JP2003280487A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which securely recovers recovered toner without exerting effects on the processing time of image forming parts or an intermediate transfer part, the life, etc. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus forms an image in such a manner that images formed by the image forming parts are superimposed one on another on the intermediate transfer part and then the superimposed images are transferred and fixed to a recording material. The image forming apparatus is provided with a toner recovering means which is driven independently of drive systems for the image forming parts and intermediate transfer part and transports and recovers recovered toner on the image forming parts and intermediate transfer part, and a control means which controls a toner recovering drive source for the toner recovery means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

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, and more particularly to collecting toner collected in an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art (Prior Art 1) In an image forming apparatus for forming images by superposing images formed by a plurality of image forming sections on an intermediate transfer section and then transferring and fixing them on a recording material,
2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image forming apparatus in which a collected toner on the image forming unit and the intermediate transferring unit is simultaneously conveyed by a drive system of the image forming unit or the intermediate transferring unit and collected in a toner collecting container.

(Prior Art 2) In an image forming apparatus in which images formed by a plurality of image forming sections are superposed on an intermediate transfer section and then transferred to a recording material and fixed to form an image, After the process operation for image formation in the intermediate transfer section is completed, the drive system of the image forming section or the intermediate transfer section further conveys the collected toner on the image forming section or the intermediate transfer section for a predetermined time and collects it in the toner collecting container. An image forming apparatus is known.

(Prior Art 3) In an image forming apparatus in which images formed by a plurality of image forming sections are superposed on an intermediate transfer section, and then transferred onto a recording material and fixed to form an image. The toner collecting means is driven regardless of the presence / absence of toner in the conveying path for conveying the collected toner on the intermediate transfer portion.

(Prior Art 4) In an image forming apparatus for forming images by superimposing images formed by a plurality of image forming portions on an intermediate transfer portion and then transferring and fixing the images onto a recording material.
There is no known sensor that detects whether or not the collected toner is conveyed and whether or not the collected toner is full in the toner collection container.

(Prior Art 5) Images formed by a plurality of image forming units are superposed on an intermediate transfer unit, transferred to a recording material and then fixed to form an image, and the image forming apparatus is used for a predetermined time. In the image forming apparatus that shifts to the power save mode when not saved, the collected toner is not particularly collected in the toner collecting container before the shift to the power save mode.

[0007]

However, as a problem of (Prior Art 1), when the collected toner is collected by the drive system of the image forming section or the intermediate transfer section, the toner collecting means is driven. Since the image forming unit or the intermediate transfer unit is always driven, the processing operation time of the image forming unit or the intermediate transfer unit becomes long, and the life tends to be shortened.
Further, since the driving of the toner collecting unit is stopped together with the driving of the image forming unit or the intermediate transfer unit, there is a problem that the toner transport stops even during the transport of the collected toner and the toner stays in the transport path. .

An object of the first invention is to solve the above problems and to reliably collect recovered toner in a toner recovery container without affecting the life of the image forming section or the intermediate transfer section and the processing time. To provide a forming apparatus. Further, by sharing the drive source of the sheet feeding means, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of a drive source for toner recovery without requiring a new motor.

As a problem of (Prior Art 2), since the collected toner is collected regardless of the used amount of toner used during the image forming operation, when the used amount of toner is large, a predetermined time is required. Even if only the toner collecting means is driven, there is a possibility that the collected toner remains in the conveying path of the collecting toner,
Further, when the amount of toner used is small, there is a problem that the toner collecting means may be driven more than necessary.

An object of the second aspect of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to form an image in which the recovered toner can be efficiently and reliably recovered in a toner recovery container in accordance with the amount of toner used during the image forming operation. To provide a device.

As a problem of (Prior Art 3), since the toner collecting means is driven regardless of the presence or absence of the collected toner in the collected toner conveying path, the toner collecting means may be driven more than necessary. In addition, there is a problem in that the collected toner may be stopped to be solidified even when the collected toner is being conveyed.

An object of a third aspect of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide an image forming apparatus capable of collecting toner in a toner collecting container without leaving the collected toner in the conveying path.

As a problem of (Prior Art 4), there is a problem that the structure becomes complicated when the presence / absence of conveyance of the collected toner in the conveyance path of the collected toner and the presence / absence of fullness of the toner collection container are provided as separate sensors.

An object of a fourth aspect of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an image forming apparatus capable of detecting whether or not the collected toner is conveyed in the conveying path of the collected toner and whether the collected toner is full in the toner collecting container can be detected by the same sensor. To provide.

As a problem of (Prior Art 5), in the power save mode, the collected toner may be in the middle of being conveyed, and the collected toner adheres to the inside of the conveying path, and packing or the like may occur when returning from the power save mode. There is a problem that it may occur.

A fifth object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide an image forming apparatus in which packing or the like does not occur when the power save mode is restored after being left unattended.

[0017]

The above-mentioned object of the first invention can be achieved by the following means.

(1) In an image forming apparatus for superposing the images formed by a plurality of image forming units on an intermediate transfer unit, and then transferring and fixing the images onto a recording material to form an image, the image forming unit and the intermediate unit. Driven independently of the drive system of the transfer unit,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a toner collecting unit that conveys and collects the collected toner on the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit; and a control unit that controls a toner collecting drive source of the toner collecting unit. apparatus.

The above object of the first invention can be achieved by the following means. (2) In an image forming apparatus for forming images by superimposing images formed by a plurality of image forming units on an intermediate transfer unit and then transferring and fixing the images on a recording material, the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit are formed. A toner collecting unit that is driven independently of a drive system and conveys and collects the collected toner on the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit, and a toner consumption calculating unit that calculates the amount of toner consumed during the image forming operation. A time during which at least one of the image forming unit or the intermediate transfer unit is operating, and further before starting the operation, after stopping the operation, immediately before starting the operation, or immediately after stopping the operation, An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a recovery driving source of the recovered toner so that the toner recovery unit operates for a time determined based on the calculation result of the consumed toner calculation unit. Location.

The above object of the third invention can be achieved by the following means. (3) In the image forming apparatus, in which the images formed by the plurality of image forming units are superposed on each other on the intermediate transfer unit, and then transferred and fixed on a recording material to form an image, on the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit. Toner collecting means for carrying the collected toner and carrying it to the toner collecting container, a toner collecting drive source for driving the toner collecting means, and a sensor for detecting whether or not the toner is carried in the carrying path for collecting the collected toner. And a toner collecting means after the operation of the image forming portion or the intermediate transfer portion is completed based on the detection information of the collected toner detecting means disposed above the toner collecting container from the end of the conveying path on the toner collecting container side. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls driving of the image forming apparatus.

The above-mentioned object of the fourth invention can be achieved by the following means. (4) In an image forming apparatus for superposing images formed by a plurality of image forming units on an intermediate transfer unit, and then transferring and fixing the images onto a recording material to form an image, on the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit. And a toner recovery drive source for driving the toner recovery means, a toner recovery container for collecting the recovered recovery toner, and a toner recovery container provided above the inside of the toner recovery container. When the collected toner is conveyed at the end of the operations of the collected toner detecting means and the image forming section or the intermediate transfer section, the toner collecting section is driven for a predetermined time, and the toner collecting section is not driven. In the above, when the collected toner detecting means detects that there is collected toner, the control means for judging that the collected toner is full in the toner collecting container. Image forming apparatus, characterized in that the.

The above-mentioned object of the fifth invention can be achieved by the following means. (5) Images formed by a plurality of image forming units are superposed on the intermediate transfer unit, transferred to a recording material and then fixed to form an image, and a power save mode is used when the image forming apparatus is not used for a predetermined time. In the image forming apparatus shifting to
A toner collecting unit that collects the collected toner on the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit, a toner collecting drive source that drives the toner collecting unit, and a power save transition time that measures the time when the image forming apparatus is not used. Measuring means,
When the time to shift to the power save mode is approached by the power save shift time measuring means, the toner collecting means is driven for a predetermined time to collect the collected toner, and then control is performed to shift to the power save mode. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Regarding an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, first, a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a sectional configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes
This is called a tandem type color image forming apparatus, and includes a plurality of sets of image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C and 10K.
The intermediate transfer unit 7 includes a sheet feeding unit 21, a fixing unit 24, and the like. A document image reading device SC is arranged above the device main body A of the image forming device.

Image forming unit 1 for forming a yellow image
Reference numeral 0Y has a charging unit 2Y, an exposing unit 3Y, a developing unit 4Y, a primary transfer roller 5Y as a primary transfer unit, and a cleaning unit 6Y, which are arranged around the Y photoconductor drum 1Y as the first image carrier. The image forming unit 10M that forms a magenta image has an M photoconductor drum 1M as a first image carrier, a charging unit 2M, an exposing unit 3M,
Developing means 4M, primary transfer roller 5 as primary transfer means
M, and a cleaning means 6M. The image forming unit 10C that forms a cyan image includes a C photoconductor drum 1C as a first image carrier, a charging unit 2C, and an exposing unit 3.
C, a developing unit 4C, a primary transfer roller 5C as a primary transfer unit, and a cleaning unit 6C. The image forming unit 10K that forms a black image further includes a K photoconductor drum 1K as a first image carrier, a charging unit 2K, and an exposing unit 3.
K, a developing unit 4K, a primary transfer roller 5K as a primary transfer unit, and a cleaning unit 6K. Each image forming unit is provided with a driving motor (not shown). The toner removed by the cleaning means 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K is recovered by the toner recovery means 60 in the toner recovery container 64.

The intermediate transfer portion 7 has a semi-conductive endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer member 70 which is rotatably supported by a plurality of rollers and is rotatably supported.
The intermediate transfer body is driven by an intermediate transfer body motor (not shown).

Image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10
The image of each color formed by K is the primary transfer roller 5Y,
By 5M, 5C, and 5K, the color images are sequentially transferred onto the rotating intermediate transfer member 70 to form a combined color image.
A recording material P as a recording medium contained in the paper feed cassette 20 is fed by a paper feed means 21, and a plurality of intermediate rollers 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D and a registration roller 2 are provided.
After 3, the color image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 5A, and the color image is collectively transferred onto the recording material P. The paper feeding means 21 is driven by a toner collecting and feeding motor which is also used as the toner collecting means 60 (not shown). The recording material P on which the color image is transferred is
The fixing process is performed by the fixing unit 24, and the sheet is nipped by the sheet discharge rollers 25 and placed on the sheet discharge tray 26 outside the machine.

On the other hand, after the color image is transferred to the recording material P by the secondary transfer means 5A, the recovered toner removed from the intermediate transfer body 70 by the cleaning means 6A is recovered in the toner recovery container 64 by the toner recovery means 60. .

During the image forming process, the primary transfer roller 5K is constantly in pressure contact with the K photoconductor drum 1K. The other primary transfer rollers 5Y, 5M, and 5C correspond to the corresponding Y photoconductor drum 1Y and M photoconductor drum 1 only when forming a color image.
The M and C photoconductor drums 1C are pressed against each other. Secondary transfer means 5A
Is pressed against the intermediate transfer member 70 only when the recording material P passes therethrough and secondary transfer is performed.

(Embodiment 1) An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the toner collecting means 60.
Is driven by a drive system independent of the drive system of the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit, and conveys the collected toner on the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit and collects it in the toner collecting container 64 (FIG. 1).

The toner collecting / feeding motor 60M, which is the toner collecting drive source, is also used as the motor for driving the paper feeding means 21. The recording material is conveyed by turning on a paper feeding solenoid or a clutch. Since the recording material is conveyed by turning on the paper feeding solenoid and the clutch, only the toner collecting means 60 can be driven.

The Y drum motor 1YM is the Y photosensitive drum 1
Y is driven, and the M drum motor 1MM drives the M photoconductor drum 1
M is driven, and the C drum motor 1CM drives the C photoconductor drum 1
C is driven, and the K drum motor 1KM drives the K photoconductor drum 1K. The intermediate transfer portion motor 7M drives the intermediate transfer member 70.

The control means 50A controls the toner collecting / feeding motor 60M of the toner collecting means 60, each drum motor and the like. Further, at least one of the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit is in operation, and the toner collecting and feeding unit 60 operates for a predetermined period of time before the start of the operation, after the stop, immediately before the start, and immediately after the stop. The motor 60M is driven.

Next, the toner collecting means will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the toner collecting means, the control means, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, image formation 10Y, 10Y
The collected toner T collected by the cleaning means of M, 10C, 10K and the intermediate transfer unit 7 is naturally dropped through the pipe 63a and further conveyed by the conveying screw S of the conveying path 63b and collected in the toner collecting container 64. The toner collecting / feeding motor 60M is a sheet feeding unit 21 that conveys a recording material.
It is also used as a drive source for driving.

Here, a time chart of the motor as each drive source will be described. FIG. 4 illustrates a toner collecting / feeding motor (also referred to as a toner collecting / feeding motor) 6OM, an intermediate transfer unit motor 7M, a Y drum motor 1YM, and an M drum motor 1M.
M, C drum motor 1CM, and K drum motor 1K
Each time chart of M is shown.

As shown in FIG. 4, the toner collecting / feeding motor 6OM is a motor different from the drive system motors of the image forming portion and the intermediate transfer portion, and is independently driven. At the time of image formation, first, the toner collecting and feeding motor 60M rotates, and thereafter, the drum motors and the intermediate transfer unit motor 7M rotate. After the image forming operation is performed and the image forming is completed, each drum motor is stopped, the intermediate transfer unit motor 7M is stopped, and finally the toner collecting and feeding motor 60M is stopped. As described above, the toner collecting and feeding motor 6
0M is driven earlier by a time T1 than the start of driving the intermediate transfer portion motor 7M, and is stopped by a time T2 after the end of driving the intermediate transfer portion motor 7M. During this time, the collected toner is collected in the collection container 64 (FIG. 3).

Although the toner collecting means is driven before and after the driving of the image forming section or the intermediate transfer section in the embodiment, it may be driven only at time T2 after the operation.

As described above, the driving of the toner collecting means is performed independently of the driving of the image forming section or the intermediate transfer section, and therefore the collected toner is integrated with the conventional drive system of the image forming section or the intermediate transfer section. No extra drive is required for recovery, processing time is short and life is long. Further, even if the drive system of the image forming unit or the intermediate transfer unit is stopped, the toner collecting unit is driven independently, so that the collected toner can be conveyed for a predetermined time.

(Embodiment 2) An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of claims 4, 5, 6 and 7 will be described. The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is different from the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the image forming apparatus shown in the first embodiment in that the operation time for collecting the collected toner is changed depending on the toner consumption amount. . Therefore, mechanically the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and different parts will be mainly described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the toner collecting means 60 is driven independently of the drive system of the image forming section and the intermediate transfer section, and conveys and collects the collected toner on the image forming section and the intermediate transfer section. . The consumed toner calculation unit 52 calculates the consumed toner amount during the image forming operation. Specifically, it is calculated based on the information on the amount of image data printed or the information on the amount of toner supplied to the developing device during image operation. Also, the amount of toner consumed is
It is calculated from the toner consumption amount in the predetermined number of prints immediately before the end of the image forming operation. The predetermined number of prints is the number printed at the time when the collected toner reaches the collection container from the collection source.

The control means 50B is the consumed toner calculation means 5
The toner collecting means 60 is controlled to be driven for the time determined based on the calculation result of 2.

First, the calculation of toner consumption based on the print amount of image data will be described. The amount of toner consumed varies depending on the print amount that counts the presence or absence of image data in pixel units during image formation, and the print amount is large. In this case, a large amount of toner is used, so that the amount of collected toner collected on the photosensitive drum or the like also increases, and it takes time to collect the collected toner in the toner collection container. Therefore, the toner collection time is determined by the amount of toner consumed. For example, the print amount is stored every time one page image is formed, the print amount is counted and stored from the start of image formation, and the print amounts for the last five pages are always stored. At the time of entering the ending process of the image forming operation, based on the printing amount of the last 5 pages,
The operation time of the toner collecting and feeding motor 60M after the intermediate transfer unit motor 7M is stopped is determined.

Next, the calculation of the toner consumption based on the toner replenishment amount of the developing device will be described. The amount of toner consumed differs depending on the print amount that counts the presence or absence of image data in pixel units during image formation. When the amount is large, a large amount of toner is used, and therefore the toner replenishment amount of the developing device is also required to be large. Therefore, the toner replenishing amount of the developing device is estimated by measuring the toner concentration in the developing device. The operation time of the toner collecting / feeding motor 60M is determined based on the toner supply amount.

Here, the operation of the image forming apparatus will be described as an example in which the consumed toner is calculated based on the print amount of the image data. The same applies to the toner supply amount of the developing device. FIG. 6 is a flowchart (part 1) of collecting the collected toner, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart (part 2) of collecting the collected toner.

First, it is judged whether or not the image formation (image formation) is completed (flow F31). If it is completed, the process proceeds to the next step, the print amount is read (flow F32), and the print amount is stored (flow F33). ). Determine if there is an instruction for the next image,
If YES, the process returns to the front of the flow F31, and if NO, the next process proceeds (flow F34). It is determined whether all the photoconductor drums are stopped (flow F35). If YES, then it is determined whether the intermediate transfer member is stopped (flow F).
36). If YES, the print amount for the latest 5 pages is read (flow F37), and the recovery driving time of the recovery toner is set (flow F38). Then, it is determined whether the set collection toner collection drive time has elapsed (Flow F3
9) If the time has passed, the collection drive of the collected toner is stopped (Flow F40).

As described above, the collected toner is surely collected in the toner collecting container. (Embodiment 3) An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Embodiment 3
This image forming apparatus is the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 further provided with collected toner detecting means. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts mechanically, and different parts will be mainly described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a collected toner detecting means and a toner container.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the toner collecting means 60 conveys the collected toner on the image forming portion and the intermediate transfer portion to the toner collecting container 64, and also collects toner as a toner collecting drive source. The sheet feeding motor 60M drives the toner collecting unit 60.

The collected toner detecting means 62 includes a light emitting portion 62a,
A transmission type optical sensor having a light receiving portion 62b, which is for detecting that the collected toner is being conveyed, and is arranged above the inside of the toner collecting container 64.

The controller 50C controls the position of the optical sensor at the end of the operation of the image forming unit or the intermediate transfer unit,
When the collected toner is conveyed, the toner collecting means 60 is controlled to be driven for a predetermined time. Further, when the collected toner detecting means 62 detects that the collected toner T exists while the toner collecting means 60 is not driven, the collected toner T is stored in the toner collecting container 64 (see FIG. 9).
Determines that is full.

Here, the collection of the collected toner in the image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart (part 1) of collecting the collected toner, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart (part 2) of collecting the collected toner.

First, it is determined whether the Y photoconductor drum 1Y is stopped (flow F41). If it is stopped, proceed to the next step. Similarly, it is determined whether the M photoconductor drum 1M is stopped (flow F42), the C photoconductor drum 1
It is determined whether C is stopped (flow F43) and whether the K photosensitive drum 1K is stopped (flow F44). Further, it is judged whether or not the intermediate transfer portion is stopped (flow F45), and if it is stopped, a timeout time is set (flow F46). Next, it is determined whether the time-out period has elapsed (flow F4).
7). If NO, the flow advances to flow F48 to read the detection state of the collected toner. After that, it is judged whether or not there is collected toner (flow F49). If NO, the toner recovery drive is stopped (flow F50), and if YES, the process goes to the front of flow F47.

Further, if the time-out occurs with the collected toner T, the collection driving of the collected toner is once stopped, and then the presence or absence of the collected toner is detected again, and if the collected toner is present, the toner collecting container is full. It is determined that replacement is necessary.

As described above, the presence or absence of the collected toner in the toner conveying path is detected, and the driving of the collected toner is stopped after the collected toner is exhausted. Therefore, the collected toner does not remain and the optical sensor collects the toner. By arranging it in the upper part of the container 64, it becomes possible to detect whether or not the toner recovery container is full by the same recovered toner detecting means 62 (FIG. 8).

(Embodiment 4) An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of claim 11 will be described. Embodiment 4
In addition to the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the image forming apparatus shown in the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 has an additional structure before shifting to the power save mode when the image forming apparatus is not used for a predetermined time. The operation of collecting the collected toner is performed. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts mechanically, and different parts will be mainly described. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12, the toner collecting means 60
Collects the collected toner on the image forming section and the intermediate transfer section, and the toner collecting / feeding motor 60M is the toner collecting means 60.
Drive. The power save transition time measuring means 51 measures the time when the image forming apparatus is not used.

When the time to shift to the power save mode is approaching, the control means 50D controls to shift to the power save mode after driving the toner collecting means 60 for a predetermined time to collect the collected toner.

The power save mode shift processing of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the power save shift process.

First, the idle elapsed time is read (flow F51). Next, it is determined whether it is, for example, 30 seconds before the power save mode transition time. If YES, the process proceeds to flow F53, and if NO, the process returns to the front of the flow F51 (flow F52). Next, the collection drive time of the collected toner is set to 30 seconds (flow F53).

Here, the toner collecting means is driven (flow F54). Next, it is determined whether or not the predetermined collection toner collection drive time has elapsed. If YES, the flow is F56.
If NO, the process is repeated (flow F55). YE
If S, the drive of the toner collecting means is stopped (Flow F
56). Finally, a power save mode transition process is performed to turn off each power supply (Flow F57).

As described above, before the shift to the power save mode, the toner collecting means 60 is driven to prevent the toner from staying in the conveying path, so that the toner adheres to the collecting conveying path of the collected toner. Therefore, the collected toner can be collected well even when the power saving mode is restored.

[0063]

The above-mentioned structure has the following effects.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the driving of the toner collecting unit is performed independently of the driving of the image forming unit or the intermediate transfer unit. Therefore, the conventional image forming unit or the intermediate transfer unit is driven. The driving system does not need to be additionally driven in order to collect the collected toner, and the life is extended. Further, even if the drive system of the image forming unit or the intermediate transfer unit is stopped, the collecting unit is driven independently, so that the driving can be stopped after the collected toner is conveyed through the conveying path. Further, by sharing the drive source of the sheet feeding means, the image forming apparatus can be a drive source of toner recovery without requiring a new motor.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the collected toner is collected in the toner collecting container according to the amount of consumed toner.
Collection is surely performed.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the presence or absence of toner in the toner conveying path is detected to drive the toner collecting means. Therefore, the toner collecting means is driven only when necessary.
Further, the collecting drive is not stopped even while the collected toner is being conveyed on the conveying path.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the presence or absence of conveyance of the collected toner and the fullness of the toner collection container can be detected by one sensor.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the collected toner remaining in the collected toner conveyance path is conveyed before the power save mode is entered, so that the toner does not adhere to the conveyance path. The recovered toner can be smoothly collected even when the power saving mode is resumed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a toner recovery unit, a control unit, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a time chart of a toner collecting / feeding motor, an intermediate transfer unit motor, and each photosensitive drum motor.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a recovery toner recovery flowchart (part 1).

FIG. 7 is a recovery toner recovery flowchart (part 2).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a part of a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a collected toner detection unit and a toner container.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for collecting collected toner (part 1).
Is.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for collecting collected toner (part 2).
Is.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a part of a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a power save shift process.

[Explanation of symbols] 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D control means 51 Power save transition time measuring means 52 toner consumption calculation means 60 toner recovery means 60M toner recovery paper feed motor 62 Collected toner detecting means 64 toner collection container

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Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for forming images by superimposing images formed by a plurality of image forming units on an intermediate transfer unit, and then transferring the image onto a recording material and fixing the image, wherein the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit are provided. And a toner collecting means for driving and collecting the collected toner on the image forming section and the intermediate transfer section, and a control means for controlling a toner collecting drive source of the toner collecting section. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner recovery drive source is also used as a drive source of a sheet feeding unit that conveys a recording material. 3. The control means, in addition to the time when at least one of the image forming section or the intermediate transfer section is operating, further before the start of the operation, after the stop of the operation, immediately before the start of the operation, or The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a collection drive source for the collected toner is driven so that the toner collecting unit operates for a predetermined time immediately after the operation is stopped. 4. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by superposing images formed by a plurality of image forming units on an intermediate transfer unit and then transferring and fixing the images onto a recording material, wherein the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit are provided. And a toner collecting means for driving the collected toner on the image forming section and the intermediate transfer section to be collected independently of the driving system of the image forming section, and for consuming the toner during operation of image formation. The calculating means and the time at least one of the image forming unit or the intermediate transfer unit is operating, and further before starting the operation, after stopping the operation, immediately before starting the operation, or immediately after stopping the operation. A control means for controlling the recovery driving source of the recovery toner so that the toner recovery means operates for a time determined based on the calculation result by the consumption toner calculation means. Image forming device. 5. The toner consumption calculation means for calculating the toner consumption amount is calculated on the basis of information on a print amount of image data or information on a toner replenishment amount of a developing device during image formation. The image forming apparatus according to item 4. 6. The toner replenishment amount is based on the measurement result of the toner concentration in the developing device.
The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the toner consumption amount is a toner consumption amount in a predetermined print number immediately before the end of the image forming operation. 8. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by superposing images formed by a plurality of image forming units on an intermediate transfer unit and then transferring and fixing the images onto a recording material, the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit. A toner collecting unit that conveys the collected toner on a unit and conveys it to a toner collecting container, a toner collection drive source that drives the toner collecting unit, and the presence / absence of conveyance of toner in a conveying path for collecting the collected toner And a collected toner detecting means disposed above the toner collecting container from the end of the conveying path on the toner collecting container side, and the toner after the operation of the image forming section or the intermediate transfer section is completed based on the detection information of the sensor. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls driving of the collecting unit. 9. The control means drives the toner collecting means only for a predetermined time when the collected toner is conveyed at the end of the operation of the image forming portion or the intermediate transfer portion. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 10. An image forming apparatus for forming images by superimposing images formed by a plurality of image forming units on an intermediate transfer unit and then transferring and fixing the images onto a recording material, wherein the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit are provided. A toner collecting unit that conveys and collects the collected toner on the unit, a toner collection drive source that drives the toner collecting unit, a toner collection container that collects the collected collected toner, and an upper part inside the toner collection container. If the collected toner is conveyed at the end of the operations of the collected toner detecting means provided in the image forming section and the intermediate transfer section, the toner collecting means is driven for a predetermined time, and the toner collecting means is driven. When the collected toner detection unit detects that there is collected toner in a state where there is no collected toner, the control unit that determines that the collected toner is full in the toner collection container An image forming apparatus comprising: 11. An image formed by a plurality of image forming units is superposed on an intermediate transfer unit, transferred to a recording material and then fixed to form an image, and power is supplied when the image forming apparatus is not used for a predetermined time. In the image forming apparatus that shifts to the save mode, the toner collecting unit that collects the collected toner on the image forming unit and the intermediate transfer unit, the toner collecting drive source that drives the toner collecting unit, and the image forming apparatus are used. The power save transition time measuring means for measuring the idle time and the time when the power save transition time measuring means approaches the power save mode, the toner collecting means is driven for a predetermined time to collect the collected toner. And a control unit that controls to shift to the power save mode after performing the above.