JP2016138982A - Waste toner storage device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waste toner storage device that prevents incorrect detection while suppressing cost with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A waste toner storage device 30 stores a waste toner recovered in a printer. The waste toner storage device 30 comprises a waste toner container 31 that stores a waste toner, a conveyance screw 35 that conveys the waste toner inside the waste toner container 31, and a fullness detection part 43 that detects that the waste toner container 31 is filled with the waste toner. The conveyance screw 35 includes a shaft part, a spiral part that projects spirally from the shaft part, and paddles 39a and 39b that are fixed to the shaft part over parts of the spiral part without contact with the spiral part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a waste toner storage device and an image forming apparatus using the same. The image forming apparatus includes various apparatuses such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine having these functions in a complex manner.

  An image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system is provided with a waste toner storage device for storing the collected waste toner. Generally, the waste toner storage device is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus, and is replaced with a new waste toner storage device when the waste toner is full.

  The waste toner storage device may be provided with means for detecting by a sensor or the like whether or not the waste toner storage device is full of waste toner. However, because waste toner accumulates locally in the waste toner storage device, even if the waste toner storage device is not yet full, it is erroneously detected that the waste toner storage device is full. There is.

  Therefore, in order to prevent the erroneous detection as described above, in the developer storage device described in Patent Document 1, the waste toner is agitated by the agitating members provided between the support portions provided at both ends of the conveying screw. ing.

JP 2009-251449 A

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the agitating member is provided from one end to the other end of the conveying screw, a large torque is applied to the conveying screw 35 due to the resistance that the agitating member receives from waste toner. Therefore, there is a problem in that the transport screw having higher durability must be adopted, and the cost is increased.

  Furthermore, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the stirring member is provided over the entire conveying screw, it is necessary to ensure a space for the stirring member to pass over the entire conveying screw. Therefore, for example, there is a problem that a sensor for detecting whether or not the waste toner storage device is full of waste toner cannot be disposed in the vicinity of the rotation shaft of the conveying screw.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a current situation, and it is a technical problem to provide a waste toner storage device that does not erroneously detect that the toner is full with waste toner, while suppressing cost with a simple configuration.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a waste toner storage device for storing the waste toner collected in the image forming apparatus, the waste toner container for storing the waste toner, and the waste toner being conveyed in the waste toner container. A conveying screw; and a fullness detecting means for detecting that the waste toner container is full of waste toner. The conveying screw includes a shaft portion, and a spiral portion protruding spirally from the shaft portion. And a paddle part fixed to the shaft part so as to straddle a part of the spiral part without contacting the spiral part.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the waste toner storage device according to the first aspect, the paddle is provided on the upstream side of the fullness detecting means with respect to the conveying direction of the conveying screw.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the waste toner container according to the second aspect, wherein the full detection means has a drop port inside the waste toner container and stores waste toner dropped from the drop port. A toner detection unit is provided, and based on the waste toner stored in the waste toner detection unit, it is detected that the waste toner container is full of waste toner.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the waste toner storage device according to the first aspect, the spiral portions have a uniform pitch.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the waste toner container according to the first aspect, the plurality of paddle portions are provided at different positions on the conveying screw.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the waste toner storage device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the plurality of paddle portions protrude from the shaft portion in different directions.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the waste toner storage device according to the first aspect, the paddle portion is provided with a reinforcing member.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the waste toner storage device according to the first aspect, the paddle portion is formed with an inclined surface that is inclined toward the rotation direction of the conveying screw.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising the waste toner storage device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.

  According to the present invention, the conveying screw is provided with the paddle portion fixed to the shaft portion so as to straddle part of the spiral portion without contacting the spiral portion, and the surface of the waste toner is leveled by the paddle portion. be able to. Therefore, it can be prevented that the waste toner container is erroneously detected as being full even though the waste toner container is not yet full.

  Further, since the paddle portion is fixed to the shaft portion without contacting the spiral portion, the surface of the waste toner can be leveled without deteriorating the conveyance performance of the spiral portion.

  Further, since the paddle portion is fixed to the shaft portion so as to straddle a part of the spiral portion, the torque applied to the conveying screw is smaller than that in the case where the stirring member is provided from one end to the other end of the conveying screw. A lower cost conveying screw can be employed. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to secure a space for the paddle portion to pass through a portion where the paddle portion is not provided in the entire conveying screw, the space in the waste toner container can be used effectively.

  In particular, according to the second invention, since the surface of the waste toner can be leveled before the waste toner reaches the full detection means, erroneous detection can be effectively prevented.

  In particular, according to the third aspect, the fullness detection means can be realized at low cost. .

  In particular, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, stable conveyance performance can be obtained.

  In particular, according to the fifth aspect, the surface of the waste toner can be effectively leveled by the plurality of paddle portions.

  In particular, according to the sixth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent a plurality of paddle parts from entering the waste toner at the same time, and to prevent a large torque from being applied to the conveying screw by the waste toner.

  In particular, according to the seventh aspect, the durability of the paddle part can be improved.

  In particular, according to the eighth aspect, the resistance that the paddle part receives from the waste toner is reduced, and the durability of the conveying screw can be improved.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a printer. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a printer. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the inside of a printer without a waste toner storage device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the inside of a printer with a waste toner storage device attached. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a waste toner storage device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the inside of a waste toner storage device. It is a figure which shows the AA cross section of FIG. It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional shape of a paddle. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the inside of a waste toner storage device when it is largely inclined. It is a figure which shows the modification of the paddle provided in a conveyance screw. It is a figure which shows the modification of a conveyance screw.

  Hereinafter, a monochrome printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer), which is an example of an image forming apparatus, will be described as an embodiment that embodies the present invention with reference to the drawings.

  First, the outline of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The printer 1 is an electrophotographic monochrome printer, and forms a black image. The printer 1 has a function of forming a toner image on a sheet (transfer object) based on image data read by a scanner, and as shown in FIG. 2, a main body 2, a sheet feeding unit 3, a timing roller pair 6, an optical scanning device 9, a transfer roller 14, a fixing device 20, a discharge roller pair 21, a discharge tray 22, a photosensitive unit U 1, a developing unit U 2, and a toner bottle 23.

  The main body 2 accommodates the paper feed unit 3, the timing roller pair 6, the optical scanning device 9, the transfer roller 14, the fixing device 20, the paper discharge roller pair 21, the photosensitive unit U1, the developing unit U2, and the toner bottle 23. Yes.

  The paper feed unit 3 serves to supply paper one by one and includes a paper tray 4 and a paper feed roller 5. On the paper tray 4, a plurality of sheets in a state before printing are stacked and placed. The paper feed roller 5 takes out the paper placed on the paper tray 4 one by one. The timing roller pair 6 conveys the paper while adjusting the timing so that the toner image is secondarily transferred onto the paper by the transfer roller 14.

  The photoreceptor unit U1 includes a photoreceptor drum 7, a charger 8, and a cleaner 15. The photosensitive drum 7 has a cylindrical shape and rotates counterclockwise in FIG. The photosensitive drum 7 functions as an electrostatic latent image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image on its peripheral surface. The charger 8 negatively charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7. As a result, the potential on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is maintained at −500V to −400V.

  The optical scanning device 9 scans the beam on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 under the control of a control unit (not shown). The potential of the portion irradiated with the beam approaches 0V. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7.

  The developing unit U2 forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 7 by trickle development. Specifically, the developing unit U2 applies toner to the photosensitive drum 7 to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. The developing unit U2 contains a two-component developer composed of a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier, and receives supply of the developer from the toner bottle 23, and discharges a part of the contained developer. To do.

  The developing device unit U2 includes a developing roller 10, a supply screw 11, a stirring screw 12, and a main body 13. The main body 13 is a housing that houses the developer, the developing roller 10, the supply screw 11, and the stirring screw 12.

  An opening (not shown) is provided at the end of the agitating screw 12, and the developer is supplied from the toner bottle 23 to the developing unit U2 through this opening. The stirring screw 12 is rotated to convey the developer while stirring. As a result, the toner is negatively charged and the carrier is positively charged.

  The supply screw 11 conveys the developer conveyed by the stirring screw 12 by being rotated. The developing roller 10 is exposed from the main body 13 and faces the photosensitive drum 7. The developing roller 10 incorporates a magnet, and adsorbs a magnetic carrier together with non-magnetic toner by a magnetic force to carry the developer conveyed by the supply screw 11.

  The developing roller 10 is in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 7 and applies toner to the photosensitive drum 7 to develop the electrostatic latent image. Specifically, the developing bias is applied to the developing roller 10 so that the potential on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 10 is negative. The potential of the peripheral surface of the developing roller 10 is −400V to −350V. As a result, the potential on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 10 is lower than the potential (approximately 0V) of the portion irradiated with the beam on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 and the beam on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is irradiated. It becomes higher than the potential (−500 V to −400 V) of the portion that is not. The nonmagnetic toner in the developer carried by the developing roller 10 is negatively charged, and therefore adheres to the portion irradiated with the beam on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7. As a result, a negatively charged toner image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7.

  Part of the developer stored in the developing unit U2 is discharged out of the developing unit U2 through an opening provided near the end of the supply screw 11, and flows into a waste toner storage device 30 described later. To do.

  The transfer roller 14 functions as a transfer unit that transfers the toner image from the photosensitive drum 7 to a sheet. Specifically, the transfer roller 14 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 7 and has a drum shape. A positive bias voltage is applied to the transfer roller 14. As a result, the transfer roller 14 transfers the toner image carried by the photosensitive drum 7 onto the sheet passing between the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer roller 14. More specifically, the photosensitive drum 7 is maintained at a negative potential (−500 V to −400 V). A positive bias voltage is applied to the transfer roller 14 so that the potential of the transfer roller 14 is higher than the potential of the photosensitive drum 7. Since the toner image is negatively charged, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 7 to the sheet by the electric field generated between the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer roller 14.

  The cleaner 15 is a collecting unit that collects toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 after the transfer of the toner image, and includes a blade 16, a cleaning member 17, and a conveying screw 18, as shown in FIG.

  The blade 16 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 and scrapes off the toner remaining after the transfer of the toner image from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7. The toner thus scraped off adheres onto the blade 16. The cleaning member 17 wipes off the toner adhering to the blade 16 and conveys it to the conveying screw 18. The cleaning member 17 is configured by attaching a film to a shaft. Then, when the shaft is rotated and the film is brought into sliding contact with the blade 16, the toner adhering to the blade 16 is wiped off and sent to the conveying screw 18.

  The conveying screw 18 conveys toner by being rotated. The toner conveyed by the conveying screw 18 is discharged out of the photosensitive unit U1 and flows into a waste toner storage device 30 described later.

  After the toner image is transferred, the photosensitive drum 7 is neutralized by an eraser (not shown). More specifically, the eraser irradiates the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 with light. As a result, the potential on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 becomes approximately 0V.

  The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 20. The fixing device 20 fixes the toner image on the paper by performing heat treatment and pressure treatment on the paper. The paper discharge roller pair 21 outputs the paper to the paper discharge tray 22. Printed paper is placed on the paper discharge tray 22.

  In the printer 1 configured as described above, the photosensitive unit U1, the developing unit U2, and the toner bottle 23 are detachable from the main body 2. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the waste toner storage device 30 for storing the toner discharged from the photoreceptor unit U1 and the developer discharged from the developing unit U2 as waste toner is also included in the main body 2. It is detachable with respect to. Hereinafter, the waste toner storage device 30 will be described in detail.

  3 and 4 are views of the printer 1 as viewed from the front with a part of the cover of the printer 1 removed. FIG. 3 shows a state where the waste toner storage device 30 is not attached to the main body 2, and FIG. 4 shows a state where the waste toner storage device 30 is attached to the main body 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the waste toner container 30 is not attached to the main body 2, the end of the conveying screw 18 of the photoreceptor unit U1 and the end of the supply screw 11 of the developing unit U2 are visible. However, when the waste toner storage device 30 is attached to the main body 2, these ends are connected to the waste toner storage device 30, and the waste toner can flow into the waste toner storage device 30 through these ends. . The transmissive photosensor 24 is a sensor used to detect whether or not the waste toner storage device 30 is full of waste toner, and details thereof will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the waste toner storage device 30 includes a waste toner container 31 and a gear 32 for storing waste toner. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 5, the “vertical direction”, “horizontal direction”, and “depth direction” of the waste toner storage device 30 are defined and used.

  FIG. 6 is a view of the inside of the waste toner storage device 30 as viewed from the front side. The waste toner storage device 30 includes a waste toner container 31, a gear 32, a transport screw 35, and a fullness detection unit 43. The waste toner container 31 is a hollow, substantially box-shaped container that forms a storage space SP1 for storing waste toner.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a first recovery port 33 and a second recovery port 34 are provided on the right side of the rear surface of the waste toner container 31. The first recovery port 33 is provided at a position where it is connected to the end of the conveying screw 18 of the photoreceptor unit U1 when the waste toner storage device 30 is mounted on the main body 2. Therefore, the toner discharged from the photoreceptor unit U1 enters the waste toner container 31 through the first recovery port 33 and falls into the accommodation space SP1. Similarly, the second collection port 34 is provided at a position where it is connected to the end of the supply screw 11 of the developing unit U2 when the waste toner storage device 30 is mounted on the main body 2. Therefore, the developer discharged from the developing unit U2 enters the waste toner container 31 through the second recovery port 34 and falls into the accommodation space SP1.

  Inside the waste toner container 31, a transport screw 35 for transporting the waste toner stored in the storage space SP1 in the left-right direction is provided. A gear 32 is attached to the right end portion of the conveying screw 35, and the conveying screw 35 is rotated by a drive motor provided in the main body 2 via the gear 32. The conveying screw 35 includes two screws (first screw 36 and second screw 37) having different conveying directions. The first screw 36 conveys waste toner leftward, and the second screw 37 is waste toner. To the right.

  The first screw 36 is provided with two paddles (paddle 39a and paddle 39b) for leveling the surface (powder surface 50) of the waste toner. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between these two paddles, they are referred to as “paddle 39”. As each paddle 39 rotates, the waste toner in the waste toner container 31 is agitated, and the powder surface 50 is leveled as smoothly as possible.

  Each paddle 39 is U-shaped so as to straddle the thread of the first screw 36 (portion protruding in a spiral shape), and a reinforcing plate 40 is laid on a diagonal line on the inside thereof. Is an opening 41. Therefore, since the waste toner can pass through the opening 41 of each paddle 29 when the transport screw 35 rotates, a large torque is not applied to the transport screw 35 by the waste toner, and the durability of the transport screw 35 is improved. (Or a low-cost conveying screw 35 can be used). In addition, since the paddle 39a and the paddle 39b protrude in opposite directions from the rotation shaft of the first screw 36, it is possible to avoid two paddles 39 from diving into the waste toner at the same time. A large torque is not applied to the conveying screw 35, and the durability of the conveying screw 35 can be improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in each paddle 39, the surface farthest from the rotation axis of the first screw 36 (that is, the outer surface of the portion extending in parallel with the rotation axis of the first screw 36) is not flat. An inclined surface 42 that is inclined in the rotation direction is provided. Further, the reinforcing plate 40 is provided with a similar inclined surface 42. Thereby, the resistance that the paddle 39 receives from the waste toner is reduced, and the durability of the conveying screw 35 can be improved.

  Further, the paddle 39 has a U shape so as to straddle the thread of the first screw 36, that is, the first screw 36 has a thread at the position where the paddle 39 is installed. In the installation position, the conveying force (conveying force in the left direction) of the first screw 36 is not lost.

  Near the center of the waste toner container 31 in the left-right direction, a full detection unit 43 for detecting that the waste toner container 31 is full of waste toner is provided. The full detection unit 43 is provided on the right side of the switching position 38 that is the boundary between the first screw 36 and the second screw 37.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the fullness detection unit 43 has a cylindrical shape that penetrates the waste toner container 31, and an upper part thereof protrudes upward into the waste toner container 31, and a lower part of the waste toner container 31. Projecting downwards outward. A drop port 44 is provided at the upper end of the full detection unit 43, and when the height of the powder surface 50 near the full detection unit 43 exceeds the height of the drop port 44, overflow waste toner is discharged from the drop port 44. Fall. Waste toner that has fallen from the drop port 44 is stored in the detection space SP <b> 2 formed by the full detection unit 43.

  When the waste toner storage device 30 is attached to the main body 2, the lower part of the full detection unit 43 is inserted between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the transmission type photosensor 24 (see FIG. 3) provided in the main unit 2. The The lower part of the full detection unit 43 is made of a transparent member, and it is possible to detect whether or not waste toner is stored in the detection space SP2 by using the transmissive photosensor 24. When the transmissive photosensor 24 detects that waste toner is stored in the detection space SP2, the control unit provided in the main body 2 provides the main body 2 that the waste toner storage device 30 is full. Displayed on the displayed operation panel to prompt the user to replace the waste toner storage device 30.

  Note that the waste toner that has entered the waste toner container 31 from the first collection port 33 and the second collection port 34 is conveyed leftward by the first screw 36, so that the waste toner is distributed to the left end of the waste toner container 31. be able to. Further, since the drop port 44 of the full detection unit 43 is located above the central axis of the transport screw 35, the waste toner enters the detection space SP2 before the waste toner reaches the left end of the waste toner container 31. It is possible to avoid entering.

  In the present embodiment, the drop port 44 is positioned in the vicinity of the first screw 36. However, if the paddle 39 is not provided in the first screw 36, the powder surface in the vicinity of the first screw 36 is used. When 50 rises, the waste toner may enter the detection space SP2 before the waste toner reaches the left end of the waste toner container 31. However, in the present embodiment, in the first screw 36, the two paddles 39 are provided on the right side of the full detection unit 43 (that is, upstream of the full detection unit 43), so that the powder in the vicinity of the first screw 36 can be obtained. The surface 50 can be leveled and such problems can be avoided.

  When the waste toner reaches the left end of the waste toner container 31 and the height of the powder surface 50 on the left side of the switching position 38 reaches the height of the second screw 37, it is accommodated on the left side of the switching position 38. Waste toner is conveyed rightward by the second screw 37. As a result, waste toner gathers toward the switching position 38, and the powder surface 50 around the switching position 38 rises as shown in FIG. When the powder level 50 at the switching position 38 reaches the upper surface of the waste toner container 31, the raised waste toner spreads in the left-right direction along the upper surface of the waste toner container 31. Then, since the height of the drop port 44 of the full detection unit 43 is lower than the height of the upper surface of the waste toner container 31 at the switching position 38, the raised waste toner finally reaches the drop port 44 of the full detection unit 43. The waste toner spreads and falls from the drop port 44 to the detection space SP2.

  The first screw 36 and the second screw 37 are screws having a uniform pitch (thread interval), but the pitch of the second screw 37 is larger than the pitch of the first screw 36. Yes. Thereby, the transport amount of the second screw 37 (the transport amount of the waste toner per unit time in the right direction) is larger than the transport amount of the first screw 36 (the transport amount of the waste toner per unit time in the left direction). Therefore, the waste toner that has risen in the vicinity of the switching position 38 can be effectively guided to the drop port 44 (that is, in the right direction).

  When the waste toner storage device 30 is full of waste toner, it is removed from the main body 2 to be replaced with a new one. However, the present invention is not limited to this. 1 may be temporarily removed from the main body 2 and then reattached during maintenance work (eg, replacement of the developing unit U2).

  As described above, when the waste toner storage device 30 is temporarily removed from the main body 2 in a state where the waste toner storage device 30 is not yet full, the user shakes or tilts the waste toner storage device 30. As a result, the waste toner stored in the waste toner container 31 may move and the waste toner may enter the detection space SP2. If the waste toner enters the detection space SP2, when the waste toner container 31 is remounted on the main body 2, it is erroneously detected that the waste toner storage device 30 is full of waste toner.

  However, in the present embodiment, the drop port 44 of the full detection unit 43 is located near the center in the left-right direction of the waste toner container 31 and near the center in the depth direction of the waste toner container 31. That is, since the drop port 44 of the full detection unit 43 is separated from both the left and right end surfaces and the depth direction both end surfaces of the full detection unit 43, the waste toner storage device 30 is tilted in any direction. However, it is difficult for the waste toner to enter the detection space SP2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the left end portion of the waste toner container 31 has a shape protruding upward, thereby forming a retreat space SP3. Therefore, even if the user tilts the waste toner storage device 30 so that the left end portion of the waste toner storage device 30 is vertically downward as shown in FIG. 9, the waste toner stored in the storage space SP1. Part of the toner moves to the evacuation space SP3, and the powder level 50 of the waste toner is vertically lower than the drop port 44 of the full detection unit 43. Therefore, even in such a case, waste toner does not enter the detection space SP2.

  In order to obtain the above effect to the maximum, the full capacity of the waste toner storage device 30 (that is, in a state where the waste toner is attached to the main body 2 as shown in FIG. It is preferable to provide a retreat space SP3 having a sufficient capacity so that the waste toner does not enter the drop port 44 in FIG. .

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms. For example, the printer 1 has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. In addition, the configuration of each unit is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, the printer 1 forms a monochrome toner image, but may form a color toner image.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the two paddles 39 are provided in the waste toner storage device 30, but the number of the paddles 39 may be only one, or may be three or more. For example, when three paddles 39 are provided, it is preferable that the protruding directions of the paddles 39 are different by 120 degrees as shown in FIG. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the three paddles 39 from entering the waste toner at the same time, and to prevent a large torque from being applied to the conveying screw 35 by the waste toner.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the conveyance screw 35 is comprised by two screws (1st screw 36 and 2nd screw 37) from which a conveyance direction differs, as shown in FIG. It may be a screw having a generally uniform pitch that conveys waste toner only in the left direction.

  In the above-described embodiment, the retreat space SP3 is formed at the left end portion of the waste toner container 31, but the retreat space SP3 is the other end portion (for example, the right end portion, the near end portion, or the front end portion of the waste toner container 31). It may be formed at the back end). Further, the retreat spaces SP3 may be provided at a plurality of ends of the waste toner container 31, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 30 Waste toner container 31 Waste toner container 32 Gear 33 1st collection port 34 2nd collection port 35 Conveyance screw 36 1st screw 37 2nd screw 38 Switching position 39a, 39b Paddle 40 Reinforcement board 41 Opening part 42 Inclined surface 43 Full detection unit 44 Drop port 50 Powder level

Claims (9)

A waste toner storage device for storing waste toner collected in an image forming apparatus,
A waste toner container for storing waste toner;
A transport screw for transporting waste toner in the waste toner container;
A full detection means for detecting that the waste toner container is full of waste toner,
The conveying screw is
The shaft,
A helical portion protruding spirally from the shaft portion;
Including a paddle portion fixed to the shaft portion so as to straddle a part of the spiral portion without contacting the spiral portion,
Waste toner storage device. With respect to the conveying direction of the conveying screw, the paddle is provided on the upstream side of the full detection means,
The waste toner storage device according to claim 1. The full detection means includes
A waste toner container having a drop opening inside the waste toner container and storing waste toner dropped from the drop opening;
Based on the waste toner stored in the waste toner detector, it is detected that the waste toner container is full of waste toner.
The waste toner storage device according to claim 2. The spiral portion has a uniform pitch,
The waste toner storage device according to claim 1. The transport screw is provided with a plurality of paddle portions at different positions.
The waste toner storage device according to claim 1. The plurality of paddle portions protrude from the shaft portion in different directions.
The waste toner container according to claim 5. The paddle part is provided with a reinforcing member,
The waste toner storage device according to claim 1. The paddle portion is formed with an inclined surface that is inclined toward the rotation direction of the conveying screw.
The waste toner storage device according to claim 1. The waste toner storage device according to claim 1.
Image forming apparatus.

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