JP2007219269A - Developer supply container, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer supply container and a cartridge which can be attached/detached to/from an image forming apparatus main body in which a configuration for detecting the remaining amount of a developer stored in the cartridge by transmitting light rays can be arranged more efficiently, and to provide an image forming apparatus equipped with them. <P>SOLUTION: A toner cartridge for supplying toner to a process cartridge having a light transmission type toner remainder detecting mechanism is provided with a light guide for guiding light emitted by a light emission section provided on the image forming apparatus main body to a light incident section provided in the cartridge. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer supply container and a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus main body, and an image forming apparatus that includes the image forming apparatus main body, the developer supply container, and the cartridge.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, a process cartridge system is used in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge. This cartridge is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Here, examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, and a word processor.

  According to this process cartridge system, the apparatus can be maintained by the user himself / herself without depending on the service person, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

Further, such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided with a toner remaining amount detecting device for measuring the remaining amount of toner stored in a developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) storing portion of the developing means of the process cartridge. It has been. There are various types of toner remaining amount detection devices, but there is a light transmission type toner remaining amount detection as a cheaper and simpler configuration. The light transmission type remaining amount detection is a method in which detection light is allowed to pass through the toner storage portion, and the remaining amount of toner stored in the toner storage container is detected based on the passage time of the detection light. (See Patent Document 1)
Conventionally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a cartridge having at least a developing roller for carrying and transporting a developer and a developer supply container for supplying toner to the cartridge are detachable is used.
JP-A-10-171232 (page 14, FIG. 5)

  Here, when the light transmission type remaining amount detection configuration is adopted in the image forming apparatus, naturally, it is required to arrange the light transmission type residual amount detection configuration more efficiently. In the case where the cartridge and the developer supply container are detachable from the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus is further increased in size, so that the arrangement of the light transmission type remaining amount detecting structure is further demanded. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a development that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus main body that can efficiently arrange a configuration for detecting the remaining amount of the developer stored in the cartridge by transmitting light. An object is to provide an agent supply container, a cartridge, and an image forming apparatus having these.

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention according to the present application is:
A developer supply container detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus main body having a developing roller for carrying and transporting the developer and a receiving opening for receiving the developer, the developer being supplied to the cartridge In a developer supply container for
A developer storage section for storing the developer;
A supply opening for supplying the developer from the developer storage portion to the receiving opening in a state where the developer supply container and the cartridge are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body;
In the state where the developer supply container and the cartridge are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, a light emission provided in the image forming apparatus main body for detecting the remaining amount of the developer stored in the cartridge. A light guide member for guiding the light emitted from the part to the inside of the cartridge;
It is characterized by having.

The second invention according to the present application is
A cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus in which a developer supply container having a developer storage portion that stores the developer, a supply opening for supplying the developer, and a light guide member that guides light is detachable. A cartridge for receiving developer from the developer supply container;
A developing roller for carrying and conveying the developer;
A receiving opening for receiving the developer from the supply opening in a state where the cartridge and the developer supply container are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body;
In order to detect the remaining amount of the developer stored in the cartridge, light emitted from a light emitting unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body is made incident from the light guide member to enter the cartridge. A light incident part for guiding;
A light emitting portion for guiding the light that has passed through the inside of the cartridge to a light receiving portion provided in the image forming apparatus main body;
It is characterized by having.

The third invention according to the present application is
In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
(I) a light emitting unit provided in an image forming apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus;
(Ii) a light receiving portion provided in the image forming apparatus body;
(Iii) A cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, and includes a developing roller for carrying and conveying the developer, a receiving opening for receiving the developer, and a remaining amount of the developer stored in the cartridge. A light incident part for guiding light to detect light, and a cartridge having a light emission part,
(Iv) A developer supply container detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body for supplying the developer to the cartridge, wherein the developer storage section for storing the developer and the developer supply container are the images. A supply opening for supplying the developer stored in the developer storage section to the process cartridge from the developer receiving opening and the developer supply container when mounted on the forming apparatus main body, and the developer supply container A light guide member that guides the light emitted from the light emitting unit to the inside of the cartridge in order to detect the remaining amount of the developer stored in the cartridge while being mounted on the apparatus main body. A developer supply container;
Have
In order to detect the remaining amount of the developer in the cartridge by the image forming apparatus main body, the light emitted from the light emitting unit is guided to the light incident unit by the light guide member, and the cartridge is formed by the light incident unit. The light guided into the light is guided from the light emitting part to the light receiving part.

  According to the present invention, a developer replenishment container, a cartridge, and a detachable configuration that can more efficiently arrange a configuration for detecting the remaining amount of developer stored inside the cartridge by transmitting light. Image forming apparatus can be provided.

Example 1
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

{Image forming device}
For example, a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter simply referred to as “photosensitive drum”) 1 as an image carrier is disposed at a substantially central portion of the image forming apparatus main body 10. The photosensitive drum 1 can rotate in the direction of the arrow. When the image forming operation starts, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 2.

  Then, the laser irradiation means 3 as an exposure means performs exposure corresponding to image information on this surface. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

  Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developing device 4 using a developer, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. Next, the toner image is electrostatically transferred onto the recording material P by a transfer electric field formed between the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer roller 5 by, for example, a transfer roller 5 as a transfer unit. Thereafter, the unfixed toner image on the recording material P is permanently fixed on the recording material P by heat and pressure by the fixing device 6. Further, transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer of the toner image is removed by a cleaning device 7 having a blade-shaped cleaning member. As a result, the photosensitive drum 1 is in a state where image formation can be continued.

  The developer used in this embodiment is a negatively charged nonmagnetic one-component developer (toner).

{Process cartridge}
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a process cartridge and a toner cartridge as a developer supply container according to the present invention. 3 is an external perspective view of the frame structure of the process cartridge, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device as viewed from the lateral direction (right direction in FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge 9 has a structure in which a cleaning unit 9A and a developing unit 9B, which are separate frames, are integrated. The cleaning unit 9A includes a cleaning container 9A1 that is a frame that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 1. In addition to the photosensitive drum 1, a charging roller 2A, a cleaning blade 7A, and the like are disposed in the cleaning container 9A1. Here, the charging roller 2 </ b> A uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The cleaning blade 7A collects transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after development.

  On the other hand, the developing unit 9B includes a developing container 42 that is a frame body that rotatably supports the developing roller 41. The developing container 42 is partially open on the side facing the photosensitive drum 1. A developing roller 41 as a developer carrying member is supported by the developing container 42 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow so as to be partially exposed from the opening. The developing roller 41 is an elastic roller composed of a low-hardness rubber material such as silicone or urethane, a foamed material, or a combination thereof. The developing roller 41 includes an elastic body and is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined contact pressure. The supply roller 43 as a developer supply / collection means is an elastic sponge roller including an elastic body, and is disposed in contact with the development roller 41.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 9, a convex portion 9B1 provided in the developing unit 9B is inserted into a hole 9A1 provided in the cleaning unit 9A. Accordingly, the positioning pin 9C is inserted into the hole 9B2 provided in the developing unit 9B and the hole 9A2 provided in the cleaning unit 9A on the other end side in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the developing unit 9B is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the cleaning unit 9A around the coupling portion 9D. Further, the developing unit 9B is biased by a pressure spring 9E. As a result, the developing roller 41 is abutted against the photosensitive drum 1.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the developing unit 9B rotates around the coupling portion 9D. As a result, the developing unit 9B comes into contact with the cleaning unit 9A (a position where the developing roller 41 can contact and develop the photosensitive drum 1) and a separated position (a position where the developing roller 41 does not contact the photosensitive drum 1). ). The developing unit 9B moves between a contact position and a separation position by receiving a force from a driving unit (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 10.

  Next, the configuration of the developing device will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The developing container 42 is provided with a blade 44 as a developer layer thickness regulating member. The blade 45 is a metal leaf spring and is in contact with the developing roller 41 with a predetermined contact pressure. The toner supplied onto the developing roller 41 is regulated in layer thickness and charged by the blade 44. As a result, a thin layer of toner is formed on the developing roller 41 and conveyed to the developing area. Further, the toner that does not contribute to the development and is still carried on the developing roller 41 is peeled off from the developing roller 41 by the rubbing by the supply roller 43. A part of the toner is supplied again onto the developing roller 41 by the supplying roller 43 together with the toner newly supplied onto the supplying roller 43, and the rest is returned to the developing container 42.

  The developing container 42 is divided into two upper and lower rooms by a partition wall 42c. Here, the lower side including the developing roller 41 and a longitudinal conveying member described later is referred to as a developing chamber 42a, and the upper side including a stirring member described later is referred to as a stirring chamber 42b. The developing chamber 42a and the stirring chamber 42b are connected only by openings 42d1 and 42d2 provided only at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

  A feed screw 45, which is a longitudinal conveying member, is disposed in the developing chamber 42a. The screw 45 conveys the toner in the developing chamber 42a in the longitudinal direction, and sends the toner that has fallen from the opening 42d1 on the (entry side) to the center in the longitudinal direction of the developing chamber 42a. At the same time, the screw 45 conveys the toner in the developing chamber 42a to the opening 42d2 on the (exit side) and sends it again to the stirring chamber 42b. In the stirring chamber 42b, a stirring member 46 provided with a plurality of rotating stirring units and a movable stirring unit, which will be described later, is provided, and the toner is swept up and stirred by rotating.

  The screw 45 and the stirring member 46 are connected to the developing roller 41 and the supply roller 43 by a gear (not shown). The screw 45 and the stirring member 46 are configured to rotate together during image formation, that is, while the developing roller 41 is rotating, and stop rotating when the image formation is completed.

{Toner cartridge}
In the image forming apparatus main body 10, a toner cartridge 8 is disposed above the developing unit 9B as shown in FIGS. The toner cartridge 8 is provided with a toner hopper 81 as a developer storage portion. In the toner hopper 81, a stirring member 82, a screw 83, and a toner supply opening 84 are provided. Here, the stirring member 82 releases the toner in the toner hopper 81. The screw 83 supplies toner from the toner hopper 82 to the stirring chamber 42b (process cartridge 9). The toner supply opening 84 is provided at a position that coincides with the toner receiving opening 42e provided in the upper part of the developing unit 9B when the toner supply opening 84 is attached to the apparatus main body 10.

  Both ends of the stirring member 82 and the screw 83 are rotatably supported, and are driven to rotate by a replenishment command from the apparatus main body 10. The stirring member 82 includes a rotating plate 82a serving as a base and a stirring plate 82b made of a flexible sheet member (for example, polyethylene terephthalate). The outer portion of the screw 83 has a spiral rib shape. On the other hand, the apparatus main body 10 is provided with a toner supply control device (not shown). The control device acquires information from a toner remaining amount detection configuration described later. The control device issues a command when it is determined that toner supply from the toner cartridge 8 to the process cartridge 9 is necessary based on the information. Thereby, the screw 83 is driven by the rotation of the drive coupling (not shown). Then, the screw 83 conveys the toner toward the toner supply opening 84 and causes the toner to fall freely from the toner supply opening 84. Then, the toner is supplied to the process cartridge 9 through the toner receiving opening 42e. The toner amount in the developing container 42 is always kept constant.

{Attaching / detaching process cartridge and toner cartridge}
Next, the configuration of the cartridge mounting portion of the image forming apparatus main body, a method for attaching and detaching the process cartridge and the toner cartridge to the image forming apparatus main body, and the like will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus main body, and FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus main body with the front door opened. FIG. 7 is an external perspective view illustrating the positioning portion of the image forming apparatus main body, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the positioning configuration of the process cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a positioning configuration of the toner cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus main body.

  Each cartridge 8, 9 takes into account the life of each process member such as the photosensitive drum 1, charging means 2, developing device 4, cleaning device 7, remaining toner amount, etc. It is exchanged for a new one. When the cartridges 8 and 9 are replaced or newly mounted, the cartridges 8 and 9 are arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 10 </ b> C provided in the apparatus main body 10. Detachable.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the apparatus main body 10 is provided with an insertion port having a width equal to or larger than the width in the side surface direction of the process cartridge 9 (perpendicular to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum). A front door 10 </ b> D is attached to the insertion opening so as to be openable and closable with respect to the apparatus main body 10 around a rotation shaft (not shown). The front door 10D is normally closed as shown in FIG. When the process cartridge 9 or the toner cartridge 8 is newly installed or replaced, the operator opens the front door 10D (FIG. 6). Then, the mounting portion 10C is opened by opening the front door 10D.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus main body 10 is provided with a first internal side plate 10J1 and a second internal side plate 10J2. The first and second inner side plates 10J1, 10J2 are provided with a first P main body guide portion 10E1 and a second P main body guide portion 10F1 for guiding the process cartridge 9 to the mounting position in the mounting portion 10C. Yes. Furthermore, a third internal side plate 10J3 is provided between the first internal side plate 10J1 and the second internal side plate 10J2. The third inner side plate 10J3 and the second inner side plate 10J2 are provided with a first T main body guide 10E2 and a second T main body guide 10F2 for guiding the toner cartridge 8 to the mounting position in the mounting portion 10C, respectively. It has been.

  Further, 10G1, 10G2, and 10G3 provided on the first side plate 10E and the second side plate 10F are a first P positioning portion, a second P positioning portion, and a third P positioning portion for positioning the process cartridge 9, respectively. Further, an elastic member (not shown) such as a pressing spring for pressing the process cartridge 9 to a predetermined position is disposed in the mounting portion 10C. As the elastic member, a type in which the upper surface of the cartridge frame of the process cartridge 9 is pressed in the direction of the first main body positioning unit and the second main body positioning unit, or a type in which the positioned portion of the process cartridge 9 is pressed against the main body positioning unit. Use one. Reference numerals 10H1, 10H2, and 10H3 denote a first T positioning portion, a second T positioning portion, and a third T positioning portion for positioning the toner cartridge 8. Further, an elastic member (not shown) such as a pressing spring for pressing the toner cartridge 8 to a predetermined position is disposed on the front door 10D. As the elastic member, a member that presses the side surface of the cartridge frame of the toner cartridge 8 from the upstream side to the downstream side when viewed from the insertion direction of the toner cartridge is used. Then, after the process cartridge 9 or the toner cartridge 8 is mounted on the mounting portion 10C, the front door 10D is closed. As a result, the process cartridge 9 and the toner cartridge T are set at predetermined positions by pressing the elastic member (not shown) of the presser spring described above.

{Process cartridge positioning}
Next, a configuration for obtaining the positional accuracy of the process cartridge 9 with respect to the apparatus main body 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.

  A first end cover portion 61 and a second end cover portion 62 provided on both side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 9 are installed in parallel to the first side plate 10E and the second side plate 10F of the apparatus main body 10 (FIG. 8). Further, the apparatus main body 10 is provided with a first inner side plate 10J1 and a second inner side plate 10J2 in a direction perpendicular to the first side plate 10E and the second side plate 10F. Further, when the process cartridge 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body 10, the first P main body guide 10E1 and the second P main body guide 10F1 for guiding the process cartridge 9 to the mounting portion 10C are provided with the first inner side plate 10J1 and the second inner side plate 10J1. Each of the side plates 10J2 is provided. The process cartridge 9 is provided with a first guided portion 63 and a second guided portion 64 that are guided by the first P main body guide 10E1 and the second P main body guide 10F1 along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1, respectively. ing. The first guided portion 63 is provided on the side surface on one end side in the short direction of the process cartridge 9 (that is, the cleaning unit side wall on the cleaning unit side). On the other hand, the second guided portion 64 is provided on the side surface on the other end side in the lateral direction of the process cartridge 9 (that is, the cleaning unit side wall on the developing unit side).

  Therefore, when the process cartridge 9 is mounted on the mounting portion 10c, the first guided portion 63 is guided by the first P main body guide 10E1 provided on the first inner side plate 10J1. The second guided portion 64 is guided by a second P main body guide 10F1 provided on the second inner side plate 10J2.

  Further, in order to position the process cartridge 9 in the mounting portion 10c, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the mounting portion 10c has a first P positioning portion 10G1, a second P positioning portion 10G2, and a third P positioning portion 10G3. Is provided. The process cartridge 9 is provided with a first positioned portion 65, a second positioned portion 66 and a third positioned portion 67.

  The first positioned portion 65 is disposed on the same axis as the photosensitive drum 1. The first end cover portion 61 projects outward in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1. The same applies to the second positioned portion 66. That is, it is arranged on the same line as the photoconductor drum 1 and protrudes outward from the photoconductor drum 1 from the second end cover portion 62. In the present embodiment, the first positioned portion 65 is a bearing 61 a provided in the first end cover portion 61. On the other hand, the second positioned portion 66 is a bearing 62 a provided on the second end cover portion 62. Thus, the space saving in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1 is realized by having both the roles of rotation support and positioning. The bearings 61a and 62a support the drum shaft 68 of the photosensitive drum 1 in a rotatable manner. The first positioned portion 65 and the second positioned portion 66 are positioned by the first P positioning portion 10G1 and the second P positioning portion 10G2 when the process cartridge 9 is mounted on the mounting portion 10c. The first P positioning portion 10G1 is provided on the first side plate 10E. The second P positioning portion G2 is provided on the second side plate 10F.

  The positioning by the first positioned portion 65 and the second positioned portion 66 cannot suppress the process cartridge 9 from rotating by its own weight in the apparatus main body 10. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the process cartridge 9 includes a projecting-shaped third cover projecting from the first end cover section 61 above the first positioned section 65 and the second positioned section 66. A positioning part 67 is provided. The apparatus main body 10 is provided with a third P positioning portion 10G3 for receiving the third positioned portion 67 on the first side plate 10E. It is preferable that the third positioned portion 67 has a protruding shape integrally formed with the first end cover portion 61 made of resin. Further, as described above, the developing unit 9B is slidably coupled to the cleaning unit 9A at both side ends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1.

  With the configuration described above, the cleaning unit 9A is positioned and supported by the first positioned portion 65, the second positioned portion 66, and the third positioned portion 67 in the mounting portion 10C. The developing unit 9B is positioned on the apparatus main body 10 via the cleaning unit 9A.

{Toner cartridge positioning}
Next, a configuration for obtaining the positional accuracy of the toner cartridge 8 with respect to the apparatus main body 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 9. FIG.

A first end cover portion 87A and a second end cover portion 87B are installed in parallel with the first side plate 10E and the second side plate 10F of the apparatus main body 10 on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 8 (see FIG. 9). ). Further, the apparatus main body 10 is provided with a first internal side plate 10J3 and a second internal side plate 10J2 in a direction perpendicular to the first side plate 10E and the second side plate 10F. Further, when the toner cartridge 8 is mounted to the apparatus main body 10, the first T main body guide 10E2 and the second T main body guide 10F2 for guiding the toner cartridge 8 to the mounting portion 10C are provided with the first inner side plate 10J3 and the second inner side plate 10J3. Each of the side plates 10J2 is provided. The toner cartridge 8 has a first guided portion 88 and a second guided portion 89 that are respectively guided by a first T body guide 10E2 and a second T body guide 10F2 on side surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge. Is provided. The first guided portion 88 is provided on the side surface on one end side of the toner cartridge 8 (that is, the side wall of the toner hopper on the cleaning unit side with the toner cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus main body). On the other hand, the second guided portion 64 is provided on the side surface on the other end side of the process cartridge 9 (that is, on the toner hopper side wall on the developing unit side with the toner cartridge 8 mounted on the apparatus main body 10). (See Figure 9)
Therefore, when the toner cartridge 8 is mounted on the mounting portion 10c, the first guided portion 88 of the toner cartridge 8 is guided by the first T main body guide 10E2 provided on the first inner side plate 10J1. The second guided portion 89 of the process cartridge 9 is guided by a second T main body guide 10F2 provided on the second inner side plate 10J2.

  Further, in order to position the toner cartridge 8 in the mounting portion 10c, as shown in FIG. 9, the mounting portion 10c has a hole-shaped first T positioning portion 10H1, a second T positioning portion 10H2, and a third T positioning portion 10H3. Is provided. The toner cartridge 8 has a first positioned portion 90 and a second positioned portion 90 having protruding shapes so as to be fitted into the hole shapes of the first T positioning portion 10H1, the second T positioning portion 10H2, and the third T positioning portion 10H3, respectively. A positioned portion 91 and a third positioned portion 92 are provided.

  The first positioned portion 90 and the third positioned portion 92 protrude outward in the longitudinal direction from the first end cover portion 87A on the downstream side in the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 8. The second positioned portion 91 protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction from the second end cover portion 87B on the upstream side in the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 8.

  The first positioned portion 90 and the third positioned portion 92 are the first T positioning portion 10H1 and the third T positioning provided in the apparatus main body 10 when the toner cartridge 8 is mounted on the mounting portion 10c. Positioned at the portion 10H3. The first T positioning portion 10H1 is provided on the first side plate 10E. The second P positioning portion G2 is provided on the second side plate E.

  The second positioned portion 91 is positioned by the second T positioning portion 10H2 provided in the apparatus main body 10 when the toner cartridge 8 is mounted on the mounting portion 10c. The second T positioning portion 10H2 is provided on the second side plate 10F.

  With the configuration described above, the toner cartridge 8 is positioned and supported by the first positioned portion 90, the second positioned portion 91, and the third positioned portion 92 in the mounting portion 10C.

{Light transmission type toner remaining amount detection}
Next, light transmission type toner remaining amount detection according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, 10, and 11. FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the toner remaining amount detecting portions of the process cartridge 9 and the toner cartridge 8. FIG. 11 is a side view (to the right in FIG. 10) for explaining the toner remaining amount detection unit of the process cartridge 9 and the toner cartridge 8.

  First, toner circulation in the developing container 42 of this embodiment will be described. The toner in the developing chamber 42a is conveyed in one longitudinal direction by a feed screw 45 as a longitudinal conveying member. And it is sent to the stirring chamber 42b from the opening 42d2 (exit side) by the pressure of the screw 45. Further, the toner supplied from the toner cartridge 8 is replenished from a toner receiving opening 42e provided on the (outlet side) opening 42d2 side in the stirring chamber 42b as viewed from the longitudinal direction. This is for taking the stirring time in the stirring chamber 42b.

  The stirring member 46 provided in the stirring chamber 42b includes a plurality of rotating stirring units 46a, a movable stirring unit 46b, and a sheet unit 46c. Here, the plurality of rotary stirring portions 46a are of a crank shape and have different rotation radii. The movable stirring unit 46b has an inner diameter larger than the outer shape of the rotary stirring unit 46a, and is attached to the outer periphery of the rotary stirring unit 46a so as to be movable with respect to the rotary stirring unit 46a. Further, the sheet portion 46c cleans the toner attached to the light transmission windows 47B and 48A provided in the developing container 42 described later. And this sheet | seat part 46c is provided in a part of longitudinal direction of the stirring member 46. FIG.

  In this state, the stirring member 46 is rotated by receiving a driving force by a gear (not shown). The agitating member 46 can level the unevenly high toner in the agitating chamber 42b, but does not have a further conveying ability. Accordingly, the toner is not positively conveyed to the opening 42d1 on the entrance side no matter how many times the rotating stirring portion 46a of the stirring chamber 42b rotates. In this case, the movement of the toner in the stirring chamber 42b is such that the toner sent from the opening 42d2 to the (outward side) and the toner replenished from the toner cartridge 8 rise in the stirring chamber 42b. Repeat leveling by rotating. As a result, it gradually moves into the stirring chamber 42b. By repeating this operation, the toner finally reaches the opening 42d1 on the (incoming side) and falls into the developing chamber 42a from the opening 42d1. Then, the toner is circulated between the agitating chamber 42b and the developing chamber 42a by being supplied to the developing roller 41 while being sent again by the screw 45 toward the longitudinal center in the developing chamber 42a.

  As the toner in the developing container 42 is consumed, the amount of toner conveyed from the developing chamber 42a to the stirring chamber 42b through the opening 42d2 by the screw 45 decreases. Therefore, the height of the toner surface on the opening 42d2 side is relatively low with respect to the height of the toner surface on the opening 42d1 side.

  Therefore, a first light guide 47 as a cartridge light incident portion and a second light guide 48 as a cartridge light emission portion are attached to the agitating chamber 42b between the toner receiving opening 42e and the (exit side) opening 42d2 in the longitudinal direction. It has been. Thereby, the change in the toner amount in the developing container 42 can be detected effectively. That is, it is possible to improve the detection responsiveness to the change in the toner amount in the developing chamber 42a. At the same time, it becomes possible to increase the detection responsiveness to the change in the toner amount in the process cartridge 9 when the toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 8 to the process cartridge 9. Accordingly, the accuracy of detecting the remaining amount of toner in the process cartridge 9 can be improved.

  The first light guide 47 includes a light incident portion 47A for receiving light guided by a third light guide 86 provided in the toner cartridge 8 to be described later, and light transmission for guiding light into the process cartridge 9. A window 47B is provided. The second light guide 48 includes a light transmission window 48A, a light reflecting portion 48B, and a light guide portion 48C. Here, the light transmission window 48 </ b> A guides the light guided to the process cartridge 9 to the outside of the process cartridge 9. The light reflecting portion 48B reflects the light guided by the light transmitting window in a direction different from the light incident direction. The light guide portion 48 </ b> C guides the light reflected by the light reflecting portion 48 </ b> B to the downstream side in the insertion direction of the process cartridge 9 with respect to the apparatus main body 10. The light guide portion 48 </ b> C is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 9.

  A third light guide 86 is directly attached below the toner hopper 81 of the toner cartridge 8 so as to be suspended from the toner hopper 81. The third light guide 86 guides the light emitted from the light emitting portion 10A provided on the first side plate 10E to the back side in the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 8 with respect to the apparatus main body 10. The third light guide 86 includes a light guide portion 86A, a light reflecting portion 86B, and a light incident portion 47A. The light guide portion 86 </ b> A is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 8. The light reflecting portion 86B reflects the light guided by the light guide portion 86A in a direction different from the light incident direction. The light emitting portion 86C guides the light reflected by the light reflecting portion 86B to the light incident portion 47A provided in the process cartridge 9. Therefore, the light emitting part 86C is configured by a surface substantially parallel to the light incident part 47A. The third light guide 86 is provided on the inner side of the toner supply opening 84 when viewed along the mounting direction in which the toner cartridge 8 is mounted in the apparatus main body 10. In other words, the third light guide 86 substantially overlaps the toner supply opening 84 when viewed along the mounting direction. Thus, in the present embodiment, the third light guide 86 can be arranged efficiently. This is because the third light guide 86 is disposed in the process cartridge 9 (position just below the third light guide 86 in FIG. 4), and the process cartridge 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 10 to which the toner cartridge 8 is mounted. Assume the case of wearing. In this case, the third light guide needs to avoid the toner supply opening 84. This is because the attachment / detachment locus of the process cartridge 9 is closer to the toner cartridge 8 (upper side) than the state in which the process cartridge 9 is positioned in the apparatus main body 10. That is, when the process cartridge 9 is attached or detached, the third guide 86 provided on the upper part of the process cartridge 9 has a higher movement trajectory. In that respect, the locus of the third light guide 86 provided in the lower portion of the toner cartridge 8 is farther from the process cartridge 9 side (lower side) than the position positioned in the apparatus main body 10. Therefore, in this respect, the space efficiency of the third light guide 86 of this embodiment is improved.

  On the other hand, a light emitting unit 10A and a light receiving unit 10B are arranged on the first side plate 10E.

  That is, the detection light L emitted from the light emitting portion 10 </ b> A to the front side in the insertion direction of the toner cartridge 8 passes through the light guide portion 86 </ b> A of the third light guide 86 disposed in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 8. And the detection light L is reflected by the light reflection part 86B inclined about 45 degrees with respect to the approach direction. Then, the light is emitted from the light emitting portion 86 </ b> C to the first light guide 47 side of the process cartridge 9. The traveling direction of the light from the light emitting portion 86C to the first light guide 47 is substantially parallel to the moving direction of the first light guide 47 by the contact / separation operation of the developing container 42 described above. As a result, the detection light L can be efficiently taken in both the contact position and the separation position of the developing container 42.

  Then, the detection light L emitted from the third light guide 86 enters the light incident portion 47 </ b> A of the first light guide 47 provided in the process cartridge 9. Then, the detection light L enters the stirring chamber 42b of the developing container 42 from the light transmission window 47B. Then, the detection light L incident inside the stirring chamber 42b passes through the light transmission window 48A of the second light guide 48 and is reflected by the light reflecting portion 48B inclined by approximately 45 ° with respect to the entering direction of the detection light L. The Then, the detection light L passes through the light guide portion 48 </ b> C disposed along the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 9 and is emitted to the back side in the mounting direction of the process cartridge 9. Then, the light receiving unit 10B is reached, and the remaining amount of toner stored in the process cartridge 9 is detected according to how long the light receiving unit 10B has received the detection light L.

  In addition, the sheet portion 46c of the stirring member 46 in the stirring chamber 42b has a leading end of the sheet portion 46c that has entered about 0.5 to 4 mm with respect to the light transmission windows 47B and 48A when the stirring member 46 rotates. The toner adhering to the surfaces of the light transmission windows 47B and 48A is wiped off. With such a configuration, even if the toner covers the light transmission windows 47B and 48A, the surfaces of the light transmission windows 47B and 48A are cleaned by the sheet portion 46c. Thereby, the detection light L can pass through the stirring chamber 42b of the developing container 42. In a state where a large amount of toner is contained in the stirring chamber 42b, even if the sheet portion 46c cleans the surface of the light transmission windows 47B and 48A, the toner is immediately covered, and the light transmission windows 47B and 48A are shielded from light. . Therefore, the time during which the detection light L passes through the stirring chamber 42b is short.

  However, when the toner in the agitating chamber 42b is consumed and the remaining amount is reduced, the interval until the sheet member 46c again covers the toner after the light transmission windows 47B and 48A are cleaned increases. Therefore, the time during which the detection light L passes through the stirring chamber 42b is correspondingly increased. Thus, in the light transmission type toner remaining amount detection, the toner remaining amount in the stirring chamber 42b is measured by the change in the length of time that the detection light L passes through the stirring chamber 42b.

  That is, when the toner is in a large amount in the stirring chamber 42b, the time for which the detection light L passes is short. Conversely, when the toner is consumed, the time for which the detection light L passes is become longer. Accordingly, the time during which the detection light L passes when the toner in the stirring chamber 42b is consumed and decreased is set as a threshold value in advance. Therefore, when the time during which the detection light L passing through the stirring chamber 42b passes exceeds a threshold value, it is possible to notify the user and the toner supply control device that the toner in the process cartridge 9 has decreased.

  Furthermore, a toner remaining amount detection sequence is created in which the time during which the detection light L passing through the stirring chamber 42b passes and the remaining amount of toner in the stirring chamber 42b correspond to each other. Accordingly, the remaining amount of toner in the stirring chamber 42b is notified in real time to the user or the toner control unit of the image forming apparatus main body 10 corresponding to the time during which the detection light L passes through the stirring chamber 42b. it can.

  In this embodiment, the configuration of the one-component replenishment system has been described as an example of the developing device circulating in a certain direction, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. That is, the developer can be used in a two-component developing device or a replenishing developing device using magnetic toner based on the same idea of intentionally retaining the developer in the stirring chamber to ensure a long stirring time.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the conventional configuration in which the light guide is provided in the developing device that is positioned with respect to the image forming apparatus main body via the photosensitive drum, and the development that is directly positioned on the apparatus main body. A light guide is provided in the agent supply container. Therefore, the light guide is arranged with high accuracy with respect to the light emitting unit provided in the apparatus main body. Therefore, it becomes possible to make the detection light emitted from the light emitting portion efficiently enter the light guide. In addition, regardless of the attitude of the developing device, the amount of detection light emitted from the light emitting unit can be guided into the process cartridge with almost no decrease.

  In this embodiment, the third light guide 86 is provided in the toner cartridge 8 so that the third light guide 86 in the image forming apparatus main body can be accurately positioned. Accordingly, the detection light emitted from the light emitting unit 10A can be efficiently incident on the third light guide 86. Therefore, the amount of light reaching the light receiving unit 10B can be secured with a simple configuration. Regardless of the orientation of the developing container 42, a constant amount of light is guided to the toner remaining amount detecting unit.

Schematic explanatory diagram of the image forming apparatus Sectional view of process cartridge and toner cartridge External perspective view of frame structure of process cartridge Cross section viewed from the side of the developing device External perspective view of image forming apparatus External perspective view of image forming apparatus with front door open External perspective view for explaining the positioning portion of the image forming apparatus Sectional drawing explaining the positioning structure of the process cartridge with respect to an image forming apparatus Sectional drawing explaining the positioning structure of the toner cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus Cross-sectional view for explaining the process cartridge 9 and the toner remaining amount detecting portion of the toner cartridge. Side view illustrating the process cartridge 9 and the toner remaining amount detection unit of the toner cartridge

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum 2 Charging means 2A Charging roller 3 Laser irradiation means 4 Developing device 5 Transfer roller 6 Fixing device 7 Cleaning device 7A Cleaning blade 8 Toner cartridge 9 Process cartridge 9A Cleaning unit 9A1 Hole 9A2 Hole 9B Developing unit 9B1 Projection 9B2 Hole 9B3 G Positioned part 9C Positioning pin 9D Coupling part 9E Pressure spring 10 Image forming apparatus main body 10A Light emitting part 10B Light receiving part 10C Cartridge mounting part 10D Front door 10E First side plate 10E1 First P main body guide 10E2 First T Main body guide 10F Second side plate 10F1 Second P main body guide 10F2 Second T main body guide 10G1 First P positioning portion 10G2 Second P positioning portion 10G3 Third P positioning portion 10H1 First T positioning portion 10H2 First 2T positioning portion 10H3 3rd T positioning portion 10J1 first internal side plate 10J2 second internal side plate 10J3 third internal side plate 41 developing roller 42 developing container 42a developing chamber 42b stirring chamber 42c partition wall 42d1 (entrance side) opening 42d2 (exit side) ) Opening 42e Toner receiving opening 43 Supply roller 44 Blade 45 Screw 46 Stirring member 46a Rotating stirring section 46b Movable stirring section 46c Sheet section 47 First light guide 47A Light incident section 47B Light transmission window 48 Second light guide 48A Light transmission window 48B Light Reflecting Window 48C Light Guide Part 61 First End Cover Part 61a Bearing 62 Second End Cover Part 62a Bearing 63 First Guided Part 64 Second Guided Part 65 First Positioned Part 66 Second Positioned Part 67 Third Positioned part 68 Drum shaft 81 Toner hopper 82 Stirring member 82a Rotating shaft 82b Stirring plate 83 Screw 84 Toner supply opening 85 Toner transport section 86 Third light guide 86A Light guide section 86B Light reflecting section 86C Light emitting section 87A First end cover section 87B Second end cover section 87B1 Convex Part 88 First guided part 89 Second guided part 90 First to-be-positioned part 91 Second to-be-positioned part 92 Third to-be-positioned part 100 Developing device 101 Developing roller 102 Toner storage part 103 Toner stirring member 103A Rod-like member 103B Sheet Members 104A and 104B First and second light guides 104A1 and 104B1 Light guide portions 104A2 and 104B2 Light reflection portions 105A and 105B First and second light transmission windows 106A Light emitting portions 106B Light receiving portions

Claims (11)

A developer supply container detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus main body having a developing roller for carrying and transporting the developer and a receiving opening for receiving the developer, the developer being supplied to the cartridge In a developer supply container for
A developer storage section for storing the developer;
A supply opening for supplying the developer from the developer storage portion to the receiving opening in a state where the developer supply container and the cartridge are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body;
In the state where the developer supply container and the cartridge are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, a light emission provided in the image forming apparatus main body for detecting the remaining amount of the developer stored in the cartridge. A light guide member for guiding the light emitted from the part to the inside of the cartridge;
And a developer supply container.   2. The light guide member according to claim 1, wherein the light guide member is provided at a depth side of the container supply opening as viewed in a mounting direction in which the developer supply container is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. Developer supply container.   3. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the light guide member has a light reflecting portion for refracting light emitted from the light emitting portion in a direction different from an incident direction. 4. A cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus in which a developer supply container having a developer storage portion that stores the developer, a supply opening for supplying the developer, and a light guide member that guides light is detachable. A cartridge for receiving developer from the developer supply container;
A developing roller for carrying and conveying the developer;
A receiving opening for receiving the developer from the supply opening in a state where the cartridge and the developer supply container are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body;
In order to detect the remaining amount of the developer stored in the cartridge, light emitted from a light emitting unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body is incident through the light guide member, and the cartridge A light incident part leading to the inside;
A light emitting portion for guiding the light that has passed through the inside of the cartridge to a light receiving portion provided in the image forming apparatus main body;
A cartridge characterized by comprising:   The light incident portion is provided at a position on the upper surface in a state where the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and the light emitting portion is provided in a state where the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the cartridge is provided at a tip in a mounting direction in which the cartridge is mounted.   6. The light incident portion according to claim 4, wherein the light incident portion is provided on a back side of the receiving opening when viewed along a mounting direction in which the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. cartridge. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
(I) a light emitting unit provided in an image forming apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus;
(Ii) a light receiving portion provided in the image forming apparatus body;
(Iii) A cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, and includes a developing roller for carrying and conveying the developer, a receiving opening for receiving the developer, and a remaining amount of the developer stored in the cartridge. A light incident part for guiding light to detect light, and a cartridge having a light emission part,
(Iv) A developer supply container detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body for supplying the developer to the cartridge, wherein the developer storage section for storing the developer and the developer supply container are the images. A supply opening for supplying the developer stored in the developer storage section to the process cartridge from the developer receiving opening and the developer supply container when mounted on the forming apparatus main body, and the developer supply container A light guide member that guides the light emitted from the light emitting unit to the inside of the cartridge in order to detect the remaining amount of the developer stored in the cartridge while being mounted on the apparatus main body. A developer supply container;
Have
In order to detect the remaining amount of the developer in the cartridge by the image forming apparatus main body, the light emitted from the light emitting unit is guided to the light incident unit by the light guide member, and the cartridge is formed by the light incident unit. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the light guided to the inside of the camera is guided from the light emitting part to the light receiving part.   The light guide member is provided on the back side of the container supply opening as viewed in the mounting direction in which the developer supply container is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. Image forming apparatus.   9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the light guide member includes a light reflecting portion for refracting light emitted from the light emitting portion in a direction different from a direction in which the light is incident.   The light incident portion is provided at a position that becomes an upper surface when the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and the light emitting portion is mounted in the mounting direction in which the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided at a tip of the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the light incident portion is provided on the back side of the receiving opening in a mounting direction in which the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body. apparatus.

Images