JP2006184918A - Developing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device constituted so that an increase in a physical distribution cost or complication of a structure can be suppressed for a replenishing structure of a new developer, residue of the new developer is suppressed low and an increase in a replenishing cost can be reduced. <P>SOLUTION: The developing device is characterized in that: a developer storage means 31 using a bag made of a volume-reducible flexible member is provided with a fold line 31A1 as a bending section to enable the means 31 to shrink and deform at the time of reducing the volume; a mounting side 33 of the developer storage means 31 is provided with a projection 33A at the counter position to the fold line 31A1 to facilitate bending; and the device is equipped with a structure 29 to convey a replenished developer with an air stream by sucking inner air of the developer storage means under negative pressure. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a developer replacement structure when a two-component developer is used.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, or a printing machine, a visible image using a developer such as toner is applied to an electrostatic latent image carried on a photosensitive member that is a latent image carrier. Processing is performed.

As a developer used for visible image processing, a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier is known.
In the case of using a two-component developer, it is necessary to replenish the toner consumed by being used for visible image processing to keep the developer concentration constant. Things have been proposed.

  A configuration in which a toner container made up of a hard container such as a toner bottle or a toner tank containing new toner is installed in the toner replenishing unit of the developing device, and is further discharged from the toner containing container installed in the toner replenishing unit A configuration in which a negative suction pressure is generated to introduce the toner into the developing tank (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3), and a configuration in which the toner is replenished using a bag-like container as a toner storage container (for example, Patent Document 4) 8), and a configuration for discharging the toner from the toner storage container, a configuration in which the toner is caused to flow out from an opening formed on the lower surface of the container by vibration caused by causing the toner storage container to perform an asymmetric reciprocating operation (for example, Patent Documents). 9) A toner storage container is disposed at a position close to the developing tank, and a new toner is mainly introduced into the developing tank due to the outflow of toner due to gravity. Configured to supply (e.g., Patent Documents 10 to 12) is.

When the toner is consumed, the two-component developer is replenished with new toner to prevent a change in developer concentration, while the carrier is often used in connection with replenishment of new toner. For this reason, there is a deterioration due to an increase in the stirring frequency as a change with time of the carrier. Carrier deterioration includes fatigue due to wear of the carrier itself, damage to the coating layer formed on the surface in order to increase chargeability, and toner filming in which the toner is fused to the surface. A deterioration phenomenon may impair the charging ability of the toner.
In order to prevent the deterioration of the charging ability of the toner due to the deterioration of the carrier, the carrier that has deteriorated by discharging the developer that has become excessive by supplying the carrier separately from the supply of the toner is included. There has been proposed a developer exchange system called a trickle development system in which a developer is replaced with a new developer.

  In this method, a developing agent is supplied with a toner and carrier mixture (commonly referred to as a premix developer) (for example, Patent Documents 13 to 16), and the developing device is provided with toner and carrier. And a method of recovering excess developer in the developing tank (for example, Patent Documents 17 to 19), toner supply corresponding to the toner consumption amount, carrier supply corresponding to the supply toner amount, and A method for controlling the discharge of the developer (for example, Patent Documents 20 and 21), a method in which the carrier replenishment unit is shared by a plurality of developing devices (for example, Patent Documents 22 and 23), and developing means There is a system (for example, Patent Documents 24 and 25) in which toner and carrier arranged at different locations are mixed into the developer tank and mixed into the developer tank.

JP 7-219324 A JP 7-219329 A JP 9-15957 A JP-A-11-282238 JP-A-12-47464 JP-A-12-14789 JP-A-12-351445 JP-A-12-356898 JP-A-9-244372 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-20701 JP-A-7-20703 JP-A-7-114260 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-21591 JP-A-9-166912 JP 9-218575 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-244376 JP-A-9-204105 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-251235 JP-A-9-269644 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-63074 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-63075 JP-A-7-234575 JP 2001-194860 A JP-A-11-143196 JP-A-11-272075

However, the configurations and methods disclosed in the above publications have the following problems.
Regarding toner replenishment, the toner container often uses a hard bottle, and the capacity of the bottle increases during the disposal, which reduces the recovery amount per unit volume at the time of recovery, thereby increasing the distribution cost. Although there is a toner collection container having a bag-like configuration capable of reducing the volume, since there is no configuration for consuming almost all the toner inside, there is a large amount of residual toner, resulting in high consumption costs.

  As a replenishment toner transfer structure, an auger method using a screw auger is used in recent years. However, it is necessary to be integrated with a developing device or a toner storage container or located at a very close position in relation to the auger laying structure. Not only does this increase the cost due to the complexity of the structure, but it also makes it difficult for the user to perform the replacement work by removing not only the necessary parts but also the integrated parts during maintenance. There is a problem.

The replacement of the replenishment developer, which has been performed in the past, requires operations with extremely specialized knowledge such as dismantling the developing device, taking out and reloading the storage container, and reassembling the developing device. In many cases, it is difficult to work at the service center. For this reason, there have been problems such as interruption of image forming processing for replacement work, so-called machine downtime, and a burden of replacement costs on the user.
Even in the trickle development system, which is a development system that reduces such problems, the above-described work is necessary for replacement of the replenishment developer, and the problems related to this work still remain.

  The object of the present invention is to reduce the increase in physical distribution cost and the complexity of the structure in the new developer supply structure in view of the problems in the case of using the above-described conventional developing device, particularly a two-component developer. An object of the present invention is to provide a developing device having a configuration capable of reducing the increase in replenishment cost by suppressing the residual amount of developer.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device for processing a visible image with a two-component developer containing toner and carrier on an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image carrier. Developer storage means for storing a developer for replenishing the developer consumed by image processing, a developer tank for storing the two-component developer supplied toward the latent image carrier, and the developer A surplus developer that is provided in the developer tank and capable of discharging excess two-component developer to the outside, transporting means for fluidizing and transporting the replenishment developer from the developer accommodating means to and from the accommodating means A developer discharge section, and the developer storage means is formed of a bag body having at least a part of a flexible structure.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the invention, a part of the bag used for the developer containing means is provided with a fold that is a valley fold toward the inside. It is characterized in that the crease is configured as a bent portion at the time of shrinkage deformation that occurs at the time of melting.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first or second aspect of the invention, the developer storage means can be mounted on a receiving portion provided in the stationary portion, and the receiving portion includes the folds. A convex portion having a habit of bending a crease is provided at an opposing position.

  In addition to the invention described in one of claims 1 to 3, the invention described in claim 4 uses a uniaxial eccentric screw pump capable of generating suction pressure as the transfer means. The developer storage means can be deformed by its own flexibility.

In addition to the invention described in one of claims 1 to 4, the invention described in claim 5 has a mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier in the developer used for visible image processing of usually 1.5. The mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier of the developer stored in the developer storage means is set to 70 to 90% by weight, respectively.

  The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that the developing device according to one of claims 1 to 5 is used in an image forming apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the developer storage means storing the developer replenished toward the developing tank through the transfer means is constituted by the bag having a flexible structure, The volume of the developer is reduced as the developer is discharged from the inside, and the volume can be reduced to the minimum when the developer in the inside is exhausted. This makes it possible to reduce the recovery volume when the developer storage means is disposed of and reduce the distribution cost.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the developer storage means is provided with a fold that constitutes the bent portion, the developer is folded with reference to the fold that becomes the bent portion, and the deformed shape at the time of dissolution is reduced. It is possible to automatically set the shape that can obtain the minimum volume.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the convex portion having the habit of bending the fold of the developer accommodating means is provided in the receiving portion which is the mounting portion of the developer accommodating means, the shrinkage deformation at the time of dissolution is reduced. Can be performed reliably.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, volume reduction using flexibility is possible only by using the suction pressure from the transfer means.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, the developer contained in the developer containing means has a toner / carrier mixing ratio of 1.5 to 5.0 toner weight% for visible image processing. By setting the toner to 70 to 90% by weight, smooth replenishment can be performed so that an increase in mass due to an increase in carrier does not adversely affect the transfer distance and lift in the transfer means.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, by eliminating the bulkiness of the developer storage means storing the replenishment developer at the time of disposal, the distribution cost is increased and the replenishment developer transfer efficiency is improved. It becomes possible to do.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus using a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of colors using complementary color developers corresponding to color separation. This is a color printer capable of forming an image. The present invention can be applied not only to a color printer but also to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printing machine.

  In FIG. 1, a color printer 1 includes an image forming unit 2 capable of forming an image for each color separation (for convenience, initials Y, M, C, and B meaning yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are attached to reference numeral 2. Display) are juxtaposed, and the exposure unit 3 is disposed below each of the image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2B.

Each of the image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2B has the same configuration and is hand-woven. Now, the configuration of a unit that forms a yellow image will be described as follows.
The image forming unit 2Y is provided with a photosensitive drum 4Y that is a latent image carrier. Around the photosensitive drum 4Y, a charging device 5Y for performing an image forming process along the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. An incident portion 6Y for writing light from the exposure unit 3, a developing device 7Y, a transfer device 8, and a cleaning device 9Y are arranged.

  The developing device 7Y in the color printer shown in FIG. 1 uses a two-component developer containing toner and carrier, and the developing ratio is set to 1.5 to 5.0 toner weight%. Is done. As the developer is consumed by development, a new developer for maintaining the concentration of the developer is replenished from a replenishment unit described later. In this embodiment, toner and carrier are preliminarily provided. Is used as a replenishment developer. The configuration of the supply unit will be described later.

  In FIG. 1, the transfer device 8 includes a transfer belt 8A that can move while facing the photosensitive drum of each image forming unit, and is positioned at a position facing the photosensitive drum 4Y across the transfer belt 8A. A transfer roller 8Y capable of applying a transfer bias is provided.

  In the present embodiment, the transfer device 8 is superposed on the primary transfer process in which the visible images carried on the photosensitive drums in each of the image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2B are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the transfer belt 8A. The secondary transfer process is performed in which the transferred image is collectively transferred to a recording sheet or the like fed out from the paper feeding device 10. For this reason, a secondary transfer device 11 including a transfer roller to which a transfer bias can be applied is disposed at a position where the secondary transfer process can be performed.

The paper feeding device 10 is provided with a paper feeding cassette 10A for storing recording paper and a registration roller 10B disposed in the feeding path. The registration roller 10B is introduced from a manual paper feeding tray 10C. The conveyance path of the recording paper to be recorded is provided at a position where it merges with the conveyance path from the paper feed cassette 10A.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes a cleaning device for the transfer belt 10A, and reference numeral 13 denotes a static eliminating device for the transfer belt 10A.

  In the color printer 1 shown in FIG. 1, the color images formed in the image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2B are sequentially superimposed and transferred to the transfer belt 8A of the transfer device 8 by the primary transfer process, and the superimposed images are formed. The recording paper collectively transferred onto the recording paper in the secondary transfer process moves to the fixing device 14 so that the image is fixed and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 1A.

A premix developer replenishment unit in which toner and carrier used for trickle development are mixed in a space above each image forming unit 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2B in the color printer 1 at a preset mixing ratio. 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15B are arranged.
The developer replenishing unit is configured to replenish a new premix developer to the developing device (for convenience, reference numeral 7Y shown in FIG. 1) in addition to the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum. The structure is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
In FIG. 2, a developer replenishing portion (for convenience, the description will be made using the reference numeral 15Y, but the toner replenishing portion of the other colors has the same configuration) 15Y is a flexible and capable of reducing the volume as a developer storage means. And a housing member support structure 15Y2 capable of reciprocating in a state where the housing member 15Y1 is placed. The premix developer according to the present embodiment has 70 to 90 toners when the mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier is set to 1.5 to 5.0 toner weight% as the mixing ratio in the developing tank. It is set to% by weight.

  2 and 3, the housing member 15Y1 is a bag body made of a flexible material such as a resin film having a thickness of about 50 μm to 300 μm and partially formed with an opening 15Y1a. Yes, the opening 15Y1a is provided with a discharge member 15Y3 which is integrated by bonding or welding. A bottom plate 15Y4 is integrated with the housing member 15Y1, and the bottom plate 15Y4 is made of a resin having a thickness of about 0.5 mm, which is thicker and more rigid than the housing member 15Y1.

  Due to the combination of the housing member 15Y1 and the bottom plate 15Y4, when the premix developer housed therein is completely consumed due to the volume reduction of the housing member 15Y1, the length is reduced and the housing member 15Y1 is collected at the time of disposal. Since it is possible to stack a relatively large amount of each other, it is possible to increase the recovery efficiency. Further, since the bottom plate 15Y4 has a relatively high rigidity, it can be easily attached to the housing member support structure 15Y2. It is possible to prevent the discharge of the premix developer from being inhibited by suppressing the deformation of the housing member support structure 15Y2 during the reciprocating motion.

The discharge member 15Y3 has a funnel-shaped bottom surface, and a discharge port 15Y3A is formed in a part of the bottom surface. Below the discharge opening 15Y3A, a pipe portion 15Y3B whose one end in the longitudinal direction is closed is provided.
Inside the pipe portion 15Y3B, an elastic body 17 such as a coil spring, a cap 18, a seal holder (see FIG. 3) 19, a seal 20 and a discharge nozzle 21 are loaded in this order from the closed end side. The pipe portion 15Y3B is provided on the housing member 15Y3 side. Among the above members, the elastic body 17, the cap 18, the seal holder 19, and the seal 20 are loaded in advance, and the cap 18 is energized by the elastic body 17. The discharge opening 15 </ b> Y <b> 3 </ b> A is closed, and this state is maintained when the head of the cap 18 is stopped by the seal holder 19. This prevents the premix developer from leaking out of the housing member 15Y1 until the housing member 15Y1 integrated with the bottom plate 15Y4 is mounted on the housing member support structure 15Y2.
When the discharge nozzle 21 is inserted into the pipe portion 15Y3B of the discharge member 15Y3, as shown in FIG. 2, the discharge nozzle 21 can communicate with the discharge opening 15Y3A of the discharge member 15Y3, and at the end opposite to the discharge opening 15Y3A. Is fitted with one end of a tube 22 connected to a suction pump described later.

The discharge nozzle 21 has a configuration in which the discharge nozzle 21 is fastened to an operating piece 23 provided integrally with the housing member support structure 15Y2 and moves together.
As shown in FIG. 2, the housing member support structure 15Y2 in which the operating piece 23 is integrated is pressed and urged by an elastic body 25 such as a coil spring against the support base 24 provided in the toner replenishing portion 15Y. Therefore, the movement due to the pressing force is restricted by the operating cam 26 in which one end of the operating piece 23 is in abutting contact.

  The actuating cam 26 is a drive member that reciprocates the accommodating member support structure 15Y in the direction indicated by B-C. When the small diameter portion faces the operating piece 23, the operating cam 26 supports the accommodating member in the direction indicated by B. When the structure 15Y2 is moved and the large-diameter portion faces the operating piece 23, the housing member support structure 15Y2 is moved in the direction indicated by the symbol C. FIG. 2 shows a state where the operating piece 23 faces the small diameter portion of the operating cam 26. In this state, the discharge opening 15Y3A of the discharge member 15Y3 and the discharge nozzle 21 communicate with each other.

The housing member support structure 15Y2 can reciprocate on the support base 23 via the rolling elements 27 disposed on the bottom surface of the housing member support structure 15Y2, and the operation piece 23 is disposed on the side where the operation cam 26 is disposed. Parallel pieces 24A are provided. A buffer member 28 for stopping the operating piece 23 is attached to the piece 24A.
The buffer member 28 is a stopper that the operating piece 23 collides with when the contact state of the operating cam 25 changes from the large diameter portion to the small diameter portion, and an elastic member such as rubber or sponge is used.

  The housing member support structure 15Y2 collides with the buffer member 28 via the pressing force of the elastic body 25 when the operating piece 23 changes the facing state from the large diameter portion of the operating cam 26 to the small diameter portion. For this reason, the accommodating member support structure 15Y2 undergoes a rapid acceleration change due to a collision. Therefore, a large inertia force is generated in the toner in the housing member 15Y1 mounted on the housing member support structure 15Y2, and the toner can move greatly in one direction, that is, toward the ejection member 15Y3 in FIG. Even in this movement, the fluidity is increased in the collapsed state, and the movement occurs.

  In FIG. 2, a suction pump 29 as a toner transfer means having a tube 22 having one end attached to the discharge nozzle 21 constitutes a powder pump, and a uniaxial eccentric screw pump (commonly known as a Mono pump) is used. ing. The structure of the suction pump 29 includes a screw-shaped roller 29A that is eccentric using a rigid member such as metal or resin, a stator 29B that is formed into a screw shape with two inner parts made of a rubber material, and includes both these members. Holder 29C. In the suction pump 29, when the rotor 19 </ b> A rotates, a self-suction force (suction pressure) is generated in the pump, and the premix developer in the housing member 15 </ b> Y <b> 1 can be sucked by making the tube 22 have a negative suction pressure. it can.

As shown in FIG. 2, a developing device (shown by reference numeral 7Y in FIG. 1 for convenience) is connected to the suction / discharge side of the suction pump 29, and the premix developer sucked from the housing member 15Y1 is introduced. It can be done.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the developing device 7 </ b> Y has an opening 7 </ b> Y <b> 1 formed on the wall surface facing the suction pump 29 side so that a premix developer can be introduced. The developing device 7Y includes a developing roller 7Y2 capable of supplying a two-component developer so as to face the photosensitive drum 4Y, a pair of agitation supply rollers 7Y3 and 7Y4, and a doctor member that defines the developer layer thickness at the developing roller 7Y2. 7Y5 is disposed, and the developer concentration supplied to the developing roller 7Y2 is detected by a developer concentration sensor 30 provided in the developing tank 7Y6. In this embodiment, a developer in which the mixing ratio of toner and carrier is set to 1.5 to 5.0% by weight is used. The amount of toner in the developer is determined by detecting a change in magnetic permeability by the developer concentration sensor 30. If the amount of toner is insufficient, the drive motor M1 (see FIG. 2) and the operation cam 26 provided on the suction pump 29 side are used. The amount of rotation of the drive motor (not shown) is controlled.

  The developing tank 7Y6 in the developing device 7Y is provided with a weir part 7Y7 for overflowing excess developer in order to make the amount of developer accommodated in the tank constant, and overflows from the weir part 7Y7. The developed developer is discharged to a collecting unit (not shown). The overflowing developer collecting portion is not limited to being provided in the developing tank, and the weir portion 7Y7 can be attached to the outside of the developing device 7Y as shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the behavior when the premix developer in the housing member 15Y1 is sucked and transferred. In FIG. 6, the housing member 15Y1 decreases as the premix developer is sucked and transferred. The volume reduction states are shown in the order of (A) to (D).
The premix developer is sequentially discharged from the inside of the housing member 15Y1 that has been set to a negative suction pressure by the suction pump 29, but when the working piece 23 and the small diameter portion of the working cam 26 face each other. An acceleration change occurs in the housing member support structure 15Y2 integral with the operating piece 23. For this reason, the premix developer flows in one direction, that is, toward the ejection member 15Y3 due to a large impact inertia force. The impact inertia force is generated regardless of the remaining amount of the premix developer, and even if the remaining amount is large, the inertial force due to its weight increases, so that the flow of the premix developer is not hindered and stable transfer is performed. It will be.

In the present embodiment, the magnitude of the impact inertia force was examined, and considering that a large acceleration is required for a fluid material such as a premix developer compared to a case where a rigid body is a target, When the accommodation amount is about 900 g, an acceleration of 40 m / sec ² (about 4 times the acceleration of gravity) or more is set. Experiments have confirmed that stable fluidity cannot be obtained when the acceleration is less than this, and conversely, when the acceleration is too large, the impact force is too strong and the toner coagulates and solidifies near the discharge opening. As a result, the discharge opening is blocked and the replenishment amount of the premix developer becomes unstable. From such a result, the upper limit value of the acceleration confirmed by the experiment was 200 m / sec ² . When the premix developer flows out from the inside due to repeated reciprocation of the housing member support structure 15Y2, the inside of the housing member 15Y1 is reduced due to a negative pressure tendency by the suction pump 29, and almost all the premix developer is discharged. In this case, the volume can be reduced to about 1/10 to 1/5 of the unsupplemented volume, and the number of overlapping storage members at the time of disposal after use can be increased to increase the recovery efficiency. Improvement and reduction of storage space can be achieved.

  In the developer replenishment section, suction force is intermittently generated due to the meshing state where the phases of the rotor and stator teeth in the suction pump 29 are different, so that the accommodating member support structure 15Y2 is reciprocated so as to match this generation time. A dynamic cycle is defined, and a state is set in which the premix developer is discharged from the inside of the housing member 15Y1 at the time when the suction force is generated and the inside of the tube 22 is in a negative pressure tendency. As a result, only the replenished developer is introduced into the tube 22 when the discharge opening is opened, so that the intake of outside air is prevented, and the discharge amount of the premix developer according to the presence of air. The state where there is no change can be maintained.

  In the present embodiment, when the mixing ratio of the developer toner and the carrier in the developer tank is changed by the developer concentration sensor 30 and the so-called developer concentration is lowered, the suction pump 29 is activated, and this occurs. When the suction pressure is applied to the housing member 15Y1 constituting the developer housing means, the premix developer is sucked and introduced into the suction pump 29, and flows toward the developing device 15Y.

The premix developer stored in the storage member 15Y1 has a toner / carrier mixing ratio set to 70 to 90% by weight of the toner for the following reason.
The premix developer to be replenished has better fluidity when the carrier mixing ratio is increased, and changes in the flow rate during transport are suppressed and stable replenishment over time is possible, but the toner mixing ratio is high. In order to increase the toner replenishment amount, the volume as the developer storage means must be increased. As a result, the volume of the developer storage means increases and the installation space in the apparatus also increases. In addition, when the number of carriers is increased, members included in the suction pump 29 used as transfer means, particularly a rubber stator having low wear resistance, are easily worn by the carrier, and the durability of the suction pump 29 deteriorates. It adversely affects the lifting distance due to the developer transport distance and the increase in the carrier mass. For this reason, the above-described mixing ratio is set to eliminate the problem during transfer.

  Since the accommodating member 15Y1 constituting the developer accommodating means is constituted by a bag body having a volume-reducible flexibility, it shrinks and deforms as the premix developer accommodated therein decreases, and the premix development When the agent is completely consumed, it collapses into a state having almost no volume. As a result, it is possible to increase the stacking amount per unit volume at the time of replacement and disposal of the developer storage means in the replenishment section, and increase the logistics cost as in the case where the collection efficiency is increased and the length is bulky. Can be suppressed.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a developer replenishment section in a developing device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the configuration in FIG. 7, the deformation state of the developer storage means when the volume is reduced is shown. It is characterized by promoting. In FIG. 7, the same components as those shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
In FIG. 7, a nozzle (denoted by reference numeral 21 'for convenience) is connected to the end of the tube 22 connected to the suction pump 29 on the developer storage means 31 side, and this nozzle 21' is connected to the developer storage. Inserted into the means 31. The nozzle 21 ′ in the present embodiment is configured to be inserted into the developer accommodating means 31 upward from the lower surface of a cap member, which will be described later, in accordance with the installation state in which the developer accommodating means 31 is installed vertically. Therefore, different from the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the developer inlets 21A ′ provided at the tip are provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction.

  The developer storage means 31 shown in FIG. 7 includes a storage member 31A made of a bag having a thickness of about 60 to 200 μm and having flexibility such as polyethylene and nylon. The housing member 31A is formed by laminating a single layer or a plurality of layers of the above-described sheet or film using the resin.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing only the housing member 31A. In FIG. 8, the housing member 31A is composed of a gusset container integrated by combining four sheets and superimposing and thermally welding each edge. A so-called bag-like container structure is formed and can be expanded and contracted.
A part of the outer surface of the housing member 31A is formed with a fold formed by a valley fold toward the inside as indicated by reference numeral 31A1 in the drawing. The housing member 31A is deformed into a folded state by being bent to the right.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the accommodating member 31A is expanded, and this state is a state in which the premix developer is filled inside. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the inside is melted and contracted, and this state is the inside. The premix developer is completely consumed.

In FIG. 7, a base member 32 is attached to an opening provided in the housing member 31.
The base member 32 includes a resin case 32A and a seal member 32B made of sponge or the like, and the case 32A is fitted into a container holder 33 provided in the developer replenishing portion, whereby the nozzle 21 ′. When the nozzle 21 'is inserted, the seal 32B is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle 21' to seal the inside of the housing member 31A.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view in the direction indicated by reference numeral (10) in FIG.
Reference numeral 33 denotes a container tray that forms a receiving portion on which the developer storage means 31 can be mounted. The container tray 33 is provided with a convex portion 33A that protrudes inwardly on the inner surface facing the fold of the storage member 31A. Yes.
The convex portion 33A is opposed to the fold line 31A1 provided in the housing member 31A, and the fold line 33A1 is bitten into the fold line 31A1 by about 2 to 10 mm so as to improve the fold line bendability.

  In the present embodiment, when the premix developer from the developer storage means 31 is replenished toward the developing device by the operation of the suction pump 29, the premix developer is similar to the configuration shown in FIG. Depending on the mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier, the toner can be replenished in a state where the fluidity is improved as compared with the transfer using only the toner.

  When the premix developer is sucked into the housing member 31A of the developer housing means 31 due to a negative pressure tendency due to the suction pressure from the suction pump 29, the seal 32 into which the nozzle 21 'is inserted. By being sealed by, it is dissolved. Accompanying this, the accommodating member 31A is contracted and deformed, but at the time of deformation, the fold line 31A1 is restricted by the convex portion 33A of the container tray 33 and is in a state of being easily bent. That is, the shape approaches the state shown in FIG. In this way, by using the fold line 31A1 as a bent portion, the shape of the housing member 31A at the time of melting is not a twisted shape as seen at the time of melting of a normal bag body, and the opposing pieces It can be contracted and deformed in a state where the parts are folded so as to overlap each other. As a result, when the stored premix developer is completely consumed, the storage member 31A is properly folded as shown in FIG. 9, and the stacking height at the time of disposal is reduced. The number of collections per unit volume can be increased. Moreover, it is not necessary to monitor the shape of the housing member 31A when it is crushed, and the housing member 31A can be deformed into a folded shape that is a desired shape in accordance with the contraction and deformation operation of the housing member 31A itself. As a result, unlike the twisted shape, almost all of the premix developer can be spent in the replenishment without remaining in the remaining space due to the twist, and the replenishment cost due to the absence of the residual developer can be reduced. it can.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 9, the replenishment posture can be taken only by connecting the tube 22 to the suction pump 29 via the nozzle 21 or 21 ′ with respect to the housing member. The installation location is not restricted, and the dust inside the apparatus can be prevented from being polluted by almost no dust scattering. Further, in the present embodiment capable of airflow conveyance as compared with a screw auger conventionally used for transferring a developer, there is no occurrence of agglomeration solidification due to compression by a screw in the middle of transfer. There is no occurrence of a phenomenon, and it is possible to prevent an increase in power consumption at the driving source and damage to the members. In particular, if the transfer distance is long, the screw auger method will connect the screw augers in multiple stages, which will cause deterioration due to frictional heat of the developer during the transfer process, increase in the number of parts, and increase in maintenance costs. Can be resolved.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus in which a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. It is a figure which shows the structure of the developer supply part used for the image development apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of a configuration of developer storage means used in the developer supply section shown in FIG. 2. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating one structure of the image development apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a replenishment developer introducing portion in the developing device shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the behavior of toner in a housing member that is placed behind the toner supply unit illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the structure of the developing agent replenishment part used for the image development apparatus by another embodiment of this invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one aspect of a developer storage unit used in the developer supply unit shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the durability at the time of contraction deformation, which is another aspect of the developer storage means shown in FIG. 7. It is arrow sectional drawing of the direction shown by a code | symbol (10) in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7B Developing device 15Y, 15M, 15C, 15B Developer replenishment part 15Y1, 31A Housing member 15Y2 Housing member support structure 26 Actuation cam 29 Suction pump which forms transfer means 30 Developer concentration detection Sensor 31 Developer storing means 31A1 Fold 32 Cap member 33 Container tray 33A forming part of developer storing means Projecting part

Claims (6)

In a developing device for processing a visible image with a two-component developer containing toner and carrier on an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image carrier,
Developer storage means for storing a developer for replenishing the developer consumed by the visible image processing;
Transfer for fluidizing and transferring the replenishment developer from the developer storage means between the developer tank storing the two-component developer supplied toward the latent image carrier and the developer storage means Means,
An excess developer discharging section provided in the developing tank and capable of discharging excess two-component developer to the outside;
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developer containing means is formed of a bag body having at least a part of a flexible structure. The developing device according to claim 1,
A part of the bag used for the developer storage means is provided with a fold that is a valley fold toward the inside, and the fold is configured as a bent portion at the time of contraction deformation that occurs when the melt is melted. A developing device. The developing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The developer storage means can be mounted on a receiving portion provided in a stationary portion, and the receiving portion is provided with a convex portion having a habit of bending a fold at a position facing the fold. A developing device. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a uniaxial eccentric screw pump capable of generating suction pressure is used as the transfer means, and the developer storage means can be deformed by its own flexibility by the suction pressure. The developing device according to claim 1,
The mixing ratio of the toner and carrier in the developer used for visible image processing is usually 1.5 to 5.0% by weight of the toner, and the developer toner and carrier contained in the developer containing means are A developing device, wherein the mixing ratio is set to 70 to 90% by weight of toner, respectively. An image forming apparatus using the developing device according to claim 1.

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