JP2007193376A - Lubricant applying method for toner conveying device - Google Patents

Lubricant applying method for toner conveying device Download PDF

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JP2007193376A
JP2007193376A JP2007120539A JP2007120539A JP2007193376A JP 2007193376 A JP2007193376 A JP 2007193376A JP 2007120539 A JP2007120539 A JP 2007120539A JP 2007120539 A JP2007120539 A JP 2007120539A JP 2007193376 A JP2007193376 A JP 2007193376A
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toner
coil
toner conveying
outer peripheral
pipe
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JP4451465B2 (en
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Satoshi Takano
聡 高野
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent abnormal sound produced when toner is conveyed by enhancing lubricity at a contact part of a toner conveying coil with a toner conveying pipe in a toner conveying device. <P>SOLUTION: When the toner collected from a photoreceptor by a cleaning device is conveyed to the outside of the cleaning device by the toner conveying device structured to support the toner conveying coil 4 in a cantilever manner in the toner conveying pipe, grease is applied all over the outer peripheral end of the spiral coil 13 of the toner conveying coil 4 with a brush, and the toner is conveyed by rotating the toner conveying coil with the grease at the contact part of the outer peripheral end of the spiral coil 13 with the inner surface of the toner conveying pipe. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は複写機、プリンタ、ファクシミリ装置またはこれらの複合機等の電子写真方式の画像形成装置において、画像形成に使用した後、感光体クリーニング装置で回収されたトナーをこのクリーニング装置外、たとえば回収トナーボトルに搬送するトナー搬送方法に関する。   The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a composite machine thereof, and the toner collected by the photoconductor cleaning device after being used for image formation is collected outside the cleaning device. The present invention relates to a toner conveying method for conveying to a toner bottle.

電子写真方式の画像形成装置において画像形成に使用後、感光体クリーニング装置で回収されたトナーをトナー回収ボトルに搬送するトナー搬送装置として、たとえば図２に示すものが知られている。このトナー搬送装置において、クリーニング装置１で回収されたトナーは、トナー排出口２を経て第１のトナー搬送パイプ３に送られ、ついで第２のトナー搬送パイプ５内に落下する。この回収トナーはさらに、この第２のトナー搬送パイプ５内を搬送され、符号Ａで示す位置の設けられたトナー回収ボトル（図示せず）に排出される。   2. Description of the Related Art As a toner transport device that transports toner collected by a photoconductor cleaning device after use in image formation in an electrophotographic image forming device to a toner collection bottle, for example, the one shown in FIG. 2 is known. In this toner transport device, the toner collected by the cleaning device 1 is sent to the first toner transport pipe 3 through the toner discharge port 2 and then falls into the second toner transport pipe 5. The collected toner is further transported through the second toner transport pipe 5 and discharged into a toner recovery bottle (not shown) provided at a position indicated by reference symbol A.

上記第２のトナー搬送パイプ５内には、トナー搬送コイル４（スクリューコンベヤ）が配備されている。このトナー搬送コイル４が駆動モータ１１により、駆動伝達ギヤ１０を介して回転駆動されることで、回収トナーがトナー搬送パイプ５内を搬送される。図２において、符号１２は画像形成装置の側板である。   A toner transport coil 4 (screw conveyor) is provided in the second toner transport pipe 5. The toner transport coil 4 is rotationally driven by the drive motor 11 via the drive transmission gear 10, whereby the collected toner is transported through the toner transport pipe 5. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 12 denotes a side plate of the image forming apparatus.

上記トナー搬送コイル４は回転軸と、これに設けられたスクリュー羽根とを備え、この回転軸が上記駆動モータ１１で回転駆動される構造となっている。ところがこの回転軸は、駆動伝達ギヤ１０側の端部が駆動軸（図略）に支持されているものの、その反対側の端部（トナー搬送方向前方側）は支持されず自由状態となっている。このように、このトナー搬送コイル４の上記自由端側は、トナー搬送パイプ５の内面に摺擦しながら回転駆動される構造となっているため、トナー搬送時に耳障りな異常音が発生することがあった。特に、トナー搬送装置が新品で、トナー搬送パイプ５内にトナーが供給されていない場合には、異常音が発生しやすいという問題があった。なお、トナーには潤滑成分が含まれているため、トナー搬送パイプ５内にトナーが充満している状態では、異常音の発生が少なくなる。   The toner conveying coil 4 includes a rotating shaft and screw blades provided on the rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is rotationally driven by the driving motor 11. However, the end of the drive transmission gear 10 is supported by a drive shaft (not shown), but the opposite end (the front side in the toner transport direction) is not supported. Yes. As described above, the free end side of the toner conveying coil 4 is rotationally driven while being rubbed against the inner surface of the toner conveying pipe 5, so that an annoying abnormal noise may be generated during toner conveyance. there were. In particular, when the toner conveying device is new and no toner is supplied into the toner conveying pipe 5, there is a problem that abnormal noise is likely to occur. Since the toner contains a lubricating component, the occurrence of abnormal noise is reduced when the toner conveying pipe 5 is full of toner.

そこで従来、この異常音の低下対策として、パイプとコイルの低摩擦化を図ったり（例えば下記特許文献１参照）、トナー搬送パイプ５の材質として柔らかいゴム材、エラストマー樹脂あるいは、自己潤滑性のあるプラスチック材料たとえばポリプロピレン樹脂を用いることが試みられていた。しかしながら、トナー搬送パイプ５の材質変更のみでは、充分な消音効果を得ることは難しかった。   Therefore, conventionally, as a countermeasure for the reduction of the abnormal noise, the friction between the pipe and the coil is reduced (for example, see Patent Document 1 below), and the material of the toner conveying pipe 5 is a soft rubber material, an elastomer resin, or a self-lubricating property. Attempts have been made to use plastic materials such as polypropylene resin. However, it has been difficult to obtain a sufficient silencing effect only by changing the material of the toner transport pipe 5.

特開平０９−２１８６２７号公報JP 09-218627 A

したがって本発明の目的は、トナー搬送コイルとトナー搬送パイプとの接触部の潤滑性を高めることにより、トナー搬送時の異常音の発生を抑えることである。   Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to suppress the occurrence of abnormal noise during toner conveyance by increasing the lubricity of the contact portion between the toner conveyance coil and the toner conveyance pipe.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明は、電子写真方式による画像形成装置の感光体クリーニング装置で回収されたトナーを、回転軸に螺旋状コイルを設けてなるトナー搬送コイルをトナー搬送パイプ内に片持ち支持した構造のトナー搬送装置により、前記クリーニング装置外に搬送する方法であって、あらかじめ螺旋状コイルの外周端に潤滑剤を塗布しておき、この螺旋状コイル外周端とトナー搬送パイプ内面との接触部に潤滑剤を介在させた状態でトナー搬送コイルを回転させてトナーの搬送を行うことを特徴とするトナー搬送方法である。   In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a toner transport coil in which a spiral coil is provided on a rotating shaft of toner collected by a photoconductor cleaning device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a toner transport pipe. In this method, the toner is transported out of the cleaning device by a toner transport device having a cantilevered structure, in which a lubricant is applied to the outer peripheral end of the spiral coil in advance, and the outer peripheral end of the spiral coil and the inner surface of the toner transport pipe And a toner conveying method in which the toner conveying coil is rotated by rotating the toner conveying coil in a state where the lubricant is interposed in the contact portion.

以上述べたように、本発明では、あらかじめ螺旋状コイルの外周端に潤滑剤を塗布しておき、この螺旋状コイル外周端とトナー搬送パイプ内面との接触部に潤滑剤を介在させた状態でトナー搬送コイルを回転させてトナー搬送を行うようにしたので、上記接触部の潤滑性が向上し、トナー搬送時の異常音を抑えることができる。   As described above, in the present invention, a lubricant is applied in advance to the outer peripheral end of the helical coil, and the lubricant is interposed at the contact portion between the outer peripheral end of the helical coil and the inner surface of the toner conveying pipe. Since toner conveyance is performed by rotating the toner conveyance coil, the lubricity of the contact portion is improved, and abnormal noise during toner conveyance can be suppressed.

図１は、本発明のトナー搬送方法に適用するトナー搬送コイルの概略正面図である。このトナー搬送装置の基本的構造は、図２に示す従来のものと同様である。トナー搬送コイル４は、回転軸１４に螺旋状コイル１３（スクリュー羽根）を設けて構成されている。回転軸１４の一端は、駆動伝達ギヤ１０と一体の駆動軸１５に接続されている。トナー搬送時には、駆動モータによりトナー搬送コイル４が、図１の左側から見て反時計方向に回転駆動されることで、回収トナーが矢印Ｂの向きに搬送される。図１において符号Ｃはトナー搬送面、符号Ｄは反対側の面（裏面）である。   FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a toner conveying coil applied to the toner conveying method of the present invention. The basic structure of the toner conveying device is the same as that of the conventional one shown in FIG. The toner conveying coil 4 is configured by providing a rotating coil 14 with a spiral coil 13 (screw blade). One end of the rotary shaft 14 is connected to a drive shaft 15 that is integral with the drive transmission gear 10. At the time of toner conveyance, the toner conveyance coil 4 is driven to rotate counterclockwise by the drive motor as viewed from the left side in FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral C denotes a toner conveying surface, and reference numeral D denotes an opposite surface (back surface).

本発明に係るトナー搬送方法では、準備作業として、螺旋状コイル１３の外周端（コイルの頂部、すなわちスクリュー羽根の頂部）に半固体潤滑剤、たとえば高粘度潤滑剤であるグリースを塗布しておく。トナー搬送時には、螺旋状コイル１３の外周端がトナー搬送パイプ５の内面に摺擦するが、上記のように螺旋状コイル外周端とトナー搬送パイプ内面との接触部に潤滑剤を介在させた状態でトナー搬送を行うことにより、トナー搬送時に異常音が発生しないようになる。   In the toner conveying method according to the present invention, as a preparatory work, a semi-solid lubricant, for example, a grease that is a high-viscosity lubricant is applied to the outer peripheral end of the spiral coil 13 (the top of the coil, that is, the top of the screw blade). . At the time of toner conveyance, the outer peripheral end of the spiral coil 13 rubs against the inner surface of the toner conveyance pipe 5, but as described above, the lubricant is interposed at the contact portion between the outer periphery of the helical coil and the inner surface of the toner conveyance pipe. By carrying out toner conveyance with the toner, no abnormal noise is generated during toner conveyance.

上記グリースの塗布作業は、たとえば以下のように行う。トナー搬送コイル４をトナー搬送パイプ５（図２）から取り出すか、またはトナー搬送コイル４を画像形成装置に取り付けたまま、トナー搬送パイプ５を取り外す（図１の状態）。刷毛を用いて、図１の左側（トナー搬送方向上流側）から右側（トナー搬送方向下流側）に向けて、すなわち図１の矢印Ｂの向きに連続的に、螺旋状コイル１３の外周端全体にわたって、一筆書きの要領でグリース２０を塗布する。また、トナー搬送コイル４を画像形成装置に取り付けたまま、トナー搬送パイプ５を取り外した場合には、トナー搬送コイル４を空運転し、グリースを担持させた刷毛を螺旋状コイル１３の外周端に接触させた状態で、トナー搬送コイル３の回転による螺旋状コイル１３外周端の移動にならって刷毛を移動させることで、コイル１３外周端の全体にわたってグリースを塗布することができる。   The grease application operation is performed as follows, for example. The toner transport coil 4 is taken out from the toner transport pipe 5 (FIG. 2), or the toner transport pipe 5 is removed while the toner transport coil 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus (state of FIG. 1). Using the brush, the entire outer peripheral end of the spiral coil 13 is continuously directed from the left side (upstream side in the toner transport direction) to the right side (downstream side in the toner transport direction) in FIG. The grease 20 is applied in the manner of one stroke. Further, when the toner transport pipe 5 is removed while the toner transport coil 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus, the toner transport coil 4 is idled and the brush carrying the grease is applied to the outer peripheral end of the spiral coil 13. Grease can be applied to the entire outer peripheral end of the coil 13 by moving the brush in accordance with the movement of the outer peripheral end of the helical coil 13 due to the rotation of the toner conveying coil 3 in the contact state.

これらのグリース塗布作業では、余分なグリースが螺旋状コイル１３のトナー搬送面Ｃに塗布されないようにする。それには、刷毛を螺旋状コイル１３外周端にのみ接触させるか、またはコイル１３外周端と、上記反対側の面Ｄの外周端に跨がった状態で接触させて塗布するのが好ましい。   In these grease application operations, excessive grease is prevented from being applied to the toner conveying surface C of the spiral coil 13. For this purpose, it is preferable to apply the brush by contacting only the outer peripheral end of the spiral coil 13 or contacting the outer peripheral end of the coil 13 across the outer peripheral end of the surface D on the opposite side.

余分なグリースがトナー搬送面Ｃに塗布されると（ごく微量であれば特に問題ないが）、これが搬送中のトナーと混合する結果、トナーを円滑に搬送することができなくなる場合がある。これに対し、余分なグリースが上記反対側の面Ｄの外周端近傍に多少塗布された状態になっていても、通常のトナー搬送条件下では、搬送中のトナーがこのグリースと混合することはないので、トナー搬送状態に不具合が生じる心配はない。また、刷毛によりグリース２０を上記のように連続して一様に塗布することで、螺旋状コイル１３外周端とトナー搬送パイプ内面との接触面が、グリース２０により常に一様に潤滑されることになり、異常音の発生が確実に防止される。さらに、グリース２０は流動性が低いため、これが流動して搬送中のトナーと混ざったり、トナー搬送装置外に流出したりすることがないので長期間、有効な潤滑作用が維持される。   If excessive grease is applied to the toner conveyance surface C (although there is no problem if it is very small amount), the toner may not be smoothly conveyed as a result of mixing with the toner being conveyed. On the other hand, even if excess grease is slightly applied near the outer peripheral edge of the surface D on the opposite side, under normal toner transport conditions, the toner being transported will not mix with this grease. As a result, there is no concern about problems in the toner conveyance state. Further, by applying grease 20 continuously and uniformly with a brush, the contact surface between the outer peripheral end of the spiral coil 13 and the inner surface of the toner conveying pipe is always lubricated uniformly by the grease 20. Thus, the generation of abnormal noise is reliably prevented. Furthermore, since the grease 20 has low fluidity, the grease 20 does not flow and mix with the toner being conveyed or flow out of the toner conveying device, so that an effective lubricating action is maintained for a long time.

本発明のトナー搬送方法に係るトナー搬送コイルの概略正面図である。FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a toner transport coil according to the toner transport method of the present invention. 従来のトナー搬送装置の構造を示す概略斜視図である。FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a structure of a conventional toner conveying device.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１ クリーニング装置
２ トナー排出口
３ 第１のトナー搬送パイプ
４ トナー搬送コイル（スクリューコンベヤ）
５ 第２のトナー搬送パイプ
１０ 駆動伝達ギヤ
１１ 駆動モータ
１３ 螺旋状コイル
１４ 回転軸
１５ 駆動軸
２０ グリース
Ｃ トナー搬送面
Ｄ トナー搬送面と反対側の面 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cleaning apparatus 2 Toner discharge port 3 1st toner conveyance pipe 4 Toner conveyance coil (screw conveyor)
5 Second toner transport pipe 10 Drive transmission gear 11 Drive motor 13 Helical coil 14 Rotating shaft 15 Drive shaft 20 Grease C Toner transport surface D Surface opposite to toner transport surface

Claims (1)

電子写真方式による画像形成装置の感光体クリーニング装置で回収されたトナーを、回転軸に螺旋状コイルを設けてなるトナー搬送コイルをトナー搬送パイプ内に片持ち支持した構造のトナー搬送装置により、前記クリーニング装置外に搬送する方法であって、
あらかじめ螺旋状コイルの外周端に潤滑剤を塗布しておき、
この螺旋状コイル外周端とトナー搬送パイプ内面との接触部に潤滑剤を介在させた状態でトナー搬送コイルを回転させてトナーの搬送を行うことを特徴とするトナー搬送方法。 The toner collected by the photoconductor cleaning device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is supported by a toner conveying device having a structure in which a toner conveying coil having a helical coil on a rotating shaft is cantilevered in a toner conveying pipe. A method of transporting outside a cleaning device,
Apply lubricant to the outer peripheral edge of the spiral coil in advance,
A toner conveying method comprising: conveying toner by rotating a toner conveying coil in a state where a lubricant is interposed in a contact portion between an outer peripheral end of the spiral coil and an inner surface of a toner conveying pipe.
JP2007120539A 2007-05-01 2007-05-01 Lubricant application method for toner conveying device Expired - Fee Related JP4451465B2 (en)

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Related Parent Applications (1)

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JP2002150042A Division JP4351421B2 (en) 2002-05-24 2002-05-24 Toner conveying method and toner conveying apparatus

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JP2007193376A true JP2007193376A (en) 2007-08-02
JP4451465B2 JP4451465B2 (en) 2010-04-14

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2015206868A (en) * 2014-04-18 2015-11-19 株式会社リコー Toner conveying device and image forming apparatus

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2015206868A (en) * 2014-04-18 2015-11-19 株式会社リコー Toner conveying device and image forming apparatus
US9367022B2 (en) 2014-04-18 2016-06-14 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Toner conveyance device and image forming apparatus incorporating same

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