JP2018200445A - Powder conveying device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a powder conveying device that can prevent powder from leaking out from insertion holes, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: A secondary transfer unit 21 being a swinging unit comprises, as powder discharge paths, a first transfer waste toner conveyance path and a second transfer waste toner conveyance path. A fourth insertion hole 91d into which the first transfer waste toner conveyance path is inserted is provided in a discharged material conveying unit 51 being a receiving member, and a fifth insertion hole 91e into which the second transfer waste toner conveyance path is inserted is provided in a movable member 94 that is attached to the discharged material conveying unit 51 movably in a plane perpendicular to the conveyance direction of waste toner being powder in the second transfer waste toner conveyance path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a powder conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, it is provided in a swing unit that is swingably supported with respect to the apparatus main body, a powder discharge path for discharging powder from the swing unit, and a powder discharge path provided in the apparatus main body. 2. Description of the Related Art A powder conveyance device is known that includes an insertion hole into which a tip is inserted and a receiving member that receives powder discharged from a powder discharge path.

  In Patent Document 1, as the powder conveying device, waste toner that is powder removed from the secondary transfer belt by a cleaning device provided in a secondary transfer unit that is a swing unit is transferred to a toner collecting unit that is a receiving member. What is provided with the powder discharge path for discharge | emission is described.

  However, when a plurality of the powder discharge paths are provided, there is a possibility that powder such as waste toner may leak from the insertion hole.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a powder discharge path for discharging powder from the swing unit, which is provided in a swing unit supported swingably with respect to the apparatus main body, In the powder conveying apparatus provided with the receiving body provided in the apparatus main body, and having an insertion hole into which the tip of the powder discharge path is inserted, and receiving the powder discharged from the powder discharge path, the powder A plurality of discharge passages and a plurality of insertion holes are provided, and at least one of the plurality of insertion holes is configured to follow the movement of the powder discharge passage accompanying the swing of the swing unit. It is what.

  According to the present invention, the powder can be prevented from leaking from the insertion hole.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a main part of a printer. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a secondary transfer contact / separation mechanism that contacts and separates a secondary transfer unit from an intermediate transfer belt. The schematic diagram which shows the discharge | emission conveyance path which conveys the discharge discharged | emitted from each process unit, a transfer unit, and a secondary transfer unit to a discharge | emission storage part. The front view of a discharge conveyance unit. The principal part enlarged side view of a discharge conveyance unit. The figure explaining the insertion to the 4th insertion hole of a 1st transfer waste toner conveyance path. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the movement of each transfer waste toner conveyance path when the secondary transfer unit swings. The figure explaining the case where it is going to block the insertion hole for a movement with the 2nd shutter member provided in the 2nd transfer waste toner conveyance path. The perspective view which shows the discharge | emission material conveyance unit which attached the movable member. (A) is the front view which looked at the 4th insertion hole of the discharge conveyance unit and the insertion hole for movement from the inner side, (b) is AA sectional drawing of FIG. The figure explaining the insertion to the 5th insertion hole of the 2nd transfer waste toner conveyance path and the insertion hole for a movement. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the movement of a movable member when the secondary transfer unit swings. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion into which a first transfer waste toner transport path and a second transfer waste toner transport path of a discharge transport unit in Modification 1 are inserted. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion into which a first transfer waste toner transport path and a second transfer waste toner transport path of a discharge transport unit in Modification 1 are inserted. The perspective view explaining attachment to the discharge transportation unit of the 1st movable member. The front view explaining attachment to the discharge conveyance unit of the 1st movable member. The figure explaining the movement of a 1st movable member when a secondary transfer unit is rock | fluctuated. The perspective view which shows a mode that a 1st transfer waste toner conveyance path and a 2nd transfer waste toner conveyance path are inserted in each insertion hole. The figure explaining the insertion to each insertion hole of a 1st transfer waste toner conveyance path and a 2nd transfer waste toner conveyance path. (A) is the enlarged view of the chain line part in FIG.19 (b), (b) is the enlarged view of the chain line part in FIG.19 (d).

  Hereinafter, as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, a so-called tandem type intermediate transfer type printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) will be described. First, the basic configuration of the printer will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a main part of the printer. The printer includes four process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K for generating toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (hereinafter referred to as Y, M, C, and K).

  The four process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K have drum-shaped photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, respectively. Around the photoconductors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, there are charging devices 2Y, M, C, and K, developing devices 5Y, M, C, and K, drum cleaning devices 4Y, M, C, and K, a static eliminator, and the like. doing.

  The process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K use Y, M, C, and K toners of different colors, but have the same configuration. Above the process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, an optical writing unit 20 for irradiating the surface of the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K with the laser light L to write an electrostatic latent image is arranged. It is installed.

  Below the process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, a transfer unit 7 is disposed as a belt device including an endless intermediate transfer belt 8 that is a belt member. In addition to the intermediate transfer belt 8, a plurality of stretching rollers disposed inside the loop, a tension roller 16, a belt cleaning device 100, a lubricant application device 200, and the like are provided.

  Inside the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 8, there are four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K, a driven roller 10, a drive roller 11, a secondary transfer counter roller 12, and three cleaning counter rollers 13, 14. 15 and an application brush opposing roller 17 are disposed. Each of these rollers functions as a stretching roller that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 8 around a part of its peripheral surface to stretch the belt.

  The cleaning counter rollers 13, 14, and 15 do not necessarily have to have a function of applying a constant tension, and may be driven to rotate as the intermediate transfer belt 8 rotates.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 is moved endlessly in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing by the rotation of the driving roller 11 driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing by the driving means.

  The four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K disposed inside the belt loop sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 between the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. As a result, primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and K where the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K come into contact are formed. A primary transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K by a power source.

  Further, the intermediate transfer belt 8 is sandwiched between the secondary transfer counter roller 12 disposed inside the belt loop and the secondary transfer belt 19 of the secondary transfer unit 21 disposed outside the belt loop.

  The secondary transfer unit 21 includes a secondary transfer roller 18a, a separation roller 18b, a secondary transfer belt 19, a first transfer cleaner 121, a second transfer cleaner 122, and the like.

  The endless secondary transfer belt 19 moves endlessly in the clockwise direction in the drawing while being tensioned by the secondary transfer roller 18a and the separation roller 18b disposed inside the loop. A secondary transfer nip is formed by contacting a portion of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the circumferential direction on the front surface (loop outer peripheral surface) where the intermediate transfer belt 8 is wound around the secondary transfer counter roller 12.

  The secondary transfer roller 18 a disposed in the loop of the secondary transfer belt 19 is grounded, whereas the secondary transfer counter roller 12 disposed in the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 8 includes a secondary transfer roller 18 a. A secondary transfer bias output from the transfer power supply is applied. As a result, secondary transfer in which a negative polarity toner is electrostatically moved from the secondary transfer counter roller 12 side to the secondary transfer roller 18a side between the secondary transfer roller 18a and the secondary transfer counter roller 12. An electric field is formed.

  The first transfer cleaner 121 and the second transfer cleaner 122 remove toner, paper dust, and the like that have adhered to the secondary transfer belt 19. The first transfer cleaner 121 discharges from the secondary transfer unit 21 a blade-shaped first transfer cleaning blade 121a made of urethane or the like, and waste toner or paper dust that is removed and discarded by the first transfer cleaning blade 121a. A first transfer / conveying screw 121b. Similar to the first transfer cleaner 121, the second transfer cleaner 122 also includes a second transfer cleaning blade 122 a, a second transfer conveyance screw 122 b, and the like. The first transfer cleaning blade 121a and the second transfer cleaning blade 122a come into contact with the front surface of the secondary transfer belt 19 and scrape off toner, paper powder, and the like attached on the secondary transfer belt 19. The toner and paper powder scraped off by the first transfer cleaning blade 121a are discharged from the secondary transfer unit 21 by the first transfer conveying screw 121b, and the toner and paper powder scraped off by the second transfer cleaning blade 122a are The sheet is discharged from the secondary transfer unit 21 by the second transfer conveyance screw 122b.

  The three cleaning facing rollers 13, 14, and 15 disposed on the inner side of the belt loop are connected to the cleaning brush rollers 101, 104, and 107 of the belt cleaning device 100 disposed on the outer side of the belt loop. 8 is sandwiched.

  The belt cleaning apparatus 100 includes a first cleaning subunit 100a and a second cleaning subunit 100b adjacent to the first cleaning subunit 100a on the downstream side in the belt moving direction. Moreover, it has the 3rd cleaning subunit 100c adjacent to the 2nd cleaning subunit 100b in the belt moving direction downstream.

  The first cleaning subunit 100 a has a first cleaning brush roller 101 to which a cleaning bias is applied and electrostatically removes transfer residual toner from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8. A first recovery roller that applies a recovery bias having the same polarity as the cleaning bias and has a large absolute value, and rotates while contacting the first cleaning brush roller 101 to electrostatically recover the transfer residual toner from the brush roller. 102. Further, a first scraping blade 103 that scrapes off the transfer residual toner from the surface of the first recovery roller 102, and the transfer residual toner scraped off by the first scraping blade 103 is discharged out of the first cleaning subunit 100a. The first conveyance screw 110a is also included.

  Similar to the first cleaning subunit 100a, the second cleaning subunit 100b has the following configuration. That is, the second cleaning brush roller 104, the second recovery roller 105, the second scraping blade 106, and the second transport screw 110b. Similarly to the first cleaning subunit 100a, the third cleaning subunit 100c has the following configuration. That is, the third cleaning brush roller 107, the third recovery roller 108, the third scraping blade 109, and the third conveying screw 110c, which are cleaning members.

  In the present embodiment, a cleaning bias having a polarity (positive polarity) opposite to the normal charging polarity (negative polarity) of the toner is applied to the first cleaning brush roller 101 and the third cleaning brush roller 107. On the other hand, a cleaning bias having a normal charging polarity (negative polarity) of toner is applied to the second cleaning brush roller 104. The first cleaning brush roller 101 and the third cleaning brush roller 107 electrostatically remove the transfer residual toner of the normal charging polarity on the intermediate transfer belt, and the second cleaning brush roller 104 is the normal charging on the intermediate transfer belt. The transfer residual toner having a polarity opposite to the polarity is electrostatically removed. The polarity of the cleaning bias applied to each cleaning brush roller is not limited to the above, and can be set as appropriate according to the configuration of the apparatus.

  The belt cleaning device 100 can be replaced integrally with the transfer unit 7. It is also possible to remove the belt cleaning device 100 from the transfer unit 7 removed from the printer body. Further, the plurality of cleaning subunits in the belt cleaning device 100 can be attached to and detached from the belt cleaning device 100 with the transfer unit 7 and the belt cleaning device 100 attached to the printer main body.

  The printer of this embodiment includes a paper feed unit 30 having a paper feed cassette 31 that accommodates recording paper P as a transfer material, a paper feed roller 32 that feeds the recording paper P from the paper feed cassette 31 to a paper feed path, and the like. I have. A registration roller pair 33 that receives the recording paper P sent from the paper supply unit 30 and feeds it at a predetermined timing toward the secondary transfer nip is provided on the right side of the secondary transfer nip in the drawing. .

  Further, the fixing device 40 having the heating roller 41 and the pressure roller 42 that receives the recording paper P sent out from the secondary transfer nip and performs fixing processing of the toner image on the recording paper P is described above. The next transfer nip is provided on the left side of the drawing. Further, Y, M, C, and K toner replenishing devices that replenish Y, M, C, and K toners to the developing devices 5Y, M, C, and K are provided as necessary.

  Further, a lubricant is applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 by a lubricant applying device 200 in order to protect the belt surface.

  The lubricant application device 200 is applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 with a solid lubricant 202 such as a zinc stearate lump, and a lubricant powder that is in contact with the solid lubricant 202 and scraped off from the solid lubricant 202 by rotation. And an application brush roller 201 as an application member.

  Although the lubricant application device 200 is provided in the present embodiment, it may not be necessary depending on the toner to be used, the material of the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the surface friction coefficient, and the application is not necessarily required.

  When image information is sent from a personal computer or the like, the printer rotates the drive roller 11 to move the intermediate transfer belt 8 endlessly. The stretching rollers other than the driving roller 11 are driven and rotated by the belt. At the same time, the photosensitive members 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K of the process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K are rotationally driven. Further, an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the charged surface with laser light L while uniformly charging the surfaces of the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K with the charging devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K. To do.

  The electrostatic latent images formed on the surfaces of the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are developed by the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K, so that the Y, M , C, K toner images are obtained. The Y, M, C, and K toner images are primarily transferred while being superimposed on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the above-described primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and K. As a result, a four-color superimposed toner image is formed on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  On the other hand, in the paper supply unit 30, the recording paper P is sent out from the paper supply cassette 31 one by one by the paper supply roller 32 and conveyed to the registration roller pair 33. Then, at a timing that can be synchronized with the four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, the registration roller pair 33 is driven to feed the recording paper P to the secondary transfer nip, and the four-color superimposed toner image on the belt. Are secondarily transferred onto the recording paper P at once. Thereby, a full-color image is formed on the surface of the recording paper P. The recording paper P after the formation of a full-color image is conveyed from the secondary transfer nip to the fixing device 40 and subjected to toner image fixing processing.

  For the photoreceptors 1Y, M, C, and K after the Y, M, C, and K toner images are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8, the remaining toner is cleaned by the drum cleaning devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K. Apply. Then, after neutralizing with the static eliminator, it is uniformly charged with the charging devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K to prepare for the next image formation.

  Further, the intermediate transfer belt 8 after the primary transfer to the recording paper P is subjected to a cleaning process for residual toner by the belt cleaning device 100. Further, the secondary transfer belt 19 is cleaned by the first transfer cleaner 121 and the second transfer cleaner 122.

  In the present embodiment, the secondary transfer unit 21 is provided so as to be swingable with respect to the apparatus main body, and the secondary transfer belt 19 is configured to be able to contact and separate from the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a secondary transfer contact / separation mechanism that contacts and separates the secondary transfer unit 21 from the intermediate transfer belt 8. 2A shows a state where the secondary transfer belt 19 and the intermediate transfer belt 8 are in contact with each other, and FIG. 2B shows a state where the secondary transfer belt 19 and the intermediate transfer belt 8 are separated from each other. When it is.

The secondary transfer unit 21 is rotatably supported on the support shaft 130. The secondary transfer contact / separation mechanism is configured to urge the secondary transfer unit 21 toward the intermediate transfer belt 8 and rotate the secondary transfer unit 21 clockwise in the figure against the urging force of the spring 132. It is comprised with the contact-and-separation cam 131 to move.
In the present embodiment, the support shaft 130 is disposed coaxially with the first transfer conveyance screw 121b and upstream of the first transfer conveyance screw 121b in the waste toner conveyance direction (front side of the apparatus). The upstream side of the first transfer conveyance screw 121b of the next transfer unit 21 in the waste toner conveyance direction is rotatably supported. On the downstream side in the waste toner conveyance direction of the first transfer conveyance screw 121b of the secondary transfer unit 21, a first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a (see FIG. 6) in which the first transfer conveyance screw 121b is disposed is described later. By being inserted into the fourth insertion hole 91d of the transport unit 51, it is rotatably supported.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the contact / separation cam 131 is separated from the secondary transfer unit 21 when the secondary transfer belt 19 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 8. When the secondary transfer belt 19 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 8, the contact / separation cam 131 is rotated. Then, the contact / separation cam 131 contacts the secondary transfer unit 21 and pushes the secondary transfer unit 21 against the urging force of the spring 132. As a result, the secondary transfer unit 21 rotates around the support shaft 130 in the clockwise direction in the drawing, and the secondary transfer belt 19 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 8 as shown in FIG. . When the contact / separation cam 131 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 2B, the secondary transfer unit 21 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing by the urging force of the spring 132, and the secondary transfer belt 19 is moved to the intermediate transfer belt 8. To touch.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a discharge transport path for transporting the discharge discharged from each process unit 6Y, M, C, K, transfer unit 7 and secondary transfer unit 21 to the discharge container 70. .
As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge transport path is a horizontal transport path 80 that transports waste toner as discharge discharged from the drum cleaning device 4, developer as discharge discharged from the developing device 5, and the like. And waste discharged as waste discharged as waste discharged from the belt cleaning apparatus 100, waste toner discharged as discharged from the secondary transfer unit 21, and discharged waste that drops by gravity. A path 55 and a final transport path 61 for transporting the waste that has fallen in the waste fall path 55 to the waste container 70 are provided.

  Drum cleaning discharge paths 82Y, M, C, and K and development discharge paths 83Y, M, C, and K are connected to the horizontal conveyance path 80. In the horizontal conveyance path 80, conveyance screws 81a and 81b are arranged. Waste toner discharged from the drum cleaning discharge paths 82Y, M, C, K to the horizontal conveyance path 80 and developer discharged from the development discharge paths 83Y, M, C, K to the horizontal conveyance path 80 are transferred to the conveyance screws 81a, It is conveyed toward the discharged material dropping path 55 by the rotation of 81b.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the discharge transport unit 51 provided with the discharge fall path 55, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the main part of the discharge transport unit 51.
At the upper end of the discharge fall path 55, a discharge drop opening 57 through which discharges such as waste toner and waste developer conveyed in the horizontal transfer path 80 fall is provided. The lower end is provided with a discharge port 90 through which discharged material that has fallen through the discharged material dropping path 55 is discharged. The discharge port 90 communicates with the final transport path 61. Wastes such as waste toner, waste developer, and paper dust discharged from the discharge port 90 of the discharge fall path 55 are sent to the final transport path 61. As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge sent into the final transfer path 61 is transferred to the discharge container 70 by the final transfer screw 62 disposed in the final transfer path 61.

  The front end of the first belt waste toner conveyance path 120 a where the first conveyance screw 110 a of the first cleaning subunit 100 a of the belt cleaning device 100 is disposed is inserted into a first insertion hole 91 a provided in the discharge fall path 55. It is. The tip of the second belt waste toner transport path 120b where the second transport screw 110b of the second cleaning subunit 100b is disposed is inserted into the second insertion hole 91b. Similarly, the third belt waste toner conveyance path 120c in which the third conveyance screw 110c of the third cleaning subunit 100c is disposed is inserted into the third insertion hole 91c.

  Each belt waste toner conveyance path 120a, 120b, 120c has belt waste toner discharge ports 52a, 52b, 52c through which waste toner is discharged. Each belt waste toner discharge port 52 a, 52 b, 52 c is formed at the lower part of the front end of the belt waste toner transport path positioned in the discharge transport unit 51. Waste toner that is removed and discarded from the intermediate transfer belt 8 by the belt cleaning device 100 is transported toward the belt waste toner discharge port by a transport screw provided in each belt waste toner transport path. Then, the toner is sent to the waste fall path 55 through the belt waste toner discharge port.

  In the present embodiment, the belt waste toner conveyance paths 120a, 120b, and 120c are arranged so as to be shifted in the horizontal direction. Further, the belt waste toner transport paths 120a, 120b, and 120c are arranged with their positions in the vertical direction shifted. That is, the belt waste toner transport paths 120a, 120b, and 120c are arranged on the side wall of the discharge transport unit 51 so as to be arranged obliquely with respect to the vertical direction. Thus, by disposing the belt waste toner transport paths 120a, 120b, and 120c in the horizontal direction, the third belt waste toner transport path 120c is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the second belt waste toner transport path 120b. The discharged waste toner is difficult to accumulate. In addition, the waste toner discharged from the second and third belt waste toner transport paths 120b and 120c does not easily accumulate on the outer peripheral surface of the first belt waste toner transport path 120a. That is, the waste toner accumulation on the outer peripheral surfaces of the second and third belt waste toner conveyance paths 120a and 120b is reduced as compared with the case where the belt waste toner conveyance paths 120a, 120b, and 120c are arranged in a straight line. be able to.

  Thus, the following effects can be obtained by reducing the accumulation of the waste toner on the outer peripheral surfaces of the second and third belt waste toner conveyance paths 120a and 120b. In other words, when the belt cleaning device 100 is pulled out from the printer body when the belt cleaning device 100 is replaced due to a life or failure, a part of the waste toner that has accumulated on the outer peripheral surfaces of the belt waste toner transport paths 120a and 120b. This is an effect that it is possible to prevent the inside of the image forming apparatus from being spilled out of the discharge transport unit 51 and contaminating the inside of the image forming apparatus. Further, it is possible to suppress the aggregation of the waste toner that has accumulated on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second belt waste toner conveyance paths 120a and 120b. As a result, it is possible to obtain an effect that the waste toner aggregated on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second belt waste toner transport paths 120a and 120b can also prevent the toner transport from being hindered.

  Waste toner that passes through the discharge fall path 55 due to free fall adheres to the inner surface of the discharge fall path 55 in the middle of the fall, aggregates and accumulates gradually, and gradually narrows the discharge fall path 55 to bridge the toner. This has hindered toner recovery. In particular, in a hot and humid environment, waste toner tends to adhere to the inner surface of the discharge drop path 55 during the fall.

  Therefore, in the discharge transport unit 51 of the present embodiment, a swing plate 53 that reciprocates in the vertical direction is provided in the discharge transport unit 51 in order to suppress the occurrence of such toner cross-linking. By swinging the swing plate 53 up and down, the toner adhering to the swing plate 53 is dropped and removed, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of toner cross-linking in the discharge transport unit 51.

  Further, the swing plate 53 has a first eaves covering the outer peripheral surface of the first belt waste toner transport path 120a at a position located in the vertical direction above the first belt waste toner transport path 120a in the discharge transport unit 51. 54a is provided. As a result, the waste toner discharged from the second and third belt waste toner conveyance paths 120b and 120c located above the first belt waste toner conveyance path 120a falls on the first eaves 54a. Therefore, the first eaves 54a can prevent the toner from falling on the outer peripheral surface of the first belt waste toner transport path 120a, and can enhance the effect of preventing toner accumulation on the outer peripheral surface of the first belt waste toner transport path 120a. it can.

  Further, for the purpose of enhancing the effect of preventing toner accumulation on the outer peripheral surface of the second belt waste toner conveyance path 120b, the second belt waste toner conveyance path 120b of the swing plate 53 is located at a position positioned vertically above the second belt waste toner conveyance path 120b. A second eaves 54b is provided to cover the outer peripheral surface of the belt waste toner conveyance path 120b.

  Further, by providing the eaves 54 a and 54 b on the swing plate 53, the eaves 54 a and 54 b swing by swinging the swing plate 53. Thereby, the toner deposited on the eaves 54a and 54b can be removed by vibration, and the accumulation of waste toner on the eaves 54a and 54b can be suppressed.

  Further, the swing plate 53 is provided with a first through hole 59a through which the first belt waste toner conveyance path 120a passes, and a second belt waste toner conveyance path 120b so as not to contact the first belt waste toner conveyance path 120a. A second through hole 59b through which the second belt waste toner conveyance path 120b passes is provided so as not to contact. The swing plate 53 is made of sheet metal, and the first eaves 54a are formed by opening the first through holes 59a, and the second eaves 54b are formed by opening the second through holes 59b. ing.

  That is, the periphery of the through hole forming portion of the swing plate 53 from the sheet metal is cut by laser processing or the like other than the portion on the upper side of the wall surface of the through hole forming portion. And a through-hole is formed by bending the part of a through-hole formation location by a bending process, and the bent part becomes eaves. Thereby, it is not necessary to attach the eaves 54 to the swing plate 53 as a separate part, and the cost can be reduced.

  Further, the discharged material transport unit 51 is arranged so that the discharged material dropping port 57 above the belt waste toner transport paths 120a, 120b, and 120c does not overlap the belt waste toner transport paths 120a, 120b, and 120c when viewed from the vertical direction. It is said. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the toner from being deposited on the outer peripheral surfaces of the belt waste toner transport paths 120a, 120b, and 120c by the toner that is sent to the discharge fall path 55 from the discharge drop opening 57 and falls. .

  In addition, the discharge transport unit 51 has an inclined surface 56 below the belt waste toner transport paths 120a, 120b, and 120c. As a result, the waste toner discharged from the belt waste toner conveyance path slides down the inclined surface 56 and is guided to the downstream side of the discharged material drop path 55. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of the waste toner on the wall surface below the belt waste toner transport path 120a, 120b, 120c of the discharge transport unit 51.

  In addition, by providing the inclined surface 56, the motor can be disposed in a space below the inclined surface 56 of the discharge material transport unit 51 in the printer, and used for applications other than the transport path, thereby saving the entire apparatus. Space can be achieved.

  Further, the leading end of the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a in which the first transfer transport screw 121b of the first transfer cleaner 121 is disposed is inserted into the discharge drop path 55 into the fourth insertion hole 91d. In addition, the tip of the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124 b where the second transfer conveyance screw 122 b of the second transfer cleaner 122 is disposed is the first of a movable member 94 that is movably provided with respect to the discharge conveyance unit 51. The five insertion holes 91 e and the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124 b are inserted into the movement insertion holes 93 that can move with respect to the discharge conveyance unit 51.

  The transfer waste toner transport paths 124a and 124b have transfer waste toner discharge ports 125a and 125b through which waste toner and paper dust are discharged. Each of the transfer waste toner discharge ports 125 a and 125 b is formed at the lower part of the front end of the transfer waste toner transport path positioned in the discharge transport unit 51. Waste toner and paper dust removed from the secondary transfer belt 19 by each transfer cleaner are conveyed toward the transfer waste toner discharge port by a transfer conveyance screw provided in the transfer waste toner conveyance path, and the transfer waste toner discharge port is passed through the transfer waste toner discharge port. It is sent to the discharge fall path 55 through.

The secondary transfer unit 21 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining insertion of the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a into the fourth insertion hole 91d.
As shown in FIG. 6, a cylindrical first shutter member 126a is provided at the tip of the cylindrical first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a so as to be capable of reciprocating in the axial direction of the first transfer conveyance screw 121b. ing. The first shutter member 126a is biased toward the discharge transport unit 51 by a biasing means such as a spring. As shown in FIG. 6A, the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a is formed in the fourth insertion hole. Before being inserted into 91d, the first transfer waste toner discharge port 125a is closed at the front end of the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a.

  Further, the end of the first shutter member 126a on the side of the discharged material transport unit 51 has a bowl shape, and the outer diameter of the bowl-shaped portion 126a1 is larger than the outer diameter of the fourth insertion hole 91d. .

  When the secondary transfer unit 21 is moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6A, the first shutter member 126a comes into contact with the wall surface in which the fourth insertion hole 91d of the discharge transport unit 51 is formed. Further, when the secondary transfer unit 21 is moved in the direction of arrow A, the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a enters the fourth insertion hole 91d as shown in FIG. 6B. Further, the first shutter member 126a moves relative to the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the secondary transfer unit 21, and the transfer waste toner discharge port 125a is opened. . When the secondary transfer unit 21 is attached to the apparatus main body, the first transfer waste toner discharge port 125a of the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a is located in the discharge transport unit 51, and the first transfer waste toner is transferred. The outlet 125a is fully opened. Thereby, as shown by an arrow B in FIG. 6B, waste such as waste toner and paper dust can be discharged from the transfer waste toner discharge port 125a to the discharge fall path 55. Further, the first shutter member 126a comes into contact with the wall surface in which the fourth insertion hole 91d of the discharge conveyance unit 51 is formed, so that a gap between the fourth insertion hole 91d and the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a. It is possible to prevent discharge of waste toner and the like from leaking through the gap.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the movement of each transfer waste toner conveyance path when the secondary transfer unit 21 swings.
When the secondary transfer unit 21 swings as shown in FIG. 7A, the second transfer waste toner transport path 124b located at a position away from the support shaft 130 (see FIG. 2) is moved in the waste toner transport direction. Moves in the direction perpendicular to On the other hand, the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a is a fulcrum of swing when the secondary transfer unit 21 swings together with the support shaft 130 as described in FIG. Therefore, the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a hardly moves when the secondary transfer unit 21 swings.

  As described above, when the secondary transfer unit 21 swings, the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b moves greatly. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, the insertion hole into which the second transfer waste toner transport path 124b of the discharge transport unit 51 is inserted is used as a second transfer waste toner transport path when the secondary transfer unit 21 swings. The moving insertion hole 93 is an arc-shaped long hole that follows the movement locus of 124b.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a case where the moving insertion hole 93 is to be blocked with the second shutter member 126b provided in the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b.
As in the case of the first shutter member 126a provided in the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a, when the movement insertion hole 93 is to be closed, the hook-shaped portion of the second shutter member 126b is shown in FIG. The outer diameter of 126b1 becomes large and interferes with the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a and the first shutter member 126a.

  Further, it is also conceivable that the hook-shaped portion 126b1 of the second shutter member 126b has an arc shape like the insertion hole 93 for movement. However, the second shutter member 126b becomes larger in the vertical direction, and the second shutter member 126b may be caught by members around the secondary transfer unit 21 when the secondary transfer unit 21 is attached or detached.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the discharge transfer unit 51 is moved so as to follow the movement of the second transfer waste toner transfer path 124b as the powder discharge path accompanying the swing of the secondary transfer unit 21 as the swing unit. A movable member 94 is movably attached. The movable member 94 has a fifth insertion hole 91e into which the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b is inserted, and the movable member 94 covers the movement insertion hole 93.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the discharged material transport unit 51 to which the movable member 94 is attached. FIG. 10A shows the vicinity of the fourth insertion hole 91d and the moving insertion hole 93 of the discharged material transport unit 51 inside. It is the front view seen from the side, FIG.10 (b) is AA sectional drawing of FIG.

  The movable member 94 has a plate-like portion 94a that covers the moving insertion hole 93 from the outside of the discharged material transport unit 51, and a cylindrical portion 94b provided at a substantially central portion of the plate-like portion 94a. The hole formed in the cylindrical portion 94b is a fifth insertion hole 91e into which the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b is inserted. The cylindrical portion 94b passes through the movement insertion hole 93, and there is a C ring on the outer periphery of the portion of the cylindrical portion 94b that penetrates the movement insertion hole 93 (the portion located in the discharge material dropping path 55). A groove portion 94c into which 95 is fitted is formed. The movable member 94 is movably attached to the discharge transport unit 51 by fitting the C ring 95 into the groove 94c.

  Further, a sponge seal 96 is provided in a portion of the discharge material transport unit 51 facing the plate-like portion 94a of the movable member 94 so as to surround the insertion hole 93 for movement. The sponge seal 96 is affixed to the discharged material transport unit 51 by a double-sided seal or the like. A sponge seal 96 may be provided at the edge of the plate-like portion 94a of the movable member 94.

  When the C-ring 95 is fitted into the groove 94 c and the movable member 94 is attached to the discharged product transport unit 51, the plate-like portion 94 a pushes the sponge seal 96 and compresses the sponge seal 96. As a result, the sponge seal 96 is in close contact with the plate-like portion 94a, and waste toner can be prevented from leaking from between the movable member 94 and the discharged product transport unit 51.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating insertion into the fifth insertion hole 91e and the movement insertion hole 93 of the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b.
Similar to the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a, a cylindrical second shutter member 126b can reciprocate in the axial direction of the second transfer transport screw 122b at the tip of the second transfer waste toner transport path 124b. Is provided. And before the 2nd transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b is inserted in the 5th insertion hole 91e, it is located in the front-end | tip of the 2nd transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b, and has blocked the 2nd transfer waste toner discharge port 125b. In addition, the outer diameter of the hook-shaped portion 126b1 at the end of the second shutter member 126b on the discharged material transport unit 51 side is larger than the outer diameter of the fifth insertion hole 91e.

  When the secondary transfer unit 21 is moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 11A, the second shutter member 126 b comes into contact with the plate-like portion 94 a of the movable member 94. Further, when the secondary transfer unit 21 is moved in the direction of arrow A, as shown in FIG. 11B, the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a enters the fifth insertion hole 91e and the movement insertion hole 93. Go. Further, the second shutter member 126b moves relative to the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a in the direction opposite to the movement direction of the secondary transfer unit 21, and the second transfer waste toner discharge port 125b is opened. To go. When the secondary transfer unit 21 is attached to the apparatus main body, the second transfer waste toner discharge port 125b of the second transfer waste toner transport path 124b is located in the discharge transport unit 51, and the second transfer waste toner is transferred. The outlet 125b is fully opened. Accordingly, as shown by an arrow B2 in FIG. 11B, waste such as waste toner and paper dust can be discharged from the second transfer waste toner discharge port 125b to the discharge fall path 55.

  In such a configuration, the second shutter member 126 b has a fifth insertion hole 91 e that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124 b provided in the movable member 94 and smaller than the movement insertion hole 93. Cover it. As a result, the hook-shaped portion 126b1 of the second shutter member 126b can be reduced, and unlike the configuration described with reference to FIG. 8, the second shutter member 126b is used for the first shutter member 126a and the first transfer waste toner. There is no interference with the transport path 124a. Also, the second shutter member 126b can be easily attached and detached without interfering with the attachment and detachment of the secondary transfer unit 21.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the movable member 94 when the secondary transfer unit 21 swings. FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the fifth insertion hole 91e when the secondary transfer belt 19 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 8. FIG. FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the fifth insertion hole 91 e when the secondary transfer belt 19 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, when the secondary transfer belt 19 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 8, the fifth insertion hole 91 e and the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124 b are arranged in the movement insertion hole 93. Located at the top of the.

  When moving the secondary transfer unit 21 from the state where the secondary transfer belt 19 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 8 to the state where the secondary transfer belt 19 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 8 by swinging the secondary transfer unit 21 The second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b moves in the direction of arrow C in the figure as shown in FIG. Then, the lower part of the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b comes into contact with the fifth insertion hole 91e and pushes the movable member 94 downward in the drawing. Then, the movable member 94 moves in the direction of the arrow D in the figure together with the second transfer waste toner transport path 124b, and the fifth insertion hole 91e moves to the second transfer waste toner transport path accompanying the swing of the secondary transfer unit 21. The movement of 124b is not hindered. Accordingly, the secondary transfer unit 21 can be swung so that the secondary transfer belt 19 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 8. When the secondary transfer unit 21 swings to a position where the secondary transfer belt 19 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 8, as shown in FIG. 12B, the fifth insertion hole 91e and the second transfer waste toner are conveyed. The path 124b moves to the lower part of the insertion hole 93 for movement.

  Next, the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a is not coaxial with the support shaft 130, and the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a and the second transfer waste toner transport path 124b move when the secondary transfer unit 21 swings. The configuration will be described as a first modification.

  FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion where the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a and the second transfer waste toner transport path 124b of the discharge transport unit 51 in Modification 1 are inserted.

  In the first modification, the first movable member 193 attached to the discharged material transport unit 51 and the second movable member 194 attached to the first movable member 193 are provided. The first movable member 193 can move in all directions within a plane perpendicular to the waste toner conveyance direction of the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a as indicated by arrows α and β in the drawing, and the arrows in the drawing. As indicated by γ, the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a is attached so as to be rotatable around the waste toner transport direction. On the other hand, as indicated by an arrow δ in the drawing, the second rotating member is attached so as to be able to reciprocate in one direction in a plane perpendicular to the waste toner conveyance direction of the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a. In the present embodiment, the second movable member 194 is attached so as to be able to reciprocate in the direction in which the transfer waste toner conveyance path is arranged.

  The first movable member 193 has a plate-like portion 193 f for covering the movable hole 97 provided in the discharge transport unit 51. A transfer-side cylindrical portion 193g is formed substantially at the center of the surface of the plate-like portion 193f on the transfer waste toner conveyance path side. The cross-sectional shape of the transfer-side cylindrical portion 193g is a rounded quadrangular shape that is long in the direction in which the transfer waste toner conveyance path is arranged. A fourth insertion hole 91d into which the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a is inserted is provided in the transfer side cylindrical portion 193g. Further, an auxiliary insertion hole 193c into which the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b is inserted is provided in the transfer side cylindrical portion 193g. The auxiliary insertion hole 193c is a long hole extending in the direction in which the transfer waste toner conveyance path is arranged (see FIG. 16A).

  Further, the transfer side tubular portion 193g has a notch portion 193e into which the second movable member 194 is inserted and a retaining portion 193d for preventing the second movable member 194 from coming off.

  The second movable member 194 has a fifth insertion hole 91e into which the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b is inserted. By inserting the second movable member 194 into the cutout portion 193e, the second movable member 194 is disposed in the transfer side tubular portion 193g. As shown in FIG. 13, a part of the held second movable member 194 is located outside the transfer side tubular portion 193g from the notch portion 193e. As a result, the right side of the second movable member 194 in the figure is held by the transfer side cylindrical part 193g and the plate-like part 193f, and the left side of the second movable member 194 in the figure is the retaining part 193d and the plate-like part. Held by the portion 193f. As a result, the second movable member 194 is held in the transfer-side cylindrical portion 193g so as to be movable in the direction in which the transfer waste toner transport path is arranged.

The first movable member 193 is provided with a film-like retaining plate 197 that prevents the second movable member 194 from coming out of the notch 193e so as to face the notch 193e. .
Further, a tapered portion 193a is formed at the transfer waste toner conveyance path side end of the transfer side cylindrical portion 193g so that the inner diameter gradually increases toward the tip.

  Further, the fourth insertion hole 91 d provided in the first movable member 193 protrudes toward the transfer waste toner conveyance path side from the fifth insertion hole 91 e provided in the second movable member 194.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion into which the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a and the second transfer waste toner transport path 124b of the discharged product transport unit 51 in Modification 1 are inserted.
As shown in FIG. 14, on the surface of the plate-like portion 193f of the first movable member 193 on the discharged material transport unit 51 side, there is an attachment cylindrical portion 193h that penetrates the movable hole 97 and to which the attachment member 195 is attached. Is formed. An attachment member 195 is fitted to the outer periphery of the attachment tubular portion 193h. The attachment member 195 has a flat portion 195 a that faces the inner surface of the discharged product transport unit 51. The first movable member 193 is attached to the discharge material transport unit 51 by the mounting member 195 so as to be movable in a plane perpendicular to the waste toner transport direction.

  The first movable member 193 includes a first transfer eave 193b1 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a from above, and a second transfer that covers the outer peripheral surface of the second transfer waste toner transport path 124b from above. An eaves 193b2 is provided. As a result, it is possible to prevent waste such as waste toner that has fallen on the discharge fall path 55 from falling on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a and the second transfer waste toner transport path 124b. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of discharged substances on the outer peripheral surfaces of the transfer waste toner transport paths 124a and 124b. Thus, when the secondary transfer unit 21 is taken out from the apparatus main body, the waste accumulated on the outer peripheral surfaces of the transfer waste toner transport paths 124 a and 124 b is prevented from dropping out of the discharge transport unit 51. Can do. As a result, the image forming apparatus can be prevented from becoming dirty.

  In addition, a first sponge seal 96 a is provided at a portion of the discharge transport unit 51 that faces the plate-like portion 193 f of the first movable member 193 so as to surround the movable hole 97. The first sponge seal 96a is attached to the plate-like portion 193f of the first movable member 193 with a double-sided tape or the like. When the attachment member 195 is attached to the first movable member 193 and the first movable member 193 is attached to the discharged material transport unit 51, the plate-like portion 193f pushes the first sponge seal 96a, and the first sponge seal 96a is Compress. As a result, the first sponge seal 96a is in close contact with the plate-like portion 193f, and the waste toner can be prevented from leaking from between the first movable member 193 and the discharged material transport unit 51. The first sponge seal 96a may be provided on the edge of the plate-like portion 193f of the first movable member 193.

  A second sponge seal 96b is provided on the surface of the second movable member 194 facing the plate-like portion 193f of the first movable member 193 so as to surround the fifth insertion hole 91e. The second sponge seal 96b is affixed to the second movable member 194 with a double-sided tape or the like. When the second movable member 194 is attached to the first movable member 193, the plate-like portion 193f pushes the second sponge seal 96b and compresses the second sponge seal 96b. As a result, the second sponge seal 96b is in close contact with the plate-like portion 193f, and the waste toner can be prevented from leaking from between the second movable member 194 and the first movable member 193. The second sponge seal 96b may be provided on the first movable member 193 so as to surround the auxiliary insertion hole 193c.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating attachment of the first movable member 193 to the discharge material transport unit 51, and FIG. 16 is a front view illustrating attachment of the first movable member 193 to the waste material conveyance unit 51. is there.
The attachment member 195 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow in FIGS. 15A and 16A, and the attachment member 195 is attached to the attachment tubular portion 193h of the first movable member 193 penetrating the movable hole 97. The fitting portion 195b is fitted. Thereby, the attachment member 195 is attached to the first movable member 193.

  As shown in FIG. 15B and FIG. 16B, the flat portion 195 a of the attachment member 195 attached to the first movable member 193 protrudes from the edge of the movable hole 97, and Opposite the wall. Accordingly, the first movable member 193 is attached to the discharge material transport unit 51 in such a manner that the wall surface of the discharge material dropping path 55 is sandwiched between the plate-like portion 193f of the first movable member 193 and the attachment member 195.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the movable hole 97 is larger than the mounting tubular portion 193 h of the first movable member 193 penetrating the movable hole 97. As a result, the first movable member 193 can move in a plane perpendicular to the waste toner conveyance direction of the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a, and around the waste toner conveyance direction of the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a. Is pivotally attached to.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the first movable member 193 when the secondary transfer unit 21 is swung.
When the secondary transfer unit 21 rotates clockwise with the support shaft 130 as a fulcrum in the drawing, as shown by arrows M1 and M2 in FIG. The waste toner conveyance path 124b moves around the support shaft 130. Then, the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a pushes the inner peripheral surface of the fourth insertion hole 91d, and the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b pushes the inner peripheral surface of the fifth insertion hole 91e. As a result, the first movable member 193 follows the movement of the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a and the second transfer waste toner as indicated by an arrow M3 in the figure, and the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a is discarded. It moves in a plane perpendicular to the toner conveyance direction. Thus, even if the fourth insertion hole 91d and the fifth insertion hole 91e are slightly larger than the transfer waste toner transport path, the movement of the first and second transfer waste toner transport paths 124a and 124b is not hindered. The secondary transfer unit 21 can be swung so that the secondary transfer belt 19 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 8. When the secondary transfer unit 21 swings to a position where the secondary transfer belt 19 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 8, the first movable member 193 is inclined as shown in FIG. 17B. .

Next, the insertion of the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a and the second transfer waste toner transport path 124b in Modification 1 will be described.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a and the second transfer waste toner transport path 124b are inserted into the insertion holes. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining insertion into the insertion holes of the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a and the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b. 20A is an enlarged view of a chain line portion in FIG. 19B, and FIG. 20B is an enlarged view of a chain line portion in FIG. 19D. 19 and 20 are sectional views as seen from below.

  Conical guide portions 128a and 128b are provided at the tip of each transfer waste toner conveyance path. As shown in FIG. 19A, when the secondary transfer unit 21 is inserted into the apparatus main body, each transfer waste toner transport path moves in the direction of arrow H, and the transfer-side cylindrical portion of the first movable member 193 is moved. Enter into 193g. As described above, the transfer waste toner conveyance path side end portion of the transfer side cylindrical portion 193g is the tapered portion 193a. Therefore, when the transfer-side cylindrical portion 193g is deviated from the position where the transfer waste toner conveyance path enters, the guide portions 128a and 128b of each transfer waste toner conveyance path come into contact with the taper portion 193a. Further, when each transfer waste toner conveyance path is moved in the direction of arrow H, the taper portion 193a is pushed by the guide portions 128a and 128b, whereby the first movable member 193 moves, as shown in FIG. Each transfer waste toner conveyance path enters the transfer side cylindrical portion 193g.

As shown in FIG. 20A, the fourth insertion hole 91d is located on the transfer waste toner conveyance path side by a distance J from the fifth insertion hole 91e. Therefore, in the first modification, first, the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a is inserted into the fourth insertion hole 91d.
In this way, by inserting one of the two transfer waste toner conveyance paths into the previous insertion hole, the first movable member 193 is positioned to some extent, and the other transfer waste toner conveyance path is smoothly inserted into the insertion hole. be able to.

  In addition, either one of the two transfer waste toner conveyance paths protrudes toward the first movable member 193 side than the other, and one transfer waste toner conveyance path is inserted into the insertion hole earlier than the other. Good. Further, either one of the two transfer waste toner transport paths protrudes toward the first movable member 193 side from the other, and the insertion hole into which one transfer waste toner transport path is inserted is used as the other transfer waste toner transport path. It may be positioned closer to the transfer waste toner conveyance path than the insertion hole into which the path is inserted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 20 (a), each of the transfer wastes as shown in FIG. 19 (c) in a state in which the center I2 of the fourth insertion hole 91d and the center I1 of the first transfer waste toner are shifted. When the toner conveyance path moves in the direction of arrow H, as shown in FIGS. 19D and 20B, the guide portion 128a of the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a is inserted into the fourth insertion hole 91d. Abut against the edge. When the transfer waste toner conveyance path is moved in the direction of arrow H from this state, the fourth insertion hole 91d is pushed by the guide portion 128a, and the first movable member 193 is moved in the direction of arrow F as shown in FIG. Moving. As a result, the center I2 of the fourth insertion hole 91d and the center I1 of the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a are substantially aligned, and the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a is inserted into the fourth insertion hole 91d.

  When the first transfer waste toner transport path 124a is inserted into the fourth insertion hole 91d, as shown in FIG. 19D, the transfer waste toner transport path is further moved in the direction of arrow H in the figure. The second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124 b is inserted into the fifth insertion hole 91 e of the second movable member 194.

  The interval K1 between the first transfer waste toner conveyance path 124a and the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b shown in FIG. 20B may be different from the specified interval due to manufacturing errors, assembly errors, and the like. Unlike the first modification, if the fifth insertion hole 91e cannot move in the direction in which the transfer waste toner conveyance path is arranged (left and right in the figure), if the interval K1 is different from the specified interval, There is a possibility that the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b may not enter the fifth insertion hole 91e.

  However, in the first modification, the fifth insertion hole 91e is provided in the second movable member 194 that can move in the direction in which the transfer waste toner conveyance path is arranged. Therefore, when the interval K1 is different from the specified interval, the guide portion 128b of the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b comes into contact with the edge of the fifth insertion hole 91e to transfer the second movable member 194. It is moved in the direction in which the waste toner conveyance path is arranged. Accordingly, even if the interval K1 is different from the specified interval, the second transfer waste toner transport path 124b can be inserted into the fifth insertion hole 91e.

  In addition, the center of the fifth insertion hole 91e may be displaced in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 19) with respect to the center of the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b. The first movable member 193 can rotate around the waste toner conveyance direction of the transfer waste toner conveyance path. Therefore, in this case, the first movable member 193 is moved in the waste toner transport direction of the transfer waste toner transport path by the conical guide portion 128b of the second transfer waste toner transport path 124b in contact with the edge of the fifth insertion hole 91e. Rotate around. As a result, the center of the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b and the center of the fifth insertion hole 91e are substantially aligned, and the second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b can be inserted into the fifth insertion hole 91e.

  Therefore, the second movable member 194 may be attached to the first movable member 193 so as to be movable in the direction in which the transfer waste toner conveyance path is arranged. As with the first movable member 193, the waste toner conveyance of the transfer waste toner conveyance path is performed. The second movable member 194 can be attached to the first movable member 193 with a simple configuration as compared with the case where it can be moved in all directions within a plane perpendicular to the direction.

  Further, in the above description, the example in which the present invention is applied to the discharge material transporting device that transports waste toner or paper powder as powder is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. The present invention can be applied to a toner replenishing device that transports toner as powder to the developing device 5. In the above description, the toner removed by each cleaning device is conveyed to the toner container, but may be conveyed to the developing device 5.

What was demonstrated above is an example, and there exists an effect peculiar for every following aspect.
(Aspect 1)
Powder, such as a transfer waste toner conveyance path, which is provided in a swing unit such as a secondary transfer unit 21 supported so as to be swingable with respect to the apparatus main body and discharges powder such as waste toner from the swing unit. A discharge path and a receiving member provided in the apparatus main body, having an insertion hole into which the tip of the powder discharge path is inserted, and receiving member such as a discharge material transport unit 51 for receiving the powder discharged from the powder discharge path In the powder conveyance device, the powder discharge path includes a plurality of powder discharge paths and insertion holes, and at least one of the plurality of insertion holes follows the movement of the powder discharge path as the swinging unit swings. It was configured as follows.
When the swinging unit such as the secondary transfer unit 21 has a powder discharge path such as a plurality of transfer waste toner conveyance paths, at least one of the plurality of powder discharge paths is separated from the swinging fulcrum of the swinging unit. Placed in a different position. As the oscillating unit moves away from the oscillating fulcrum, the amount of movement of the powder discharge path associated with the oscillating unit is increased. Therefore, the inner diameter of the insertion hole into which the powder discharge passage arranged at a position away from the swing fulcrum of the swing unit is inserted so that the swing of the swing unit is not hindered is the outer diameter of the powder discharge passage. Need to be bigger than. However, if the inner diameter of the insertion hole is larger than the outer diameter of the powder discharge path, there is a risk that powder will leak from the insertion hole.
Therefore, in the first aspect, at least one of the plurality of insertion holes is configured to follow the movement of the powder discharge path accompanying the swing of the swing unit. Thereby, even if the inner diameter of the insertion hole is made approximately the same as the outer diameter of the powder discharge path, the swing of the swing unit is not hindered. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the powder from leaking from the insertion hole without hindering the swing of the swing unit.

(Aspect 2)
In the aspect 1, the secondary transfer unit 21 includes a movable member 94 attached to a receiving member such as the discharge material transport unit 51 so as to be movable in a plane perpendicular to the powder transport direction of the powder discharge path. The movable member 94 is provided with an insertion hole that follows the movement of the powder discharge path such as the transfer waste toner conveyance path accompanying the swing of the swing unit.
According to this, as described in the embodiment, the movable member 94 moves in a plane perpendicular to the powder conveyance direction of the powder discharge path, so that at least one of the plurality of insertion holes is formed. The movement of the powder discharge path accompanying the swing of the swing unit can be followed.

(Aspect 3)
In the aspect 2, the first transfer waste toner conveyance path having the second movable member 194 attached to the movable member so as to be movable with respect to the movable member such as the first movable member 193 and inserted into the insertion hole of the movable member. An insertion hole such as a fifth insertion hole 91e into which a powder discharge path (second transfer waste toner conveyance path 124b) different from the powder discharge path such as 124a is inserted is provided in the second movable member 194.
According to this, as described in the first modification, even if the interval of the powder discharge path is deviated from the specified interval due to an assembly error or a manufacturing error, the second movable member 194 can move the first movable member 193 or the like. When moving with respect to the member, the transfer is made to the insertion hole provided in the second movable member 194 such as the fifth insertion hole 91e and the insertion hole provided in the movable member such as the first movable member 193, respectively. A powder discharge path such as a waste toner conveyance path can be inserted.

(Aspect 4)
In the aspect 3, the second movable member 194 is attached to the movable member so that the second movable member can reciprocate in a direction in which powder discharge paths such as a plurality of transfer waste toner transport paths are arranged.
According to this, as described in the first modification, the second movable member 194 can be moved in all directions within a plane perpendicular to the dividing conveyance direction of the powder discharge path such as the transfer waste toner conveyance path. Compared to the configuration, the second movable member 194 can be attached to the first movable member 193 with a simple configuration.

(Aspect 5)
In the aspect 3 or 4, one of the plurality of powder discharge paths is configured to be inserted into the insertion hole before the other powder discharge paths.
According to this, as described in the first modification, the movable member such as the first movable member 193 is positioned to some extent, and the powder conveyance path such as the other transfer waste toner conveyance path can be smoothly inserted into the insertion hole. it can.

(Aspect 6)
In any one of Embodiments 3 to 5, the tip of the powder discharge path such as each transfer waste toner transport path is shaped so that the outer diameter decreases toward the tip.
According to this, as described in the first modification, even if the center of the insertion hole and the center of the powder conveyance path such as the transfer waste toner conveyance path are deviated, the powder discharge path can be smoothly inserted into the insertion hole. Can be plugged into.

(Aspect 7)
In any one of the first to sixth aspects, the receiving member may be a powder such as a waste transport unit 51 for transporting the powder to a powder storage unit such as a discharge storage unit 70 that stores powder such as waste toner. It is a body conveyance path.
According to this, powder such as waste toner discharged from the swinging unit such as the secondary transfer unit 21 can be conveyed to the discharged matter storage unit 70 disposed at a location away from the swinging unit.

(Aspect 8)
In any one of the first to seventh aspects, the oscillating unit secondary-transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer member such as the intermediate transfer belt 8 onto which the toner image is primarily transferred from the image carrier such as the photosensitive member 1 to the recording paper P. A secondary transfer device such as a secondary transfer unit 21 for transferring, wherein the powder is toner removed from a secondary transfer member such as a secondary transfer belt 19 of the secondary transfer device.
According to this, the toner removed from the secondary transfer member such as the secondary transfer belt 19 can be discharged from the secondary transfer device such as the secondary transfer unit 21.

(Aspect 9)
In the image forming apparatus provided with the toner conveying means for conveying the toner, the powder conveying apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 8 is used as the toner conveying means.
According to this, it is possible to suppress the inside of the image forming apparatus from being stained with toner.

1: Photosensitive member 4: Drum cleaning device 5: Developing device 6: Process unit 7: Transfer unit 8: Intermediate transfer belt 12: Secondary transfer counter roller 19: Secondary transfer belt 21: Secondary transfer unit 51: Discharged material transport Unit 52a: Belt waste toner discharge port 53: Oscillating plate 55: Ejection drop path 56: Inclined surface 57: Ejection drop port 59a: First through hole 59b: Second through hole 61: Final transport path 62: Final transport Screw 70: discharge container 80: horizontal transfer path 81a: transfer screw 81b: transfer screw 82: drum cleaning discharge path 83: development discharge path 90: discharge port 91a: first insertion hole 91b: second insertion hole 91c: first Three insertion holes 91d: fourth insertion hole 91e: fifth insertion hole 93: insertion hole 94 for movement: movable member 94a : Plate portion 94b: Tube portion 94c: Groove portion 95: C ring 96: Sponge seal 96a: First sponge seal 96b: Second sponge seal 97: Movable hole 100: Belt cleaning device 100a: First cleaning subunit 100b : Second cleaning subunit 100c: third cleaning subunit 101: cleaning brush roller 110a: first conveying screw 110b: second conveying screw 110c: third conveying screw 120a: first belt waste toner conveying path 120b: second belt Waste toner transport path 120c: Third belt waste toner transport path 121: First transfer cleaner 121a: First transfer cleaning blade 121b: First transfer transport screw 122: Second transfer cleaner 122a: Second transfer cleaning breaker 122b: second transfer transport screw 124a: first transfer waste toner transport path 124b: second transfer waste toner transport path 125a: first transfer waste toner discharge port 125b: second transfer waste toner discharge port 126a: first shutter member 126a1 : Hook part 126b: second shutter member 126b1: hook part 128a: guide part 128b: guide part 130: support shaft 131: contact / separation cam 132: spring 193: first movable member 193a: taper part 193c: auxiliary insertion Hole 193d: retaining portion 193e: notch portion 193f: plate-like portion 193g: transfer-side tubular portion 193h: attaching tubular portion 194: second movable member 195: attaching member 195a: flat portion 195b: fitting portion 197 : Retaining prevention plate

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-4144

Claims (9)

A powder discharge path for discharging powder from the swing unit provided in a swing unit supported swingably with respect to the apparatus main body;
In the powder conveying apparatus provided in the apparatus main body, having an insertion hole into which a tip of the powder discharge path is inserted, and a receiving member for receiving the powder discharged from the powder discharge path,
It has a plurality of the powder discharge path and the insertion hole,
At least one of the plurality of insertion holes is configured to follow the movement of the powder discharge path accompanying the swing of the swing unit. In the powder conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
A movable member attached to the receiving member so as to be movable in a plane perpendicular to the powder conveying direction of the powder discharge path;
The powder conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is provided with the insertion hole that follows the movement of the powder discharge path accompanying the swing of the swing unit. In the powder conveying apparatus according to claim 2,
A second movable member attached to the movable member movably with respect to the movable member;
The powder conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second movable member is provided with the insertion hole into which the powder discharge path different from the powder discharge path to be inserted into the insertion hole of the movable member is inserted. In the powder conveying apparatus according to claim 3,
The powder conveying apparatus, wherein the second movable member is attached to the movable member so as to be reciprocally movable in an arrangement direction of the plurality of powder discharge paths. In the powder conveying apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
One of a plurality of the powder discharge paths is configured to be inserted into the insertion hole before the other powder discharge paths. In the powder conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
A powder conveying apparatus characterized in that the tip of each powder discharge passage has a shape with an outer diameter narrowing toward the tip. In the powder conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The powder conveying apparatus, wherein the receiving member is a powder conveying path for conveying the powder to a powder container that stores the powder. In the powder conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The swing unit is a secondary transfer device that secondary-transfers a toner image on an intermediate transfer body onto which a toner image is primarily transferred from an image carrier onto a recording paper,
The powder conveying apparatus, wherein the powder is toner removed from a secondary transfer member of the secondary transfer apparatus. In an image forming apparatus provided with a toner conveying means for conveying toner,
An image forming apparatus using the powder conveying device according to claim 1 as the toner conveying unit.

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