JP2008268434A - Developer conveying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce toner clogging in a falling path while decreasing wear of members with a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: The developer conveying device (1) includes: a developer conveyance path (2+4+3) having a first developer conveyance path (2), a second developer conveyance path (3), a connection path (4) for connecting the downstream end of the first developer conveyance path 2 and the upstream end of the second developer conveyance path (3); a first developer conveying member (6) for conveying developer in the first developer conveying path (2); a second developer conveying member (14) for conveying developer in the second developer conveying path (3); developer accumulation preventing members (13, 13', 13") disposed in the connection path (4), supported by the rotating shaft (6a, 14a) of at least the first developer conveying member (6) or second developer conveying member (14) and swung in the connection path (4) as the rotating shaft (6a, 14a) rotates. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer conveying device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer to which an electrophotographic system is applied, a developer transport device that transports a replenishment developer or a collected waste developer is provided.
Various proposals have been made regarding a developer conveying device provided in an image forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-284594), a spring coil (42) and a spherical shape at the lower end are provided inside a second toner transport pipe (22) connected to the first toner transport pipe (20). The anti-bridging member (40) having the member (44) is disposed, and the spherical member (44) is engaged with the toner transport coil (26) in the first toner transport pipe (20), thereby forming a spherical shape. The member (44) is moved up and down, and the spring coil (42) is moved up and down accordingly, so that the toner adhering to the inner wall of the second toner transport pipe (22) is scraped off to prevent crosslinking of the toner. A technique for preventing the occurrence of toner clogging is described.

  In Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-37481), the wall surface (90A) that vibrates the waste toner from the upstream toner conveyance path (81) to the downstream toner conveyance path (82) is vibrated. The toner stirring section (91A) that can be fixed is fixed, and the toner stirring section (91A) is intermittently engaged with the screw blades (82B) of the downstream toner transport path (82) to vibrate, thereby conveying the transport screw ( 82A) describes a technique for preventing scraping of the waste toner adhered to the wall 82A and preventing the toner from adhering to the wall surface (90A) to grow and block the path.

JP 2000-284594 A ("0016" to "0028", FIGS. 1 to 4) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-37481 (“0025” to “0033”, FIGS. 2 to 5)

(Problems of conventional technology)
In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the toner transport coil (26) rotates with the spherical member (44) engaged with the toner transport coil (26), so that the toner transport coil (26) is worn, There was a problem that abnormal noise was generated.
Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, similar to the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the toner stirring portion (91A) is intermittently engaged with the screw blade (82B), abnormal noise is generated or toner stirring is performed. There was a problem that the part (91A) and the screw blade (82B) were worn. Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, the toner stirring unit (91A) is effective when the dropping path by the wall surface (90A) is short, but when the dropping path is long, the toner stirring unit (91A) is effective. ) On the upstream wall surface, toner mass grows, and the dropping path is blocked.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention has the following description (O01) as a technical problem.
(O01) To reduce clogging of toner in the dropping path while reducing the wear of members with a simple configuration.

In order to solve the technical problem, a developer conveying device according to claim 1 is provided.
A first developer transport path, a second developer transport path, and a connection path connecting the downstream end of the first developer transport path and the upstream end of the second developer transport path. A developer transport path having
A first developer conveying member that conveys the developer in the first developer conveying path;
A second developer transport member that transports the developer in the second developer transport path;
A supported portion that is disposed in the connection path and is supported by at least one of the first developer transport member and the second developer transport member and supported by the rotation shaft rotates the rotation shaft. And a developer pool preventing member that swings along the axial direction of the rotation shaft in the connection path.
It is provided with.

The invention described in claim 2 is the developer conveying device according to claim 1,
A disk-shaped member supported by the rotating shaft and supported by being inclined to the rotating shaft, a moving member supported so as to be freely slidable along the circumferential direction of the disk-shaped member, and supported by the moving member A rocking member, and the developer accumulation preventing member,
It is provided with.

The invention described in claim 3 is the developer conveying device according to claim 2,
The swing member having a string-like member having one end supported by the moving member, and a weight member supported by the other end of the string-like member;
It is provided with.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the developer conveying device according to any one of the first to third aspects,
The developer pool preventing member supported by the rotation shaft of the first developer conveying member;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 5 is the developer conveying apparatus according to claim 2,
The swing member having a thin plate-like member supported at one end by the moving member and supported at the other end by the wall surface of the connection path;
It is provided with.

The invention described in claim 6 is the developer conveying apparatus according to claim 5,
The developer pool preventing member supported by the rotation shaft of the second developer conveying member;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 7 is the developer conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
A first disk-like member supported by a first rotation shaft of the first developer conveying member and supported by being inclined with respect to the first rotation shaft; and a periphery of the first disk-like member. A first moving member supported so as to be freely slidable along a direction, and a second rotating shaft supported by the second rotating shaft of the second developer conveying member and inclinedly supported by the second rotating shaft. Two disk-shaped members, a second moving member supported so as to be freely slidable along the circumferential direction of the second disk-shaped member, the first moving member, and the second moving member, A rocking member coupled between the developer retaining member,
It is provided with.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the developer pool preventing member is at least one of the first developer transport member and the second developer transport member as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided. As the rotary shaft rotates, the shaft swings along the axial direction of the rotary shaft in the connection path, so that it is possible to prevent the developer from adhering to the connection path and collecting. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the developer accumulation preventing member 13 can be swung by the rotation of the rotation shaft of at least one of the first developer conveying member and the second developer conveying member. The wear of each member can be reduced as compared with the case where the first developer conveying member or the second developer conveying member and the developer accumulation preventing member 13 are in contact with or separated from each other.
According to invention of Claim 2, since the said disk-shaped member inclinedly supported by the said rotating shaft changes the inclination with respect to an axial direction according to rotation of the said rotating shaft, it is to the said moving member. It is possible to prevent the supported swinging member from swinging and the developer from being accumulated in the connection path.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, developer accumulation can be prevented by the swinging of the weight member connected by the string-like member.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the developer accumulation preventing member can be swung by the rotation of the first developer conveying member.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the thin plate-like member connected by the wall surface of the connection path and the rotation shaft of at least one of the first developer transport member and the second developer transport member. The accumulation of developer can be prevented by swinging.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the thin plate member can be swung by the rotation of the second developer conveying member.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the swinging member connected between the first moving member and the second moving member is the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft. Can be swung in the connection path according to the rotation of the developer, and the accumulation of the developer can be prevented.

Next, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as examples) will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as front, rear, right, left, upper, lower, or front, rear, right, left, upper, and lower, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus including a developer conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus U includes a copying machine U1 as an image forming apparatus main body having a transparent document table PG on the upper surface, and an automatic document feeder U2 which is detachably mounted on the document table PG. ing.
The automatic document feeder U2 has a document feeder TG1 which is accommodated on a plurality of documents Gi to be copied and fed to a copy position. Each of the plurality of documents Gi stored in the document feeder TG1 is sequentially discharged through the copy position on the document table PG to the document delivery unit TG2.

The copying machine U1 includes an operation instruction input unit U0 for inputting an instruction by an operator, an image reading unit U1a and an image recording unit U1b sequentially disposed below the document table PG, and the image reading unit U1a or the image recording unit. And an image processing unit GS provided in the unit U1b.
An image reading unit U1a serving as a document reading device disposed below the transparent document table PG on the upper surface of the copying machine U1 includes a reading position detection member (platen registration sensor) Sp disposed at the image reading position, and an exposure optical system A. have.

The movement and stop of the exposure optical system A are controlled by the detection signal of the reading position detection member Sp, and are always stopped at the reference position.
At the time of automatic document conveyance work in which copying is performed using the automatic document conveyance device U2, the exposure optical system A is exposed to each document Gi that sequentially passes through the copy position F1 on the document table PG while being stopped at the reference position. To do.
At the time of reading the document table where the operator places the document Gi on the document table PG by hand, the exposure optical system A exposes and scans the document on the document table PG while moving.
The exposed reflected light from the original document Gi passes through the exposure optical system A and is converged on a CCD which is a solid-state image sensor. The CCD converts the reflected document light converged on the imaging surface into an electric signal.

The image processing unit GS converts the read image signal input from the CCD of the image reading unit U1a into a digital image writing signal and outputs the digital image writing signal to the laser drive signal output device DL of the image forming unit U1b.
The laser drive signal output device DL outputs a laser drive signal corresponding to the input image information to an exposure device (optical writing scanning device or image writing device).

  The photoconductor PR disposed below the exposure apparatus rotates in the arrow Ya direction. The surface of the photosensitive drum PR is charged by the charger CR in the charging region Q0, and then electrostatically exposed and scanned by the latent image writing light (laser beam) L of the exposure device at the latent image writing position Q1. A latent image is formed. The surface of the photoconductor PR on which the electrostatic latent image is formed rotates and moves sequentially through the development area Q2 and the transfer area Q3.

A developing unit G that develops the electrostatic latent image in the developing area Q2 conveys developer including toner and carrier to the developing area Q2 by a developing roll R0 as an example of a developing member, and passes through the developing area Q2. The electrostatic latent image is developed into a visible image (toner image). The toner image on the surface of the photoconductor PR is conveyed to the transfer area Q3.
A developer supply container (cartridge) K for replenishing the developer consumed by the developing device G is detachably mounted on the cartridge mounting member KS. The developer in the cartridge K is conveyed while being stirred in the developer container RT, and is conveyed to the developing device G by the developer conveying device GH disposed in the developer container RT. The developing device G of Example 1 uses a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier, and the developing device G is supplied with a developer containing toner and carrier from a developer supply container K. At the same time, the deteriorated developer is discharged little by little. Note that a developing device that discharges a deteriorated developer little by little while replenishing a new developer as described above is conventionally known as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-208340. Detailed description is omitted.

  The transfer unit TU disposed opposite the photoconductor PR in the transfer region Q3 is an example of a transfer conveyance member that is rotatably supported by a belt support member (Rd, Rf) having a driving roll Rd and a driven roll Rf. Transfer belt TB, transfer roll TR and peeling claw SC as an example of a transfer device, belt cleaner CLb as an example of a developer recovery device, and the like. The transfer roll TR is a member that transfers a toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor PR to a sheet S as an example of a medium, and a transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the developing toner used in the developing device G Supplied from E. The power supply circuit E is controlled by a controller C as an example of control means.

The sheet S accommodated in the paper supply containers TR1 to TR4 is conveyed to the transfer area Q3 through the sheet supply path SH1. That is, the sheets S accommodated in the respective paper supply containers TR1 to TR4 are taken out by a pick-up roll Rp as an example of a medium taking-out member, and separated one by one by a separating roll Rs as an example of a separating member, A plurality of conveying members Ra are conveyed to a registration roll Rr as an example of a transfer region conveying member.
A manual paper feed unit TRt, which is an example of a manual paper feed member, is installed on the left side (the −Y direction in FIG. 1) of the cartridge mounting member KS and the developer container RT. The sheet S fed from TRt is also conveyed to a predetermined transfer area Q3. In the image forming apparatus U according to the first exemplary embodiment, the manual paper feed unit TRt is rotatably supported around the rotation center TRt0, and the manual paper feed unit TRt is accommodated in the image forming apparatus U (FIG. 1). ), A part TRt1 on the rotation center TRt0 side of the manual sheet feeding portion TRt is accommodated in a state of entering the space below the cartridge mounting member KS and on the left side of the developer accommodating container RT. The manual sheet feeding portion TRt is accommodated in a state where the entire U is space-saving and compact.
The sheet S conveyed to the registration roll Rr is transferred from the pre-transfer sheet guide SG1 as an example of a guide member to the transfer unit TU in synchronization with the timing when the toner image on the photoconductor PR moves to the transfer region Q3. It is conveyed to the belt TB. The transfer belt TB conveys the conveyed sheet S to the sheet transfer area Q3.

  The toner image Tn developed on the surface of the photoreceptor PR is transferred to the sheet S by the transfer roll TR in the transfer region Q3. After the transfer, the surface of the photoconductor PR is cleaned by a cleaning brush CLp1 as an example of a developer removing member of a photoconductor cleaner CLp as an example of a developer recovery device, and residual toner is removed. The residual toner removed by the cleaning brush CLp1 is transported by a photoreceptor toner transport member CLp2 as an example of a developer transport member. The surface of the photoreceptor PR whose surface has been cleaned is recharged by the charger CR.

The sheet S on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer roll TR in the transfer area Q3 is peeled from the surface of the transfer belt TB by the peeling claw SC on the downstream side of the transfer area Q3. The surface of the transfer belt TB from which the sheet S has been peeled is cleaned by a cleaning blade CLb1 as an example of a developer removing member of the belt cleaner CLb. The toner, paper dust, discharge products, and the like removed by the cleaning blade CLb1 are transported by a belt toner transport member CLb2 as an example of a developer transport member.
The peeled sheet S is an elastic sheet-made conveyance path switching member after the toner image is heated and fixed by a fixing device F having a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating member and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressure member. It passes through MG and is transported to a transport member Rb that can rotate forward and backward in the discharge path SH2. The conveyance path switching member MG is elastically deformed and directs the sheet S that has passed through the fixing device F toward the discharge path SH2.

  The sheet S to be discharged to the paper discharge unit TRh is conveyed through a discharge path SH2 in which a conveyance member Rb that can rotate forward and backward and a plurality of conveyance members Ra are arranged. A post-processing switching member GT1 is disposed at the downstream end of the discharge path SH2. When a post-processing device (not shown) is connected to the image forming apparatus, the post-processing switching member GT1 discharges the conveyed sheet S to either the paper discharge unit TRh or a post-processing device (not shown). To be switched. In the state where the post-processing device is not attached, the post-processing switching member GT1 discharges the sheet S conveyed to the downstream end of the discharge path SH2 to the paper discharge unit TRh.

When the single-side recorded sheet for performing duplex printing is conveyed, the conveyance member Rb capable of rotating forward and reverse is reversely rotated immediately before the trailing edge of the single-side recorded sheet S passes through the conveyance member Rb. The single-side recorded sheet S is conveyed in the opposite direction (so-called switch back). The conveyance path switching member MG directs the sheet S that has been switched back by the conveyance member Rb to the circulation conveyance path SH3. The single-side recorded sheet S conveyed to the circulation conveyance path SH3 is retransmitted to the transfer area Q3 in a state where the front and back sides are reversed. The toner image is transferred to the second side of the single-side recorded sheet S retransmitted to the transfer area Q3.
Note that a sheet conveying device SH is constituted by the constituent elements indicated by the symbols SH1 to SH3, Rp, Rs, Rr, Ra, Rb, MG and the like.

(Waste developer transport device)
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part of a waste developer transport apparatus as an example of the developer transport apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a first waste developer transport path and a second waste developer transport path. And FIG. 2B is an enlarged perspective view of a waste developer pool preventing member provided in the first waste developer transport auger in FIG. 2A.
2A, a waste developer transport device 1 as an example of the developer transport device of the present invention includes a waste developer that is a developer discharged and discarded from the developing device G, the photoreceptor cleaner CLp, and the belt cleaner CLb. A first waste developer transport path 2 as an example of a first developer transport path for transport, and a second developer transport path disposed substantially in parallel below the first waste developer transport path 2 A second waste developer conveying path 3 as an example, and a waste developer dropping path as an example of a connection path connecting the first waste developer conveying path 2 and the right end portion of the second waste developer conveying path 3. 4. A connecting portion between the first waste developer conveying path 2 and the waste developer dropping path 4 is provided with a waste developer dropping port 2a through which the discarded developer is dropped. Also, a waste developer inlet 3a for allowing the waste developer dropped from the waste developer drop port 2a to flow into the connecting portion between the second waste developer transport path 3 and the waste developer drop path 4. Is provided.
That is, in the waste developer transport device 1 of the first embodiment, the first waste developer transport path 2, the second waste developer transport path 3, and the waste developer dropping path 4 are U-shaped. A waste developer transport path (2 + 4 + 3) is configured as an example of the developer transport path.

(Waste developer accumulation prevention member)
2A and 2B, as an example of a first developer transport member that transports the waste developer in the first waste developer transport direction Ya while stirring the waste developer in the first waste developer transport path 2. The first disposal auger 6 is arranged. The first disposal auger 6 has a first rotating shaft 6a as an example of a first rotating shaft extending in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). On the outer periphery of the first rotating shaft 6a, the spiral first conveying blade 6b arranged up to the upstream of the waste developer dropping port 2a and the first developer blade 6b within a range corresponding to the waste developer dropping port 2a. It has the 1st disk shaped member 7 as an example of the 1st disk shaped member inclined and supported by the rotating shaft 6a. Ring-shaped slide grooves 7a and 7b are formed on the left and right end surfaces of the first disc-shaped member 7 on the inner side by a predetermined distance from the outer peripheral surface. In the first disc-shaped member 7 of Example 1, the position supported by the first rotating shaft 6a, that is, the center of gravity 7c of the first disc-shaped member 7 is a waste developer dropping port 2a. Are arranged at positions corresponding to the central part in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). The distance d1 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the first disc-shaped member 7 is set to be equal to or less than the distance d2 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the waste developer dropping port 2a.

  The first disc-shaped member 7 supports a first slider 8 as an example of a first moving member. The first slider 8 has a concave string-like member support portion 9, and the concave string-like member support portion 9 has a left end wall 9a and a right end wall 9b. Further, the string-like member support portion 9 includes a right protrusion 9a1 protruding rightward (+ Y direction) from the upper end portion of the left end wall 9a of the string-like member support portion 9, and an upper end portion of the right end wall 9b. A left protrusion 9b1 protruding in the left direction (-Y direction) is integrally formed. The protrusions 9a1 and 9b1 are fitted in the slide grooves 7a and 7b of the first disc-like member 7. That is, the first slider 8 according to the first embodiment is supported so as to be slidable with respect to the slide grooves 7 a and 7 b of the first disc-like member 7. Accordingly, the first slider 8 is supported slidably along the circumferential direction of the first disc-like member 7.

Further, the string-like member support portion 9 of the first slider 8 supports a string-like member 11 as an example of a swinging member extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) in the waste developer dropping path 4. Yes. A ring-shaped string-shaped member mounting portion (supported portion) 11 a that is mounted on the lower end portion of the string-shaped member support portion 9 is formed at the upper end portion of the string-shaped member 11. In Example 1, the string-like member 11 is supported by the string-like member support part 9 by the string-like member mounting part 11a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the string-like member support part 9 It is also possible to screw the upper end of the string-like member 11 to the lower end portion of the cord or to fix and support it with an adhesive.
A spherical weight member 12 is supported at a lower end of the string-like member 11 at a position corresponding to the waste developer inflow port 3a. In addition, although the said weight member 12 of Example 1 is comprised with resin, it is not limited to this, It is also possible to comprise with metals, such as iron.
In the first embodiment, the waste developer pool preventing member 13 as an example of the developer pool preventing member is configured by the first disk-shaped member 7, the first slider 8, the string-shaped member 11, and the weight member 12. ing.

  Further, in the second waste developer transport path 3, a second developer transport member that transports the waste developer flowing in from the waste developer inflow port 3a in the second waste developer transport direction Yb while stirring. As an example, a second disposal auger 14 is disposed. The second disposal auger 14 has a second rotating shaft 14a as an example of a second rotating shaft extending in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). Further, on the outer periphery of the second rotating shaft 14a, a spiral second transport blade 14b extending from the range corresponding to the waste developer inflow port 3a to the downstream side in the second waste developer transport direction Yb is disposed. Yes. The second conveying blade 14b is formed so as not to contact the weight member 12 of the waste developer pool preventing member 13 in a range corresponding to the waste developer inlet 3a.

(Operation of Example 1)
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the waste developer pool preventing member in a state where the weight member has moved to the rightmost side. FIG. 3B is a first rotation from the state of FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the waste developer pool preventing member with the shaft rotated by 90 °, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the waste developer pool preventive member with the first rotary shaft rotated 180 ° from the state of FIG. 3A. .
In the image forming apparatus U according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the waste developer accumulation preventing member 13 of the waste developer conveying device 1 includes the first slider 8 and the slide groove of the first disc-shaped member 7. 7a and 7b are slidably supported so that they are supported vertically below the first rotating shaft 6a, that is, at the lower end of the first disc-like member 7 by the weight of the weight member 12. Held in.

  Here, when the first rotating shaft 6a of the first waste auger 6 rotates, the axial direction (Y-axis) of the first disc-like member 7 in the cross section in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) of the first waste auger 6 is rotated. Direction). That is, as the first rotating shaft 6a rotates, as shown in FIG. 3A, the lower end of the first disc-shaped member 7 is tilted to the right most, and as shown in FIG. After passing through the state along the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), as shown in FIG. When the first rotating shaft 6a further rotates from the state of FIG. 3C, the state returns to the state of FIG. 3A through the state of FIG. 3B.

  As a result, in the waste developer accumulation preventing member 13, the first rotating shaft 6a rotates, and the lower end of the first disc-shaped member 7 is in the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 6a, that is, in the left-right direction ( By reciprocating in the Y-axis direction), the first slider 8, the string-like member 11, and the weight member 12 swing in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). Therefore, in the image forming apparatus U of Example 1, even if the waste developer dropped from the waste developer dropping port 2a adheres to the wall surface of the waste developer dropping path 4 or the waste developer inlet 3a, By the string-like member 11 and the weight member 12 of the waste developer accumulation preventing member 13, the attached waste developer or the waste developer grown in a lump can be broken down or scraped off.

Further, in the first embodiment, the waste developer pool preventing member 13 has a simple configuration, and the weight member 12 is moved in the left-right direction (Y-axis) without contacting the second conveying blade 14b of the second waste auger 14. Direction). Therefore, wear of the weight member 12 and the second conveying blade 14b can be reduced.
As a result, in the image forming apparatus U of Example 1, the waste developer accumulation preventing member 13 of the waste developer conveying apparatus 1 is simply configured, and the waste developer accumulation preventing member 13 and the second waste auger are configured. 14, the clogging of the waste developer in the waste developer dropping path 4 can be reduced.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part of a waste developer transport device as an example of the developer transport device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged view of a main portion corresponding to FIG.
Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, components corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and details thereof are described. The detailed explanation is omitted. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.
In FIG. 4, in the second waste auger 14 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the second conveying blade 14b in a range corresponding to the waste developer inflow port 3a is omitted. A second disk-shaped member 7 ′ as an example of a second disk-shaped member configured in the same manner as the disk-shaped member 7 is provided. Further, the second disk-shaped member 7 'includes a second slider 8' as an example of a second moving member similar to the first slider 8 of the first embodiment. It is supported so as to slide freely along the circumferential direction.

In the second embodiment, the weight member 12 of the first embodiment is omitted, and the string-like member mounting portion (supported portion) 11b formed at the lower end of the string-like member 11 is the second slider 8 '. Is attached to the string-like member support portion 9 '. Therefore, the string-like member 11 of Example 2 is supported slidably by the first slider 8 supported by the first disk-like member 7 and by the second disk-like member 7 '. The second slider 8 'is connected.
In the second embodiment, a waste developer pool preventing member 13 ′ as an example of a developer pool preventing member is formed by the first disk-shaped members 7, 7 ′, the sliders 8, 8 ′, and the string-shaped member 11. It is configured.

(Operation of Example 2)
In the image forming apparatus U according to the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the waste developer accumulation preventing member 13 ′ of the waste developer transport device 1 is configured so that the rotation shafts 6 a and 6 a are rotated when the waste augers 6 and 14 are rotated. Along with the rotation of 14a, the inclination of each of the rotary shafts 6a and 14a with respect to the axial direction (Y-axis direction) changes (see FIGS. 3A to 3C).
That is, in the waste developer accumulation preventing member 13 of Example 2, when the first rotating shaft 6a rotates, the lower end of the first disc-shaped member 7 moves in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), and When the second rotating shaft 14a rotates, the upper end of the second disc-shaped member 7 'moves in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction).

As a result, the upper and lower ends of the string-like member 11 are moved in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) by the first disk-like members 7 and 7 'to which both ends of the string-like member 11 are connected. Each of the rotary shafts 6a and 14a swings in the axial direction, that is, in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). Therefore, in the image forming apparatus U of Example 2, even if the waste developer dropped from the waste developer dropping port 2a adheres to the wall surface of the waste developer dropping path 4 or the waste developer inlet 3a, Since the string-like member 11 of the waste developer accumulation preventing member 13 ′ swings in the waste developer dropping path 4, the attached waste developer or the waste developer that has grown in a lump is broken or scraped off. Can do.
In the second embodiment, the waste developer pool preventing member 13 'is connected to the sliders 8 and 8' so that the waste developer pool preventing member 13 'is connected to the sliders 8 and 8'. In addition, the wear of each of the waste augers 6 and 14 can be reduced.
As a result, in the image forming apparatus U of the second embodiment, the waste developer accumulation preventing member 13 'of the waste developer conveying apparatus 1 is simply configured, and wear of the members 13', 6, and 14 is reduced. However, clogging of the waste developer in the waste developer dropping path 4 can be reduced.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part of a waste developer conveying apparatus as an example of a developer conveying apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of a main part corresponding to FIG. FIG. 5B is an explanatory view of the thin plate member viewed from the VB direction of FIG. 5A.
Next, the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the second embodiment, and the details thereof will be described. The detailed explanation is omitted. The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the second embodiment in other points.
5A, in the first disposal auger 6 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the first disk-like member 7 according to the second embodiment is omitted, and the first conveying blade 6b according to the second embodiment is used instead. A range corresponding to the waste developer dropping port 2a is provided.

5A and 5B, in Example 3, instead of the string-like member 11, a thin plate-like member 11 ′ as an example of a swinging member having a width in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) is provided. . The upper end of the thin plate member 11 ′ is fixedly supported by an adhesive on the upper left wall surface of the waste developer dropping path 4. Further, a ring-shaped sheet metal mounting portion (supported portion) 11b ′ formed in the same manner as the string-shaped member mounting portion 11b of the second embodiment is provided at the center of the lower end of the thin plate-shaped member 11 ′. 'Is attached to the string-like member support portion 9'. Therefore, the thin plate-like member 11 ′ of the third embodiment is connected between the string-like member support portion 4 a and the second slider 8 ′. In addition, although the said thin plate-shaped member 11 'of Example 3 is comprised with resin, it is not limited to this, It is also possible to comprise with metals, such as iron.
In the third embodiment, a waste developer pool preventing member 13 ″ as an example of a developer pool preventing member is configured by the second disk-shaped member 7 ′, the second slider 8 ′, and the thin plate member 11 ′. Yes.

(Operation of Example 3)
In the image forming apparatus U according to the third embodiment having the above-described configuration, the waste developer accumulation preventing member 13 ″ of the waste developer transport apparatus 1 is configured so that the second rotation auger 14 rotates and the second rotation auger 14 rotates. Along with the rotation, the inclination of the second rotation shaft 14a with respect to the axial direction (Y-axis direction) changes (see FIGS. 3A to 3C), that is, when the second rotation shaft 14a rotates, the second disc The upper end of the sheet-like member 7 ′ moves in the axial direction of the second rotating shaft 14 a, that is, the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), and the thin plate-like member 11 ′ swings in the waste developer dropping path 4. Therefore, the waste developer adhering to the wall surface of the waste developer dropping path 4, the waste developer inlet 3 a, and the surface of the thin plate member 11 ′ or the waste developer grown in a lump shape is destroyed or scraped off. In addition, the image of Example 3 Forming apparatus U has same effect as the image forming apparatus U according to the second embodiment.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is performed within the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. It is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H08) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In the above-described embodiment, the copying machine as the image forming apparatus has been illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a FAX, a printer, or a multifunction machine having all or a plurality of functions may be used. The image forming apparatus is not limited to a monochrome image forming apparatus, and may be configured by a color image forming apparatus.
(H02) In the above-described embodiment, the waste developer transport device that transports the developer to be discarded has been described as the developer transport device. The present invention can be applied to any developer transport device having the above. That is, to a developer conveying device for replenishing a new developer to the developing device G, or a developer conveying device for conveying the collected developer when the developer collected by a cleaner or the like is reused by the developing device G Is also applicable.

(H03) In the above embodiment, the first waste developer transport path 2 and the second waste developer transport path 3 are configured to be substantially parallel in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). For example, the first waste developer transport path 2 can be configured to extend in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), and the second waste developer transport path 3 can be configured to extend in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). In addition, for example, the first waste developer transport path 2 is inclined so that the bottom surface becomes lower from the upstream side in the first waste developer transport direction Ya toward the waste developer dropping port 2a, or the second waste developer transport is It is also possible to incline the path 3 so that the bottom surface becomes lower from the waste developer inflow port 3a toward the downstream side in the second waste developer transport direction Yb. The waste developer dropping path 4 is arranged so as to be in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the bottom surface becomes closer to the downstream side of the waste developer transport path (2 + 4 + 3). The present invention is also applicable to the case where the waste developer dropping path 4 is inclined obliquely so as to be low, or when the bottom surfaces of the waste developer transport path (2 + 4 + 3) are all set to the same height.

(H04) In the first and second embodiments, the string-like member 11 is disposed in the waste developer dropping path 4, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a coil spring, a ring-like string-like member, etc. It is also possible to change. Moreover, when the material of the string-like member 11 is composed of a wire, it is possible to increase the strength of the string-like member 11 by thickening the wire or twisting a plurality of wires. . Furthermore, by configuring the material of the string-like member 11 with a resin such as elastic rubber, it is possible to configure the cord-like member 11 to be extendable and contractable with a predetermined length.
(H05) In the third embodiment, the thin plate member 11 ′ is disposed in the waste developer dropping path 4. However, the width of the thin plate member 11 ′ in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) is the waste. Any change can be made as long as it can be swung within the developer dropping path 4.
(H06) In the first embodiment, when the string-like member 11 itself has a sufficient weight, the waste developer pool preventing member 13 can be configured by omitting the weight member 12.

(H07) In the embodiment described above, the members 11, 11 ', 12 of the waste developer accumulation preventing member 13 and the wall surface of the waste developer dropping path 4 are in intermittent contact with each other, so that noise, abnormal noise, etc. are generated. For example, the distance d1 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the first disc-shaped member 7 with respect to the distance d2 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the waste developer dropping port 2a can be considered. It is also possible to reduce these occurrences by adjusting. Further, for example, it can be reduced by forming a coating film on the surface of the waste developer dropping path 4 with a soft material having a high soundproofing property.
(H08) In the above embodiment, the sliders 8 and 8 'are formed so as to cover a part of the outer periphery of the first disk-like members 7 and 7'. The shapes of the sliders 8 and 8 'are as follows. It is not limited to this, For example, it is also possible to form in the ring shape which covers all the outer periphery of the said 1st disk shaped member 7 and 7 '. In this case, since the string-like member 11 cannot be fitted with the ring-like string-like member mounting portion 11a, the upper end of the string-like member 11 is screwed to the string-like member support portion 9 or fixed with an adhesive. It is necessary to support.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus including a developer conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part of a waste developer transport apparatus as an example of the developer transport apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a first waste developer transport path and a second waste developer transport path. And FIG. 2B is an enlarged perspective view of a waste developer pool preventing member provided in the first waste auger of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the waste developer pool preventing member in a state where the weight member has moved to the rightmost side. FIG. 3B is a first rotation from the state of FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the waste developer pool preventing member with the shaft rotated by 90 °, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the waste developer pool preventive member with the first rotary shaft rotated 180 ° from the state of FIG. 3A. . FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part of a waste developer transport device as an example of the developer transport device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged view of a main portion corresponding to FIG. 2A of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part of a waste developer conveying apparatus as an example of a developer conveying apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of a main part corresponding to FIG. FIG. 5B is an explanatory view of the thin plate member viewed from the VB direction of FIG. 5A.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Developer transport device,
2 ... 1st developer conveyance path,
2 + 4 + 3 ... developer transport path,
3 ... second developer transport path,
4 ... Connection path,
6 ... 1st developer conveyance member,
6a ... 1st rotating shaft,
6a, 14a ... rotating shaft,
7: a disk-shaped member, a first disk-shaped member,
7 '... the second disk-shaped member,
8 ... Moving member, first moving member,
8 '... the second moving member,
11 ... string-like member,
11, 11 ', 12 ... swing members,
11 '... a thin plate member,
12: Heavy member,
13, 13 ', 13 "... developer accumulation preventing member,
14 ... second developer conveying member,
14a ... 2nd rotating shaft.

Claims (7)

A first developer transport path, a second developer transport path, and a connection path connecting the downstream end of the first developer transport path and the upstream end of the second developer transport path. A developer transport path having
A first developer conveying member that conveys the developer in the first developer conveying path;
A second developer transport member that transports the developer in the second developer transport path;
A supported portion that is disposed in the connection path and is supported by at least one of the first developer transport member and the second developer transport member and supported by the rotation shaft rotates the rotation shaft. And a developer pool preventing member that swings along the axial direction of the rotation shaft in the connection path.
A developer conveying device comprising: A disk-shaped member supported by the rotating shaft and supported by being inclined to the rotating shaft, a moving member supported so as to be freely slidable along the circumferential direction of the disk-shaped member, and supported by the moving member A rocking member, and the developer accumulation preventing member,
The developer conveying device according to claim 1, comprising: The swing member having a string-like member having one end supported by the moving member, and a weight member supported by the other end of the string-like member;
The developer conveying device according to claim 2, further comprising: The developer pool preventing member supported by the rotation shaft of the first developer conveying member;
The developer conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising: The swing member having a thin plate-like member supported at one end by the moving member and supported at the other end by the wall surface of the connection path;
The developer conveying device according to claim 2, further comprising: The developer pool preventing member supported by the rotation shaft of the second developer conveying member;
The developer conveying device according to claim 5, further comprising: A first disk-like member supported by a first rotation shaft of the first developer conveying member and supported by being inclined with respect to the first rotation shaft; and a periphery of the first disk-like member. A first moving member supported so as to be freely slidable along a direction, and a second rotating shaft supported by the second rotating shaft of the second developer conveying member and inclinedly supported by the second rotating shaft. Two disk-shaped members, a second moving member supported so as to be freely slidable along the circumferential direction of the second disk-shaped member, the first moving member, and the second moving member, A rocking member coupled between the developer retaining member,
The developer conveying device according to claim 1, comprising:

Images