JP2019174688A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve workability when changing the routing of a plurality of conveyance paths.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a plurality of toner containers 32S, 32K (developer containers) that respectively store toner (developer); and a plurality of conveyance paths (tubes 95S, 95K, 96S, 96K) for conveying the toner respectively from the plurality of toner containers 32S, 32K toward a plurality of sub hoppers 70S, 70K (parts to be supplied). At least one conveyance path of the plurality of conveyance paths is provided, in the middle thereof, with a relay part 140S, 140K that can connect or disconnect one of upstream-side tubes 95S, 95K (upstream-side conveyance paths) with one of downstream-side tubes 96S, 96K (downstream-side conveyance paths).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof, in addition to an image forming unit for four colors (for YMCB) for forming a normal color image, white or transparent One in which image forming portions for special colors such as colors are arranged in parallel is widely known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Specifically, in the image forming apparatus in Patent Document 1, five photosensitive drums (image carriers) are arranged in parallel so as to face the intermediate transfer belt, and latent images formed on the five photosensitive drums are respectively provided. Five developing devices for developing are installed. The five developing devices are a developing device for four colors (for YMCB) for forming a normal color image, and a developing device for special colors such as white and transparent colors, each corresponding to a photosensitive drum. A toner image having a color corresponding to the surface of the toner is formed. Then, the toner images formed on the surfaces of the five photosensitive drums are primary-transferred over the surface of the intermediate transfer belt, and the superimposed toner images (color images) are secondarily transferred onto the sheet. become.

Further, the image forming apparatus in Patent Document 1 is provided with five developer containers (toner containers) corresponding to the five developing apparatuses. In addition, five tubes (conveyance paths) are provided for supplying developer (toner) contained in five developer containers to the five developing devices, respectively.
Specifically, the developer discharged from the developer container is temporarily stored in the storage unit. The storage unit and the transport pump installed in the sub hopper (supplemented unit) are connected by a flexible tube. Then, by operating the transport pump, the developer stored in the storage section is transported toward the sub hopper (supplemented section) through the tube. The developer transported and stored in the sub hopper is discharged from the discharge port of the sub hopper when the transport screw installed in the sub hopper is rotated, and is appropriately supplied to the developing device. Then, the latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum is developed by a developing device that is appropriately supplied with the developer and contains an appropriate amount of developer.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, when changing the arrangement of a plurality of developing devices and sub hoppers (supplemented parts) in order to change the order of the toner colors to be superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt, the developer is applied to each of the sub hoppers. A technique is disclosed in which the arrangement of a plurality of tubes is changed without changing the arrangement of a plurality of tubes (conveyance paths) and a plurality of developer containers connected to replenish the liquid.

  Since the conventional image forming apparatus changes the arrangement of the plurality of replenished parts, the workability when changing the arrangement of the plurality of transport paths is not sufficiently high.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having high workability when changing the arrangement of a plurality of conveyance paths.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of developer containers each containing a developer, and a plurality of transport paths for transporting the developer from the plurality of developer containers toward a plurality of replenished portions, respectively. , And at least one of the plurality of transport paths is provided with a relay portion that can contact or separate one of the upstream transport path and the downstream transport path in the middle thereof.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with high workability when changing the distribution of a plurality of conveyance paths.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the vicinity of a process cartridge. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a developer supply device for color colors. It is sectional drawing which shows a conveyance pump and a sub hopper. FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a developer replenishing device for spot colors and black. (A) Schematic showing a state in which the developer container for color and black is attached to and detached from the developer supply device, and (A) the developer container for special color is connected to the developer supply device together with the reservoir. It is the schematic which shows the state attached and detached. It is the schematic which shows the state by which a conveyance pump, a sub hopper, and a developing device are each attached or detached with respect to a developer supply apparatus. (A) Schematic showing the arrangement of each member when the toner image is primarily transferred in the order of special color, color color and black from the upstream side in the running direction to the intermediate transfer belt, and (B) for the intermediate transfer belt. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of each member when the toner image is primarily transferred in the order of black, color, and special color from the upstream side in the running direction. It is a perspective view which shows the relay part as the modification 1. FIG. (A) Schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each member when the toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt from the upstream side in the running direction in the order of the special color, the color color, and the black color as a second modification, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each member when the toner image is primarily transferred from the upstream side in the running direction to the intermediate transfer belt in the order of color, black, and spot color. (A) Schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each member when the toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt from the upstream side in the running direction in the order of special color, color color, and black, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each member when the toner image is primarily transferred from the upstream side in the running direction to the intermediate transfer belt in the order of black, color, and special color.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

First, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a printer as an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the process cartridge 6Y.
As shown in FIG. 1, toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, and 32S as five substantially cylindrical developer containers of different types are detachably attached to one upper end side of the image forming apparatus main body 100, respectively. The installed developer supply devices 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, and 90S (toner supply devices) are arranged side by side. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a toner container 32S (developer supply device 90S) corresponding to the special color is installed on the leftmost side. On the right side, toner containers 32Y, 32M, and 32C (developer supply devices 90Y, 90M, and 90C) corresponding to the three colors (yellow, magenta, and cyan) are provided from the left, yellow, magenta, and cyan. It is installed in the order. A toner container 32K (developer supply device 90K) corresponding to black (black) is installed on the rightmost side.
In the present embodiment, the arrangement order (arrangement) of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, and 32S and the developer supply devices 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, and 90S is variable. It is set not to be.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, etc., the three developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, and 90C for color are respectively the colors (contained in the color toner containers 32Y, 32M, and 32C (developer containers)). Yellow (magenta, cyan) toner (developer) is supplied to the color developing devices 5Y, 5M, and 5C, respectively.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5 and the like, the black developer replenishing device 90K converts the black toner (developer) contained in the black toner container 32K (developer container) into a black toner supply. This is for replenishing the developing device 5Y.
The spot color developer supply device 90S is for supplying the spot color toner (developer) contained in the spot color toner container 32S (developer container) to the spot color developing device 5S. .

As black toner, color toner (yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner), and special toner, known toners can be used.
In particular, special toners are different from black toners and color toners, and are known clear toners (transparent toners, colorless toners, achromatic toners, no-pigment toners, etc.), white toners, etc. Gold toner or silver toner can be used.

Referring to FIG. 1, five exposure units 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K, and 7S are installed in the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and special colors) are disposed below the exposure units. ) Process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S (developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, and 5S) are arranged in parallel so as to face the intermediate transfer belt unit 15 (intermediate transfer belt 8). Yes.
As shown in FIG. 1, the basic arrangement order (arrangement) of the five process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, 6S (developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, 5S) From the upstream side in the direction, the process cartridge 6S for special colors (developing device 5S), the process cartridge 6Y for yellow (developing device 5Y), the process cartridge 6M for magenta (developing device 5M), and the process cartridge 6C for cyan (developing device) 5C), a black process cartridge 6K (developing device 5K). The arrangement order (arrangement) can be changed as appropriate according to the use of the user.
In particular, in the present embodiment, with reference also to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a black process cartridge 6K (developing device 5K) and a special color process cartridge 6S (developing device 5S) are provided. It is configured to be able to change the arrangement.

The spot color toner is not limited to a single type, and in many cases, the different color toner container 32S is appropriately replaced according to the user's application. For example, the toner container 32S for clear toner is replaced with the toner container 32S for white toner.
In such a case, the arrangement order (arrangement) of the special color process cartridges 6S (developing devices 5S) is changed from the most upstream side in the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8 to the most downstream in the traveling direction according to the type of the special color toner. It may be better to change to the side. For example, when clear toner is used as the special color toner, it is preferably used for the purpose of improving the glossiness of the image, so that it is preferably first transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 as shown in FIGS. As shown in A), the process cartridge 6S for special color (developing device 5S) is arranged at the most upstream in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8. On the other hand, when white toner is used as the special color toner, it is used for the purpose of forming an image on the colored sheet P that is not white, so that it is secondarily transferred to the lowermost layer on the sheet P. Desirably, as shown in FIG. 8B, the process cartridge 6S for special color (developing device 5S) is disposed on the most downstream side in the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8. Then, the arrangement of the black process cartridge 6K (developing device 5K) is changed so that the arrangement (installation position) of the process cartridge 6S (developing device 5S) for the spot color is changed. Become. These replacement operations are manually performed by a user (or a service person) based on an operation manual displayed on a display panel installed in the exterior of the image forming apparatus 100.
Such a change in the arrangement of the black process cartridge 6K (developing device 5K) and the special color process cartridge 6S (developing device 5S) will be described in more detail later.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a process cartridge 6Y corresponding to yellow includes a photosensitive drum 1Y as an image carrier, and a charging device 4Y, a developing device 5Y, and a cleaning device 2Y disposed around the photosensitive drum 1Y. An integrated unit (detachable unit). Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process) is performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y, and a yellow image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

  The other four process cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S have substantially the same configuration as the process cartridge 6Y corresponding to yellow except that the color (type) of the toner used is different. An image corresponding to the toner color is formed. Hereinafter, description of the other four process cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S will be omitted as appropriate, and only the process cartridge 6Y corresponding to yellow will be described.

Referring to FIG. 2, a photosensitive drum 1Y as an image carrier is rotationally driven counterclockwise by a drive motor. Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y is uniformly charged at the position of the charging device 4Y (a charging step).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L emitted from the exposure unit 7Y (writing device), and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed by exposure scanning at this position. (It is an exposure process.)

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the developing device 5Y, and the electrostatic latent image is developed at this position to form a yellow toner image (developing process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the primary transfer roller 9Y, and the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 1Y is on the intermediate transfer belt 8 as an intermediate transfer body at this position. (It is a primary transfer process). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the cleaning device 2Y, and untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1Y at this position is collected in the cleaning device 2Y by the cleaning blade 2a (cleaning). Process.)
Finally, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the static eliminator, and the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 1 is removed at this position.
Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y is completed.

The image forming process described above is performed in the same manner as the yellow process cartridge 6Y in the other process cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S. That is, the laser light L based on the image information is directed onto the photosensitive drums of the process cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S from the exposure units 7M, 7C, 7K, and 7S disposed above the process cartridge. Is irradiated. Specifically, the exposure unit emits laser light L from a light source and irradiates the photosensitive drum through a plurality of optical elements while scanning the laser light L with a polygon mirror that is rotationally driven.
Thereafter, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the respective photosensitive drums through the developing process are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 and primarily transferred. Thus, a desired color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 15 (intermediate transfer belt device) includes an intermediate transfer belt 8 as an intermediate transfer member, five primary transfer rollers (9Y), a driving roller, a secondary transfer counter roller, a plurality of tension rollers, and a cleaning roller. It is composed of a counter roller, an intermediate transfer cleaning device, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 8 (intermediate transfer member) is stretched and supported by a plurality of roller members, and is endlessly moved in the arrow direction (clockwise) in FIG. 1 by the rotational drive of one roller member (drive roller). .

Each of the five primary transfer rollers (9Y) sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the photosensitive drum (1Y) to form a primary transfer nip. Then, a transfer voltage (primary transfer bias) opposite to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer roller (9Y).
The intermediate transfer belt 8 travels in the direction of the arrow and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nip of the primary transfer roller (9Y). In this way, the toner images of the respective colors on the photosensitive drum (1Y) are primarily transferred while being superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 on which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred in a superimposed manner reaches a position facing the secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, the secondary transfer counter roller sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the secondary transfer roller 19 to form a secondary transfer nip. Then, the four color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred onto a sheet P such as a sheet conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip. At this time, the untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the sheet P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer cleaning device. At this position, the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is removed.
Thus, a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

Here, referring to FIG. 1, the sheet P conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip is fed from a paper feeding unit 26 (paper feeding cassette) disposed below the apparatus main body 100 to a paper feeding roller 27 or It is conveyed via a conveyance path K1 in which the registration roller pair 28 and the like are arranged.
Specifically, a plurality of sheets P are stored in the sheet feeding unit 26 in a stacked manner. When the paper feed roller 27 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the uppermost sheet P is fed toward the rollers of the registration roller pair 28.

  The sheet P conveyed to the registration roller pair 28 (timing roller pair) temporarily stops at the position of the roller nip of the registration roller pair 28 that has stopped rotating. Then, the registration roller pair 28 is rotationally driven in synchronization with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the sheet P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. Thus, a desired color image is transferred onto the sheet P.

Thereafter, the sheet P on which the color image is transferred at the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed to the position of the fixing device 20. At this position, the color image transferred on the surface is fixed on the sheet P by the heat and pressure generated by the fixing belt and the pressure roller (fixing step).
Thereafter, the sheet P is discharged out of the apparatus by a pair of discharge rollers via a discharge path K2. The sheets P discharged out of the apparatus by the pair of discharge rollers are sequentially stacked on the stack unit as an output image.
Thus, a series of image forming processes in the image forming apparatus is completed.

Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device in the process cartridge will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
The developing device 5Y detects a developing roller 51 facing the photosensitive drum 1Y, a doctor blade 52 facing the developing roller 51, two conveying screws 55 disposed in the developer accommodating portion, and a toner concentration in the developer. And a unit side opening 57 for supplying toner (developer) to the developer accommodating portion. The developing roller 51 includes a magnet fixed inside, a sleeve rotating around the magnet, and the like. In the developer accommodating portion, a two-component developer G composed of a carrier and toner is accommodated.

The developing device 5Y configured as described above operates as follows.
The sleeve of the developing roller 51 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The developer G carried on the developing roller 51 by the magnetic field formed by the magnet moves on the developing roller 51 as the sleeve rotates.

  Here, the developer G in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that the ratio of toner in the developer (toner concentration) is within a predetermined range. Specifically, the toner (powder) stored in the toner container 32Y (developer container) is transferred into the developing device 5Y (developer storage unit) by the developer replenishing device 90Y according to the consumption of toner in the developing device 5Y. Will be replenished. The configuration and operation of the toner container 32Y and the developer supply device 90Y will be described in detail later.

  After that, the toner replenished in the developing device 5Y (developer container) is circulated through the two developer containers separated by the partition member while being mixed and stirred together with the developer G by the two transport screws 55. (This is the movement in the longitudinal direction in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2). The toner in the two-component developer G is attracted to the carrier by frictional charging with the carrier, and is carried on the developing roller 51 together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51.

  The developer G carried on the developing roller 51 is transported along the rotation direction of the sleeve and reaches the position of the doctor blade 52. The developer G on the developing roller 51 is conveyed to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1Y (development region) after the developer amount is made appropriate at this position. The toner is attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y by the electric field formed in the development area. Thereafter, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51 reaches the upper portion of the developer accommodating portion as the sleeve rotates, and is separated from the developing roller 51 at this position and returned to the developer accommodating portion.

Next, the configuration and operation of the yellow developer supply device 90Y will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment, the other two color developer replenishing devices (magenta developer replenishing device 90M and cyan developer replenishing device 90C) are also used in the color of the toner ( Except for the difference in type), the configuration is almost the same as that of the yellow developer supply device 90Y. Therefore, the description of the developer supply devices 90M and 90C is omitted as appropriate, and the developer supply for yellow is supplied. Only the device 90Y will be described.

The yellow developer supply device 90Y rotates and drives a toner container 32Y as a developer container installed in the installation unit 31 in a predetermined direction (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3), and accommodates the toner container 32Y in the toner container 32Y. The discharged toner is discharged out of the container and guided to the developing device 5Y, and a toner supply path (toner transport path) is formed.
Note that FIG. 3 (and FIG. 5 described later) changes the arrangement direction of the toner container 32Y, the developer replenishing device 90Y, the developing device 5Y, and the like for easy understanding. Actually, in FIG. 3, the toner container 32Y and a part of the developer replenishing device 90Y are arranged so that the longitudinal direction thereof is perpendicular to the paper surface (see FIG. 1). Further, the direction and arrangement of the tube 95Y (conveyance path) are also shown in a simplified manner.

The toner in the toner container 32Y installed in the installation unit 31 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is appropriately replenished into the developing device 5Y by the developer replenishing device 90Y according to the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y.
More specifically, when the toner container 32Y is set in the installation portion 31 of the apparatus main body 100, the bottle gear 37 of the toner container 32Y meshes with the drive gear 110 of the apparatus main body 100 and the cap opening / closing chuck 92 of the cap receiving portion 91. As a result, the cap 34 (a member for closing the toner discharge port C) is removed from the toner container 32Y. As a result, the toner outlet C (opening) of the toner container 32Y is opened, and the toner contained in the toner container 32Y can be discharged.

On the other hand, in the developer supply device 90Y, a storage part 81Y is provided below the opened toner discharge port C via a drop path part 82. A suction port 83 is provided at the bottom of the storage unit 81Y, and the suction port 83 is connected to one end of the tube 95Y (conveyance path) via a nozzle. The tube 95Y is made of a flexible rubber material having low toner affinity, and the other end thereof is connected to the transport pump 60Y (diaphragm pump). The transport pump 60Y is connected to the developing device 5Y via a sub hopper 70Y and a transport pipe 98.
In the developer replenishing device 90Y configured as described above, when the drive gear 110 is driven by the drive motor 115, the container main body 33 of the toner container 32Y is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction, and from the toner discharge port C of the toner container 32Y. Toner is discharged. The toner discharged from the toner container 32Y falls on the dropping path portion 82 and is stored in the storage portion 81. The toner stored in the storage unit 81 is sucked from the suction port 83 and transported from the transport pump 60Y to the sub hopper 70Y through the tube 95Y by operating the transport pump 60Y. Then, the toner conveyed (supplemented) to the sub hopper 70Y as the replenished portion is replenished into the developing device 5Y via a conveying tube 98 extending in the vertical direction. That is, the toner in the toner container 32Y is conveyed in the direction of the broken line arrow in FIG. In the present embodiment, unlike the tube 95Y, the transport pipe 98 (transport pipe) that relays between the sub hopper 70Y and the developing device 5Y is formed of a hard resin material or metal material that is not easily deformed.

Next, the transport pump 60Y and the sub hopper 70Y in the developer supply device 90Y will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
Referring to FIG. 4, the transport pump 60Y in the present embodiment is a diaphragm pump (a positive displacement pump), and includes a diaphragm 61 (rubber member), a case 62, a motor 67, a rotating plate 68, a check valve 63, 64, sealing members 65 and 66 (elastic members), and the like. The transport pump 60Y configured in this manner is relatively small and low cost.

Here, the case 62 and the diaphragm 61 form a pump body.
The case 62 is made of a rigid resin material or metal material, and functions as a main part (housing) of the pump body. In the case 62 (pump main body), an inflow port A for allowing the developer to flow in with air and an outflow port B for flowing the developer with air from the inside are formed.
Diaphragm 61 is formed of a rubber material having low affinity for toner and having elasticity, and an arm portion 61a so that the inside of the portion formed in a bowl shape functions as a variable volume portion W and stands on its outer peripheral portion. (Eccentric shaft 68a of rotating plate 68 is fitted in the hole). The diaphragm 61 is joined to the case 62 so that no gap is generated, and the volume variable portion W of the diaphragm 61 and the inside of the case 62 are formed as one closed space inside the pump body. The pump bodies 61 and 62 alternately generate positive pressure and negative pressure by increasing and decreasing the internal volume by the expansion and contraction operation of the diaphragm 61 accompanying the rotation of the rotating plate 68 (eccentric shaft 68a) described later. Become.

The rotating plate 68 is installed on the motor shaft of the motor 67, and an eccentric shaft 68a is provided on the surface so as to stand upright at a position eccentric from the motor shaft (rotation center). The eccentric shaft 68 a of the rotating plate 68 is inserted (fitted) into a hole formed in the distal end portion of the arm portion 61 a in the diaphragm 61.
With such a configuration, when the motor 67 is driven under the control of the control unit 120, the rotating plate 68 (eccentric shaft 68 a) rotates, and accordingly the diaphragm 61 periodically increases the volume of the volume variable unit W. It will expand and contract to increase or decrease. As the diaphragm 61 expands and contracts, positive pressure and negative pressure are alternately generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62.

Here, an inflow check valve 63 is installed at the inlet A of the pump body (case 62). The inflow check valve 63 opens the inlet A when a negative pressure is generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62, and the inlet A when a positive pressure is generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62. Is to be closed. The inflow side check valve 63 is disposed so as to face the inflow port A from the inside (inside) of the pump bodies 61 and 62. A reservoir 81 is connected to the inlet A side of the transport pump 60Y via a tube 95Y.
On the other hand, an outflow check valve 64 is installed at the outlet B of the pump body (case 62). The outflow check valve 64 closes the outlet B when a negative pressure is generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62, and the outlet B when a positive pressure is generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62. Is to release. The outflow check valve 64 is disposed so as to face the outlet B from the outside of the pump bodies 61 and 62. A sub hopper 70Y is connected to the outlet B side of the transport pump 60Y.
With such a configuration and operation, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, the toner stored in the storage unit 81 serving as a replenishment source is sucked from the suction port 83 by operating the transport pump 60Y. After the tube 95Y is transported, the toner is transported into the sub hopper 70Y via the transport pump 60Y. Specifically, when the hopper remaining amount sensor 76 of the sub hopper 70Y detects that the amount of toner in the sub hopper 70 is insufficient, the conveyance pump 60Y (motor 67) is driven to supply toner from the storage unit 81 to the sub hopper 70Y.
The transport pump 60Y (motor 67) is intermittently driven at a relatively short period when the hopper remaining amount sensor 76 detects a shortage state because the toner amount in the sub hopper 70 does not reach the predetermined amount. . As a result, the amount of toner transported by the transport screws 71 and 72 in the sub hopper 70Y does not catch up with the amount of toner supplied from the transport pump 60Y, thereby preventing a problem that toner stays in a part of the sub hopper 70Y.

Referring to FIG. 4, two conveyance screws 71 and 72, a hopper remaining amount sensor 76, a replenishment motor 121 (see FIG. 3), and the like are installed in a sub hopper 70Y as a replenished portion. Further, a replenishing port communicating with the outlet B of the transport pump 60Y is formed above the upstream side of the first transport path (the transport path where the first transport screw 71 is installed) of the sub hopper 70Y. . A discharge port 74 is formed below the second transfer path of the sub hopper 70Y (the transfer path on which the second transfer screw 72 is installed), and the discharge port 74 is connected to a transfer pipe 98 (transfer pipe). ) To the developing device 5Y. Further, an exhaust port 75 for discharging the air sent together with the toner from the transport pump 60Y is provided above the second transport path of the sub hopper 70Y.
As described above, the hopper remaining amount sensor 76 functions as a detection unit that detects a shortage state in which the toner (developer) accommodated in the sub hopper 70Y does not reach a predetermined amount.

Here, in the sub hopper 70Y, the downstream side of the first conveyance path and the upstream side of the second conveyance path communicate with each other on one end side in the longitudinal direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIGS. 3 and 4). Except for the communication portion, the first transport path and the second transport path are isolated by a wall portion.
The toner replenished in the sub hopper 70Y is transported in the order of the first transport path and the second transport path in the sub hopper 70Y by transport screws 71 and 72 rotated by the replenishment motor 121, and thereafter the sub hopper 70Y. To the developing device 5Y through the transport pipe 98. Specifically, when the density detection sensor 56 of the developing device 5Y detects that the toner density is insufficient in the developer accommodating portion (the circulation path by the conveyance screw 55), the conveyance screws 71 and 72 of the sub hopper 70Y are controlled by the control unit 120. Is driven to supply toner from the sub hopper 70Y to the developing device 5Y.
Thus, in the present embodiment, the toner conveyance path from the storage portion 81Y to the conveyance pump 60Y is formed by the flexible tube 95Y. Therefore, even when various members are installed in the space between the storage unit 81Y and the transport pump 60Y, the tube 95Y is arranged so as to avoid these members to form a toner transport path. Can do. Therefore, the installation portion 31 of the toner container 32Y can be laid out relatively freely at a position away from the developing device 5Y.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the toner container 32Y and the accompanying developer replenishing device 90Y will be described.
As described above, the toner container 32Y mainly includes the container main body 33 and the cap 34 (plug member) that is detachably provided in the toner discharge port C.
A bottle gear 37 that rotates integrally with the container body 33 and a toner discharge port C are provided at the head of the container body 33. The bottle gear 37 meshes with the drive gear 110 of the apparatus main body 100 to rotate the container main body 33 in a predetermined direction. The toner discharge port C is for discharging toner (powder) as a developer contained in the container main body 33 toward the drop path portion 82.
The container body 33 is provided with a spiral projection 33a from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface. The spiral projection 33a is for driving the container body 33 to rotate and discharging the toner from the toner discharge port C.
The container body 33 configured in this way can be manufactured together with the bottle gear 37 by blow molding.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 3, cap receiving portion 91 of developer supply device 90Y is provided so as to cover the head of toner container 32Y in a state of being installed in installation portion 31 (developer supply device 90Y). Yes.
The cap receiving portion 91 is provided with a cap opening / closing chuck 92 that opens and closes the cap 34 in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the toner container 32Y, and an opening / closing driving portion that drives the cap opening / closing chuck 92. In addition, it is provided as a part of the storage part 81Y. When the toner container 32Y placed on the installation part 31 is slid toward the cap receiving part 91 and the cap 34 reaches the position of the cap opening / closing chuck 92, the toner container 32Y is further slid and pushed in. In conjunction with the operation, the opening / closing drive unit operates so that the cap 34 is detached from the toner discharge port C with the cap opening / closing chuck 92 sandwiching the cap 34. As a result, the toner discharge port C of the toner container 32Y is opened, and the toner can be discharged from the toner discharge port C. In conjunction with the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y, the lock mechanism is activated and locked so that the head side of the toner container 32Y is not removed from the installation portion 31. At this time, the toner container 32 </ b> Y is fixed to the developer supply device 90 </ b> Y (installation unit 31) so that the toner discharge port C (head) side can rotate, and the container body 33 rotates on the installation unit 31. Will be held as possible.
Further, when the toner container 32Y is detached from the installation unit 31 (toner container cradle), an operation opposite to the operation at the time of mounting described above is performed.

The storage portion 81Y of the developer supply device 90Y is formed in a substantially bowl shape so that the toner that has fallen through the drop path portion 82 is stored, and a toner detection sensor 86 and a stirring member are installed therein. . The transport pump 60Y is connected to the suction port 83 of the storage unit 81Y via a tube 95Y serving as a transport path, and sucks the toner stored in the storage unit 81Y to transport the inside of the tube 95Y.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the toner discharged from the toner container 32Y is not directly sucked by the transport pump 60Y, but the toner discharged from the toner container 32Y and stored in the storage portion 81Y to some extent. Among these, since it is configured such that the necessary amount is sucked by the transport pump 60Y, it is possible to reliably reduce the problem that the toner amount sucked by the transport pump 60Y is insufficient.

The toner detection sensor 86 is for indirectly detecting a state where the toner stored in the toner container 32Y is empty (toner end state) or a state close to it (toner near end state). It is installed at a position close to the suction port 83. Based on the detection result of the toner detection sensor 86, the toner is discharged from the toner container 32Y.
Specifically, as the toner detection sensor 86, a piezoelectric sensor, a transmitted light sensor, or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, a piezoelectric sensor is used as the toner detection sensor 86. The height of the detection surface of the toner detection sensor 86 is set so that the toner amount (deposition height) deposited above the suction port 83 becomes a target value.
Then, based on the detection result of the toner detection sensor 86, the drive timing and drive time of the drive motor 115 that rotationally drives the toner container 32Y (container body 33) are controlled by the control unit 120. Specifically, when the toner detection sensor 86 determines that there is no toner at that position, the drive motor 115 is driven for a predetermined time, and the toner detection sensor 86 determines that there is toner at that position. In this case, the drive of the drive motor 115 is stopped.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the special color developer supply device 90S (and the black developer supply device 90K), which are characteristic in this embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG.
The spot color developer replenishing device 90S (and the black color developer replenishing device 90K) is different in the color (type) of toner used, and tubes 95S and 96S (95K and 96K) as transport paths. ), The yellow developer replenishing device 90Y (and the magenta developer replenishing device 90M, cyan) described above with reference to FIG. 3 except that the relay unit 140S (140K) is installed. Therefore, the description of the common configuration and operation of both will be omitted as appropriate.
The black developer replenishing device 90K has substantially the same configuration as the special color developer replenishing device 90S, except that the color (type) of the toner used is different, so that the description thereof will be appropriately described. Only the developer replenishing device 90S for the special color will be described.

  As with the color developer supply devices 90Y, 90M, and 90C, the spot color developer supply device 90S (or the black developer supply device 90K) is provided in the toner container 32S (32K) as a developer container. The stored toner (developer) is replenished toward a sub hopper 70S (70K) as a replenished portion (supplement destination).

  As shown in FIG. 5 (and FIG. 8), the developer supply device 90S (90K) includes an installation unit 31 in which the toner container 32S is installed, a storage unit 81S (81K) in which a cap receiving unit 91 and the like are installed, Conveyance pump 60S (60K), sub hopper 70S (70K) as a replenished part, upstream tube 95S (95K) as an upstream conveyance path, downstream tube 96S (96K) as a downstream conveyance path, upstream tube 95S (95K) and a relay section 140S (140K) that relays the downstream side tube 96S (96K).

Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the developer replenishing device 90S for the special color includes the toner container 32S and the storage portion 81S integrally with the developer replenishing device 90S. It is configured to be detachable. Specifically, the suction port 83 of the unit in which the toner container 32S and the storage unit 81S are integrated is detachably installed in the upstream side opening (nozzle part) of the upstream side tube 95S. In this way, by configuring the toner container 32S and the storage unit 81S as an integrated unit, even if the toner container 32S is replaced with a different color toner container 32S, the storage unit in which the replacement spot color toner should be stored. It is possible to reduce the problem that the special color toner before replacement is mixed with 81S.
In contrast, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the black developer replenishing device 90K, similarly to the color developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, and 90C, the toner container 32K has a storage portion 81K (developing). It is configured to be detachable from the agent replenishing device 90K).
Here, in any of the developer supply devices 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, and 90S, the tubes 95Y, 95M, 95C, 95K, and 95S except for the downstream tubes 96S and 96K have various types as described above. Since the members are arranged in a dense space and it is difficult to replace the members, in principle, the members are fixed so as not to be removed from the image forming apparatus main body 100.

The spot color developer replenishing device 90S can be configured in the same manner as the other developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, 90C, and 90K, and the other developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, 90C, and 90K can be configured. It can also be configured in the same manner as the developer replenishing device 90S for spot colors.
The toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, and 32S are not indirectly connected to the tubes 95Y, 95M, 95C, 95K, and 95S via the storage portions 81Y, 81M, 81C, 81K, and 81S. The containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, and 32S may be configured to be directly connected to the tubes 95Y, 95M, 95C, 95K, and 95S. In particular, the developer replenishing device 90S for the special color is configured as described above, so that the side of the toner container 32S attached to and detached from the tube 95S via the nozzle portion as described with reference to FIG. This unit will be simplified.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, in the developer replenishing device 90S for spot colors, the transport pump 60S is attached to and detached from the developer replenishing device 90S together with the sub hopper 70S (supplemented portion). It is configured to be possible. Further, the developing device 5S (in a state where the transport pipe 98 is connected to the process cartridge 6S) can be attached to and detached from the unit in which the transport pump 60S, the sub hopper 70S, and the downstream tube 96S are integrated. It is configured. Then, when the toner container 32S is replaced with a different color toner container 32S (and the storage unit 81S), the different color transport pump 60S, the sub hopper 70S, and the downstream tube 96S corresponding to the different types are provided. The developing devices 5S for different types of special colors are attached and detached as shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to reduce the problem that the special color toner before replacement is mixed with the developing device 5S and the sub hopper 70S in which the special color toner after replacement is stored.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the discharge port 74 is opened and closed in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the developing device 5S in a unit in which the transport pump 60S, the sub hopper 70S, and the downstream tube 96S are integrated. A shutter 79 is provided. Accordingly, even when the developing device 5S is removed from the unit in which the transport pump 60S, the sub hopper 70S, and the downstream tube 96S are integrated, the toner leaks from the discharge port 74 of the sub hopper 70S. Can be prevented.
Further, in the present embodiment, the black developer replenishing device 90K is integrated with the transport pump 60K, the sub hopper 70K, and the downstream tube 96K as shown in FIG. 7 in the same manner as the special color developer replenishing device 90S. The unit and the developing device 5K are configured to be attached and detached separately.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 1 and the like, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes an intermediate transfer belt as an intermediate transfer member that travels in a predetermined traveling direction (clockwise in FIG. 1). 8 and photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K, 1S as image bearing members arranged in parallel along the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8 so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 8 (intermediate transfer member). Is installed. As shown in FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a plurality of developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, which respectively develop latent images formed on the plurality of photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K, and 1S. 5K, 5S, a plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S (developer containers) each containing toner as a developer, and a plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S A plurality of tubes 95Y, 95M, 95C, 95K, 95S, etc. are provided for supplying the developed toner to a plurality of developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, 5S, respectively.

In the present embodiment, as described above, a plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, and 32S (developer containers) can be arranged as needed without changing the arrangement (array). The arrangement of the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, and 5S in the traveling direction (the arrangement order along the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8) is changed.
Specifically, as described above, each of the plurality of developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, and 5S includes process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, and a corresponding photosensitive drum among the plurality of photosensitive drums. 6S is configured. Therefore, the arrangement of the plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S is changed.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the arrangement of the five toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, and 32S (and the five storage portions 81Y, 81M, 81C, 81K, and 81S) is changed. Of the five developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, 5S (process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, 6S) and the sub hoppers 70Y, 70M, 70C, 70K, 70S 5S (process cartridge 6S) and sub hopper 70S (and transport pump 60S, downstream tube 96S), developing device 5K (process cartridge 6K) and sub hopper 70K located in the most downstream (and transport pump 60K, downstream tube 96K) ), And the arrangement has been changed. By performing such an arrangement change operation, it is possible to prevent a problem that black and a special color are mixed before and after the arrangement change.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment conveys toner (developer) from the plurality of toner containers 32S and 32K (developer containers) toward the plurality of sub hoppers 70S and 70K (supplemented portions). Tubes 95S (96S) and 95K (96K) are provided as a plurality of conveyance paths for this purpose.
In the present embodiment, at least one of the plurality of tubes (in the present embodiment, the tubes 95S (96S) and 95K (96K) serving as two conveyance paths) are provided in the middle. Relay parts 140S and 140K that can contact and separate one of upstream tubes 95S and 95K serving as upstream transport paths and downstream tubes 96S and 96K serving as downstream transport paths are provided.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the developer replenishing device 90S for special colors has, as a transport path, an upstream tube 95S (upstream transport path), a relay unit 140S, and a downstream tube as a transport path from the upstream side. 96S (downstream conveyance path) is provided. The relay unit 140S is provided at a position sufficiently away from the upstream end (upstream opening) and the downstream end (downstream opening) of the transport path. Further, the relay portion 140S is formed so as to communicate with both the upstream tube 95S and the downstream tube 96S, and the toner flowing in from the upstream opening of the upstream tube 95S passes through the downstream opening of the downstream tube 96S. It will be leaked. And in this Embodiment, it is comprised so that the downstream tube 96S can be connected or isolate | separated with respect to the relay part 140S.
Similarly, the black developer replenishing device 90K is provided with an upstream tube 95K (upstream conveyance path), a relay portion 140K, and a downstream tube 96K (downstream conveyance path) from the upstream side as a conveyance path. It has been. The relay unit 140K is provided at a position sufficiently away from the upstream end (upstream opening) and the downstream end (downstream opening) of the transport path. The relay portion 140K is formed so as to communicate with both the upstream tube 95K and the downstream tube 96K, and the toner flowing from the upstream opening of the upstream tube 95K passes through the downstream opening of the downstream tube 96K. It will be leaked. And in this Embodiment, it is comprised so that the downstream tube 96K can be connected or isolate | separated with respect to the relay part 140K.
The upstream tubes 95S and 95K and the downstream tubes 96S and 96K are formed of a flexible rubber material having low toner affinity, like the other tubes 95Y, 95M, and 95C.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the arrangement of the plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32S, 32K is not changed, and at least two of the plurality of sub hoppers 70Y, 70M, 70C, 70S, 70K (supplemented parts). When the arrangement of the two sub hoppers 70S and 70K is changed, the positions of the upstream side tubes 95S and 95K and the relay portions 140S and 140K in the conveyance path corresponding to the sub hoppers 70S and 70K are fixed in the downstream. After the side tubes 96S and 96K are removed from the relay portions 140S and 140K, the downstream tubes 96S and 96K are connected to the sub hoppers 70S and 70K and the relay portions 140S and 140K whose arrangement has been changed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, the developing device 5S for special colors (process cartridge 6S) and the sub hopper 70S (and the transport pump 60S) are arranged on the most upstream side, and the developing device 5K for black (process) In a state where the cartridge 6K) and the sub hopper 70K (and the transport pump 60K) are disposed on the most downstream side, first, the downstream tubes 96S and 96K are removed from the relay portions 140S and 140K.
Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the special color developing device 5S (process cartridge 6S) and the sub hopper 70S (and the transport pump 60S and the downstream tube 96S) are rearranged to the most downstream side, and the black development is performed. The apparatus 5K (process cartridge 6K) and the sub hopper 70K (and the transfer pump 60K and the downstream tube 96K) are rearranged to the uppermost stream. At this time, the positions of the toner containers 32S and 32K (and the storage portions 81S and 81K) and the upstream tubes 95S and 95K remain fixed.
Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the downstream tube 96S for the special color whose arrangement has been changed to the most downstream side is connected to the relay section 140S for special colors (the position is fixed), and is arranged at the most upstream position. The changed black downstream tube 96K is connected to the black relay portion 140K (position is fixed).
In addition, when changing the arrangement from the state of FIG. 8B to the state of FIG. 8A, the operation is performed in the same procedure.

  With this configuration, the arrangement (arrangement order) of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, and 32S and the storage portions 81Y, 81M, 81C, 81K, and 81S is not changed, as shown in FIG. As shown, the image forming process is performed in the order of the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, and 5S, the sub hoppers 70Y, 70M, 70C, 70K, and 70S, and the transport pumps 60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K, and 60S. It becomes possible to do. The case where the image forming process is performed in such an arrangement (arrangement order) is, for example, a case where white toner is used as the special color toner as described above.

In the present embodiment, the special color tube and the black tube related to the replacement of the arrangement are provided with the relay portions 140S and 140K, respectively, so that the arrangement of the two tubes is changed. Workability can be improved.
Specifically, since the tubes are long, when the relay portions 140S and 140K are not provided, the tubes are not stable and difficult to contact and separate when changing the arrangement of the tubes. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the relay units 140 and 140K are provided, the positions from the upstream tubes 95S and 95K to the relay units 140S and 140K can be fixed, and the relay units 140S, 140S, It is possible to change the arrangement of the tubes in a relatively stable state only by making contact and separation between 140K and the relatively short downstream tubes 96S and 96K. Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily replace the special color sub hopper 70S, the transport pump 60S, and the process cartridge 6S with the black sub hopper 70K, the transport pump 60K, and the process cartridge 6K.

Here, referring to FIG. 8, in this embodiment, relay units 140S and 140K have two sub hoppers 70S and 70K (two replenished units whose arrangements are changed in accordance with a change in the arrangement of at least two replenished units). Is located at a substantially equidistant (X0 / 2) position.
Accordingly, the developing devices 5K and 5S (process cartridges 6K and 6S) from the state of FIG. 8A to the state of FIG. 8B (or from the state of FIG. 8B to the state of FIG. 8A). ) And the sub hoppers 70K, 70S (and the transfer pumps 60K, 60S) are less likely to cause excess or deficiency in the length of the downstream tubes 96S, 96K that are brought into contact with and separated from each other. Can be set to length.

<Modification 1>
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing relay units 140S and 140K as a first modification.
As shown in FIG. 9, in the first modification, the relay portions 140S and 140K are formed such that two joint portions 140b and 140c that can contact and separate the downstream tubes 96S and 96K open in different directions. .
Specifically, the upstream tubes 95S and 95K are connected to the upstream ends of the branch portions 140a of the relay portions 140S and 140K. Further, the downstream side of the branching portion 140a branches into a first joint portion 140b and a second joint portion 140c. The two joint portions 140b and 140c are disposed at positions shifted from each other by about 180 degrees, bend gently, and face downstream in different directions. The first joint portion 140b opens toward the sub hopper located at the most upstream side, and the second joint portion 140c opens toward the sub hopper located at the most downstream side. The downstream tubes 96S and 96K connected to the most upstream sub hopper are connected to the first joint portion 140b, and the downstream tubes 96S and 96K connected to the most downstream sub hopper are connected to the second joint portion 140c. Will be. Of the two joint portions 140b and 140c, the joint portion that is not connected to the downstream tubes 96S and 96K is preferably closed by a shutter or the like.
By using the relay units 140S and 140K configured in this way, the state of FIG. 8A to the state of FIG. 8B (or the state of FIG. 8B to the state of FIG. 8A). ), The workability of contacting / separating the downstream tubes 96S and 96K can be further improved.

<Modification 2>
FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each member when the toner image is primarily transferred in the order of special color, color color, and black from the upstream side in the running direction to the intermediate transfer belt 8. 10B is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each member when the toner image is primarily transferred in the order of color, black, and special color from the upstream side in the running direction to the intermediate transfer belt 8, each of which is shown in FIG. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 8 (A) in the form of (B) and (B).
As shown in FIG. 10A, in the second modification, the basic arrangement order (arrangement) of the five process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S (developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, and 5S) is also shown. ) From the upstream side in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8, a process cartridge 6S for special colors (developing device 5S), a process cartridge 6Y for yellow (developing device 5Y), a process cartridge 6M for magenta (developing device 5M), A cyan process cartridge 6C (developing device 5C) and a black process cartridge 6K (developing device 5K) are provided.
However, in the second modification, as shown in FIG. 10B, the arrangement order (arrangement) of the five process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S (developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, and 5S) is changed. When changing, from the upstream side in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8, the yellow process cartridge 6Y (developing device 5Y), the magenta process cartridge 6M (developing device 5M), and the cyan process cartridge 6C (developing device 5C). The process cartridge 6K for black (developing device 5K) and the process cartridge 6S for special color (developing device 5S) are provided. That is, the process cartridge 6S for special colors (and the sub hopper 70S and the transfer pump 60S) is relocated from the most upstream side to the most downstream side, and the other four process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K (and the sub hopper 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70K, and the transfer pumps 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K) are each shifted by one upstream.
In the second modification, the upstream side tubes 95Y, 95M, 95C, 95K, and 95S, the relay units 140Y, 140M, 140C, 140K, and 140S, and the downstream side tubes 96Y, 96M, 96C, and 96K are included in the conveyance paths for all colors. 96S are provided. Also, as in the present embodiment, the upstream tubes 95Y, 95M, 95C, 95K, and 95S and the relay units 140Y, 140M, 140C, 140K, and 140S are fixed, and when the arrangement is changed The downstream tubes 96Y, 96M, 96C, 96K, and 96S are connected to and separated from the relay units 140Y, 140M, 140C, 140K, and 140S.
Further, as in the present embodiment, relay units 140Y, 140M, 140C, 140K, and 140S are arranged at approximately equidistant positions from two sub hoppers whose arrangements are interchanged. Specifically, the spot color relay unit 140S is disposed at a substantially equal distance (X0 / 2) from the most upstream sub hopper and the most downstream sub hopper. The other relay units 140Y, 140M, 140C, and 140K are disposed at substantially equal distances (X1 / 2, X2 / 2, X2 / 2, X4 / 2) from the adjacent sub hoppers.
And also in the modification 2, the effect similar to the thing of this Embodiment can be acquired.

<Modification 3>
FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each member when the toner image is primarily transferred in the order of special color, color color, and black from the upstream side in the running direction to the intermediate transfer belt 8. 11B is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each member when the toner image is primarily transferred in the order of black, color, and special color from the upstream side in the running direction to the intermediate transfer belt 8, each of which is shown in FIG. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 8 (A) in the form of (B) and (B).
As shown in FIG. 11A, also in the third modification, the basic arrangement order (arrangement) of the five process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S (developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, and 5S) ) From the upstream side in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8, a process cartridge 6S for special colors (developing device 5S), a process cartridge 6Y for yellow (developing device 5Y), a process cartridge 6M for magenta (developing device 5M), A cyan process cartridge 6C (developing device 5C) and a black process cartridge 6K (developing device 5K) are provided. As shown in FIG. 11B, also in the third modification, the process cartridge 6S for special colors (and the sub hopper 70S and the transport pump 60S) and the process cartridge 6K for black (and the sub hopper 70K and the transport pump) are used. 60K) will be replaced.
In the third modification, the toner container and the storage unit are arranged in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and spot color from the upstream side.
Here, in Modification 3, as shown in FIG. 11, the arrangement of the plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S (developer containers) is not changed, and the plurality of sub hoppers 70Y, 70M, 70C, 70K are not changed. , 70S (supplemented part) When the arrangement of at least two sub hoppers 70S, 70K is changed, the downstream tube of the transport path corresponding to one sub hopper 70S of the two sub hoppers 70S, 70K whose arrangement is changed One sub hopper 70 </ b> S whose arrangement has been changed after the upstream tube 95 </ b> S (upstream conveyance path) is removed from the relay unit 141 in a state where the positions of 97 (downstream conveyance path) and the relay unit 141 are fixed. Is connected to the upstream tube 95S, and the downstream tube 97 is connected to another sub hopper 70K whose arrangement has been changed. Both tubes 95K corresponding to the sub-hopper 70K is connected to the relay unit 141 as the upstream conveying path.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the basic arrangement order is used, the transport connecting the special color toner container 32S (and the storage unit 81S) and the sub hopper 70S (and the transport pump 60S). The path includes an upstream tube 95S, a relay portion 141, and a downstream tube 97. On the other hand, the conveyance path connecting the black toner container 32K (and the storage unit 81K) and the sub hopper 70K (and the conveyance pump 60K) is configured by only one tube 95K. Here, the relay portion 141 and the downstream tube 97 are fixed, and the upstream tube 95S (95K) is configured to be able to contact and separate from the relay portion 141.
As shown in FIG. 11B, when the arrangement order is changed, first, the special color upstream tube 95S is removed from the relay portion 141, and the black tube 95K is also removed from the sub hopper 70K. After the arrangement of the sub hoppers 70S and 70K and the developing devices 5S and 5K is changed, the black tube 95K is connected to the relay portion 141 as an upstream tube, and the downstream end portion of the special color upstream tube 95S is , Connected to the sub hopper 70S located on the most downstream side.
Even if it is a case where it comprises in this way, workability | operativity when changing the distribution of two conveyance paths can be improved.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of toner containers 32S and 32K (developer containers) each containing toner (developer) and a plurality of toner containers 32S and 32K. A plurality of transport paths (tubes 95S, 95K, 96S, 96K) for transporting toner toward the sub hoppers 70S, 70K (supplemented parts) are provided. In addition, at least one of the plurality of transport paths is connected to one of the upstream tubes 95S and 95K (upstream transport path) and the downstream tubes 96S and 96K (downstream transport path). Separable relay sections 140S and 140K are provided.
Thereby, workability | operativity when changing the distribution of a some conveyance path can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a developing device 5Y integrated as a process cartridge 6Y together with a photosensitive drum 1Y (image carrier), a charging device 4Y, and a cleaning device 2Y. . However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is naturally applied even when the developing device 5Y is configured as a single unit that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 100. Can be applied.
In this specification and the like, “process cartridge” means a charging device that charges an image carrier, a developing device that develops a latent image formed on the image carrier, and a cleaning that cleans the image carrier. At least one of the apparatuses and the image carrier are defined as a unit that is integrated and detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Moreover, in this Embodiment, the conveyance pump 60S was connected and integrated with the sub hopper 70S. On the other hand, the conveying pump 60S can be connected to the developing device 5S to be integrated. In other words, the toner can be replenished to the developing device 5S as the replenished portion via the conveyance path and the conveyance pump 60S without interposing the sub hopper.
Moreover, in this Embodiment, it comprised so that the tube (downstream tube 96S) might be indirectly connected to the sub hopper 70S arrange | positioned in the most upstream (or most downstream) via the conveyance pump 60S. That is, a plurality of transport paths formed so as to be indirectly connectable to the plurality of replenished parts respectively. On the other hand, the tube (downstream tube 96S) can also be configured to be directly connected to the sub hopper arranged in the most upstream (or most downstream) without using the transport pump. That is, it is also possible to provide a plurality of transport paths formed so as to be directly connectable to the plurality of replenished parts.
In the present embodiment, a plurality of tubes (conveyance paths) are indirectly connected to a plurality of toner containers (developer containers) via storage parts, respectively. A plurality of conveyance paths can be directly connected to each other.
In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the developer supply device 90S in which the toner container 32S in which the substantially cylindrical container body is driven to rotate is installed. However, the toner installed in the developer supply device The form of the container is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to, for example, a developer supply device in which a box-shaped toner container is installed.
Even in such a case, substantially the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and it is obvious that the embodiment can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, other than suggested in the present embodiment. . In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the present embodiment, and the number, position, shape, and the like suitable for implementing the present invention can be achieved.

5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, 5S developing device,
6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, 6S process cartridge,
8 Intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member),
32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S toner container (developer container),
60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K, 60S Conveying pump,
70Y, 70M, 70C, 70K, 70S Sub hopper (supplemented part),
81Y, 81M, 81C, 81K, 81S reservoir,
90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, 90S Developer supply device,
95Y, 95M, 95C tube (conveyance path),
95K, 95S upstream tube (conveying path, upstream conveying path),
96K, 96S downstream tube (conveyance path, downstream conveyance path),
100 Image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus main body),
140S, 140K relay unit (switching unit),
140a branch part, 140b, 140c joint part,
141 Relay unit (switching unit).

JP 2017-215415 A

Claims (6)

A plurality of developer containers each containing a developer;
A plurality of transport paths for respectively transporting the developer from the plurality of developer containers toward a plurality of replenished portions;
With
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of transport paths includes a relay unit capable of contacting or separating one of the upstream transport path and the downstream transport path in the middle thereof.   When the arrangement of the plurality of developer containers is not changed and the arrangement of at least two replenished parts among the plurality of replenished parts is changed, the transport path corresponding to each of the replenished parts is changed. In a state where the positions of the upstream conveyance path and the relay unit are fixed, the downstream conveyance path is removed from the relay unit, and the arrangement is changed to the replenished unit and the relay unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a side conveyance path is connected.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the relay portion is formed such that two joint portions capable of contacting and separating the downstream conveyance path are opened in different directions.   When the arrangement of the plurality of developer containers is not changed and the arrangement of at least two replenished parts among the plurality of replenished parts is changed, one of the two replenished parts whose arrangement is replaced is changed. The arrangement 1 is changed after the upstream conveyance path is removed from the relay section in a state where the positions of the downstream conveyance path and the relay section of the conveyance path corresponding to the replenishment section are fixed. The upstream transport path is connected to one replenished part, the downstream transport path is connected to another replenished part whose arrangement has been changed, and the transport path corresponding to the other replenished part is The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is connected to the relay unit as an upstream conveyance path.   5. The relay unit according to claim 2, wherein the relay unit is disposed at an approximately equidistant position from the two replenished units whose arrangement is changed in accordance with a change in the arrangement of the at least two replenished units. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. Each of the plurality of transport paths is a tube connected to the developer container via a storage unit,
The replenished portion is a developing device that develops a latent image formed on an image carrier, or a sub hopper connected to the developing device, and is attachable and detachable to the downstream side of the tube via a transport pump. Connected,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport pump is configured to be detachable integrally with the developer supply device together with the developing device or the sub hopper. .

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