JP2013020151A - Toner collection box and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner collection box improved in durability and the amount of toner collected, and to provide an image forming device.SOLUTION: A toner collection box 180 includes: a body part 182 arranged in an image forming device to collect toner removed from a photoreceptor of the image forming device; a knob part 186 for drawing the body part 182 out of the image forming device; a grip part 188 for gripping the body part 182 drawn out of the image forming device; a rotating member 190 for conveying toner in the body part 182; and a holding part 196 to which one end 190B of the rotating member 190 is fixed to rotate the rotating member 190. The knob part 186 has a protruding part protruding outward. The protruding part has a hollow part 187 which includes the other end 190A of the rotating member 190 and rotatably supports the other end 190A.

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner collection box and an image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus having a photoconductor that forms an image using toner, toner remaining on the photoconductor after the image is transferred is removed by a cleaning unit and then stored in a toner collection box.

  The accommodated toner tends to be agglomerated, has a problem with toner accumulation properties, and it is difficult to effectively use the capacity of the toner collection box. For this reason, a rotating member is arranged in the toner recovery box and is driven to rotate to convey the toner, thereby suppressing the formation of toner clumps and improving toner accumulation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-54684 A

  However, the other end (driven end) located on the opposite side of the one end (driving end) that is rotationally driven by the rotating member is rotatably supported by a bearing portion disposed in the toner recovery box. The space for the arrangement reduces the capacity available for toner collection, and the portion of the rotating member located in the bearing portion does not carry toner and does not have a function to improve toner accumulation. There is a problem that the recovery amount decreases.

  On the other hand, when the bearing portion is omitted and the driven end of the rotating member is a free end, the rotating member is cantilever supported only by the driving end, so that deflection occurs and the rotational torque increases, There is a problem that the durability performance of the drive system of the rotating member is lowered.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a toner collection box and an image forming apparatus capable of improving durability performance and a toner collection amount.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

(1) a main body for storing toner disposed in the image forming apparatus and removed from the photoreceptor of the image forming apparatus;
A handle for pulling out the main body from the image forming apparatus;
A handle for gripping the main body drawn from the image forming apparatus;
A rotating member for conveying the toner in the main body;
In order to rotationally drive the rotating member, a holding portion to which one end of the rotating member is fixed,
The handle portion has a convex portion protruding outward,
The toner recovery box, wherein the convex portion has a hollow portion on which the other end of the rotating member is disposed and rotatably supports the other end.

  (2) The toner recovery box according to (1), wherein the hollow portion of the convex portion is configured to be able to store the toner.

  (3) The toner recovery box according to (2), wherein the convex portion is formed of a light transmissive material and is configured so that the inside of the hollow portion can be visually observed.

  (4) The rotating member is configured to convey the toner from the one end fixed to the holding portion toward the other end supported by the hollow portion. The toner recovery box according to (3) above.

  (5) The toner recovery box according to (1), wherein the convex portion has a cylindrical shape and has a reduced diameter portion.

(6) The main body has a recessed portion that is recessed toward the inside of the main body,
The handle portion is a hollow tube and is disposed in the recess,
The toner recovery box according to (1), wherein the rotating member passes through the inside of the handle portion.

(7) The toner recovery box according to any one of (1) to (6) above,
A drive source for rotationally driving the holder of the toner recovery box;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveyance path for introducing the toner removed from the photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus into the toner recovery box.

  According to the toner collection box and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, one end of the rotating member is fixed to the holding portion, the other end of the rotating member is supported by the hollow portion of the convex portion, and the rotating member is supported at both ends. Therefore, as compared with the cantilever case, the occurrence of deflection and the increase in rotational torque are suppressed, and the durability performance of the drive system of the rotating member can be improved. In addition, since the convex portion where the hollow portion where the other end of the rotating member is disposed protrudes toward the outside, the influence on the toner recovery capacity and toner accumulation property is eliminated (capacity available for toner recovery). And the toner depositability does not decrease). Therefore, it is possible to provide a toner collection box and an image forming apparatus that can improve the durability performance and the substantial toner collection amount.

1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a toner conveyance path in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining a toner recovery box. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a toner recovery box. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining toner accumulation. It is a side view for demonstrating the modification based on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a toner conveyance path in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

  An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a tandem type color copier, and includes a control unit 110, an image reading unit 120, an operation display unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a transfer unit 150, a fixing unit 155, and a paper transport unit. 160 and a toner recovery unit 170.

  The control unit 110 is a control circuit configured by a microprocessor or the like that executes control of the above-described units and various arithmetic processes according to a program, and each function of the image forming apparatus 100 has a program corresponding to the control unit 110. It is demonstrated by executing.

  The image reading unit 120 is used to generate document image data, and includes a light source 122, an optical system 124, and an image sensor 126. The light source 122 irradiates light on the document placed on the reading surface 128, and the reflected light is imaged on the image sensor 126 that has moved to the reading position via the optical system 124. The image sensor 126 is composed of, for example, a line image sensor, and generates an electric signal (photoelectrically converts) in accordance with the reflected light intensity. The generated electrical signal is input to the image forming unit 140 after image processing. Image processing includes A / D conversion, shading correction, filter processing, image compression processing, and the like.

  The operation display unit 130 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a keyboard, and is used to present a device configuration, a print job progress status, an error occurrence status, a currently changeable setting, and the like to the user. Output means and input means used for the user to perform various instructions (inputs) such as character input, various settings, and start instructions. The keyboard has a plurality of keys including a selection key for specifying the size of the paper P, a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, a start key for instructing start of operation, a stop key for instructing stop of operation, and the like.

  The image forming unit 140 uses an electrophotographic process that uses toner, and is used to form an image on a paper P that is a recording medium. The image forming unit 140 forms an image of yellow (Y) color, magenta ( M) an image forming unit 140B that forms an image of color, an image forming unit 140C that forms an image of cyan (C), and an image forming unit 140D that forms an image of black (K).

  Each unit of the image forming unit 140 includes a photosensitive drum 142, a charging unit 143, an optical writing unit 145, a developing device 146, and a cleaning unit 148.

  The photosensitive drum 142 includes a photosensitive layer made of a resin such as polycarbonate including an organic photoconductor (OPC), and is configured to rotate at a predetermined speed. The charging unit 143 includes a corona discharge electrode disposed around the photosensitive drum 142, and is used to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 142 with generated ions.

  The optical writing unit 145 exposes the charged photosensitive drum 142 based on the image data input from the image reading unit 120, thereby lowering the potential of the exposed portion and corresponding to the image data. A charge pattern (electrostatic latent image) is formed. The developing device 146 develops the formed electrostatic latent image and visualizes it with toner. That is, it is possible to form monochrome images of toners corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan and black on the photosensitive drums 142 of the image forming units 140A, 140B, 140C and 140D, respectively.

  The cleaning unit 148 scrapes (removes) the residue such as toner and external additives remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 142 after the monochrome image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 151 described later, thereby removing the surface. Used to maintain good condition.

  The transfer unit 150 includes an intermediate transfer belt 151, a primary transfer unit 153, and a secondary transfer unit 154. The intermediate transfer belt 151 is wound around a primary transfer unit 153 and a plurality of rollers, and is supported so as to be able to run. The primary transfer unit 153 includes primary transfer modules 153A, 153B, 153C, and 153D corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The secondary transfer unit 154 is disposed outside the intermediate transfer belt 151 and is positioned so that the paper P can pass between the secondary transfer unit 154 and the intermediate transfer belt 151.

  The monochrome images of the respective colors formed in the image forming units 140A to 140D are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 151 by the primary transfer unit modules 153A to 153D, and the yellow, magenta, cyan and black layers are superimposed. A color image is formed. The formed color image is transferred to the conveyed paper P by the secondary transfer unit 154.

  The fixing unit 155 is used for fixing the color image transferred to the paper P, and includes a heating roller 157 and a pressure roller 158. When the paper P passes between the heating roller 157 and the pressure roller 158, pressure and heat are applied and the paper P is melted and fixed.

  The paper transport unit 160 includes a paper feed unit 162, a registration roller 164, a fixing transport roller 165, a paper discharge roller 166, and a paper reversing unit 168.

The paper feed unit 162 includes paper feed trays 162A to 162C that store paper P, a feed roller 163A, and a separation roller 163B. The feed roller 163A and the separation roller 163B are used to feed the paper from the paper feed trays 162A to 162C one by one to the transport path. The registration roller 164 secondary feeds the paper P fed from the paper feed unit 162. Used to convey to the transfer unit 154. The fixing conveyance roller 165 is used to convey the paper P that has passed through the secondary transfer unit 154 and the fixing unit 155 toward the paper discharge roller 166. The paper discharge roller 166 is used for discharging the conveyed paper P out of the apparatus.

  The paper reversing unit 168 introduces the paper P that has passed through the fixing conveyance roller 165 into a conveyance path between the paper feed trays 162 </ b> A to 162 </ b> C and the paper discharge roller 166 instead of a conveyance path toward the paper discharge roller 166. The sheet P is used to turn the paper P upside down and discharge it, or to form images on both sides of the paper P.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the toner collection unit 170 includes a toner conveyance path 172, a toner collection box 180, and a motor 198.

  The toner conveyance path 172 is formed by connecting, for example, cylindrical pipes, and communicates between the cleaning unit 148 of the image forming units 140 </ b> A to 140 </ b> D and the toner collection box 180. Accordingly, the toner scraped (removed) from the surface of the photosensitive drum 142 in the cleaning unit 148 is introduced into the toner recovery box 180 via the toner transport path 172. In order to suppress the clogging of the toner in the toner conveyance path 172, a stirring (rotating) member can be disposed inside the toner conveyance path 172.

  The toner collection box 180 is replaceably disposed in the image forming apparatus 100 and is detachably connected to the toner conveyance path 172, and collects the toner scraped (removed) from the surface of the photosensitive drum 142. Used for. The motor 198 is a drive source for rotating a rotating member (described later) disposed in the toner recovery box 180, is disposed on the image forming apparatus 100 side, and is detachably connected to the toner recovery box 180. The motor 198 is driven when a predetermined condition regarding the amount of toner stored in the toner recovery box 180 is satisfied, for example.

  Next, the toner recovery box will be described in detail.

  3 is a perspective view for explaining the toner collection box, FIG. 4 is a sectional view for explaining the toner collection box, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view for explaining toner accumulation.

  The toner collection box 180 includes a main body part 182, a handle part 186, a handle part 188, a rotating member 190, and a holding part 196.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 182 is a hollow, substantially rectangular parallelepiped that is replaceably disposed in an empty space in the image forming apparatus 100, and has an opening 184 and a recess 185. The opening 184 is a toner collection port that is located at the end of the main body upper surface 182C, is detachably connected to the toner conveyance path 172, and is used to store toner. The recess 185 is located at the center of the main body upper surface 182C.

  The handle portion 186 is located at the upper portion of the main body portion front surface 182 </ b> A and is used to pull out the main body portion 182 from the image forming apparatus 100. The handle portion 188 is used for gripping and transporting the main body portion 182 pulled out from the image forming apparatus 100, and is located at the center of the main body portion upper surface 182C.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the rotating member 190 is a helical member that is disposed inside the main body 182 and extends from the main body back 182B toward the main body front 182A. The toner inside the unit is configured to be transportable. Therefore, the rotating member 190 destroys (stirs) the toner piles formed on the bottom surface 182D of the main body, and transports the toner to a position away from the dropping position, thereby suppressing the formation of toner clumps. , Promotes uniform distribution (flattening) of toner in the main body and improves toner accumulation.

  The holding part 196 is a connector to which the rotating shaft of the motor 198 is detachably connected, and one end 190B of the rotating member 190 is fixed. That is, the rotating member 190 is configured to be rotationally driven by the motor 198 via the holding portion 196.

  Note that the handle portion 186 includes a grip-like convex portion projecting outward, has the other end 190A of the rotating member 190, and has a hollow portion 187 that rotatably supports the other end 190A.

  Accordingly, one end 190B of the rotating member 190 is fixed to the holding portion 196, and the other end 190A of the rotating member 190 is supported by the hollow portion 187 of the handle portion 186. Since the occurrence of deflection and the increase in rotational torque are suppressed as compared with the case of holding, the durability of the drive system of the rotating member 190 can be improved. Further, since the handle portion 186 protrudes toward the outside, the influence on the toner collection capacity and toner accumulation property is eliminated (the capacity available for toner collection is not reduced and the toner accumulation property is not lowered). ).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the hollow portion 187 of the handle portion 186 is configured to be able to store toner, and the space available for toner collection can be increased. The handle portion 186 is made of a light-transmitting material and is configured so that the inside of the hollow portion 187 can be visually observed. By visually observing that the toner is contained in the hollow portion 187, the handle portion 186 Near-full detection (detection of near full condition) is possible. Furthermore, since the handle portion 186 has a cylindrical shape and has a reduced diameter portion that generates a step, the operability when the handle portion 186 is picked is improved.

  The rotating member 190 is configured to convey toner from one end 190B to the other end 190A. As a result, the end of toner conveyance is the handle portion 186 where the other end 190A of the rotating member 190 is disposed. Therefore, the amount of toner collected can be accurately grasped by observing the inside of the hollow portion 187 of the handle portion 186. Is possible.

  The handle portion 188 has a hollow tubular shape and is disposed in the concave portion 185 of the main body portion 182, and the rotating member 190 passes through the inside of the handle portion 188, so that the handle portion 188 can be made compact. Is possible.

  FIG. 6 is a side view for explaining a modification according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The rotating member 190 is not limited to a configuration configured by a spiral member, and for example, a configuration having a shaft portion 192 and a spiral portion 194 disposed so as to surround the shaft portion 192 can be applied. . In this case, it is also preferable to form a gap between the shaft portion 192 and the spiral portion 194 in order to break up the toner mass efficiently.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a toner collection box and an image forming apparatus that can improve the durability performance and the substantial toner collection amount.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, in order to improve the strength of the main body of the toner collection box, a reinforcing rib is provided on the main body, or a sensor for detecting the amount of collected toner is arranged in the toner collection box, so that the toner is almost full. When this is detected, it is possible to display a toner collection box replacement instruction warning on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a copying machine, and a printer dedicated to printing or an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) having a copy function, a printer function, and a scan function can be applied.

100 image forming apparatus,
110 control unit,
120 image reading unit,
122 light source,
124 optical system,
126 imaging device,
128 reading surface,
130 operation display section,
140 Image forming unit,
140A-140D image forming unit,
142 photosensitive drum,
143 charging unit,
145 optical writing unit,
146 Development device,
148 Cleaning section,
150 Transfer section,
151 Intermediate transfer belt,
153 Primary transfer part,
153A to 153D primary transfer module,
154 secondary transfer part,
155 fixing unit,
157 heating roller,
158 pressure roller,
160 paper transport section,
162 paper feeder,
162A to 162C paper feed tray,
163A delivery roller,
163B judgment roller,
164 Registration roller,
165 fixing conveyance roller,
166 paper discharge roller,
168 Paper reversing section,
170 toner collecting unit;
172 toner transport path,
180 toner collection box,
182 body part,
182A front of the main body,
182B back of the main unit,
182C top surface of the main body,
182D bottom of the main unit,
184 opening,
185 recess,
186 Toride Department,
187 hollow part,
188 handle part,
190 rotating member,
190A The other end,
190B one end,
192 shaft,
194 Spiral part,
196 holding part,
198 motor,
P paper.

Claims (7)

A main body for storing toner disposed in the image forming apparatus and removed from the photoreceptor of the image forming apparatus;
A handle for pulling out the main body from the image forming apparatus;
A handle for gripping the main body drawn from the image forming apparatus;
A rotating member for conveying the toner in the main body;
In order to rotationally drive the rotating member, a holding portion to which one end of the rotating member is fixed,
The handle portion has a convex portion protruding outward,
The toner recovery box, wherein the convex portion has a hollow portion on which the other end of the rotating member is disposed and rotatably supports the other end.   The toner collection box according to claim 1, wherein the hollow portion of the convex portion is configured to accommodate the toner.   The toner recovery box according to claim 2, wherein the convex portion is made of a light-transmitting material, and is configured so that the inside of the hollow portion can be visually observed.   The rotating member is configured to convey the toner from the one end fixed to the holding portion toward the other end supported by the hollow portion. 4. A toner collection box according to 3.   The toner recovery box according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion has a cylindrical shape and has a reduced diameter portion. The main body has a recess recessed toward the inside of the main body,
The handle portion is a hollow tube and is disposed in the recess,
The toner collection box according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member passes through the inside of the handle portion. A toner recovery box according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
A drive source for rotationally driving the holder of the toner recovery box;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveyance path for introducing the toner removed from the photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus into the toner recovery box.

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