JP2016142828A - Developer storage container and image forming apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer storage container that can quickly detect a state where the container storing developer therein has become empty, and an image forming apparatus including the same.SOLUTION: A toner container 30 comprises a container body 37 that includes an inner peripheral part 37K, a movable wall 32, and a toner sensor TS. The container body 37 includes a toner discharge port 377 opened therein. The movable wall 32 includes an outer peripheral part 32K and a conveyance surface 320S, and moves toner in a first direction DA from an initial position to a final position while conveying the toner toward the toner discharge port 377. The initial position of the movable wall 32 is set on the upstream side in the first direction with respect to the toner sensor TS, and the final position of the movable wall 32 is set so that at least a part of the toner sensor TS is arranged on the upstream side in the first direction with respect to the movable wall 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer container that contains a developer therein, and an image forming apparatus including the developer container.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet includes an image carrier, a developing device, and a developer container. When the developer is supplied from the developing device to the image carrier, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is manifested as a developer image. The developer container has a developer discharge port, and supplies replenishment developer to a replenishment port provided in the developing device.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a developer container including a wall portion that moves while conveying the developer toward the developer discharge port.

JP 2001-092230 A

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is not possible to quickly grasp that the developer in the developer container has been emptied, and problems such as a decrease in density occur in the image forming apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and a developer storage container capable of quickly detecting a state in which the developer stored inside is empty, and An object is to provide an image forming apparatus provided.

  A developer container according to an aspect of the present invention is opened so as to communicate with an inner peripheral portion that defines an inner space extending in a cylindrical shape along a first direction, and the developer is discharged. A developer main body, a developer main body, a developer main body provided with a lower surface of the container main body so as to communicate with the inner peripheral portion, and a developer outlet through which the developer is discharged. An outer peripheral portion that is slidably disposed on a peripheral portion, and a transport surface that defines an accommodating space in which the developer is accommodated together with the inner peripheral portion of the container body, and is accommodated in the accommodating space. A moving wall that moves in the first direction in the internal space from an initial position on one end side in the first direction to a final position on the other end side while conveying the developer toward the developer discharge port. , Arranged to face the accommodation space and detect the presence or absence of the developer A detection sensor having a detection surface, wherein the initial position of the moving wall is set upstream of the detection surface of the detection sensor in the first direction, and the final position of the moving wall is At least a part of the detection surface of the detection sensor is set to be disposed upstream of the moving wall in the first direction.

  According to this configuration, the moving wall of the developer container moves in the first direction, so that the developer in the housing space is conveyed to the developer discharge port. At this time, the accommodation space is gradually reduced as the moving wall moves. As a result, the amount of developer remaining in the storage space of the container body at the end of use is reduced. Further, when the moving wall reaches the final position, at least a part of the detection surface of the detection sensor is arranged on the upstream side in the first direction with respect to the moving wall. For this reason, the detection sensor can transmit an output signal corresponding to the internal space in which the developer is not accommodated. As a result, the output of the detection sensor quickly recognizes that the moving wall has reached the final position and the developer has been emptied.

  In the above-described configuration, it is desirable that the final position of the moving wall is set so that the entire detection surface of the detection sensor is disposed upstream of the moving wall in the first direction.

  According to this configuration, the detection sensor can accurately transmit an output signal corresponding to the internal space in which the developer is not accommodated. As a result, it is quickly and reliably grasped that the developer has been emptied.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the developer is a magnetic toner, the detection sensor is a magnetic permeability sensor, and the moving wall is made of a nonmagnetic material.

  According to this configuration, the magnetic permeability sensor can accurately transmit an output signal according to the presence or absence of magnetic toner. Further, when the moving wall reaches the final position, the moving wall or the internal space in which the developer is not accommodated faces the magnetic permeability sensor, so that the developer is quickly grasped.

  In the above configuration, the detection sensor is preferably a pressure sensor.

  According to this configuration, at least a part of the detection surface of the detection sensor is exposed to the internal space, so that the developer can be quickly grasped.

  In the above configuration, it is desirable that the outer peripheral portion of the moving wall is formed and a seal member that is compressed and deformed between the inner peripheral portion of the container main body and the moving wall is preferably included.

  According to this configuration, when the moving wall reaches the final position, the developer attached to the detection surface of the detection sensor or the developer attached to the inner peripheral portion of the container body adjacent to the detection surface is wiped off. Can do. As a result, it is quickly and reliably grasped that the developer has been emptied.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a developer container according to any one of the above, an image carrier on which a latent electrostatic image is formed and a developer image is carried. A developing device that replenishes the developer from the developer container and supplies the developer to the image carrier, and a transfer unit that transfers the developer image from the image carrier to a sheet. Features.

  According to this configuration, it is quickly grasped that the developer has become empty. For this reason, malfunctions, such as a density fall, can be suppressed.

  In the above configuration, a remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining amount of developer in the developer container according to the output of the detection sensor, and a display unit that displays remaining amount information according to the remaining amount of developer. It is preferable that the remaining amount detection unit display developer near-end information on the display unit when the detection sensor periodically detects the absence of the developer within a predetermined time.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to promptly notify the user that the developer in the developer container is approaching empty.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the remaining amount detection unit displays developer empty information on the display unit when the detection sensor continuously detects the absence of the developer within a predetermined time.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to promptly notify the user that the developer in the developer container has become empty.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a developer container that can quickly detect a state in which the developer housed therein is empty, and an image forming apparatus including the developer container.

1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an internal structure of a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a developer is supplied to the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the developer storage container which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal state of a developer container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal state of a developer container according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the developer storage container which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a detection operation of a toner sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 100 (image forming apparatus) according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer 100 shown in FIG. The printer 100 as the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a so-called monochrome printer. However, in other embodiments, the image forming apparatus is a color printer, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine having these functions, Another apparatus for forming a toner image on a sheet may be used. Note that the terms used in the following description, such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “rear”, “left” and “right”, are merely for the purpose of clarifying the description. There is no limitation on the principle of the image forming apparatus.

  The printer 100 includes a casing 101 that houses various apparatuses for forming an image on the sheet S. The housing 101 includes an upper wall 102 that defines the upper surface of the housing 101, a bottom wall 103 (FIG. 2) that defines the bottom surface of the housing 101, and a main body rear wall 105 between the upper wall 102 and the bottom wall 103. (FIG. 2) and a main body front wall 104 positioned in front of the main body rear wall 105. The housing 101 includes a main body internal space 107 in which various devices are arranged. A sheet conveyance path PP through which the sheet S is conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction is extended in the main body internal space 107 of the casing 101. In addition, the printer 100 includes an opening / closing cover 100 </ b> C that is attached to the housing 101 so as to be freely opened and closed.

  The opening / closing cover 100 </ b> C includes a front wall upper portion 104 </ b> B that is an upper portion of the main body front wall 104 and an upper wall front portion 102 </ b> B that is a front portion of the upper wall 102. In the open state of the opening / closing cover 100C, the upper part of the main body internal space 107 is opened to the outside, and a toner container 30 described later is attached and detached.

  A paper discharge unit 102 </ b> A is disposed at the center of the upper wall 102. The paper discharge unit 102 </ b> A includes an inclined surface that is inclined downward from the front portion to the rear portion of the upper wall 102. The sheet S on which an image is formed in the image forming unit 120 described later is discharged to the paper discharge unit 102A. In addition, a manual feed tray 104 </ b> A is disposed at the center in the vertical direction of the main body front wall 104. The manual feed tray 104A is rotatable up and down with the lower end as a fulcrum (arrow DT in FIG. 2).

  Referring to FIG. 2, the printer 100 includes a paper feed cassette 110, a pickup roller 112, a first paper feed roller 113, a second paper feed roller 114, a transport roller 115, a registration roller pair 116, and an image. A forming unit 120 and a fixing device 130 are provided.

  The sheet feeding cassette 110 accommodates the sheet S therein. The paper feed cassette 110 includes a lift plate 111. The lift plate 111 is inclined so as to push up the leading edge of the sheet S. The paper feed cassette 110 can be pulled forward with respect to the housing 101.

  The pickup roller 112 is disposed on the leading edge of the sheet S pushed up by the lift plate 111. When the pickup roller 112 rotates, the sheet S is pulled out from the sheet feeding cassette 110.

  The first paper feed roller 113 is disposed downstream of the pickup roller 112 and sends the sheet S further downstream. The second paper feed roller 114 pulls the sheet S on the manual feed tray 104 </ b> A into the housing 101.

  The conveyance roller 115 is disposed downstream (hereinafter also simply referred to as downstream) of the first paper supply roller 113 and the second paper supply roller 114 in the sheet conveyance direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as conveyance direction). The transport roller 115 transports the sheet S sent out by the first paper feed roller 113 and the second paper feed roller 114 further downstream.

  The registration roller pair 116 has a function of correcting the oblique conveyance of the sheet S. Thereby, the position of the image formed on the sheet S is adjusted. The registration roller pair 116 supplies the sheet S to the image forming unit 120 in accordance with the timing of image formation by the image forming unit 120.

  The image forming unit 120 includes a photosensitive drum 121 (image carrier), a charger 122, an exposure device 123, a developing device 20, a toner container 30 (developer storage container), and a transfer roller 126 (transfer unit). And a cleaning device 127.

  The photosensitive drum 121 has a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive drum 121 has a surface on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and carries a toner image (developer image) corresponding to the electrostatic latent image on the surface. The charger 122 is applied with a predetermined voltage and charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 substantially uniformly.

  The exposure device 123 irradiates the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 charged by the charger 122 with laser light. The laser light is emitted in accordance with image data output from an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer connected to the printer 100 so as to be communicable. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121.

  The developing device 20 supplies toner to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The toner container 30 supplies toner (replenishment developer) to the developing device 20. The toner container 30 is detachably disposed with respect to the developing device 20 in the housing 101. When the developing device 20 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 121, the electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 is developed (visualized). As a result, a toner image (developer image) is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121.

  The transfer roller 126 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 121 so as to face the photosensitive drum 121 with the sheet conveyance path PP interposed therebetween. The transfer roller 126 forms a transfer nip portion with the photosensitive drum 121 and transfers the toner image onto the sheet S. The cleaning device 127 removes the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 after the toner image is transferred to the sheet S.

  The fixing device 130 is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 120 in the transport direction, and fixes the toner image on the sheet S. The fixing device 130 includes a heating roller 131 that melts the toner on the sheet S and a pressure roller 132 that causes the sheet S to adhere to the heating roller 131.

  The printer 100 further includes a transport roller pair 133 disposed downstream of the fixing device 130 and a discharge roller pair 134 disposed downstream of the transport roller pair 133. The sheet S is conveyed upward by the conveyance roller pair 133 and is finally discharged from the housing 101 by the discharge roller pair 134. The sheets S discharged from the housing 101 are stacked on the paper discharge unit 102A. Further, the printer 100 includes an LED 100P (FIG. 1. The LED 100P is disposed on the upper surface of the housing 101. The LED 100P displays a remaining amount information corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 30. In the present embodiment, the LED 100P emits light with different colors or time intervals depending on the remaining amount of toner, and in other embodiments, a display unit for displaying the remaining amount information is connected to the printer 100. A personal computer display (not shown) may be used.

<About development device>
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the developing device 20. The developing device 20 includes a developing housing 210 having a box shape that is long in one direction (the axial direction of the developing roller 21 and the left-right direction). The developing housing 210 has a storage space 220. In the storage space 220, a developing roller 21, a first stirring screw 23, a second stirring screw 24, and a toner supply port 25 are disposed. In the present embodiment, a magnetic one-component developing method is applied, and the storage space 220 is filled with magnetic toner as a developer.

  The developing roller 21 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the longitudinal direction of the developing housing 210 and has a sleeve portion that is rotationally driven on the outer periphery. The storage space 220 of the developing housing 210 is covered with a top plate (not shown), and is partitioned into a first transport path 221 and a second transport path 222 that are long in the left-right direction by a partition plate 22 extending in the left-right direction. Yes. The partition plate 22 is shorter than the width of the developing housing 210 in the left-right direction, and a first communication path 223 and a first communication path 223 that respectively connect the first transport path 221 and the second transport path 222 to the left end and the right end of the partition plate 22. A double communication path 224 is provided. Thereby, a circulation path that reaches the first conveyance path 221, the second communication path 224, the second conveyance path 222, and the first communication path 223 is formed in the storage space 220. The toner is conveyed counterclockwise in FIG. 3 in the circulation path.

  The toner replenishing port 25 (developer replenishing port) is an opening that is opened in the top plate of the developing housing 210 and is disposed above the left end of the first transport path 221. The toner replenishing port 25 is disposed so as to face the above-described circulation path, and has a function of receiving the replenishing toner (replenishment developer) replenished from the toner discharge port 377 (FIG. 3) of the toner container 30 into the storage space 220.

  The first stirring screw 23 is disposed in the first conveyance path 221. The first stirring screw 23 includes a first rotating shaft 23a and a first spiral blade 23b projecting in a spiral shape on the circumference of the first rotating shaft 23a. The first stirring screw 23 is driven to rotate about the first rotation shaft 23a (arrow R2), thereby conveying the toner in the direction of arrow D1 in FIG. A first paddle 23c is disposed downstream of the first stirring screw 23 in the toner conveyance direction (D1 direction). The first paddle 23c delivers toner from the first conveyance path 221 to the second conveyance path 222 in the direction of arrow D4 in FIG.

  The second stirring screw 24 is disposed in the second conveyance path 222. The second agitating screw 24 includes a second rotating shaft 24a and a second spiral blade 24b protruding in a spiral shape on the circumference of the second rotating shaft 24a. The second agitating screw 24 is driven to rotate around the second rotation shaft 24a (arrow R1), thereby supplying the toner to the developing roller 21 while conveying the toner in the direction of arrow D2 in FIG. A second paddle 24c is disposed downstream of the second stirring screw 24 in the toner conveyance direction (D2 direction). The second paddle 24c delivers toner from the second conveyance path 222 to the first conveyance path 221 in the direction of arrow D3 in FIG.

  The toner container 30 (FIG. 2) is disposed above the toner supply port 25 of the development housing 210. The toner container 30 includes a toner discharge port 377 (FIG. 3). The toner discharge port 377 is disposed on the bottom 371 (FIG. 6) of the toner container 30 corresponding to the toner supply port 25 of the developing device 20. The toner dropped from the toner discharge port 377 is supplied to the developing device 20 from the toner supply port 25.

<About toner supply>
Next, the flow of toner newly supplied from the toner supply port 25 will be described. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the toner supply port 25 disposed in the developing device 20 and the toner discharge port 377 disposed in the toner container 30.

  The replenishment toner T2 supplied from the toner discharge port 377 of the toner container 30 falls to the first transport path 221 and is mixed with the existing toner T1, and is transported in the direction of the arrow D1 by the first stirring screw 23.

  The first agitating screw 23 includes a suppression paddle 28 (conveyance capability suppression unit) that partially suppresses the developer conveyance performance downstream of the toner supply port 25 in the toner conveyance direction. In the present embodiment, the suppression paddle 28 is a plate-like member disposed between the adjacent first spiral blades 23b of the first stirring screw 23 (see FIG. 3). As the suppression paddle 28 rotates around the first rotation shaft 23a, the toner conveyed from the upstream side of the suppression paddle 28 starts to stay. The toner stays on the upstream side of the suppression paddle 28 and accumulates until the toner replenishing port 25 faces the first transport path 221. As a result, a developer retention portion 29 (developer retention portion) is formed in the vicinity of the inlet of the toner supply port 25. Moreover, in other embodiment, a conveyance capability suppression part is based on the area | region where the 1st spiral blade 23b of the 1st stirring screw 23 was partially lost, and the 1st rotating shaft 23a was partially exposed along the axial direction. It may be formed. Even in such a configuration, the conveying ability of the first stirring screw 23 is partially suppressed, so that a developer retention portion is formed.

  When the replenishment toner T2 is replenished from the toner replenishing port 25 and the amount of toner in the storage space 220 increases, the toner staying in the staying portion 29 closes (seals) the toner replenishing port 25 and supplies more toner. Suppress. Thereafter, when the toner in the storage space 220 is consumed from the developing roller 21 and the toner staying in the staying portion 29 is decreased, the toner that has blocked the toner replenishing port 25 is reduced, and between the staying portion 29 and the toner replenishing port 25. A gap is created. As a result, the replenishment toner T2 flows again from the toner replenishment port 25 into the storage space 220. As described above, the present embodiment employs a volume replenishment type toner replenishment format in which the amount of replenishment toner received is adjusted as the amount of toner remaining in the retention portion 29 decreases.

<About toner container structure>
Next, a toner container 30 (developer container) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the toner container 30 according to this embodiment in a state where the moving wall 32 has moved in the first direction from the initial position. 6 and 7 are perspective views showing the inside of the toner container 30 according to the present embodiment. 6 and 7 are perspective views in which a container main body 37 to be described later is partially omitted. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the toner container 30 when the moving wall 32 reaches the final position.

  The toner container 30 has a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction (first direction, arrow DA direction in FIG. 5). The toner container 30 stores supply toner (developer) therein. Referring to FIG. 5, the toner container 30 includes a lid portion 31, a moving wall 32, a shaft 33, a stirring member 35, a container main body 37 (container main body), a toner sensor TS, and a first gear 381. The second gear 382 and the cover 39 are provided.

  The lid 31 is fixed to the container main body 37 and seals the opening of the container main body 37. The lid portion 31 includes a lid shaft hole portion 31J. The lid shaft hole 31J is provided at the center of the lid 31 and pivotally supports the shaft 33. The lid shaft hole 31J is a hole formed by a predetermined length leftward from the right side surface (inner surface) of the lid 31.

  The container main body 37 is a main body portion of the toner container 30 having a cylindrical shape. The container main body 37 includes an inner peripheral portion 37K and an internal space 37H. The inner peripheral portion 37K is an inner peripheral surface of the container main body 37, and an inner space 37H described later that extends in a cylindrical shape along the longitudinal direction of the toner container 30 (first direction, arrow DA direction in FIG. 5). Define.

  The container body 37 includes a bottom 371, a top plate 372, a front wall 373 (FIG. 2), a rear wall 374 (FIG. 2), a right wall 375 (FIG. 5), and a protruding wall 376 (FIG. 5). And comprising. The bottom portion 371 is a bottom portion of the container main body 37 and has a semi-cylindrical shape protruding downward. In other words, the bottom portion 371 has an arc shape in a cross-sectional view intersecting the first direction. The front wall 373 and the rear wall 374 are a pair of side walls erected upward from the side end of the bottom 371. The top plate 372 is disposed above the bottom 371 and covers the upper part of the internal space 37H. The right wall 375 is a wall portion that is connected to one end side (right end side) of the bottom portion 371, the front wall 373, the rear wall 374, and the top plate 372 in the first direction and closes the container main body 37. The internal space 37H is a space defined by the inner peripheral portion 37K formed by the bottom portion 371, the top plate 372, the front wall 373, the rear wall 374, and the right wall 375 and the lid portion 31. Further, in the internal space 37H, a region between the right wall 375 and the moving wall 32 is the accommodation space 37S. The accommodation space 37 </ b> S is a space in which the toner is accommodated inside the toner container 30.

  The container body 37 has an opening on the opposite side of the right wall 375 in the first direction. Then, the above-described lid portion 31 closes the opening of the container main body 37. The outer peripheral edge of the lid 31 is ultrasonically welded to the container body 37. Referring to FIG. 5, the protruding wall 376 is a portion where the outer peripheral portion of the container body 37 protrudes to the right side of the right wall 375. A cover 39 is attached to the protruding wall 376.

  The container body 37 includes a toner discharge port 377 (developer discharge port), a shutter 30S (FIG. 7), and a main body bearing portion 37J. The toner discharge port 377 is an opening that communicates with the internal space 37 </ b> H and is opened in the lower surface portion of the container main body 37. As shown in FIG. 5, the toner discharge port 377 is opened on the right end side of the container main body 37. In other words, the toner discharge port 377 is disposed adjacent to the right wall 375 in the first direction. The toner discharge port 377 is opened in a rectangular shape with a predetermined length along the first direction and with a predetermined width along the arc shape of the bottom portion 371. In the present embodiment, the toner discharge port 377 is opened at a position shifted rearward and upward along the circumferential direction from the lower end portion of the bottom portion 371.

  The toner stored in the storage space 37S is discharged toward the developing device 20 from the toner discharge port 377. In the present embodiment, as described above, the inner space 37H of the container body 37 is formed by the bottom 371, the front wall 373, the rear wall 374, and the top plate 372. For this reason, the toner in the accommodation space 37S collects in the arc-shaped bottom portion 371 due to the weight of the toner, so that the toner conveyed by the moving wall 32 described later can be efficiently discharged from the toner discharge port 377.

  The shutter 30S (FIG. 7) is slidably disposed at the right end portion of the container main body 37. The shutter 30S closes (seals) the toner discharge port 377 from the outside of the container main body 37 and exposes the toner discharge port 377 to the outside. The sliding movement of the shutter 30S is linked to the mounting operation of the toner container 30 with respect to the developing device 20.

  The main body bearing portion 37J is a bearing formed on the right wall 375. The main body bearing portion 37J (FIG. 6) has a cylindrical shape that protrudes rightward from the center portion of the right wall 375. The shaft 33 is inserted through the main body bearing portion 37J. At this time, the right end side of the shaft 33 protrudes outside the container body 37. Further, a part of the stirring member 35 (stirring bearing portion 351) is inserted between the main body bearing portion 37J and the shaft 33 inside the cylinder of the main body bearing portion 37J.

  The moving wall 32 is a wall portion disposed facing the first direction (horizontal direction) inside the container body 37 (internal space 37H). The moving wall 32 defines one end face (left end face) in the first direction of the accommodation space 37S. The other end surface (right end surface) of the accommodation space 37S in the first direction is defined by the right wall 375. Further, the moving wall 32 conveys the toner in the accommodation space 37S from the initial position on the one end side in the first direction to the other side from the start of use of the toner container 30 to the end of use. A function of moving in the first direction in the internal space 37H to the final position on the end side is provided. In the present embodiment, the initial position of the moving wall 32 is disposed on the right side (downstream in the first direction) of the lid portion 31, and the final position is disposed on the left side (upstream in the first direction) of the toner discharge port 377. Yes. The initial position of the moving wall 32 is set on the upstream side in the first direction with respect to a detection surface of a toner sensor TS described later. The final position of the moving wall 32 is set so that at least a part of the detection surface of the toner sensor TS is arranged on the upstream side in the first direction from the moving wall 32.

  With reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the moving wall 32 is a wall portion that defines an accommodation space 37 </ b> S together with the inner peripheral portion 37 </ b> K of the container main body 37. The moving wall 32 includes a conveyance surface 320S, an inner wall seal 322, a shaft seal 323, a bearing portion 32J, and an outer peripheral portion 32K. The main body portion of the moving wall 32 excluding the inner wall seal 322 and the shaft seal 323 is made of a nonmagnetic resin material.

  The conveyance surface 320 </ b> S is a wall surface that intersects the axial direction of the shaft 33. The conveyance surface 320 </ b> S conveys the toner in the accommodation space 37 </ b> S while pressing the toner as the moving wall 32 moves.

  The bearing portion 32 </ b> J is a bearing portion formed at a substantially central portion of the moving wall 32. In other words, the bearing portion 32J moves along the first direction while holding the moving wall 32. The shaft 33 described later is inserted through the bearing portion 32J.

  The bearing portion 32J includes a female spiral portion 320D. The female spiral portion 320D is a spiral thread portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion 32J. The female spiral portion 320D has a function of moving the moving wall 32 along the first direction by engaging with the male spiral portion 333 described later of the shaft 33.

  The inner wall seal 322 is a seal member arranged so as to cover the periphery of the moving wall 32. The inner wall seal 322 is an elastic member made of urethane sponge. The inner wall seal 322 is compressed and deformed between the inner peripheral portion 37 </ b> K of the container body 37 and the moving wall 32. Further, the inner wall seal 322 forms the outer peripheral portion 32 </ b> K of the moving wall 32. The outer peripheral portion 32K is closely slidably disposed on the inner peripheral portion 37K of the container main body 37. The inner wall seal 322 prevents the toner in the accommodation space 37 </ b> S from flowing out between the inner peripheral portion 37 </ b> K of the container body 37 and the moving wall 32 to the upstream side in the moving direction from the moving wall 32.

  The shaft seal 323 is fixed to the distal end side in the moving direction of the moving wall 32 with respect to the female spiral portion 320D in the bearing portion 32J (FIGS. 5 and 7). The shaft seal 323 is an elastic member made of urethane sponge. The shaft seal 323 contacts the male spiral portion 333 before the female spiral portion 320D, and cleans the toner attached to the male spiral portion 333. For this reason, toner is prevented from aggregating between the male spiral portion 333 and the female spiral portion 320D, and the movement of the moving wall 32 is stably realized. Further, since the shaft seal 323 has a ring shape, the shaft seal 323 is in close contact with the shaft 33 over the entire circumferential direction of the shaft 33. For this reason, the toner in the accommodation space 37S is prevented from flowing out from the moving wall 32 to the upstream side in the moving direction through the bearing portion 32J.

  The shaft 33 is rotatably supported by the right wall 375 and the lid portion 31 of the container main body 37 so as to extend in the first direction in the internal space 37H. The shaft 33 includes a first shaft end portion 331, a second shaft end portion 332, a male spiral portion 333, and a moving wall stop portion 334.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the first shaft end portion 331 is the right end portion of the shaft 33 that protrudes to the right side through the main body bearing portion 37J. The second shaft end 332 is the left end of the shaft 33. The second shaft end portion 332 is pivotally supported by a lid shaft hole portion 31 </ b> J formed in the lid portion 31.

  The male spiral portion 333 is a spiral thread portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 33 in the internal space 37H. In the present embodiment, the male spiral portion 333 is a region upstream of the toner discharge port 377 in the first direction (arrow DA in FIG. 5) from the region adjacent to the lid portion 31 of the shaft 33 as shown in FIG. It is arranged until.

  The moving wall stop part 334 is continuously arranged on the downstream side in the first direction of the male spiral part 333. The moving wall stop portion 334 is a region of only the shaft portion in which the male spiral portion 333 is partially omitted from the shaft 33 in the internal space 37H.

  The stirring member 35 (FIG. 5) is disposed along the right wall 375 above the toner discharge port 377. The agitating member 35 agitates the toner in the accommodation space 37 </ b> S and sends the toner from the toner discharge port 377. In the present embodiment, the stirring member 35 rotates around the shaft 33 and relative to the shaft 33. In FIG. 6, the stirring member 35 is rotated in the arrow DB direction. The stirring member 35 includes a stirring bearing portion 351, a stirring support portion 352, and a stirring blade 353.

  The agitation bearing portion 351 has a cylindrical shape that is fitted on the shaft 33. The stirring bearing portion 351 is inserted into the main body bearing portion 37J from the storage space 37S side of the container main body 37. As a result, the right end side of the stirring bearing portion 351 passes through the main body bearing portion 37J and is exposed to the outside of the container main body 37 from the right wall 375 (main body bearing portion 37J). On the other hand, the left end side of the stirring bearing portion 351 is disposed in the accommodation space 37S.

  The stirring support portion 352 is a protruding piece that protrudes in the radial direction in the rotation of the shaft 33 from the left end side of the cylindrical stirring bearing portion 351. The stirring support part 352 is disposed along the right wall 375 so as to face the first direction. The agitation support portion 352 rotates around the shaft 33 in the accommodation space 37S. In particular, in this embodiment, a pair of agitation support portions 352 are arranged (FIG. 6). The pair of agitation support portions 352 are arranged so as to extend toward opposite sides in the radial direction, and have a propeller shape whose width in the circumferential direction is set wider toward the outer side in the radial direction (FIG. 7). .

  The stirring blade 353 is a blade member that protrudes from the pair of stirring support portions 352 toward the left side (upstream side in the first direction). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, two stirring blades 353 are provided so as to protrude from each stirring support portion 352 so as to be spaced apart in the circumferential direction in the rotation of the stirring member 35. The stirring blade 353 stirs the toner around the toner discharge port 377 while circulating around the toner discharge port 377 and discharges the toner from the toner discharge port 377.

  The first gear 381 is connected to the stirring bearing portion 351 of the stirring member 35 and transmits the rotational driving force to the stirring member 35. The first gear 381 is connected to a first motor M1 described later via a transmission gear (not shown) of the developing device 20. The stirring member 35 is rotationally controlled by the control unit 500 described later in synchronization with the developing roller 21 of the developing device 20 during the developing operation.

  The second gear 382 transmits the rotational driving force to the shaft 33. The second gear 382 is connected (fixed) to the tip end portion (first shaft end portion 331) of the shaft 33 that penetrates the stirring bearing portion 351. The first gear 381 is connected to a second motor M2 described later via a transmission gear (not shown) of the developing device 20. In addition, the control unit 500 controls the rotation of the shaft 33 independently of the stirring member 35, and the moving wall 32 moves in the first direction.

  The cover 39 is attached to the protruding wall 376 of the container main body 37. The cover 39 has a function of exposing part of the first gear 381 and the second gear 382 in the circumferential direction to the outside and covering other parts of the first gear 381 and the second gear 382 in the circumferential direction. .

  The toner sensor TS (FIG. 5) is a sensor disposed on the bottom 371 of the container main body 37. The toner sensor TS is fixed to the bottom portion 371 with an interval upstream in the first direction with respect to the toner discharge port 377. The toner sensor TS is a magnetic permeability sensor. The toner sensor TS is disposed to face the accommodation space 37S and includes a detection surface capable of detecting the presence or absence of magnetic toner. The toner sensor TS outputs a HIGH signal (+5 V) by detecting the toner in the accommodation space 37S. In addition, when there is almost no toner in the region of the accommodation space 37S that faces the toner sensor TS, the toner sensor TS outputs a LOW signal (0 V). The output signal of the toner sensor TS is referred to by the control unit 500. When the toner sensor TS is a magnetic permeability sensor as described above, it is not necessary for the sensor to directly contact the toner. Therefore, in another embodiment, the toner sensor TS may be disposed on the developing housing 210 side of the developing device 20 so as to face the outer wall of the container main body 37. Further, the arrangement of the toner sensor TS is not limited to the bottom 371. In another embodiment, the toner sensor TS may be disposed on the top plate 372, the front wall 373, the rear wall 374, and the like of the container body 37.

  Further, referring to FIG. 5, the printer 100 includes a control unit 500 (remaining amount detection unit), a first motor M1, and a second motor M2. The controller 500 detects the remaining amount of toner (developer remaining amount) in the toner container 30 in accordance with the output of the toner sensor TS. Further, the controller 500 moves the moving wall 32 in the first direction according to the output of the toner sensor TS. The first motor M <b> 1 generates a driving force that rotates the stirring member 35 and a driving force that rotates each member of the developing device 20. The second motor M <b> 2 generates a driving force that rotates the shaft 33 and moves the moving wall 32.

<About the movement of the moving wall>
When the new toner container 30 is mounted on the printer 100, the control unit 500 rotates the shaft 33 via the second gear 382. As a result, due to the engagement between the male spiral portion 333 of the shaft 33 and the female spiral portion 320D of the moving wall 32, the moving wall 32 disposed at the initial position is moved in the first direction (arrow DA in FIGS. 5 to 7). It moves toward the toner discharge port 377. Eventually, when the moving wall 32 moves rightward from the initial position by a predetermined distance, the accommodation space 37S is filled with toner, and the toner sensor TS outputs a HIGH signal corresponding to the full state. The controller 500 receives the HIGH signal output from the toner sensor TS and stops the moving wall 32.

  In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral portion 37K of the container main body 37 and the outer peripheral portion 32K of the moving wall 32 are noncircular in a cross-sectional view intersecting the first direction. Further, the outer peripheral portion 32K of the moving wall 32 that is in close contact with the inner peripheral portion 37K of the container main body 37 has a shape similar to the inner peripheral portion 37K. For this reason, even when the rotational force around the shaft 33 is applied to the moving wall 32 by the engagement between the male spiral portion 333 and the female spiral portion 370D, the moving wall 32 rotates around the shaft 33. (Turning around) is prevented.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a volume replenishment type toner replenishment format is employed. For this reason, when the staying portion 29 (FIG. 4) on the developing device 20 side seals the toner replenishing port 25 from below, the replenishing toner hardly falls from the toner container 30. On the other hand, when the toner is supplied from the developing roller 21 of the developing device 20 to the photosensitive drum 121 and the toner in the staying portion 29 decreases, the toner flows into the developing device 20 from the toner discharge port 377 through the toner supply port 25. As a result, in the storage space 37S of the toner container 30, the toner around the toner sensor disappears, so the toner sensor outputs a LOW signal. In response to the signal, the control unit further moves the moving wall 32 toward the toner discharge port 377 until the toner sensor outputs a HIGH signal.

  Note that the control unit 50 rotates the stirring member 35 according to the developing operation in the developing device 20. As a result, the stirring member 35 disposed on the right end side of the accommodation space 37S rotates around the shaft 33, so that the toner above the toner discharge port 377 is stably stirred. For this reason, the fluidity of the toner is increased, and the toner is stably dropped from the toner discharge port 377. In particular, in this embodiment, a stirring blade 353 protrudes from the stirring support portion 352 of the stirring member 35. For this reason, the toner around the toner discharge port 377 is actively stirred by the revolving motion of the stirring blade 353.

  As the toner in the storage space 37S of the toner container 30 continues to be used, the moving wall 32 eventually reaches the final position immediately before the toner discharge port 377 as shown in FIG. As described above, the moving wall 32 gradually moves in the first direction, whereby the toner in the accommodation space 37S is conveyed to the toner discharge port 377 while being pressed by the moving wall 32. At this time, the accommodation space 37S is gradually reduced until the moving wall 32 reaches the final position. Therefore, the space where the toner remains is gradually lost in the toner container 30. As a result, the amount of toner remaining in the storage space 37S of the container body 37 at the end of use is reduced as compared with a conventional toner container in which the volume of the storage space does not change.

  In the present embodiment, as the final position of the moving wall 32, the moving wall 32 stops slightly upstream in the first direction from the toner discharge port 377. Specifically, when the bearing portion 32J of the moving wall 32 reaches the moving wall stop portion 334 as the moving wall 32 moves, the engagement between the male spiral portion 333 and the female spiral portion 320D is released. As a result, transmission of the moving force from the shaft 33 to the moving wall 32 is lost, and the moving wall 32 stops at the final position. At this time, since a space remains above the toner discharge port 377, some toner remains in the space. However, in the present embodiment, the stirring member 35 is driven to rotate, so that the toner can be stably discharged from the toner discharge port 377 until the end. The toner discharge port 377 is opened at a position slightly shifted upward from the lower end portion of the container main body 37. Even in such a case, the toner remaining at the lowermost end of the container body 37 is scooped up by the stirring blade 353 and then stably discharged from the toner discharge port 377.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the detection operation of the toner sensor TS of the toner container 30 according to the present embodiment. When the printing operation is repeated after the toner container 30 is mounted on the printer 100, the moving wall 32 is gradually moved in the first direction by using the LOW signal of the toner sensor TS as described above. At this time, the controller 500 determines whether or not the LOW signal of the toner sensor TS is periodically detected within a preset detection time (step S1). In the present embodiment, the detection time is 10 seconds, and the detection operation in step S1 is executed within the time during which the development operation is being performed in the developing device 20. Moreover, the periodicity of the output of a LOW signal is judged by whether it exceeds 5 times in 10 seconds as an example. When the amount of toner in the storage space 37S of the toner container 30 decreases, the toner sensor TS frequently outputs a LOW signal even when the moving wall 32 is moved in the first direction. That is, in step S1, when the toner sensor TS periodically outputs a LOW signal (YES in step S1), the control unit 500 controls the LED 100P (FIG. 1), and toner near-end information (the toner will soon be emptied). Information, developer near-end information) is displayed (step S2). In the present embodiment, the LED 100P emits yellow light as toner near-end information. Therefore, it is possible to promptly notify the user that the toner container 30 is approaching the sky.

  When the toner sensor TS does not periodically output a LOW signal within a predetermined time (NO in step S1), the toner in the toner container 30 is continuously consumed while the moving wall 32 is moved in the first direction. Is done.

  Further, when the moving wall 32 is moved in the first direction in the toner near-end state, the moving wall 32 eventually reaches the final position in FIG. At this time, a part of the detection surface of the toner sensor TS is disposed upstream of the moving wall 32 in the first direction. Since there is no toner in the area where the detection surfaces face each other, the toner sensor TS continues to output a LOW signal. As a result, the output of the toner sensor TS quickly recognizes that the moving wall 32 has reached the final position and that the toner container 30 has become empty (or almost empty).

  That is, when the toner sensor TS continuously outputs a LOW signal for 10 seconds (YES in step S3), the control unit 500 controls the LED 100P (FIG. 1) to control toner empty information (toner is emptied). Is displayed (developer empty information) (step S4). In the present embodiment, the LED 100P emits red light as toner empty information. Therefore, it is possible to promptly notify the user that the toner in the toner container 30 is empty. At this time, the control unit 500 may machine-lock the printer 100 (printing disabled state) in order to prevent density reduction in the printed image.

  In the toner near-end state, when the toner sensor TS does not continuously output the LOW signal within a predetermined time (NO in step S3), the toner in the toner container 30 is continuously consumed. Even when the moving wall 32 reaches the final position, some toner may remain between the moving wall 32 and the right wall 375 as described above. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user of the toner empty information and allow the printing operation of the printer 100 to be allowed for a predetermined number of sheets.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, at least a part of the toner sensor TS is disposed on the upstream side in the first direction from the moving wall 32 reaching the final position. For this reason, the toner sensor TS can transmit an output signal corresponding to the internal space 37H in which no toner is accommodated. Furthermore, in this embodiment, magnetic toner is accommodated in the accommodation space 37S, the toner sensor TS is a magnetic permeability sensor, and the moving wall 32 is made of a nonmagnetic material. Therefore, the toner sensor TS can accurately transmit an output signal according to the presence or absence of magnetic toner. Further, when the moving wall 32 reaches the final position, the moving wall 32 or the internal space 37H in which no toner is accommodated faces the toner sensor TS, so that the toner container 30 is quickly grasped. .

  As described above, in this embodiment, the moving wall 32 includes the inner wall seal 322. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, when the moving wall 32 reaches the final position, the inner wall seal 322 adheres to the detection surface of the toner sensor TS, or the inner peripheral portion 37K of the container body 37 adjacent to the detection surface. The toner adhering to the toner can be wiped off. As a result, it can be quickly and reliably grasped that the moving wall 32 has reached the final position and that the toner container 30 has been emptied.

  The printer 100 including the toner container 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. According to such a configuration, the amount of toner remaining in the storage space 37S of the container body 37 at the end of use is reduced. Therefore, an image is stably formed on the sheet S while the toner in the toner container 30 is efficiently supplied to the developing device 20. Further, it is quickly recognized that the toner container 30 is empty. Therefore, in the printer 100, the toner in the developing device 20 is prevented from being significantly reduced, and problems such as a decrease in density can be prevented. On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to these, and for example, the following modified embodiments can be adopted.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the printer 100 has been described as a monochrome printer, but the present invention is not limited to this. In particular, when the printer 100 is a tandem color printer, after the opening / closing cover 100C (FIG. 1) of the printer 100 is opened, the toner containers 30 are adjacent to each other corresponding to a plurality of colors of toner from above. It may be mounted in the housing 101.

  (2) In the first embodiment described above, the shaft 33 is described as including the moving wall stop 334 in addition to the male spiral 333, but the present invention is not limited to this. The male spiral portion 333 may be disposed on the entire shaft 33 along the first direction. In this case, it is desirable that the stirring member 35 is not provided with the stirring blade 353 but only includes the stirring support portion 352. The toner on the toner discharge port 377 can also be stirred by the rotation of the stirring support portion 352. Then, the moving wall 32 may move along the male spiral portion 333 until the conveyance surface 320S of the moving wall 32 approaches the stirring support portion 352.

  (3) Further, in the above-described embodiment, the toner sensor TS is described as a magnetic permeability sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The toner sensor TS may be a pressure sensor. In this case, since at least a part of the detection surface of the toner sensor TS is exposed to the internal space 37H, the pressure on the detection surface of the toner sensor TS decreases, and the output voltage of the toner sensor TS decreases. Therefore, it is quickly grasped that the toner in the toner container 30 is empty.

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the toner remaining amount in the toner container 30 is grasped according to the output of the toner sensor TS, and the moving wall 32 is moved according to the output. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The toner sensor TS is used only for grasping the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 30 (detecting that the moving wall 32 has reached the final position), and the movement of the moving wall 32 is based on the outputs of other sensors. May be controlled. As an example, when the output of a remaining toner sensor (not shown) provided in the developing housing 210 of the developing device 20 decreases, the moving wall 32 is moved in the first direction so as to supplement the developing housing 210 with toner. May be. Further, the moving wall 32 may be moved in the first direction according to the printing rate printed by the printer 100.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the toner remaining amount in the toner container 30 is detected in accordance with the output form (periodic or continuous) of the LOW signal of the toner sensor TS. The invention is not limited to this. The toner sensor TS may include three different output signals (output voltages). As an example, the toner sensor TS outputs a HIGH signal (5 V) when a large amount of magnetic toner faces the detection surface of the toner sensor TS, and when a small amount of magnetic toner faces the detection surface. , A MIDDLE signal (2V) may be output, and a LOW signal (0V) may be output when no magnetic toner is facing the detection surface. The LOW signal is output when the moving wall 32 reaches the final position and the detection surface of the toner sensor TS is exposed to the internal space 37H containing no toner. In this case, the control unit 500 moves the moving wall 32 in the first direction according to the HIGH signal and the MIDDLE signal, and detects the empty state (empty) of the toner container 30 when the LOW signal is output. Good.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the moving wall 32 has been described as moving from the lid portion 31 side to the right wall 375 side, but the present invention is not limited to this. The toner discharge port 377 may be opened on the lid portion 31 side, and the moving wall 32 may move from the right wall 375 side to the lid portion 31 side.

  (7) Further, in the above-described embodiment, the final position of the moving wall 32 is set so that at least a part of the detection surface of the toner sensor TS is disposed upstream of the moving wall 32 in the first direction. . The present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the final position of the moving wall 32 may be set so that the entire detection surface of the toner sensor TS is disposed upstream of the moving wall 32 in the first direction. In this case, the toner sensor TS can accurately transmit an output signal (continuous LOW signal) corresponding to the internal space 37H in which no toner is accommodated. As a result, as compared with the previous embodiment, it can be quickly and reliably grasped that the toner container 30 is empty.

100 Printer (image forming device)
100P LED (display unit)
121 Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
126 Transfer roller (transfer section)
20 Developing device 30, toner container (developer container)
31 Lid part 32 Moving wall 320S Conveying surface 32K Outer peripheral part 33 Shaft 35 Stirring member 37 Container main body (container main body)
377 Toner outlet (developer outlet)
37H Internal space 37K Inner circumference 37S Storage space TS Toner sensor (detection sensor)
500 control unit (remaining amount detection unit)

Claims (8)

A container body comprising: an inner peripheral portion defining an inner space extending in a cylindrical shape along the first direction; and a developer discharge port that is open to communicate with the inner space and discharges the developer;
An outer peripheral portion that is slidably disposed in close contact with the inner peripheral portion of the container main body, and a transport surface that defines a storage space in which the developer is stored together with the inner peripheral portion of the container main body, While transporting the developer accommodated in the accommodation space toward the developer discharge port, the inside of the internal space from the initial position on one end side in the first direction to the final position on the other end side in the first direction. A moving wall that moves to the
A detection sensor provided with a detection surface that is disposed opposite the storage space and can detect the presence or absence of the developer;
Have
The initial position of the moving wall is set on the upstream side in the first direction from the detection surface of the detection sensor,
The final position of the moving wall is set so that at least a part of the detection surface of the detection sensor is arranged upstream of the moving wall in the first direction. container.   2. The final position of the moving wall is set so that the entire detection surface of the detection sensor is disposed upstream of the moving wall in the first direction. Developer container. The developer is a magnetic toner,
The detection sensor is a magnetic permeability sensor,
The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the moving wall is made of a nonmagnetic material.   The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the detection sensor is a pressure sensor.   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a seal member that forms the outer peripheral portion of the moving wall and is compressed and deformed between the inner peripheral portion of the container body and the moving wall. The developer container according to Item 1. A developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface, and an image carrier that carries a developer image;
A developing device that is replenished with the developer from the developer container and supplies the developer to the image carrier;
A transfer unit for transferring the developer image from the image carrier to a sheet;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In accordance with the output of the detection sensor, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of developer in the developer container
A display unit for displaying remaining amount information corresponding to the developer remaining amount;
Further comprising
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the remaining amount detection unit displays developer near-end information on the display unit when the detection sensor periodically detects the absence of the developer within a predetermined time. apparatus.   The said remaining amount detection part displays a developer empty information on the said display part, if the said detection sensor detects the absence of a developer continuously within a predetermined time, The display part of Claim 6 or 7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image forming apparatus.