JP2012247475A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing damage on developer supply means even when load torque on the developer supply means is extremely increased.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a single motor 29 which drives a plurality of screws 3; switch means provided corresponding to the plurality of screws 3 respectively, capable of respectively switching transmission and cutoff of the drive force from the single motor 29 to the plurality of screws 3, and consisted of a plurality of solenoids 1 and spring clutches 2; a nonvolatile memory 40 for storing new article information of a toner cartridge 11; and a CPU 300a for reading the new article information of the toner cartridge 11 from the nonvolatile memory 40. According to the new article information of the toner cartridge 11 read by the CPU 300a, when the toner cartridge 11 is a new article, the switch means for the toner cartridge 11 and at least one switch means except for the toner cartridge 11 are switched to transmit the drive force from the single motor 29 to the plurality of screws 3.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.

  Currently, in a color in-line image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus having a process cartridge having an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum and a developing device, and a toner cartridge for containing a developer (hereinafter referred to as “toner”). The device is known. In the image forming apparatus having such a configuration, there is a configuration in which a motor is provided for each station as a drive source of toner supply means for supplying toner from the toner cartridge to the process cartridge.

  A motor as a drive source may be configured to be shared by a plurality of stations in order to reduce the size and cost of the image forming apparatus and reduce the power consumption of the apparatus. In this case, in order to limit the amount of toner replenished to the process cartridge, it is possible to select whether or not drive transmission can be performed between a motor that is a single drive source and a plurality of toner replenishing means. A plurality of toner replenishing means are selectively operated from the motor.

  It is known that the toner is solidified in the toner cartridge due to vibration during transportation or the like, and in this state, the torque applied to the toner replenishing rotation member becomes high. Therefore, when a new toner cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus, the driving force from the motor is transmitted only to the toner replenishing rotation member of the station where the new toner cartridge is installed, and the toner is solidified. Control to cancel is performed.

  However, when the toner is excessively solidified in the toner cartridge, an excessive load acts on the toner replenishing rotation member, which may damage the toner replenishing rotation member.

  Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, in a configuration in which driving is performed from a motor to an operation unit of a toner replenishing rotation member via a plurality of gears, when the load torque exceeds a predetermined value, driving to the toner replenishing rotation member is performed. It has a configuration having a torque limiter that cuts off transmission. As a result, even when an excessive load is applied to the toner replenishing rotation member, the motor is locked, so that the toner replenishing rotation member can be prevented from being damaged.

JP 2010-175984 A

  However, in the technique of the above-described Patent Document 1, in a configuration having a plurality of toner cartridges as in a color image forming apparatus, there is a concern that the torque limiter must be arranged in all stations, resulting in an increase in cost. . Further, in order to determine which toner cartridge has an abnormally high torque, it is necessary to arrange a rotation detection sensor in a peripheral gear where a torque limiter is arranged.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the developer replenishing means from being damaged even when the load torque applied to the developer replenishing means is abnormally high. Is intended to provide.

  To achieve the above object, a typical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a plurality of developing units respectively provided in a plurality of developing units and containing a developer in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium. A plurality of developer cartridges, each of which is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of developer accommodating portions, each of which accommodates a developer for replenishing the plurality of developer accommodating portions, and each of the plurality of developers. A plurality of developer replenishing means for replenishing the developer in the cartridge to the corresponding developer accommodating portions, a single drive source for driving the plurality of developer replenishing means, and the plurality of developer replenishing means And a plurality of switching means each capable of switching transmission or blocking of driving force from the single driving source to the plurality of developer supply means, and the developer cartridge. Storage means for storing new product information and reading means for reading new information on the developer cartridge from the storage means, and the developer cartridge is new based on the new product information of the developer cartridge read by the reading means. In some cases, the switching means of the developer cartridge and at least one of the switching means other than the developer cartridge are switched so that a driving force is applied from the single drive source to the plurality of developer supply means. It is characterized by transmitting.

  According to the above configuration, in the configuration in which a plurality of developer supply units are selectively operated from a single drive source, when a new developer cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus, other than the new developer cartridge is excluded. At the same time, the developer is replenished from the developer cartridge of the station. As a result, the torque applied to the developer supply means of the new developer cartridge can be reduced, and overloading of the developer supply means of the new developer cartridge can be prevented.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cartridge included in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the structure of a developer supply means. FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view illustrating a configuration of a drive gear train that is provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 and that extends from a single drive source to a plurality of developer supply units. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a switching means. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a control system. It is a figure explaining the drive circuit structure of the direct current (DC) brushless motor used as a single drive source. It is a figure explaining the drive control of the direct current (DC) brushless motor used as a single drive source. It is a figure which shows the output torque-current characteristic of the direct current (DC) brushless motor used as a single drive source. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration for controlling switching means based on new information on a developer cartridge stored in a nonvolatile memory serving as storage means. It is a figure which shows an example of the motor output torque which damages the developer supply means of a developer cartridge. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the motor output torque is distributed to the developer replenishing unit of a new developer cartridge and the developer replenishing unit of another developer cartridge to avoid damage to the developer replenishing unit of a new developer cartridge. It is. It is a flowchart explaining control operation of a 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the control operation of 2nd Embodiment.

  An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  The configuration of the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment includes yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) image forming units 19 </ b> Y, 19 </ b> M, and 19 </ b> C along the intermediate transfer belt 13. , 19K is an example of a tandem type full-color copier.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming units 19Y, 19M, 19C, and 19K are shown for each color, but each image forming station (yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K)) ( Hereinafter, the image forming unit 19 of 17 (simply referred to as “station”) has the same configuration. In the following description, only one image forming station 17 will be described, and the description may be made using only the image forming unit 19 while omitting the symbols Y, M, C, and K. The same applies to the other components.

  Each color station 17 has photosensitive drums 5Y, 5M, 5C and 5K as image carriers and process cartridges 22Y, 22M, 22C and 22K having primary chargers 7Y, 7M, 7C and 7K as charging means. . Further, developing devices 8Y, 8M, 8C and 8K as a plurality of developing means and scanners 10Y, 10M, 10C and 10K as exposure means are provided. In addition, toner cartridges 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K are provided as a plurality of developer cartridges that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus further includes primary transfer units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, a feeding roller 12 that serves as a feeding unit, a secondary transfer roller 18 that serves as a secondary transfer unit, and a fixing device 15 that serves as a fixing unit.

  The toner images for each color formed by the image forming units 19Y, 19M, 19C, and 19K for each color are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 13 in a superimposed manner. Thereafter, the sheet material 21 serving as a recording medium fed by the feeding roller 12 is conveyed to the nip portion between the intermediate transfer belt 13 and the secondary transfer roller 24, and the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13 is transferred to the sheet material. 21 is batch transferred. Thereafter, the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 15 and then discharged outside the apparatus.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the process cartridge 22 and the toner cartridge 11. In FIG. 2, a toner cartridge 11 includes a screw 3 as developer replenishing means for replenishing toner as a developer, and a toner agitating member 14 for agitating toner in the toner cartridge 11 (inside the developer cartridge). And is configured. A toner supply shutter 401 that can be opened and closed is provided between the toner cartridge 11 and the process cartridge 22.

  Each process cartridge 22 has a developing device 8. Further, each of the developing devices 8 includes a toner accommodating portion 26 as a plurality of developer accommodating portions for accommodating the developer. Further, it has a buffer unit agitating member 502, a supply roller 501, a photosensitive drum 5, and a primary charger 7. Here, the buffer unit agitating member 502 agitates the toner replenished from the toner cartridge 11. The supply roller 501 supplies toner to the developing roller 23. The toner cartridges 11 are provided corresponding to the toner storage portions 26, respectively, and store toner serving as a developer for replenishing the toner storage portions 26, respectively.

  The screws 3 replenish the toner in the toner cartridge 11 to the corresponding toner storage portions 26, respectively. When the plurality of screws 3 are driven by a motor 29 serving as a single drive source provided in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4, toner can be supplied from the toner cartridge 11 to the toner accommodating portion 26 of the process cartridge 22.

  The screw 3 conveys the toner in the toner cartridge 11 in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 3, and replenishes the toner into the toner storage portion 26 of the process cartridge 22 when the toner replenishment shutter 401 is opened.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a toner replenishment drive transmission system of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 4, drive is transmitted from a motor gear 4 attached to a motor 29 as a single drive source to a spring clutch 2M of a station 17M via a drive input gear 25M as a drive gear train. As for the drive input gear 25M of the station 17M, the drive is transmitted from the motor gear 4 attached to the motor 29 to the spring clutch 2M of the station 17M via a drive gear train composed of a plurality of gears as in the other stations 17. It may be a configuration.

  Further, the drive is transmitted from the motor gear 4 to the spring clutch 2Y of the station 17Y via the drive gear train 16Y and the drive input gear 25Y constituting the drive gear train. Further, the drive is transmitted from the motor gear 4 to the spring clutch 2C of the station 17C via the drive gear trains 16C1 and 16C2 and the drive input gear 25C constituting the drive gear train. The drive is transmitted from the motor gear 4 to the spring clutch 2K of the station 17K via the drive gear trains 16C1 and 16K and the drive input gear 25K constituting the drive gear train.

  As shown in FIG. 5, solenoids 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K and replenishing drive gears 9Y, 9M, and 8K are provided on the downstream side of the drive transmission of the spring clutches 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K of the stations 17Y, 17M, 17C, 17K. 9C and 9K are attached. Each replenishment drive gear 9 transmits a driving force from a motor 29 as a single drive source to the screw 3 provided in each toner cartridge 11.

  FIG. 5 shows a spring clutch that is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of screws 3 and that constitutes a plurality of switching means that can respectively switch transmission or interruption of driving force from the motor 29 serving as a single driving source to each screw 3. 2 and solenoid 1 are shown.

  Each spring clutch 2 transmits or interrupts the driving force transmitted to the drive input gears 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K to the screw 3 via the replenishment drive gear 9. A driving force is transmitted from the motor 29 as a single driving source to the driving input gears 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K of the stations 17Y, 17M, 17C, and 17K through the driving gear trains shown in FIG. . The spring clutch 2 performs switching to transmit or block the driving force to the screw 3 via the replenishment drive gear 9. The solenoid 1 is controlled by a control unit 300 serving as a control unit, and performs switching control of transmission or interruption of driving force by the spring clutch 2.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a drive is input from the motor 29 as a single drive source to the input gear 2a of the spring clutch 2 via each drive gear train and drive input gear 25 shown in FIG. In the spring clutch 2, while the flapper 1a of the solenoid 1 is locked to the claw portion 2c of the spring clutch 2, the drive is not transmitted to the output gear 2b of the spring clutch 2, and only the input gear 2a rotates idly.

  When the flapper 1a of the solenoid 1 moves in the direction of arrow b in FIG. 5, the flapper 1a is released from the locking of the claw portion 2c of the spring clutch 2, and the drive is transmitted from the input gear 2a of the spring clutch 2 to the output gear 2b. It rotates in the direction of arrow d in FIG. Then, the driving force is transmitted to the replenishment driving gear 9 meshed with the output transmission downstream side of the output gear 2b. The supply drive gear 9 is fixed to the supply drive shaft 9a, and a supply coupling 9b is attached to the supply drive shaft 9a. The supply coupling 9b is a drive interface of the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the entire image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus includes a control unit 300 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 300a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 300b, and the like. Is responsible for overall control of each device.

  Connected to the control unit 300 are process cartridges 22Y, 22M, 22C, 22K, solenoids 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K for switching the drive to the screw 3, and a motor 29 as a single drive source. Further, a driving force is transmitted from the motor 29 as a single driving source to the spring clutches 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K via each driving gear train shown in FIG.

  When receiving a toner supply request from the process cartridge 22 of any of the stations 17Y, 17M, 17C, and 17K, the control unit 300 transmits a signal for operating the solenoid 1 of the station 17 that has received the toner supply request. As a result, the drive from the motor 29 as a single drive source is transmitted to the screw 3 of the toner cartridge 11 via the spring clutch 2, and the toner replenishing operation is started to replenish the toner to the process cartridge 22.

  The motor 29 as a single drive source is constituted by a direct current (DC) brushless motor. FIG. 7 shows a drive circuit configuration of a DC brushless motor, which includes connected coils 45 to 47 and a rotor 48. Furthermore, Hall elements 49 to 51 are provided as position detecting means of the rotor 48, and these Hall elements 49 to 51 are elements in which a voltage appears at both ends of the semiconductor piece by detecting a magnetic field, and the output voltage is detected. Thus, the position of the rotor 48 can be detected. The output voltage is amplified by the amplifier 52 and input to the motor drive control circuit 32.

  Reference numeral 31 denotes a drive circuit unit of the motor 29. The drive circuit unit 31 has a current limiter circuit (not shown) that limits the current flowing through the motor 29. Furthermore, a motor drive control circuit 32, high-side FETs (Field effect transistors) 33 to 35, and low-side FETs 36 to 38 are provided.

  These FETs 33 to 38 are connected to the terminals U, V, and W of the coils 45 to 47, respectively, and the FETs 33 to 38 are ON / OFF controlled according to the phase switching signal output from the motor drive control circuit 32. Then, the rotor 48 is rotated by sequentially switching the phases to be excited.

  The phase switching signal is generated by the motor drive control circuit 32 by detecting the drive signal from the output port of the CPU 30 and the position signal of the rotor 48 generated from the Hall elements 49-51. With respect to the rotation of the motor 29 related to phase switching, the phases of the coils 29 to 47 are sequentially excited by switching the potentials of the terminals U, V and W in the order of (1) to (12) shown in FIG. Rotates. Note that “H” in FIG. 8 is a signal that continues the ON state. “L” is a signal in which the OFF state continues. Further, “PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)” in FIG. 8 is a signal in which ON / OFF is repeated at a constant cycle.

  FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the current value of the DC brushless motor and the output torque. In the DC brushless motor, when the load torque applied to the motor 29 increases, the current flowing through the motor 29 also increases. The value of the output torque T shown on the horizontal axis in FIG. 9 is a limit value of the load torque that can be applied to the motor 29. When the load torque applied to the motor 29 exceeds the torque value of the output torque T, the motor 29 rotates. Stop being unable to. When the motor 29 stops, it is detected by the hall elements 49 to 51 that the rotor 48 is stopped, and the motor drive control circuit 32 outputs a lock signal to the control unit 300.

  Toner cartridges 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K are detachably attached to the image forming units 19Y, 19M, 19C, and 19K. As shown in FIG. 10, non-volatile memories 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K serving as storage means for storing new information of each toner cartridge 11 are attached to the toner cartridges 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K.

  The CPU 300a also serves as a reading unit that communicates with the nonvolatile memories 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K and reads and acquires new information of each toner cartridge 11 from the nonvolatile memory 40. The CPU 300a controls the image forming units 19Y, 19M, 19C, and 19K by including hardware having a calculation function and software that defines the calculation operation.

  Since the toner is in a powder form, the toner cartridge 11 is partially solidified when subjected to vibration during transportation or the like. When the solidified toner cartridge 11 is installed in the image forming apparatus and toner is supplied to the process cartridge 22, the load torque applied to the toner conveying screw 3 in the toner cartridge 11 increases. Therefore, there is a possibility that a load torque higher than the motor output torque that damages the toner conveying screw 3 may be applied.

  In the drive transmission configuration for toner supply shown in FIG. 4, the motor output torque for damaging the toner conveying screw 3 of each toner cartridge 11 is the same. However, the number of stages of the drive gear train from the motor gear 4 to each replenishment drive gear 9 is different among the stations 17Y, 17M, 17C, 17K.

  For this reason, the greater the number of stages of the drive gear train, the more affected by transmission loss due to gear deformation and the like. The motor output torque that damages the toner conveying screw 3 differs among the stations 17Y, 17M, 17C, and 17K. This is shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing motor output torque that damages the toner conveying screw 3 of each toner cartridge 11.

  In FIG. 4, the motor output torque for damaging the toner conveying screw 3M of the toner cartridge 11M at the station 17M provided with the motor 29 as a single drive source is indicated by "M toner cartridge damage torque" in FIG. . “M toner cartridge damage torque” in FIG. 11 is the smallest value (about 100 mNm). This is because the number of gear stages of the drive gear train from the motor gear 4 to the replenishment drive gear 9M is composed of only the drive input gear 25M and the spring clutch 2M, and is the smallest, so the transmission loss due to gear deformation or the like is the smallest.

  On the other hand, the motor output torque for damaging the toner conveying screw 3K of the toner cartridge 11K at the station 17K where the motor 29 as a single drive source is provided at the farthest position is indicated by "K toner cartridge damage torque" in FIG. . “K toner cartridge damage torque” in FIG. 11 is the largest value (about 160 mNm). This is because the number of gear stages of the drive gear train from the motor gear 4 to the replenishment drive gear 9K is composed of the drive gear trains 16C1, 16K, the drive input gear 25M, and the spring clutch 2M. Because it is greatly affected.

  In the stations 17Y and 17C, a motor 29 serving as a single drive source is provided at a substantially intermediate position between the stations 17M and 17K. The motor output torque for damaging the toner conveying screws 3Y and 3C of the toner cartridges 11Y and 11C at the stations 17Y and 17C is indicated by “Y and C toner cartridge damage torque” in FIG. “Y, C toner cartridge breakage torque” in FIG. 11 is a value approximately in the middle of the stations 17M and 17K (about 140 mNm).

  The number of gear stages of the drive gear train from the motor gear 4 to the respective replenishment drive gears 9Y, 9C is comprised of the drive gear train 16Y, the drive input gear 25Y, and the spring clutch 2Y for the replenishment drive gear 9Y. The replenishing drive gear 9C is composed of drive gear trains 16C1, 16C2, a drive input gear 25C, and a spring clutch 2C. The transmission loss due to gear deformation and the like is also approximately halfway between the stations 17M and 17K.

  A preferable motor output torque is identified from the motor output torque that damages the toner conveying screw 3 of each toner cartridge 11 shown in FIG. The motor output torque is a value at which the motor output torque that damages the screw 3 is the smallest. This is indicated by “M toner cartridge breakage torque” in FIG. 11 that breaks the toner conveying screw 3M of the toner cartridge 11M. This needs to be set below the motor output torque (about 100 mNm).

  The motor output torque is set to be equal to or lower than the motor output torque that damages the toner conveying screw 3M of the toner cartridge 11M. However, when the toner is solidified in the new toner cartridge 11M due to vibration during transportation, the torque applied to the screw 3M increases. As a result, there is a possibility that the motor output torque will break the screw 3M in the toner cartridge 11M. For this reason, it is necessary to perform control so that a torque higher than the motor output torque that damages the screw 3M of the toner cartridge 11M is not applied.

  Therefore, when a new toner cartridge 11M is installed at the station 17M in the image forming apparatus, the CPU 300a does not damage the toner conveying screw 3M of the toner cartridge 11M, so that the solenoids 1Y, 1C, 1K serving as switching means are used. To control. Then, toner is supplied from toner cartridges 11Y, 11C, and 11K other than the toner cartridge 11M. The motor output torque applied to the screw 3M of the toner cartridge 11M is also distributed to the screws 3Y, 3C, 3K of the other toner cartridges 11Y, 11C, 11K. As a result, control is performed so that a torque higher than the motor output torque that damages the screw 3M of the toner cartridge 11M is not applied.

  That is, it is determined that the toner cartridge 11M is new based on the new information on the toner cartridge 11M read from the nonvolatile memory 40M by the CPU 300a serving as the reading means. In that case, the solenoid 1M serving as the switching means for the toner cartridge 11M is switched. Further, the solenoids 1Y, 1C, and 1K serving as at least one switching means other than the toner cartridge 11M are switched. Then, a driving force is transmitted from the motor 29 serving as a single driving source to the plurality of screws 3.

  This is shown in FIG. The motor output torque of the motor 29 as a single drive source is shown on the left side of FIG. 12, and is set to be larger (about 110 mNm) than the damage torque (about 100 mNm) of the toner cartridge 11M shown in FIG. The right side of FIG. 12 shows the tapping torque of the toner cartridge 11M added with the steady torque of the toner cartridge 11K. Here, the steady torque is a motor output torque applied to the screw 3 when the toner in the toner cartridge 11 is not solidified.

  When replenishing toner from the new toner cartridge 11M to the process cartridge 22M, the CPU 300a operates the solenoid 1M and the solenoid 1K in order to disperse the motor output torque applied to the toner cartridge 11M. That is, the screw 3K in the toner cartridge 11K of the station 17K provided at the position farthest from the motor 29 is simultaneously driven.

  As a result, the motor output torque of the motor 29 as a single drive source is applied to the toner conveying screw 3M of the toner cartridge 11M via the motor gear 4, the drive input gear 25M, the spring clutch 2M, and the replenishment drive gear 9M. Further, the toner is also applied to the toner conveying screw 3K of the toner cartridge 11K through the motor gear 4, the driving gear trains 16C1 and 16K, the driving input gear 25K, the spring clutch 2K, and the replenishing driving gear 9K. As a result, toner is supplied also from the toner cartridge 11K to the process cartridge 22K.

  That is, the motor output torque of the motor 29 serving as a single drive source is distributed to the two toner cartridges 11M and 11K. Thus, since the motor output torque that damages the toner conveying screw 3M of the toner cartridge 11M is not applied, the screw 3M can be prevented from being destroyed.

  The toner cartridge 11 to be replenished simultaneously with the new toner cartridge 11M is not limited to the toner cartridge 11K. Each process cartridge 22 is provided with a toner remaining amount detection sensor 20 serving as a developer remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the plurality of toner accommodating portions 26 (in the developer accommodating portion) shown in FIG. Based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 20, the toner cartridge 11 that does not overfill the toner accommodating portion 26 for each process cartridge 22 is appropriately selected.

  That is, it is determined that the toner cartridge 11M is new based on the new information on the toner cartridge 11M read from the nonvolatile memory 40M by the CPU 300a serving as the reading means. In that case, the solenoid 1M serving as the switching means of the toner cartridge 11M is switched according to the detection result of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 20. Further, solenoids 1Y, 1C, and 1K serving as at least one switching means other than the toner cartridge 11M (other than the developer cartridge) are appropriately selected and switched. Then, the driving force is simultaneously transmitted from the motor 29 serving as a single driving source to the plurality of screws 3.

  The control sequence of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. First, in step S101 in FIG. 13, the CPU 300a provided in the image forming apparatus main body reads new information stored in the nonvolatile memory 40 attached to the toner cartridge 11. Next, in step S102, as a result of reading the new product information in the nonvolatile memory 40, if a new toner cartridge 11M is not installed in the station 17M, the process proceeds to step S105 and a normal toner supply operation is performed.

  During normal toner replenishment, the torque is equal to or lower than the motor output torque that damages the screw 3M of the toner cartridge 11M as shown by the tapping torque of the toner cartridge 11M on the lower right side of FIG. Therefore, it is not necessary to distribute the load torque applied to the screw 3M of the toner cartridge 11M.

  On the other hand, in step S102, the CPU 300a determines that a new toner cartridge 11M has been installed in the station 17M. In this case, in step S103, the remaining amount of toner in each of the toner storage portions 26Y, 26C, and 26K of the process cartridges 22Y, 22C, and 22K except the process cartridge 22M is detected by the remaining toner amount detection sensors 20Y, 20C, and 20K. Monitor.

  In step S104, the toner cartridges 11Y, 11C, 11C, 11C, and 11C, which have the least amount of toner to be replenished simultaneously with the toner cartridge 11M, according to the results of the remaining toner amounts detected by the toner remaining amount detection sensors 20Y, 20C, 20K. Select 11K. When the remaining amount of toner is the same, a predetermined priority order set in advance is followed. By monitoring the remaining amount of toner in each toner container 26Y, 26C, 26K of each process cartridge 22Y, 22C, 22K by each remaining toner detection sensor 20Y, 20C, 20K, it is possible to prevent oversupply. I can do it.

  Next, in step S105, the CPU 300a starts a toner supply operation. At this time, the solenoid 1 of the toner cartridge 11 selected in step S104 is simultaneously operated, and the toner replenishing operation to the selected toner cartridge 11 is started simultaneously with the toner cartridge 11M. As a result, a torque higher than the motor output torque that damages the screw 3M of the toner cartridge 11M is not applied.

  In the above description, a case where a new toner cartridge 11 is installed in the station 17M has been described. However, this is not limited to the station 17M. The same control is possible when a new toner cartridge 11 is installed in the other stations 17Y, 17C, 17K.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, an example of a configuration in which the motor 29 as a single drive source is closest to the station 17M has been described. In addition, the same control can be performed when the motor 29 as a single drive source has a configuration closest to the other stations 17Y, 17C, and 17K.

  With the above configuration, when a new toner cartridge 11 is installed in the image forming apparatus, toner is replenished simultaneously from the toner cartridges 11 of other stations 17 excluding the new toner cartridge 11. As a result, the load torque applied to the screw 3 of the new toner cartridge 11 can be reduced, and the screw 3 of the new toner cartridge 11 can be prevented from being damaged.

  Next, the configuration of the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, what was comprised similarly to the said 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits description.

  In the present embodiment, as described in the first embodiment, the CPU 300a determines that a new toner cartridge 11M is installed in the station 17M. In this case, the toner is replenished simultaneously to the toner cartridge 11M and at least one toner cartridge 11 other than the toner cartridge 11M. In this embodiment, the control sequence when new toner cartridges 11 are simultaneously installed in a plurality of stations 17 is replenished in order according to the number of stages of the drive gear train.

  The control sequence of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. First, in step S201 of FIG. 14, the CPU 300a provided in the image forming apparatus main body reads new information stored in the nonvolatile memory 40 attached to the toner cartridge 11. Next, in step S202, if the new toner cartridge 11 is not installed in the station 17 as a result of reading the new product information in the nonvolatile memory 40, the process proceeds to step S210 and the normal toner replenishing operation is performed and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if a new toner cartridge 11 is installed in the station 17 in step S202, the process proceeds to step S203. In step S203, if a new toner cartridge 11K is installed in the station 17K, the toner replenishment operation of the toner cartridge 11K is performed in step S204. As shown in FIG. 11, the motor output torque that damages the screw 3K of the toner cartridge 11K is larger than the motor output torque that damages the screw 3K of the toner cartridge 11M due to gear deformation or the like as the number of stages of the drive gear train increases. growing.

  The motor output torque is set to be equal to or less than the motor output torque that damages the screw 3M of the toner cartridge 11M. Therefore, toner can be supplied without damaging the screw 3 of the toner cartridge 11 by replenishing toner in order from the station 17 having a large number of stages of the drive gear train.

  In step S205 of FIG. 14, when new toner cartridges 11Y and 11C are installed in the station 17Y or the station 17C, the process proceeds to step S206 and the toner supply operation of the toner cartridges 11Y and 11C is performed. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the station 17Y or the station 17C has the same number of stages of drive gear trains from the motor gear 4 to the replenishment drive gears 9Y and 9C. You can start replenishment. The priority of toner supply start of the toner cartridges 11Y and 11C may be set in advance.

  In step S207 in FIG. 14, if a new toner cartridge 11M is installed in the station 17M, the process proceeds to step S208. In step S208, when the toner replenishing operation of the toner cartridge 11M is performed, as described in the first embodiment, there is a possibility that a motor output torque higher than the damage torque of the screw 3M of the toner cartridge 11M is applied.

  In step S208, the remaining amount of toner in the toner accommodating portions 26Y, 26C, and 26K of the process cartridges 22Y, 22C, and 22K of the stations 17Y, 17C, and 17K other than the station 17M is detected by the remaining toner amount detection sensors 20Y, 20C, and 20K. . Then, the detection result is monitored. In step S209, the toner cartridge 11 having the smallest toner remaining amount detected by the toner remaining amount detection sensors 20Y, 20C, and 20K is selected.

  In step S210, a toner replenishing operation is performed on the toner cartridge 11M, and at the same time, a toner replenishing operation is performed on the selected toner cartridge 11 with the smallest remaining amount of toner. In S210, the CPU 300a starts the toner supply operation simultaneously with the toner cartridge 11M by operating the solenoid 1 of the toner cartridge 11 selected in Step S209 so as not to damage the screw 3 of the toner cartridge 11M.

  That is, the CPU 300a serving as a reading unit determines that the plurality of toner cartridges 11 are new based on the new information on the toner cartridges 11 read from the nonvolatile memory 40. In that case, the solenoid 1 as the switching means of the toner cartridge 11 is switched in the order of the number of stages of the drive gear train with respect to the motor 29 as a single drive source, and the driving force is transmitted from the motor 29 to the screw 3. Let

1, 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K ... Solenoid (switching means)
2, 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K ... Spring clutch (switching means)
3, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K ... screw (developer supply means)
11, 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K ... Toner cartridge (developer cartridge)
29… Motor (single drive source)
40, 40Y, 40M, 40C, 40K ... Non-volatile memory (storage means)
300a ... CPU (reading means)

Claims (3)

In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
A plurality of developer accommodating portions respectively provided in a plurality of developing means and accommodating a developer;
A plurality of developer cartridges respectively provided corresponding to the plurality of developer accommodating portions and respectively accommodating developers for replenishing the plurality of developer accommodating portions;
A plurality of developer replenishing means for replenishing the developer in the plurality of developer cartridges to the corresponding developer containing portions;
A single drive source for driving the plurality of developer supply means;
A plurality of switching means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of developer replenishing means, each capable of switching transmission or blocking of driving force from the single drive source to the plurality of developer replenishing means;
Storage means for storing new information of the developer cartridge;
Reading means for reading new information of the developer cartridge from the storage means;
With
When the developer cartridge is new according to the new information on the developer cartridge read by the reading means, the switching means for the developer cartridge and at least one switching means other than the developer cartridge are provided. An image forming apparatus, wherein the driving force is transmitted from the single driving source to the plurality of developer replenishing means by switching. A developer remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of developer in the plurality of developer accommodating portions;
When the developer cartridge is new according to the new information of the developer cartridge read by the reading unit, at least one of the developer cartridges other than the developer cartridge is detected according to the detection result of the developer remaining amount detecting unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a switching unit is selected to transmit a driving force from the single driving source to the plurality of developer supply units. When the plurality of developer cartridges are new according to the new product information of the developer cartridge read by the reading unit, the number of stages of the drive gear train with respect to the single drive source is large. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is switched from a switching unit to transmit a driving force from the single driving source to the developer supply unit.

Images