JP2012003142A - Image generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image generation device capable of replacing a toner container without halting the image generation while downsizing and reducing cost of a toner supply unit.SOLUTION: An image generation device 1 includes: a motor 131; a driving unit 130 consisting of a first gear train 132 connected from the motor 131 to a first conveyance member 112 and a second gear train 133 connected from a gear of the first gear train 132 to a second conveyance member 122; and a switching unit 150 to switch the second gear train 133 between a rotatable state in which a transmission of torque from the motor 131 is enabled and a release state in which the transmission of torque from the motor 131 is interrupted.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a toner replenishing device that supplies toner to a developing unit provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine using the electrophotographic method.

  In the image forming apparatus, when the toner is consumed and the toner in the developing device falls below a predetermined amount, the toner is supplied from the toner container to the developing device, and when the toner in the toner container runs out, it is replaced with a new toner container. . In recent years, in order to perform a large amount of printing quickly, the image forming apparatus has been increased in speed and toner consumption has increased. In a high-speed image forming apparatus, it is necessary to replace the toner container during printing. Even if the toner container is replaced during printing, the operability and printing of the apparatus must be maintained so that image formation is not interrupted. Efficiency will decrease.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, an intermediate hopper is provided between the toner container and the developing device. The toner container that has run out of toner is removed from the intermediate hopper, and a new toner container is mounted on the intermediate hopper, so that the toner can be supplied from the intermediate hopper to the developing device even during replacement of the toner container so that image formation can be performed. .

  Specifically, a toner conveying screw is provided in the intermediate hopper, and the toner conveying screw is connected to a hopper motor. When the hopper motor rotates, the toner conveying screw also rotates, and toner is supplied from the intermediate hopper to the developing device. The Further, a toner conveying screw is provided in the toner container, and the toner conveying screw is connected to the container motor. When the container motor rotates, the toner conveying screw also rotates, and the toner is supplied from the toner container to the intermediate hopper. When the toner container housing part is opened to replace the toner container, the detection part detects that the door has been opened. Based on the detection signal, the container motor stops rotating, and the toner supply screw The rotation also stops. This makes it possible to replace the toner container. However, the hopper motor rotates and toner is supplied from the intermediate hopper to the developing device, and the developing device is also operated, so that image formation continues even while the toner container is replaced. It is supposed to be done.

JP 2003-114567 A (paragraphs [0018] to [0025], FIG. 3)

  However, in the above-described prior art, it is provided with two drive sources of a hopper motor and a container motor, a sensor for detecting the opening / closing of the door for stopping the rotation of the container motor, and a circuit for transmitting and receiving the signal. As a result, there is a problem in reducing the cost and size of the toner supply unit.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is capable of reducing the cost and size of the toner replenishing unit and replacing the toner container without stopping image formation. An object is to provide a forming apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a developing device that supplies toner to an image carrier, a first storage container that stores toner supplied to the developing device, and the first storage container. A first conveying member that rotates to supply toner to the developing device, a second storage container that stores toner to be supplied to the first storage container, and is detachably attached to the apparatus main body; A second transport member that rotates to supply toner from the two storage containers to the first storage container, a first gear train that has one motor and is connected to the first transport member from the motor; A drive unit formed from a gear of one gear train and a second gear train connected to the second transport member; and a rotatable state in which the second gear train can transmit torque from the motor; Release state that cuts off torque transmission from the motor It is characterized in that it comprises a switching unit to switch to and.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the above-described image forming apparatus, a storage portion that stores the second storage container, a lid member that opens and closes the storage portion, and a clutch gear that can be engaged with and disengaged from the second gear train. And the switching unit engages or disengages the clutch gear with respect to the second gear train in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the lid member and switches the second gear train between a rotatable state and a released state. It is characterized by that.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, the switching unit moves the clutch gear in the direction of the rotation axis by the opening operation of the lid member, and causes the clutch member to disengage from the second gear train. And an engagement piece that protrudes from the inner surface of the lid member and presses the side surface of the clutch gear by the closing operation of the lid member to engage with the second gear train.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus further includes a detection unit that detects an attachment / detachment state of the second storage container with respect to the apparatus main body, and the detection unit detects a detached state of the second storage container. The switching unit switches the second gear train from a rotatable state to a released state.

  In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the above image forming apparatus, the switching unit is a control unit that controls the rotation direction of the motor, and the second gear train transmits a driving force only in a predetermined rotation direction. A conversion gear unit is disposed between the motor and the one-way gear to connect either the first gear train or the second gear train to the motor, and the switching unit includes the conversion unit The gear portion is connected to the second gear train, the one-way gear is rotated in the driving force transmission direction to be in a rotatable state, and the motor is reversely rotated with respect to the rotatable state, whereby the conversion gear portion is It is connected to one gear train, and the one-way gear is idled to be in a released state.

  According to the first invention, when the switching unit switches the second gear train to the rotatable state, the motor is connected to the second transport member in the second gear train, and the second transport member is rotated by the rotation of the second transport member. The toner in the storage container is supplied to the first storage container, and is connected to the first transport member from the motor by the first gear train, and the toner in the first storage container is supplied to the developing device by the rotation of the first transport member. Image formation is possible. On the other hand, when the switching unit switches the second gear train to the released state, the connection from the motor to the second transport member by the second gear train is disconnected, the second storage container can be removed, and the first gear The motor is connected to the first conveying member in a row, and the toner in the first storage container is supplied to the developing device by the rotation of the first conveying member. In this way, the second storage container can be replaced without stopping image formation, and the drive source of the drive unit can be configured by a single motor, thereby reducing the cost of the drive unit and the toner supply unit. And downsizing.

  According to the second invention, when the lid member that opens and closes the storage portion is opened, the clutch gear is disengaged from the second gear train, and the second gear train is switched from the rotatable state to the released state. The connection to is broken. Therefore, the second storage container can be replaced without providing an expensive member such as a detection sensor, and the drive unit and the toner supply unit can be reduced in cost and size.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, the switching portion includes the biasing member and the engagement piece, the clutch gear is separated from the second gear train by the biasing member, and the clutch gear is released by the engagement piece. Since the second gear train is engaged, the second gear train can be reliably switched between the rotatable state and the released state, and the driving unit and the toner replenishing unit can be reduced in cost and size.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the switching unit switches the second gear train between the rotatable state and the released state based on the detection of the attachment / detachment state of the second storage container by the detection unit. It is done. In addition, the detection unit is an indispensable member for replacing the second storage container regardless of whether or not the state is switched between the rotatable state and the released state, and the cost is not increased.

  Further, according to the fifth aspect of the invention, in the released state, the switching unit reversely rotates the motor with respect to the rotatable state, so that the conversion gear unit is connected to the first gear train and the clutch gear is reversely rotated. Since the one-way gear is idled, the rotational torque of the motor is not transmitted from the one-way gear to the second conveying member. In this manner, the second storage container can be replaced without stopping image formation.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus including a toner container and an intermediate hopper according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a developing device mounted on an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. Side surface sectional drawing which shows the toner container and intermediate | middle hopper which concern on 1st Embodiment The figure which shows typically the periphery of the toner container and intermediate | middle hopper which concern on 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the switching part in the rotation possible state which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the switching part in the cancellation | release state which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows typically the periphery of the toner container and intermediate | middle hopper which concern on 2nd Embodiment. The top view which shows the switching part in the rotation possible state which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The top view which shows the conversion gear part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The top view which shows the switching part in the cancellation | release state which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Further, the use of the invention and the terms shown here are not limited thereto.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus equipped with a toner container and an intermediate hopper according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a sheet feeding unit 2 disposed in a lower portion thereof, a sheet conveying unit 3 disposed on a side of the sheet feeding unit 2, and an upper side of the sheet conveying unit 3. An image forming unit 4; a fixing unit 5 disposed on the discharge side of the image forming unit 4; an image reading unit 6 disposed above the image forming unit 4 and the fixing unit 5; an intermediate hopper 110; And a toner container 120.

  The paper feed unit 2 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 7 for containing paper 9, and the paper 9 from the paper feed cassette 7 selected from among the plurality of paper feed cassettes 7 by rotating the paper feed roller 8. Each sheet is reliably sent out to the sheet transport unit 3.

  The paper 9 sent to the paper transport unit 3 is transported toward the image forming unit 4 via the paper transport path 10. The image forming unit 4 forms a toner image on a sheet 9 by an electrophotographic process. The image forming unit 4 is a photoconductor 11 supported so as to be rotatable in the direction of an arrow in FIG. A charging unit 12, an exposure unit 13, a developing device 14, a transfer unit 15, a cleaning unit 16, and a charge eliminating unit 17 are provided.

  The charging unit 12 includes a charging wire to which a high voltage is applied. When a predetermined potential is applied to the surface of the photoconductor 11 by corona discharge from the charging wire, the surface of the photoconductor 11 is uniformly charged. Then, when light based on the image data of the original read by the image reading unit 6 is irradiated to the photoconductor 11 by the exposure unit 13, the surface potential of the photoconductor 11 is selectively attenuated, and the surface of the photoconductor 11 is irradiated. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  Next, the developing device 14 develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 11, and a toner image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11. This toner image is transferred by the transfer unit 15 to the paper 9 supplied between the photoconductor 11 and the transfer unit 15.

  The sheet 9 on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed toward the fixing unit 5 disposed on the downstream side of the image forming unit 4 in the sheet conveying direction. In the fixing unit 5, the sheet 9 is heated and pressed by the heating member 18 and the pressure roller 19, and the toner image is melted and fixed on the sheet 9. Next, the sheet 9 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto the discharge tray 21 by the discharge roller pair 20.

  After the transfer by the transfer unit 15, the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 11 is removed by the cleaning unit 16, and the residual charge on the surface of the photoconductor 11 is removed by the charge eliminating unit 17. Then, the photosensitive member 11 is charged again by the charging unit 12, and image formation is performed in the same manner.

  When image formation is repeated, the toner of the developing device 14 is consumed. In order to supply toner to the developing device 14, an intermediate hopper 110 and a toner container 120 are disposed above the developing device 14. The toner container 120 stores unused toner, and the intermediate hopper 110 receives the toner from the toner container 120, releases the toner, and supplies it to the developing device 14.

  Next, the developing device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view showing a schematic configuration of the developing device 14 used in the image forming apparatus 1.

  The developing device 14 includes a developing container 22 that stores one-component magnetic toner, stirring screws 23 and 24 that stir the toner, a developing roller 27, and a regulating member 28.

  The agitating screws 23 and 24 are rotatably disposed in the developing container 22, and agitate and circulate the toner and supply the toner to the developing roller 27.

  The developing roller 27 includes a fixed magnet body 25 and a developing sleeve 26. The developing sleeve 26 is made of a cylindrical nonmagnetic material and is rotatably supported by the developing container 22 at a position adjacent to the stirring screw 24. The fixed magnet body 25 is a permanent magnet fixed in the developing sleeve 26 and generates a magnetic field toward the developing sleeve 26. Further, the developing roller 27 is exposed from the opening of the developing container 22 and faces the photosensitive member 11 that is an image carrier at a predetermined interval. This facing area is a developing area D for supplying the toner carried on the developing sleeve 26 toward the photoreceptor 11. Further, a developing bias 29 in which alternating current is superimposed on direct current is applied to the developing sleeve 26 in order to supply toner to the photoreceptor 11.

  The regulating member 28 regulates the toner carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 26 to a predetermined layer thickness. The developing container 22 is spaced a predetermined distance from the surface of the developing sleeve 26 substantially above the developing sleeve 26. Attached to.

  The toner supplied from the stirring screw 24 is carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 26 by the magnetic force of the fixed magnet body 25 in the developing sleeve 26. The carried toner is regulated to a predetermined layer thickness by the regulating member 28 and is conveyed toward the developing region D by the rotation of the developing sleeve 26 (rotation in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2). When a developing bias 29 is applied to the developing sleeve 26, a potential difference is generated between the developing sleeve 26 and the photoconductor 11 in the developing region D, and the toner on the developing sleeve 26 is supplied to the photoconductor 11 and the photoconductor. The electrostatic latent image on 11 is developed into a toner image.

  A toner replenishing port 95 is provided at the top of the developing container 22. When the toner in the developing container 22 is consumed and reduced, new toner is supplied into the developing container 22 from the intermediate hopper 110 (see FIG. 1) via the toner supply port 95.

  Next, the intermediate hopper 110 and the toner container 120 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view showing a schematic configuration of an intermediate hopper for supplying toner to the developing device and a toner container.

  The intermediate hopper 110 includes a hopper container 111 that stores toner, a receiving port 111a, a delivery port 111b, a shutter member 127, a first conveying member 112, first and second stirring members 113 and 114, and a toner sensor. 128.

  The receiving port 111 a is formed at a position facing the supply port 121 a of the toner container 120 above the hopper container 111.

  The delivery port 111b is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the container at the bottom of the hopper container 111, and faces the toner supply port 95 (see FIG. 2) of the developing device 14.

  The shutter member 117 opens and closes the delivery port 111b. The shutter member 117 always closes the delivery port 111b, and when supplying toner from the hopper container 111 to the developing device 14, it moves in the longitudinal direction of the container to open the delivery port 111b. To do.

  The first agitating member 113 is a paddle-shaped blade extending from the shaft portion to one side in the radial direction and deployed in the longitudinal direction of the container, and is disposed substantially below the receiving port 111a of the hopper container 111. . The toner supplied from the toner container 120 falls from the receiving port 111a to the first stirring member 113, and the second stirring member 114 stirs the dropped toner, and the stirred toner is moved to the second stirring member 114 side. Transport.

  The second agitating member 114 is a paddle-shaped blade extending from the shaft portion to one side in the radial direction and deployed in the longitudinal direction of the container. The second agitating member 114 is disposed facing the lower right side of the second agitating member 114. The The second agitating member 114 agitates the toner conveyed from the first agitating member 113, and the agitated toner is conveyed to the first conveying member 112 side.

  The first conveying member 112 is formed in a spiral shape at a constant pitch in the longitudinal direction around the shaft portion, and has a screw. Moreover, the 1st conveyance member 112 is provided in the bottom part in the hopper container 111, and is arrange | positioned facing the 2nd stirring member 114 and facing the delivery port 111b. When the first conveying member 112 rotates, the agitated toner is conveyed toward the delivery port 111b. When the shutter member 124 blocking the delivery port 111b opens the delivery port 111b, the toner in the hopper container 111 is supplied to the developing device 14 (see FIG. 2) via the delivery port 111b.

  The toner sensor 118 detects the amount of toner in the hopper container 111. As a result of the detection, if the toner in the hopper container 111 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the toner is supplied from the toner container 120 to the intermediate hopper 110. . The toner sensor 118 is accommodated in the sensor chamber 111c.

  The toner container 120 includes a container container 121 that stores unused toner, a replenishing port 121a, a shutter member 124, a second transport member 122, and a stirring paddle 123. The toner container 120 is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The replenishing port 121a is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the container at the bottom of the container container 121, and is disposed to face the receiving port 111a of the intermediate hopper 110, so that toner can be supplied to the intermediate hopper 110. It becomes.

  The shutter member 124 opens and closes the supply port 121a. The shutter member 124 always closes the supply port 121a, and when supplying toner from the container container 121 to the hopper container 111, the shutter member 124 moves in the longitudinal direction of the container to open the supply port 121a. To do.

  The stirring paddle 123 is a paddle-shaped blade extending from the shaft portion to both sides in the radial direction and deployed in the longitudinal direction of the container, and the toner in the container container 121 is stirred by the rotation of the paddle-shaped blade. .

  The second conveying member 122 is formed in a spiral shape at a constant pitch in the longitudinal direction around the shaft portion and has a screw. Moreover, the 2nd conveyance member 122 is provided in the bottom part in the container container 121, and is arrange | positioned facing the supply port 121a. When the second conveying member 122 rotates, the agitated toner is conveyed toward the supply port 121a. When the shutter member 124 closing the supply port 121a opens the supply port 121a, the toner in the container container 121 is supplied to the intermediate hopper 110 through the supply port 121a.

  When the toner is supplied from the toner container 120 to the intermediate hopper 110 and the toner in the container container 121 is used up, the toner container 120 is removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and the toner is filled and a new toner container 120 is installed. Mounted on the body.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the periphery of the intermediate hopper and the toner container. The hopper container 111 serving as the first storage container, the first transport member 112, the container container 121 serving as the second storage container, and the second container. A drive unit 130, a switching unit 150, and a storage unit 141 are disposed around the conveyance member 122.

  The storage unit 141 is an opening in a space extending from, for example, the front surface side to the back side of the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and stores the container container 121 in a detachable manner. A lid member 142 that can open and close the inside of the storage unit 141 is swingably provided on the front surface of the storage unit 141. When the toner container 120 is replaced, the lid member 142 is opened and closed.

  The drive unit 130 includes a motor 131, a first gear train 132, and a second gear train 133.

  The first gear train 132 is formed by connecting a plurality of spur gears and the like, and connects the motor 131 and the first transport member 112. When the motor 131 is driven to rotate, the first gear train 132 transmits the rotational torque of the motor 131 to the first transport member 112, and the first transport member 112 rotates.

  The second gear train 133 is formed by connecting a plurality of spur gears, the gear at one end of the second gear train 133 meshes with one gear of the first gear train 132, and the gear at the other end of the second gear train 133. Is detachably connected to the second conveying member 122 through joints 136a and 136b. When the motor 131 is driven to rotate, the second gear train 133 transmits the rotational torque of the motor 131 to the second transport member 122 via the first gear train 132, and the second transport member 122 rotates.

  Accordingly, when the motor 131 is driven to rotate during image formation, the first and second transport members 112 and 122 rotate to supply toner from the container container 121 to the hopper container 111 and from the hopper container 111 to the developing device 14. Can be supplied.

  The switching unit 150 switches between a rotatable state in which torque from the motor 131 can be transmitted by the second gear train 133 and a release state in which torque transmission from the motor 131 in the second gear train 133 is cut off. The cover member 142 is provided on the storage unit 141 side. When the lid member 142 is opened and closed with respect to the storage unit 141 for exchanging the container container 121, the switching unit 150 swings together with the lid member 142.

  A detailed configuration of the switching unit 150 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing that the switching unit makes the second gear train rotatable, and FIG. 6 is a plan view showing that the switching unit puts the second gear train in a released state. Prior to the description of the switching unit 150, the detailed configuration of the first and second gear trains 132 and 133 will be described first.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first gear train 132 includes a plurality of gears 132 a to 132 d that are spur gears. The first gear 132a is provided integrally with the rotation shaft of the motor 131, the second gear 132b and the third gear 132c are provided integrally via the shaft, and the fourth gear 132d is provided integrally with the first transport member 112. . The first gear 132a and the second gear 132b mesh with each other, and the third gear 132c and the fourth gear 132d mesh with each other.

  On the other hand, the second gear train 133 includes a plurality of gears 133a to 133d made of spur gears. The clutch gear 133a meshes with the fifth gear 133b, the fifth gear 133b and the sixth gear 133c are provided integrally via a shaft, and the sixth gear 133c meshes with the seventh gear 133d. The gear 133d is detachably provided on the second transport member 122 through joints 136a and 136b. The clutch gear 133a meshes with the fifth gear 133b and meshes with the second gear 132b of the first gear train 132, and is provided so as to be able to engage with and disengage from the second gear 132b and the fifth gear 133b. Therefore, the tooth surface of the clutch gear 133a is chamfered so that the clutch gear 133a detached from the second gear 132b and the fifth gear 133b is easily engaged with the second gear 132b and the fifth gear 133b.

  Therefore, when the motor 131 is driven to rotate, the first conveying member 112 is rotated by the meshing of the first to fourth gears 132a to 132d. Further, when the motor 131 is rotationally driven, the second transport member 122 is rotated by meshing the first and second gears 132a and 132b, the clutch gear 133a, and the fifth to seventh gears 133b to 133d. The first gear train 132 is not limited to the first to fourth gears 132a to 132d, and the second gear train 133 is not limited to the fifth to seventh gears 133b to 133d. In addition, the number of gears and the type of gears of the first and second gear trains 132 and 133 may be appropriately set according to the arrangement and configuration of the second transport members 112 and 122.

  The switching unit 150 includes an engagement piece 151 formed integrally with the lid member 142, a spring 152, and the like.

  The engaging piece 151 protrudes from the surface of the lid member 142 on the side of the storage portion 141 (see FIG. 4) and is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and the distal end portion of the engaging piece 151 can come into contact with one side surface of the clutch gear 133a. Be placed. In addition, it is good to form the front-end | tip part of the engagement piece 151 with roundness. In this way, when the clutch gear 133a rotates, the contact area between the side surface of the clutch gear 133a and the tip of the engagement piece 151 is reduced, and loss of rotational torque due to sliding friction can be suppressed. Further, even if three hemispherical portions are formed at the distal end portion of the engagement piece 151 and the hemispherical portions are brought into contact with the side surface of the clutch gear 133a, the loss of rotational torque can be suppressed.

  The spring 152 is formed of a compression coil spring, and is in contact with the other side surface of the clutch gear 133a and the apparatus main body 1a in a compressed state. The spring 152 is held so as to be guided in the axial direction by a support shaft 134 attached to the apparatus main body 1a. As a result, the spring 152 biases the clutch gear 133a toward the engagement piece 151.

  The support shaft 134 extends into the hollow cylinder of the engagement piece 151 and rotatably holds the clutch gear 133a. A flange portion 134 a is formed on the distal end side of the support shaft 134. The flange portion 134a faces one side surface of the clutch gear 133a. When the clutch gear 133a is disengaged from the second gear 132b and the fifth gear 133b and moves in the axial direction of the support shaft 134 (lower side in FIG. 5), the side surface of the clutch gear 133a abuts on the flange portion 134a. When abutting in this way, the clutch gear 133a enters a released state where it is not meshed with the second gear 132b and the fifth gear 133b. On the other hand, when the clutch gear 133a is engaged with the second gear 132b and the fifth gear 133b, the clutch gear 133a is in a rotatable state, and the switching unit 150 can be switched between a rotatable state and a released state.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the motor 131 is driven to rotate when the clutch gear 133 a is in a rotatable state, the first conveying member 112 is moved by the first to fourth gears 132 a to 132 d (first gear train 132). The toner rotates and can supply toner from the hopper container 111 to the developing device 14 (see FIG. 4). Further, when the motor 131 is driven to rotate, the second transport member 122 is rotated by the first and second gears 132a and 132b, the clutch gear 133a, and the fifth to seventh gears 133b to 133d (second gear train 133). The toner can be supplied from the container container 121 to the hopper container 111 (see FIG. 4).

  In order to replace the toner container 120 during image formation, an operation of opening the lid member 142 of the storage unit 141 that stores the container container 121 is performed. When the lid member 142 is opened, the lid member 142 moves in the arrow Z direction. As the lid member 142 moves, the engagement piece 151 moves in the arrow Z direction, and the clutch gear 133a moves in the arrow Z direction while coming into contact with the engagement piece 151 by the biasing force of the spring 152.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the further moved clutch gear 133a contacts the flange portion 134a of the support shaft 134. When the clutch gear 133a contacts, the clutch gear 133a disconnects the second gear 132b and the fifth gear 133b (released). State). When the lid member 142 is further opened, the engagement piece 151 is separated from the clutch gear 133a. Therefore, even if the motor 131 is driven to rotate, the second gear train 133 is not rotating, so that the toner container 120 can be taken out from the storage portion 141. Even in this released state, the first conveying member 112 is rotated by the first to fourth gears 132 a to 132 d (first gear train 132), and the toner can be supplied from the hopper container 111 to the developing device 14. (See FIG. 4).

  Next, the new toner container 120 is inserted into the storage unit 141, and the second transport member 122 and the joints 136a and 136b of the seventh gear 133d (second gear train 133) are coupled. When the operation of closing the lid member 142 is performed, the engagement piece 151 formed on the lid member 142 comes into contact with the clutch gear 133a. When the lid member 142 is further closed, the clutch gear 133a is pushed by the engagement piece 151 against the urging force of the spring 152, is guided by the support shaft 134, and moves upward in FIG. Then, the clutch gear 133a meshes with the second gear 132b and the fifth gear 133b, and the state shown in FIG. 5 (the rotatable state) is obtained.

  According to the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a developing device 14 that supplies toner to the photoconductor 11, a hopper container 111 that stores the toner to be supplied to the developing device 14, and a developing device from the hopper container 111. 14, a first transport member 112 that rotates to supply toner, a container container 121 that stores toner to be supplied to the hopper container 111 and is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 1a, and a hopper from the container container 121. A second conveying member 122 that rotates to supply toner to the container 111. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 has one motor 131 and is connected from the motor 131 to the first conveying member 112 and from the gear of the first gear row 132 to the second conveying member 122. A drive unit 130 formed with a second gear train 133, a rotatable state in which the second gear train 133 can transmit torque from the motor 131, and a release state in which torque transmission from the motor 131 is cut off. And a switching unit 150 for switching to.

  According to this configuration, when the switching unit 150 switches the second gear train 133 to the rotatable state, the motor 131 is connected to the second transport member 122 by the second gear train 133, and the second transport member 122 rotates. The toner in the container container 121 is supplied to the hopper container 111, and is connected to the first conveying member 112 from the motor 131 by the first gear train 132. The toner in the hopper container 111 is developed by the rotation of the first conveying member 112. 14 and image formation is possible. On the other hand, when the switching unit 150 switches the second gear train 133 to the released state, the connection from the motor 131 to the second transport member 122 by the second gear train 133 is cut off, and the container container 121 can be removed. The first gear train 132 is connected to the first conveying member 112 from the motor 131, and the toner in the hopper container 111 is supplied to the developing device 14 by the rotation of the first conveying member 112. In this way, the container container 121 can be replaced without stopping image formation, and the drive source of the drive unit 130 can be configured by a single motor 131, which reduces the cost of the drive unit and the toner supply unit. And downsizing.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the storage portion 141 that stores the container container 121, the lid member 142 that opens and closes the storage portion 141, and the clutch gear 133 a that can be engaged and disengaged with respect to the second gear train 133 are provided. The clutch gear 133a is engaged with or disengaged from the second gear train 133 in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the lid member 142, and the second gear train 133 is switched between the rotatable state and the released state.

  According to this configuration, when the lid member 142 that opens and closes the storage portion 141 is opened, the clutch gear 133a is disengaged from the second gear train 133, and the second gear train 133 is switched from the rotatable state to the released state. The container container 121 can be replaced without providing an expensive member such as the above, and the drive unit and the toner supply unit can be reduced in cost and size.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, the switching unit 150 moves the clutch gear 133a in the direction of the rotation axis by the opening operation of the lid member 142 and disengages it from the second gear train 133, and the lid member 142. And an engagement piece 151 that presses the side surface of the clutch gear 133a and engages with the second gear train 133 by the closing operation of the lid member 142.

  According to this configuration, the switching unit 150 includes the spring 152 and the engagement piece 151, the clutch gear 133 a is separated from the second gear train 133 by the spring 152, and the clutch gear 133 a is moved to the second gear by the engagement piece 151. Since it is engaged with the row 133, the second gear row 133 can be reliably switched between the rotatable state and the released state, and the cost and size of the drive unit and toner replenishing unit can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating the periphery of the toner container and the intermediate hopper according to the second embodiment. The driving unit and the switching unit that are different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be omitted hereinafter. In 2nd Embodiment, the hopper container 111 which is a 1st storage container, the 1st conveyance member 112, the container container 121 which is a 2nd storage container, the 2nd conveyance member 122, the drive part 160, and the detection part 175. And a control unit 180 which is a switching unit.

  The drive unit 160 includes a motor 161, a first gear train 162, a second gear train 163, and a conversion gear unit 170.

  The first gear train 162 is formed by connecting a plurality of spur gears and the like including the gear of the conversion gear unit 170, and connects the motor 161 and the first transport member 112. When the motor 161 is driven to rotate, the first gear train 162 transmits the rotational torque of the motor 161 to the first transport member 112 via the conversion gear unit 170, and the first transport member 112 rotates.

  The second gear train 163 is formed by connecting a plurality of spur gears. The second gear train 163 is detachably engaged with one gear of the conversion gear unit 170, and is attached to and detached from the second transport member 122 via joints 166a and 166b. Connected as possible. One gear of the second gear train 163 includes a one-way gear 163b having a one-way clutch, and the one-way gear 163b meshes with one gear of the first gear train 162. Since the one-way gear 163b has a one-way clutch, it transmits rotational torque to rotation in one direction, but idles without transmitting rotational torque to rotation in the opposite direction.

  When the motor 161 is driven to rotate (normal rotation), the second gear train 163 transmits the rotational torque of the motor 161 to the second transport member 122 via the first gear train 162, and the second transport member 122 rotates. On the other hand, when the motor 161 is driven to rotate in reverse, the rotational torque of the motor 161 is transmitted to the second gear train 163 via the first gear train 162, but the one-way gear 163b rotates idly and moves to the gear following the one-way gear 163b. No rotational torque is transmitted, and the second conveying member 122 does not rotate. The forward / reverse rotation driving of the motor 161 and the conversion gear unit 170 will be described in detail later.

  The detection unit 175 detects the attachment / detachment state of the container container 121 to / from the storage unit 141 (device main body 1a), and includes, for example, a FRID (Radio Frequency Identification) sensor. The container container 121 is stored in the storage unit 141, and the detection unit 175 detects the mounting of the container container 121 and outputs a mounting signal immediately before the storage is completed. On the other hand, when the container container 121 is removed from the storage unit 141, the detection unit 121 is detached from the container container 121 when the container container 121 is in the initial position of removal from the storage unit 141, that is, when the joints 166 a and 166 b are engaged. Is detected and a separation signal is output. The detection unit 175 may include an optical sensor. In this case, the optical sensor detects the light passing through the slit provided in the container container 121 at the initial position to be removed from the storage unit 141, and outputs a separation signal.

  The control unit 180 includes a microcomputer, a storage element of RAM and ROM, and the like, and controls a drive circuit 177 that rotates the motor 161 based on a signal from the detection unit 175 according to a program set in the storage element. A display panel 178 made of liquid crystal is controlled. That is, when a separation signal is input from the detection unit 175 to the control unit 180, the display panel 178 displays that the container container 121 is not stored in the storage unit 141, and the control unit 180 is driven. A signal for reversely rotating the motor 161 is sent to the circuit 177. On the other hand, when a mounting signal is input from the detection unit 175 to the control unit 180, the display panel 178 displays that the container container 121 has been stored in the storage unit 141, and the motor 161 is connected to the drive circuit 177. Send a signal to rotate normally.

  Next, forward / reverse rotation driving by the motor 161 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 is a plan view showing a rotatable state of the second gear train, FIG. 9 is a plan view of the conversion gear portion viewed from the upper side of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a released state of the second gear train. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first gear train 162 is composed of a plurality of gears 162a to 162i, the second gear train 163 is composed of a plurality of gears 163a to 163c consisting of spur gears, and the gear 163b is a one-way gear. .

  The first gear 162a and the second gear 162b of the first gear train 162 are composed of a worm and a worm wheel that are integrally provided on the rotating shaft of the motor 161, and the third gear 162c and the fourth gear 162d that are spur gears mesh with each other. Thus, the conversion gear unit 170 is configured, and the third gear 162c meshes with the second gear 162b. A fifth gear 162e, a sixth gear 162f, and a seventh gear 162g that are spur gears are connected in order, the fifth gear 162e meshes with the one-way gear 163b of the second gear train 163, and the seventh gear 162g is the first conveying member. 112 (see FIG. 7). The eighth gear 162h and the ninth gear 162i, which are spur gears, mesh with each other, the eighth gear 162h can be connected to the fourth gear 162d of the conversion gear unit 170, and the ninth gear 162i meshes with the sixth gear 162f. Yes.

  The tenth gear 163a of the second gear train 163 can be connected to the fourth gear 162d of the conversion gear unit 170 and meshes with the one-way gear 163b. The one-way gear 163b meshes with the tenth gear 163a, meshes with the fifth gear 162e of the first gear train 162, and meshes with the eleventh gear 163c. The eleventh gear 163c is detachably provided on the second transport member 122 (see FIG. 7) via joints 166a and 166b (see FIG. 7). When the one-way gear 163b rotates in the arrow direction X, the rotational torque is transmitted to the eleventh gear 163c. On the other hand, the one-way gear 163b rotates idly when rotated in the arrow Y direction, and the rotational torque is transmitted to the eleventh gear 163c. There is nothing.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the conversion gear unit 170 includes a third gear 162c and a fourth gear 162d, and further includes a gear shaft 172, a gear shaft 172, and a fourth gear 162d that are provided integrally with the third gear 162c. And a spring 173 that is sandwiched between the gear support piece 171 and the fourth gear 162d and applies an urging force in the axial direction to the fourth gear 162d. .

  Both ends of the gear shaft 172 are rotatably supported by the apparatus main body 1a, so that when the third gear 162c rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 8, the fourth gear 162d rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. At the same time, the gear support piece 171 rotates clockwise around the gear shaft 172, and the fourth gear 162d meshes with the tenth gear 163a (see FIG. 8). On the other hand, when the third gear 162c rotates clockwise, the fourth gear 162d rotates counterclockwise and the gear support piece 171 rotates counterclockwise around the gear shaft 172 so that the fourth gear 162d becomes the eighth gear. It meshes with the gear 162h (see FIG. 10).

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the container container 121 is stored in the storage unit 141 (during image formation), a mounting signal is input from the detection unit 175 to the control unit 180 immediately before the storage is completed. Based on this mounting signal, the control unit 180 controls the display panel 178 to display that the container container 121 has been stored, and sends a signal for causing the motor 161 to normally rotate to the drive circuit 177. On the other hand, when the container container 121 is removed from the storage unit 141 from the state shown in FIG. 7 in order to replace the toner container 120, a separation signal is input from the detection unit 175 to the control unit 180 at the initial stage of removal of the container container 121. Based on this separation signal, the control unit 180 controls the display panel 178 to display that the container container 121 is not accommodated, and sends a signal for reversely rotating the motor 161 to the drive circuit 177.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the motor 161 rotates normally, the second gear 162b rotates in the direction of arrow A, and the fourth gear 162d of the conversion gear unit 170 is connected to the tenth gear 163a as the conversion gear unit 170 rotates. Is done. The rotational torque of the motor 161 is transmitted from the tenth gear 163a to the one-way gear 163b via the first to fourth gears 162a to 162d, and the one-way gear 163b rotates in the arrow X direction. Next, this rotational torque is transmitted to the fifth to seventh gears 162e to 162g and also to the eleventh gear 163c. Accordingly, the first conveying member 112 provided integrally with the seventh gear 162g rotates, and it becomes possible to supply toner from the hopper container 111 to the developing device 14. In addition, the second conveying member 122 connected to the eleventh gear 163c and the joints 166a and 166b rotates, so that the toner can be supplied from the container container 121 to the hopper container 111.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the motor 161 rotates in the reverse direction, the second gear 162b rotates in the direction of arrow B, and the fourth gear 162d of the conversion gear unit 170 is connected to the eighth gear 162h as the conversion gear unit 170 rotates. Is done. The rotational torque of the motor 161 is transmitted from the eighth gear 162h to the sixth gear 162f via the first to fourth gears 162a to 162d. Next, the rotational torque of the motor 161 is transmitted to the seventh gear 162g by the sixth gear 162f, and the first conveying member 112 provided integrally with the seventh gear 162g rotates, and the hopper container 111 to the developing device 14 rotates. It is possible to supply toner. On the other hand, the rotational torque of the motor 161 is transmitted from the sixth gear 162f to the one-way gear 163b via the fifth gear 162e. However, the one-way gear 163b rotates in the direction of the arrow Y and rotates idly. Is not transmitted to the eleventh gear 163c. Accordingly, the second conveying member 122 is not rotated, and the toner container 120 is taken out from the storage unit 141.

  In the above embodiment, attachment / detachment of the toner container 120 to / from the storage unit 141 is detected by the detection unit 175, and the rotation direction of the motor 161 is converted based on the detection result, and the second gear train 163 is changed. Although the structure which switches to a rotation possible state and a cancellation | release state was shown, this invention is not restricted to this. You may make it detect mounting | wearing lock | rock of the toner container 120, and cancellation | release of a lock | rock. For example, a lock member such as a lock lever or a lock button for locking the toner container 120 after the toner container 120 is stored in the storage unit 141 is provided, and a detection unit 175 for detecting the lock and release of the lock member is further provided. It may be configured. In this configuration, when the lock member is unlocked, the detection member 175 outputs a separation signal, and based on this separation signal, the motor 161 switches from normal rotation to reverse rotation, and the second gear train 163 is moved from the rotatable state. It can be switched to the release state. In addition, the display panel 178 can indicate whether the container container 121 is stored in the storage unit 141 based on the attachment and detachment signals from the detection member 175 depending on whether the lock or unlock state is attached / detached.

  According to the second embodiment, the detection unit 175 that detects the attachment / detachment state of the toner container 120 with respect to the apparatus main body 1a is provided. When the detection unit 175 detects the separation state of the toner container 120, the control unit 180 performs the second gear train. 163 is switched from the rotatable state to the released state.

  According to this configuration, based on the detection of the attachment / detachment state of the toner container 120 by the detection unit 175, the control unit 180 switches the second gear train 163 between the rotatable state and the release state, so that the switching is performed reliably. In addition, the detection unit 175 is an essential member for replacing the toner container 120 regardless of whether or not the state can be switched between the rotatable state and the release state, and the cost is not increased.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, the control unit 180 controls the rotation direction of the motor 161, the second gear train 163 has the one-way gear 163b provided with the one-way clutch, and the motor 161 and the one-way gear 163b A conversion gear unit 170 that connects either the first gear train 162 or the second gear train 162 to the motor 161 is disposed therebetween. The control unit 180 connects the conversion gear unit 170 to the second gear train 163, rotates the one-way gear 163b in a predetermined direction to be in a rotatable state, and reversely rotates the motor 161 with respect to the rotatable state. The part 170 is connected to the first gear train 162 and the one-way gear 163b is idled to be in the released state.

  According to this configuration, in the released state, the control unit 180 rotates the motor 161 in the reverse direction with respect to the rotatable state, whereby the conversion gear unit 170 is connected to the first gear train 162 and the one-way gear 163b rotates in the reverse direction. Since the clutch is idled by the clutch, the rotational torque of the motor 161 is not transmitted from the one-way gear 163b to the second conveying member 122. In this way, the toner container 120 can be replaced without stopping image formation.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a toner replenishing unit mounted on a monochrome image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and corresponds to each color such as a color copying machine or a color printer. The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus equipped with a toner supply unit.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in an image forming apparatus including a toner replenishing device that supplies toner to a developing device provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine using an electrophotographic system. it can.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1a Apparatus main body 14 Developing device 110 Intermediate hopper 111 Hopper container (first storage container)
112 First conveying member 120 Toner container 121 Container container (second storage container)
122 2nd conveying member 130 Drive part 131 Motor 132 1st gear row 132a-132d 1st-4th gear 133 2nd gear row 133a Clutch gear 133b-133d 5th-7th gear 134 Support shaft 134a Flange part 136a, 136b Joint 141 Storage part 142 Lid member 150 Switching part 151 Engagement piece 152 Spring (biasing member)
160 Drive unit 161 Motor 162 First gear train 162a to 162i 1st to 9th gear 163 2nd gear train 163a 10th gear 163b One-way gear 163c 11th gear 170 Conversion gear portion 171 Gear support piece 172 Gear shaft 173 Spring 175 Detection Unit 177 Drive circuit 178 Display panel 180 Control unit (switching unit)

Claims (5)

  A developing device that supplies toner to the image carrier, a first storage container that stores toner to be supplied to the developing device, and a first transport member that rotates to supply toner from the first storage container to the developing device A second storage container that is detachably provided to the apparatus main body, and rotates to supply toner from the second storage container to the first storage container. A second conveying member, a first gear train having one motor and connected from the motor to the first conveying member, and a second gear member connected from the gear of the first gear train to the second conveying member. A drive unit formed with a gear train, and a switching unit that switches the second gear train between a rotatable state in which torque from the motor can be transmitted and a release state in which torque transmission from the motor is cut off. It is characterized by having Image forming apparatus.   A storage unit that stores the second storage container; a lid member that opens and closes the storage unit; and a clutch gear that can be engaged with and disengaged from the second gear train, wherein the switching unit opens and closes the lid member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second gear train is switched between a rotatable state and a released state by engaging or disengaging the second gear train with the operation of the clutch gear.   The switching unit includes an urging member that moves the clutch gear in the direction of the rotation axis by the opening operation of the lid member to disengage it from the second gear train, and an inner surface of the lid member that protrudes from the inner surface of the lid member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an engagement piece that presses a side surface of the clutch gear by a closing operation to engage with the second gear train.   A detection unit that detects the attachment / detachment state of the second storage container with respect to the apparatus main body is provided, and when the detection unit detects a detached state of the second storage container, the switching unit starts rotating the second gear train. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is switched to a released state.   The switching unit is a control unit that controls a rotation direction of the motor, and the second gear train includes a one-way gear that can transmit a driving force only in a predetermined rotation direction, and the motor, the one-way gear, A conversion gear portion that connects either the first gear train or the second gear train to the motor is disposed between the switching gear, the switching portion connects the conversion gear portion to the second gear train, and the one-way gear. Is rotated in the driving force transmission direction to be in a rotatable state, and the motor is reversely rotated with respect to the rotatable state to connect the conversion gear portion to the first gear train and idle the one-way gear to be released. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is in a state.

Images