JP2009162796A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that prevents the inside of the apparatus or hands from being soiled during toner replenishment or maintenance, does not require a long time for maintenance, and is easily maintained. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a first toner-incorporating unit that has a toner passage on the downstream side in the direction of toner conveyance; a second toner-incorporating unit disposed downstream of the first toner-incorporating unit and disposed so as to be attached to or taken out from the image forming apparatus; and a toner recovering means that recovers toner that falls when the second toner-incorporating unit is taken out. The toner recovering means has: a duct member with an opening; a filter; a fan; and a lid member. When the second toner-incorporating unit is taken out, the lid member moves in conjunction with the operation of taking out the unit, and uncovers the opening. Thereby, toner that has fallen is recovered. When the second toner-incorporating unit is attached, the lid member moves in conjunction with the operation of attaching the unit, and covers the opening. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a fax machine, and a multifunction machine, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a toner built-in unit that can be taken out or attached to the image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image using toner, for replenishment of toner and periodic maintenance, several units out of a plurality of units containing toner are taken out from the image forming apparatus. Those that are configured to be wearable have been developed. Examples of units containing toner (hereinafter referred to as toner built-in units) include toner bottles, toner replenishing devices, developing devices, cleaning devices, and transfer units (devices including a transfer belt and a belt cleaning device). Unused toner is stored in the toner bottle, the toner replenishing device, and the developing device, and the used toner is stored in the cleaning device and the transfer unit.

  Some of the plurality of toner built-in units have a configuration in which toner is transferred between the units in order to supply or collect toner, and a connecting portion is usually required when taking out one of the units. .

  When one toner built-in unit is taken out from the image forming apparatus for toner replenishment or maintenance, toner spillage from the connecting portion becomes a problem. In particular, when a toner built-in unit located on the downstream side of the connecting portion in the toner transport direction is removed, toner spillage from the connecting portion becomes a problem. Conventionally, various measures have been developed to prevent toner spillage from the connecting portion.

  As a conventional example of measures against toner spillage, a technology has been developed in which a cover (a member that receives spilled toner) is provided at the bottom of a developing device for an image forming apparatus in which a toner replenishing device and a developing device are connected by a connecting portion. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 also describes a configuration in which this cover is further provided with a duct function.

As another conventional example of measures against toner spillage, a technology has been developed in which a toner replenishing container is detachably disposed in a toner replenishing housing and a duct is disposed around the toner replenishing housing to prevent toner scattering. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
JP 2006-18031 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-19624

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the cover remains in the apparatus after the developing apparatus is taken out, which hinders maintenance work and the like in the apparatus at the time of removing jammed image-formed sheet material. is there. Further, since the connecting portion is on the near side in the direction of taking out, there is also a problem that the connecting portion must be removed together to remove the developing device. The connecting portion is filled with toner, and there is a possibility that the inside of the image forming apparatus and the hands of the operator are soiled.

  As a countermeasure against this problem, a configuration in which a member that receives the spilled toner is arranged on the back side in the direction in which the connecting portion is taken out can be considered, but in this configuration, the spilled toner is cleaned. There is a problem that maintenance work is difficult.

  On the other hand, the technique described in Patent Document 2 saves the trouble of cleaning the spilled toner in order to suck the toner scattered by the duct, but requires a duct that covers the entire toner replenishing casing. Space is lost and becomes a design constraint. In addition, there is a restriction on maintenance work around the toner supply housing.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and there is no problem that the hands and the inside of the apparatus are soiled or a long time is required for maintenance work when taking out or installing the unit. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which is easy and has few design restrictions.

  The object of the present invention can be achieved by using the following image forming apparatus.

That is,
1. A first toner built-in unit containing unused or used toner;
A second toner built-in unit that is disposed so as to be attached to or removed from the image forming apparatus and receives toner from the first toner built-in unit;
A toner passage portion forming a toner passage from the first toner built-in unit to the second toner built-in unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a toner collecting unit that collects toner spilled from the toner passage portion when the second toner built-in unit is removed from the image forming apparatus;
The toner collecting means includes a duct member having an opening for taking in toner spilled from the toner passage portion, a filter for collecting the toner taken in the duct member, and toner in the duct member A fan that conveys the filter to the filter, and a lid member that opens and closes the opening,
When the second toner built-in unit is taken out from the image forming apparatus, the lid member moves to open the opening,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the lid member moves to shield the opening when the second toner built-in unit is attached to the image forming apparatus;
It is.

  With the configuration of the present invention, when taking out a unit containing toner when replenishing toner or performing maintenance work on the image forming apparatus, there is no problem that the inside of the apparatus or hands are soiled or that a long time is required for cleaning. Can be provided.

  In addition, the configuration using the space-saving toner collecting means makes it possible to provide a small-sized image forming apparatus with a high degree of design freedom.

  Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the problem that the toner scattered at this time adheres to a unit that affects image formation, such as a charger or a transfer device, and deteriorates the image quality.

  The present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a digital color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has an automatic document feeder 1 at the top of the apparatus main body, an image reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a belt setting unit for a belt unit 4, a paper feeding unit 5, a fixing unit. The apparatus T, the reverse paper discharge / refeed unit 6, and the ADU 7 which is a reverse transport unit are provided.

  The automatic document feeder 1 is a device that feeds documents one by one, conveys them to an image reading position, and discharges the document after image reading to a predetermined location.

  The automatic document feeder 1 includes a document table 101, a document separation unit 103, a document transport unit 105, a document discharge unit 107, a document discharge table 109, and a reverse copy mode for reversing the front and back sides of a document. A document reversing unit 111 including a pair of rollers is provided.

  A plurality of documents (not shown) placed on the document placing table 101 are separated one by one by the document separating means 103 and conveyed toward the image reading position via the document conveying unit 105.

  The document reading position is provided at a lower portion of the document conveying unit 105, where an image of the document is read through the slit 201 constituting the image reading device 2, and the read document is a document discharge unit 107. Is discharged onto the document discharge tray 109.

  The image reading apparatus 2 includes a first mirror unit 205, a second mirror 217, and a third mirror 219 that are integrated with a slit 201, a document irradiation lamp 213, and a first mirror 215 that reflects reflected light of the document. The second mirror unit 207 is provided.

  Further, an imaging lens 209 that forms an image of reflected light from the third mirror 219 on the imaging device, and a linear imaging device that obtains image information by photoelectrically converting a light image formed by the imaging lens 209 (Hereinafter referred to as CCD) 211.

  The image information is subjected to appropriate image processing and then temporarily stored in a memory in the control means S described later.

  The image information for each color read by the image reading device 2 is sequentially extracted from the memory, and is input as an electric signal to the exposure optical system for each color, which is an electrostatic charge latent image forming unit.

  The image forming unit 3 forms four sets of image forming units (hereinafter referred to as image forming units) of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK) that form a toner image corresponding to the color separation image. 30.

  Each image forming unit 30 includes a photosensitive drum 310 as a first image carrier having a photosensitive layer provided on a drum-shaped metal substrate, a charger 320, an exposure optical system 330 as image writing means, and a developing device 8. The transfer unit 340 and the cleaning device 350 are main components.

  The exposure optical system 330 is an exposure unit composed of a laser optical system.

  The developing device 8 in the embodiment stores a two-component developer including a magnetic carrier (hereinafter simply referred to as a carrier) and a non-magnetic toner (hereinafter simply referred to as a toner).

  Further, the developing device 8 includes a developer carrier (hereinafter referred to as a developing sleeve) having a rotatable and non-magnetic cylindrical shape including a plurality of magnets (magnetic poles) fixed in position along the circumferential direction. Toner density detecting means (not shown, hereinafter referred to as toner density detecting sensor) is provided.

  Further, a toner replenishing device (described later) for supplying replenishment toner for each color to each developing device 8 is prepared, and the toner replenishment device can rotate a toner bottle filled with replenishment toner for each color. It has a configuration of mounting.

  In addition, the transfer unit 340 in the embodiment includes a transfer roller facing a part of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 310 via an intermediate transfer belt 401 described later, but includes a normal electrode including a discharge wire. It is good also as a structure of the aspect called a transfer electrode.

  Since the mechanical configuration of the four sets of image forming units described above is basically the same, reference numerals are given only for one set of units, and the other units are omitted.

  Each of the image forming units 30 is arranged in the traveling direction of one plane (stretched surface) A of the intermediate transfer belt 401 that is a loop-shaped second image carrier that constitutes the belt unit 4 and is arranged in the vertical direction. Along the top, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are arranged in this order.

  The intermediate transfer belt 401, the support rollers 405, 406, 407, and the backup roller 410 that suspend the intermediate transfer belt 401 rotatably constitute the belt unit 4.

  Further, the backup roller 410 forms a secondary transfer unit with the transfer roller 510 disposed opposite to the backup roller 410, and rotates while pressing the intermediate transfer belt 401 between the transfer roller 510.

  Image formation by the configuration of the image forming unit 30 and the belt unit 4 is performed as follows.

  As the image forming process starts, the surface of the photosensitive drum 310 that rotates counterclockwise is charged to a predetermined polarity (in the embodiment, a negative polarity) by the charger 320.

  Next, the exposure optical system 330 performs exposure corresponding to the first color signal, that is, the yellow (Y) image signal, and a latent image corresponding to the yellow (Y) image is formed on the photosensitive drum 310. Is done.

  The latent image is reversely developed and converted into a yellow (Y) toner image by contact or non-contact development processing with a developer in the developing device 8, and then transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 401 by the action of the transfer unit 340. Is done.

  During this development processing, a bias voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 80 by superimposing a DC voltage having the same negative polarity as the toner charging polarity and an AC voltage.

  The image formation by the second to fourth color signals, which is sequentially started after a predetermined time from the start of image formation by the first color signal, is performed by the same process as described above, using magenta (M), cyan (C), black ( BK) by each image forming unit.

  Each toner image on the photosensitive drum formed by each image forming unit is sequentially transferred so as to overlap with an image area where a yellow (Y) toner image is present, and is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 401. An image is formed.

  On the other hand, the surface of the photosensitive drum 310 after the transfer process is completed is cleaned by the cleaning unit 350, and preparations for new image formation are made.

  The start timing of each image forming process with respect to the photosensitive drum 310 or the intermediate transfer belt 401 is performed as follows.

  That is, the registration sensor is located outside the intermediate transfer belt 401 and in a section from the position where the transfer roller 510 is located to the position where the first set (yellow) image forming unit is provided as viewed in the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer belt. 413 is attached.

  Then, the time is measured from the time when the registration sensor 413 detects the reference mark provided on the intermediate transfer belt 401, and the (Y), (M), (C), and (BK) processes are sequentially performed every predetermined time. Is configured to start.

  Reference numeral S is a control means (hereinafter referred to as a control unit) including a computer and a memory, and a program for machine operation is stored in the memory. The control unit S controls all of the image forming apparatus, such as control related to a series of image forming processes, sheet material feeding / conveying control, driving control of an automatic document feeder, and toner replenishment control according to output change of a toner density detection sensor. Control.

  Next, other configurations of the apparatus will be briefly described in connection with the processes until the color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 401 is transferred onto a sheet material as a transfer material and discharged to the outside of the apparatus. .

  At an appropriate timing corresponding to the image formation on the intermediate transfer belt 401, the sheet material P is fed by the sheet feeding roller 503 (513, 523) positioned in the feeding section 501 (511, 521) of the sheet feeding section 5. .

  Next, the separation roller 506, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs R1 to R7 provided on the paper feed path, and the conveyance roller 550 are directed toward the registration roller 551 provided in front of the transfer portion (transfer area). Be transported.

  The sheet material P to be fed is a sheet material of a size designated / selected on the operation display board 150 on which the number of recording sheets, a recording start button, or a recording magnification and image density can be set.

  After the leading edge of the sheet material P comes into contact with the registration roller 551, the sheet material P is fed again at a timing overlapping with the color toner image area on the intermediate transfer belt 401 by resuming the rotation of the registration roller 551.

  Next, the sheet material P is pressed and nipped together with the intermediate transfer belt by the backup roller 410 and the transfer roller 510 in the secondary transfer portion, and the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 401 is transferred onto the sheet material P during this time.

  The sheet material P to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 401 and conveyed toward the fixing device T by a conveyance belt (not shown).

  The fixing device T includes a fixing roller T1 including a fixing heater, and a pressure roller T2 that rotates while being in pressure contact with the fixing roller, and the color toner that forms an image is melted by heating and pressing by both rollers. Then, it is fixed on the sheet material P.

  After completion of the fixing process by the fixing device T, the sheet material P is conveyed by a paper discharge roller 603 provided downstream thereof and discharged onto a paper discharge tray provided outside the apparatus main body.

  On the other hand, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 401 after the completion of the secondary transfer is cleaned by the cleaning device 40, and preparations for carrying a new toner image are made.

  In the figure, P1, P2, and P3 are paper storage devices that can store a predetermined amount of sheet material P, and are configured to be able to be taken out on the front side of the figure.

  In the image forming process described above, the toner concentration in the developer is detected by a toner concentration detection sensor built in the developing device 8, and the output information is taken in and calculated by the control unit S and compared with a set threshold value. Is done.

  When the control unit S determines that the toner needs to be replenished, the toner conveying unit is driven based on a command from the control unit S, and a necessary toner amount is replenished into the developing device 8.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the toner transport unit according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, the used toner stored in the cleaning device 40 of the intermediate transfer belt 401 is transported by a transport screw (no reference symbol) disposed at the bottom of the cleaning device 40 and sent to the toner transport unit 700.

  The toner conveying unit 700 (including 700a and 700b) is formed of a pipe-like member, and incorporates a conveying screw, and conveys used waste toner to the downstream side in the toner conveying direction by the conveying screw.

  On the other hand, the cleaning device 350 for the photosensitive drum 310 includes cleaning devices 350Y, 350M, 350C, and 350K for each color with respect to the image forming unit 30, and waste toner is supplied to the toner transport unit 700 via a built-in transport screw. I'm sending it in.

  The waste toner sent to the toner transport unit 700 is collected and transported downward through the toner transport pipe 700a extending in the vertical direction, and further reaches the toner transport pipe 700b extending in the horizontal direction. Collected and stored.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a partial configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus in which the first toner built-in unit according to the present invention is a toner supply device and the second toner built-in unit according to the present invention is a developing device. It is. In the image forming apparatus described with reference to FIG. 1, four sets of image forming units have a toner replenishing device TH and a developing device 8 described later, which basically have the same configuration.

  In FIG. 3, a toner bottle 800 is a toner storage container for storing unused toner formed in a bottle shape. A spiral protrusion 802 continuous in the axial direction of a cylindrical inner peripheral surface is formed on the neck portion. A bottle discharge port 803 for discharging toner is formed.

  The toner bottle driving mechanism unit TB includes a bottle mounting unit 801 that rotatably mounts the toner bottle 800, and a driving mechanism including a motor M10 that rotates the toner bottle 800 and gears G1 and G2. The gear G1 is pivotally supported on the rotation shaft of the motor M10, and the gear G2 meshing with the gear G1 is pivotally supported on the rotation shaft of the bottle connecting member BR that integrally grips and rotates the neck portion of the toner bottle 800. .

  When the toner bottle 800 is rotationally driven by the motor M10 and the gears G1 and G2, the toner is conveyed in one direction by the spiral movement of the spiral protrusion 802 and discharged from the bottle discharge port 803.

  The toner supply device TH includes a toner storage chamber 805, a toner amount detection sensor TS, a toner conveying screw 807, and a motor M20.

  The toner storage chamber 805 has a toner receiving port 88 on the upstream side in the toner conveyance direction and a toner discharge port 89 on the downstream side, and temporarily stores unused toner discharged from the toner bottle 800.

  The toner amount detection sensor TS is a detection means for holding the toner amount in the toner storage chamber 805 within a predetermined range. In the present embodiment, the toner amount detection sensor TS is configured by a piezo element, but other types of sensors may be used. Good.

  The maintenance control of the toner amount in the toner storage chamber 805 achieved by supplying toner from the toner bottle 800 is performed by monitoring the output of the toner amount detection sensor by the control unit S.

  For example, when the control unit S determines that the output voltage of the toner amount detection sensor TS has exceeded a threshold value (reference voltage), the control unit S drives the motor M10 via a driver circuit (not shown) to supply the toner bottle 800. And the toner is supplied to the toner storage chamber 805.

  When the control unit S determines that the output voltage of the toner amount detection sensor TS has become smaller than the threshold value, the motor M10 is not driven and the toner supply is interrupted.

  The toner conveying screw 807 conveys the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 805 in a predetermined direction (left direction in the drawing), and the motor M20 rotates the toner conveying screw 807. Here, the toner conveying screw refers to a rotating member that has a spiral protrusion around the shaft and continuously provided along the axial direction.

  The toner discharge port 89 is disposed at the bottom of the toner storage chamber 805 on the downstream side in the toner conveyance direction, and is a discharge port for discharging unused toner conveyed by the toner conveyance screw 807 toward the developing device 8.

  Unused toner discharged from the toner discharge port 89 is supplied to the developing device 8 via a connecting member RK fixed to a frame (not shown) of the image forming apparatus. Here, the toner discharge port 89 of the toner storage chamber 805 and the connecting member RK are collectively referred to as a toner passage portion.

  When the control unit S determines that the output of the toner density detection sensor NS provided in the developing device 8 has exceeded a threshold for determining whether or not toner replenishment is necessary, the toner conveying screw 807 It is rotated by a motor M20 driven based on the control.

  The toner discharge port 89 of the toner replenishing device TH, the connecting member RK, and a toner receiving port 86, which will be described later, of the developing device 8 are configured so that their positions are aligned.

  Here, the rough structure of the developing device, the behavior of the developer in the developing device, and the like will be described with reference to FIG. 3 showing the toner receiving port, the developer circulation and transport structure, and the location where the toner density detection sensor NS is attached. To do.

  The developing device 8 as the second toner built-in unit is disposed on the downstream side in the toner transport direction of the toner replenishing device TH as the first toner built-in unit so that it can be taken out or attached to the image forming apparatus.

  The developing device 8 includes a developing sleeve 80, a first developer agitating / conveying means 81, a second developer agitating / conveying means 82, a toner concentration detection sensor NS, a developing device main body 84, an upper lid 85, a layer thickness regulating blade and a supply roller (see Etc.).

  The upper lid 85 is formed with a toner receiving port 86 that receives unused toner supplied from the connecting member RK.

  Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the first and second developer agitating / conveying means are referred to as a first developer conveying means 81 and a second developer conveying means 82.

  The developing sleeve 80 is disposed at a position facing the photosensitive drum 310.

  The first and second developer conveying means 81 and 82 have a screw shape, and can circulate and convey the developer through a communication portion (not shown) formed outside the developing area.

  The toner receiving port 86 of the developing device 8 is provided in a portion outside the developing region above the second developer conveying means 82 and receives unused toner supplied from the connecting member RK. The toner replenished from the toner receiving port 86 is mixed and agitated with the developer in the developing device main body 84 while being agitated in one direction by the second developer conveying means 82 and given a charge amount of a predetermined polarity.

  Thereafter, the developer is delivered to the first developer conveying means 81 through one communicating portion, and the developer conveyed is sequentially fed toward the developing sleeve 80 via the supply roller, and is adsorbed on the developing sleeve 80. The latent image on the photosensitive drum 310 is sent to the development area and is used as a toner image.

  The developer after the development processing is automatically removed from the developing sleeve 80, conveyed by the first developer conveying means 81, and the toner concentration is detected by the toner concentration detection sensor NS.

  The output of the toner concentration detection sensor NS is taken out as a voltage, and the output voltage value is taken into the control unit S and monitored.

  The controller S compares the preset threshold value (reference voltage) with the output voltage of the toner density detection sensor NS, and determines that the output voltage has exceeded the threshold value. The motor M20 is driven and controlled.

  As a result, new unused toner is supplied to the developing device 8.

  FIG. 4 shows a duct mechanism unit 9 according to the first embodiment of the toner collecting means of the present invention, in which a toner supply device TH as a first toner built-in unit and a developing device 8 as a second toner built-in unit. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure arrange | positioned in the connection part.

  The duct mechanism portion 9 in the present embodiment has a configuration that allows the lid member 91 to be taken in and out of the duct box 90.

  4A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the developing device 8 is in a position where it is mounted in the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 4B is a position in which the developing device 8 is removed from the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows a state.

  4A or 4B, a stopper portion 87 that contacts a part of the lid member 91 of the duct mechanism portion 9 is disposed at the bottom of the developing device main body 84 of the developing device 8.

  The duct mechanism unit 9 in this embodiment includes a duct box 90 as a duct member, a lid member 91, a lid member opening / closing spring 92, a filter 93, a fan 94, and the like.

  The duct box 90 has an opening 90a, an opening 90b connected to the filter 93 and the fan 94, and includes a lid member 91 that is movably held in the horizontal direction and a lid member opening / closing spring 92. It is a member made.

  The lid member 91 includes a shielding portion 91a that opens and closes the opening 90a of the duct box 90, a contact portion 91b that contacts the stopper portion 87 of the developing device main body 84, and a toner receiving portion 91c that receives the collected toner. Yes.

  One end of the lid member opening / closing spring 92 is fixed to the inner wall of the duct box 90, the other end abuts against the lid member 91, and opens in one direction with respect to the lid member 91, that is, a direction in which the opening 90a is opened (see FIG. (Right direction of 4) is applied.

  4A, when the developing device 8 is attached to the image forming apparatus, the stopper portion 87 of the developing device main body 84 moves the lid member 91 in the reverse direction against the pressing force of the lid member opening / closing spring 92 (FIG. 4). 4 to the left) and press it to a predetermined storage position inside the duct box 90. When the lid member 91 reaches a predetermined storage position, the opening 90 a of the duct box 90 is shielded by the shielding portion 91 a of the lid member 91.

  The connecting member RK is formed of a square pipe-like member, and includes a shutter member ST that opens and closes the opening at the lower opening. The shutter member ST opens and closes the opening in conjunction with the taking-out or mounting operation of the developing device 8 by a known link mechanism or the like.

  The toner discharged from the toner passage formed by the toner discharge port 89 of the toner storage chamber 805 and the connecting member RK is taken into the developing device 8 from the toner receiving port 86.

  In FIG. 4B, when the developing device 8 is taken out, the stopper 87 of the developing device main body 84 is separated from the lid member 91, and the lid member 91 is external to the duct box 90 by the pressing force of the lid member opening / closing spring 92. The toner receiving portion 91c is moved directly below the connecting member RK. At this time, the shutter member ST is closed, but the toner that spills and falls due to the closing operation of the shutter member ST at the time of closing or the taking-out operation of the developing device 8 is received and collected by the toner receiving portion 91c of the lid member 91. .

  The connecting member RK after the developing device 8 is taken out prevents the toner from dropping from the connecting member RK by closing the shutter member ST.

  When the developing device 8 is mounted on the image forming apparatus again, the toner collected in the toner receiving portion 91c is opened by the shielding portion 91a of the lid member 91 as shown in FIG. Is shielded. Thereafter, the fan 94 is operated in accordance with a command from the control unit S, and is collected in the filter 93 from the toner receiving portion 91 c of the lid member 91 through the opening 90 b of the duct box 90.

  When the lid member 91 shields the opening 90a of the duct box 90, the inside of the duct box 90 is hermetically sealed, so that the efficiency of toner suction when the fan 94 is operated is increased.

  By using the image forming apparatus provided with the duct mechanism unit 9 as the first embodiment of the toner collecting means according to the present invention, the lid member 91 is accommodated and the space around the duct mechanism unit 9 is widened. Miniaturization and increased design freedom can be realized.

  FIG. 5 shows a duct mechanism unit according to a second embodiment of the toner collecting means of the present invention, in which a toner replenishing device TH as a first toner built-in unit and a developing device 8 as a second toner built-in unit are provided. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure arrange | positioned in the connection part.

  The duct mechanism unit 9 in the present embodiment has a configuration in which the opening 90d of the duct box 90 is opened and closed by sliding a lid member 91 provided outside the duct box 90.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a state where the developing device 8 is in a position where the developing device 8 is mounted in the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 5B is a position where the developing device 8 is removed from the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows a state.

  The configuration and operation of the second embodiment of the duct mechanism section as toner collecting means are similar to the configuration and operation of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, and the same reference numerals are used for similar components. Therefore, the description is omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  One of the differences between the configuration of the second embodiment of the duct mechanism unit and the configuration of the first embodiment is that the shape of the duct box 90 is different. That is, in the second embodiment, the duct box 90 has an extension 90c that extends toward the developing device 8 as compared with the first embodiment, and there is no opening on the vertical wall surface, and the extension 90c. It is on the top surface of. Further, the duct box 90 does not house the lid member 91, and only the lid member opening / closing spring 92 is built therein.

  Another one of the different points is the shape and installation location of the lid member 91. In the first embodiment, the cover member 91 has a toner receiving portion 91c for collected toner and is housed inside the duct box 90 when the developing device 8 is mounted. In the second embodiment, the toner receiving portion 91c is used. The lid member 91 is not accommodated inside the duct box 90. That is, in the second embodiment, the lid member 91 is disposed so as to be movable in the left-right direction in FIG. 5 along the upper surface of the extension portion 90c of the duct box 90, and the lid member opening / closing spring 92 and the stopper portion. By the action of 87, the developing device 8 moves in conjunction with the loading or unloading operation.

  The lid member 91 according to the present invention includes an opening portion 91d as a window portion for collecting toner and a shielding portion 91e that shields the opening portion 90d of the duct box 90.

  In FIG. 5A, when the developing device 8 is mounted, the stopper portion 87 resists the pressing force of the lid member opening / closing spring 92 of the duct mechanism portion 9 so that the lid member 91 is a wall surface at a predetermined storage position of the duct box 90. The opening 90d is shielded by the shielding portion 91e. At this time, the shutter member ST of the connecting member RK is in an open state.

  In FIG. 5B, when the developing device 8 is taken out, the stopper portion 87 is separated from the lid member 91, and the lid member 91 is urged by the pressing force of the lid member opening / closing spring 92 and is in contact with a stopper (not shown). Move in one direction (right direction in the figure). The opening 91d coincides with the opening 90d and opens the opening 90d at the position in contact with the stopper. At this time, the shutter member ST of the connecting member RK is closed.

  By closing the shutter member ST of the connecting member RK, the toner is prevented from dropping from the connecting member RK after the developing device 8 is taken out.

  The toner that falls from the vicinity of the connecting member RK when closing the shutter member ST passes through the opening 91d of the lid member 91 and the opening 90d of the duct box 90, and directly inside the extension 90c of the duct box 90. To be recovered.

  When the developing device 8 is mounted again, as shown in FIG. 5A, the lid member 91 moves in the reverse direction (left direction in the figure), and the opening 90d is shielded by the shielding portion 91e. The fan 94 is operated by a command from the controller S thereafter, and the collected toner is collected in the filter 93 from the extension 90c through the opening 90b.

  When the shielding portion 91e of the lid member 91 shields the opening 90d of the duct box 90, the inside of the duct box 90 is hermetically sealed, so that the efficiency of toner suction when the fan 94 is operated is increased.

  According to the second embodiment of the toner collecting means of the present invention, the lid member 91 has a configuration in which the opening portions of the lid member 91 and the duct box 90 of the duct mechanism unit 9 match to store toner directly in the duct box 90. Since there is no single toner receiving process, the risk of toner scattering can be expected to be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the toner passage portion from the toner supply device TH to the developing device 8 is composed of the toner discharge port 89 of the toner storage chamber 805 and the connecting member RK, but the connecting member RK is omitted and the toner is omitted. The shutter member may be directly attached to the discharge port 89. That is, the toner discharged from the toner discharge port 89 of the toner storage chamber 805 is directly received by the toner receiving port 86 of the developing device 8. By attaching a shutter member to the toner discharge port 89, toner spillage after the developing device 8 is taken out can be prevented.

  In this embodiment, the developing device using the two-component developer and the image forming apparatus including the same are used. However, the present invention is a developing device using the one-component developer and the image including the developing device. It can also be applied to a forming apparatus. However, since the configuration of both is similar, the description is omitted.

  FIG. 6 shows a first embodiment of the toner collecting unit according to the present invention at the connecting portion between the first toner built-in unit as the toner transport unit 700 and the second toner built-in unit as the toner collection box 900. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure which arrange | positioned the duct mechanism part 9. FIG.

  A toner collection box 900 shown in FIG. 6 includes an opening 900a and a stopper 900b, and is disposed so as to be attached to or removed from the image forming apparatus in the horizontal direction.

  Since the duct mechanism unit 9 as the first embodiment has already been described with reference to FIG. 4, description thereof is omitted here.

  The toner transport unit 700 in the vicinity of the toner collection box 900 includes a toner transport tube 700a extending in the vertical direction, a toner transport tube 700b extending in the horizontal direction, and an opening 700c formed in a lower portion of the toner transport tube 700b. (See FIGS. 2, 6, and 7).

  In FIG. 6, a shutter member 701 for opening and closing the opening 700c is disposed on the lower surface of the toner transport tube 700b so as to be movable in the horizontal direction. The shutter member 701 includes a link mechanism (not shown), and opens and closes the opening 700 c in conjunction with the mounting or removing operation of the toner recovery box 900.

  Here, the opening portion 700c and the shutter member 701 are collectively referred to as a toner passage portion. The toner discharged through the toner passage is collected in a toner collection box 900 which is the next process.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the toner collection box 900 is mounted in the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 6B is a position in which the toner collection box 900 is removed from the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state which exists in.

  In FIG. 6A, when the toner collection box 900 is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the stopper portion 900b of the toner collection box 900 causes the lid member 91 to resist the pressing force of the lid member opening / closing spring 92. Press to the storage position in 90. At this time, the opening 90a is shielded by the shield 91a. At the same time, the stopper portion 900b presses the shutter member 701 of the toner conveyance portion 700 in the left direction in the figure, and opens the opening portion 700c below the toner conveyance tube 700b inserted into the toner collection box 900 from the opening portion 900a. .

  The used toner transported by the toner transport unit 700 is discharged and stored in the toner collection box 900 through the opened opening 700c.

  6B, when the toner collection box 900 is taken out from the image forming apparatus, the stopper portion 900b is separated from the contact portion 91b of the lid member 91, and the lid member 91 is subjected to the pressing force of the lid member opening / closing spring 92. It is biased and moves to a position where it abuts against a stopper (not shown). The lid member 91 that has stopped in contact with the stopper is located at a position where the toner receiving portion 91c comes directly below the opening 700c of the toner conveying portion 700. At the same time, the stopper portion 900b is separated from the shutter member 701 of the toner conveying portion 700, and moves the shutter member 701 to the right in the drawing by the link mechanism to shield the opening portion 700c.

  At this time, used toner that falls from the vicinity of the opening 700c due to the closing operation of the shutter member 701 or the like is collected by the toner receiving portion 91c of the lid member 91.

  After the toner collection box 900 is taken out, the opening 700c is shielded by the shutter member 701, so that the toner does not fall.

  The toner collected in the toner receiving section 91c is stored in the duct box 90 when the toner collecting box 900 is stored, and the fan 94 is operated by a command from the control section S thereafter, and the toner receiving section 91c. Collected by the filter 93 from above through the opening 90b.

  When the lid member 91 is housed in the duct box 90, the shielding portion 91a of the lid member 91 shields the opening 90a of the duct box 90 and the inside of the duct box 90 is in a sealed state, so that the fan 94 is operated. In this case, the efficiency of toner suction is increased.

  FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the toner collecting unit according to the present invention, in which the first toner built-in unit is a toner transport unit 700 and the second toner built-in unit is a toner collection box 900. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure which arrange | positioned the duct mechanism part 9. FIG.

  The duct mechanism unit 9 as the second embodiment has a configuration in which an opening 90d of the duct box 90 is opened and closed by sliding a lid member 91 provided outside the duct box 90.

  Since the duct mechanism section as the second embodiment has already been described with reference to FIG. 5, description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a state where the toner collection box 900 is in a position where it is mounted in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 7B is a position where the toner collection box 900 is removed from the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state which exists in.

  The configuration and operation of the toner transport unit 700 as the first toner built-in unit and the toner collection box 900 as the second toner built-in unit in FIG. 7 are similar to the configuration and operation described in FIG. Similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  The configuration shown in FIG. 7 is different from the configuration shown in FIG. 6 except that the difference in the shape of the toner collection box 900 is almost all except for the duct mechanism portion that is different between the first embodiment and the second embodiment. It is. In the toner collection box 900 shown in FIG. 6, a portion that contacts the lid member 91 and the shutter member 701 is one place of the stopper portion 900 b. On the other hand, in the toner collection box 900 shown in FIG. 7, the portion that contacts the lid member 91 is the stopper portion 900c, and the portion that contacts the shutter member 701 is the stopper portion 900b. The part which contacts is divided into two places. That is, the lid member 91 is opened and closed by contact with the stopper portion 900c, and the shutter member 701 is opened and closed by contact with the stopper portion 900b.

  With the configuration according to the present exemplary embodiment, when the toner collection box 900 is taken out or attached, used toner that spills from the connecting portion between the toner transport unit 700 and the toner collection box 900 is appropriately collected, and dirt in the image forming apparatus can be obtained. And the influence on the image due to toner scattering can be prevented.

  In the embodiment according to the present invention, the configuration in which the lid member that opens and closes the opening of the duct box moves in conjunction with the mounting or loading operation of the second toner built-in unit is configured using a spring. You may use the structure of. For example, a configuration using a link mechanism, or a configuration in which a mounting or taking-out operation of the second toner built-in unit is detected by a sensor, and the lid member is moved by a solenoid, a motor, or the like.

  In addition, the combination of the first and second toner built-in units has been described as two embodiments of the toner replenishing device and the developing device, and the toner conveying unit and the toner collection box. The present invention can also be applied to a combination of a container and a toner replenishing device. That is, in FIG. 3, the toner bottle drive mechanism TB and the toner supply device TH are combined to attach or remove the toner supply device TH, and a duct box and a lid member are disposed in the vicinity of the bottle discharge port 803. This is the configuration.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a digital color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a toner conveying unit according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a configuration of an embodiment of a toner replenishing device and a developing device as an example of a toner built-in unit according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration in which a duct mechanism unit 9 as a first embodiment according to the toner recovery means of the present invention is disposed at a connecting portion between a toner replenishing device TH and a developing device 8. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration in which a duct mechanism section 9 as a second embodiment according to the toner recovery means of the present invention is disposed at a connecting portion between a toner supply device TH and a developing device 8. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration in which a duct mechanism unit 9 as a first embodiment according to the toner recovery means of the present invention is disposed at a connecting portion between a toner transport unit 700 and a toner recovery box 900. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration in which a duct mechanism section 9 as a second embodiment according to the toner recovery means of the present invention is disposed at a connecting portion between a toner transport section 700 and a toner recovery box 900.

Explanation of symbols

8 Developing device (second toner built-in unit)
9 Duct mechanism (toner recovery means)
84 Developing device main body 86, 88 Toner receiving port 87 Stopper unit 89 Toner discharge port (toner passage unit)
90 Duct box (duct member)
90a, 90d Opening 90c Extension 91 Cover member 91a, 91e Shield 91d Opening (window)
91b Abutting portion 91c Toner receiving portion 92 Lid member opening / closing spring 93 Filter 94 Fan 700 Toner conveying portion (first toner built-in unit)
700c Opening (toner passage)
701 Shutter member (toner passage)
800 Toner bottle 805 Toner storage chamber 900 Toner collection box (second toner built-in unit)
900a Opening 900b, 900c Stopper RK Connecting member (toner passage)
ST Shutter member TB Toner bottle drive mechanism TH Toner supply device (first toner built-in unit)

Claims (7)

A first toner built-in unit containing unused or used toner;
A second toner built-in unit that is disposed so as to be attached to or removed from the image forming apparatus and receives toner from the first toner built-in unit;
A toner passage portion forming a toner passage from the first toner built-in unit to the second toner built-in unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a toner collecting unit that collects toner spilled from the toner passage portion when the second toner built-in unit is removed from the image forming apparatus;
The toner collecting means includes a duct member having an opening for taking in toner spilled from the toner passage portion, a filter for collecting the toner taken in the duct member, and toner in the duct member A fan that conveys the filter to the filter, and a lid member that opens and closes the opening,
When the second toner built-in unit is taken out from the image forming apparatus, the lid member moves to open the opening,
When the second toner built-in unit is attached to the image forming apparatus, the lid member moves to shield the opening. The lid member has a toner receiving portion that receives toner spilled from the toner passage portion, and a shielding portion that shields the opening of the duct member,
The duct member is held in and out of the duct member through the opening, so that it can be inserted and removed freely.
When the second toner built-in unit is taken out of the image forming apparatus and the lid member is moved to the outside from the opening, the toner spilled from the toner passage portion at the moved position is transferred to the toner receiving portion. received,
2. The opening portion is shielded by the shielding portion when the second toner built-in unit is attached to the image forming apparatus and the lid member is moved from the opening portion to the inside. The image forming apparatus described in 1. The duct member includes an extension portion that extends below the toner passage portion, and the opening is formed at a position directly below the toner passage portion on the upper surface of the extension portion,
The lid member has a window portion for collecting toner and a shielding portion that shields the opening of the duct member;
In conjunction with the removal or mounting operation of the second toner built-in unit, it moves horizontally along the upper surface of the extension,
When the second toner built-in unit is taken out from the image forming apparatus, the window moves to a position where the window matches the opening and opens the opening, and the toner spilled from the toner passage is removed from the toner passage. Recovered from the opening into the extension,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the second toner built-in unit is attached to the image forming apparatus, the shielding portion moves to a position where the opening is shielded. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fan and the duct member discharge air in the image forming apparatus to the outside of the apparatus. The toner passage portion includes a shutter member that opens and closes a toner passage,
When the second toner built-in unit is taken out from the image forming apparatus, the shutter member shields the passage,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the second toner built-in unit is attached to the image forming apparatus, the shutter member opens the passage. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first toner built-in unit is a toner replenishing device, and the second toner built-in unit is a developing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first toner built-in unit is a toner transport unit, and the second toner built-in unit is a toner recovery box.

Images