JP2008216313A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus configured to loosen aggregated toner in a toner container without requiring a user to shake and tap the toner container before attaching the toner container to the image forming apparatus, and also, without increasing the rotating torques, the shaft diameter and the thickness, etc., of a stirring member for stirring the toner, even when the toner container is neglected in a packed state for a long period or the toner container is attached to the image forming apparatus for a long period without being operated. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with the attachable/detachable toner container, and configured to develop an electrostatic latent image by using the toner charged in the toner container. The toner container includes: at least a filling part into which the toner is filled; and the stirring member for stirring the charged toner, disposed in the filling part. The image forming apparatus includes a control part to control the filling part and the stirring member so that both are coaxially rotated in the same direction and at the same speed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which a filling portion for filling toner rotates in a mounted toner container.

In many cases, toner used for development in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile is filled in a toner container, and the toner container is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. When the toner runs out, the toner container is removed from the image forming apparatus main body, and a new toner container filled with toner is attached to the image forming apparatus main body.
If the toner container filled with the toner is left in a state of being packed for a long time, the toner inside the toner container is tightened by its own weight. When the toner container is mounted on the image forming apparatus with the toner tightened, the rotational torque of the toner agitation paddle provided in the toner container increases, and the agitation paddle rotation motor cannot be rotated.

In order to avoid this, an operation of shaking or hitting the toner container is performed before the toner container is mounted on the image forming apparatus. This operation is forced on the user of the image forming apparatus, and is a burden on the user.
The state in which the toner is tightened in the toner container is the same as the case where the toner container is mounted on the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus is not operated for a long period of time, as described above. Occurs.

As described above, the toner container once attached to the image forming apparatus cannot be taken out from the image forming apparatus and shaken easily. In other words, depending on the mechanical configuration of the developing device in the image forming apparatus, there is a toner container that cannot be removed when the toner remains in the toner container. This is because some toner scatters when shaken.
In order to loosen the tightened toner without operating the toner container for a long period of time as described above, the stirring paddle must be rotated even in the tightened state. For this reason, it is necessary to provide a motor whose specification is determined by the torque required for such rotation, or to increase the shaft diameter and thickness of the paddle, which increases the cost.

Therefore, it is necessary to take measures in a state where the toner container is mounted on the image forming apparatus in order to loosen the toner that has been tightened not only in the toner container left unpacked for a long time but also in the toner container that has been mounted for a long time without operation. .
As a countermeasure, for example, it is inappropriate to provide a device that stirs the toner in the toner container in consideration of the fact that the rotational torque of the toner stirring paddle increases as described above. Therefore, it is conceivable to move the toner container so that the user shakes or strikes the toner container.

As a technique for moving the toner container, in a cylindrical toner container, a locking portion for locking the toner container, a knob for rotating the toner container, a shutter for sliding and opening the toner inlet, and the shutter Is provided with a locked portion, and when the toner container is mounted on the image forming apparatus, when the locking portion is locked to the locked portion and is rotated about 45 degrees with the knob, the locking portion is It has been proposed to rotate and open the shutter.
In this technology, the shutter that opens and closes the toner inlet in the toner container is not easily opened when the toner container is not mounted, so that the rotation angle of the toner container is narrow and loosened toner is loosened. It is considered impossible. The rotation of the toner container requires the user to move it with the knob.

JP 2005-37673 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and can form an image even in a toner container that has been left unpacked for a long time or mounted for a long time without operation. It is not necessary for the user to shake or hit the toner container before installing it in the apparatus, or to increase the rotational torque, shaft diameter, thickness, etc. of the stirring member that stirs the toner. An image forming apparatus capable of loosening toner is provided.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus in which an attachable / detachable toner container is mounted and an electrostatic latent image is developed using toner filled in the toner container, wherein the toner container includes at least A filling unit for filling toner is provided, and a stirring member for stirring the filled toner is provided therein, and a control unit is provided for controlling the filling unit and the stirring member to rotate coaxially at the same direction and speed. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control unit is configured such that the filling unit and the agitating member are the same by a predetermined angle only when at least one of the first operation after power-on and the detection of toner container mounting is detected. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is rotated at a direction and at a speed, and is controlled so that only the stirring member is rotated during other operations.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the toner container is fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus when the toner container includes the toner container including the toner discharge port and the toner container. The control unit is configured to control the toner discharge port and the opening so as not to partially overlap when the toner container is removed. The image forming apparatus according to 2.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the toner container includes a shutter that opens and closes a toner discharge port provided in the filling unit, and the shutter includes an opening that discharges toner from the toner discharge port, The control unit controls the toner discharge port and the opening so as not to partially overlap when the toner container is removed. Item 3. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1 or 2.

  The invention according to claim 5 relates to the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the filling portion has irregularities.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, at least the filling portion for filling the toner is provided, the stirring member for stirring the filled toner is provided therein, and the filling portion and the stirring member are coaxially arranged in the same direction and speed. By rotating, the agitating member does not rotate relative to the filling portion, and the toner in the filled portion is tightened without agitating the tightened toner and increasing the rotational torque of the motor. Rotate with the rotation of the filling part, lifted, dropped and loosened.
Therefore, even for a toner container that has been left unpacked for a long period of time or has been installed for a long period of time without being activated, the user may shake or hit the toner container before installation on the image forming apparatus, The toner tightened in the toner container can be loosened while reducing the cost and reducing the environmental load without increasing the rotational torque, shaft diameter, wall thickness, and the like of the stirring member to be stirred.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control unit rotates the filling unit and the agitating member at the same direction and speed by a predetermined angle only at the first operation after power-on or when the toner container is detected. Since the control is performed so that only the agitating member rotates during the operation of the toner, the toner can be loosened when there is a possibility that the toner is tightened. The image forming apparatus can be operated well.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the toner container includes a toner container having a toner discharge port, and an outer container containing the toner container and having an opening and being fixed at the time of mounting, and removing the toner container. Sometimes, the toner discharge port and the opening are controlled so as not to partially overlap, so that the toner discharge from the toner discharge port can be controlled, and the toner discharge port is closed when the toner container is removed. be able to.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the shutter for opening and closing the toner discharge port is provided, the shutter is fixed with an opening for discharging the toner from the toner discharge port, and the toner discharge port is removed when the toner container is removed. Since the opening is controlled so as not to overlap, the toner discharge from the toner discharge port can be controlled without providing an outer container, and the toner discharge port can be closed when the toner container is removed.

  According to the invention of claim 5, since the inner surface of the filling portion has irregularities, the toner that has been tightened and solidified does not slide down the inner surface of the filling portion, and is lifted to some extent with its rotation. Since it falls, the toner can be effectively loosened.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a toner container mounted on the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front left upper side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner container of FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the internal structure of the toner container of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the toner container of FIG.
In the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, a detachable toner container (1) is mounted in a developing device in an image forming apparatus main body (not shown), and the toner filled therein is used as an image carrier. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed. The image forming apparatus also includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the phase of the toner container (1).

The toner container (1) includes a toner container (2) that is a filling portion, and an outer container (3) that contains the toner container (2) and is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body when mounted.
The toner container (2) is cylindrical in the illustrated example, and is attached to the outer container (3) so as to be rotatable around its axis.

The toner container (2) includes a paddle (5) that is a stirring member for stirring the filled toner. The paddle (5) is attached around the paddle shaft (6). The paddle shaft (6) is fixed to the paddle gear (8) at one end. The paddle shaft (6) is configured coaxially with the shaft of the toner container (2).
On both end surfaces in the axial direction of the toner container (2), the portion through which the paddle shaft (6) passes is a bearing (4). The bearing (4) passes through the outer container (3) and is fixed to the container gear (7). The container gear (7) is connected to the paddle gear (8) through a one-way clutch (9).

The paddle gear (8) meshes with and rotates with a pinion (not shown) rotated by a motor (not shown), and the paddle shaft (6) fixed to the paddle gear (8) rotates to rotate the paddle ( 5) rotates.
The motor can be driven to rotate in both forward and reverse directions. During forward rotation, the paddle gear (8) is rotated by the rotational driving force transmitted by the pinion, and the paddle shaft (6) fixed to the paddle shaft (6) is rotated. Although (5) also rotates, the rotational driving force transmitted to the paddle gear (8) is configured not to rotate the container gear (7) by the idle rotation of the one-way clutch (9).

  On the other hand, at the time of reverse rotation of the motor, the one-way clutch (9) is rotated by the rotational driving force transmitted to the paddle gear (8), and the container gear (7) is rotated accordingly. The toner container (2) rotates together with the bearing (4) fixed to 7). At this time, the rotational driving force transmitted to the paddle gear (8) rotates the paddle (5) together with the paddle shaft (6) as in the case of normal rotation.

The toner container (2) includes a toner discharge port (12) through which toner is discharged. The outer container (3) has an opening through which the toner from the toner container (2) is discharged when the toner container (2) rotates and the toner discharge port (12) is positioned on the lower side. (13) is provided.
In addition, in the gap between the toner container (2) and the outer container (3), the periphery of the toner discharge port (12) and the opening (13) is closed with urethane foam or the like so that the toner does not leak. For example, microcell urethane foam or a combination of urethane foam and the like on the surface of the toner container (2) may be used to prevent rotation of the toner container (2) or the inner surface of the outer container (3). Affix to the surface.

  Further, it is preferable that the inner surface of the toner container (2) has irregularities as shown in FIG. 5 so that the filled toner is caught when the toner container (2) rotates. In the illustrated example, the unevenness is a knurled shape, but is not limited thereto, and is not particularly limited as long as the toner is caught. As the toner is caught in this irregular shape, the toner that has been tightly solidified does not slide down on the inner surface of the toner container (2), and is lifted to a certain degree as the toner container (2) rotates. Can be effectively loosened.

Further, a reflection plate (not shown) is attached to the outer peripheral portion where the toner discharge port (12) is located in the container gear (7), and the toner container (2) is attached by a reflective sensor attached to the image forming apparatus main body. Phase information can be detected.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the toner discharge port (12) is (a) located at the upper part, (b) located at the lower part, and (c) located obliquely below. The position of the toner discharge port (12) is the position of the reflecting plate, and the position of the reflecting plate is grasped by the reflective sensor, so that a control unit (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus can The phase information of (2) is acquired.
The control unit rotates the toner container (2) by rotating the motor based on the acquired phase information.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, when replacing the toner container, the user attaches a new toner container (1) filled with toner to the main body of the image forming apparatus (step 0).
The new cartridge (1) has been left unpacked for a long time, and the toner is in a tight state in the cartridge (1). Further, in the cartridge (1) before and immediately after the mounting, the toner discharge port (12) of the toner container (2) is positioned and fixed at the upper portion as shown in FIG. .

In the image forming apparatus in which the cartridge (1) is mounted, the control unit has changed from a state in which, for example, the toner container (1) is not removed from the toner container detection means to a state in which a new cartridge (1) is mounted. And the phase information from the reflection sensor to grasp that the toner discharge port (12) is located at the top (step 1).
Since the control unit has grasped that the toner container (1) is changed from the state without the toner container (1), the toner container (2) is rotated together with the paddle (5), for example, three and a half rotations, that is, the toner discharge port (12) is set to 360. Move by x3 + 180 °.
Therefore, the control unit releases the fixing means of the toner container (2) and drives the motor (10) in the reverse direction (counterclockwise) so that the toner container (2) and the paddle (5) are rotated half a half ( Step 2).

The driving force of the reverse rotation of the motor is transmitted to the paddle gear (8) by the pinion, the paddle gear (8) rotates, and the paddle (5) rotates with the paddle shaft (6) fixed thereto. At the same time, the container gear (7) also rotates as the one-way clutch (9) rotates together with the paddle gear (8). Then, the toner container (2) rotates together with the bearing (4) fixed to the container gear (7) (step 3).
Therefore, the toner container (2) and the paddle (5) are rotated three and a half times in the same direction (reverse rotation) and speed on the same axis.

  As a result, the toner container (2) filled with, for example, about two-thirds of the capacity and tightened is rotated to some extent with the rotation of the toner container (2), and is lifted and dropped several times Repeatedly, the tightened toner can be loosened. At this time, since the paddle (5) is not rotated relative to the toner container (2), the tightened toner is not agitated and the rotational torque of the motor is not increased.

When the toner container (2) and the paddle (5) are rotated three and a half times, the control unit acquires the phase information from the reflection sensor, and the toner discharge port (12) is positioned at the lower part as shown in FIG. (Step 4).
Since the control unit has grasped that the toner discharge port (12) is positioned at the lower part, the development is started, and the motor is driven to rotate forward (clockwise) in order to rotate only the paddle (5) (step 5). .

The driving force for forward rotation of the motor is transmitted to the paddle gear (8) by the pinion, the paddle gear (8) rotates, and the paddle (5) rotates with the paddle shaft (6) fixed thereto ( Step 6).
At this time, since the one-way clutch (9) rotates idly, the container gear (7) does not rotate. Even if the toner container (2) is not rotated by the container gear (7), the toner container (2) is fixed by a latch or the like if the rotation of the paddle (5) is taken into consideration. It is preferable to keep it.

As described above, when only the paddle (5) is rotated, the toner that has been tightened is loosened, so that the rotation torque of the motor that rotates the paddle (5) does not increase and the rotation becomes impossible.
In the first embodiment, the toner container (1) includes a toner container (2) having a toner discharge port (12) and an opening (13) that encloses the toner container (2) and is fixed when mounted. Since the toner discharge port (12) and the opening (13) are controlled not to partially overlap when the toner container is removed, the toner discharge port (12 ) Can be controlled, and the toner outlet (12) can be closed when the toner container (1) is removed.

Next, after the development is finished and the image forming apparatus is turned off, when the power is turned on next time, the control unit grasps that the power is turned on and obtains phase information from the reflection sensor. The position of the toner discharge port (12) is grasped (step 7).
Since the control unit has grasped that the power is turned on, the toner container (2) is rotated together with the paddle (5) in the same manner as when the toner container (1) is mounted. At this time, the rotation is set to be smaller than when a new toner container (1) is mounted. For example, since the toner discharge port (12) is at the position shown in FIG. 6C (45 ° counterclockwise from the opening (13)), the toner discharge port (12) is moved 360 ° + 315 °.

The control unit and the like operate in exactly the same manner as in Steps 2 to 6 except that the phase angles are different.
By operating as in steps 2 and 3 at a phase angle of 360 ° + 315 °, the toner can be repeatedly lifted and dropped with the rotation of the toner container (2), and the tightened toner can be loosened. Accordingly, when the power is turned off and the image forming apparatus is not operated for several days and then turned on, the tightened toner can be loosened even if it is not as new as the toner container (1).
Therefore, the toner can be loosened when there is a possibility that the toner is tightened at the first operation after the power is turned on or when the toner container is detected. When the possibility is low, the developing process is started immediately, The image forming apparatus can be operated efficiently.

As an example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, the case where the container gear (7) and the paddle gear (8) are driven by one motor is illustrated, but separate driving may be used. Is possible.
In the case of separate driving, the one-way clutch (9) is not provided, but a motor and a pinion for driving the container gear (7) are provided. In step 3, when the toner container (2) and the paddle (5) are rotated in the same direction and speed, both motors are driven to rotate them. In step 6 above, when only the paddle (5) is rotated, the container gear (7) does not rotate if only the paddle motor is driven.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example of a toner container mounted on the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front left upper side. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the toner container of FIG. FIG. 9 is a front view showing the internal structure of the toner container of FIG. The same components as those of the toner container (1) in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
As in the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is equipped with a detachable toner container, but there are differences in the configuration of the toner container.

The toner container (21) in the second embodiment includes a cylindrical body (22) that is a filling portion for filling toner, and left and right supports (23a, 23b) that support the cylindrical body on both sides. Compared to the first embodiment, the cylindrical body (22) corresponds to the toner container (2), the left and right supports (23a, 23b) correspond to the outer container (3), and the outer body that supports the toner container (2). It has a configuration in which only the both side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the container (3) are left.
The cylindrical body (22) is attached to the left and right supports (23a, 23b) so as to be rotatable around its axis (4).
As in the toner container (2) of the first embodiment, the cylindrical body (22) includes a paddle (5) and a paddle shaft (6), and both ends of the cylindrical body (22) in the axial direction. A bearing (4) is provided on the surface. A motor, a pinion, a paddle gear (8), a container gear (7), and a one-way clutch (9) that rotationally drive the bearing (4) and the paddle shaft (6) are also provided.

Similar to the toner container (2) of the first embodiment, the cylindrical body (22) includes a toner discharge port (32) through which toner is discharged.
In the second embodiment, the shutter portion (25) is provided so that the toner is discharged from the cylindrical body (22) only when the toner discharge port (32) is positioned on the lower side. The shutter (25) includes an opening (33) for discharging toner from the toner discharge port (32), and is fixed to the right support (23b) located on one side of the shaft of the cylindrical body (22). Yes.

In the illustrated example, the shutter portion (25) is a cylindrical shape having a substantially semicircular cross section, but may be a cylindrical shape having a circular cross section.
Here, the cross-sectional shape is an arc shape with an angle narrower than the semicircle, and at least the opening (33) and the part where the entire toner discharge port (32) of the cylindrical body (22) is in contact with the part that does not coincide with this. If the toner discharge port is removed from the image forming apparatus main body, the entire toner discharge port (32) is fixed at a position where it is in contact with a portion other than the opening (33) of the shutter (25) so that the toner is not discharged. Can be.
However, it is necessary to keep the toner spilled from the opening (32) during the rotation of the cylindrical body (22) so that the toner does not fall out of the shutter (25). For this purpose, the cross-sectional shape is preferably at least approximately a semicircle, and more preferably closer to a circle.
As in the first embodiment, urethane foam or the like is pasted on the outer surface of the toner discharge port (32) and the inner surface of the opening (33) to enter the gap between the cylindrical body (22) and the shutter (25). Prevent toner leakage.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the position of the toner discharge port (32), that is, the phase angle of the toner discharge port (32) with respect to the opening (33), and the reflection plate attached to the container gear (7) and the image It can be detected by a reflective sensor attached to the forming apparatus main body.

In the operation of the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment configured as described above, the cylindrical body (22) operates in the same manner as the toner container (2) of the first embodiment, and the same effects can be obtained.
That is, as in the second embodiment, at least a cylindrical body (22) that is a filling portion for filling toner is provided, and a paddle (5) for stirring the filled toner is provided therein, and the cylindrical body (22 ) And the paddle (5) rotate coaxially in the same direction and at the same speed, the paddle (5) does not rotate relative to the cylindrical body (22). Without increasing the rotational torque of the cylindrical body, the toner filled in the cylindrical body (22) and tightened is rotated together with the rotation of the cylindrical body (22) to be lifted, dropped, and loosened.

Therefore, even if the toner container (21) has been left unpacked for a long time or has been installed for a long time without being activated, the user may shake or hit the toner container (21) before being attached to the image forming apparatus. The toner that has been tightened in the toner container (21) can be loosened without having to increase the rotational torque, shaft diameter, thickness, etc. of the toner agitation paddle.
Further, a shutter part (25) for opening and closing the toner discharge port (32) is provided, which includes an opening (33) for discharging the toner from the toner discharge port (32), and the shaft (4) of the cylindrical body (22). ) And is controlled so that the toner outlet (32) and the opening (33) do not overlap when the toner container (21) is removed, so that the toner is filled without providing an outer container. The toner discharge from the toner discharge port (32) of the cylindrical body (22) can be controlled, and the toner discharge port (32) can be closed when the toner container (21) is removed.

  The present invention is suitably used for an image forming apparatus in which a detachable toner container is mounted and development processing is performed using toner filled therein.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of a toner container mounted on the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the upper left side of the front. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner container of FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view showing an internal structure of the toner container of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the toner container of FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an uneven shape on an inner surface of a toner container. FIG. 6 is a state diagram illustrating a phase angle of a toner discharge port with respect to an opening, where (a) is an upper position, (b) is a lower position, and (c) is an oblique lower position. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example of a toner container mounted on an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front left upper side. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the toner container of FIG. FIG. 8 is a front view showing an internal structure of the toner container of FIG. 7.

Explanation of symbols

1 Toner container 2 Toner container 3 Outer container 4 Bearing 5 Paddle 6 Paddle shaft 7 Paddle gear 8 Container gear 9 One-way clutch 12 Toner discharge port 13 Opening

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus that mounts a removable toner container and develops an electrostatic latent image using toner filled in the toner container,
The toner container has at least a filling portion for filling the toner, and includes an agitating member for agitating the filled toner in the interior thereof.
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the filling unit and the stirring member to rotate coaxially in the same direction and speed.   The control unit rotates the filling unit and the agitating member at the same direction and speed by a predetermined angle only at least one of the first operation after power-on and the detection of toner container attachment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only the stirring member is controlled to rotate during the operation. The toner container includes a toner container that is the filling portion and includes a toner discharge port, and an outer container that includes the toner container and includes an opening and is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body when mounted.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the toner discharge port and the opening so as not to partially overlap when the toner container is removed. The toner container has a shutter that opens and closes a toner discharge port provided in the filling unit,
The shutter includes an opening for discharging toner from the toner discharge port, and is fixed on one side of the rotation shaft of the filling unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the toner discharge port and the opening so as not to partially overlap when the toner container is removed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the filling portion has irregularities.

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