage device 112 is formed to be large in size so that a large amount of developer can be stored therein, and from this storage device 112 to the developing container 10 of the developing device 102 in order.
The developer can be automatically replenished with respect to 2a, so that the number of complicated developer replenishment work manually is greatly reduced.

However, since the developer in the storage device 112 also decreases with the use of the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to replenish the storage device 112 with the developer. Conventionally, as shown in FIG. The developer is transferred into the storage device 112 using a bottle 114 as a developer replenishing container.

Since it is preferable that the time required to replenish the developer is as short as possible, the discharge port 114a of the bottle 114 and the receiving port 112a of the storage device 112 are required.
Are formed large as shown in FIG.

[0010]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, when the discharge port 114a of the bottle 114 is made large, the developer is made of ultrafine particles having high fluidity, so that the developer easily scatters. From storage device 112
When the developer is transferred to or immediately after the bottle 114 is removed from the storage device 112 after the transfer, the developer may be scattered, and the scattered developer may contaminate nearby members.

Therefore, in order to prevent this, Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 38673, storage device 1
A storage device has been proposed in which a slide type opening / closing lid is attached to each of 12 and the bottle 114, and one opening / closing lid is driven by the other opening / closing lid to perform a developer replenishing operation.

Further, an opening serving as a developer supply port on the bottle 114 side is hermetically sealed by a peelable sheet member so that the developer does not leak even when the bottle 114 is transported or foreign matter. Storage device 1 to prevent contamination
Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-36943 discloses a storage device in which the opening / closing lid 12 is locked and can be opened / closed only during a developer replenishing operation.

However, in such a storage device,
Since it is impossible to confirm the remaining amount of the developer in the storage device 112 before the replenishment operation, excessive developer may be replenished from the bottle 114 to the storage device 112 when the developer is replenished. When the developer is replenished, the bottle 114 may not come off from the storage device 112, or the bottle 114 may come off from the storage device 2 with the opening / closing lid half opened, and the developer may scatter around. It was

Further, in the above-described conventional example, since the developer is replenished from the bottle 114 to the storage device 112 by free fall, the developer is not uniformly stored in the storage device 112, and as shown in FIG. In addition, if a connection port 112b from the storage device 112 to the developing container 102a is provided in the entire longitudinal direction of the developing container 102a and a developer is supplied to the entire longitudinal direction of the developing container 102a by opening and closing a shutter (not shown). In some cases, the developer contained in the developing container 102a becomes non-uniform in the longitudinal direction.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the storage device 1
12 is provided with a conveying screw 112c, and the developing container 102
The developer is supplied from the end portion in the longitudinal direction of a, and the conveying screw 102c and the developer regulating wall 1 are provided in the developing container 102a.
A method has been proposed in which the developer in the developing container 102a is made uniform by providing 02d.

In this system, the conveying screw 11
The developer supplied by 2c is conveyed by the conveying screw 102.
c, while being conveyed in the longitudinal direction, diffuses, and from the upstream side (indicated by a in FIG. 13) to the downstream side (indicated by b in FIG. 13) in the developer conveying direction by the conveying screw 102c.
By the developer regulating wall 102d whose height is extremely low,
A large amount of developer existing on the upstream side is suppressed, and a small amount of developer is promoted on the downstream side, so that the developer distribution in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 102a becomes uniform. There is.

However, according to this method, the carrying screw 102c used in the developing container 102a may have an unstable carrying amount due to changes in the environment, etc. When the carrying amount becomes unstable, the developer is distributed in the longitudinal direction. May become non-uniform, which may lead to image deterioration.

Conventionally, therefore, the conveying screw 10 is used.
Although the diameter of 2c, the number of rotations, and the height of the developer control wall 102d are optimized, the conveying screw 102c, the developer control wall 102d, and the developing container 102a required for the optimization.
The dimensional tolerances such as are very strict, and the latitude is small, which may increase the manufacturing cost.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time required to replenish the developer from the bottle to the storage device while suppressing the developer scattering, and to prevent the excessive supply of the developer from the bottle to the storage device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of achieving uniform developer distribution in the longitudinal direction of the developing container.

[0020]

According to the first invention of the present application, the above object is to provide an image bearing member carrying an electrostatic latent image, and to arrange the image bearing member so as to face the image bearing member. A developer carrier, a developer container for containing the developer carried by the developer carrier, a developer storage device for storing the developer to be supplied to the developer container, and a detachable container for the developer storage device. In an image forming apparatus provided with a developer replenishing container for replenishing the developer to the developer storing device, the developer is supplied from the developer storing device to the developing container in the entire longitudinal direction of the developer carrier. A screw-shaped developer leveling means having an opening between the supply communication part for supplying and the developer in the longitudinal direction in the developer storage device, and an opening provided between the developer storage device, and the developer replenishing container. From the developer storage device to a region in the longitudinal direction. A replenishment communicating portion for replenishing the developer, a developer detecting means for detecting the amount of the developer in the developer storage device, and a developer in the developer replenishing container driven based on the output of the developer detecting means. This is achieved by having a transport means for transporting to the replenishment communication section.

According to the second invention of the present application,
The above-mentioned object is to provide an image bearing member carrying an electrostatic latent image, a developer bearing member arranged so as to face the image bearing member, and a developing agent containing a developer carried by the developer bearing member. An image having a container, a developer storage device for storing a developer to be supplied to the developing container, and a developer replenishing container detachably provided in the developer storage device to replenish the developer storage device with the developer. In the forming device, a supply communicating portion that supplies the developer from the developer storage device to the developer container in the entire longitudinal direction of the developer carrier, and the developer in the developer storage device in the longitudinal direction. And a developer leveling means having a plurality of elliptical plates provided with openings on its axis, and developing from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage device in a region in the longitudinal direction. Replenishment communication part for replenishing developer and development in the developer storage device A developer detecting means for detecting the amount,
It is achieved by having a conveying unit that is driven based on the output of the developer detecting unit and that conveys the developer in the developer replenishing container to the replenishing communication section.

That is, in the first aspect of the present invention, the developer storage device is formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrying member, and the developer is supplied from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage device. Since the discharging is performed through the replenishment communicating portion, a large amount of the developer is scattered when the developer replenishing container is mounted, the developer is replenished, and the developer replenishing container is detached. Further, since the replenishment of the developer from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage device is performed by driving the conveying means in the developer replenishing container, the developer replenishing is performed even when the replenishment communicating portion is used. Shorten the time required for. Further, since the conveying means is driven based on the output of the developer detecting means for detecting the amount of the developer in the developer storage device, the developer is not replenished excessively. Further, the developer replenished in the developer storage device in this way is leveled in the longitudinal direction by the developer leveling means in the developer storage device, and is moved from the developer storage device to the developing container in the longitudinal direction. Since the developer is supplied over the entire area, the distribution of the developer in the developing container in the longitudinal direction becomes uniform and an image defect does not occur. At this time, since the developer leveling means is a screw-shaped means having an opening provided between the developer and the shaft portion, the torque required for rotation is reduced while the developer is held in the developer storage device in the developer carrier longitudinal direction. Disperses at a faster rate throughout the direction.

Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, the developer leveling means is a means provided on the shaft with a plurality of elliptical plates having openings, so that the torque required for rotation is reduced. At the same time, the developer is diffused in the entire area in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier in the developer storage device.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the image forming apparatus in this embodiment. An image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic apparatus according to the present embodiment has a photoconductor 101 as an image carrier as shown in FIG. 4, and a charger (not shown) and an exposure device are provided on the photoconductor 101. And the like to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developer is attached to the electrostatic latent image by the developing device 102 to form a visible image.

Then, this visible image is displayed on the paper feed cassette 10.
3, the paper feed roller 105, the transport roller 106,
The transfer material S supplied to the photoconductor 101 via 107 or the like.
A transfer device 110 which is transferred by the transfer device 109 and is provided in the vicinity of the heat exhaust fan 113 together with the transfer material S.
Is conveyed to the fixing device 111, and is fixed on the transfer material S by being heated and pressed by the fixing device 111 to form a permanent image, and is discharged together with the transfer material S to the outside of the apparatus main body as a final copy.

In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the developing device 102 has a developing sleeve 102b for adhering the developer to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 101, and a developing container 102a for accommodating the developer. And a developer storage device (hereinafter referred to as a storage device) 2 for supplying the developer to the developing container 102a.

Further, a bottle 1 as a developer replenishing container that is attachable to and detachable from the storage device 2 is provided on the storage device 2 so that the developer can be replenished to the storage device 2. It has become.

The configuration of the bottle 1 and the storage device 2 in this embodiment is as shown in FIG. 1, which is a view as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG. That is, unlike the conventional case, the discharge port of the bottle 1 is not formed to be large, but the supply of the developer from the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 is performed by the connection port 1a as a communication portion provided at the longitudinal end of the storage device 2. Further, the supply of the developer from the storage device 2 to the developing container 102a is performed over the entire area in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 102a.

By supplying the developer from the longitudinal end portion of the storage device 2 as described above, even the developer composed of ultrafine particles having high fluidity is transferred from the bottle 1 to the storage device 2. When transferring the developer, or immediately after removing the bottle 1 from the storage device 2 after the transfer is completed, a large amount of developer does not scatter, and the scattered developer does not contaminate nearby members. .

However, with this configuration, there is a possibility that the time required for replenishing the developer will be long. In view of this, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a conveying means 4 constituted by a screw or the like is provided in the bottle 1 to replenish the developer in a short time.

Even when the developer is supplied from the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the storage device 2 as described above, the developer distribution in the longitudinal direction of the storage device 2 becomes uneven as in the conventional example. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the developer leveling means (hereinafter, referred to as leveling means) 5 is provided in the storage device 2, and the storage device 2 is connected to the developing container 102a. The developer is supplied over the entire area of the developing container 102a in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the distribution of the developer in the longitudinal direction becomes uniform and an image defect does not occur.

In this embodiment, the discharge from the bottle 1 can be stopped by the shutter 1b as shown in FIG. The shutter 1b may be set in an open state at the time of attachment, or the shutter 1b may be electrically opened and closed by a solenoid or the like.

Further, in this embodiment, by providing the storage device 2 with the developer detecting means 7a constituted by a piezo type sensor or the like, excessive supply of the developer from the bottle 1 to the storage device 2 is performed. I try not to.

That is, when the developer in the storage device 2 decreases, the output of the developer detecting means 7a changes, so that the conveying means 4 in the bottle 1 is driven based on the output, and the developer is transferred to the bottle 1 When the output of the developer detecting means 7a changes again due to an increase in the amount of the developer in the storage device 2, the driving of the conveying means 4 is stopped, so that the development inside the storage device 2 is always performed. The amount of the agent is kept constant.

Further, in the present embodiment, even if the carrier means 4 in the bottle 1 is operated for a certain period of time, the storage device 2
When the amount of the developer in the bottle 1 does not reach a certain amount, it is determined that the developer in the bottle 1 is exhausted, and a display for instructing replacement of the bottle 1 is displayed on the operation panel or the like.

Therefore, since the user can know the proper replacement time of the bottle 1, it is possible not only to prevent the excessive supply of the developer but also to prevent the interruption of the image forming operation due to the insufficient developer. it can.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the bottle 1 is replaced and the developer is again detected by the developer detecting means 7a by the above-mentioned display of the bottle replacement on the operation panel or the like, the above display is displayed. Although it is configured to be erased, the bottle 1 can be replaced even when the above display is performed during the copy operation.

That is, the developer detecting means 7b, which is also composed of a piezo-type sensor or the like, is provided below the developer detecting means 7a, so that the developer detecting means 7b is obtained.
The copying operation is stopped when it is determined that the developer in the storage device 2 is exhausted.

As a result, during the above display, the copying operation can be performed by the amount of the developer between the developer detecting means 7a and the developer detecting means 7b in the storage device 2, and the replacement of the bottle 1 is completed during that time. By doing so, the continuous copy operation becomes possible.

Further, in this embodiment, the mounting positions of the developer detecting means 7a and 7b are opposite to the side of the storage device 2 where the developer is sent from the bottle 1. Therefore, the storage device 2 immediately after the developer is replenished
The developer inside can be made uniform in the longitudinal direction.

For example, when the bottle 1 becomes empty and the copying operation continues, or when the image forming apparatus is installed, it is predicted that the storage device 2 will also become empty. At this time,
It takes time for the developer in the storage device 2 to reach a certain amount. However, as shown in FIG. 5, if there is the developer detecting means 7'a at the end on the side where the developer is fed from the bottle 1, the leveling of the developer is not uniform, and as shown in FIG. There is a risk that the copy operation will be started even in such a state.

Therefore, the developer detecting means 7a, 7b
Is preferably located opposite the end fed from the bottle 1, as in FIG.

Next, the leveling means 5 arranged in the storage device 2
Will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the developer sent from the connecting portion 1a is sent to the end portion in the longitudinal direction, and therefore, as it is, only the peaks are formed at the end portion as shown in FIG. Therefore, in this embodiment, by operating the leveling means 5, the developer at the end is made uniform in the entire longitudinal direction.

When the conveying screw 112c is used as in the prior art, the conveying screw 112c is merely conveyed in one direction, but in the present embodiment, the leveling means 5 is internally opened as shown in FIG. An elliptical plate (hereinafter referred to as an oval plate) having an oval plate 5a, and the oval plate 5a is formed with an axis 5b at an angle.
Since it is attached to, the effect of spreading the developer over the entire area while rotating can be obtained rather than sending the developer from one end to the opposite end.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the leveling means 5 having the oval plate 5a can always level the inside of the storage device 2 uniformly in the longitudinal direction. Further, the stirring ability is excellent, and stirring can be performed even when the developer solidifies.

In this way, the developer in the storage device 2 that has been uniformly leveled in the longitudinal direction has the connection port 2 as a communication portion provided over almost the entire area of the developing container 102a in the longitudinal direction.
It is uniformly supplied to almost the entire area of the developing container 102a in the longitudinal direction through a, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of image defects.

The developer in the storage device 2 is as shown in FIG.
By the operation of the shutter roller 8 as shown in FIG. 3, the toner is supplied to the developing device 102 through the connecting portion 2a. The shutter roller 8 is operated by an electric signal from a developer detecting means (not shown) in the developing container 102a, and controls the amount of the developer in the developing container 102a to be always a constant amount. The shutter roller 8
The configuration of is not particularly limited to the roller.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the outlet of the bottle 1 is not provided over the entire region of the storage device 2 in the longitudinal direction, but is provided at the end portion in the longitudinal direction. It is possible to prevent the developer from scattering during removal. Moreover, by providing the bottle 1 with the carrying means 4, it is possible to shorten the developer replenishment time from the bottle 1 to the storage device 2.

Further, the developer detecting means 7a and 7b are provided,
Conveying means 4 according to the outputs of the developer detecting means 7a, 7b.
Is driven or an indication about the replacement time of the bottle 1 is displayed, so that excessive supply of developer is not performed.

Further, by using the two developer detecting means arranged above and below, the image forming operation is possible even during the replacement display of the bottle 1, and the continuous image forming operation is possible.

Further, since the mounting positions of the developer detecting means 7a and 7b are set on the side opposite to the developer receiving portion of the storage device 2, the storage device 2 is emptied from the empty state. Even when the developer is replenished, the distribution of the developer in the storage device 2 in the longitudinal direction can be made uniform.

Further, by providing the storage device 2 with the leveling means 5 provided with the oval plate 5a having the opening, the distribution of the developer in the storage device 2 in the longitudinal direction can be made uniform, and
The developer can be stably transported.

Further, since the developer can be agitated at the same time by the oval-shaped leveling means 5, other agitating members can be eliminated, which is a great merit in terms of cost.

The oval leveling means 5 has the same effect when rotated in either direction.
Gears etc. can be minimized, resulting in cost reduction.

Further, since the developer from the bottle 1 is temporarily stored in the storage device 2 to make the distribution in the longitudinal direction uniform, the dimensional tolerances of the screw, wall, container, etc. can be increased, and the latitude can be widened to manufacture. The cost can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The position of the developer discharge port of the bottle 1 may be anywhere in the longitudinal direction of the storage device 2, and although it depends on the shape of the bottle and the like, as shown in FIG. The same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, a transporting means 4'for transporting the developer to the central portion side of the bottle 1 may be used.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The same parts as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

When the storage device 2 is upsized and the length thereof is expanded in the longitudinal direction, the rotation torque of the leveling means is increased, or the relationship between the leveling speed and the developer replenishing speed to the developing container 102a is not stable. Can also be considered. Actually, the electric power in the main body is limited, and the rotational torque may be restricted.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the leveling means is composed of a conveying screw 11, a leveling wall 10 and a screw path 12, which are provided in the storage device 2.

According to this embodiment, the developer is first dropped from the end of the bottle 1 onto the conveying screw 11 in the storage device 2. Then, the developer is conveyed in the screw path 12 by the conveying screw 11, and the leveling wall 1
As shown in FIG. 8, 0 is a shape in which the developer is gradually inclined from the position where the developer drops from the bottle 1 onto the screw 11, and the developer is gradually added by the screw 11 to the stirring member 1.
Sprinkle on 3. Therefore, the developer is uniformly leveled in the longitudinal direction.

The principle is similar to that of the conventional example shown in FIG. However, unlike the inside of the developing container 102a, the developer is temporarily stored in the storage device 2 and then sent to the developing container 102a. Replenishment of the developer can be stably performed.

In the case of this structure, the stirring member 13 can be structured as a shaft 13a and a wire 13b as shown in FIG. 8, so that friction during stirring of the developer can be reduced and rotational torque can be reduced. You can

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In addition,
The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The leveling means is a screw 5c as shown in FIG.
The shape may be such that the inside of is open and has the ability of stirring. By adopting this shape, the leveling (conveying) speed in the longitudinal direction can be increased.

However, as it is, the developer will be entirely shifted to one side, so that it is preferable to appropriately perform the reverse rotation. As described above, when the screw type leveling means is used, the control of the rotation direction and the rotation speed is required.

For example, if the developer sent to the end requires 20 rotations to reach the opposite end, the sequence is such that after 20 rotations, reverse rotation is input several times.

Further, the developer detecting means may be provided at the center to constantly detect the uniformity of the developer and control the rotation of the stirring screw.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the screw 5c
If the screw 5d is provided inside the, the number of times of changing the rotation direction as described above can be reduced,
The operation time of the motor can be shortened.

At this time, it is preferable that the outer screw and the inner screw have a large pitch between the inner screws to enhance the conveying ability.

With the configuration shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the developer can be agitated, the deviation of the developer in one direction is eliminated, and the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Further, the number of the developer detecting means is not limited to two, but the number of developing means can be increased to detect the remaining amount of the developer in the storage device, so that the user can replace it with a standard. You can be precise.

[0076]

As described above, the first aspect of the present application
According to the invention, the developer storage device has a shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrying member, and since the discharge of the developer from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage device is performed through the replenishment communication portion,
It is possible to prevent a large amount of scattering of the developer when the developer replenishing container is attached, when the developer is replenished, and when the developer replenishing container is detached, and it is possible to improve operability. Further, since the replenishment of the developer from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage device is performed by driving the conveying means in the developer replenishing container, even when the replenishment communicating portion is used,
It is possible to eliminate the conventional waiting time for replenishing the developer. Further, the driving of the conveying means is performed based on the output of the developer detecting means for detecting the amount of the developer in the developer storage device, so that the excessive developer replenishment can be prevented, and in this way, The developer replenished in the developer storage device is leveled in the longitudinal direction by the developer leveling means in the developer storage device, and is supplied from the developer storage device to the developing container over the entire longitudinal direction. The distribution of the developer in the developing container in the longitudinal direction can be made uniform, and the occurrence of image defects can be prevented. that time,
Since the developer leveling means is a screw-shaped means having an opening provided between the developer and the shaft portion, the developer is spread over the entire area in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier in the developer storage device while reducing the torque required for rotation. , Can be spread at a faster rate. In addition, replenishment with excellent stability can be realized even when the environment changes. Furthermore, since the developer from the developer replenishing container is once stored in the storage device to make the distribution in the longitudinal direction uniform, the dimensional tolerance of the screw, the wall, the container, etc. can be increased, and the latitude can be widened. The cost can be reduced.

According to the second invention of the present application,
The developer leveling means is a means provided with a plurality of elliptical plates each having an opening on the axis, so that the torque required for rotation can be reduced and the developer carrier in the developer storage device can be lengthened. It can be diffused across the entire direction.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing configurations of a developer replenishing container, a developer storage device, and a developing container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a configuration of a developer replenishing container, a developer storage device, and a developing container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a developer leveling unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a comparative example with the developer detecting means in the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing configurations of a developer replenishing container, a developer storage device, and a developing container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the configurations of a developer replenishing container, a developer storage device, and a developing container according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a developer storage device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a developer leveling unit according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view showing another developer leveling means according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing configurations of a developer replenishing container, a developer storing device, and a developing container in a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration of the developer replenishing container, the developer storing device, and the developing container in the conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 bottle (developer replenishing container) 1a connection port (replenishment communication part) 2 storage device (developer storage device) 2a connection port (supply communication part) 4, 4'conveying means 5 leveling means (developer leveling means) 5a Elliptical plate (developer leveling means) 5b Shaft (developer leveling means) 5c Screw (developer leveling means, screw-shaped means) 5d Reversed screw (developer leveling means) 7a Developer Detecting means (uppermost developer detecting means) 7b Developer detecting means (lowermost developer detecting means) 101 Photoreceptor (image carrier) 102a Developing container 102b Developing sleeve (developer carrying body)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image, a developer carrier that is disposed so as to face the image carrier, and a developer that is carried by the developer carrier. Development container,
An image forming apparatus having a developer storage device for storing a developer to be supplied to the developer container, and a developer replenishing container detachably provided in the developer storage device for replenishing the developer to the developer storage device. A supply communication part for supplying the developer from the developer storage device to the developing container in the entire longitudinal direction of the developer carrier, and leveling the developer in the longitudinal direction in the developer storage device, A screw-shaped developer leveling means having an opening formed between the shaft portion and a replenishment communicating portion for replenishing the developer from the developer replenishing container to the developer storage device in a region in the longitudinal direction. And a developer detecting means for detecting the amount of the developer in the developer storage device, and a developer in the developer replenishing container, which is driven based on the output of the developer detecting means, is conveyed to the replenishment communicating part. Characterized by having a conveying means Image forming apparatus. 2. An image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image, a developer carrier that is arranged so as to face the image carrier, and a developer that is carried by the developer carrier. Development container,
An image forming apparatus having a developer storage device for storing a developer to be supplied to the developing container, and a developer replenishing container detachably provided in the developer storage device for replenishing the developer to the developer storage device. A supply communicating portion for supplying the developer from the developer storage device to the developing container in the entire longitudinal direction of the developer carrier, and leveling the developer in the longitudinal direction in the developer storage device, Developer leveling means having a plurality of elliptical plates provided with openings on its axis, and developer replenishing container from the developer replenishing container to the developer storing device to replenish the developer in a region in the longitudinal direction. Replenishing and communicating section, developer detecting means for detecting the amount of developer in the developer storing device, and developer in the developer replenishing container driven by the output of the developer detecting means for replenishing and communicating. To have a conveying means for conveying to another section An image forming apparatus characterized by.