JP2019049607A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image formation apparatus which can achieve proper supply of a developer to a development device in an image formation apparatus including a developer storage container storing the developer.SOLUTION: A movable wall drive control unit 551 controlling movement of a movable wall 32 of a toner container 30 includes: a control condition setting part 5511, a determination part 5512 and a signal control part 5513. The control condition setting part 5511 sets a threshold related to an output frequency of an H signal output from a container sensor 3S and driving time of a movable wall drive motor M1 in accordance with a feature value detected by a feature value detection unit 60. The determination part 5512 outputs first determination information J1 when the output frequency of the H signal output from the container sensor 3S is less than the threshold. The signal control part 5513 transmits a drive permission signal S1 permitting the drive of the movable wall drive motor M1 during the driving time to a movable wall drive circuit M11 when the first determination information J1 is output from the determination part 5512.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 23

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a developer storage container for storing a developer.

  Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, an image carrier for carrying a developer image to be transferred onto the sheet, a developing device for supplying the developer to the image carrier, and a developer for replenishing the developing device And a developer container for containing the developer.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a developer container having a moving wall for transporting the developer toward the developer discharge port by moving along the shaft in an internal space in which the developer is stored. . In this technology, the detection sensor detects that the developer contained in the internal space has decreased as the developing device is replenished, and the moving wall is moved according to the output signal of the detection sensor.

JP, 2015-127789, A

  By the way, the detection result of the detection sensor for the developer contained in the internal space of the developer container may fluctuate depending on the temperature and humidity environment, the condition of the image forming operation, and the like. For example, when the temperature and humidity environment around the developer container changes, the bulk density of the developer changes accordingly. For this reason, the detection result of the detection sensor will fluctuate with the change of temperature and humidity environment. Therefore, when the moving wall is moved according to the output signal of the detection sensor, the movement of the moving wall may not be appropriate according to the reduction of the developer contained in the inner space. As a result, in the developer container, the developer can not be suitably replenished to the developing device.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer, wherein the developer is suitably supplied to the developing device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of realizing the above.

  An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image carrier which rotates about an axis and carries a developer image to be transferred onto a sheet, a developing device for supplying a developer to the image carrier, and A developer container detachably mounted on a developing device, having an internal space extending in a first direction and capable of containing the developer, wherein the developer is discharged to the developing device A container main body having an outlet formed therein; and a moving wall for transporting the developer in the inner space toward the developer outlet by moving in the first direction in the inner space. A developer storage container, a detection sensor disposed opposite to the container body, detecting the developer stored in the internal space, and outputting a signal according to the detection; and at predetermined time intervals from the detection sensor In the output signal to be output, the developer is detected A moving value drive unit including a feature value detection unit that detects a feature value that causes variation in the number of times of output of a developer detection signal, which is a signal representing that, and a drive motor that emits a drive force to move the moving wall; And a moving wall drive control unit that controls movement of the moving wall by controlling driving of the driving motor. The moving wall drive control unit, as a condition for controlling the drive of the drive motor, includes a threshold related to the number of times of output of the developer detection signal output from the detection sensor, and a drive time of the drive motor. The control condition setting unit set according to the feature value detected by the feature value detection unit, and the number of times of output of the developer detection signal output from the detection sensor during a predetermined detection cycle is less than the threshold A determination unit that outputs first determination information when the number of times of output of the developer detection signal is less than the threshold, and the first determination information is output from the determination unit, And a signal control unit that transmits a drive permission signal, which is a control signal for permitting driving of the drive motor during a drive time, to the moving wall drive unit.

  Further, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the developing device includes a developing member which rotates about an axis at a speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the image carrier and supplies the developer to the image carrier, the developer The storage container includes a rotating body disposed close to the developer discharge port in the internal space, and rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the developing member around a shaft extending in the first direction. Then, the determination unit determines one cycle in which the rotating body makes one rotation as the detection cycle, and whether the number of times of output of the developer detection signal output from the detection sensor during the one cycle is less than the threshold value It is determined whether or not.

  According to this image forming apparatus, the determination unit outputs the container based on the number of times of output of the developer detection signal indicating that the developer is detected, which is output from the detection sensor during one cycle of one rotation of the rotating body. The reduction state of the developer contained in the internal space of the main body is determined. The determination unit outputs the first determination information when the number of times of output of the developer detection signal output from the detected sensor is less than a threshold. Then, when the first determination information is output from the determination unit, the signal control unit transmits a drive permission signal for permitting the drive of the drive motor to the moving wall drive unit. Thus, the moving wall is moved in the internal space of the container body.

  Here, the threshold used at the time of determination by the determination unit and the drive time of the drive motor, which is the moving time of the moving wall, are the conditions for controlling the drive of the drive motor, that is, the conditions for controlling the movement of the moving wall. These are set by the control condition setting unit. The control condition setting unit sets the threshold and the drive time according to the feature value that is a factor that causes the number of times of output of the developer detection signal of the detection sensor to be changed by the feature value detection unit. For this reason, the movement of the moving wall is appropriate in accordance with the reduction of the developer contained in the internal space of the container body. Therefore, suitable replenishment of the developer from the developer container to the developing device is realized.

  In the above-described image forming apparatus, the feature value detection unit includes a temperature and humidity detection unit that detects the temperature and humidity around the developer storage container as the feature value. The control condition setting unit sets the threshold to a predetermined reference threshold when the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit is the reference first temperature / humidity, and the driving time is the rotor. The reference setting is performed to set the reference driving time corresponding to the time for one rotation. The control condition setting unit sets the threshold to a value larger than the reference threshold when the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit is a second temperature / humidity lower than the first temperature / humidity. At least one setting of threshold increase setting and time extension setting of setting the drive time to a value longer than the reference drive time is performed. The control condition setting unit sets the threshold to a value smaller than the reference threshold when the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit is a third temperature / humidity higher than the first temperature / humidity. At least one of the threshold reduction setting and the time reduction setting for setting the drive time to a value shorter than the reference drive time is performed.

  When the temperature and humidity environment around the developer container changes, the bulk density of the developer stored in the internal space of the container body changes accordingly. When the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit is a second temperature / humidity lower than the reference first temperature / humidity, the bulk density of the developer becomes high. The detection sensor is fixedly arranged such that the position relative to the container body is constant. Therefore, when the number of output times of the developer detection signal output from the detection sensor is the same, the storage amount of the developer stored in the internal space of the container body is the second rather than the case of the first temperature / humidity standard. In the case of temperature and humidity it decreases. That is, under the environment of the second temperature and humidity, the determination unit using the same reference threshold as the reference first temperature and humidity determines that the number of output times of the developer detection signal is less than the reference threshold. At the timing when the first determination information is output, the storage amount of the developer in the internal space of the container body is smaller than in the case of the first temperature and humidity as the reference. Therefore, under the environment of the second temperature and humidity, the signal control unit transmits the drive permission signal to the moving wall drive unit according to the output of the first determination information from the determination unit, and the drive of the reference drive time of the drive motor is performed. Even if the moving wall is moved, the movement of the moving wall is not appropriate according to the reduction of the developer contained in the internal space of the container body.

  Therefore, when the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit is the second temperature / humidity lower than the reference first temperature / humidity, the control condition setting unit sets the threshold used in the determination of the determination unit larger than the reference threshold. At least one of the threshold increase setting to be set to a value and the time extension setting to set the drive time of the drive motor to a value longer than the reference drive time is performed. Thereby, in the environment of the second temperature and humidity lower than the first temperature and humidity of the reference, the movement of the moving wall becomes appropriate according to the reduction state of the developer contained in the internal space of the container body. .

  On the other hand, when the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit is the third temperature / humidity higher than the reference first temperature / humidity, the bulk density of the developer is low. For this reason, when the number of output times of the developer detection signal output from the detection sensor is the same, the storage amount of the developer stored in the internal space of the container body is the third as compared to the first temperature and humidity standard. It will increase in the case of temperature and humidity. That is, under the environment of the third temperature and humidity, the determination unit using the same reference threshold as the reference first temperature and humidity determines that the number of output times of the developer detection signal is less than the reference threshold. At the timing when the first determination information is output, the storage amount of the developer in the internal space of the container body is larger than that in the case of the first temperature and humidity of the reference. Therefore, under the environment of the third temperature and humidity, the signal control unit transmits the drive permission signal to the moving wall drive unit according to the output of the first determination information from the determination unit, and the drive of the reference drive time of the drive motor is performed. Even if the moving wall is moved, the movement of the moving wall is not appropriate according to the reduction of the developer contained in the internal space of the container body.

  Therefore, when the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit is the third temperature / humidity higher than the reference first temperature / humidity, the control condition setting unit sets the threshold used in the determination by the determination unit smaller than the reference threshold. At least one of threshold reduction setting to be set to a value and time reduction setting to set the drive time of the drive motor to a value shorter than the reference drive time are performed. Thereby, in the environment of the third temperature and humidity higher than the first temperature and humidity of the reference, the movement of the moving wall becomes appropriate according to the reduction state of the developer contained in the internal space of the container main body .

  In the above-described image forming apparatus, the feature value detection unit includes a rotation speed detection unit that detects the rotation speed of the image carrier as the feature value. The control condition setting unit sets the threshold to a predetermined reference threshold when the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed detection unit is the first reference rotation speed, and the driving time is the rotor. The reference setting is performed to set the reference driving time corresponding to the time for one rotation. The control condition setting unit sets the threshold to a value smaller than the reference threshold when the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed detection unit is a second rotation speed that is slower than the first rotation speed. At the same time, threshold change setting is performed to set the drive time to the reference drive time.

  In this aspect, the developing member is rotated at a speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the image carrier, and the rotating body is rotated in the internal space of the container body in conjunction with the rotation of the developing member. That is, when the rotational speed of the image carrier changes, the rotational speed of the rotating body changes accordingly. When the rotating body rotates in the inner space of the container body, the developer flows and rolls up in the inner space. The amount of winding up of the developer in the inner space of the container body fluctuates according to the change of the rotational speed of the rotating body.

  When the rotation speed of the image carrier detected by the rotation speed detection unit is the second rotation speed that is lower than the reference first rotation speed, the rotation speed of the rotating body is reduced according to the deceleration of the image carrier. As the rotational speed of the rotating body becomes slower, the amount of developer taken up in the internal space of the container body decreases. For this reason, when the number of output times of the developer detection signal output from the detection sensor is the same, the storage amount of the developer stored in the internal space of the container body is the second rather than the case of the reference first rotation speed. In the case of rotational speed it increases. That is, in a state in which the image carrier is rotating at the second rotation speed, the determination unit using the same reference threshold as that of the reference first rotation speed outputs the developer detection signal less than the reference threshold. At the timing when the first determination information is output by determining that there is a developer, the storage amount of the developer in the internal space of the container body is larger than that at the reference first rotation speed. Therefore, in a state where the image carrier is rotating at the second rotation speed, the signal control unit transmits the drive permission signal to the moving wall drive unit according to the output of the first determination information from the determination unit, and the drive motor Even if the moving wall is moved by the driving of the reference driving time, the movement of the moving wall does not become appropriate according to the reduction state of the developer accommodated in the internal space of the container body.

  Therefore, when the rotation speed of the image carrier detected by the rotation speed detection unit is the second rotation speed that is slower than the first reference rotation speed, the control condition setting unit references the threshold used in the determination of the determination unit. While setting to a value smaller than the threshold, threshold change setting is performed to set the drive time of the drive motor to the reference drive time. Thereby, in the state where the image carrier is rotating at the second rotation speed lower than the reference first rotation speed, the movement of the moving wall is reduced to the reduction state of the developer accommodated in the internal space of the container main body. It becomes appropriate according to.

  In the reference setting in the case where the rotation speed of the image carrier is the first rotation speed as a reference, the control condition setting unit sets a reference drive time equivalent to the time for one rotation of the rotating body as the drive time of the drive motor. Set As described above, in the state where the image carrier is rotating at the second rotation speed which is lower than the reference first rotation speed, the rotation speed of the rotary body becomes slower according to the deceleration of the image carrier. Therefore, the reference drive time set by the control condition setting unit as the drive motor drive time in the threshold change setting does not correspond to the time for one rotation of the decelerated rotating body, and the rotating body is smaller than one rotation. It corresponds to the time of rotation by the rotation angle.

  In the above-described image forming apparatus, the feature value detection unit includes a print ratio detection unit that detects, as the feature value, the print ratio of the sheet to which the developer image has been transferred. The control condition setting unit sets the threshold to a predetermined reference threshold when the printing ratio detected by the printing ratio detection unit is within a predetermined reference printing ratio range, and the driving time is the rotation. Perform standard setting to set the reference driving time corresponding to the time for one rotation of the body. Further, the control condition setting unit sets the threshold to a value larger than the reference threshold when the printing ratio detected by the printing ratio detecting unit is lower than the lower limit value of the reference printing ratio range. And at least one setting of time shortening setting for setting the driving time to a value shorter than the reference driving time. Further, the control condition setting unit sets the threshold to a value smaller than the reference threshold when the printing ratio detected by the printing ratio detecting unit is higher than the upper limit value of the reference printing ratio range. At least one of setting of the driving time and a time extension setting of setting the driving time to a value longer than the reference driving time is performed.

  The amount of developer supplied from the developing device to the image carrier changes in accordance with the printing rate of the sheet. For this reason, the replenishment amount of the developer from the developer container to the developing device changes in accordance with the printing rate of the sheet, and accordingly, it is necessary to control the movement of the moving wall accordingly.

  When the printing rate detected by the printing rate detection unit is lower than the lower limit value of the predetermined reference printing rate range, the replenishment amount of the developer from the developer storage container to the developing device decreases. That is, when the printing rate of the sheet is lower than the lower limit value of the reference printing rate range, the rate of decrease of the developer contained in the internal space of the container main body becomes slow. Therefore, when the print rate of the sheet is lower than the lower limit value of the reference print rate range, the control condition setting unit sets the threshold used at the time of determination by the determination unit to a value larger than the reference threshold. Setting at least one of the time shortening setting for setting the driving time of the driving time to a value shorter than the reference driving time. Thereby, when the printing rate of the sheet is lower than the lower limit value of the reference printing rate range, the movement of the moving wall becomes appropriate according to the reduction state of the developer contained in the internal space of the container body. .

  On the other hand, when the printing rate detected by the printing rate detection unit is higher than the upper limit value of the predetermined reference printing rate range, the replenishment amount of the developer from the developer storage container to the developing device is increased. That is, when the printing rate of the sheet is higher than the upper limit value of the reference printing rate range, the reduction rate of the developer contained in the internal space of the container main body is increased. Therefore, when the printing rate of the sheet is higher than the upper limit value of the reference printing rate range, the control condition setting unit sets the threshold used at the time of determination by the determining unit to a value smaller than the reference threshold. At least one of the time extension setting for setting the driving time of the driving time to a value longer than the reference driving time is performed. Thereby, when the printing rate of the sheet is higher than the upper limit value of the reference printing rate range, the movement of the moving wall becomes appropriate according to the reduction state of the developer contained in the internal space of the container body. .

  In the above-described image forming apparatus, when the signal control unit transmits the drive permission signal to the moving wall drive unit, the first determination information is continuously output a predetermined number of times from the determination unit. It is determined that the developer is empty in the space, and a drive stop signal, which is a control signal for stopping the drive of the drive motor, is transmitted to the moving wall drive unit in priority to the transmission of the drive permission signal. Do.

  In this aspect, when the developer is empty in the internal space of the container body, the movable wall drive control unit performs control to stop the drive of the drive motor for moving the movable wall. As a result, unnecessary driving of the drive motor for moving the moving wall is restricted, and power consumption can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of realizing preferable replenishment of the developer to the developing device in the image forming apparatus provided with the developer containing container for containing the developer.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of a housing of the image forming apparatus is opened. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing an internal structure of a developing device provided in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 7 is a view for explaining how the developer is supplied to the developing device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a developing device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a developer storage container provided in a developer supply device of the image forming apparatus. It is a top view of a developer container. It is a top view of a developer container. It is an exploded perspective view of a developer storage container. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the developer container of FIG. 8 as viewed from a cutting plane line XI-XI. It is a disassembled perspective view of the moving wall of a developer storage container. It is a disassembled perspective view of the moving wall of a developer storage container. It is a perspective view of a wall main part of a moving wall. It is a perspective view of a moving wall. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the developer container of FIG. 8 as seen from a cutting plane line XVI-XVI. It is a perspective view of the rotary body of a developer storage container. It is an exploded perspective view of a developer storage container, and is a figure showing a ratchet mechanism. It is an exploded perspective view of a ratchet mechanism. It is an exploded perspective view of a ratchet mechanism. It is a perspective view of a ratchet mechanism. It is a perspective view of a ratchet mechanism. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the output signal of the detection sensor with which a developer replenishment apparatus is equipped. It is a figure for demonstrating setting operation of the control condition setting part which assumed change of temperature and humidity environment. It is a figure for demonstrating setting operation of the control condition setting part which assumed change of temperature and humidity environment. It is a figure for demonstrating setting operation of the control condition setting part which assumed change of temperature and humidity environment. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting operation of the control condition setting part which assumed the change of the rotational speed of an image carrier. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting operation of the control condition setting part which assumed the change of the rotational speed of an image carrier. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting operation of the control condition setting part which assumed the change of the rotational speed of an image carrier. It is a figure for demonstrating setting operation of the control condition setting part which assumed change of printing rate. It is a figure for demonstrating setting operation of the control condition setting part which assumed change of printing rate. FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a developer replenishment control operation and a developer empty control operation in the developer replenishment device.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. Although the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a so-called monochrome printer, in another embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color printer, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine having these functions, and a toner image. Other devices may be used to form the sheet. The terms used in the following description to indicate directions such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left" and "right" are simply for the purpose of clarifying the explanation. The principle of the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited at all.

<Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a housing 101 that houses various devices for forming an image on a sheet S. The housing 101 has an upper wall 102 defining the top surface of the housing 101, a bottom wall 103 (FIG. 3) defining the bottom surface of the housing 101, and a main body rear wall 105 between the top wall 102 and the bottom wall 103. (FIG. 3) and the main body front wall 104 located in front of the main body rear wall 105. The housing 101 includes a main body internal space 107 in which various devices are disposed. In the main body internal space 107 of the housing 101, a sheet conveyance path PP in which the sheet S is conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction is extended. The image forming apparatus 1 further includes an open / close cover 100 </ b> C attached to the housing 101 so as to be openable and closable.

  The opening and closing cover 100C includes a front wall upper portion 104B which is an upper portion of the main body front wall 104, and an upper wall front portion 102B which is a front portion of the upper wall 102. In addition, the opening and closing cover 100C can be opened and closed in the vertical direction with a hinge shaft (not shown) disposed at a pair of arm portions 108 disposed at both end portions in the left and right direction as a fulcrum (FIG. 2). In the open state of the openable cover 100C, the upper side of the main body internal space 107 is opened to the outside. On the other hand, in the closed state of the open / close cover 200C, the upper side of the main body internal space 107 is closed.

  At a central portion of the upper wall 102, a paper discharge unit 102A is disposed. The sheet discharge unit 102A is formed of 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 is discharged to the sheet discharge unit 102A in an image forming unit 120 described later. Further, a manual feed tray 104A is disposed at the central portion in the vertical direction of the main body front wall 104. The manual feed tray 104A is pivotable up and down with the lower end as a fulcrum (arrow DT in FIG. 3).

  Referring to FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a sheet conveying unit 10, an image forming unit 120, and a fixing device 130. The sheet conveyance unit 10 is a mechanism for conveying the sheet S from the cassette 110 to the sheet discharge unit 102A via the image forming unit 120 and the fixing device 130. The sheet conveying unit 10 includes a pickup roller 112, a first sheet feeding roller 113, a second sheet feeding roller 114, a conveying roller 115, and a registration roller pair 116, which are disposed on the upstream side of the image forming unit 120 in the sheet conveying direction. And a pair of transport rollers 133 and a pair of discharge rollers 134 disposed downstream of the fixing device 130 in the sheet transport direction.

  The cassette 110 accommodates the sheet S therein. The cassette 110 includes a lift plate 111. The lift plate 111 is inclined to push up the leading edge of the sheet S. The 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 of the cassette 110.

  The first sheet feeding roller 113 is disposed downstream of the pickup roller 112 and feeds the sheet S further downstream. The second sheet feeding roller 114 is disposed on the inner side (rear side) of the fulcrum of the manual feed tray 104A, and draws the sheet S on the manual feed tray 104A into the housing 101.

  The conveyance roller 115 is disposed downstream of the first sheet feeding roller 113 and the second sheet feeding roller 114 in the sheet conveyance direction. The conveyance roller 115 further conveys the sheet S fed by the first sheet feeding roller 113 and the second sheet feeding roller 114 to the 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 sheet S after the fixing process by the fixing device 130 is conveyed upward by the conveyance roller pair 133, and is finally discharged from the casing 101 by the discharge roller pair 134. The sheet S discharged from the housing 101 is stacked on the sheet discharge unit 102A.

  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 replenishing device 3 (developer replenishing device), a transfer roller 126, and cleaning. And an apparatus 127.

  The photosensitive drum 121 has a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive drum 121 rotates about an axis extending in the left-right direction, 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. . A predetermined voltage is applied to the charger 122 to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 substantially uniformly.

  The exposure device 123 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 charged by the charger 122 with laser light. As a result, on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed.

  The developing device 20 supplies toner (developer) to the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The toner replenishing device 3 replenishes the developing device 20 with toner (developer). When the developing device 20 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 121, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 is developed (visualized). As a result, a toner image (developer image) is formed on the 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 to the sheet S.

  The cleaning device 127 removes toner remaining on the 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 sheet conveyance direction, and fixes the toner image on the sheet S. The fixing device 130 includes a heating roller 131 which melts the toner on the sheet S, and a pressure roller 132 which brings the sheet S into close contact with the heating roller 131.

<About the developing device>
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the developing device 20. As shown in FIG. The developing device 20 includes a developing housing 210 having a box shape elongated in one direction (the axial direction of the developing roller 21 and the left and right direction). The development housing 210 has a storage space 220. In the storage space 220, a developing roller 21, a first stirring screw 23 (developer conveyance member) and a second stirring screw 24, and a toner supply port 25 are disposed. In the present embodiment, a one-component developing method is applied, and the storage space 220 is filled with magnetic toner as a developer. On the other hand, in the case of the two-component development system, a mixture of toner and a carrier made of a magnetic material is filled as a developer. The toner is stirred and conveyed in the storage space 220, and sequentially supplied from the developing roller 21 to the photosensitive drum 121 to develop the electrostatic latent image.

  The developing roller 21 has a cylindrical shape extending in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction) of the developing housing 210, and has a sleeve portion that is rotationally driven on the outer periphery. The developing roller 21 is a developing member which rotates around the axis at a speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 121 and supplies the toner to the photosensitive drum 121.

  A storage space 220 of the development housing 210 is covered by a top plate (not shown) and is divided into a first conveyance path 221 and a second conveyance path 222 which are long in the left-right direction by a partition plate 22 extending in the left-right direction. There is. The partition plate 22 is shorter than the width of the developing housing 210 in the left-right direction, and the first communication passage 223 and the first communication passage 223 which communicate the first conveyance passage 221 and the second conveyance passage 222 at the left end and the right end of the division plate 22 respectively. A two communication passage 224 is provided. As a result, in the storage space 220, a circulation path extending to the first conveyance path 221, the second communication path 224, the second conveyance path 222, and the first communication path 223 is formed. The toner is conveyed counterclockwise in FIG. 4 in the circulation path.

  The toner replenishing port 25 (developer replenishing port) is an opening portion opened to the top plate of the developing housing 210, and is disposed above the vicinity of the left end of the first conveyance path 221. The toner replenishing port 25 is disposed to face the above-described circulation path, and is replenished from the toner discharging port 377 (FIG. 4) of the toner container 30 (developer accommodating container) in the toner replenishing device 3. ) In 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 rotation shaft 23a and a first spiral blade 23b protruding in a spiral shape around the circumference of the first rotation shaft 23a. The first stirring screw 23 conveys toner in the direction of arrow D1 in FIG. 4 by being rotationally driven around the first rotation shaft 23a (arrow r2). The first stirring screw 23 conveys the toner such that the toner replenishment port 25 passes a position facing the first conveyance path 221. Thus, the first stirring screw 23 has a function of mixing and conveying the new toner flowing from the toner supply port 25 and the toner carried into the first conveyance path 221 from the second conveyance path 222 side. A first paddle 23 c is disposed downstream of the first stirring screw 23 in the toner conveying direction (direction D1). The first paddle 23c is rotated together with the first rotation shaft 23a, and 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 stirring screw 24 includes a second rotation shaft 24 a and a second spiral blade 24 b protruding in a spiral shape around the circumference of the second rotation shaft 24 a. The second stirring screw 24 is rotationally driven 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 the arrow D2 in FIG. A second paddle 24 c is disposed downstream of the second stirring screw 24 in the toner conveying direction (direction D 2). The second paddle 24c is rotated together with the second rotation shaft 24a, and delivers the toner from the second conveyance path 222 to the first conveyance path 221 in the direction of arrow D3 in FIG.

  The toner replenishing device 3 includes a toner container 30 (developer accommodating container) disposed above the toner replenishing port 25 of the developing housing 210. The toner container 30 has a toner outlet 377 (developer outlet, FIG. 4). The toner discharge port 377 is disposed at the bottom 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. The details of the toner supply device 3 will be described later.

  Next, the flow of toner newly supplied from the toner supply port 25 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 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 into the first conveyance path 221, is mixed with the existing toner T1, and is conveyed by the first stirring screw 23 in the direction of the arrow D1. At this time, the toners T1 and T2 are agitated and charged.

  The first stirring screw 23 is provided downstream of the toner supply port 25 with a suppression paddle 28 (conveyance capability suppression unit) in which the conveyance performance of the toner is partially suppressed. In the present embodiment, the suppression paddle 28 is a plate-like member disposed between the adjacent first spiral blades 23 b of the first stirring screw 23. 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 stagnate. Then, the stagnation of the toner accumulates to a position immediately upstream of the suppression paddle 28 and at a position where the toner supply port 25 faces the first conveyance path 221. As a result, in the vicinity of the inlet of the toner supply port 25, a toner retention portion 29 (developer retention portion) is formed. The first spiral blade 23b is disposed in the area where the toner supply port 25 faces (FIG. 4). In another embodiment, the conveyance capacity suppressing portion is a region where the first spiral blade 23b of the first stirring screw 23 is partially missing and the first rotation shaft 23a is partially exposed along the axial direction. It may be formed. In such a configuration as well, the conveyance capacity of the first stirring screw 23 is partially suppressed, so that the toner retention portion is formed.

  When the replenishing 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 retaining portion 29 blocks (seals) the toner replenishing port 25 and further replenishes the toner. Suppress. Further, the first spiral blade 23 b pushes the toner in the storage space 220 around the toner supply port 25 upward by being rotated. As a result, the sealing effect of the toner supply port 25 by the retention portion 29 is increased. Thereafter, when the toner in the storage space 220 is consumed from the developing roller 21 and the toner stagnating in the retention portion 29 decreases, the toner blocking the toner supply port 25 decreases, and the space between the retention portion 29 and the toner replenishment port 25 decreases. There is a gap. As a result, the replenishment toner T2 again flows into the storage space 220 from the toner replenishment port 25. As described above, in the present embodiment, the volume replenishment type toner replenishment type is adopted in which the amount of replenishment toner is adjusted in accordance with the decrease of the toner retained in the retention portion 29. Therefore, the developing device 20 can be replenished with toner without necessarily including the sensor for detecting the toner amount in the developing housing 210 of the developing device 20.

<Mounting of Toner Container to Developing Device>
The toner container 30 of the toner replenishing device 3 is detachably attached to the developing device 20 in the housing 101. 6 and 7 are perspective views of the developing device 20 and the toner container 30 according to the present embodiment, respectively.

  The toner container 30 includes a lid 31, a container body 37 (container body), a cover 39, and a container shutter 30S (FIG. 7).

  The container main body 37 is a main body portion of the toner container 30, and contains toner inside. The lid 31 closes the left end of the container body 37. The cover 39 is attached to the right end of the container body 37.

  The container shutter 30S is supported slidably relative to the container body 37. The container shutter 30S has a function of sealing and opening the toner discharge port 377 of the container body 37. The container shutter 30S has a shutter body 30S1, a shutter lock portion 30S2, and a lock release portion 30S3. The shutter body 30S1 is a body portion of the container shutter 30S and has a function of sealing and opening the toner discharge port 377. The shutter body 30S1 is supported slidably relative to the container body 37. The shutter lock portion 30S2 is supported swingably with respect to the shutter main body 30S1. The shutter lock portion 30S2 has a function of permitting and restricting the slide movement of the shutter main body 30S1 with respect to the container main body 37. The lock release unit 30S3 is a projection provided on the shutter lock unit 30S2. When the lock release portion 30S3 is pressed, a lock piece (not shown) provided on the shutter lock portion 30S2 is disengaged from the engaging portion formed on the container main body 37, and the slide movement of the shutter main body 30S1 becomes possible.

  Referring to FIG. 2, when the opening and closing cover 100C of the housing 101 is opened upward, the container mounting portion 109 provided on the developing housing 210 of the developing device 20 is exposed to the outside of the housing 101. Referring to FIG. 6, developing housing 210 includes a pair of housing left wall 210L and housing right wall 210R. The container mounting portion 109 is formed between the housing left wall 210L and the housing right wall 210R. In the present embodiment, the toner container 30 is mounted obliquely to the container mounting portion 109 (see arrow DC in FIG. 6). At this time, the cover 39 of the toner container 30 is disposed on the housing right wall 210R side, and the lid 31 of the toner container 30 is disposed on the housing left wall 210L. The developing housing 210 includes a left guide groove 201L and a right guide groove 201R (FIG. 6).

  The left guide groove 201L and the right guide groove 201R are grooves formed in the housing left wall 210L and the housing right wall 210R, respectively. The left guide groove 201L and the right guide groove 201R guide attachment of the toner container 30 to the container attachment portion 109. Therefore, the inlet sides of the left guide groove 201L and the right guide groove 201R are formed to extend along the mounting direction of the toner container 30 (the arrow DC direction in FIG. 6). On the other hand, the back side of the left guide groove 201L and the right guide groove 201R is formed in a fan shape so as to allow rotation of the first guide portion 312 (FIG. 7) and the second guide portion 391 (FIG. 7). .

  Further, referring to FIG. 6, the developing device 20 includes a first transmission gear 211, a second transmission gear 212, and a third transmission gear 213. Further, although the details will be described later, the toner replenishing device 3 is provided with a container drive unit 40 including a moving wall drive unit 41 and a rotary body drive unit 42. The first transmission gear 211, the second transmission gear 212, and the third transmission gear 213 are gears rotatably supported by the housing right wall 210R. The first transmission gear 211 is connected to the second transmission gear 212. The first transmission gear 211 is connected to the developing roller 21, the first stirring screw 23, and the second stirring screw 24 via a gear group (not shown). When the developing device 20 is mounted on the housing 101, the movable wall drive motor M1 of the movable wall drive unit 41 is connected to the third transmission gear 213, and the rotary body drive motor M2 of the rotary body drive unit 42 is It is connected to the first transmission gear 211.

  The moving wall drive motor M1 moves a later-described moving wall 32 of the toner container 30 by rotating a later-described shaft 33 of the toner container 30 via the third transmission gear 213. That is, the third transmission gear 213 engages with a later-described shaft drive gear 382 of the movable wall drive unit 41, and transmits the driving force of the movable wall drive motor M1 to the shaft drive gear 382. The rotating body drive motor M 2 rotates a later-described rotating body 35 of the toner container 30 via the first transmission gear 211 and the second transmission gear 212. Further, the rotating body drive motor M 2 rotates the developing roller 21, the first stirring screw 23 and the second stirring screw 24 of the developing device 20 via the first transmission gear 211.

  Further, the developing housing 200 includes a lock release button 202, the toner supply port 25 (developer supply port) described above, a release projection 206, a pair of container shutter fixing portions 207, and a pair of shutter springs 208 (see FIG. And a housing shutter 210S.

  The lock release button 202 is a push button slidably supported on the housing right wall 210R. The lock release button 202 has a function of locking the posture of the toner container 30 mounted on the container mounting portion 109 or a function of releasing the lock. The lock release button 202 includes a lock engagement piece 202S. The lock engagement piece 202S is a claw portion formed on the front side of the housing right wall 210R so as to protrude toward the container mounting portion 109. Further, the developing device 20 is provided with a lock biasing spring (not shown). The lock biasing spring is a coil spring that is disposed inside the housing right wall 210R and biases the lock release button 202 forward. The lock engagement piece 202S has a function of locking the posture of the toner container 30 mounted on the container mounting portion 109. On the other hand, when the lock release button 202 is pressed against the biasing force of the lock biasing spring, the lock engagement piece 202S separates from the toner container 30, and the lock function for the toner container 30 is released.

  The above-described toner supply port 25 is an opening having a substantially rectangular shape in the top plate of the development housing 200 (FIG. 6). The toner supply port 25 is in communication with the inside of the developing housing 200. Further, the toner supply port 25 is disposed to face the toner container 30 mounted to the container mounting portion 109. The toner discharged from the toner discharge port 377 of the toner container 30 flows into the inside of the developing housing 200 from the toner supply port 25.

  The release projection 206 is a projection adjacent to the rear of the toner supply port 25 and protruding from the top plate of the developing housing 200. The release projection 206 has a function of pressing the unlocking portion 30S3 (FIG. 7) of the container shutter 30S of the toner container 30 when the toner container 30 is mounted on the container mounting portion 109. In other words, the release projection 206 permits the sliding movement of the container shutter 30S.

  The pair of container shutter fixing portions 207 is a protrusion which is provided so as to protrude from the top plate of the developing housing 200 so as to sandwich the release protrusion 206 in the left-right direction. In a cross-sectional view intersecting the left-right direction, the container shutter fixing portion 207 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape. In addition, on the side surface on the front side of the container shutter fixing portion 207, a wedge-shaped cutout portion is formed. When the toner container 30 is mounted to the container mounting portion 109, a part of the container shutter 30S of the toner container 30 is engaged with the notch. As a result, the container shutter fixing unit 207 fixes the container shutter 30S and regulates movement (rotation) of the container shutter 30S.

  The pair of shutter springs 208 is a pair of spring members disposed outside in the left-right direction of the pair of container shutter fixing portions 207. The shutter spring 208 is disposed to extend in the front-rear direction. Rear end portions of the pair of shutter springs 208 are locked to the top plate of the developing housing 200, respectively. Further, the front end portions of the pair of shutter springs 208 are respectively locked to the left and right end portions of the housing shutter 210S.

  The housing shutter 210S is slidably supported by the developing housing 200 with respect to the toner supply port 25. The housing shutter 210S seals or opens the toner supply port 25.

  The pair of shutter springs 208 bias the housing shutter 210S in the direction in which the housing shutter 210S seals the toner supply port 25. When the toner container 30 is removed from the developing device 20, the housing shutter 210S receives the biasing force of the pair of shutter springs 208 and seals the toner supply port 25.

  Further, when the toner container 30 is mounted to the container mounting portion 109, the housing shutter 210S can press the container main body 37 of the toner container 30. Therefore, the shutter spring 208 biases the toner container 30 mounted on the container mounting portion 109 in the direction in which the housing shutter 210S closes the toner supply port 25 via the housing shutter 210S.

<About the toner supply device>
Next, the toner supply device 3 will be described. As described above, the toner replenishing device 3 is a device for replenishing the developing device 20 with toner, and includes the toner container 30 (developer container) disposed above the toner replenishing port 25 of the developing housing 210. .

(Toner container)
The toner container 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11 in addition to FIG. 8 and 9 are plan views of the toner container 30. FIG. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the toner container 30. As shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the toner container 30 of FIG. 8 as viewed from the cutting plane line XI-XI. The toner container 30 has a tubular shape extending in the left-right direction (first direction, the direction of the arrow DA in FIG. 11). The toner container 30 accommodates the replenishment toner (developer) inside. The toner container 30 includes the moving wall 32, the shaft 33, the pressing member 34, the rotating body 35, and the rotating body drive gear 381, in addition to the lid 31, the container body 37 (container body) and the cover 39 described above. A shaft drive gear 382, a ratchet gear 383 and a ratchet shaft 384 are provided.

  The lid 31 is fixed to the container body 37 and seals the opening of the container body 37. The lid 31 rotatably supports the second shaft end 332 (FIG. 11) of the shaft 33. The lid 31 includes a first guide 312. The first guide portion 312 is a protrusion formed on the left side surface (outer surface portion) of the lid portion 31 so as to extend in the vertical direction. The first guide portion 312 has a function of guiding the toner container 30 to be attached to the developing device 20.

  The container main body 37 is a main body portion of the cylindrical toner container 30. The container body 37 includes the right wall 375 (FIG. 11) and the projecting wall 376 (see FIG. 18 described later), and extends in the first direction DA (left and right direction) to accommodate the internal space 37H capable of containing toner. Have. The right wall 375 is a wall portion which is disposed on one end side (right end side) of the container body 37 in the first direction DA and closes the inside of the container body 37. The inner space 37H is a space defined by the inner circumferential surface 37K formed by the container body 37, and further by the right wall 375 and the lid 31. Further, in the internal space 37H, a region between the right wall 375 and the movable wall 32 is a first space 37S1, and a region between the movable wall 32 and the lid 31 is a second space 37S2. The first space 37S1 is a space in which the toner is accommodated in the internal space 37H of the toner container 30. On the other hand, the second space 37S2 is a space in which the toner is not stored in the internal space 37H of the toner container 30.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the other side of the right wall 375 of the container body 37 in the first direction DA is open. When the lid 31 is fixed to the opening, the lid 31 closes the internal space 37H 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. 18 described later, the protruding wall 376 is a portion where the outer peripheral surface 37L of the container body 37 protrudes to the right relative to the right wall 375. A cover 39 is attached to the projecting wall 376. The cover 39 exposes a part of the rotating body drive gear 381 and the shaft driving gear 382 in the circumferential direction to the outside, and has a function of covering the other parts of the rotating body drive gear 381 and the shaft drive gear 382 in the circumferential direction. . The cover 39 includes the aforementioned second guide 391 (see FIG. 11), a container engaging portion 392, and a gear opening 39K (see FIG. 7).

  The second guide portion 391 is a protruding portion provided on the right side of the cover 39 so as to protrude on the right side in the vertical direction. The second guide 391 has a function of guiding the toner container 30 to be mounted on the developing device 20 together with the first guide 312 of the lid 31. The container engaging portion 392 is a protrusion which is provided on the right side surface of the cover 39 at a distance from the second guide portion 391. The lock engagement piece 202S of the lock release button 202 is engageable with the container engagement portion 392.

  The gear opening 39K is an opening in which the lower surface of the cover 39 is opened in a semicircular arc shape. When the cover 39 is attached to the container body 37, part of the gear teeth of the rotary body drive gear 381 and the shaft drive gear 382 is exposed to the outside of the toner container 30 through the gear opening 39K. As a result, when the toner container 30 is mounted on the developing housing 210 of the developing device 20, the rotary body drive gear 381 and the shaft drive gear 382 are engaged with the second transmission gear 212 and the third transmission gear 213 (FIG. 6), respectively. United.

  In addition, the container main body 37 includes the toner discharge port 377 (developer discharge port) described above and the main body bearing portion 37J (FIG. 11). The toner discharge port 377 is opened in the lower surface portion of the right end portion (one end portion in the first direction DA) of the container main body 37 so as to communicate with the internal space 37H. In other words, the toner discharge port 377 is disposed adjacent to the right wall 375 in the first direction DA. Further, the toner discharge port 377 is opened in a rectangular shape with a predetermined length along the first direction DA and a predetermined width along the arc shape of the lower surface portion of the container main body 37. 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 lower surface portion of the container main body 37. The toner discharge port 377 allows the toner to be discharged from the first space 37S1 toward the developing device 20.

  The main body bearing portion 37J (FIG. 11) is a bearing formed on the right wall 375. The shaft 33 is inserted into the main body bearing portion 37J. At this time, the right end side (first shaft end portion 331) of the shaft 33 protrudes to the outside of the container main body 37.

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

  Referring to FIG. 11, the first shaft end portion 331 is a tip end portion of the shaft 33 which protrudes to the right through the main body bearing portion 37J. A pair of D surfaces are formed on the circumferential surface of the first shaft end portion 331 (see FIG. 18). A ratchet shaft 384 constituting a ratchet mechanism RC described later is engaged with the first shaft end 331. As a result, the shaft 33 and the ratchet shaft 384 can be integrally rotated. The second shaft end 332 is the left end of the shaft 33. The second shaft end 332 is pivotally supported by the shaft hole formed in the lid 31 as described above.

  The male spiral portion 333 is a screw portion formed in a spiral shape along the first direction DA on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 33 in the internal space 37H. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the male spiral portion 333 is disposed from the region adjacent to the lid portion 31 in the shaft 33 to the region on the upstream side of the toner discharge port 377 in the first direction DA.

  The moving wall stopping portion 334 is disposed continuously on the downstream side of the male spiral portion 333 in the first direction DA. The moving wall stop portion 334 is a region of only the shaft portion where the male spiral portion 333 is partially lost in the shaft 33 in the internal space 37H. The movable wall stopping portion 334 is located above the toner discharge port 377 and on the upstream side of the toner discharge port 377 in the first direction DA.

  The movable wall 32 divides the internal space 37H of the container body 37 into a first space 37S1 in which the toner is accommodated and a second space 37S2 in which the toner is not accommodated. The moving wall 32 is inserted into the shaft 33, and the shaft 33 rotates in a first rotation direction R1 (see FIG. 11) about an axis extending in the first direction DA, thereby along the shaft 33 in the first direction DA. Moving. Thus, the moving wall 32 transports the toner in the first space 37S1 toward the toner discharge port 377. In the present embodiment, the moving wall 32 receives a driving force from the pressing member 34 as the shaft 33 rotates. The pressing member 34 is disposed upstream of the movable wall 32 in the first direction DA. The pressing member 34 is a cylindrical member that allows the shaft 33 to be inserted therein, and has a function of pressing the moving wall 32 in the first direction DA. A female spiral portion 34J is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the pressing member 34. The engagement between the male spiral portion 333 of the shaft 33 and the female spiral portion 34J of the pressing member 34 causes the pressing member 34 to move the movable wall 32 in the first direction DA toward the toner discharge port 377.

  The moving wall 32 conveys the toner in the first space 37S1 toward the toner discharge port 377 from the start of use of the toner container 30 to the end of use from the initial position on one end side of the first direction DA. The inner space 37H is moved in the first direction DA to the final position on the end side. The initial position of the movable wall 32 is located on the right side (downstream side in the first direction DA) of the lid 31 and the final position is located on the immediate left side (upstream side in the first direction DA) of the toner discharge port 377.

  The detailed structure of the moving wall 32 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15. 12 and 13 are exploded perspective views of the moving wall 32, and are perspective views seen from different viewpoints. In FIG. 12, the pressing member 34 also appears. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the wall main body 323 of the moving wall 32. As shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the moving wall 32. As shown in FIG.

  The moving wall 32 includes a wall plate 321, a sealing member 322, and a wall body portion 323. In other words, in the present embodiment, the movable wall 32 is formed of three plate members. The outer peripheral portions of the wall plate 321, the seal member 322, and the wall main body 323 are formed in similar shapes to one another. That is, the lower end portion of the movable wall 32 has an arc shape projecting downward, the upper end portion of the movable wall 32 is a horizontal flat portion, and both side portions of the movable wall 32 have the above arc shape and the flat portion. It consists of the inclined part which connects

  The wall plate 321 is disposed at the most downstream side of the moving wall 32 in the first direction DA. The wall plate 321 is molded by resin molding. The wall plate 321 includes a plate body 321A, four (plural) studs 321B, and four (plural) engagement pieces 321C. The plate main body 321A is a main body portion of the wall plate 321, and is a plate-like portion facing in the left-right direction. A plate shaft hole 321H is opened at the center of the plate body 321A. The shaft 33 is inserted into the plate shaft hole 321H. Further, the right side surface of the plate main body 321A constitutes the transport surface 320S. The transport surface 320S, together with the inner circumferential surface 37K of the container body 37, defines a first space 37S1 in which the toner is accommodated. Further, the transport surface 320S transports the toner in the first space 37S1 while pressing the toner as the moving wall 32 moves.

  The four studs 321B are provided to project leftward (toward the wall main portion 323) from the left side surface of the plate main body 321A. The stud 321B has a cylindrical shape, and its tip is tapered. In the present embodiment, two studs 321B are disposed above the plate shaft hole 321H at intervals in the front-rear direction, and two studs 321B are disposed below the plate shaft hole 321H at an interval in the front-rear direction. . The four studs 321 B have a positioning function with respect to the wall body portion 323 of the wall plate 321.

  Similar to the studs 321B, the four engagement pieces 321C are provided so as to protrude leftward (toward the wall main portion 323) from the left side surface of the plate main body 321A. The engaging piece 321C has a hook shape, and has a claw shape at its tip. In the present embodiment, one engagement piece 321C is disposed immediately above the plate shaft hole 321H, two studs 321B are disposed before and after the plate shaft hole 321H, and one stud 321B is disposed below the plate shaft hole 321H. It is arranged. In other words, the four engagement pieces 321C are respectively disposed between the four studs 321B in the circumferential direction. The four engagement pieces 321C have a function of fixing the wall plate 321 to the wall body 323.

  The seal member 322 is disposed at a central portion of the movable wall 32 in the first direction DA and at a position to be sandwiched between the wall plate 321 and the wall main body portion 323. The seal member 322 is made of a urethane material having a predetermined thickness in the first direction DA. A seal shaft hole 322H is opened at the center of the seal member 322. The shaft 33 is inserted into the seal shaft hole 322H. Further, among the seal member 322, four stud insertion holes 322B and four engagement piece insertion holes 322C are opened so as to surround the periphery of the seal shaft hole 322H. The four stud insertion holes 322B allow the four studs 321B described above to be inserted respectively. Similarly, the four engagement piece insertion holes 322C allow the aforementioned four engagement pieces 321C to be inserted respectively. As a result, the position of the seal member 322 with respect to the wall plate 321 of the movable wall 32 and the wall main body 323 is restricted. In other words, the seal member 322 is constrained in the vertical and horizontal directions. The outer peripheral portion of the seal member 322 constitutes the outer peripheral surface 32K of the movable wall 32 (see FIG. 11). The outer peripheral surface 32 </ b> K is disposed in contact with the inner peripheral surface 37 </ b> K of the container main body 37 and is compressed and deformed.

  The wall body portion 323 is disposed on the upstream side of the wall plate 321 and the seal member 322 in the first direction DA, that is, on the most upstream side of the movable wall 32 in the first direction DA. The wall body portion 323 is molded by resin molding. As shown in FIG. 13, the wall body portion 323 includes a large diameter portion 323S and a small diameter portion 323T. That is, the wall main body portion 323 has a step shape along the first direction DA, and the downstream side (small diameter portion 323T) in the first direction DA is smaller than the upstream side (large diameter portion 323S) in the first direction DA. It has a small shape. A cylindrical portion 323J is disposed at the central portion of the wall body portion 323 (see FIG. 14). The cylindrical portion 323J has a cylindrical shape that protrudes from the wall main portion 323 toward the upstream side in the first direction DA. A wall main body axial hole 323H is formed inside the cylinder of the cylindrical portion 323J (see FIG. 13). The shaft 33 is inserted into the wall main body axial hole 323H. Further, the cylindrical portion 323J is inserted into the inside of the cylinder of the pressing member 34. The tip (front end) on the upstream side of the cylindrical portion 323J in the first direction DA is formed in a ring shape, and functions as a pressed portion 323J1 (see FIG. 14) pressed by the pressing member 34.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the wall main body portion 323 includes four stud receiving portions 323B, four wall engaging portions 323C, and four wall surface ribs 323L. The four stud receiving portions 323B allow the four studs 321B described above to be inserted respectively. Similarly, the four wall engaging portions 323C allow the four engaging pieces 321C described above to be locked respectively (see FIG. 15). The four wall surface ribs 323L are ribs provided so as to protrude from the left side surface of the wall main body portion 323, and extend so as to connect the stud receiving portion 323B and the wall engaging portion 323C. The four wall ribs 323L have one first wall rib 323L1 and three second wall ribs 323L2. The first wall rib 323L1 extends upward from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 323J. The three second wall ribs 323L2 respectively extend radially outward from the left and right end portions and the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 323J. And the insertion hole H is formed in 1st wall surface rib 323L1. The insertion hole H is an opening formed to penetrate the first wall rib 323L1 in the front-rear direction, and the pressing member 34 can be inserted.

  Further, referring to FIG. 13, on the right side surface of the wall main body 323, three seal pressing ribs 323F are provided so as to surround the four stud receiving parts 323B and the four wall engaging parts 323C. It is provided so as to protrude annularly along the circumferential direction and toward the seal member 322. Each of the three seal pressing ribs 323F is a rib similar to the outer peripheral shape of the wall main body 323, and is arranged at a predetermined interval in the radial direction. The outermost seal pressing rib 323F is disposed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the small diameter portion 323T. Further, the innermost seal pressing rib 323F is disposed in the vicinity of the four stud receiving portions 323B and the four wall engaging portions 323C. The seal pressing rib 323F has a function of contacting the side surface of the seal member 322 to press the seal member 322 and restricting the radial proximal end position of the compression-deformed portion of the seal member 322.

  Further, referring to FIG. 13, a plurality of outer peripheral ribs 323 </ b> R are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral portion of the large diameter portion 323 </ b> S. The plurality of outer peripheral ribs 323 </ b> R maintain the posture of the movable wall 32 by slightly contacting the inner peripheral surface 37 </ b> K of the container body 37.

  With reference to FIGS. 11 and 13, when the wall plate 321, the seal member 322, and the wall main body portion 323 are integrated, the outer peripheral portion of the seal member 322 is arranged at the outermost radial direction. As a result, the outer peripheral portion (the outer peripheral surface 32 K of the moving wall 32) of the seal member 322 is compressed and deformed by the inner peripheral surface 37 K of the container main body 37. As a result, the toner in the first space 37S1 flows out of the space between the inner peripheral surface 37K of the container main body 37 and the outer peripheral surface 32K of the movable wall 32 upstream of the movable wall 32 in the moving direction (first direction DA). Is prevented. At this time, the position of the proximal end portion in the radial direction of the portion to be compressively deformed is regulated by the plurality of seal pressing ribs 323F. Therefore, the compression portion of the outer peripheral portion of the seal member 322 is limited, and a strong pressing force can be maintained toward the inner peripheral surface 37 K of the container main body 37. Further, the outer peripheral portion of the large diameter portion 323S of the wall main portion 323 and the outer peripheral portion of the wall plate 321 are disposed slightly radially inward of the outer peripheral portion of the seal member 322. As described above, the planar (plate-like) seal member 322 is held between the wall plate 321 and the wall main body portion 323, whereby the outer peripheral portion of the seal member 322 is detached along with the movement of the movable wall 32. Is deterred. In other words, as compared with the aspect in which the tape-like sealing member is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the moving wall 32, the occurrence of seal curl is prevented. Furthermore, the small diameter portion 323T is disposed radially inward of the large diameter portion 323S. As a result, when the moving wall 32 moves in the first direction DA, the outer peripheral portion of the seal member 322 is allowed to enter the step portion between the large diameter portion 323S and the small diameter portion 323T on the upstream side of the first direction DA. Ru. Therefore, an excessive load is applied to the outer peripheral portion of the seal member 322, and the outer peripheral portion is prevented from being damaged.

  Further, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, when seal member 322 is sandwiched between wall plate 321 and wall main body portion 323, the peripheral portion of seal shaft hole 322H in seal member 322 is crushed, and thus the shaft A shaft seal portion is formed so as to be in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the entire surface 33 in the entire circumferential direction. The shaft seal portion is disposed upstream of the female spiral portion 34J of the pressing member 34 in the first direction DA (see FIG. 11). Accordingly, the shaft seal portion contacts the male spiral portion 333 of the shaft 33 earlier than the female spiral portion 34J, and cleans the toner attached to the male spiral portion 333. Further, since the shaft seal portion has a ring shape so as to surround the shaft 33, the shaft seal portion is in close contact with the shaft 33 over the entire circumferential direction of the shaft 33. Therefore, the toner in the first space 37S1 is prevented from flowing out through the bearing portion of the movable wall 32 to the upstream side in the moving direction (first direction DA) than the movable wall 32.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 16 and 17 in addition to FIGS. 10 and 11, the rotating body 35 provided in the toner container 30 will be described. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the toner container 30 of FIG. 8 as seen from the cutting plane line XVI-XVI. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the rotating body 35. FIG.

  The rotary body 35 is disposed near the toner discharge port 377 in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37, and rotates around a shaft 33 extending in the first direction DA. Specifically, the rotating body 35 is disposed along the right wall 375 above the toner discharge port 377. In the present embodiment, the rotary body 35 includes a plate portion 35A, a stirring blade portion 35B (stirring portion), a rotary body bearing portion 35C, a first support projection 35D, and a second support projection 35E.

  The plate portion 35A is a plate-like member in which a part of the outer peripheral end of the disk-like member is notched in an arc shape to form a notch 35AA, and is rotatable around the shaft 33. The plate portion 35A is inserted into the first shaft end portion 331 of the shaft 33, and is prevented from coming off with respect to the shaft 33 by the pair of retaining members 35F.

  The stirring blade portion 35B is a blade portion extending from the plate portion 35A toward the upstream side in the first direction DA, that is, toward the moving wall 32. The agitating blade portion 35B orbits around the shaft 33 above the toner discharge port 377 as the plate portion 35A rotates. Thus, the stirring blade 35B stirs the toner in the first space 37S1.

  The stirring bearing portion 35C is a cylindrical portion extending rightward from the plate portion 35A, and accommodates the shaft 33 therein. Further, the tip end portion of the stirring bearing portion 35C is engageable with the rotating body drive gear 381.

  The first support protrusion 35D is a protrusion extending from the plate portion 35A toward the upstream side in the first direction DA, that is, toward the moving wall 32. The first support protrusions 35D are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the stirring blade portion 35B in the plate portion 35A. The cleaning member 361 is attached to the first support projection 35D. The cleaning member 361 is formed of a flexible film member that extends along the rotational direction (circumferential direction) of the rotating body 35. The cleaning member 361 is made of an electrically insulating material (for example, polyethylene terephthalate, PET). The cleaning member 361 orbits above the toner discharge port 377 around the shaft 33 as the rotary body 35 (plate portion 35A) rotates. The cleaning member 361 scrapes off the toner attached to the specific area 37K1 (see FIG. 9) of the inner circumferential surface 37K while slidingly contacting the inner circumferential surface 37K of the container main body 37 when the rotating body 35 rotates. In the inner peripheral surface 37K of the container main body 37, the specific region 37K1 to be cleaned by the cleaning member 361 is a region facing a container sensor 3S (detection sensor) described later. The cleaning member 361 also has a function of delivering the toner in the first space 37S1 from the toner discharge port 377.

  The second support projection 35E is a projection that extends from the plate portion 35A toward the upstream side in the first direction DA, that is, toward the moving wall 32. The second support projection 35E is arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the stirring blade 35B and the first support projection 35D in the plate portion 35A. The second support projection 35E turns around the shaft 33 above the toner discharge port 377 and the specific area 37K1 as the plate portion 35A rotates. The mounting detection member 362 is attached to the outer surface of the second support projection 35E. The mounting detection member 362 is made of, for example, a copper tape member. Although the details will be described later, the mounting detection member 362 is used when detecting the mounting of the toner container 30 to the developing device 20.

  The rotating body drive gear 381 constitutes a part of the rotating body drive unit 42 (FIG. 6) of the container drive unit 40. The rotating body drive gear 381 transmits the driving force of the rotating body drive motor M2 (FIG. 6) to the rotating body 35. The rotary body drive gear 381 is connected to the rotary body drive motor M 2 through the first transmission gear 211 and the second transmission gear 212 of the developing device 20. In the present embodiment, the rotating body drive gear 381 is rotationally driven in synchronization with the developing roller 21 of the developing device 20, the first stirring screw 23, and the second stirring screw 24. The rotary body drive gear 381 is connected to the tip of the stirring bearing portion 35C of the rotary body 35 which penetrates the main body bearing portion 37J. As a result, the rotating body drive gear 381 and the rotating body 35 rotate integrally.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the container sensor 3S is disposed so as to face the specific area 37K1 of the inner circumferential surface 37K of the container body 37 from the outside of the container body 37. In other words, the container sensor 3S is disposed on the outer peripheral surface 37L of the container body 37 so as to face the sensor facing area 37L1 (see FIGS. 9, 10 and 16) corresponding to the specific area 37K1. In the inner peripheral surface 37K of the container main body 37, the specific region 37K1 is set above the toner discharge port 377 in the circumferential direction and at the same height position as the axis of the shaft 33 in the vertical direction. .

  The container sensor 3S constitutes a part of the toner replenishing device 3 and is a detection sensor capable of detecting the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37. In the present embodiment, the container sensor 3S is a magnetic permeability sensor (magnetic sensor). The container sensor 3S, which is a magnetic permeability sensor, detects a magnetic field in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37, which changes at the same cycle as the rotation cycle of the rotating body 35, and converts it into an electrical signal. The container sensor 3S has a characteristic that when the toner (magnetic toner) stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 is detected, the detected magnetic field becomes large. When the container sensor 3S detects a magnetic field having a strength equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the container sensor 3S outputs a High signal (hereinafter, referred to as "H signal") that is a signal indicating that toner has been detected. On the other hand, when the container sensor 3S is not operating or when the strength of the magnetic field in the first space 37S1 is less than the predetermined value, the container sensor 3S outputs a Low signal (hereinafter, referred to as "L signal").

  In the toner supply device 3 of the present embodiment, the movement operation of the moving wall 32 of the toner container 30 is controlled based on the output signal of the container sensor 3S, and the control of the toner supply to the developing device 20 is executed. The details of the toner replenishment control for the developing device 20 in the toner replenishment device 3 will be described later.

  Next, the ratchet mechanism RC provided in the toner container 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 22 in addition to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the toner container 30. FIG. 19 and 20 are exploded perspective views of the ratchet mechanism RC of the toner container 30. FIG. 21 and 22 are perspective views of the ratchet mechanism RC of the toner container 30. FIG. In the present embodiment, the shaft drive gear 382, the ratchet gear 383 and the ratchet shaft 384 have a ratchet mechanism RC that transmits rotational drive force to the shaft 33. The ratchet mechanism RC constitutes a part of the movable wall drive unit 41 (FIG. 6) of the container drive unit 40.

  The shaft drive gear 382 constitutes a part of the movable wall drive unit 41. The shaft drive gear 382 is connected to the first shaft end 331 of the shaft 33, and transmits the driving force of the movable wall drive motor M1 (FIG. 6) to the shaft 33. The shaft drive gear 382 is disposed coaxially with the shaft 33. The shaft drive gear 382 is connected to the movable wall drive motor M 1 via the third transmission gear 213. The shaft drive gear 382 is capable of rotating the shaft 33 by being rotated by the driving force generated by the moving wall drive motor M1. As shown in FIG. 11, the right end portion of the shaft 33 is disposed so as to penetrate the rotating body 35. The shaft drive gear 382 is coupled (fixed) to the first shaft end 331 of the shaft 33 via the ratchet gear 383 and the ratchet shaft 384.

  Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the shaft drive gear 382 has a cylindrical portion 382S and a disk-shaped gear portion 382T connected to the cylindrical portion 382S. Gear teeth (not shown) are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the gear portion 382T. The shaft portion 384T of the ratchet shaft 384 is insertable into the cylindrical portion 382S. The cylindrical portion 382S has an engaging portion 382A extending in the axial direction of the ratchet shaft 384 (the axial direction of the shaft 33).

  The ratchet gear 383 has a cylindrical shape, and the shaft portion 384T of the ratchet shaft 384 can be inserted therein. The ratchet gear 383 is disposed between the shaft 33 and the shaft drive gear 382 in the axial direction, and is rotatable around the axis of the shaft 33. The ratchet gear 383 has an engaging portion 383A extending in the axial direction of the ratchet shaft 384 and an inclined portion 383B opposed to the engaging portion 383A in the circumferential direction. Further, the ratchet gear 383 is disposed on the opposite side of the engaging portion 383A and the inclined portion 383B in the axial direction, and faces the engaging portion 383C extending in the axial direction of the ratchet shaft 384 in the circumferential direction. And an inclined portion 383D.

  Furthermore, the ratchet shaft 384 is disposed between the shaft drive gear 382 and the shaft 33 in the axial direction, and is rotatable integrally with the shaft 33. The ratchet shaft 384 has a proximal end 384S and a shaft 384T. The proximal end 384S is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The inside of the cylinder of the proximal end portion 384S has a pair of D-plane shapes. The first shaft end 331 (see FIG. 18) of the shaft 33 is inserted into and engaged with the inside of the proximal end 384S. As a result, the shaft 33 and the ratchet shaft 384 can be integrally rotated. The shank 384T extends axially from the proximal end 384S. The outer diameter of the shaft portion 384T is smaller than the outer diameter of the proximal end 384S. An end of the base end 384S on the side of the shaft 384T is provided with an engaging portion 384A extending in the axial direction of the ratchet shaft 384 and an inclined portion 384B opposed to the engaging portion 384A in the circumferential direction. .

  As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, after the ratchet gear 383 is externally fitted to the ratchet shaft 384, the cylindrical portion 382S of the shaft drive gear 382 is externally fitted to the ratchet shaft 384. As a result, in the circumferential direction around the ratchet shaft 384, the engagement portion 382A is disposed to face the engagement portion 383C, and the engagement portion 384A is disposed to face the engagement portion 383A. When the shaft drive gear 382 is rotated in the first rotational direction DG1 (see FIG. 21), the engaging portion 382A moves along the inclined portion 383D and axially presses the ratchet gear 383 toward the proximal end 384S. Eventually, the engaging portion 382A abuts on the engaging portion 383C and presses the engaging portion 383C in the first rotational direction DG1. Further, the engaging portion 383A abuts on the engaging portion 384A and presses the engaging portion 384A in the first rotation direction DG1. As a result, the shaft 33 connected to the ratchet shaft 384 rotates in the first rotation direction R1 (see FIG. 11). That is, the pressing member 34 and the movable wall 32 move in the first direction DA. The first rotation direction DG1 of the shaft drive gear 382 and the first rotation direction R1 of the shaft 33 are the same.

  On the other hand, when the shaft drive gear 382 is rotated in the second rotation direction DG2 (see FIG. 22) opposite to the first rotation direction DG1, the engaging portion 382A is spaced apart from the engaging portion 383C in the circumferential direction. Ru. Further, the engaging portion 382B of the second container gear 382 presses the engaging portion 383E of the ratchet gear 383 in the second rotational direction DG2. As a result, the ratchet gear 383 rotates in the second rotation direction DG2. At this time, since the ratchet shaft 384 does not press the ratchet gear 383 toward the shaft portion 384T, the engagement between the ratchet gear 383 and the ratchet shaft 384 (engagement portion 384A) is released, and the ratchet gear 383 is Idle in the rotational direction DG2. As a result, the rotational force in the second rotational direction DG2 is not transmitted to the ratchet shaft 384, and as a result, the shaft 33 does not rotate in the second rotational direction R2 (see FIG. 11). That is, with the rotation of the shaft drive gear 382 in the second rotational direction DG2, movement of the pressing member 34 and the movable wall 32 in the first direction DA is suppressed. Further, since the shaft 33 does not rotate in the second rotation direction R2, the pressing member 34 does not move relative to the moving wall 32 in the upstream direction of the first direction DA. Therefore, even when the user erroneously rotates the shaft drive gear 382 in the second rotational direction R2 when the toner container 30 is removed from the developing device 20, the moving wall 32 is on the upstream side in the first direction DA. It is prevented from moving to

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the ratchet mechanism RC configured of the shaft drive gear 382, the ratchet gear 383 and the ratchet shaft 384 transmits the rotational drive force of the shaft drive gear 382 in the first rotational direction DG1 to the shaft 33. At the same time, the rotational drive force in the second rotational direction DG2 of the shaft drive gear 382 is restricted from being transmitted to the shaft 33.

<Control system of image forming apparatus>
Next, the control system of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, and an image forming driving unit in addition to the toner supplying device 3 including the container sensor 3S, the toner container 30, and the container driving unit 40 described above and the image forming unit 120. 120A, a control unit 50, and a feature value detection unit 60.

  The operation unit 11 is an interface connected to the control unit 50 so as to be capable of data communication, and is an interface that receives user's operation and information from an external device. The operation unit 11 includes, for example, information such as the number of sheets S printed, the size of the sheet S, the type of the sheet S, print start instruction information representing the start of printing, and image formation regarding image forming processing conditions. Processing information is input. The display unit 12 is connected so as to be capable of data communication with the control unit 50, and displays message information regarding an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 for notifying a user.

  The image forming drive unit 120A is a drive unit that operates the photosensitive drum 121, the charger 122, the exposure device 123, the transfer roller 126, and the cleaning device 127 other than the developing device 20 and the toner replenishing device 3 in the image forming unit 120. It is. The toner container 30 of the toner replenishing device 3 is driven by the container drive unit 40. Further, the developing roller 21, the first stirring screw 23 and the second stirring screw 24 of the developing device 20 are driven by the rotating body driving unit 42 of the container driving unit 40 so as to synchronize with the driving of the rotating body 35 of the toner container 30. Be done.

  The container drive unit 40 of the toner replenishing device 3 includes a moving wall drive unit 41 and a rotating body drive unit 42.

  The moving wall drive unit 41 includes a moving wall drive motor M1 and a moving wall drive circuit M11 in addition to the shaft drive gear 382 and the ratchet mechanism RC described above. The moving wall drive motor M1 is a drive motor that emits a driving force that causes the shaft 33 of the toner container 30 to rotate. The driving force generated by the moving wall drive motor M1 is transmitted to the shaft 33 via the third transmission gear 213, the shaft drive gear 382, and the ratchet mechanism RC. Thereby, the shaft 33 rotates in the first rotation direction R1. The moving wall 32 moves in the first direction DA along the shaft 33 as the shaft 33 rotates in the first rotational direction R1. The movable wall drive circuit M11 is a drive circuit that controls the drive of the movable wall drive motor M1, and is connected to the control unit 50 so as to be capable of data communication.

  The rotary body drive unit 42 includes a rotary body drive motor M2 and a rotary body drive circuit M21 in addition to the above-described rotary body drive gear 381. The rotating body driving motor M2 is a driving motor that emits a driving force for rotating the rotating body 35 of the toner container 30. The driving force generated by the rotary body drive motor M2 is transmitted to the rotary body 35 via the first transmission gear 211, the second transmission gear 212, and the rotary body drive gear 381. Thereby, the rotating body 35 rotates around the shaft 33. The rotary body drive circuit M21 is a drive circuit that controls the drive of the rotary body drive motor M2, and is connected to the control unit 50 so as to be capable of data communication. The driving force generated by the rotating body drive motor M2 is also transmitted to the developing roller 21, the first stirring screw 23, and the second stirring screw 24 of the developing device 20 via the first transmission gear 211. Thus, the developing roller 21 of the developing device 20, the first stirring screw 23, and the second stirring screw 24 rotate.

  The control unit 50 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in an integrated manner, the storage unit 52 storing an image forming program, etc., the communication unit 53, the image formation control unit 54, and container control. And a mode setting unit 56.

  The arithmetic processing unit 51 is a computer including a CPU and a memory, and is connected to the storage unit 52, the communication unit 53, the image formation control unit 54, the container control unit 55, and the mode setting unit 56 via the bus 50A. There is. The arithmetic processing unit 51 executes an image forming process based on the image forming program stored in the storage unit 52, and executes various arithmetic processes associated therewith.

  In the storage unit 52, in addition to the image forming program, a threshold related to the number of times of output of the H signal output from the container sensor 3S, which is set by the control condition setting unit 5511 in the moving wall drive control unit 551 of the container control unit 55 described later. , And the driving time of the moving wall driving motor M1 are stored.

  The communication unit 53 is an interface for performing data communication with the operation unit 11, the display unit 12, the container sensor 3S, and the temperature / humidity detection unit 61 of the feature value detection unit 60 described later.

  The image formation control unit 54 is connected in data communication with the image formation drive unit 120A, and transmits a control signal related to control of the image formation operation of the image formation unit 120 to the image formation drive unit 120A. When the communication unit 53 receives the image formation processing information input to the operation unit 11, the image formation control unit 54 transmits a control signal corresponding to the image formation processing information to the image formation drive unit 120A. When receiving the control signal transmitted from the image forming control unit 54, the image forming driving unit 120A controls the image forming operation of the image forming unit 120 according to the control signal.

  When the communication unit 53 receives the image forming process information input to the operation unit 11, the mode setting unit 56 sets an operation mode according to the image forming process information.

  The mode setting unit 56 sets an operation mode related to the rotational speed (linear speed) of the photosensitive drum 121 according to the information on the type of the sheet S included in the image formation processing information. Specifically, the mode setting unit 56 sets the reference full speed mode and the half speed mode according to the type of the sheet S so that the photosensitive drum 121 rotates at a rotation speed (linear speed) suitable for image formation on the sheet S. Switch the operation mode between the fast mode. In the reference full speed mode, the photosensitive drum 121 rotates at a reference first rotation speed. On the other hand, the half speed mode is an operation mode set when the sheet S is, for example, a thick sheet. In the half speed mode, the photosensitive drum 121 rotates at a second rotational speed (half the speed of the first rotational speed) lower than the reference first rotational speed.

  In addition, the mode setting unit 56 sets an operation mode related to the printing rate of the sheet S according to the image data included in the image formation processing information. Specifically, the mode setting unit 56 switches the operation mode between the reference printing rate mode, the low printing rate mode, and the high printing rate mode according to the image data. In the standard printing rate mode, the printing rate of the sheet S is within a predetermined standard printing rate range. In the low printing rate mode, the printing rate of the sheet S is lower than the lower limit value of the reference printing rate range. In the high printing rate mode, the printing rate of the sheet S is higher than the upper limit value of the reference printing rate range.

  Here, the feature value detection unit 60 will be described. The feature value detection unit 60 detects a feature value that causes the number of output times of the H signal to fluctuate in the output signal output from the container sensor 3S at a predetermined time interval. In the present embodiment, the feature value detection unit 60 includes a temperature and humidity detection unit 61, a rotation speed detection unit 62, and a printing rate detection unit 63.

  The temperature and humidity detection unit 61 constitutes a part of the toner supply device 3 and is connected to the control unit 50 so as to be capable of data communication. The temperature and humidity detection unit 61 detects the temperature and humidity around the toner container 30 as a feature value. Information on the temperature and humidity detected by the temperature and humidity detection unit 61 is input to the container control unit 55 via the communication unit 53. When the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit 61 is the first temperature / humidity of reference, the temperature / humidity environment around the toner container 30 is the normal temperature / normal humidity (for example, 23 ° C., 50% RH) environment (hereinafter referred to as “ It is called "NN environment". When the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit 61 is the second temperature / humidity lower than the reference first temperature / humidity, the temperature / humidity environment around the toner container 30 is low temperature / low humidity (for example, 15 ° C., 10% RH) Environment (hereinafter referred to as “LL environment”). When the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit 61 is the third temperature / humidity higher than the reference first temperature / humidity, the temperature / humidity environment around the toner container 30 is high temperature / high humidity (for example, 30 ° C., 80% RH) Environment (hereinafter referred to as "HH environment").

  The rotational speed detection unit 62 constitutes a part of the mode setting unit 56, and detects the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 121 as a feature value. The rotational speed detection unit 62 detects the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 121 by monitoring the switching control of the operation mode between the full speed mode and the half speed mode by the mode setting unit 56. When the mode setting unit 56 sets the operation mode to the full speed mode, the rotation speed detection unit 62 detects that the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 121 is the reference first rotation speed. Further, when the mode setting unit 56 sets the operation mode to the half speed mode, the rotation speed detection unit 62 has the second rotation speed at which the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 121 is slower than the first reference rotation speed. To detect that.

  The printing rate detection unit 63 constitutes a part of the mode setting unit 56, and detects the printing rate of the sheet S as a feature value. The print ratio detection unit 63 detects the print ratio of the sheet S by monitoring the switching control of the operation mode between the reference print ratio mode, the low print ratio mode, and the high print ratio mode by the mode setting unit 56. When the mode setting unit 56 sets the operation mode to the reference printing ratio mode, the printing ratio detection unit 63 detects that the printing ratio of the sheet S is within the reference printing ratio range. When the mode setting unit 56 sets the operation mode to the low printing rate mode, the printing rate detection unit 63 detects that the printing rate of the sheet S is lower than the lower limit value of the reference printing rate range. Do. Further, when the mode setting unit 56 sets the operation mode to the high printing rate mode, the printing rate detection unit 63 detects that the printing rate of the sheet S is a value higher than the upper limit value of the reference printing rate range. Do.

  The container control unit 55 of the control unit 50 constitutes a part of the toner supply device 3. The container control unit 55 includes a moving wall drive control unit 551, a rotating body drive control unit 552, and a mounting detection unit 553.

  The rotating body drive control unit 552 is connected in data communication with the rotating body drive circuit M21, and transmits a control signal related to drive control of the rotating body drive motor M2 to the rotating body drive circuit M21. When the communication unit 53 receives the image forming process information input to the operation unit 11, the rotating body drive control unit 552 transmits a control signal corresponding to the image forming process information to the rotating body drive circuit M21. When receiving the control signal transmitted from the rotary body drive control unit 552, the rotary body drive circuit M21 controls the driving of the rotary body drive motor M2 according to the control signal.

  Here, when the rotary body 35 of the toner container 30 is rotated by the driving of the rotary body drive motor M2, the communication unit 53 receives an output signal output from the container sensor 3S. The output signal of the container sensor 3S will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 schematically shows an output signal output from the container sensor 3S when one rotation of the rotating body 35 is one cycle. FIG. 24A shows an output signal output from the container sensor 3S when toner is present above the specific area 37K1 on the inner peripheral surface 37K of the container body 37. That is, FIG. 24 (1) shows the output signal of the container sensor 3S when the draft surface of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 is located above the specific region 37K1. On the other hand, in FIG. 24 (2), when the water surface of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 is located below the specific area 37K1, or the toner is empty in the first space 37S1 The output signal of container sensor 3S in the case of being empty) is shown.

  The container sensor 3S sets one rotation of the rotating body 35 as one cycle, and at a predetermined time interval (for example, 48 msec) during the one cycle, an H signal according to the change of the magnetic field in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37. An output signal of (high signal) or L signal (low signal) is output.

  Referring to FIG. 24 (1), when the water intake surface of the toner contained in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 is located above the specific area 37K1, the cleaning member 361 is rotated when the rotating body 35 rotates. The container sensor 3S outputs a plurality of H signals in a time period TW1 in which the specific area 37K1 of the inner circumferential surface 37K of the container body 37 passes. Toner adheres to the cleaning member 361. Therefore, the container sensor 3S outputs an H signal by detecting a magnetic field having a strength equal to or higher than a predetermined value caused by the toner attached to the cleaning member 361.

  Further, the container sensor 3S outputs a plurality of H signals in the time period TW2 in which the second support projection 35E passes the specific region 37K1 on the inner circumferential surface 37K of the container main body 37 when the rotary body 35 rotates. A mounting detection member 362 is attached to the second support projection 35E. Therefore, the container sensor 3S outputs an H signal by detecting a magnetic field having a strength equal to or greater than a predetermined value caused by the mounting detection member 362.

  In addition, the container sensor 3S outputs a plurality of H signals in a time zone TW3 in which the stirring blade portion 35B passes the specific region 37K1 on the inner peripheral surface 37K of the container main body 37 when the rotary body 35 rotates. When the water intake surface of the toner contained in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37 is located above the specific area 37K1, the toner is present around the stirring blade 35B. For this reason, the container sensor 3S outputs an H signal by detecting a magnetic field having a strength equal to or greater than a predetermined value caused by the toner present around the stirring blade 35B.

  In addition, the container sensor 3S outputs a plurality of H signals in a time zone TW4 in which the notch 35AA of the plate portion 35A passes the specific area 37K1 on the inner peripheral surface 37K of the container body 37 when the rotary body 35 rotates. Do. When the water intake surface of the toner contained in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 is located above the specific area 37K1, the toner is present around the notch 35AA of the plate portion 35A. Therefore, the container sensor 3S outputs an H signal by detecting a magnetic field having a strength equal to or greater than a predetermined value caused by the toner present around the notch 35AA.

  On the other hand, referring to FIG. 24 (2), when the draft surface of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 is located below the specific area 37K1, or the toner is in the first space 37S1. In the empty state, the container sensor 3S outputs a plurality of H signals in the time period TW1 in which the cleaning member 361 passes the specific area 37K1 on the inner peripheral surface 37K of the container body 37 when the rotary body 35 rotates. . The container sensor 3S outputs the H signal even though the water intake surface of the toner contained in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37 is located below the specific area 37K1. This is because a magnetic field having a strength greater than or equal to a predetermined value due to the toner attached to the toner is detected.

  Further, the container sensor 3S outputs a plurality of H signals in the time period TW2 in which the second support projection 35E passes the specific region 37K1 on the inner circumferential surface 37K of the container main body 37 when the rotary body 35 rotates. The container sensor 3S outputs the H signal even though the water intake surface of the toner contained in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 is located below the specific area 37K1. This is because a magnetic field having a strength equal to or greater than a predetermined value resulting from the attachment detection member 362 attached to the protrusion 35E is detected. That is, the container sensor 3S detects the mounting detection member 362 to detect an H signal from the container sensor 3S regardless of the position relative to the specific area 37K1 of the water intake surface of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37. Will be output.

  The container sensor 3S outputs an L signal in a time zone in which the stirring blade portion 35B passes the specific region 37K1 on the inner peripheral surface 37K of the container main body 37 when the rotating body 35 rotates. When the water intake surface of the toner contained in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 is located below the specific area 37K1, no toner is present around the stirring blade 35B. For this reason, since the strength of the magnetic field in the first space 37S1 is less than the predetermined value, the container sensor 3S outputs an L signal.

  In addition, the container sensor 3S outputs an L signal in a time zone in which the notch 35AA of the plate portion 35A passes the specific area 37K1 on the inner circumferential surface 37K of the container body 37 when the rotary body 35 rotates. When the water intake surface of the toner accommodated in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37 is located below the specific area 37K1, no toner is present around the notch 35AA of the plate portion 35A. For this reason, since the strength of the magnetic field in the first space 37S1 is less than the predetermined value, the container sensor 3S outputs an L signal.

  The attachment detection unit 553 of the container control unit 55 detects attachment of the toner container 30 to the developing device 20 based on the output signal output from the container sensor 3S. Specifically, in the mounting detection unit 553, the second support projection 35E to which the mounting detection member 362 is attached passes through the specific region 37K1 in the inner peripheral surface 37K of the container main body 37 when the rotating body 35 rotates. In the time zone TW2, the attachment of the toner container 30 to the developing device 20 is detected based on the H signal output from the container sensor 3S. As described above, the container sensor 3S detects the mounting detection member 362 regardless of the position of the draft surface of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 with respect to the specific region 37K1. Outputs an H signal. Therefore, when the mounting detection unit 553 outputs the H signal derived from the mounting detection member 362 from the container sensor 3S during one rotation of the rotating body 35, the toner container 30 is mounted on the developing device 20. Can be detected.

  When the toner container 30 is not attached to the developing device 20, the container sensor 3S does not output the H signal derived from the attachment detection member 362, even if the rotary body drive motor M2 is driven. In such a case, the mounting detection unit 553 transmits message information (container non-mounting message information) indicating that the toner container 30 is not mounted on the developing device 20 to the display unit 12 via the communication unit 53. Do. Thereby, the container non-attachment message information is displayed on the display unit 12. The user can confirm that the toner container 30 is not attached to the developing device 20 based on the container non-attachment message information displayed on the display unit 12.

  The moving wall drive control unit 551 of the container control unit 55 moves the moving wall 32 in the internal space 37H of the container main body 37 by controlling the drive of the moving wall drive motor M1 via the moving wall drive circuit M11. Control. The moving wall drive control unit 551 includes a control condition setting unit 5511, a determination unit 5512, and a signal control unit 5513.

  The control condition setting unit 5511 of the moving wall drive control unit 551 sets conditions for controlling the driving of the moving wall drive motor M1. The control condition setting unit 5511 sets the threshold related to the number of times of output of the H signal output from the container sensor 3S and the drive time of the moving wall drive motor M1 according to the feature value detected by the feature value detection unit 60. Do. Details of the control condition setting operation of the control condition setting unit 5511 will be described later.

  The determination unit 5512 of the moving wall drive control unit 551 refers to the threshold set by the control condition setting unit 5511, and determines the number of times of output of the H signal output from the container sensor 3S. The determination unit 5512 sets one cycle in which the rotating body 35 rotates once as a predetermined detection cycle, and outputs the number of times of the H signal in a plurality of output signals output from the container sensor 3S at predetermined time intervals during the one cycle. Is less than the threshold. The determination unit 5512 outputs the first determination information when the number of times of output of the H signal is less than the threshold, and outputs the second determination information when the number of times of output of the H signal is equal to or more than the threshold. When the determination unit 5512 outputs the first determination information, the draft surface of the toner contained in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37 is located below the specific area 37K1. On the other hand, when the determination unit 5512 outputs the second determination information, the draft surface of the toner contained in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37 is located above the specific region 37K1.

  The signal control unit 5513 of the moving wall drive control unit 551 is connected so as to be capable of data communication with the moving wall drive circuit M11. The signal control unit 5513 transmits a control signal regarding drive control of the movable wall drive motor M1 to the movable wall drive circuit M11 based on the determination information output from the determination unit 5512. The signal control unit 5513 is a control signal that permits the driving of the movable wall drive motor M1 during the drive time set by the control condition setting unit 5511 when the first determination information is output from the determination unit 5512. A certain drive permission signal is transmitted to the movable wall drive circuit M11. On the other hand, when the second determination information is output from the determination unit 5512, the signal control unit 5513 is configured to move the drive non-permission signal, which is a control signal for disabling the drive of the moving wall drive motor M1, to the moving wall drive circuit. Send to M11.

  Here, the threshold used at the time of determination by the determination unit 5512 and the drive time of the movable wall drive motor M1 that is the move time of the movable wall 32 are conditions for controlling the drive of the movable wall drive motor M1, that is, The conditions for controlling the movement of the moving wall 32 are set by the control condition setting unit 5511. As described above, the control condition setting unit 5511 detects the threshold value and the drive time according to the feature value that causes the number of times of output of the H signal of the container sensor 3S detected by the feature value detection unit 60 to fluctuate. Set For this reason, the movement of the movable wall 32 is appropriate in accordance with the reduction state of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37. Therefore, suitable replenishment of toner from the toner container 30 to the developing device 20 is realized.

  Next, regarding the control condition setting operation of the control condition setting unit 5511, the setting operation according to the temperature and humidity environment, the setting operation according to the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 121, and the setting operation according to the printing rate of the sheet S It divides into three types of setting operation, and explains in detail.

(About setting operation according to temperature and humidity environment)
25 to 27 are diagrams for explaining the setting operation of the control condition setting unit 5511 on the assumption of a change in temperature and humidity environment. In FIG. 25, a characteristic line C11 indicates the relationship between the toner accommodation amount and the number of times of output of the H signal when the temperature and humidity environment around the toner container 30 is the NN environment. A characteristic line C12 indicates the relationship between the toner storage amount and the number of times of output of the H signal when the temperature and humidity environment around the toner container 30 is the LL environment. A characteristic line C13 indicates the relationship between the toner storage amount and the number of times of output of the H signal when the temperature and humidity environment around the toner container 30 is the HH environment.

  When the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit 61 of the feature value detection unit 60 is the reference first temperature / humidity, that is, when the temperature / humidity environment around the toner container 30 is the NN environment, the control condition setting unit 5511 performs standard setting. In the reference setting, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the threshold used by the determination unit 5512 at the time of determination to a predetermined reference threshold KR, and sets the drive time of the moving wall drive motor M1 to the reference drive time TR. The reference threshold value KR is a state in which in the NN environment, the draft surface of the toner accommodated in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 is located at the same position as the center of the specific area 37K1 and in the first space 37S1. It is a value corresponding to the number of times of H signal output B1 of the container sensor 3S in a state where the toner accommodation amount is "A1" (see FIG. 25). The reference drive time TR is a drive time corresponding to the time for which the rotating body 35 makes one rotation.

  When the temperature and humidity environment around the toner container 30 changes, the bulk density of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 changes accordingly. When the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit 61 of the feature value detection unit 60 is the second temperature / humidity lower than the reference first temperature / humidity, that is, the temperature / humidity environment around the toner container 30 is LL environment In some cases, the bulk density of the toner is high. The container sensor 3S is fixedly arranged so that the position with respect to the container main body 37 becomes constant. Therefore, when the output frequency of the H signal output from the container sensor 3S is the same (output frequency B1 in FIG. 25), the storage amount A2 of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 in the LL environment is , Less than the toner accommodation amount A1 in the NN environment. That is, at the timing when the determination unit 5512 using the same reference threshold value KR as in the NN environment in the LL environment determines that the number of output times of the H signal is less than the reference threshold KR, the first determination information is output. The toner storage amount in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 is smaller than that in the NN environment. Therefore, in the LL environment, the signal control unit 5513 transmits a drive permission signal to the movable wall drive circuit M11 according to the output of the first determination information from the determination unit 5512, and the reference drive time of the movable wall drive motor M1. Even if the moving wall 32 is moved by the drive of the TR, the movement of the moving wall 32 is not appropriate according to the reduction of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37.

  Therefore, in the LL environment, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets at least one of the threshold increase setting and the time extension setting. In the threshold increase setting, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the threshold used at the time of determination by the determination unit 5512 to an increase threshold KI1 having a value larger than the reference threshold KR (see FIG. 26). The increase threshold KI1 is a state in which the draft surface of the toner contained in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37 is located at the same position as the center of the specific area 37K1 in the LL environment, and in the first space 37S1. Is a value corresponding to the number of times B2 of H signal output of the container sensor 3S in a state where the toner accommodation amount is “A1” (see FIG. 25). The control condition setting unit 5511 sets the driving time of the moving wall driving motor M1 to the reference driving time TR when the threshold used in the determination of the determining unit 5512 is set to the increase threshold KI1.

  In the time extension setting, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the driving time of the moving wall driving motor M1 to the extension driving time TE1 which is a value longer than the reference driving time TR (see FIG. 27). When the drive time of the movable wall drive motor M1 is set to the extended drive time TE1, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the threshold used in the determination of the determination unit 5512 to the reference threshold KR. By the setting operation of the control condition setting unit 5511, in the LL environment, the movement of the moving wall 32 becomes appropriate according to the reduction state of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37.

  On the other hand, when the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit 61 of the feature value detection unit 60 is the third temperature / humidity higher than the reference first temperature / humidity, that is, the temperature / humidity environment around the toner container 30 is HH. When in the environment, the bulk density of the toner is low. Therefore, when the number of output times of the H signal output from the container sensor 3S is the same (the number of output times B1 in FIG. 25), the storage amount A3 of toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 in the HH environment is , The toner accommodation amount A1 in the NN environment. That is, in the HH environment, at the timing when the determination unit 5512 using the same reference threshold value KR as in the NN environment determines that the number of output times of the H signal is less than the reference threshold value KR, the first determination information is output. The toner storage amount in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37 is larger than that in the NN environment. Therefore, in the HH environment, the signal control unit 5513 transmits a drive permission signal to the movable wall drive circuit M11 according to the output of the first determination information from the determination unit 5512, and the reference drive time of the movable wall drive motor M1. Even if the moving wall 32 is moved by the drive of the TR, the movement of the moving wall 32 is not appropriate according to the reduction of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37.

  Therefore, in the HH environment, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets at least one of the threshold reduction setting and the time shortening setting. In the threshold reduction setting, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the threshold used at the time of determination by the determination unit 5512 to a decrease threshold KD1 that is smaller than the reference threshold KR (see FIG. 26). The decrease threshold value KD1 is a state in which the draft surface of the toner accommodated in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37 is located at the same position as the center of the specific area 37K1 in the HH environment, and in the first space 37S1. Is a value corresponding to the number of times of output B of the H signal of the container sensor 3S in a state where the toner accommodation amount is “A1” (see FIG. 25). The control condition setting unit 5511 sets the drive time of the moving wall drive motor M1 to the reference drive time TR when the threshold used at the time of the determination by the determination unit 5512 is set to the decrease threshold KD1.

  In the time shortening setting, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the driving time of the moving wall driving motor M1 to a shortening driving time TS1 which is a value shorter than the reference driving time TR (see FIG. 27). When the drive time of the movable wall drive motor M1 is set to the shortened drive time TS1, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the threshold used in the determination of the determination unit 5512 to the reference threshold KR. By the setting operation of the control condition setting unit 5511, in the HH environment, the movement of the movable wall 32 becomes appropriate according to the reduction state of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37.

(About the setting operation according to the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum)
FIGS. 28 to 30 are diagrams for explaining the setting operation of the control condition setting unit 5511 on the assumption of the change of the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 121. FIG. In FIG. 28, a characteristic line C21 indicates the relationship between the toner storage amount and the number of times of output of the H signal when the mode setting unit 56 sets the operation mode related to the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 121 to full speed mode. A characteristic line C22 indicates the relationship between the toner storage amount and the number of times of output of the H signal when the mode setting unit 56 sets the operation mode relating to the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 121 to the half speed mode.

  When the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 121 detected by the rotation speed detection unit 62 of the feature value detection unit 60 is the first reference rotation speed, that is, when the full speed mode is set, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the reference. I do. In the reference setting, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the threshold used by the determination unit 5512 at the time of determination to a predetermined reference threshold KR, and sets the drive time of the moving wall drive motor M1 to the reference drive time TR. The reference threshold value KR is a state in which the draft surface of the toner contained in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37 is located at the same position as the center of the specific area 37K1 in the full speed mode. This value corresponds to the number of times B1 of H signal output of the container sensor 3S when the toner accommodation amount is "A1" (see FIG. 28). The reference drive time TR is a drive time corresponding to the time for which the rotating body 35 makes one rotation.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the developing roller 21 is rotated at a speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 121, and interlocked with the rotation of the developing roller 21 in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37. The rotating body 35 rotates. That is, when the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 121 changes, the rotational speed of the rotating body 35 changes accordingly. When the rotating body 35 rotates in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37, the toner flows and rolls up in the first space 37S1. The amount of winding up of the toner in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 fluctuates according to the change of the rotation speed of the rotating body 35.

  When the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 121 detected by the rotational speed detection unit 62 is the second rotational speed that is lower than the reference first rotational speed, that is, in the half speed mode, the photosensitive drum 121 is decelerated. Accordingly, the rotational speed of the rotating body 35 is reduced. When the rotational speed of the rotating body 35 becomes slow, the amount of toner taken up in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37 decreases. Therefore, when the output frequency of the H signal output from the container sensor 3S is the same (output frequency B1 in FIG. 28), the storage amount A4 of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37 in the half speed mode. Is larger than the toner accommodation amount A1 in the full speed mode. That is, in the half speed mode, the timing at which the determination unit 5512 using the same reference threshold value KR as in the full speed mode determines that the number of times of output of the H signal is less than the reference threshold value KR. Then, the storage amount of the toner in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37 is larger than that in the full speed mode. Therefore, in the half speed mode, the signal control unit 5513 transmits a drive permission signal to the movable wall drive circuit M11 according to the output of the first determination information from the determination unit 5512, and the reference drive of the movable wall drive motor M1. Even if the moving wall 32 is moved by the drive of the time TR, the movement of the moving wall 32 is not appropriate according to the reduction of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37.

  Therefore, in the half speed mode, the control condition setting unit 5511 performs threshold value change setting. In the threshold change setting, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the threshold used at the time of determination by the determination unit 5512 to the decrease threshold KD2 which is a value smaller than the reference threshold KR, and also references the drive time of the moving wall drive motor M1. The driving time TR is set (see FIGS. 29 and 30). The decrease threshold value KD2 is a state in which the draft surface of the toner accommodated in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37 is located at the same position as the center of the specific area 37K1 in the half speed mode. Is a value corresponding to the number of output B of the H signal of the container sensor 3S in a state where the toner accommodation amount is “A1” (see FIG. 28). By the setting operation of the control condition setting unit 5511, in the half speed mode, the movement of the moving wall 32 becomes appropriate according to the reduction state of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37. .

  In the reference setting in the full speed mode, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets a reference driving time TR equivalent to the time when the rotating body 35 makes one rotation, as the driving time of the moving wall driving motor M1. As described above, in the half speed mode, the rotational speed of the rotating body 35 becomes slower according to the deceleration of the photosensitive drum 121. Therefore, the reference drive time TR set as the drive time of the movable wall drive motor M1 by the control condition setting unit 5511 in the threshold value change setting does not correspond to the time for one rotation of the decelerated rotating body 35, and rotation It corresponds to the time during which the body 35 rotates at a rotation angle (half rotation) smaller than one rotation.

(About the setting operation according to the printing rate of the sheet)
31 and 32 are diagrams for explaining the setting operation of the control condition setting unit 5511 on the assumption of a change in the printing rate of the sheet S.

  If the printing ratio of the sheet S detected by the printing ratio detection unit 63 of the feature value detection unit 60 is within the reference printing ratio range, that is, if it is the reference printing ratio mode, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the reference. Do. In the reference setting, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the threshold used by the determination unit 5512 at the time of determination to a predetermined reference threshold KR, and sets the drive time of the moving wall drive motor M1 to the reference drive time TR.

  The amount of toner supplied from the developing device 20 to the photosensitive drum 121 changes in accordance with the printing rate of the sheet S. For this reason, the replenishment amount of toner from the toner container 30 to the developing device 20 changes in accordance with the printing rate of the sheet S. Accordingly, it is necessary to control the movement of the moving wall 32 accordingly.

  When the printing rate detected by the printing rate detection unit 63 is lower than the lower limit value of the predetermined reference printing rate range, that is, in the low printing rate mode, the toner replenishment amount from the toner container 30 to the developing device 20 is small. Become. That is, in the case of the low printing rate mode, the reduction rate of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 becomes slow. Therefore, in the case of the low printing rate mode, the control condition setting unit 5511 performs at least one setting of the threshold increase setting and the time reduction setting. In the threshold increase setting, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the threshold used at the time of determination by the determination unit 5512 to an increase threshold KI2 having a value larger than the reference threshold KR (see FIG. 31). The control condition setting unit 5511 sets the drive time of the moving wall drive motor M1 to the reference drive time TR when the threshold used in the determination of the determination unit 5512 is set to the increase threshold KI2.

  In the time shortening setting, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the driving time of the moving wall driving motor M1 to a shortening driving time TS2 which is a value shorter than the reference driving time TR (see FIG. 32). The control condition setting unit 5511 sets the threshold used in the determination of the determination unit 5512 as the reference threshold KR when the driving time of the moving wall drive motor M1 is set to the shortening drive time TS2.

  By the setting operation of the control condition setting unit 5511, in the low printing rate mode, the movement of the moving wall 32 is appropriate according to the reduction state of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37. Become.

  On the other hand, when the printing rate detected by the printing rate detection unit 63 is higher than the upper limit value of the predetermined reference printing rate range, that is, in the high printing rate mode, the replenishment amount of toner from the toner container 30 to the developing device 20 Will increase. That is, in the case of the high printing rate mode, the decrease speed of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 becomes faster. Therefore, in the case of the high printing rate mode, the control condition setting unit 5511 performs at least one setting of the threshold reduction setting and the time extension setting. In the threshold reduction setting, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the threshold used at the time of determination by the determination unit 5512 to a decrease threshold KD3 that is smaller than the reference threshold KR (see FIG. 31). The control condition setting unit 5511 sets the drive time of the movable wall drive motor M1 to the reference drive time TR when the threshold used at the time of the determination by the determination unit 5512 is set to the decrease threshold KD3.

In the time extension setting, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the driving time of the moving wall driving motor M1 to an extension driving time TE2 which is longer than the reference driving time TR (see FIG. 32).
When the drive time of the movable wall drive motor M1 is set to the extended drive time TE2, the control condition setting unit 5511 sets the threshold used in the determination of the determination unit 5512 to the reference threshold KR.

  By the setting operation of the control condition setting unit 5511, in the high printing rate mode, the movement of the moving wall 32 is appropriate according to the reduction state of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37. Become.

  The signal control unit 5513 of the moving wall drive control unit 551 controls the movement of the moving wall 32 of the toner container 30 based on the determination information output from the determination unit 5512, thereby transferring the toner container 30 to the developing device 20. Toner replenishment control (developer replenishment control), which is control relating to toner replenishment, is executed. Further, the signal control unit 5513 controls the movement of the moving wall 32 of the toner container 30 based on the determination information output from the determination unit 5512 so that the toner stored in the storage space 37S of the container main body 37 is empty. Toner empty control (developer empty control), which is control when a state is reached, is executed.

  The toner supply control and the toner empty control executed by the moving wall drive control unit 551 (signal control unit 5513) will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 33 is a diagram for explaining the toner replenishment control and the toner empty control.

(About toner replenishment control)
While the first guide portion 312 of the lid portion 31 and the second guide portion 391 of the cover 39 are guided by the pair of left guide grooves 201L and right guide grooves 201R of the developing device 20, the user mounts the toner container 30 by the container mounting portion 109. (See FIGS. 6 and 7). When the toner container 30 is mounted on the container mounting portion 109, the container shutter 30S is moved, and the toner discharge port 377 is opened. As a result, the toner discharge port 377 is disposed to face the upper side of the toner supply port 25 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the volume replenishment type toner replenishment type is adopted. Therefore, when the retention portion 29 (FIG. 5) on the developing device 20 side seals the toner supply port 25 from below, the supply toner T2 does not drop from the toner container 30.

  When the communication unit 53 receives the image forming process information input to the operation unit 11, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is started. Specifically, the image formation control unit 54 transmits a control signal to the image formation drive unit 120A, and the rotary body drive control unit 553 transmits a control signal to the rotary body drive circuit M21. Thereby, driving of the image forming unit 120 and the driving motor M2 for the rotating body is started (time T1 in FIG. 33).

  When the rotating body drive motor M2 is driven, the rotating body 35 of the toner container 30 rotates around the shaft 33. Further, when the rotating body drive motor M2 is driven, the developing roller 21 of the developing device 20 is rotated, and the toner is supplied to the photosensitive drum 121.

  In addition, the determination unit 5512 outputs from the container sensor 3S during one cycle TWM (see FIG. 33) represented by a time zone (time zone from time T1 to time T2 in FIG. 33) in which the rotating body 35 makes one rotation. It is determined whether the number of times of H signal output is less than the threshold set by the control condition setting unit 5511. If the number of times of output of the H signal is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination unit 5512 outputs the second determination information J2 (time T2 in FIG. 33).

  When the second determination information J2 is output from the determination unit 5512, the signal control unit 5513 transmits, to the moving wall drive circuit M11, a drive non-permission signal S2 for disabling the driving of the moving wall drive motor M1. (Time T2 in FIG. 33). When the movable wall drive circuit M11 receives the drive non-permission signal S2 transmitted from the signal control unit 5513, the movable wall drive circuit M11 does not drive the movable wall drive motor M1. For this reason, the moving wall 32 does not move.

  When the driving of the rotating body drive motor M2 is continued and the toner is continuously supplied from the developing roller 21 of the developing device 20 to the photosensitive drum 121, the toner in the retention portion 29 of the developing device 20 decreases. Therefore, the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37 flows from the toner discharge port 377 into the developing device 20 via the toner supply port 25. At this time, the rotary body 35 is rotated by the drive of the rotary body drive motor M2. As a result, since the agitating blade portion 35B provided on the rotating body 35 circulates around the shaft 33 above the toner discharge port 377, the toner above the toner discharge port 377 is stably stirred. Thereby, the fluidity of the toner in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 is increased, and the toner is stably dropped from the toner discharge port 377.

  When the toner drops from the toner discharge port 377 according to the decrease of the toner in the retention portion 29 on the developing device 20 side, the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 decreases, and the water surface of the toner is specified It will be in the state located below area | region 37 K1 (time zone from time T2 of FIG. 33 to time T3). In this case, the number of outputs of the H signal output from the container sensor 3S is less than the threshold, and the determination unit 5512 outputs the first determination information J1 (time T3 in FIG. 33). As described above, the determination unit 5512 is accommodated in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 based on the number of times of output of the H signal output from the container sensor 3S during one cycle TWM in which the rotating body 35 makes one rotation. State of toner decrease. For this reason, the determination unit 5512 can determine with high accuracy the toner reduction state in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37.

  When the first determination information J1 is output from the determination unit 5512, the signal control unit 5513 is configured to move the moving wall during the drive time (the reference drive time TR in the example shown in FIG. 33) set by the control condition setting unit 5511. The driving permission signal S1 for permitting the driving of the driving motor M1 is transmitted to the moving wall driving circuit M11 (time T3 in FIG. 33). When receiving the drive permission signal S1 transmitted from the signal control unit 5513, the movable wall drive circuit M11 drives the movable wall drive motor M1 in accordance with the drive permission signal S1. In the present embodiment, upon receiving the drive permission signal S1 transmitted from the signal control unit 5513, the movable wall drive circuit M11 drives the movable wall drive motor M1 at a predetermined constant speed.

  The driving force generated by the moving wall drive motor M1 is transmitted to the shaft 33 via the third transmission gear 213, the shaft drive gear 382, and the ratchet mechanism RC. Thereby, the shaft 33 rotates in the first rotation direction R1. The movable wall 32 moves in the first direction DA along the shaft 33 by the rotation of the shaft 33 in the first rotational direction R1, and the toner in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 is discharged to the toner discharge port 377. Transport it toward you. As described above, the moving wall 32 is moved in the first direction DA based on the drive permission signal S1 transmitted from the signal control unit 5513 according to the first determination information J1 of the determination unit 5512. For this reason, the movement of the movable wall 32 is appropriate in accordance with the reduction state of the toner stored in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37.

  When the moving wall 32 moves in the first direction DA and transports the toner toward the toner discharge port 377, the volume of the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 is reduced. For this reason, the water intake surface of the toner accommodated in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 is positioned above the specific region 37K1 (time zone from time T3 to time T4 in FIG. 33). In this case, the number of outputs of the H signal output from the container sensor 3S becomes equal to or greater than the threshold, and the determination unit 5512 outputs the second determination information J2 (time T4 in FIG. 33).

(About toner empty control)
In the example shown in FIG. 33, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is temporarily ended at time T5, and the driving motor M2 for rotating body is stopped. Thereafter, at time T6, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is resumed, and the driving of the rotating body drive motor M2 is started. Then, the signal control unit 5513 transmits the drive non-permission signal S2 to the moving wall drive circuit M11 according to the second determination information J2 output from the determination unit 5512 at time T7 and time T8.

  When the toner replenishment control is repeated according to the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 and the toner in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 continues to be replenished to the developing device 20, the moving wall 32 is in front of the toner discharge port 377 soon To the final position of.

  When the toner falls from the toner discharge port 377 according to the decrease of the toner in the retention portion 29 on the developing device 20 side in a state where the moving wall 32 is disposed at the final position, the toner is accommodated in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 The draft surface of the toner is located below the specific area 37K1 (time zone from time T8 to time T9 in FIG. 33). In this case, the number of outputs of the H signal output from the container sensor 3S is less than the threshold, and the determination unit 5512 outputs the first determination information J1 (time T9 in FIG. 33).

  When the first determination information J1 is output from the determination unit 5512, the signal control unit 5513 transmits the drive permission signal S1 to the moving wall drive circuit M11 (time T9 in FIG. 33).

  In a state where the moving wall 32 is disposed at the final position, the female spiral portion 34J of the pressing member 34 is located at the moving wall stopping portion 334, and the engagement between the male spiral portion 333 and the female spiral portion 34J is released. For this reason, the transmission of the moving force from the shaft 33 to the pressing member 34 is lost. Therefore, in the state where the movable wall 32 is disposed at the final position, even if the movable wall drive circuit M11 drives the movable wall drive motor M1 according to the drive permission signal S1 (from time T9 to time T10 in FIG. The moving wall 32 remains stopped at the final position without moving.

  The signal control unit 5513 determines whether the first determination information J1 is continuously output a predetermined number of times from the determination unit 5512 after the transmission of the drive permission signal S1 to the movable wall drive circuit M11.

  When the first determination information J1 is continuously output a predetermined number of times from the determination unit 5512 (time T10, time T11, time T12 in FIG. 33), the signal control unit 5513 is performed in the first space 37S1 of the container body 37. It is determined that the toner is empty. Then, the signal control unit 5513 sends the drive stop signal S3 to the moving wall drive circuit M11 with priority over the transmission of the drive permission signal S1 (time T13 in FIG. 33). The drive stop signal S3 is a control signal for stopping the drive of the movable wall drive motor M1.

  When receiving the drive stop signal S3 transmitted from the signal control unit 5513, the movable wall drive circuit M11 stops the drive of the movable wall drive motor M1. In the signal control unit 5513, even if the first determination information J1 is output from the determination unit 5512 after transmission of the drive stop signal S3 to the moving wall drive circuit M11, the mounting detection unit 553 is new to the developing device 20. The drive permission signal S1 is not transmitted until the attachment of the toner container 30 is detected.

  In the state where the moving wall 32 is disposed at the final position, the signal control unit 5513 transmits the drive stop signal S3 to the moving wall drive circuit M11, the first determination information J1 from the determining unit 5512 Each time it is output, that is, each time when the first determination information J1 is continuously output at time T10, time T11, and time T12 in FIG. 33, the drive permission signal S1 is transmitted to the movable wall drive circuit M11. It may be configured to However, even if the movable wall drive circuit M11 drives the movable wall drive motor M1 according to the drive permission signal S1 transmitted from the signal control unit 5513, the movable wall 32 stops at the final position without moving. It remains as it is.

  As described above, when the toner is empty in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37, the signal control unit 5513 performs control to stop the driving of the movable wall drive motor M1. As a result, unnecessary driving of the moving wall drive motor M1 is restricted, and power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, the signal control unit 5513 transmits message information (toner empty information) indicating that the toner is empty in the first space 37S1 of the container main body 37 to the display unit 12 via the communication unit 53. As a result, the toner empty information is displayed on the display unit 12. The user can confirm that the toner container 30 is in the toner empty state by the toner empty information displayed on the display unit 12.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, A various deformation | transformation embodiment can be taken.

  (1) In the above embodiment, a monochrome printer is described as an example of the image forming apparatus 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. In particular, when the image forming apparatus 1 is a tandem type color printer, after the openable cover 100C (see FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 1 is opened, the respective toner containers 30 correspond to the toners of a plurality of colors. It may be mounted in the housing 101 so as to be adjacent from above.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the moving wall 32 is described as moving from the lid 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 to the lid 31 side, and the moving wall 32 may be moved from the right wall 375 side to the lid 31 side. Furthermore, the opening position of the toner discharge port 377 is not limited to the above position. The toner discharge port 377 may be opened at the lowermost surface of the container body 37 or may be opened at another position.

  (3) Further, the developing device 20 is not limited to the one-component developing method, and a two-component developing method may be adopted.

1 image forming apparatus 120 image forming unit 121 photosensitive drum (image carrier)
20 developing device 21 developing roller (developing member)
30 Toner Container (Developer Storage Container)
32 moving wall 35 rotating body 37 container body (container body)
3S container sensor (detection sensor)
40 container drive unit 41 moving wall drive unit 55 container control unit 551 moving wall drive control unit 5511 control condition setting unit 5512 determination unit 5513 signal control unit 60 feature value detection unit 61 temperature / humidity detection unit 62 rotational speed detection unit 63 print ratio detection Department

Claims (6)

An image carrier which rotates about an axis and carries a developer image to be transferred onto a sheet;
A developing device for supplying a developer to the image carrier;
The developer container is detachably mounted to the developing device.
A container body having an internal space extending in the first direction and capable of containing a developer, and having a developer discharge port through which the developer is discharged to the developing device;
A developer storage container including a moving wall for conveying the developer in the inner space toward the developer discharge port by moving in the first direction in the inner space;
A detection sensor disposed opposite to the container body, detecting a developer contained in the internal space, and outputting a signal corresponding to the detection;
A characteristic value detection unit that detects a characteristic value that causes the number of times of output of a developer detection signal, which is a signal representing detection of a developer, in an output signal output at predetermined time intervals from the detection sensor; ,
A moving wall drive including a drive motor that emits a driving force to move the moving wall;
A moving wall drive control unit that controls the movement of the moving wall by controlling the driving of the drive motor;
The moving wall drive control unit
As a condition for controlling the drive of the drive motor, the feature value detection unit detects a threshold related to the number of times of output of the developer detection signal output from the detection sensor and a drive time of the drive motor. A control condition setting unit configured to set according to the feature value;
It is determined whether the number of output times of the developer detection signal output from the detection sensor during a predetermined detection cycle is less than the threshold, and the number of times of output of the developer detection signal is less than the threshold A determination unit that outputs the first determination information to the
A signal control unit that transmits a drive permission signal, which is a control signal for permitting driving of the drive motor during the drive time, when the first determination information is output from the determination unit; And an image forming apparatus. The developing device includes a developing member which rotates about an axis at a speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the image carrier and supplies the developer to the image carrier.
The developer storage container includes a rotating body that is disposed in the inner space so as to be close to the developer discharge port, and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the developing member around a shaft extending in the first direction.
The determination unit determines one cycle in which the rotating body makes one rotation as the detection cycle, and determines whether the number of times of output of the developer detection signal output from the detection sensor during the one cycle is less than the threshold. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which determines The feature value detection unit includes a temperature and humidity detection unit that detects the temperature and humidity around the developer container as the feature value.
The control condition setting unit
When the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit is the first temperature / humidity as a reference, the threshold is set to a predetermined reference threshold, and the driving time is a reference corresponding to the time for one rotation of the rotating body. Set the reference to set the drive time,
When the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit is a second temperature / humidity lower than the first temperature / humidity, a threshold increase setting for setting the threshold to a value larger than the reference threshold, and the driving time Set at least one of time extension setting to set a value longer than the reference driving time,
When the temperature / humidity detected by the temperature / humidity detection unit is a third temperature / humidity higher than the first temperature / humidity, a threshold reduction setting for setting the threshold to a value smaller than the reference threshold, and the driving time The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one setting of time shortening setting for setting a value shorter than the reference driving time is performed. The feature value detection unit includes a rotation speed detection unit that detects a rotation speed of the image carrier as the feature value.
The control condition setting unit
When the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed detection unit is the first reference rotation speed, the threshold is set to a predetermined reference threshold, and the drive time is equivalent to the time for one rotation of the rotor. Set the reference to set the drive time,
When the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed detection unit is a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed, the threshold is set to a value smaller than the reference threshold, and the driving time is the reference driving. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a threshold change setting to be set to time is performed. The feature value detection unit includes a print ratio detection unit that detects, as the feature value, the print ratio of the sheet on which the developer image has been transferred.
The control condition setting unit
When the printing rate detected by the printing rate detection unit falls within a predetermined reference printing rate range, the threshold is set to a predetermined reference threshold, and the drive time corresponds to the time for which the rotating body makes one rotation. Make a reference setting to set the reference driving time,
When the printing rate detected by the printing rate detection unit is lower than the lower limit value of the reference printing rate range, a threshold increase setting for setting the threshold value to a value larger than the reference threshold, and the driving time Set at least one of the time reduction setting to a value shorter than time, and
When the printing rate detected by the printing rate detection unit is higher than the upper limit value of the reference printing rate range, threshold reduction setting for setting the threshold to a value smaller than the reference threshold, and the driving time for the reference driving The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of time extension setting for setting a value longer than time is performed.   The signal control unit is configured such that when the determination unit continuously outputs the first determination information a predetermined number of times after transmitting the drive permission signal to the moving wall drive unit, the developer is empty in the internal space. The moving wall drive unit is determined to be in a state, and a drive stop signal, which is a control signal for stopping the drive of the drive motor, is transmitted to the moving wall drive unit in priority to the transmission of the drive permission signal. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

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