JP2006337409A - Waste toner recovering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waste toner recovering device which is capable of surely preventing waste toner from overflowing when recovering the waste toner into a waste toner storage vessel. <P>SOLUTION: A copying machine 1 provided with the waste toner recovering device has such configuration that; waste toner 52 is discharged from a discharge port 29h by a first spiral 29i and a second spiral 29j; and when a full detection sensor 21 detects that a waste toner storage vessel 31 is full, a solenoid 46 is turned on to disconnect transmission of a driving force from a motor 20 to the first spiral 29i and the second spiral 29j and a shutter 33 are driven. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a waste toner collecting device for collecting waste toner from which toner formed on a latent image carrier is removed by a cleaning device.

Conventionally, an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image carrier is developed with toner by a developing device, and after the obtained visible image is transferred onto transfer paper, residual toner is removed from the latent image carrier by a cleaning device. The image forming apparatus is provided with a waste toner collecting device that collects the used waste toner. In the conventional waste toner collecting apparatus, when the toner conveying means and the waste toner storage container are coupled, the waste toner collecting apparatus provided with a shutter member that opens and closes the opening of the waste toner storage container in conjunction with the coupling operation. Has been disclosed and proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-5-323838

  Certainly, the waste toner collecting apparatus having the above-described configuration is provided with a shutter member that opens and closes the opening of the waste toner storage container. Therefore, when the waste toner is collected from the toner conveying means to the waste toner storage container, It is possible to prevent leakage of waste toner to some extent.

  However, in the conventional waste toner collecting device, the waste toner adheres to the sliding portion of the shutter at the connecting portion between the shutter member and the waste toner storage container, and the shutter does not operate properly, and the toner conveying means is discharged. Waste toner near the outlet spills and contaminates the periphery of the device. Further, when the toner conveying means and the waste toner storage container are coupled, the shutter is opened and closed in conjunction with the coupling operation, and therefore there is a possibility that the waste toner may spill out due to a gap formed between the coupling portions. In this case, there is a possibility that the waste toner that has fallen down adheres to the user and becomes dirty.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a waste toner collecting apparatus capable of reliably preventing spilling of waste toner when waste toner is collected in a waste toner storage container.

  In order to achieve the above object, a waste toner collecting apparatus according to the present invention includes a discharge port for discharging waste toner removed from a latent image carrier, and the waste toner is discharged from the discharge port. The waste toner storage means, a waste toner storage container for storing the waste toner discharged from the waste toner transport means, a drive means for generating a driving force for driving the waste toner transport means, and the waste toner storage container being full A full detection sensor for detecting whether or not the waste toner is conveyed, and the waste toner conveying means conveys the first spiral for conveying the waste toner toward the discharge port and the waste toner. And a transmission means for transmitting the driving force to the first spiral and the second spiral, and the drive to the first spiral by the transmission means. Clutch means for disconnecting the transmission of the toner, and a control means for causing the clutch means to disconnect the transmission of the driving force to the first spiral when the fullness detection sensor detects the fullness of the waste toner storage container. It is set as the structure which has. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent the waste toner from spilling when the waste toner is collected in the waste toner storage container. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the periphery of the discharge port from becoming dirty or the waste toner from adhering to the user.

  The waste toner collecting apparatus having the above-described configuration is connected to the transmission unit when the transmission of the driving force to the first spiral is disconnected by the shutter for closing the discharge port and the clutch unit. And a shutter transmission means for transmitting the driving force to the shutter. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent the waste toner from spilling when the waste toner is collected in the waste toner storage container. Further, since the discharge port is closed by the shutter, it is possible to more reliably prevent waste toner from spilling when the waste toner storage container is replaced. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the periphery of the discharge port from becoming dirty or the waste toner from adhering to the user.

  The waste toner collecting apparatus having the above-described configuration includes a light emitting element that the fullness detection sensor emits detection light and a light receiving element that performs output according to the amount of light received by the detection light, and the shutter opens the discharge port. A table that includes a light shielding plate that shields the detection light at the same time when it is closed; and a table showing a relationship between the output value of the light receiving element and the waste toner storage container being full and the detection light being shielded by the light shielding plate. And a clutch unit for determining that the waste toner storage container is full based on a comparison between an output value of the light receiving element and the table. When the transmission of the driving force to the first spiral is separated and it is determined that the detection light is shielded by the light shielding plate, the driving means is stopped. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent the waste toner from spilling when the waste toner is collected in the waste toner storage container. Further, since the discharge port is closed by the shutter, it is possible to more reliably prevent waste toner from spilling when the waste toner storage container is replaced. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the periphery of the discharge port from becoming dirty or the waste toner from adhering to the user.

  As described above, the waste toner collecting apparatus according to the present invention can surely prevent the waste toner from spilling when the waste toner is collected in the waste toner storage container, and the waste toner storage container. When the toner is replaced, it is possible to more reliably prevent the waste toner from falling out.

  In the following, the present invention will be described by taking a copying machine equipped with the waste toner collecting apparatus according to the present invention as an example. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a copying machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the main structure of the copying machine according to the present invention. The position at which the user operates the copier 1 is the front side (the front side in FIG. 2), and the opposite side is the back side.

  As shown in both figures, the copier 1 of this embodiment includes a central processing unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as a CPU [Central Processing Unit] 10) that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, and a document transport that automatically transports a document. Unit 11, a document take-in unit 12 that takes in a document transported from document transport unit 11 and generates image data, and an operation display unit 13 that includes operation means (such as a numeric keypad or touch panel) and display means (such as a liquid crystal display). An image forming unit 15 that outputs an image on a sheet based on the image data; a fixing unit 16 that fixes a toner image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit 15; A sheet feeding unit 14 that performs the toner image fixing process in the fixing unit 16, a ROM [Read Only Memory] that stores various control programs, and a work area. A memory unit 18 consisting of a RAM [Random Access Memory] used by, comprising a.

  In addition to controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, the CPU 10 controls a waste toner collecting unit which will be described in detail later.

  The paper feed unit 14 includes a plurality of (three levels in the present embodiment) paper storage units 141 a to 141 c serving as a paper supply source to the image forming unit 15, and the paper storage units 141 a to 141 c to the image forming unit 15. And a sheet conveying unit 142 serving as a common sheet conveying path.

  As will be described later, the memory unit 18 has a relationship between the output value of the fullness detection sensor (that is, the light receiving element) and the fullness of the waste toner storage container due to the waste toner and the shielding of the detection light of the fullness detection sensor by the shutter light shielding plate. The table shown is stored.

  The image forming unit 15 includes a photosensitive drum 22 of a latent image carrier on which a toner image is formed on the drum surface based on image data, a charger 24 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 to a predetermined potential, An exposure unit 25 that irradiates a laser beam based on the data to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22, and forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 from the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22. The developer 23, the transfer roller 27 for electrostatically transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 to the conveyed paper, and the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 are removed by a cleaning unit described later. The waste toner collecting unit 19 that conveys and collects the waste toner when it is discharged, the static eliminator 26 that neutralizes the surface of the photosensitive drum 22, and the photosensitive drum 22 are installed at positions facing the photosensitive drum 22. Comprising a cleaning unit 28 for removing the toner remaining on the ram 22 surface. A solid line arrow in FIG. 2 indicates a sheet conveyance path.

  Next, the waste toner collecting unit 19 will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a case where the waste toner collecting unit 19 according to the present invention is viewed from the back side of the copying machine 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view for explaining the schematic configuration and operation of the waste toner collecting unit 19 according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the waste toner conveyance unit when viewed from the photosensitive drum 22 side. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the operation of the shutter and the detection of the full detection sensor. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the output level of the fullness detection sensor. FIG. 4 is a side view of the waste toner collecting unit 19 when viewed from the photosensitive drum 22 side. 4 is different from the components of the waste toner collecting unit 19 shown in FIG. 3 for the sake of explanation, and the waste toner conveying unit shown in FIG. 3 is simplified.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the waste toner collecting unit 19 is connected to a part of the cleaning unit 28, and a waste toner transport unit 29 that transports the waste toner removed by the cleaning unit 28 to a waste toner storage container described later. A waste toner storage container 31 for storing the waste toner transported to the waste toner transport section 29, a fullness of the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 31, and a detection light shielding by a shutter described later. A full toner detection sensor 21, a waste toner storage container detection switch 32 for detecting that the waste toner storage container 31 is mounted on the waste toner collection unit 19, and a drive of the waste toner transport unit 29 as described later. A shutter 33 that blocks the detection light of the full sensor 21 at the same time when the discharge port is opened and closed and the discharge port of the waste toner transport unit 29 is closed, and a shutter 33 and the motor 20 serving as a driving force for driving the waste toner conveying portion 29, a gear 20b whose center is fixed to the rotating shaft 20a of the motor 20, and a rotating shaft of the motor 20 positioned below the gear 20b. A gear 34 that meshes with the gear 20b fixed to 20a, a gear 35 that meshes with the gear 34, a rotation shaft 36 that is fixed at the center of the gear 35, and that is connected to a second spiral of a waste toner transport unit 29 described later, The shaft 37 is rotatable independently of the rotation of the shaft 36, a gear 37 attached to the rotating shaft 36, a gear 38 that is positioned below the gear 37 and meshes with the gear 37, and a rotating shaft 39 in which the center of the gear 38 is fixed. And a gear 40 having a center fixed to the rotation shaft 39 and meshing with the gear portion 33a of the shutter 33.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the waste toner collecting unit 19 is fixed to the center of the gear 34 and has a rotating shaft 41 provided with a connecting portion 41 a at one end thereof and a rotating shaft 41 by operation of a solenoid described later. A rotating shaft 42 provided at one end with a connecting portion 42a connected to or disconnected from the connecting portion 41a, a gear 43 whose center is fixed to the other end of the rotating shaft 42, a gear 44 meshing with the gear 43, and the center of the gear 44 Is fixed and becomes a driving force for connecting or disconnecting the rotating shaft 45 connected to the first spiral of the later-described waste toner conveying portion 29, the connecting portion 41a of the rotating shaft 41, and the connecting portion 42a of the rotating shaft 42, A solenoid 46 that causes the operating member 46a to reciprocate in response to an ON / OFF signal from the CPU 10, a member 47 having one end connected to the operating member 46a of the solenoid 46, and the member 4 In the structure (not shown) in which the both ends of the side surface are movably fixed to the other end of the rim and the other end side is divided into two halves, the member 48 having the rotation shaft 41 passed through the fork portion and the member 48 inserted into the frame The frame member 49 for restricting the movement of the waste toner to only the longitudinal movement of the waste toner conveying portion 29 and one end of a spring to be described later are supported, and the rotating shaft 41 passed through a support port (not shown) is supported. The support member 50 is in contact with a bifurcated portion (not shown) of the member 48 through which the rotary shaft 41 is passed, and one end thereof is in contact with the central portion of the one end. The other end side is fixed to the support member 50. And a spring 51 supported on.

  The solenoid 46, the operation member 46a, the members 47 and 48, the frame member 49, and the spring 51 are clutches for separating the driving force from the motor 20 to the first spiral and the second spiral transmitted from the first spiral as described later. It plays a role as a means.

  Since the fullness detection sensor 21 is an optical sensor as will be described later, the path portion of the detection light from the fullness detection sensor 21 in the waste toner storage container 31 is formed of a member that can transmit at least the detection light. Further, the solenoid 46, the support member 50, and the frame member 49 are fixed to the side plate 29b in the housing 29a of the waste toner conveying section 29 shown in FIG. In addition to the support member 50, the rotation shafts 41 and 42 are supported so as to be rotatable by a rotation shaft guide (not shown) provided on the side plate 29b of the waste toner conveying section 29 in FIG. . 3 indicate the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 22 and the rotation direction of the shutter 33, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the waste toner transport unit 29 is connected to one end of the cleaning unit 28, and receives a waste toner receiving port 29 c, a waste toner transport path 29 d for transporting the waste toner, and both ends in the longitudinal direction thereof. A housing 29a having openings 29f, 29g for inserting the rotation shafts 29e, 36, 45 and a discharge port 29h through which waste toner is discharged, and openings 29f, 29g.
A rotating shaft 29e passed through the tube, a plurality of spiral wings on the outer periphery of the tube, a first spiral 29i for conveying waste toner toward the discharge port 29h, and a plurality of spiral wings on the outer periphery of the tube And a second spiral 29j that conveys waste toner and discharges it from the discharge port 29h.

  The shaft separation mechanism is as follows. As shown in FIG. 5, after the first spiral 29i and the second spiral 29j are inserted into the waste toner transport path 29d in the housing 29a, the rotation shaft 29e is connected to the housing 29a. It passes through the first spiral 29i and the second spiral 29j. Next, the rotation shaft 45 to which the gear 44 is fixed and the rotation shaft 36 to which the gears 35 and 37 are attached are respectively connected to the first spiral 29i and the second spiral 29j through the rotation shaft 29e from the direction of the arrows. . That is, when the rotation shaft 45 rotates, the first spiral 29i rotates, and when the rotation shaft 36 rotates, the second spiral 29j rotates.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 after the transfer is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 when the photosensitive drum 22 rotates in the direction of arrow A, and the housing of the waste toner transport unit 29 After falling to 29a, it is guided along the housing 29a to the waste toner transport path 29h of the waste toner transport unit 29.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the shutter 33 has a cylindrical gear portion 33a that has a hole through which the rotation shafts 29 and 36 are passed at the center thereof, and meshes with the gear 40 described above, and the gear portion 33a. The shutter 33b is connected to the shutter 33b to open and close the discharge port 29h when the shutter 33 is driven as will be described later. When the cylindrical member 33c that is opened to pass the discharge port 29h side of the toner conveying portion 29 and one end are connected to the connecting portion of the shutter portion 33b and the cylindrical member 33c, and the shutter 33 is driven as described later. And a light shielding plate 33d for shielding the detection light from the full detection sensor 21.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the fullness detection sensor 21 emits detection light toward the light receiving element 21b, and an output corresponding to the amount of received detection light emitted from the light emitting element 21a. And a light receiving element 21b for inputting to the CPU 10. 4A and 4B, a broken line arrow from the light emitting element 21a toward the light receiving element 21b indicates detection light.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the light receiving element 21b is the most shown in FIG. 7D when the waste toner 52 collected in the waste toner storage container 31 does not block the detection light from the light emitting element 21a. A low output value a is output. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7B, the light receiving element 21b is configured as shown in FIG. 7D when the waste toner 52 collected in the waste toner storage container 31 begins to block the detection light from the light emitting element 21a. The output value b higher than the output value a shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7C, the light receiving element 21b outputs the output value shown in FIG. 7D when the light shielding plate 33d of the shutter 33 completely shields the detection light from the light emitting element 21a. An output value c higher than b is output.

  Next, a document copying operation in the copying machine 1 equipped with the waste toner collecting device having the above-described configuration will be described. In the document copying operation of the copying machine 1 of this embodiment, when a document is first transported from the document transport unit 11 to the document capture unit 12, the document capture unit 12 captures the document and generates image data. Is done. The generated image data is temporarily stored in the memory unit 18, read again, and sent to the image forming unit 15. Subsequently, the image forming unit 15 starts image forming processing, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 24 by the exposure unit 25 based on the image data. Made. Subsequently, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 from the electrostatic latent image by the developing unit 23. The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 is transferred onto the paper conveyed from the paper supply unit 14 by the transfer roller 27.

  Thereafter, the sheet carrying the unfixed toner image is sent to the fixing unit 16 and is heated and pressurized by the fixing unit 16 to fix the toner image on the sheet. It is discharged to the part 17.

  Next, an example of the waste toner conveyance / collection operation in the copying machine 1 having the above-configured waste toner collecting apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of waste toner conveyance / collection operation in the copying machine 1 including the waste toner collection device.

  When a document copying operation is started and an image forming operation based on image data generated from the document is started in the image forming unit 15, the CPU 20 drives the motor 20 of the waste toner collecting unit 19 in step S8-1. Be started.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 4A, since the solenoid 46 is OFF, the connecting portion 41a of the rotating shaft 41 and the connecting portion 42a of the rotating shaft 42 are in a connected state. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 6A, the shutter portion 33b and the light shielding plate 33d of the shutter 33 are located on the side opposite to the discharge port 29h of the waste toner conveying portion 29. Therefore, the discharge port 29h of the waste toner transport unit 29 is open, and the light shielding plate 33d of the shutter 33 is in a state where the detection light from the light emitting element 21a is not shielded.

  4A, when the motor 20 starts driving, the rotational driving force of the motor 20 is changed from the rotating shaft 20a of the motor 20 to the gear 20b attached to the rotating shaft 20a of the motor 20, It is transmitted to the second spiral 29j connected to the rotation shaft 36 through the gear 34 meshing with the gear 20b, the gear 35 meshing with the gear 34, and the rotation shaft 36 to which the gear 35 is fixed. At the same time, the rotational driving force of the motor 20 is changed from the rotating shaft 20a of the motor 20 to the gear 20b attached to the rotating shaft 20a of the motor 20, the gear 34 meshing with the gear 20b, and the rotating shaft to which the gear 34 is fixed. 41, the rotation shaft 42 connected to the rotation shaft 41, the gear 43 fixed to the rotation shaft 42, the gear 44 meshing with the gear 43, and the rotation shaft 45 to which the gear 44 is fixed are connected to the rotation shaft 45. Is transmitted to the first spiral 29i.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the waste toner 52 that has been subjected to the image forming process and has been removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 after the transfer by the cleaning unit 28 is, as shown in FIG. It is guided to the waste toner conveyance path 29d along 29a. As shown in FIG. 4A, the waste toner 52 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (arrow C direction) as viewed from the gear 37 by the rotational driving force transmitted as described above, and The toner is transported from the waste toner transport path 29d to the discharge port 29h by the second spiral 29j. Then, the waste toner 52 falls from the discharge port 29 h to the waste toner storage container 31 and is stored in the waste toner storage container 31.

  Subsequently, in step S8-2, an output corresponding to the amount of detection light input from the light receiving element 21b of the fullness detection sensor 21 to the CPU 10 is an output value of the light receiving element 21b stored in the memory unit 18 by the CPU 10. And a table showing the relationship between the waste toner storage container being full of waste toner and the light shielding of the detection light by the light shielding plate of the shutter (that is, the discharge port of the waste toner conveying portion by the shutter is closed).

  When the CPU 10 determines that the waste toner 52 stored in the waste toner storage container 31 is full based on the output value corresponding to the amount of light received from the light receiving element 21b (full detection sensor 21). (S8-2 YES), in step S8-3, the image forming operation in progress is interrupted, and the main motor (not shown) used for the driving force of the image forming operation is stopped. Note that the motor 20 is still driven.

  At this time, the waste toner 52 stored in the waste toner storage container 31 has reached the detection range of the full detection sensor 21 as shown in FIGS. 4B and 7B. Note that when the image forming operation in progress is interrupted in step S8-3, only the paper on which the toner image is being transferred may be discharged to the paper discharge unit 17 after being fixed.

  In step S8-2, the waste toner 52 stored in the waste toner storage container 31 by the CPU 10 is full based on the output corresponding to the amount of light received from the light receiving element 21b (full detection sensor 21). If the determination is not made (NO in S8-2), since the waste toner 52 stored in the waste toner storage container 31 is not full, the process returns to Step S8-2.

  Subsequently, when the solenoid 46 is turned on by the CPU 10 in step S8-4, the operation member 46a of the solenoid 46 is drawn into the solenoid 46 (in the direction of arrow D) as shown in FIG. 4B. By this operation, the member 47 connected to the operation member 46a of the solenoid 46 moves in the arrow D direction. The member 48 connected to the member 47 is supported by the frame member 49, so that the spring 51 fixed to the rotating shaft 41 is pushed in the direction opposite to the arrow D direction by the tip portion of the member 48. When the spring 51 is pushed in the direction opposite to the arrow D direction by the member 48, the gear 34 fixed to the rotating shaft 41 moves to a position where it engages with both the gear 35 and the gear 37, and the connecting portion 41a and the connecting portion 42b. Is disconnected. The drive of the 1st spiral 29i stops because the connection of the connection part 41a and the connection part 42b remove | deviates.

  At this time, since the motor 20 is driven, the second spiral 29j rotates as the rotational driving force of the motor 20 is transmitted as described above, and the waste toner 52 in the second spiral 29j portion is turned into a waste toner storage container. It is conveyed to 31. At the same time, since the gear 34 is engaged with the gear 37, the rotational driving force of the motor 20 is engaged with the gear 20b and the gear 20b attached to the rotational shaft 20a of the motor 20 from the rotational shaft 20a of the motor 20. The gear of the shutter 33 via the gear 34, the gear 37 meshed with the gear 34, the gear 38 meshed with the gear 37, the rotary shaft 39 to which the gear 38 is fixed, and the gear 40 fixed to the rotary shaft 39. Is transmitted to the unit 33a. With this rotational driving force, the shutter 33 starts to rotate in the direction of arrow C as shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 6 (b). That is, the shutter portion 33b and the light shielding plate 33d of the shutter 33 start to rotate in the direction of closing the discharge port 29h and shielding the detection light of the fullness detection sensor 21, respectively.

  Subsequently, in step S8-5, an output corresponding to the amount of detected light received from the light receiving element 21b of the full detection sensor 21 to the CPU 10 is output by the CPU 10 as an output value of the light receiving element 21b stored in the memory unit 18. And a table showing the relationship between the waste toner storage container being full of waste toner and the light shielding of the detection light by the light shielding plate of the shutter (that is, the discharge port of the waste toner conveying portion by the shutter is closed).

  Then, based on the output value corresponding to the amount of light received from the light receiving element 21b (full detection sensor 21), the CPU 10 moves the light shielding plate 33d of the shutter 33 as shown in FIGS. 4 (c) and 6 (c). When it is determined that the detection light of the fullness detection sensor 21 is shielded (YES in S8-5), the discharge port 29h of the waste toner transport unit 29 is closed by the shutter unit 33b of the shutter 33, and the step In S8-6, the CPU 10 stops the driving of the motor 20.

  In step S8-5, based on the output value corresponding to the amount of light received from the full detection sensor 21, the CPU 10 causes the light shielding plate 33d of the shutter 33 as shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 6 (b). However, when it is determined that the detection light of the fullness detection sensor 21 is not blocked (S8-5 NO), the process returns to step S8-5.

  Furthermore, the solenoid 46 is turned off by the CPU 10 in step S8-7. When the solenoid 46 is turned off, the rotating shaft 41 to which the gear 34 and the connecting portion 41a are attached moves in the direction of the connecting portion 42a so that the connecting portion 41a and the connecting portion 42a are connected and fixed to the rotating shaft 41. The engaged gear 34 is engaged with only the gear 35.

  Subsequently, in step S8-8, the CPU 10 displays on the operation display unit 13 that the replacement of the waste toner storage container 31 is requested.

  Subsequently, in step S8-9, the user replaces the waste toner storage container 31, and the waste toner storage container 31 when the waste toner storage container 31 is removed from the waste toner storage container detection switch 32 to the CPU 10 is displayed. The non-detection signal 31 is input, and the detection signal of the waste toner storage container 31 when the waste toner storage container 31 is mounted is input, and the CPU 10 determines that the waste toner storage container 31 has been replaced. If YES in step S8-9, the process advances to step S8-10. If the CPU 10 determines that the waste toner storage container 31 has not been replaced (S8-9 NO), the process returns to step S8-9.

  Subsequently, in step S8-10, the CPU 10 causes the shutter 33 to rotate in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 4C (the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 3), so that FIG. 3, FIG. During a predetermined time required to return to the position shown in FIG. 6A, the solenoid 46 is turned on, the motor 20 is driven, and this operation is completed.

  As described above, in the copying machine 1 equipped with the waste toner collecting device of the present embodiment, the waste toner storage container 31 is full based on the output value from the full detection sensor 21 (light receiving element 21b). When the determination is made, the solenoid 46 is turned on, the transmission of the driving force to the first spiral 29i is disconnected, and the driving force is transmitted to the shutter 33, so that the detection light of the light shielding plate 33d of the shutter 33 is detected. The waste toner near the discharge port 29 of the waste toner transport unit 29 is received from the second spiral 29j until the light shielding is determined and the shutter unit 33b of the shutter 33 closes the discharge port 29 of the waste toner transport unit 29. Since the waste toner storage container 31 is guided to the waste toner storage container 31, the waste toner 52 can be reliably prevented from spilling when the waste toner is collected in the waste toner storage container 31. Possible it is. Further, the waste toner 52 does not adhere to the shutter 33 and the shutter 33 operates smoothly, and when the waste toner storage container 31 is replaced, the waste toner 52 can be reliably prevented from falling out. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the periphery of the discharge port 29 of the waste toner transport unit 29 from becoming dirty or the waste toner 52 from adhering to the user.

  Even when the waste toner collecting unit 19 of the copying machine 1 described above does not simply include the shutter 33, the gears 37, 38, and 40 and the rotating shaft 39, the waste toner storage container 31 is full. When the waste toner storage container 31 is replaced in the same manner as described above, only the second spiral 29j is rotationally driven for a predetermined time under the control of the CPU 10, so that the waste toner 52 is spilled off. Can be reliably prevented. In addition, when the waste toner 52 is collected in the waste toner storage container 31, it is possible to reliably prevent the waste toner 52 from falling out. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the periphery of the discharge port 29h of the waste toner transport unit 29 from being dirty or the user from being attached with the waste toner 52 and being dirty.

  The configuration of the present invention can be variously modified in addition to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The present invention is a useful technique with respect to prevention of toner spillage in a waste toner collecting apparatus that conveys and collects toner removed from a latent image carrier.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a copier according to the present invention. These are the longitudinal cross-sectional views which show typically the principal part structure of the copying machine which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a case where the waste toner collecting unit 19 according to the present invention is viewed from the back side of the copying machine 1. These are the typical side views for demonstrating schematic structure and operation | movement of the waste toner collection | recovery part 19 which concern on this invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a waste toner conveyance unit when viewed from the photosensitive drum side. These are the figures for demonstrating the relationship between the operation | movement of a shutter, and the detection of a full detection sensor. These are the figures for demonstrating the output level of a full detection sensor. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of waste toner conveyance / collection operation in the copying machine 1 equipped with a waste toner collection device.

Explanation of symbols

1 Copier 10 Central processing unit (CPU)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Document conveyance part 12 Document take-in part 13 Operation display part 14 Paper feed part 141a-141c Paper storage part 142 Paper conveyance part 15 Image formation part 16 Fixing part 17 Paper discharge part 18 Memory part 19 Waste toner collection part 20 Motor 21 Full Detection sensor 22 Photosensitive drum 23 Developer 24 Charger 25 Exposure unit 26 Charger 27 Transfer roller 28 Cleaning unit 29 Waste toner transport unit 29a Housing 29b Side plate 29c Receiving port 29d Waste toner transport channel 29f, 29g Opening 29h Discharge port 29i First spiral 29j Second spiral 31 Waste toner storage container 32 Waste toner storage container detection switch 33 Shutter 33a Gear part 33b Shutter part 33c Cylindrical member 33d Light shielding plate 20b, 34, 35, 37, 38, 40, 43, 44 Gear 20a, 29e, 3 , 39,41,42,45 rotation shaft 41a, 42a connecting portion 46 solenoid 46a operating member 47, 48 member 49 frame member 50 supporting member 51 spring 52 the waste toner

Claims (3)

A discharge port for discharging the waste toner removed from the latent image carrier, a waste toner transport unit for discharging the waste toner from the discharge port, and the waste toner discharged from the waste toner transport unit. A waste toner storage container for storing, a driving means for generating a driving force for driving the waste toner conveying means, and a fullness detection sensor for detecting whether or not the waste toner storage container is full. In the waste toner recovery device consisting of
The waste toner conveying means has a first spiral that conveys the waste toner toward the discharge port and a second spiral that conveys the waste toner and discharges it from the discharge port.
Transmission means for transmitting the driving force to the first spiral and the second spiral, clutch means for disconnecting transmission of the driving force to the first spiral by the transmission means, and the fullness detection sensor comprising the waste toner storage A waste toner collecting apparatus comprising: a control unit that causes the clutch unit to disconnect the transmission of the driving force to the first spiral when the container is full.   A shutter for closing the discharge port and a shutter transmission for transmitting the driving force to the shutter by being connected to the transmission means when the transmission of the driving force to the first spiral is disconnected by the clutch means. The waste toner collecting device according to claim 1, further comprising: The full detection sensor includes a light emitting element that emits detection light and a light receiving element that performs output according to the amount of light received by the detection light,
The shutter has a light shielding plate that simultaneously shields the detection light when the discharge port is closed,
A memory unit for storing a table indicating a relationship between the output value of the light receiving element and the fullness of the waste toner storage container and the shielding of the detection light by the light shielding plate;
When the control unit determines that the waste toner storage container is full based on the comparison between the output value of the light receiving element and the table, the driving force to the first spiral is applied to the clutch unit. The waste toner collecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the driving unit is stopped when it is determined that the detection light is blocked by the light shielding plate.

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