JP2010039029A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly supply a developer in a developer storage unit to a body of an image forming unit. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming device includes: an image forming part; a vibration generation mechanism for vibrating the image forming part; a developer storage part for storing a developer; a vibration condition determination processing part for determining whether or not vibration conditions have been met based on the aggregation state of the developer in the developer storage part; and a vibration processing part for actuating the vibration generation mechanism when the vibration conditions have been met. It is determined whether or not the vibration conditions have been met, and the vibration generation mechanism is actuated when the vibration conditions have been met, accordingly the vibration can be applied to the developer storage part. The developer can be supplied to the body of the image forming unit smoothly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine, for example, a printer has an image forming unit, and the surface of the photosensitive drum is charged by a charging roller in the image forming unit. To form an electrostatic latent image, and toner as a developer thinned on the developing roller is electrostatically attached to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. ing. Then, the toner image is transferred onto a sheet by a transfer roller and is fixed by a fixing device to form an image.

The image forming unit includes a toner cartridge as a developer accommodating portion, and the toner in the toner cartridge is supplied to the main body of the image forming unit, that is, the image forming unit main body. An agitation shaft is provided in the toner cartridge, and the agitation shaft is rotated to agitate the toner in the toner cartridge and prevent the toners from aggregating (for example, Patent Document 1). reference.).
JP 2002-72657 A

  However, in the conventional printer, when the printer is left for a long time or the toner cartridge is replaced and a new toner cartridge is set, the stirring shaft is not rotated. They will aggregate together. As a result, the toner in the toner cartridge may not be smoothly supplied to the image forming unit main body.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the conventional printer and to provide an image forming apparatus capable of smoothly supplying the developer in the developer accommodating portion to the image forming unit main body.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming unit, the vibration generating mechanism that vibrates the image forming unit, the developer containing unit that contains the developer, and the aggregation of the developer in the developer containing unit. An excitation condition determination processing unit that determines whether an excitation condition is satisfied based on a state, and an excitation processing unit that operates the vibration generating mechanism when the excitation condition is satisfied.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the image forming unit, the vibration generating mechanism that vibrates the image forming unit, the developer containing unit that contains the developer, and the aggregation of the developer in the developer containing unit. An excitation condition determination processing unit that determines whether an excitation condition is satisfied based on a state, and an excitation processing unit that operates the vibration generating mechanism when the excitation condition is satisfied.

  In this case, it is determined whether the vibration condition is satisfied based on the aggregation state of the developer in the developer container, and when the vibration condition is satisfied, the vibration generating mechanism is operated. Vibration can be given to the part. Therefore, the developer in the developer accommodating portion can be smoothly supplied to the image forming unit main body.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, a printer as an image forming apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the printer 40 includes a lower cover 41 as a lower casing, and an upper casing that is swingable about the support shaft 42 with respect to the lower cover 41 and that can be opened and closed. The upper cover 43 is formed, and a stacker 44 is formed on the upper cover 43 for stacking sheets (not shown) as media discharged from the printer 40 after printing is completed.

  A paper cassette 50 as a medium storage unit for storing paper is disposed in the lower portion of the lower cover 41. At the front end of the paper cassette 50, a feeding roller 51 as a first medium conveying member for paper feeding and as a first medium supplying member is disposed. The feeding roller 51 feeds the paper to the medium conveying path. It goes out to 49. In the medium conveyance path 49, as a second medium conveyance member for paper feeding and as paper feeding rollers 45 and 46 as a second medium supply member, and as a medium conveyance device for transfer, and A belt unit 53 as a transfer unit is provided. The belt unit 53 is a first roller as a driving roller R1, a second roller as a driven roller R2, and a conveying member stretched between the driving roller R1 and the driven roller R2. A transfer belt 52 as a transfer member.

  In the belt unit 53, the paper is an image forming unit (development) as a plurality of image forming units that perform image formation of each color of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan as the transport belt 52 is driven. (Apparatus) 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C, and a transfer roller 57 as a second transfer member disposed to face the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C.

  Each of the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C is in contact with the periphery of the photosensitive drum 12 as an image carrier, the charging roller 13 as a charging device, and the developer as a developer. A developing roller 16 as a developer carrying member for holding toner (not shown) is provided. An LED head 56 as an exposure device is disposed adjacent to each of the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C. In this embodiment, a drum-shaped photosensitive drum 12 is used as the image carrier, but a photosensitive belt can be used instead of the photosensitive drum 12.

  In each of the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C, the photosensitive drum 12 rotates in a predetermined direction as a drum motor (not shown) serving as an image forming drive unit is driven. With rotation, the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 13 and exposed by the LED head 56 to form an electrostatic latent image as a latent image. The toner thinned on the developing roller 16 is electrostatically attached to the latent image to form a toner image as a developer image.

  When the sheet fed to the medium transport path 49 and transported by the paper feed rollers 45 and 46 passes between the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C and the transfer rollers 57, the transfer rollers 57 sequentially transfers the toner images of the respective colors formed in the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C onto the paper, thereby forming a color toner image.

  Subsequently, the paper is sent to a fixing device 54 as a fixing device, and a color toner image is fixed on the paper in the fixing device 54 to form a color image. The fixing device 54 includes a heating roller 54a as a first fixing roller and a pressure roller 54b as a second fixing roller. Then, the sheet discharged from the fixing device 54 is discharged out of the printer 40 by discharge rollers 47 and 48 as discharge medium transport members and discharge members, and is stacked on the stacker 44. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 12 after the transfer is scraped off and removed by a cleaning blade as a cleaning device (not shown).

  Next, the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C will be described. In this case, since the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C have the same structure, only the image forming unit 55Bk will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming unit in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, 11 is a toner cartridge as a developer container, 12 is a photosensitive drum, 13 is a charging roller, 14 is a cleaning blade that scrapes off toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 after transfer, 16 is a developing roller, A toner supply roller 15 is disposed in pressure contact with the developing roller 16, a toner supply roller serving as a developer supply member for supplying toner to the developing roller 16, and 17 is disposed in pressure contact with the developing roller 16. This is a developing blade for thinning the toner supplied from the cartridge 11.

  The toner cartridge 11 is detachably arranged with respect to the main body of the image forming unit 55Bk, that is, the image forming unit main body, and supplies the toner accommodated therein to the image forming unit main body through the opening 18. . An agitation shaft 60 as an agitation member is disposed in the toner cartridge 11, and the toner contained in the toner cartridge 11 is agitated by rotating the agitation shaft 60 in the direction of the arrow.

  In order to detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 11, a developer remaining amount detection unit is provided. The developer remaining amount detection unit detects the remaining amount of toner in conjunction with the stirring of the toner by the stirring shaft 60. For this purpose, the developer remaining amount detecting unit is provided in the vicinity of the upper cover 43, a sensor lever 33 that is swingably arranged around the support shaft 32, and a permanent attached to one end of the sensor lever 33. A magnet 31, a sensor 34 as a developer remaining amount detection unit attached to the upper cover 43 so as to face the other end of the sensor lever 33, and the toner cartridge 11 extend in the vertical direction, and the lower end is the stirring shaft 60. A rod 61 locked to the upper end of the rod 61, a magnetic body 63 disposed at the upper end of the rod 61, a guide 62 suspended from the upper wall of the toner cartridge 11 and surrounding and guiding the upper end of the rod 61, etc. Is provided.

  The agitation shaft 60 is connected to a motor (not shown) as a drive unit, and includes a rotating member that is rotated by receiving the rotation of the motor, and a crank portion that is pushed and rotated by the rotating member. When the toner accumulation surface S1 in the toner cartridge 11 is above the top dead center, the toner is pushed by the rotating member and rotated at a constant speed, whereas when the accumulation surface S1 is lower than the top dead center, When the dead point is reached, it is rotated by its own weight prior to the rotation of the rotating member, stopped at the toner accumulation surface S1, and waited for being pressed by the rotating member.

  As described above, since the lower end of the rod 61 is locked to the stirring shaft 60, when the rod 61 moves up and down with the rotation of the stirring shaft 60, the magnetic body 63 is moved accordingly. Is moved vertically to selectively attract the permanent magnet 31. As a result, the sensor lever 33 is swung, and the sensor 34 is turned on / off by intermittently detecting the other end of the sensor lever 33.

  At this time, since the time during which the crank portion is rotated by its own weight and the time during which it is pushed and rotated by the rotating member differ depending on the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 11, the rotation of the stirring shaft 60 becomes irregular. . Along with this, the swing of the sensor lever 33 also becomes irregular, so that the ON time and OFF time of the sensor 34 change. Therefore, the sensor output of the sensor 34 can be read, and the remaining amount of toner can be detected based on the on time and the off time. A message prompting replacement of the toner cartridge 11 when the remaining amount of toner is low can be displayed on a display unit (not shown).

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C are selectively moved in the vertical direction, and the photosensitive drum 12 and the conveying belt 52 are selectively brought into contact with each other to perform color printing and monochrome printing. Printing can be performed.

  Next, an up / down mechanism as a vibration generating mechanism for causing the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C to vibrate by moving in the vertical direction will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first state of the up / down mechanism in the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second state of the up / down mechanism in the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a front view showing the main part of the up / down mechanism in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the main part of the up / down mechanism in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, an up / down mechanism 27 is provided so that the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C can be moved in the vertical direction.

  The up / down mechanism 27 sandwiches the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C, and is disposed on one side of the plates 27L and 27R and the printer 40, which are disposed so as to be movable forward and backward in the paper transport direction, in the present embodiment. Includes a lift-up motor 21 attached to the left side plate 20 in the sheet conveyance direction, a rotation transmission system G1 that sequentially transmits the rotation generated by driving the lift-up motor 21 to the downstream side, and the like. . The rotation transmission system G1 functions as a speed reduction mechanism, and includes gears g1, 22 to 26, a connecting rod 25a as a connecting member, and the like.

  The plates 27 </ b> L and 27 </ b> R have a band shape and include a main body 121 and racks Lk <b> 1 and Lk <b> 2 that are formed to protrude from the front end of the main body 121. The main body 121 is formed with recesses 27a to 27d as first locking portions at an equal pitch from the upstream side to the downstream side in the paper transport direction, and on the downstream side of the recesses 27a to 27d, Flat convex portions 27g to 27j as second locking portions are formed adjacent to the concave portions 27a to 27d. The convex portions 27g to 27j are positioned above the concave portions 27a to 27d.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the left side plate 20, the gear 26 and the rack Lk1 formed on the plate 27L are engaged with each other. The gear g1 is a small-diameter gear attached to the output shaft of the lift-up motor 21, the gear 22 includes a large-diameter gear g2 and a small-diameter gear g3, and the gear 23 includes a large-diameter gear g4 and a small-diameter gear g5. The gear g1 and the large diameter gear g2, the small diameter gear g3 and the large diameter gear g4 are meshed with the small diameter gear g5 and the gear 24, and the rotation generated by the lift-up motor 21 is the gear 22 and the gear 23. And is transmitted to the gear 24.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, gears 25 and 26 are disposed on a right side plate (not shown), and a gear 25 disposed on the left side plate 20 and a gear disposed on the right side plate. 25 is connected by the connecting rod 25a, and the gear 26 disposed on the right side plate and the rack Lk2 formed on the plate 27R are engaged with each other. Accordingly, the rotation of the gear 25 disposed on the left side plate 20 is transmitted to the gear 25 disposed on the right side plate via the connecting rod 25a, so that the plates 27R and 27L are synchronized. Can be advanced or retreated.

  When the lift-up motor 21 is driven to rotate the gear g1 in a predetermined direction, in this embodiment, the forward direction (arrow A direction), the gear 26 is rotated in the reverse direction (arrow B direction). The racks Lk1 and Lk2 are moved in the direction of the arrow C. In this embodiment, the racks Lk1 and Lk2 are moved backward, and the lift-up motor 21 is driven in the reverse direction to drive the gear g1 in the opposite direction. When rotated in the direction of arrow D, the gear 26 is rotated in the forward direction (in the direction of arrow E), and the racks Lk1 and Lk2 move in the direction of arrow F. In the present embodiment, the gears 26 are moved forward. The gear 26 and the racks Lk1 and Lk2 constitute a motion direction conversion unit, and the rotational motion of the gear 26 is converted into linear motion of the racks Lk1 and Lk2. In this case, the gear 26 constitutes a first conversion element, and the racks Lk1 and Lk2 constitute a second conversion element.

  Further, in the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C, the support shaft 12a of the photosensitive drum 12 is penetrated in the longitudinal direction and protrudes from the left and right wall bodies of the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C. And slidably contact the concave portions 27a to 27d or the convex portions 27g to 27j.

  Next, the operation of the up / down mechanism 27 when the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C are placed at the upper positions will be described.

  First, when the lift-up motor 21 is driven and the gear g1 is rotated in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG. 5, the gear 26 is rotated in the direction of arrow B, and the plates 27L and 27R are moved backward (in the direction of arrow C). And the support shaft 12a fixed to each of the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C is moved from the concave portions 27a to 27d onto the convex portions 27g to 27j and lifted up, and the image forming unit 55Bk , 55Y, 55M, 55C are placed in the upper position.

  Next, a case where the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C are moved downward will be described.

  When the lift-up motor 21 is driven and the gear g1 is rotated in the direction of arrow D as shown in FIG. 6, the gear 26 is rotated in the direction of arrow E, and the plates 27L and 27R are moved forward (moved in the direction of arrow F). The support shaft 12a moves from the convex portions 27g to 27j into the concave portions 27a to 27d, and the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C are placed at the lower positions.

In addition, when the length of each recessed part 27a-27d is w1-w4 and the length of each convex part 27g-27i is m1-m3,
w1> w2 = w3 = w4
m1 <m2 = m3
To be. In the present embodiment, the pitches of the recesses 27b, 27c, and 27d and the pitches of the shafts 12a of the image forming units 55Y, 55M, and 55C are substantially equal, and therefore the image forming units 55Y, 55M, and 55C are As the plates 27R and 27L advance and retreat, the plates 27R and 27L are placed at the upper or lower positions at substantially the same timing. Further, since the length w1 of the concave portion 27a is made longer than the lengths w2 to w4 of the concave portions 27b, 27c, and 27d, only the image forming unit 55Bk can be placed at the lower position depending on the amount of movement of the plates 27R and 27L. .

  Next, the control unit of the printer 40 will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 71 denotes a host computer as a host device, and reference numeral 73 denotes a controller as a control unit. Print data transmitted from the host computer 71 is expanded and processed into image data by the controller 73, and is sent to the print mechanism unit 74. Sent.

  The printing mechanism unit 74 includes a command communication unit that performs a communication interface with the controller 73, a video control circuit that performs reception and synchronization control of image data, an operation control unit that controls an operation sequence of the printing mechanism unit 74, and the fixing device 54. A fixing device control unit that controls (FIG. 2), a conveyance control unit that controls conveyance of paper, an image formation control unit that controls development and transfer, and feeds paper from the paper cassette 50 A paper feed control unit and the like are provided.

  Reference numeral 81 denotes a timer as a timer, 34 denotes a sensor as a developer amount detector for detecting the remaining amount of toner, and 83 denotes a display.

  Next, the operation of the printer 40 having the above configuration will be described.

  First, when the paper feed control unit rotates the feed roller 51 and feeds the paper from the paper cassette 50, the transport control unit transports the paper and the paper passes through a paper feed sensor (not shown) serving as a paper feed detection unit. The skew is removed by abutting the paper against the paper feed roller 45. Next, the conveyance control unit rotates the paper feed roller 45 to convey the paper, and at a timing when the paper passes a writing position sensor (not shown) as a writing position detection unit, the image formation control unit An electrostatic latent image is formed by the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C, and toner images of each color are formed. Subsequently, the image formation control unit forms the color toner image by transferring the color toner images onto the paper by the transfer roller 57, and fixes the color toner image on the paper by the fixing device 54. Then, the conveyance control unit discharges the paper by the discharge rollers 47 and 48.

  Before starting the printing operation, an up / down control unit (not shown) of the controller 73 operates the up / down mechanism 27. When color printing is performed, the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C are placed at lower positions, and the photosensitive drums 12 of the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C and the transport belt 52 are brought into contact with each other. When monochrome printing is performed, only the image forming unit 55Bk is placed at a lower position, and the photosensitive drum 12 of the image forming unit 55Bk and the transport belt 52 are brought into contact with each other.

  By the way, if the printer 40 is left for a long time, the agitation shaft 60 is not rotated during that time, and the toner in the toner cartridge 11 aggregates. Accordingly, if printing is started in this state, the toner in the toner cartridge 11 may not be smoothly supplied to the image forming unit main body.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the printer 40 is left for a long time, the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C are operated by causing the up / down mechanism 27 to function as a vibration generating mechanism before starting printing. The agglomerated toner is destroyed by vibrating the toner.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the up / down mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when predetermined printing is completed, an excitation condition determination processing unit (not shown) of the controller 73 is based on the aggregation state of the toner in the toner cartridge 11 and in the present embodiment, the printing time is not left. Based on this, it is determined whether the excitation condition is satisfied. For this purpose, the excitation condition determination processing unit starts timing by the timer 81 when predetermined printing is completed, and for a predetermined set time, in this embodiment, 1 hour after the previous printing is completed. It is determined whether or not the excitation condition is satisfied depending on whether or not the time has elapsed. When it is determined that the vibration condition has been satisfied after one hour has passed since the end of the previous printing, the vibration processing unit (not shown) of the controller 73 activates the up / down mechanism 27 and each image forming unit 55Bk. , 55Y, 55M, and 55C are moved up and down at least once in a short time to apply vibration to the toner cartridge 11. As a result, the aggregated toner can be broken.

  At this time, the image forming unit main body can be vibrated, and the toner aggregated in the image forming unit main body can be broken, so that the toner supply roller 15 smoothly supplies the toner to the developing roller 16. Can do. Therefore, the image quality can be improved.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the printer 40 is left for a long time, the toner cartridge 11 can be vibrated, so that the toner in the toner cartridge 11 can be smoothly supplied to the image forming unit main body. Can do.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: Wait for the end of printing, and if the printing ends, proceed to Step S2.
Step S2: Time measurement by the timer 81 is started.
Step S3 Wait for 1 hour to elapse, and if 1 hour elapses, proceed to Step S4.
Step S4 Perform the vibration process and return.

  In this embodiment, the vibration process is performed every time a predetermined time elapses. However, the vibration process can also be performed when the power is turned on.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention in which the vibration process is performed when the power is turned on will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the up / down mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when predetermined printing is completed, the excitation condition determination processing unit starts timing by the timer 81 as a timing unit, and then waits for the power to be turned on after the power is turned off. When the power is turned on, the excitation condition determination processing unit determines whether or not the excitation condition determination unit has determined whether a predetermined set time has elapsed since the end of the previous printing, or one hour or more in this embodiment. Determine whether the condition is met. When it is determined that the vibration condition has been satisfied after one hour or more has passed since the end of the previous printing, the vibration processing section operates the up / down mechanism 27 as a vibration generating mechanism, and the image forming section Each of the image forming units 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C is moved up and down at least once in a short time to give vibration to the toner cartridge 11 as the developer accommodating portion. As a result, the aggregated toner can be broken. Subsequently, the printing mechanism unit 74 starts printing.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, when the printer 40 is left for a long time, the power is turned on and the toner cartridge 11 can be vibrated, so that the toner in the toner cartridge 11 is imaged. Smooth supply to the unit body.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S11 Wait for the end of printing, and if the printing ends, proceed to Step S12.
Step S12: Time measurement by the timer 81 is started.
Step S13 Wait for the power to be turned on, and if the power is turned on, proceed to Step S14.
Step S14: It is determined whether one hour or more has elapsed. If one hour or more has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S15. If one hour or more has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S16.
Step S15: Excitation processing is performed.
Step S16: Printing is started and the process is terminated.

  By the way, when the toner as the developer in the toner cartridge 11 is consumed, it is replaced with a new toner cartridge 11. In the new toner cartridge 11, the stirring shaft 60 as the stirring member is not rotated, and the toner cartridge 11 is replaced for a long time. Therefore, the toner in the toner cartridge 11 is agglomerated. Accordingly, if the toner cartridge 11 is set in the printer 40 in this state and printing is started, the toner in the toner cartridge 11 may not be smoothly supplied to the image forming unit main body.

  Therefore, a third embodiment of the present invention in which the vibration process is performed when the toner cartridge 11 is replaced will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the up / down mechanism according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when the power of the printer 40 is turned on, the vibration condition determination processing unit in the present embodiment based on the aggregation state of the toner as the developer in the toner cartridge 11 as the developer storage unit. Determines whether the excitation condition is satisfied by determining whether the toner cartridge 11 has been replaced.

  For this purpose, the excitation condition determination processing unit reads the sensor output of the sensor 34 and detects the remaining amount of toner. Then, it is determined whether or not the excitation condition is satisfied depending on whether or not the sensor output has changed from a state indicating that the remaining amount of toner is low to a state indicating that the remaining amount of toner is large. When the sensor output changes from a state indicating that the remaining amount of toner is low to a state indicating that the remaining amount of toner is high, it is determined that the toner cartridge 11 has been replaced.

  When the toner cartridge 11 is replaced and it is determined that the vibration condition is satisfied, the vibration processing unit operates the up / down mechanism 27 as a vibration generating mechanism, and each image forming unit as an image forming unit. 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, and 55C are moved up and down at least once in a short time to apply vibration to the toner cartridge 11. As a result, the aggregated toner can be broken. Subsequently, the printing mechanism unit 74 starts printing.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the toner cartridge 11 is replaced, the new toner cartridge 11 can be vibrated, so that the toner in the toner cartridge 11 is smoothly supplied to the image forming unit main body. Can do.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S21 Wait for the power to be turned on, and if the power is turned on, proceed to Step S22.
Step S22: Toner remaining amount is detected.
Step S23: It is determined whether the toner cartridge 11 has been replaced. If the toner cartridge 11 has been replaced, the process proceeds to step S24. If the toner cartridge 11 has not been replaced, the process returns to step S22.
Step S24: Excitation processing is performed.
Step S25: Printing is started and the process is terminated.

  In the present embodiment, whether or not the toner cartridge 11 has been replaced is determined based on the sensor output of the sensor 34, but a ROM (not shown) as a storage member disposed in the toner cartridge 11; Based on the information recorded on the IC tag or the like, it can be determined whether or not the toner cartridge 11 has been replaced.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the printer 40 as an image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine, and the like.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the printer in the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming unit in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st state of the up-down mechanism in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd state of the up-down mechanism in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the up-down mechanism in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the principal part of the up-down mechanism in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the up-down mechanism in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the up-down mechanism in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the up-down mechanism in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Toner cartridge 27 Up / down mechanism 40 Printer 55Bk, 55Y, 55M, 55C Image forming unit

Claims (7)

(A) an image forming unit;
(B) a vibration generating mechanism for vibrating the image forming unit;
(C) a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer;
(D) an excitation condition determination processing unit that determines whether the excitation condition is satisfied based on the state of aggregation of the developer in the developer storage unit;
(E) An image forming apparatus comprising: an excitation processing unit that operates the vibration generating mechanism when the excitation condition is satisfied.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration condition determination processing unit determines whether the vibration condition is satisfied based on a leaving time during which printing is not performed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration condition determination processing unit determines that the vibration condition is satisfied when a set time elapses after the previous printing ends.   The excitation condition determination processing unit determines that the excitation condition is satisfied when the power is turned on and the set time has elapsed after the previous printing is completed. The image forming apparatus described.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration condition determination processing unit determines that the vibration condition is satisfied when the developer accommodating portion is replaced.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration condition determination processing unit determines whether or not the developer storage unit has been replaced based on a remaining amount of the developer in the developer storage unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration generating mechanism is an up / down mechanism that moves the image forming unit in a vertical direction.

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