JP2008122703A - Toner detection device - Google Patents

Toner detection device Download PDF

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Publication number
JP2008122703A
JP2008122703A JP2006306939A JP2006306939A JP2008122703A JP 2008122703 A JP2008122703 A JP 2008122703A JP 2006306939 A JP2006306939 A JP 2006306939A JP 2006306939 A JP2006306939 A JP 2006306939A JP 2008122703 A JP2008122703 A JP 2008122703A
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Prior art keywords
toner
light
light receiving
cleaning member
light projecting
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JP2006306939A
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Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Takeshi Aoki
毅 青木
Katsumi Okamoto
克巳 岡本
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Seiko Epson Corp
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Seiko Epson Corp
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Priority to JP2006306939A priority Critical patent/JP2008122703A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/08—Details of powder developing device not concerning the development directly
    • G03G2215/0888—Arrangements for detecting toner level or concentration in the developing device
    • G03G2215/0891—Optical detection
    • G03G2215/0894—Optical detection through a light transmissive window in the developer container wall
    • G03G2215/0897—Cleaning of the light transmissive window

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner detection device where a light projecting part and a light receiving part are hardly soiled by toner. <P>SOLUTION: The toner detection device has: a toner detection means having a light projecting part 51 and a light receiving part 52 provided in a toner storing chamber 20 and detecting that a prescribed amount of toner is stored in the toner storing chamber by detecting that light L going toward the light receiving part from the light projecting part is intercepted by the toner; and a cleaning member 60 cleaning the light projecting part and the light receiving part by passing through between the light projecting part and the light receiving part and sliding in contact with the light projecting part and the light receiving part in the toner storing chamber. The cleaning member 60 is rotated around a shaft 63 parallel with the optical axis L going toward the light receiving part from the light projecting part, and also the optical axis L is arranged at a position where the cleaning member 60 gets out of the top surface of the toner in the toner storing chamber 20 and gets into the toner again by its rotation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は，トナー検出装置に関するものである。   The present invention relates to a toner detection device.

従来のトナー検出装置として，トナー収容室に設けられた投光部と受光部とを有し，投光部から受光部に向かう光がトナーで遮られたことを検出することでトナー収容室に所定量のトナーが収容されたことを検出するトナー検出手段と，
前記トナー収容室内において前記投光部と受光部との間を通過し投光部と受光部に摺接して投光部と受光部を清掃する清掃部材と，
を備えたトナー検出装置であって，
前記清掃部材を往復動させるトナー検出装置が知られている（例えば特許文献１）。
また，清掃部材を回転運動させたトナー検出装置が知られている（例えば特許文献２の図１３）。
特開２００６−０１１２２６号公報 特開２００５−１２８３０８号公報 As a conventional toner detection device, it has a light projecting part and a light receiving part provided in the toner containing chamber, and detects that the light traveling from the light projecting part to the light receiving part is blocked by the toner. Toner detecting means for detecting that a predetermined amount of toner has been stored;
A cleaning member that passes between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit in the toner containing chamber and slides on the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit to clean the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit;
A toner detection device comprising:
A toner detection device that reciprocates the cleaning member is known (for example, Patent Document 1).
Further, a toner detection device in which a cleaning member is rotated is known (for example, FIG. 13 of Patent Document 2).
JP 2006-011226 A JP 2005-128308 A

上述した特許文献１の装置では，投光部から受光部に向かう光がトナーで遮られる程度のトナー（所定量のトナー）がトナー収容室に収容された際，清掃部材はトナーに埋没した状態で往復動して投光部と受光部に摺接するので，清掃部材に常時付着しているトナーが投光部および受光部（投光面および受光面）に擦りつけられる状態となりやすい。このため，投光部および受光部（投光面および受光面）をトナーで汚しやすいという問題がある。
上記特許文献２におけるトナー検出手段は，投光部から受光部に向かう光がトナーで遮られたことを検出するのではなく，投光部から受光部に向かう光がトナーで遮られなくなったことを検出することでトナー収容室にトナーが不足状態となったことを検出するためのものであるから，該検出時には，清掃部材はトナーに埋没した状態とはならない。したがって，トナーが投光部および受光部（投光面および受光面）に擦りつけられる状態とはなりにくい。
しかしながら，この特許文献２のトナー検出手段を，投光部から受光部に向かう光がトナーで遮られたことを検出することでトナー収容室に所定量のトナーが収容されたことを検出するトナー検出手段として用いようとすると，受光部（６２）に関しては，清掃部材がトナーに埋没した状態で該受光部（６２）に摺接するので，清掃部材に付着したトナーが受光部（６２）に擦りつけられる状態となりやすい。このため，やはり受光部（６２）をトナーで汚しやすいという問題がある。
本発明の目的は，以上のような問題を解決し，投光部および受光部がトナーで汚れにくいトナー検出装置を提供することにある。 In the apparatus of Patent Document 1 described above, when the toner (predetermined amount of toner) to the extent that the light traveling from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit is blocked by the toner is stored in the toner storage chamber, the cleaning member is buried in the toner. Because the toner reciprocates and slides into contact with the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion, the toner always attached to the cleaning member is likely to be rubbed against the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion (light projecting surface and light receiving surface). For this reason, there is a problem that the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion (light projecting surface and light receiving surface) are easily stained with toner.
The toner detection means in Patent Document 2 does not detect that the light traveling from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit is blocked by the toner, but the light traveling from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit is not blocked by the toner. Therefore, the cleaning member does not become buried in the toner at the time of detection. Therefore, the toner is unlikely to be rubbed against the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit (light projecting surface and light receiving surface).
However, the toner detecting means of this patent document 2 detects that a predetermined amount of toner is stored in the toner storage chamber by detecting that the light traveling from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit is blocked by the toner. If it is intended to be used as a detection means, the light receiving portion (62) is in sliding contact with the light receiving portion (62) in a state where the cleaning member is buried in the toner, so that the toner adhering to the cleaning member rubs against the light receiving portion (62). It is easy to be put on. For this reason, there is still a problem that the light receiving section (62) is easily contaminated with toner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a toner detection device that solves the above-described problems and that makes it difficult for the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit to be stained with toner.

上記目的を達成するために本発明のトナー検出装置は，トナー収容室に設けられた投光部と受光部とを有し，投光部から受光部に向かう光がトナーで遮られたことを検出することでトナー収容室に所定量のトナーが収容されたことを検出するトナー検出手段と，
前記トナー収容室内において前記投光部と受光部との間を通過し投光部と受光部に摺接して投光部と受光部を清掃する清掃部材と，
を備えたトナー検出装置であって，
前記清掃部材を，投光部から受光部に向かう光軸と平行な軸回りに回転させるとともに，当該清掃部材がその回転運動により，前記トナー収容室内のトナー上面から出て再びトナー内へと入って行く位置に，前記光軸を配置したことを特徴とする。
このようなトナー検出装置によれば，清掃部材が，投光部から受光部に向かう光軸と平行な軸回りに回転するとともに，当該清掃部材がその回転運動により，前記トナー収容室内のトナー上面から出て再びトナー内へと入って行く位置に，前記光軸が配置されているので，清掃部材がトナー内にあるときに清掃部材に付着しあるいは付着しようとしていたトナーは，清掃部材がトナー上面から出た際に，清掃部材からほとんど脱落することとなる。
このため，清掃部材がトナー上面から出て再びトナー内へと入って行く際には，清掃部材に付着しているトナーは極めて少量となる。
そして，投光部から受光部に向かう光軸は，清掃部材の回転軸と平行にかつ，清掃部材がトナー収容室内のトナー上面から出て再びトナー内へと入って行く位置に配置されているから，投光部および受光部は，トナーがほとんど付着していない（付着しているとしても少量のトナーしか付着していない）清掃部材によって摺接されることとなる。
したがって，投光部および受光部（投光面および受光面）がトナーで汚れにくくなり，結果として，トナー検出を確実に行うことが可能となる。
望ましくは，前記清掃部材はその進行方向前部から後部に向かって広がるハの字形とする。
このように構成すると，清掃部材がトナーへ進入する際のトナーの乱れが少なくなり，トナー検出時のノイズを低減させて，より正確なトナー検出が可能となる。また，清掃部材のトナーへの進入時およびトナー内での回転移動時の回転負荷を低減させることができる。 In order to achieve the above object, the toner detection device of the present invention has a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit provided in the toner storage chamber, and the light from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit is blocked by the toner. Toner detection means for detecting that a predetermined amount of toner has been stored in the toner storage chamber by detection;
A cleaning member that passes between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit in the toner containing chamber and slides on the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit to clean the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit;
A toner detection device comprising:
The cleaning member is rotated about an axis parallel to the optical axis from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit, and the cleaning member is moved out of the upper surface of the toner in the toner storage chamber by the rotational movement and enters the toner again. The optical axis is arranged at the position to go.
According to such a toner detection device, the cleaning member rotates about an axis parallel to the optical axis from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit, and the cleaning member rotates to move the upper surface of the toner in the toner storage chamber. Since the optical axis is disposed at a position where the cleaning member exits and enters the toner again, the toner adhering to or adhering to the cleaning member when the cleaning member is in the toner is removed by the cleaning member. When it comes out of the top surface, it almost falls off from the cleaning member.
For this reason, when the cleaning member exits from the upper surface of the toner and enters the toner again, the amount of toner adhering to the cleaning member becomes extremely small.
The optical axis from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit is arranged in parallel with the rotational axis of the cleaning member and at a position where the cleaning member exits from the upper surface of the toner in the toner storage chamber and enters the toner again. Therefore, the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are slidably contacted by the cleaning member to which the toner is hardly attached (only a small amount of toner is attached even if it is attached).
Therefore, the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit (light projecting surface and light receiving surface) are not easily contaminated with toner, and as a result, toner detection can be reliably performed.
Preferably, the cleaning member has a square shape extending from the front to the rear in the traveling direction.
With this configuration, toner disturbance when the cleaning member enters the toner is reduced, and noise at the time of toner detection is reduced, so that more accurate toner detection is possible. Further, it is possible to reduce the rotational load when the cleaning member enters the toner and when the cleaning member rotates and moves within the toner.

以下，本発明に係るトナー検出装置の実施の形態について図面を参照して説明する。
図１は，本発明に係るトナー検出装置の一実施の形態を用いた現像装置を示す概略平面図，図２は同じく概略正面図，図３は現像器の断面図（図２におけるＩＩＩ−ＩＩＩ拡大断面図），図４はトナー検出部の斜視図，図５（ａ）（ｂ）はトナー検出部の平面図と正面図，図６は清掃部材の分解斜視図である。 Hereinafter, embodiments of a toner detection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a schematic plan view showing a developing device using an embodiment of a toner detection device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a developing device (III-III in FIG. 2). 4 is a perspective view of the toner detector, FIGS. 5A and 5B are a plan view and a front view of the toner detector, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning member.

これらの図（主として図１〜３）に示すように，この現像装置は，画像形成装置（図示せず）における感光体１（図３参照）の表面にトナーを付与する現像ローラ１０と，この現像ローラ１０に付与されるトナーＴが収容されているトナー収容室２０とを有する現像器３０と，
この現像器３０を駆動する現像器駆動手段（図示せず）と，
前記現像器３０のトナー収容室２０にトナーを補給するトナー補給手段４０と，
投光部５１と受光部５２とを有し，投光部５１から受光部５２に向かう光Ｌ（図３および図５（ａ）参照）がトナー収容室２０内のトナーＴで遮られたことを検出することで，トナー収容室２０に適正量のトナーＴが補給されたことを検出するトナー検出装置５０と，
前記投光部５１と受光部５２とを拭って清掃する清掃部材６０（図３参照）と，
前記トナー補給手段４０を駆動する，前記現像器駆動手段とは別のトナー補給駆動手段７０と，
画像形成装置本体（図示せず）に設けられていてトナーの消費量を計数し，その消費量が所定値に達したとき前記トナー補給駆動手段７０を作動させて前記トナー検出装置５０でトナーＴが検出されるまで前記トナー収容室２０にトナーＴを補給させる制御部２と，
前記清掃部材６０を，前記トナー補給駆動手段７０を駆動源としてトナー補給時にのみ作動させる清掃機構８０と，を備えている。
上記制御部２は，前記トナー補給時に，現像器駆動手段で現像器３０を駆動するように構成されている。 As shown in these drawings (mainly FIGS. 1 to 3), the developing device includes a developing roller 10 for applying toner to the surface of the photoreceptor 1 (see FIG. 3) in an image forming apparatus (not shown), A developing device 30 having a toner storage chamber 20 in which toner T applied to the developing roller 10 is stored;
Developing device driving means (not shown) for driving the developing device 30;
Toner replenishing means 40 for replenishing toner to the toner storage chamber 20 of the developing device 30;
The light L (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 5A) from the light projecting unit 51 to the light receiving unit 52 is blocked by the toner T in the toner storage chamber 20. A toner detection device 50 for detecting that an appropriate amount of toner T has been replenished in the toner storage chamber 20,
A cleaning member 60 (see FIG. 3) for wiping and cleaning the light projecting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52;
A toner replenishing drive means 70 that drives the toner replenishing means 40 and is different from the developing device drive means;
A toner consumption amount provided in an image forming apparatus main body (not shown) is counted, and when the consumption amount reaches a predetermined value, the toner replenishment driving means 70 is operated and the toner detection device 50 causes the toner T A control unit 2 for supplying the toner T to the toner storage chamber 20 until toner is detected;
And a cleaning mechanism 80 that operates the cleaning member 60 only when toner is replenished using the toner replenishing drive means 70 as a drive source.
The controller 2 is configured to drive the developing device 30 by the developing device driving means when the toner is replenished.

感光体１は，画像形成装置が備える駆動機構により回転駆動される。
現像器３０の駆動手段すなわち現像器駆動手段は，上記感光体駆動機構から動力を取ることにより構成することができる。現像器駆動手段は，画像形成装置本体に設けられている公知の機構で構成することができる。
現像器駆動手段は，現像ローラ１０を図３において矢印方向へ回転駆動する。
現像器３０は長手方向に着脱可能に構成されており，画像形成装置本体に装着されると，現像器駆動手段に連結される。 The photoreceptor 1 is rotationally driven by a drive mechanism provided in the image forming apparatus.
The driving unit of the developing unit 30, that is, the developing unit driving unit can be configured by taking power from the photosensitive member driving mechanism. The developing device driving means can be constituted by a known mechanism provided in the image forming apparatus main body.
The developing device driving means rotationally drives the developing roller 10 in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
The developing device 30 is configured to be detachable in the longitudinal direction. When the developing device 30 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, it is connected to the developing device driving means.

図３において，１１はスポンジ等で構成された供給ローラである。供給ローラ１１は，トナー収容室２０内に配置されていて上記現像器駆動手段により図示矢印方向へ回転駆動され，現像ローラ１０の表面にトナーＴを擦りつけるようにして現像ローラ１０の表面にトナーＴを供給する。
１２はトナー規制ブレードであり，現像ローラ１０の表面に当接することで，この規制ブレード１２を通過して現像ローラ１０で感光体１へ向けて担持されるトナーＴの量を規制する。規制ブレード１２は，トナー収容室２０および現像器３０のケース３１に取り付けられている。規制ブレード１２はトナー収容室２０内のトナーＴが外部へ漏れることを防止するシール部材としての役割も果たす。
１３はシート状のシール部材であり，現像ローラ１０の表面に当接することで，トナー収容室２０内のトナーＴが外部へ漏れることを防止している。感光体１の表面に供給された後に現像ローラ１０上に残っている余剰のトナーは，現像ローラ１０とシール部材１３との間をすり抜けてトナー収容室２０内に回収される。シール部材１３はケース３１に取り付けられている。
３４は現像器のカバーであり，このカバー３４によってトナーの外部への漏れが防止されている。 In FIG. 3, reference numeral 11 denotes a supply roller made of sponge or the like. The supply roller 11 is disposed in the toner storage chamber 20 and is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow by the developing device driving means so that the toner T is rubbed against the surface of the developing roller 10 and the toner is applied to the surface of the developing roller 10. T is supplied.
A toner regulating blade 12 abuts on the surface of the developing roller 10 and regulates the amount of toner T carried toward the photoreceptor 1 by the developing roller 10 through the regulating blade 12. The regulating blade 12 is attached to the toner containing chamber 20 and the case 31 of the developing device 30. The regulating blade 12 also serves as a seal member that prevents the toner T in the toner storage chamber 20 from leaking to the outside.
Reference numeral 13 denotes a sheet-like seal member that abuts against the surface of the developing roller 10 to prevent the toner T in the toner storage chamber 20 from leaking to the outside. Excess toner remaining on the developing roller 10 after being supplied to the surface of the photoreceptor 1 passes between the developing roller 10 and the seal member 13 and is collected in the toner storage chamber 20. The seal member 13 is attached to the case 31.
Reference numeral 34 denotes a cover of the developing device, and the cover 34 prevents the toner from leaking to the outside.

図１，図２に示すように，トナー補給手段４０は，トナー収容室２０へ補給されるべきトナー（図示せず）が収容されたトナータンク４１と，このトナータンク４１とトナー収容室２０との間に配置されていてトナータンク４１内のトナーをトナー収容室２０へ搬送するトナー搬送手段４２とを備え，トナータンク４１とトナー収容室２０との間に配置されたトナー搬送手段４２を，トナー収容室２０へのトナー補給時にのみ駆動する。
トナータンク４１内には，当該トナータンク４１内のトナー（図示せず）をトナー搬送手段４２へ向けて給送する給送手段４３が設けられており，この給送手段４３と前記トナー搬送手段４２とを同一の駆動源であるトナー補給駆動手段７０で駆動する。
給送手段４３は，複数枚の攪拌羽根４４を有するアジテータで構成されている。 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toner replenishing means 40 includes a toner tank 41 in which toner (not shown) to be replenished to the toner storage chamber 20 is stored, and the toner tank 41 and the toner storage chamber 20. And a toner transport means 42 for transporting the toner in the toner tank 41 to the toner storage chamber 20, and the toner transport means 42 disposed between the toner tank 41 and the toner storage chamber 20. It is driven only when toner is supplied to the toner storage chamber 20.
The toner tank 41 is provided with a feeding means 43 for feeding toner (not shown) in the toner tank 41 toward the toner conveying means 42. The feeding means 43 and the toner conveying means 42 is driven by toner replenishment driving means 70 which is the same drive source.
The feeding means 43 is composed of an agitator having a plurality of stirring blades 44.

トナータンク４１内には，動力伝達軸４５と上記アジテータの軸４６がそれぞれ回転可能に設けられており，これら軸４５，４６の端部には互いに噛み合うギヤ４５ａ，４６ａが固定されている。
トナー搬送手段４２は，現像器３０のケース３１で構成されたトナー搬送路３２と，このトナー搬送路３２内に回転可能に設けられたトナー搬送スクリュー４７とで構成されている。
トナー搬送スクリュー４７の軸４７ａの端部には，ギヤ４７ｂが固定されており，このギヤ４７ｂが，トナータンク４１に回転可能に設けられたアイドルギヤ４８を介して上記給送手段４３のギヤ４６ａに噛み合っている。 In the toner tank 41, a power transmission shaft 45 and an agitator shaft 46 are rotatably provided, and gears 45a and 46a that mesh with each other are fixed to ends of the shafts 45 and 46, respectively.
The toner conveying means 42 includes a toner conveying path 32 constituted by a case 31 of the developing device 30 and a toner conveying screw 47 provided rotatably in the toner conveying path 32.
A gear 47 b is fixed to the end of the shaft 47 a of the toner conveying screw 47, and this gear 47 b is connected to the gear 46 a of the feeding means 43 via an idle gear 48 that is rotatably provided in the toner tank 41. Are engaged.

トナー補給駆動手段７０は，モータで構成されており，このモータの出力軸にウォーム７１が固定され，このウォーム７１にウォームホイル７２が噛み合っている。モータ７０，ウォーム７１，ウォームホイル７２は，画像形成装置本体に設けられている。
ウォームホイル７２には，カップリング７３が固定され，上記動力伝達軸４５の端部には，カップリング４５ｂが固定されている。
トナータンク４１は画像形成装置本体に対し，図１，図２において左右方向（トナー収容室２０の長手方向）に着脱可能に構成されており，トナータンク４１が図１，図２に示すように画像形成装置本体に装着されると，上記カップリング７３，４５ｂが接続される。
したがって，この状態で，トナー補給駆動手段７０が作動（モータが回転）すると，その動力は，ウォーム７１，ウォームホイル７２およびカップリング７３，４５ｂ，動力伝達軸４５，ギヤ４５ａ，ギヤ４６ａを介して給送手段４３の軸４６に伝達されて給送手段４３が回転駆動され，さらにギヤ４６ａからアイドルギヤ４８，ギヤ４７ｂを介してトナー搬送スクリュー４７が回転駆動される。 The toner replenishing drive means 70 is constituted by a motor, and a worm 71 is fixed to the output shaft of the motor, and the worm wheel 72 is engaged with the worm 71. The motor 70, the worm 71, and the worm wheel 72 are provided in the image forming apparatus main body.
A coupling 73 is fixed to the worm wheel 72, and a coupling 45 b is fixed to the end of the power transmission shaft 45.
The toner tank 41 is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction of the toner storage chamber 20) in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the toner tank 41 is configured as shown in FIGS. When mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the couplings 73 and 45b are connected.
Accordingly, when the toner replenishing drive means 70 operates (the motor rotates) in this state, the power is transmitted via the worm 71, the worm wheel 72 and the couplings 73 and 45b, the power transmission shaft 45, the gear 45a and the gear 46a. The feeding means 43 is rotated by being transmitted to the shaft 46 of the feeding means 43, and further, the toner conveying screw 47 is rotationally driven from the gear 46a through the idle gear 48 and the gear 47b.

トナータンク４１の底部には，トナー給送口４１ａが設けられているとともに，このトナー給送口４１ａに対向するトナー受け口３２ａがトナー搬送路３２に設けられている。また，トナー収容室２０の長方向略中央には，トナー搬送路３２の下部にトナー補給口３３が設けられている。
したがって，上述したように，トナー補給駆動手段７０が作動して給送手段４３およびトナー搬送スクリュー４７が回転駆動されると，トナータンク４１内のトナーが給送手段４３で攪拌されつつ矢印Ｔで示すようにトナー給送口４１ａおよびトナー受け口３２ａを経てトナー搬送路３２へ供給され，トナー搬送スクリュー４７でトナー補給口３３へ向けて搬送され，トナー補給口３３からトナー収容室２０へと補給されることとなる。
なお，トナー搬送スクリュー４７におけるトナー補給口３３を通過した部位４７ｄのスクリューの方向は逆方向（トナーをトナー補給口３３へ戻す方向）となっているので，トナー搬送スクリュー４７で搬送されるトナーがトナー補給口３３から落下せずにトナー搬送スクリュー４７先端方向へ進入したとしても，当該先端方向において詰まってしまうということはない。 A toner feeding port 41 a is provided at the bottom of the toner tank 41, and a toner receiving port 32 a facing the toner feeding port 41 a is provided in the toner transport path 32. Further, a toner replenishing port 33 is provided at a lower portion of the toner conveyance path 32 substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage chamber 20.
Therefore, as described above, when the toner replenishing driving means 70 is operated and the feeding means 43 and the toner conveying screw 47 are rotationally driven, the toner in the toner tank 41 is agitated by the feeding means 43 as indicated by the arrow T. As shown, the toner is supplied to the toner conveying path 32 through the toner feeding port 41a and the toner receiving port 32a, is conveyed toward the toner replenishing port 33 by the toner conveying screw 47, and is replenished from the toner replenishing port 33 to the toner storage chamber 20. The Rukoto.
Note that the direction of the screw of the portion 47d that has passed through the toner supply port 33 in the toner transfer screw 47 is the reverse direction (the direction in which the toner is returned to the toner supply port 33). Even if the toner does not fall from the toner supply port 33 and enters the tip of the toner conveying screw 47, the toner does not become clogged in the tip direction.

以上のようなトナー補給動作は，画像形成装置本体に設けられている制御部２によって制御される。
すなわち，制御部２は，画像形成装置にて画像を形成することで消費されるトナーの消費量を計数し，その消費量が所定値に達したときトナー補給駆動手段７０を作動させて，次に詳しく説明するトナー検出装置５０でトナーＴが検出されるまでトナー収容室２０にトナーＴを補給させる。
トナーの消費量の計数は，例えば，「（前回トナー補給後の画像形成枚数）×（画像パターン（画像形成面に対する画像面積））×（画像濃度（トナー濃度））」等によって計数することができる。 The toner supply operation as described above is controlled by the control unit 2 provided in the image forming apparatus main body.
That is, the control unit 2 counts the amount of toner consumed by forming an image with the image forming apparatus, and when the amount of consumption reaches a predetermined value, operates the toner replenishment driving means 70 to The toner storage chamber 20 is replenished with toner T until the toner T is detected by the toner detection device 50 described in detail below.
The toner consumption can be counted by, for example, “(number of images formed after previous toner replenishment) × (image pattern (image area with respect to image forming surface)) × (image density (toner density))”. it can.

トナー検出装置５０は，投光部５１と受光部５２とを有し，投光部５１から受光部５２に向かう光Ｌ（図３および図５（ａ）参照）がトナー収容室２０内のトナーＴで遮られたことを検出することで，トナー収容室２０に適正量のトナーＴが補給されたことを検出する。なお，「適正量」というのは，現像ローラ１０へのトナーＴの供給が十分になされる量であると同時に，トナー収容室２０内においてトナーＴが圧粉状態とならない量である。   The toner detection device 50 includes a light projecting unit 51 and a light receiving unit 52, and light L (see FIGS. 3 and 5A) from the light projecting unit 51 to the light receiving unit 52 is the toner in the toner storage chamber 20. By detecting that the toner is blocked by T, it is detected that an appropriate amount of toner T has been supplied to the toner storage chamber 20. The “appropriate amount” is an amount that allows the toner T to be sufficiently supplied to the developing roller 10 and at the same time, the amount that does not cause the toner T to become a dust state in the toner storage chamber 20.

図１，図２および，図４，図５に示すように，画像形成装置本体のフレームＦには投光器５３と受光器５４が設けられている。投光器５３にはライトガイド５３Ｌが対向配置され，受光器５４にはライトガイド５４Ｌが配置されている。
ライトガイド５３Ｌの先端面で投光部（投光面）５１が構成され，ライトガイド５４Ｌの先端面で受光部（受光面）５２が構成されている。
なお，５５は，ライトガイドの支持部材である。 As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, a light projector 53 and a light receiver 54 are provided on the frame F of the image forming apparatus main body. A light guide 53L is disposed opposite to the light projector 53, and a light guide 54L is disposed on the light receiver 54.
A light projecting portion (light projecting surface) 51 is configured by the front end surface of the light guide 53L, and a light receiving unit (light receiving surface) 52 is configured by the front end surface of the light guide 54L.
Reference numeral 55 denotes a light guide support member.

図３に示すように，投光部５１と受光部５２はトナー収容室２０内に対向して配置されており，図１および図５（ａ）に示すように，投光部５１から受光部５２に向かう光路（Ｌ）はトナー収容室２０の長手方向に配置してある。
投光器５３から発せられた光は，ライトガイド５３Ｌを通ってその先端面である投光部５１から受光部５２へと発せられ，受光部５２へ入った光はライトガイド５４Ｌを通り受光器５４で受光され電気信号に変換されて前記制御部２に送出される。 As shown in FIG. 3, the light projecting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52 are disposed facing each other in the toner storage chamber 20, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5A, the light projecting unit 51 and the light receiving unit are arranged. The optical path (L) toward 52 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage chamber 20.
The light emitted from the light projector 53 passes through the light guide 53L and is emitted from the light projecting portion 51, which is the front end surface thereof, to the light receiving portion 52, and the light entering the light receiving portion 52 passes through the light guide 54L and is received by the light receiver 54. Light is received, converted into an electrical signal, and sent to the control unit 2.

したがって，投光部５１と受光部５２と間にトナーがないとき，投光部５１からの光Ｌは受光部５２で受光されて制御部２へトナー無し信号（例えばＯＮ信号）が送出され，投光部５１と受光部５２と間にトナーがあるとき（トナー収容室２０内に適正量のトナーが補給されたとき），投光部５１からの光Ｌはトナーで遮られて受光部５２で受光されないので，制御部２へはトナー有り信号（例えばＯＦＦ信号）が送出されることとなる。
制御部２は，上述したように画像形成装置にて画像を形成することで消費されるトナーの消費量を計数し，その消費量が所定値に達したときトナー補給駆動手段７０を作動させ，トナー検出装置５０でトナーＴが検出されたとき，すなわち上記受光器５４からの信号がＯＮからＯＦＦへ転じたとき，トナー補給駆動手段７０の作動を停止させる。 Therefore, when there is no toner between the light projecting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52, the light L from the light projecting unit 51 is received by the light receiving unit 52 and a no-toner signal (for example, an ON signal) is sent to the control unit 2. When there is toner between the light projecting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52 (when an appropriate amount of toner is supplied into the toner storage chamber 20), the light L from the light projecting unit 51 is blocked by the toner and is received by the light receiving unit 52. In this case, a toner presence signal (for example, an OFF signal) is sent to the control unit 2.
The control unit 2 counts the amount of toner consumed by forming an image in the image forming apparatus as described above, and activates the toner replenishment driving means 70 when the amount of consumption reaches a predetermined value. When the toner T is detected by the toner detection device 50, that is, when the signal from the light receiver 54 turns from ON to OFF, the operation of the toner replenishing drive means 70 is stopped.

図４〜図６に示すように，清掃部材６０は，投光部５１と受光部５２との間を通過する移動体６０ａと，この移動体６０ａにおける投光部５１側に設けられていて当該移動体６０ａの移動により投光部（投光面）５１と摺接して投光部５１を清掃する投光部側清掃部材６１と，移動体６０ａにおける受光部５２側に設けられていて当該移動体６０ａの移動により受光部（受光面）５２と摺接して受光部５２を清掃する受光部側清掃部材６２と，を備え，移動体６０ａの移動方向に関する，投光部側清掃部材６１の投光部５１に対する摺接幅Ｗ１（図７（ａ）参照）に比べて，受光部側清掃部材６２の受光部に対する摺接幅Ｗ２を大きくしてある。   As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the cleaning member 60 is provided on the moving body 60a passing between the light projecting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52, and on the light projecting unit 51 side of the moving body 60a. Provided on the light projecting part side cleaning member 61 that cleans the light projecting part 51 in sliding contact with the light projecting part (light projecting surface) 51 by the movement of the moving body 60a, and provided on the light receiving part 52 side of the moving body 60a. A light receiving portion side cleaning member 62 that slides on the light receiving portion (light receiving surface) 52 to clean the light receiving portion 52 by the movement of the body 60a, and projects the light projecting portion side cleaning member 61 with respect to the moving direction of the moving body 60a. Compared with the sliding contact width W1 with respect to the light portion 51 (see FIG. 7A), the sliding contact width W2 with respect to the light receiving portion of the light receiving portion side cleaning member 62 is increased.

移動体６０ａは，回転軸６３に一体的に設けた平面視ハの字形の突片で構成されており，この突片の外側面にそれぞれ上記投光部側清掃部材６１と受光部側清掃部材６２が取り付けてある。
投光部側清掃部材６１，受光部側清掃部材６２はシート部材（ＰＥＴシートや発砲ウレタンシート等）で構成され，上記移動体６０ａの外側面に接着剤で貼着してある（図６参照）。
回転軸６３は，ケース３１に軸受け部材６４を介して回転可能に支持されている（図２参照）。
回転軸６３の端部にはギヤ６５が固定されており，このギヤ６５が前述したトナー搬送スクリュー４７の軸４７ａの端部に固定されたギヤ４７ｃと噛み合っている。
したがって，上述したトナー補給時にトナー搬送スクリュー４７が回転駆動されると，回転軸６３も回転駆動され，清掃部材６０すなわち移動体６０ａおよび投光部側清掃部材６１，受光部側清掃部材６２が回転軸６３回りの回転運動を行い，投光部５１が投光部側清掃部材６１で摺接されて清掃され，受光部５２が受光部側清掃部材６２で摺接されて清掃されることとなる。 The movable body 60a is formed by a C-shaped projecting piece provided integrally with the rotary shaft 63, and the light projecting unit side cleaning member 61 and the light receiving unit side cleaning member are respectively disposed on the outer surfaces of the projecting pieces. 62 is attached.
The light projecting portion side cleaning member 61 and the light receiving portion side cleaning member 62 are composed of sheet members (PET sheet, foamed urethane sheet, etc.), and are adhered to the outer surface of the moving body 60a with an adhesive (see FIG. 6). ).
The rotating shaft 63 is rotatably supported by the case 31 via a bearing member 64 (see FIG. 2).
A gear 65 is fixed to the end of the rotating shaft 63, and the gear 65 is engaged with the gear 47c fixed to the end of the shaft 47a of the toner conveying screw 47 described above.
Therefore, when the toner conveying screw 47 is driven to rotate at the time of toner replenishment, the rotating shaft 63 is also driven to rotate, and the cleaning member 60, that is, the moving body 60a, the light projecting unit side cleaning member 61, and the light receiving unit side cleaning member 62 rotate. The light emitting unit 51 is slidably contacted and cleaned by the light projecting unit side cleaning member 61, and the light receiving unit 52 is slidably contacted and cleaned by the light receiving unit side cleaning member 62. .

この実施の形態では，清掃部材６０は，投光部５１から受光部５２に向かう光軸Ｌと平行な軸６３回りに回転し，清掃部材６０が図３に示す矢印方向への回転運動により，トナー収容室２０内のトナー上面Ｔ１から出て再びトナーＴ内へと入って行く位置（仮想線６０参照）に，前記光軸Ｌを配置してある。
清掃部材６０（投光部側清掃部材６１，受光部側清掃部材６２）はその進行方向前部から後部に向かって広がるハの字形となっており，投光部５１と受光部５２との間を通過する際，図７（ａ）に示すように，投光部５１，受光部５２と摺接して，投光面５１，受光面５２に付着しているトナーを拭いとる。 In this embodiment, the cleaning member 60 rotates about an axis 63 parallel to the optical axis L from the light projecting unit 51 to the light receiving unit 52, and the cleaning member 60 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. The optical axis L is arranged at a position (see the imaginary line 60) that exits from the toner upper surface T1 in the toner storage chamber 20 and enters the toner T again.
The cleaning member 60 (the light projecting part side cleaning member 61 and the light receiving part side cleaning member 62) has a square shape that spreads from the front part toward the rear part in the traveling direction, and between the light projecting part 51 and the light receiving part 52. 7, the toner adhering to the light projecting surface 51 and the light receiving surface 52 is wiped off in contact with the light projecting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52 as shown in FIG.

この実施の形態では，投光部側清掃部材６１の長さ（移動体６０ａの貼り付け部から進行方向後方へ伸びる自由長の長さ）に比べて，受光部側清掃部材６２の長さを大きくすることにより，図７（ａ）に示すように，移動体６０ａの移動方向に関する，投光部側清掃部材６１の投光部５１に対する摺接幅Ｗ１に比べて，受光部側清掃部材６２の受光部に対する摺接幅Ｗ２を大きくしてある。
このように構成すると，投光部５１については，摺接幅の小さな投光部側清掃部材６１で投光部５１を軽めに清掃することで投光部５１に生じる摺接痕を低減させることができると同時に，受光部５２については，摺接幅の大きな受光部側清掃部材６２で受光部５２をより綺麗に清掃することができる。
図７（ｂ）に示すように，投光部側清掃部材６１の個数（枚数）に比べて，受光部側清掃部材６２の個数（枚数）を多くする（図示のものは２枚）ことによっても同様の効果を得ることができる。
また，図示はしないが例えば投光部側清掃部材６１の厚さに比べて，受光部側清掃部材６２の厚さを大きくすることで，投光部側清掃部材６１の投光部５１に対する摺接強さに比べ，受光部側清掃部材６２の受光部６２に対する摺接強さを大きくすることによっても，同様の効果を得ることができる。 In this embodiment, the length of the light receiving unit side cleaning member 62 is set to be longer than the length of the light projecting unit side cleaning member 61 (the length of the free length extending rearward in the traveling direction from the pasting portion of the moving body 60a). By increasing the size, as shown in FIG. 7A, the light receiving unit side cleaning member 62 is compared with the sliding contact width W1 of the light projecting unit side cleaning member 61 with respect to the light projecting unit 51 in the moving direction of the moving body 60a. The sliding contact width W2 with respect to the light receiving portion is increased.
If comprised in this way, about the light projection part 51, the light contact part produced in the light projection part 51 will be reduced by cleaning the light projection part 51 lightly with the light emission part side cleaning member 61 with a small sliding contact width. At the same time, with respect to the light receiving part 52, the light receiving part 52 can be cleaned more cleanly by the light receiving part side cleaning member 62 having a large sliding contact width.
As shown in FIG. 7B, by increasing the number (number of sheets) of the light receiving unit side cleaning members 62 as compared to the number (number of sheets) of the light projecting unit side cleaning members 61 (two in the drawing). The same effect can be obtained.
Although not shown, for example, by increasing the thickness of the light receiving unit side cleaning member 62 compared to the thickness of the light projecting unit side cleaning member 61, the light projecting unit side cleaning member 61 slides on the light projecting unit 51. The same effect can be obtained by increasing the sliding contact strength of the light receiving unit side cleaning member 62 with respect to the light receiving unit 62 as compared with the contact strength.

以上のような現像装置におけるトナー補給動作およびトナー検出装置５０における投受光部５１，５２の清掃動作は次のようになる。
画像形成装置による画像形成動作が繰り返されることにより，トナー収容室２０におけるトナーＴが次第に消費される。
その消費量は前述したように制御部２によって計数される。
そして，制御部２は，トナーＴの消費量が所定値（トナー収容室２０内のトナー量が少なくなりすぎて現像不良が生じるという事態が生じないだけの消費量）に達すると，トナー補給駆動手段７０を作動させる。 The toner replenishing operation in the developing device and the cleaning operation of the light projecting / receiving portions 51 and 52 in the toner detecting device 50 are as follows.
By repeating the image forming operation by the image forming apparatus, the toner T in the toner storage chamber 20 is gradually consumed.
The consumption amount is counted by the control unit 2 as described above.
Then, when the consumption amount of the toner T reaches a predetermined value (consumption amount that does not cause a situation where the toner amount in the toner storage chamber 20 becomes too small to cause development failure), the toner replenishment drive is performed. The means 70 is activated.

これによって，前述したように，給送手段４３およびトナー搬送スクリュー４７が回転駆動され，トナー搬送手段４２内（すなわちトナー搬送路３２内）に残存しているトナーおよびトナータンク４１内のトナーがトナー収容室２０へと補給される。
上記のトナー補給動作を行う際，前述したように，制御部２は，現像器３０における現像ローラ１０および供給ローラ１１を回転させる。この現像ローラ１０および供給ローラ１１の回転により，図２に矢印Ｔで示すように，トナー補給口３３からトナー収容室２０内に落下したトナーはトナー収容室２０の両端部に向かって速やかに流動する。 As a result, as described above, the feeding means 43 and the toner conveying screw 47 are rotationally driven, and the toner remaining in the toner conveying means 42 (that is, in the toner conveying path 32) and the toner in the toner tank 41 become toner. Replenished to the storage chamber 20.
When performing the toner replenishing operation, as described above, the control unit 2 rotates the developing roller 10 and the supply roller 11 in the developing device 30. Due to the rotation of the developing roller 10 and the supply roller 11, as shown by an arrow T in FIG. 2, the toner that has fallen into the toner storage chamber 20 from the toner supply port 33 flows quickly toward both ends of the toner storage chamber 20. To do.

また，トナー搬送スクリュー４７が回転駆動されると，その軸４７ａの端部のギヤ４７ｃが回転軸６３端部のギヤ６５と噛み合っていることにより回転軸６３が回転し，したがって，清掃部材６０が回転軸６３回りに回転して投光部５１，受光部５２が清掃される。   Further, when the toner conveying screw 47 is driven to rotate, the gear 47c at the end of the shaft 47a meshes with the gear 65 at the end of the rotating shaft 63, so that the rotating shaft 63 rotates. The projector 51 and the light receiver 52 are cleaned by rotating around the rotation shaft 63.

その後，前述したように，トナー検出装置５０でトナーＴが検出される，すなわち上記受光器５４からの信号がＯＮからＯＦＦへ転じると，制御部２はトナー補給駆動手段７０の作動を停止させる。
これによって，回転軸６３の回転も停止され，清掃部材６０による清掃動作も停止する。
補給動作が停止すると，トナー搬送スクリュー４７の回転も停止するので，トナー搬送手段４２内にはトナーが残存する。 Thereafter, as described above, when the toner T is detected by the toner detection device 50, that is, when the signal from the light receiver 54 turns from ON to OFF, the control unit 2 stops the operation of the toner supply driving means 70.
Thereby, the rotation of the rotating shaft 63 is also stopped, and the cleaning operation by the cleaning member 60 is also stopped.
When the replenishment operation is stopped, the rotation of the toner transport screw 47 is also stopped, so that the toner remains in the toner transport means 42.

以上のような現像装置によれば次のような作用効果が得られる。
（ａ）投光部５１と受光部５２との清掃は現像器３０のトナー収容室２０へのトナー補給時にのみなされることとなるので，清掃部材６０が摩耗しにくくなって清掃が十分になされ，また，投光面５１および受光面５２に傷も付きにくくなる。
したがって，トナー検出装置５０における投光量および受光量が確保され，トナーが無いにもかかわらず「トナー有り」を検出するという誤検知が生じにくくなる。
しかも，トナー補給手段５０および清掃部材６０を駆動するトナー補給駆動手段７０を現像器駆動手段とは別に設けたので，清掃部材６０の稼働時に，現像器（その現像ローラ等）に速度ムラが生じないという効果も得られる。
さらに，トナー収容室２０へのトナー補給開始タイミングは，トナー検出手段による「トナー無し」検出時とした上記従来技術とは異なり，本実施の形態では画像形成装置におけるトナーの消費量を計数してその消費量が所定値に達した時点としてあるので，トナー補給開始時すなわち清掃部材６０の稼働開始時には基本的にはトナー検出装置５０の投光部５１および受光部５２近くにトナーは存在しない。
したがって，清掃部材６０の稼働開始時には，投光部５１および受光部５２近くにトナーが無い状態で，円滑かつ確実に投光部５１および受光部５２を清掃することができるという効果も得られる。 According to the developing device as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(A) Since the light projecting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52 are cleaned only when the toner is supplied to the toner storage chamber 20 of the developing device 30, the cleaning member 60 is less likely to be worn and is sufficiently cleaned. In addition, the light projecting surface 51 and the light receiving surface 52 are hardly damaged.
Accordingly, the light projection amount and the light reception amount in the toner detection device 50 are ensured, and erroneous detection of detecting “toner presence” despite the absence of toner is less likely to occur.
In addition, since the toner replenishing driving means 70 for driving the toner replenishing means 50 and the cleaning member 60 are provided separately from the developing device driving means, speed irregularities occur in the developing device (its developing roller, etc.) when the cleaning member 60 is in operation. There is also an effect of not.
Furthermore, the toner supply start timing to the toner storage chamber 20 is different from the above-described prior art when “no toner” is detected by the toner detection means. In this embodiment, the toner consumption amount in the image forming apparatus is counted. Since the consumption amount has reached a predetermined value, basically no toner is present near the light projecting portion 51 and the light receiving portion 52 of the toner detecting device 50 when the toner supply is started, that is, when the operation of the cleaning member 60 is started.
Therefore, when the cleaning member 60 is started to operate, there is also an effect that the light projecting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52 can be cleaned smoothly and reliably without toner near the light projecting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52.

（ｂ）トナー補給時には，現像器駆動手段で現像器３０を駆動するので，トナー補給時，現像ローラ１０および供給ローラ１１の回転によって，トナー収容室２０内へ補給されたトナーが図２に矢印Ｔで示すようにトナー収容室２０の長手方向（現像ローラの軸線方向）へ速やかに広がる。
したがって，トナー補給口３３とトナー検出部（投受光部５１，５２）とがトナー収容室２０の長手方向において離れていたとしても，トナー収容室２０に適正量のトナーが補給されたことを速やかに検出することができ，結果として，トナー収容室２０内に過剰のトナーが補給されて圧粉状態となるのを防止することができる。 (B) At the time of toner replenishment, the developing device 30 is driven by the developer drive means, and at the time of toner replenishment, the toner replenished into the toner storage chamber 20 by the rotation of the developing roller 10 and the supply roller 11 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. As indicated by T, it spreads quickly in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage chamber 20 (axial direction of the developing roller).
Therefore, even if the toner supply port 33 and the toner detection unit (projecting / receiving unit 51, 52) are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage chamber 20, it is promptly confirmed that an appropriate amount of toner has been supplied to the toner storage chamber 20. As a result, it is possible to prevent the toner storage chamber 20 from being replenished with excessive toner and becoming in a dusty state.

（ｃ）トナー補給手段４０は，トナー収容室２０へ補給されるべきトナーが収容されたトナータンク４１と，このトナータンク４１とトナー収容室２０との間に配置されていてトナータンク内のトナーをトナー収容室２０へ搬送するトナー搬送手段４２とを備えた構成とし，トナータンク４１とトナー収容室２０との間に配置されたトナー搬送手段４２を，トナー収容室へのトナー補給時にのみ駆動する構成としたので，トナーの補給動作終了後に現像器３０が作動しても，トナー搬送手段４２は作動しない。
したがって，トナー補給動作終了後の現像器３０の作動で現像器内のトナーが消費されても，トナー搬送手段４２によるトナー搬送経路３２上にはトナーが残存することとなる。
このため，その後再びトナー補給の必要が生じてトナー補給がなされる際，上記トナー搬送手段４２によるトナー搬送経路３２上に残存していたトナーが現像器のトナー収容室２０へ即座に補給されることとなる。
すなわち，トナー補給の必要が生じた際には，現像器のトナー収容室２０へのトナー補給が即座になされることとなる。 (C) The toner replenishing means 40 is disposed between the toner tank 41 in which toner to be replenished to the toner storage chamber 20 is stored, and the toner tank 41 and the toner storage chamber 20. And a toner transport means 42 for transporting the toner to the toner storage chamber 20, and the toner transport means 42 disposed between the toner tank 41 and the toner storage chamber 20 is driven only when toner is supplied to the toner storage chamber. Thus, even if the developing device 30 is activated after the toner replenishment operation is completed, the toner conveying means 42 is not activated.
Therefore, even if the toner in the developing device is consumed by the operation of the developing device 30 after the completion of the toner replenishment operation, the toner remains on the toner transport path 32 by the toner transport means 42.
For this reason, when the toner needs to be replenished after that, the toner remaining on the toner transport path 32 by the toner transport means 42 is immediately replenished to the toner storage chamber 20 of the developing device. It will be.
That is, when the toner needs to be replenished, the toner is replenished immediately into the toner storage chamber 20 of the developing device.

（ｄ）トナータンク４１内には，トナータンク４１内のトナーをトナー搬送手段４２へ向けて給送する給送手段４３を設け，この給送手段４３とトナー搬送手段４２とを同一の駆動源７０で駆動する構成としたので，簡単な構成によって，トナー搬送手段４２を，トナー収容室へのトナー補給時にのみ駆動することが可能となる。 (D) In the toner tank 41, a feeding means 43 for feeding the toner in the toner tank 41 toward the toner conveying means 42 is provided, and the feeding means 43 and the toner conveying means 42 are connected to the same drive source. Since it is configured to be driven at 70, the toner conveying means 42 can be driven only when toner is supplied to the toner storage chamber with a simple configuration.

（ｅ）投光部５１から受光部５２に向かう光路Ｌをトナー収容室２０の長手方向に配置してあるので，現像器３０（したがってトナー収容室２０）が長手方向に関して傾斜する状態で画像形成装置が設置された場合でも，トナー収容室２０にトナーが過剰に補給されにくくなり，トナー収容室２０内において圧粉状態が生じにくくなる。
この点について図８を参照して説明する。 (E) Since the optical path L from the light projecting unit 51 to the light receiving unit 52 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage chamber 20, image formation is performed with the developing device 30 (and hence the toner storage chamber 20) inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction. Even when the apparatus is installed, it is difficult for toner to be replenished excessively into the toner storage chamber 20, and a dusting state is hardly generated in the toner storage chamber 20.
This point will be described with reference to FIG.

図８は，投光部５１から受光部５２に向かう光路Ｌをトナー収容室２０の長手方向に配置した場合と，光路Ｌ１をトナー収容室２０の長手方向と直交方向に配置した場合とを同時に示した作用説明図である。
図８（ａ）に示すように，現像器３０（したがってトナー収容室２０）が長手方向に関して水平になる状態で画像形成装置が設置された場合には，光路Ｌをトナー収容室２０の長手方向に配置した場合，光路Ｌ１をトナー収容室２０の長手方向と直交方向に配置した場合のいずれの場合にも，トナーの上面Ｔ１が上記光路ＬまたはＬ１を遮った時点でトナー収容室２０に適正量のトナーが補給されたことが正確に検出される。
しかしながら，図８（ｂ）に示すように，上記光路が上方となるようにトナー収容室２０が長手方向に関して傾斜した状態で画像形成装置が設置された場合，光路Ｌをトナー収容室２０の長手方向に配置した場合には，その光路Ｌの最下部（投光部５１部分）にトナー上面Ｔ１が達した時点でトナー補給が停止されるのに対し，光路Ｌ１をトナー収容室２０の長手方向と直交方向に配置した場合には，トナーの上面Ｔ１’が上記光路Ｌ１を遮った時点でトナー補給が停止される。
このときのトナー上面Ｔ１’は，上記上面Ｔ１より上方にあるから，その分余分にトナー収容室２０内にトナーが補給されたこととなり，圧粉状態が生じやすくなる。
また，図８（ｃ）に示すように，上記光路が下方となるようにトナー収容室２０が長手方向に関して傾斜した状態で画像形成装置が設置された場合，光路Ｌをトナー収容室２０の長手方向に配置した場合には，その光路Ｌの最下部（投光部５２部分）にトナー上面Ｔ１が達した時点でトナー補給が停止されるのに対し，光路Ｌ１をトナー収容室２０の長手方向と直交方向に配置した場合には，トナーの上面Ｔ１’が上記光路Ｌ１を遮った時点でトナー補給が停止される。
このときのトナー上面Ｔ１’は，上記上面Ｔ１より上方にあるから，その分余分にトナー収容室２０内にトナーが補給されたこととなり，圧粉状態が生じやすくなる。 FIG. 8 shows the case where the optical path L from the light projecting unit 51 to the light receiving unit 52 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the toner containing chamber 20 and the case where the optical path L1 is arranged in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner containing chamber 20. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8A, when the image forming apparatus is installed in a state where the developing device 30 (and hence the toner storage chamber 20) is horizontal with respect to the longitudinal direction, the optical path L is set in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage chamber 20. When the optical path L1 is arranged in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner storage chamber 20, the toner upper surface T1 is properly applied to the toner storage chamber 20 when the optical path L or L1 is blocked. It is accurately detected that the amount of toner has been replenished.
However, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the image forming apparatus is installed with the toner storage chamber 20 inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction so that the optical path is on the upper side, the optical path L is set to the longitudinal direction of the toner storage chamber 20. When the toner is disposed in the direction, the toner supply is stopped when the toner upper surface T1 reaches the lowermost part (projecting part 51 portion) of the optical path L, whereas the optical path L1 extends in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage chamber 20. When the toner upper surface T1 ′ is blocked by the optical path L1, the toner supply is stopped.
Since the toner upper surface T1 ′ at this time is above the upper surface T1, the toner is replenished into the toner storage chamber 20 correspondingly, and a dusting state is likely to occur.
As shown in FIG. 8C, when the image forming apparatus is installed with the toner storage chamber 20 inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction so that the optical path is downward, the optical path L is set to the longitudinal direction of the toner storage chamber 20. When the toner is disposed in the direction, the toner supply is stopped when the toner upper surface T1 reaches the lowermost part (projecting part 52 portion) of the optical path L, whereas the optical path L1 extends in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage chamber 20. When the toner upper surface T1 ′ is blocked by the optical path L1, the toner supply is stopped.
Since the toner upper surface T1 ′ at this time is above the upper surface T1, the toner is replenished into the toner storage chamber 20 correspondingly, and a dusting state is likely to occur.

以上から明らかなように，この実施の形態によれば，投光部５１から受光部５２に向かう光路Ｌをトナー収容室２０の長手方向に配置してあるので，現像器３０（したがってトナー収容室２０）が長手方向に関して傾斜する状態で画像形成装置が設置された場合でも，トナー収容室２０にトナーが過剰に補給されにくくなり，トナー収容室２０内において圧粉状態が生じにくくなる。
しかも，トナー収容室２０へのトナー補給は，トナーの消費量を計数し，その消費量が所定値に達したときトナー補給手段４０を作動させてトナー検出装置５０でトナーが検出されるまでなされるので，トナー補給手段４０によってトナーが補給される頻度を低くすることができる。すなわち，ある一定のトナー消費量に対するトナー補給動作の回数を少なくすることができる。
このため，上述したトナーの過剰補給が生じる可能性も少なくなって圧粉状態もより生じにくくなる。 As is apparent from the above, according to this embodiment, the optical path L from the light projecting unit 51 to the light receiving unit 52 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage chamber 20, so that the developing device 30 (and therefore the toner storage chamber). Even when the image forming apparatus is installed in a state where 20) is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, it is difficult for toner to be replenished excessively into the toner storage chamber 20, and a dusting state is less likely to occur in the toner storage chamber 20.
In addition, toner supply to the toner storage chamber 20 is performed until the toner consumption is counted, and when the consumption reaches a predetermined value, the toner supply means 40 is activated and the toner detection device 50 detects the toner. Therefore, the frequency with which toner is supplied by the toner supply means 40 can be reduced. In other words, the number of toner replenishment operations for a certain amount of toner consumption can be reduced.
For this reason, the possibility of excessive supply of the toner described above is reduced, and the dusting state is less likely to occur.

（ｆ）清掃部材６０は，投光部５１と受光部５２との間を通過する移動体６０ａと，この移動体６０ａにおける投光部５１側に設けられていて当該移動体の移動により投光部５１と摺接して投光部５１を清掃する投光部側清掃部材６１と，移動体６０ａにおける受光部６２側に設けられていて当該移動体６０ａの移動により受光部５２と摺接して受光部５２を清掃する受光部側清掃部材６２と，を備え，移動体６０ａの移動方向に関する，投光部側清掃部材６１の投光部５１に対する摺接幅Ｗ１に比べて，受光部側清掃部材６２の受光部５２に対する摺接幅Ｗ２を大きくしてあるので，投光部５１については，摺接幅の小さな投光部側清掃部材６１で投光部５１を軽めに清掃することで投光部５１に生じる摺接痕を低減させることができると同時に，受光部５２については，摺接幅の大きな受光部側清掃部材６２で受光部５２をより綺麗に清掃することができる。
したがって，投光部５１に生じる摺接痕を低減させて投光効率を確保できると同時に受光部５２において確実な受光を得ることができる。 (F) The cleaning member 60 is provided on the movable body 60a passing between the light projecting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52, and the light projecting unit 51 side of the movable body 60a. The light projecting part side cleaning member 61 that slides in contact with the part 51 and cleans the light projecting part 51, and is provided on the light receiving part 62 side of the moving body 60a. A light receiving part side cleaning member 62 for cleaning the part 52, and the light receiving part side cleaning member relative to the sliding contact width W1 of the light projecting part side cleaning member 61 with respect to the light projecting part 51 in the moving direction of the moving body 60a. Since the sliding contact width W2 of the light receiving unit 52 of 62 is increased, the light projecting unit 51 is lightly cleaned by the light projecting unit side cleaning member 61 having a small sliding contact width. When sliding traces generated in the light part 51 can be reduced Sometimes, the light receiving unit 52 is able to more cleanly clean the light receiving portion 52 with a large light receiving unit side cleaning member 62 in sliding contact width.
Therefore, sliding contact marks generated in the light projecting unit 51 can be reduced to ensure light projecting efficiency, and at the same time, the light receiving unit 52 can reliably receive light.

（ｇ）あるいは，投光部側清掃部材６１の個数に比べて，受光部側清掃部材６２の個数を多くすることにより，移動部材６０ａの１回の移動につき，投光部５１については，少数（１個を含む）の投光部側清掃部材６１で投光部５１を軽めに清掃することで投光部５１に生じる摺接痕を低減させることができると同時に，受光部５２については，より多数の受光部側清掃部材６２で受光部５２をより綺麗に清掃することができる。
したがって，投光部５１に生じる摺接痕を低減させて投光効率を確保できると同時に受光部５２において確実な受光を得ることができる。 (G) Alternatively, by increasing the number of light receiving unit side cleaning members 62 as compared with the number of light projecting unit side cleaning members 61, a small number of light projecting units 51 are required for each movement of the moving member 60a. By lightly cleaning the light projecting unit 51 with the light projecting unit side cleaning member 61 (including one), it is possible to reduce sliding contact marks generated in the light projecting unit 51, and at the same time, regarding the light receiving unit 52, , The light receiving unit 52 can be cleaned more cleanly with a larger number of light receiving unit side cleaning members 62.
Therefore, sliding contact marks generated in the light projecting unit 51 can be reduced to ensure light projecting efficiency, and at the same time, the light receiving unit 52 can reliably receive light.

（ｈ）あるいはまた，投光部側清掃部材６１の投光部５１に対する摺接強さに比べて，受光部側清掃部材６２の受光部５２に対する摺接強さを大きくすることにより，投光部５１については，摺接強さの小さな投光部側清掃部材６１で投光部５１を軽めに清掃することで投光部５１に生じる摺接痕を低減させることができると同時に，受光部５２については，摺接強さの大きな受光部側清掃部材６２で受光部５２をより綺麗に清掃することができる。
したがって，投光部５１に生じる摺接痕を低減させて投光効率を確保できると同時に受光部５２において確実な受光を得ることができる。 (H) Or, by increasing the sliding contact strength of the light receiving unit side cleaning member 62 with respect to the light receiving unit 52 as compared with the sliding contact strength of the light projecting unit side cleaning member 61 with respect to the light projecting unit 51, As for the portion 51, the light contact portion generated in the light projecting portion 51 can be reduced by lightly cleaning the light projecting portion 51 with the light projecting portion side cleaning member 61 having a small sliding contact strength. About the part 52, the light-receiving part 52 can be cleaned more beautifully by the light-receiving-part-side cleaning member 62 having a large sliding contact strength.
Therefore, sliding contact marks generated in the light projecting unit 51 can be reduced to ensure light projecting efficiency, and at the same time, the light receiving unit 52 can reliably receive light.

（ｉ）清掃部材６０を，投光部５１から受光部５２に向かう光軸Ｌと平行な軸６３回りに回転させるとともに，当該清掃部材６０がその回転運動により，トナー収容室２０内のトナー上面Ｔ１から出て再びトナー内へと入って行く位置に，前記光軸Ｌを配置してあるので，清掃部材６０がトナー内にあるときに清掃部材６０に付着しあるいは付着しようとしていたトナーは，清掃部材６０がトナー上面Ｔ１から出た際に，清掃部材６０からほとんど脱落することとなる。
このため，清掃部材６０がトナー上面Ｔ１から出て再びトナー内へと入って行く際には，清掃部材６０に付着しているトナーは極めて少量となる。
そして，投光部５１から受光部５２に向かう光軸Ｌは，清掃部材６０の回転軸６３と平行にかつ，清掃部材６０がトナー収容室内のトナー上面Ｔ１から出て再びトナー内へと入って行く位置に配置されているから，投光部５１および受光部５２は，トナーがほとんど付着していない（付着しているとしても少量のトナーしか付着していない）清掃部材６０によって摺接されることとなる。
したがって，投光部５１および受光部５２（投光面５１および受光面５２）がトナーで汚れにくくなり，結果として，トナー検出を確実に行うことが可能となる。 (I) The cleaning member 60 is rotated about an axis 63 parallel to the optical axis L from the light projecting unit 51 toward the light receiving unit 52, and the cleaning member 60 is rotated to move the upper surface of the toner in the toner storage chamber 20. Since the optical axis L is arranged at a position where the cleaning member 60 is in the toner, the toner attached to or about to adhere to the cleaning member 60 when the cleaning member 60 is in the toner. When the cleaning member 60 comes out of the toner upper surface T1, it almost falls off from the cleaning member 60.
For this reason, when the cleaning member 60 comes out of the toner upper surface T1 and enters the toner again, the amount of toner adhering to the cleaning member 60 becomes very small.
The optical axis L from the light projecting unit 51 to the light receiving unit 52 is parallel to the rotation shaft 63 of the cleaning member 60, and the cleaning member 60 exits from the toner upper surface T1 in the toner storage chamber and enters the toner again. Since the light projecting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52 are arranged at the positions to go, they are slidably contacted by the cleaning member 60 to which toner hardly adheres (only a small amount of toner adheres even if it adheres). It will be.
Therefore, the light projecting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52 (the light projecting surface 51 and the light receiving surface 52) are not easily contaminated with toner, and as a result, toner detection can be reliably performed.

（ｊ）清掃部材６０はその進行方向前部から後部に向かって広がるハの字形としてあるので，清掃部材６０がトナーへ進入する際のトナーの乱れが少なくなり，トナー検出時のノイズを低減させて，より正確なトナー検出が可能となる。また，清掃部材６０のトナーへの進入時およびトナー内での回転移動時の回転負荷を低減させることができる。 (J) Since the cleaning member 60 has a square shape that spreads from the front to the rear in the direction of travel, the toner is less disturbed when the cleaning member 60 enters the toner, and noise during toner detection is reduced. Thus, more accurate toner detection is possible. Further, it is possible to reduce the rotational load when the cleaning member 60 enters the toner and when the cleaning member 60 rotates within the toner.

以上，本発明の実施の形態について説明したが，本発明は上記の実施の形態に限定されるものではなく，本発明の要旨の範囲内において適宜変形実施可能である。   Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

本発明に係る現像装置の一実施の形態を示す概略平面図。1 is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment of a developing device according to the present invention. 同じく概略正面図。Similarly a schematic front view. 現像器の断面図（図２におけるＩＩＩ−ＩＩＩ拡大断面図）。Sectional drawing of a developing device (III-III expanded sectional view in FIG. 2). トナー検出部の斜視図。FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toner detection unit. （ａ）（ｂ）はトナー検出部の平面図と正面図。(A) and (b) are the top view and front view of a toner detection part. 清掃部材の分解斜視図。The exploded perspective view of a cleaning member. （ａ）（ｂ）は作動説明図。(A) (b) is an operation explanatory view. （ａ）（ｂ）（ｃ）は作用説明図。(A) (b) (c) is an operation explanatory view.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１：感光体，２：制御部，１０：現像ローラ，１１：供給ローラ，２０：トナー収容室，３０：現像器，４０：トナー補給手段，４１：トナータンク，４２：トナー搬送手段，４３：給送手段，５０：トナー検出手段，５１：投光部，５２：受光部，６０：清掃部材，６０ａ：移動体，６１：投光部側清掃部材，６２：受光部側清掃部材，６３：回転軸，７０：トナー補給駆動手段，８０：清掃機構。   DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Photoconductor, 2: Control part, 10: Developing roller, 11: Supply roller, 20: Toner storage chamber, 30: Developer, 40: Toner replenishing means, 41: Toner tank, 42: Toner conveying means, 43: Feeding means, 50: toner detecting means, 51: light projecting part, 52: light receiving part, 60: cleaning member, 60a: moving body, 61: light projecting part side cleaning member, 62: light receiving part side cleaning member, 63: Rotating shaft, 70: toner supply driving means, 80: cleaning mechanism.

Claims (2)

トナー収容室に設けられた投光部と受光部とを有し，投光部から受光部に向かう光がトナーで遮られたことを検出することでトナー収容室に所定量のトナーが収容されたことを検出するトナー検出手段と，
前記トナー収容室内において前記投光部と受光部との間を通過し投光部と受光部に摺接して投光部と受光部を清掃する清掃部材と，
を備えたトナー検出装置であって，
前記清掃部材を，投光部から受光部に向かう光軸と平行な軸回りに回転させるとともに，当該清掃部材がその回転運動により，前記トナー収容室内のトナー上面から出て再びトナー内へと入って行く位置に，前記光軸を配置したことを特徴とするトナー検出装置。 A light projecting unit and a light receiving unit provided in the toner storage chamber, and a predetermined amount of toner is stored in the toner storage chamber by detecting that the light traveling from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit is blocked by the toner. Toner detection means for detecting
A cleaning member that passes between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit in the toner containing chamber and slides on the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit to clean the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit;
A toner detection device comprising:
The cleaning member is rotated about an axis parallel to the optical axis from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit, and the cleaning member is moved out of the upper surface of the toner in the toner containing chamber by the rotational movement and enters the toner again. A toner detection apparatus, wherein the optical axis is arranged at a position to go. 前記清掃部材はその進行方向前部から後部に向かって広がるハの字形であることを特徴とする請求項１記載のトナー検出装置。   The toner detection device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member has a square shape extending from a front portion to a rear portion in the traveling direction.
JP2006306939A 2006-11-13 2006-11-13 Toner detection device Pending JP2008122703A (en)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2012155141A (en) * 2011-01-26 2012-08-16 Ricoh Co Ltd Developer amount detecting device, developing device, process unit and image forming apparatus
JP2019095761A (en) * 2017-09-26 2019-06-20 株式会社沖データ Developer storage body, image formation unit and image formation apparatus

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2012155141A (en) * 2011-01-26 2012-08-16 Ricoh Co Ltd Developer amount detecting device, developing device, process unit and image forming apparatus
US8861991B2 (en) 2011-01-26 2014-10-14 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Developer amount detector, and developer container, development device, and image forming apparatus incorporating same
JP2019095761A (en) * 2017-09-26 2019-06-20 株式会社沖データ Developer storage body, image formation unit and image formation apparatus

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