JP2010122368A - Waste powder collection apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently collect toner and developer in a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: The waste powder collection device includes: a waste powder collection container 6 including waste toner collection part 36 for collecting waste toner and a waste developer collection part 37 for collecting waste developer; a first detection means 43 provided in the waste toner collection part 36 to detect whether the collected toner reaches a predetermined amount; a second detection means 44 provided in the waste developer collection part 37 to detect whether the collected developer reaches a predetermined amount; a counting means 8 which starts counting based on a detection signal from either the first or second detection means 43 or 44, and varies a count value to be added for every subsequent developing depending on the detection means used; and a determination means 8 which determines that either the waste toner collection part 36 or waste developer collection part 37 is in a full state when the total values counted by the count means 8 reaches an upper limit count value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a waste powder collecting apparatus and an image forming apparatus using a trickle developing system.

  A conventional image forming apparatus includes a waste toner box for discarding deteriorated toner or developer. As a method for discarding toner or developer in the waste toner box, for example, the following is proposed.

  That is, in Patent Document 1, the amount in the waste toner box is checked in advance, and a recovery instruction signal is output to the waste developer transport means only when the developer to be discarded does not overflow, and the waste toner box is output. A configuration in which the developer is recovered is disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when a predetermined amount of toner is collected in the first waste toner collecting tank, the toner image formed by the toner forced consumption operation is transferred from the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer belt, and the second waste toner is collected. A configuration in which the toner is also collected in the toner collection tank is disclosed.

JP-A-5-35162 JP 2006-215319 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, only the black toner and developer used in monochrome printing are collected in the waste toner box, and other colors used in color printing are not included. Further, the powder fluidity is different between the case of collecting the toner and the case of collecting the developer. For this reason, if the toner is collected through the same discharge port, the discharge port is blocked by the first recovered toner, and the developer cannot be recovered even though there is a sufficient capacity for recovery. There is a problem that.

  In Patent Document 2, the toner is collected in two collection tanks provided at two locations. For this reason, the configuration is complicated, and the number of work steps is increased for collecting the fuel in each recovery tank, and the cost is increased.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a waste powder recovery apparatus and an image forming apparatus having a function capable of recovering toner and developer efficiently despite a simple configuration. .

As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides:
Waste powder recovery device
A waste powder collection container comprising a waste toner collection unit for collecting waste toner, and a waste developer collection unit for collecting developer to be discarded, including toner and carrier;
A first detecting means provided in the waste toner collecting section for detecting whether or not the collected toner has reached a predetermined amount;
A second detection means provided in the waste developer recovery unit for detecting whether or not the recovered developer has reached a predetermined amount;
Counting is started based on a detection signal from either the first detection means or the second detection means, and the count value to be added for each subsequent development differs depending on which detection means is detected. Counting means,
A determination unit that determines that either the waste toner recovery unit or the waste developer recovery unit is full when the total count value of the count unit reaches a count upper limit value;
It is set as the structure provided with.

  With this configuration, the toner and developer to be discarded can be collected in one waste powder collecting container. For this reason, the waste powder collection container can be made compact, and only the waste powder collection container needs to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, so that the attachment and detachment work can be performed efficiently and easily. Moreover, in the waste powder collection container, the toner and the developer can be collected in different collection units. Accordingly, smooth collection can be realized by making each collection unit suitable for the properties of the corresponding powder, and problems such as clogging do not occur. In addition, since the count value until it is determined that the powder is full is made different depending on which detection means the powder in each container is detected, the simple configuration is adopted. , The full state can be accurately determined.

The waste toner recovery part of the waste powder recovery container recovers a plurality of colors of toner,
The count unit obtains a count value by inputting a detection signal from the first detection unit, so that the count value is different according to the number of subsequent developments in color printing and monochrome printing. It is preferable to do so.

  It is preferable that the count means makes the count upper limit value different depending on whether the detection signal is input from the first detection means or the second detection means.

Further, the present invention provides a means for solving the above-described problems,
Waste powder recovery device
A waste powder collection container comprising a waste toner collection unit for collecting waste toner, and a waste developer collection unit for collecting developer to be discarded, including toner and carrier;
A first detecting means provided in the waste toner collecting section for detecting whether or not the collected toner has reached a predetermined amount;
A second detection means provided in the waste developer recovery unit for detecting whether or not the recovered developer has reached a predetermined amount;
Counting means for making the count value added for each subsequent development differ between color printing and monochrome printing;
Depending on whether the detection signal is input from the first detection unit or the second detection unit, the count upper limit value is made different, and the sum of the count values by the count unit reaches the count upper limit value. A determination unit that determines that either the recovery unit or the waste developer recovery unit is full;
It is set as the structure provided with.

  With this configuration, since the counting method is different for color printing and monochrome printing, the full state can be determined more accurately.

Further, the present invention provides a means for solving the above-described problems,
The image forming apparatus
A waste powder recovery apparatus of any one of the above configurations;
A developing device that supplies toner to the image carrier by circulating the developer including toner and carrier while stirring, and a cleaning device that collects excess toner from the image carrier, and is provided for each color. A plurality of image forming units in which at least one replenishes and discharges the developer;
It is set as the structure provided with.

Further, the present invention provides a means for solving the above-described problems,
The image forming apparatus
A developing device that supplies toner to the image carrier by circulating the developer including toner and carrier while stirring, and a cleaning device that collects excess toner from the image carrier, and is provided for each color. A plurality of image forming units in which at least one replenishes and discharges the developer;
Waste powder recovery container comprising: a waste toner recovery unit that recovers waste toner from the cleaning device of each image forming unit; and a waste developer recovery unit that recovers the developer that is discarded, including toner and carrier ,
A first detecting means provided in the waste toner collecting section for detecting whether or not the collected toner has reached a predetermined amount;
A second detection means provided in the waste developer recovery section for detecting whether or not the recovered developer has reached a predetermined amount;
If a detection signal is input from the first detection means, the count means for making the count value added for each subsequent development differ between color printing and monochrome printing, and
When a detection signal is input from either the first detection unit or the second detection unit, the amount of toner consumed in each image forming unit is suppressed, and the sum of the count values by the count unit is the upper limit of the count. A waste powder recovery device having a determination unit that determines that one of the waste toner recovery unit and the waste developer recovery unit is full by reaching a value;
It is set as the structure provided with.

  With this configuration, if the amount of powder collected in any of the collection units reaches a predetermined amount, the amount of toner consumed is suppressed, so that the time until the full state is reached can be lengthened. And since the printing state of a recording medium becomes thin, a user can grasp | ascertain that the replacement time of a waste powder collection container is near, without providing a special warning means.

  The counting means preferably makes the count value different according to the toner consumption rate.

  With this configuration, not only can the time to reach a full state be lengthened, but also the printing state of the recording medium gradually becomes thinner, so the user can replace the waste powder collection container without providing any special warning means. It becomes possible to grasp when the time is.

  According to the present invention, the toner and developer to be discarded can be collected in one waste powder collecting container, so that the configuration can be simplified and manufactured at low cost. In addition, since the waste powder collection container includes a toner collection unit and a developer collection unit, two types of powders having different properties can be collected individually. For this reason, it is possible to set it as the suitable structure according to each powder. Furthermore, since the count values are made different depending on which detection means detects the powder in each container, the full state can be determined accurately.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in the following description, the types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified. In addition, terms indicating a specific direction or position (for example, “up”, “left”, “one end”, “other end”, etc.) are used as necessary, but use of these terms is referred to the drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited by the meaning of the terms.

(Constitution)
FIG. 1 shows a so-called trickle type image forming apparatus in which not only toner but also developer is replenished among electrophotographic systems using a two-component developer. This image forming apparatus generally includes an image forming unit 1, a transfer unit 2, an exposure unit 3, a fixing unit 4, a paper feeding unit 5, a waste powder collecting container 6, a cleaning unit 7, a control unit 8 (see FIG. 4), and the like. Is provided. Note that the image forming apparatus may be any of a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multi-function machine having these functions in combination.

  The image forming unit 1 is disposed at four locations along the intermediate transfer belt 26 of the transfer unit 2 and forms yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) images from the left side, respectively. As a result, a color image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 26. As shown in FIG. 2, each image forming unit 1 includes a charging device 10, a developing device 11, a cleaning device 12, and the like around the photosensitive drum 9.

  The charging device 10 forms a predetermined surface potential on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9. This surface potential becomes an electrostatic latent image when exposed by the exposure unit 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the developing device 11 contains a stirring screw 14, a supply screw 15, and a developing roller 16 in a developer container 13.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the developer storage container 13 has a long box shape extending from one end side to the other end side, and the interior is divided into a first storage portion 18 and a second storage along the longitudinal direction by a partition wall 17. The unit 19 is divided into two parts. However, both end sides of the first accommodating portion 18 and the second accommodating portion 19 are communicated with each other by the first and second communicating portions 20a and 20b, respectively, and the accommodated developer circulates while being stirred.

  A developer replenishing port 21 is formed on one end side of the first accommodating portion 18, and the developer is replenished from a corresponding developer replenishing container 23 as will be described later. Here, a two-component developer containing toner and carrier is used as the developer. However, an external additive or the like may be further included in the developer. A developer discharge port 22 is formed at the other end of the first storage unit 18 so that the carrier deteriorated by discharging the developer is not left in the developer storage container 13 for a long period of time. Yes.

  The stirring screw 14 is provided with a spiral first blade 14b from one end side to the other end side around the rotation shaft 14a, and a second blade 14c that is wound reversely to the first blade 14b at the other end. Arranged in the housing 18. When the agitating screw 14 is driven to rotate, the first blade 14 b is agitated while conveying the developer from one end side to the other end side, and the second blade 14 c is a developer that flows to the developer discharge port 22. On the other hand, a certain resistance pressure is applied. As a result, only excess developer is discharged from the developer discharge port 22.

  Similar to the stirring screw 14, the supply screw 15 is arranged in the second housing portion 19 with a configuration in which a spiral blade 15 b is provided around the rotation shaft 15 a. The supply screw 15 is rotationally driven to transfer the developer from the second communication portion 20 b side to the first communication portion 20 a side and supply the developer to the developing roller 16.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the developing roller 16 has a plurality of permanent magnets 24 accommodated in a cylindrical sleeve 23 (here, five permanent magnets S2, N2, S1, N1, and S3 are connected to the developing roller 16). In order and clockwise.) The sleeve 23 is configured to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure by a sleeve 23 driving means (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer unit 2 has an intermediate transfer belt 26 laid around a pair of rollers 25a and 25b, and the intermediate transfer belt 26 is circulated and moved in the direction of the arrow by a drive means (not shown). The primary transfer unit 27 and the secondary transfer unit 28 are provided. The primary transfer unit 27 includes a primary transfer roller 29 that faces the photoconductive drum 9 with the intermediate transfer belt 26 sandwiched therebetween. The primary transfer roller 29 applies a positive voltage to the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 26. The secondary transfer unit 28 includes a secondary transfer roller 30 that faces one of the rollers 25b. The secondary transfer roller 30 applies a positive voltage to the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 26. The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 26 is transferred to a recording medium 31 (for example, paper).

  The cleaning device 12 collects the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9 after transferring the toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum 9 to the transfer belt. The collected toner is discarded into a toner recovery chamber 36 of a waste powder recovery container 6 to be described later by a disposal screw 12a through a toner discharge port (not shown) formed in the cleaning device 12.

  The exposure unit 3 irradiates the photosensitive drum 9 with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image data read by a scanner (not shown).

  Although not shown, the fixing unit 4 is configured to rotatably support a fixing roller and a pressure roller. The fixing roller is made of a conductive material, is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), and is induction-heated by an exciting coil 38 (not shown). The pressure roller is pressed against the fixing roller and sandwiches the recording medium 31. Thereby, the toner transferred by the transfer unit 2 can be fixed to the recording medium 31.

  The sheet feeding unit 5 sequentially conveys the recording medium 31 accommodated in the cassette 32 to the secondary transfer unit 28 via a plurality of conveying rollers 33 to transfer the toner image and transfer the toner by the fixing unit 4. After fixing the image, it is carried out to the discharge tray 34.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the waste powder collection container 6 can be attached to and detached from the lower space of the image forming unit 1. As shown in FIG. It is divided. The formed upper space is a toner recovery chamber 36, and the lower space is a developer recovery chamber 37. Stirring coils 38a and 38b are accommodated inside the toner recovery chamber 36 and the developer recovery chamber 37, respectively, to prevent the recovered toner and developer from being biased or causing cross-linking.

  The waste powder collection container 6 has yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) image forming units 1 and a toner collection port 39 connected to all of them. Is formed. All of these toner collection ports 39 communicate with the toner collection chamber 36. Further, a developer recovery port 40 connected to the developer discharge port 22 of the black (Bk) image forming unit 1 is formed in the waste powder recovery container 6. The developer recovery port 40 is a developer recovery chamber. 37.

  Further, the waste powder collection container 6 is formed with a first near full detection window 41 and a second near full detection window 42 at two locations on the opposing wall. The first near-full detection window 41 is formed in an upper portion of the toner collection chamber 36, and a waste toner detection sensor 43 detects whether or not the collected waste toner is in a “near full” state. The second near full detection window 42 is formed in an upper portion of the developer recovery chamber 37, and the waste developer detection sensor 44 detects whether or not the recovered waste developer is in the “near full” state. . Note that “near full” means a predetermined amount (90% of the internal capacity) before being full.

  Each of the detection sensors 41 and 42 is an optical sensor provided in the apparatus main body, and includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The output light from the light-emitting element passes through the near-full detection windows 39 and 40, is reflected by a mirror (not shown) provided on the inner surface of the exterior panel, passes through the near-full detection windows 39 and 40 again, and then is received by the light-receiving element. Light is received. Therefore, if the toner or developer is collected in the toner collection chamber 36 or the developer collection chamber 37 until the remaining predetermined amount of toner or developer can be collected, the near-full detection windows 39 and 40 are used to detect the light from the light emitting element. It becomes impossible to transmit light, and it is detected that the state is “near full”.

  As will be described later, the control unit 8 controls the toner collection chamber 36 and the developer collection chamber 37 of the waste powder collection container 6 based on the ON signal input from the waste toner detection sensor 43 and the waste developer detection sensor 44. The toner or developer recovered state, that is, the “near full” state is detected, and a full count, that is, the “full” state is estimated by performing a predetermined count.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described.

  Color print data obtained by reading an image with an image reading unit (not shown) or image data input from a personal computer or the like is subjected to predetermined signal processing by the control unit 8 and then the image forming apparatus 1. Is input. In the image forming apparatus 1, the laser beam is modulated based on the input image data and projected onto the photosensitive drum 9 to form an image latent image.

  In the developing device 11, the developer is supplied into the first storage portion 18 of the developer storage container 13. The replenished developer is sequentially conveyed in the axial direction by the first blade 14 b by the rotation of the stirring screw 14. The developer that has moved to the one end side receives a pressure (resistance pressure) in the reverse direction by the second blade 14c. Then, the excess developer exceeding the resistance pressure is discharged to the waste powder collection container 6 through the developer discharge port 22, and the other is conveyed to the second storage unit 19 through the second communication unit 20b. The In the second storage unit 19, the developer is supplied to the developing roller 16 while being stirred by the supply screw 15, and returns to the first storage unit 18 through the first communication unit 20 a and circulates again.

  By the way, the powder collected in the waste powder collection container 6 is detected as being almost full in the “near full” state, for example, as follows, and the full “full” state is determined.

(First control example)
In the first control example, as shown in FIG. 10, it is first determined whether or not the printing (printing) operation of the target recording medium 31 (paper) has been completed (step S1). Then, each time printing on the recording medium 31 is completed, it is determined which of the waste toner detection sensor 43 and the waste developer detection sensor 44 has received the ON signal first (step S2). If an ON signal is input from any of the sensors 43 or 44, it is determined that the state is “near full”, and a predetermined warning display (for example, “Please prepare a waste toner bottle for replacement”) is displayed. You just have to do it.

  If an ON signal is input from the waste toner detection sensor 43, it is determined whether or not color printing is being performed (step S3). For color printing, “4” is added as a count value (step S4), and for monochrome printing, “1” is added as a count value (step S5). If the ON signal is input first from the waste developer detection sensor 44, “1” is added as the count value regardless of whether the printing is color printing or monochrome printing (step S6). In step S4, “4” is added as the count value when the ON signal is input from the waste toner detection sensor 43, and in the case of color printing, yellow (Y), magenta (M ), Cyan (C), and black (Bk), the toners discarded from the image forming units 1 of the respective colors are collected in the waste powder collecting container 6.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the total Ct of the count values obtained in the steps S4 to S6 is equal to or greater than a preset count upper limit value Cmax (here, 1000) (step S7). As the count upper limit value, a value that is predicted to become the “full” state from the detection of the “near full” state can be obtained from an experiment or the like, for example. If the total Ct of the count values is less than the count upper limit value Cmax, the count value determined in any one of the steps S4 to S6 is returned every time when returning to the step S1 and completing the printing operation on the next recording sheet. to add. In step S7, it is determined that the waste powder collection container 6 is in the “full” state when the total Ct of count values is equal to or greater than the count upper limit value Cmax (step S8). At this time, a predetermined warning light may be displayed or the operation may be stopped.

  As described above, according to the first control example, depending on which detection sensor receives the ON signal first, that is, which of the toner recovery chamber 36 and the developer recovery chamber 37 is in the “near full” state first. The count value is made different depending on whether or not the value is reached. Specifically, when an ON signal is input from the waste toner detection sensor 43, the count value is made different depending on whether or not color printing is performed. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the “near full” state has reached the full “full” state, despite the simple configuration.

(Second control example)
Also in the second control example, as shown in FIG. 11, it is first determined whether or not the printing (printing) operation of the target recording medium 31 (paper) has been completed (step S11). Then, every time printing on the recording medium 31 is completed, it is determined whether or not color printing is performed (step S12). For color printing, “4” is added as a count value (step S13), and for monochrome printing, “1” is added as a count value (step S14).

  Subsequently, the input signal is determined (step S15). If the previously input signal is an off signal, the process returns to step S11 and the above process is repeated. If the previously input signal is an ON signal from the waste developer detection sensor 44, the count upper limit value is set to 500, for example (step S16). If the previously input signal is an ON signal from the waste toner detection sensor 43, the count upper limit value is set to 1000, for example (step S17). Then, if there is an input signal from these sensors 43 or 44, it is determined that the state is “near full”, and a warning display may be performed as in the first control example.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the total count value is equal to or greater than the count upper limit value (step S18). If the total of the count values is less than the count upper limit value, the count value determined in any one of the steps S14, S16, and S17 is returned every time the printing operation on the next recording sheet is completed after returning to the step S11. After that, in step S21, it is determined that the waste powder collection container 6 is in the “full” state when the total count value is equal to or greater than the count upper limit value (step S19). At this time, the operation may be stopped as in the first control example.

  As described above, according to the second control example, the count upper limit is different between the case where the ON signal is input from the waste toner detection sensor 43 and the case where the ON signal is input from the waste developer detection sensor 44. I try to let them. Therefore, it is possible to determine the “full” state more accurately than in the first control example.

(Third control example)
Also in the third control example, as shown in FIG. 12, it is first determined whether or not the printing (printing) operation of the target recording medium 31 (paper) has been completed (step S21). Then, every time printing on the recording medium 31 is completed, it is determined whether or not an ON signal is input to the waste toner detection sensor 43 (step S22). Then, if there is an input signal from these sensors 43 or 44, it is determined that the state is “near full”, and a warning display may be performed in the same manner as in the control examples.

  If an ON signal is input from the waste toner detection sensor 43, it is determined whether or not color printing is being performed (step S23). For color printing, “4” is added as a count value (step S24), and for monochrome printing, “1” is added as a count value (step S25). Then, the count upper limit is set to 1000, for example, and it is determined whether or not the total count value is equal to or greater than the count upper limit (step S26).

  If no ON signal is input from the waste toner detection sensor 43, it is determined whether an ON signal is input from the waste developer detection sensor 44 (step S27). If an ON signal is input from the waste developer detection sensor 44, “1” is added as a count value regardless of whether color printing or monochrome printing is performed (step S28). Then, the count upper limit is set to 500, for example, and it is determined whether or not the total count value is equal to or greater than the count upper limit (step S29).

  If the sum of the count values is less than the count upper limit value in steps S26 and S29, any one of steps S24, S25, and S28 is performed each time the process returns to step S31 and the printing operation on the next recording sheet is completed. In step S26 or step S29, it is determined that the waste powder collection container 6 is in the “full” state when the total count value is equal to or greater than the count upper limit value (step S30). ). At this time, the operation may be stopped as in the first control example.

Thus, according to the third control example, even if the ON signal is input from the waste developer detection sensor 44 first, if the ON signal is input from the waste toner detection sensor 43,
The count value is made different between color printing and monochrome printing. In this case, the count upper limit value is made different. Therefore, it is possible to determine the “full” state more accurately than in the second control example.

(Fourth control example)
Also in the fourth control example, as shown in FIG. 13, it is first determined whether or not the printing (printing) operation of the target recording medium 31 (paper) has been completed (step S31). Then, every time printing on the recording medium 31 is completed, it is determined which of the waste toner detection sensor 43 and the waste developer detection sensor 44 has received the ON signal first (step S32). Then, if there is an input signal from these sensors 43 or 44, it is determined that the state is “near full”, and a warning display may be performed in the same manner as in the control examples.

  If an ON signal is input from the waste toner detection sensor 43, the consumption amount of each color toner (four color toners of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) in each image forming unit 1 is input. (Step S33). Here, for example, the amount of toner that can be carried is halved by changing the developing bias voltage applied to the developing roller 16 or slowing the rotational speed of the developing roller 16. Then, it is determined whether or not color printing is performed (step S34). For color printing, “2” is added as a count value (step S35), and for monochrome printing, “0.5” is added as a count value (step S36).

  If an on signal is input from the waste developer detection sensor 44, the consumption amount of black (Bk) toner is set to 50% of the case where the off signal is input (step S37). Then, “0.5” is added as the count value (step S38).

  If the count values are added in this way, it is determined whether or not the sum is equal to or greater than the count upper limit value (step S39). Here, the count upper limit is set to 1000. If the total count value is less than the count upper limit value, the count value is added at any one of the steps S35, S36, and S38 every time the printing operation on the next recording sheet is completed after returning to the step S31. Thereafter, in step S49, when the sum of the count values becomes equal to or greater than the count upper limit value, it is determined that the waste powder collection container 6 is in the “full” state (step S40). At this time, the operation may be stopped as in the first control example.

  As described above, according to the fourth control example, when the ON signal is input from either the waste toner detection sensor 43 or the waste developer detection sensor 44, the toner consumption is suppressed to half. As a result, it is possible to lengthen the time from when the waste powder collection container 6 becomes “near full” to when it reaches the “full” state. In addition, since the printing state on the recording medium 31 becomes thin, the user can quickly become “near full” and can recognize that it is almost time to replace the waste powder collection container 6.

(Fifth control example)
Also in the fifth control example, as shown in FIG. 14, first, it is determined whether or not the printing (printing) operation of the target recording medium 31 (paper) is completed (step S51). Then, each time printing on the recording medium 31 is completed, it is determined which of the waste toner detection sensor 43 and the waste developer detection sensor 44 has received the ON signal first (step S52). Then, if there is an input signal from these sensors 43 or 44, it is determined that the state is “near full”, and a warning display may be performed in the same manner as in the control examples.

  If an ON signal is input from the waste toner detection sensor 43, a count value is acquired (step S53). When the ON signal is input for the first time from the waste toner detection sensor 43, the count value is “0”. Based on the acquired count value, the toner consumption amount of each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, block) is determined (step S54). When the count value is “0”, the toner consumption is 100%.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not color printing is performed (step S55). In the case of color printing, a value obtained by multiplying “4” by the consumption rate is added as a count value (step S56). The consumption rate is determined by the weight% of how much the toner consumption is reduced with respect to the toner consumption when the OFF signal is input from the waste toner detection sensor 43. Initially, the toner consumption is 100%, and the consumption rate is 100%, so “4” is added as the count value. On the other hand, for monochrome printing, a value obtained by multiplying the consumption rate by “1” is added as the count value (step S57). Initially, “1” is added.

  If an ON signal is input from the waste developer detection sensor 44, a count value is acquired (step S58). Then, the toner consumption is determined based on the acquired count value (step S59). Similarly to step S57, a value obtained by multiplying the consumption rate by “1” is added as the count value (step S60).

  If the count value is determined in this way, it is determined whether or not the total count value is equal to or greater than the count upper limit value (step S61). Here, the count upper limit is set to 1000. If the sum of the count values is less than the count upper limit value, the count value determined in any one of the steps S56, S57, and S58 is returned every time the printing operation on the next recording sheet is completed after returning to the step S51. to add.

  In this case, as the count value is added, the toner consumption determined in steps S54 and S59 is gradually reduced. Therefore, after the inside of the waste powder collection container 6 becomes “near full”, the toner consumption is gradually suppressed every time printing is performed. That is, it is possible to prolong the time required from the “near full” state to the “full” state. Further, the printing on the recording medium 31 is gradually thinned, and it is possible to grasp how close the “near full” state is to the “full” state depending on the degree of thinness.

  Thereafter, in step S61, it is determined that the waste powder collection container 6 is in the “full” state when the total count value is equal to or greater than the count upper limit value (step S62). At this time, the operation may be stopped as in the first control example.

  As described above, according to the fifth control example, the toner consumption is gradually suppressed by inputting the ON signal from either the waste toner detection sensor 43 or the waste developer detection sensor 44 first. it can. As a result, it is possible to lengthen the time from when the inside of the waste powder recovery container is in the “near full” state to the “full” state. Moreover, since the printing state on the recording medium 31 is gradually thinned, the user can estimate the full time of the waste powder collection container 6 from the degree of thinness and replace it at an appropriate time.

  However, in the fifth control example, since the image quality is deteriorated by suppressing the toner consumption amount, it may be configured to select whether or not the toner consumption amount is suppressed (for example, And a switch for selecting permission / non-permission of toner suppression). In this case, the toner may be configured so that it is possible to select how much the image quality is allowed to be suppressed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure described in the said embodiment, A various change is possible.

  For example, in each of the above control examples, when the ON signal is input first from either the waste toner detection sensor 43 or the waste developer detection sensor 44, the count value is set, and the count is performed according to the number of developments. Although the full state is determined, it is also possible to determine as follows.

  That is, even if an ON signal is input from one of the detection sensors first, if an ON signal is input from the other detection sensor, the same count is started in parallel, and either one is detected. The full state may be determined by determining that the state is “full” based on the count. For example, in the third control example, when the ON signal is input from the waste developer detection sensor 44 first, if the ON signal is input from the waste toner detection sensor 43, only the waste toner side is counted. However, the waste developer count may be continued in parallel to determine which count value has reached the count upper limit value. This makes it possible to determine the full state more accurately.

1 is a front view illustrating an outline of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing an outline of the image forming unit in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view schematically showing the developing device in FIG. 2. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the state which removed the waste powder collection container from the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the state which attached the waste powder collection container to the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view of the waste powder collection container of FIG.5 and FIG.6. It is a cross-sectional perspective view which shows the state which looked at FIG. 7 from the reverse direction. FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory view showing a state of collecting toner and developer in the waste powder collection container of FIGS. 5 to 8. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st control example by the control unit of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd control example by the control unit of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the 3rd control example by the control unit of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the 4th example of control by the control unit of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the 5th control example by the control unit of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming unit 2 ... Transfer unit 3 ... Exposure unit 4 ... Fixing unit 5 ... Paper feed unit 6 ... Waste powder collection container 7 ... Cleaning unit 8 ... Control unit (counting means, judging means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Photosensitive drum 10 ... Charging device 11 ... Developing device 12 ... Cleaning device 13 ... Developer storage container 14 ... Stir screw 15 ... Supply screw 16 ... Developing roller 17 ... Partition wall 18 ... 1st accommodating part 19 ... 2nd accommodation Section 20 ... Communication section 21 Developer supply port 22 Developer discharge port 23 Sleeve 24 Permanent magnet 25 Roller 26 Intermediate transfer belt 27 Primary transfer section 28 Secondary transfer section 29 Primary transfer roller 30 ... secondary transfer roller 31 ... recording medium 32 ... cassette 33 ... conveying roller 34 ... discharge tray 35 ... partition wall 36 ... toner collection chamber (waste toner collection section)
37 ... Developer recovery chamber (waste developer recovery section)
38 ... Coil 39 ... Toner recovery port 40 ... Developer recovery port 41 ... First near full detection window 42 ... Second near full detection window 43 ... Waste toner detection sensor (first detection means)
44 ... Waste developer detection sensor (second detection means)

Claims (7)

A waste powder collection container comprising a waste toner collection unit for collecting waste toner, and a waste developer collection unit for collecting developer to be discarded, including toner and carrier;
A first detecting means provided in the waste toner collecting section for detecting whether or not the collected toner has reached a predetermined amount;
A second detection means provided in the waste developer recovery unit for detecting whether or not the recovered developer has reached a predetermined amount;
Counting is started based on a detection signal from either the first detection means or the second detection means, and the count value to be added for each subsequent development differs depending on which detection means is detected. Counting means,
A determination unit that determines that either the waste toner recovery unit or the waste developer recovery unit is full when the total count value of the count unit reaches a count upper limit value;
A waste powder recovery apparatus comprising: The waste toner recovery part of the waste powder recovery container recovers a plurality of colors of toner,
The count unit obtains a count value by inputting a detection signal from the first detection unit, so that the count value is different according to the number of subsequent developments in color printing and monochrome printing. The waste powder recovery apparatus according to claim 1.   The waste powder collecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the counting means makes the count upper limit value different depending on whether the detection signal is input from the first detection means or the second detection means. A waste powder collection container comprising a waste toner collection unit for collecting waste toner, and a waste developer collection unit for collecting developer to be discarded, including toner and carrier;
A first detecting means provided in the waste toner collecting section for detecting whether or not the collected toner has reached a predetermined amount;
A second detection means provided in the waste developer recovery unit for detecting whether or not the recovered developer has reached a predetermined amount;
Counting means for making the count value added for each subsequent development differ between color printing and monochrome printing;
Depending on whether the detection signal is input from the first detection unit or the second detection unit, the count upper limit value is made different, and the sum of the count values by the count unit reaches the count upper limit value. A determination unit that determines that either the recovery unit or the waste developer recovery unit is full;
A waste powder recovery apparatus comprising: The waste powder recovery apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A developing device that supplies toner to the image carrier by circulating the developer including toner and carrier while stirring, and a cleaning device that collects excess toner from the image carrier, and is provided for each color. A plurality of image forming units in which at least one replenishes and discharges the developer;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A developing device that supplies toner to the image carrier by circulating the developer including toner and carrier while stirring, and a cleaning device that collects excess toner from the image carrier, and is provided for each color. A plurality of image forming units in which at least one replenishes and discharges the developer;
Waste powder recovery container comprising: a waste toner recovery unit that recovers waste toner from the cleaning device of each image forming unit; and a waste developer recovery unit that recovers the developer that is discarded, including toner and carrier ,
A first detecting means provided in the waste toner collecting section for detecting whether or not the collected toner has reached a predetermined amount;
A second detection means provided in the waste developer recovery section for detecting whether or not the recovered developer has reached a predetermined amount;
If a detection signal is input from the first detection means, the count means for making the count value added for each subsequent development differ between color printing and monochrome printing, and
When a detection signal is input from either the first detection unit or the second detection unit, the amount of toner consumed in each image forming unit is suppressed, and the sum of the count values by the count unit is the upper limit of the count. A waste powder recovery device having a determination unit that determines that one of the waste toner recovery unit and the waste developer recovery unit is full by reaching a value;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the count unit varies the count value according to a toner consumption rate.

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