JP2019174694A - Cleaning unit and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cleaning unit and image formation device that can perform new item detection for determining a product life of a cleaning material.SOLUTION: A cleaning unit 100 comprises: a cleaning member that retrieves developer; a housing 120 that houses the developer retrieved by the cleaning member; a first lever 140 that is rotatable between a detection location and a non-detection location, and has a first detected part 142 exposed outside the housing 120; an auger 130 that is capable of conveying the developer in the housing 120 in a first direction heading for the first lever 140; and a slide member 160 that is movable in the first direction from a new item location to an old item location accompanied by rotation of the auger 130, contacts with a second lever protrusion 144 of the first lever 140 when the slide member is at the new item location, and stops the first lever 140 is at the detection location, and when the slide lever is at the old item location, releases the contact with the first lever 140, and makes the first lever 140 rotatable between the detection location and the non-detection location.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning unit and an image forming apparatus to which the cleaning unit can be attached and detached.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus including a waste toner collecting unit that removes toner adhering to a conveyance belt is known (see Patent Document 1). The waste toner collecting unit includes a waste toner container for storing waste toner and a cleaning member for collecting waste toner attached to the conveyance belt.

  The waste toner collecting unit has a rotatable lever. When there is little toner in the waste toner container, the lever can be rotated. On the other hand, when the waste toner is almost full, the rotation of the lever is stopped by the toner contained in the waste toner container.

  When the image forming apparatus detects that the rotation of the lever is stopped, the image forming apparatus determines that the waste toner in the waste toner container is almost full, and prompts the user to replace the waste toner collection unit. Announces that is approaching.

JP 2010-237422 A

  Incidentally, in order to improve the cleaning performance, it is required to determine the life of the cleaning member. For this purpose, it is conceivable to detect a new product of the waste toner collecting unit, in other words, to detect a new product of the cleaning unit.

  However, in the prior art, since the lever is stopped only when the waste toner is almost full, it is impossible to detect a new cleaning unit depending on whether the lever is rotated.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a cleaning unit and an image forming apparatus capable of detecting a new article for determining the life of a cleaning member.

  In order to solve the above problems, a cleaning unit of the present invention includes a cleaning member that collects a developer, a housing that houses the developer collected by the cleaning member, and a first position with respect to a first shaft that extends in the axial direction. A first lever rotatable between a second position, a first lever partially exposed to the outside of the housing, and an auger rotatable about an auger shaft extending in an axial direction, An auger that can convey the developer in the axial direction, an auger that can convey the developer in the housing toward the first lever, and an axial movement from a new position to an old position as the auger rotates The slide member is in contact with the first lever when in the new position and stops the first lever at the first position, and when in the old position, the contact with the first lever is released and the first lever is moved to the first position. Pivotable between position and second position And a slide member to.

  According to this configuration, a part of the first lever exposed to the outside of the housing can be changed between the case where the slide member is in the new position and the case where the slide member is in the old position. Thereby, the new article detection for judging the lifetime of a cleaning member from the one part operation | movement exposed to the exterior of a housing | casing of a 1st lever can be performed.

  The slide member has a cam surface that is inclined with respect to the axial direction, and the auger is an auger shaft that can rotate about the auger shaft, and an auger projection that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the auger shaft and can rotate together with the auger shaft. In addition, the structure may include an auger protrusion that contacts the cam surface when moved together with the auger shaft and moves the slide member from the new position to the old position.

  Further, the auger may have a plurality of auger protrusions, and the plurality of auger protrusions may be located at different positions in the axial direction.

  According to this, since the moving distance from the new position of the slide member to the old position in the axial direction can be earned, it is possible to earn time for stopping the first lever at the first position.

  Further, the slide member may have a plurality of cam surfaces, and the plurality of cam surfaces may be arranged in the axial direction.

  According to this, the slide member can be smoothly moved while increasing the moving distance from the new position to the old position of the slide member in the axial direction.

  In addition, the plurality of auger protrusions can be configured to be a first auger protrusion and a second auger protrusion protruding opposite to the first auger protrusion.

  According to this, when an auger is shape | molded with resin with a metal mold | die, it can be shape | molded easily.

  The housing may be a guide rail that guides the movement of the slide member and includes a guide rail that extends in the axial direction.

  According to this, the slide member can be moved smoothly.

  The guide rail is a first surface that supports the slide member when the slide member is in the new position, and a second surface that supports the slide member when the slide member is in the old position. It can be set as the structure which has the 2nd surface located far from an auger rather than a 1st surface in the orthogonal direction, and the 3rd surface which forms a level | step difference between a 1st surface and a 2nd surface.

  According to this, when a slide member is an old article position, it can control that a slide member gets in the way of an auger.

  The guide rail is a first surface that supports the slide member when the slide member is in the new position, and a second surface that supports the slide member when the slide member is in the old position. A second surface located farther from the auger than the first surface in the orthogonal direction, and located farther from the first surface in the axial direction; a third surface inclined from the first surface toward the second surface; It is good also as a structure which has.

  According to this, when a slide member is an old article position, it can control that a slide member gets in the way of an auger. Further, the slide member can be smoothly moved by the inclined third surface.

  The first lever has a shaft rotatable about the first axis, and a first lever protrusion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and rotatable together with the shaft. The guide rail has a first lever protrusion. It can be set as the structure which has a cut | interruption which passes.

  According to this, it is possible to suppress the guide rail from interfering with the first lever.

  Further, the housing may be configured to have a guide surface that guides the movement of the slide member and that faces the guide rail in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

  According to this, the slide member can be moved more smoothly.

  The slide member may include a main body portion supported by the guide rail and an extending portion that protrudes from the main body portion and extends along the guide rail.

  Further, the slide member can be configured to have a groove extending in the axial direction and into which the guide rail fits.

  Further, the housing may have a first stopper surface that can come into contact with the upstream surface in the moving direction of the slide member from the new position to the old position.

  According to this, it is possible to restrict the slide member from moving upstream in the movement direction from the new position to the old position.

  Further, the housing may have a second stopper surface that can come into contact with the downstream surface in the moving direction from the new position to the old position of the slide member.

  According to this, it is possible to restrict the sliding member from moving downstream in the moving direction from the new position to the old position.

  The first position may be a position that can be detected by a sensor of the image forming apparatus, and the second position may be a position that is not detected by the sensor.

  In this case, the first lever is a shaft that can rotate about the first axis, and a first lever protrusion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and can rotate together with the shaft. A first lever projection that stops the first lever at a second position by being stopped by the developer when housed, and a second lever projection that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and is rotatable with the shaft. And a second lever protrusion that contacts the slide member and stops the first lever at the first position when the slide member is in a new position.

  According to this, it is possible to detect whether or not a predetermined amount or more of developer has been stored in the housing by the presence or absence of the rotation of the first lever, and to detect a new product for judging the life of the cleaning member. can do.

  Further, the auger can be configured such that the developer in the housing can be conveyed toward the first lever protrusion.

  Further, the cleaning unit can rotate between the fourth position and the fifth position that are not detected by the sensor through the third position that can be detected by the sensor with respect to the second shaft that extends in the axial direction as the auger rotates. The first lever is a first detected portion exposed to the outside of the housing, and has a first detected portion that can be detected by the sensor. A second detected part that is exposed to the outside and has a second detected part that can be detected by a sensor, and when the slide member is in the old product position, the second lever rotates from the fourth position to the fifth position. It can be set as the structure which a 2nd to-be-detected part contacts a 1st to-be-detected part by moving, and makes a 1st lever rotate from a 1st position to a 2nd position.

  The cleaning unit includes a spring that biases the second lever from the fourth position toward the fifth position, and the second lever protrusion contacts the slide member by the spring biasing force when the slide member is in the new position. It can be set as the structure which is carrying out.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a sensor capable of detecting the first detected portion and the second detected portion, and a control device, and the image forming device is detachable from the cleaning unit. The control device, after the sensor has not detected the displacement of the first detected part due to the rotation between the first position and the second position of the first lever for a predetermined time or more, When the displacement of the first detected part due to the rotation between the first position and the second position of the first lever is detected, it is determined that the cleaning unit is new.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to detect a new article for determining the life of the cleaning member from the displacement state of the first detected part.

  The first position may be a position that is not detected by a sensor of the image forming apparatus, and the second position may be a position that can be detected by the sensor.

  In this case, the first lever is a shaft that can rotate about the first axis, and a first lever protrusion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and can rotate together with the shaft. The first lever is stopped at the first position by contacting the first lever and the first lever is stopped at the first position by stopping the rotation by the developer when a predetermined amount or more of the developer is stored in the housing. It can be set as the structure which has 1 lever protrusion.

  According to this, it is possible to detect whether or not a predetermined amount or more of developer has been stored in the housing by the presence or absence of the rotation of the first lever, and to detect a new product for judging the life of the cleaning member. can do.

  Further, the auger can be configured such that the developer in the housing can be conveyed toward the first lever protrusion.

  Further, the cleaning unit can rotate between the fourth position and the fifth position that are not detected by the sensor through the third position that can be detected by the sensor with respect to the second shaft that extends in the axial direction as the auger rotates. The first lever is a first detected portion exposed to the outside of the housing, and has a first detected portion that can be detected by the sensor. A second detected part that is exposed to the outside and has a second detected part that can be detected by a sensor, and when the slide member is in the old product position, the second lever rotates from the fourth position to the fifth position. It can be set as the structure which a 2nd to-be-detected part contacts a 1st to-be-detected part by moving, and makes a 1st lever rotate from a 1st position to a 2nd position.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a sensor capable of detecting the first detected portion and the second detected portion, and a control device, and the image forming device is detachable from the cleaning unit. In the apparatus, the control device detects the displacement of the second detected part due to the rotation between the fourth position and the fifth position of the second lever, and then the sensor detects the displacement of the first lever. When the displacement of the first detected part due to the rotation between the first position and the second position is detected, it is determined that the cleaning unit is new.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to detect a new article for determining the life of the cleaning member from the displacement state of the first detected part and the second detected part.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect a new article for determining the life of the cleaning member.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows a part of cleaning unit of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a part of housing | casing of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a part of auger of 1st Embodiment, a 1st lever, a 2nd lever, and a slide member. It is a top view which shows a part of cleaning unit of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 5. FIG. 6A is a view when the slide member is in a new position, FIG. 5B is a view in the middle of movement, and FIG. It is AA sectional drawing (a) of FIG. 5 in case the slide member of 1st Embodiment is a new article position, and BB sectional drawing (b). It is AA sectional drawing (a) of FIG. 5 in case the slide member of 1st Embodiment is an old article position, and BB sectional drawing (b). FIGS. 6A and 6B are a cross-sectional view taken along a line AA and a cross-sectional view taken along a line BB in FIG. 5 when toner accumulates in a detection space. It is figure (a)-(c) which shows the output signal of a sensor. It is a perspective view which shows a part of cleaning unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a part of housing | casing of 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a part of auger of 2nd Embodiment, a 1st lever, a 2nd lever, and a slide member. It is the figure (a) equivalent to the AA cross section of FIG. 5 in case the slide member of 2nd Embodiment is a new article position, and the figure (b) equivalent to a BB cross section. It is the figure (a) equivalent to the AA cross section of Drawing 5 in case the slide member of a 2nd embodiment is an old article position, and the figure (b) equivalent to the BB cross section. It is the figure (a) in case the slide member of 2nd Embodiment is a new article position, the figure (b) in the middle of movement, and the figure (c) in the case of an old article position.

Next, a first embodiment of the invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the color printer 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus includes a main body housing 10, a sheet supply unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a sheet discharge unit 90, and a cleaning unit 100. . In the following description, the axial direction of the auger 130 described later of the cleaning unit 100 is the first direction.

  The main body housing 10 includes a cover 11 located on one side in the third direction and a discharge tray 12 located on one side in the second direction. In the color printer 1, a process unit 50 and a cleaning unit 100 described later can be attached and detached by opening the cover 11.

  Here, the second direction is a direction intersecting the first direction. Preferably, the second direction is a direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second direction is a direction in which the container 120 </ b> A and the lid 120 </ b> B constituting the casing 120 described later of the cleaning unit 100 face each other. The third direction is a direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction. Preferably, the third direction is a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

  The sheet supply unit 20 includes a sheet tray 21 that stores a sheet S such as paper, and a sheet supply mechanism 22 that supplies the sheet S in the sheet tray 21 to the image forming unit 30. The sheet tray 21 is located on the other side in the second direction in the main body housing 10, that is, opposite to the discharge tray 12.

The image forming unit 30 includes an exposure device 40, a process unit 50, a transfer unit 70, and a fixing device 80.
The exposure device 40 faces the sheet tray 21 in the second direction. The exposure device 40 emits a light beam indicated by a one-dot chain line to expose the surface of the photosensitive drum 52.

  The process unit 50 is positioned between the sheet tray 21 and the exposure device 40 in the second direction in a state where the process unit 50 is mounted on the color printer 1. The process unit 50 includes a drum casing 51, four photosensitive drums 52, four chargers 53, and four developing cartridges 60. Each of the developing cartridges 60 includes a developing housing 61, a developing roller 62, a supply roller 63, and an agitator 65. The developing case 61 can store toner as an example of a developer.

  The process unit 50 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 52 with the charger 53. The photosensitive drum 52 is exposed by the exposure device 40, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. Further, the process unit 50 agitates the toner in the developing case 61 with the agitator 65 and supplies the toner to the developing roller 62 via the supply roller 63. Then, the process unit 50 supplies the toner on the developing roller 62 to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 52. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is visualized and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 52.

  The transfer unit 70 is located between the sheet tray 21 and the process unit 50 in the second direction. The transfer unit 70 includes a driving roller 71, a driven roller 72, a conveyance belt 73, and four transfer rollers 74. The transfer unit 70 transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 52 to the sheet S by the transfer roller 74 while conveying the sheet S supplied from the sheet supply unit 20 on the conveyance belt 73.

  The fixing device 80 is located on the other side in the third direction of the process unit 50 and the transfer unit 70, that is, opposite to the cover 11. The fixing device 80 includes a heating roller 81 and a pressure roller 82. The fixing device 80 heats and fixes the toner image transferred to the sheet S to the sheet S by conveying the sheet S between the heating roller 81 and the pressure roller 82.

  The sheet discharge unit 90 includes a conveyance roller 91 and a discharge roller 92. The sheet discharge unit 90 discharges the sheet S on which an image is formed by the conveyance roller 91 and the discharge roller 92 onto the discharge tray 12 outside the main body housing 10.

  The cleaning unit 100 is positioned between the sheet tray 21 and the transfer unit 70 in the second direction in a state where the cleaning unit 100 is mounted on the color printer 1. More specifically, the cleaning unit 100 is positioned opposite to the process unit 50 with the transfer unit 70 interposed therebetween in the second direction. The cleaning unit 100 includes a cleaning member 110 and a housing 120.

  The cleaning member 110 is a member that collects toner attached to the conveyance belt 73, and includes a first cleaning roller 111, a second cleaning roller 112, and a cleaning blade 113. The first cleaning roller 111 faces the backup roller 75 with the conveyance belt 73 interposed therebetween.

  The housing 120 includes a container 120A and a lid 120B. The lid 120B supports the first cleaning roller 111 and the second cleaning roller 112 in a rotatable manner, and supports the cleaning blade 113. The housing 120 has a waste toner storage space 120 </ b> C for storing toner collected by the cleaning member 110.

  The cleaning unit 100 collects the toner attached to the conveyance belt 73 by the first cleaning roller 111 and causes the second cleaning roller 112 to adsorb the toner attached to the first cleaning roller 111. Then, the cleaning unit 100 scrapes the toner adsorbed by the second cleaning roller 112 with the cleaning blade 113 and drops it into the waste toner storage space 120C.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning unit 100 further includes an auger 130, a first lever 140, a second lever 150, and a slide member 160.

  The housing 120 has a detection space 120D that is separated from the waste toner storage space 120C by a partition wall 121A of the container 120A. The waste toner storage space 120 </ b> C and the detection space 120 </ b> D communicate with each other through a communication port 122. The container 120A supports the auger 130 in a rotatable manner and supports the first lever 140 and the second lever 150 in a rotatable manner. The container 120A supports the slide member 160 so as to be slidable in the first direction.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the housing 120 includes a guide rail 123, a guide surface 124, a first stopper surface 125, and a second stopper surface 126 in the detection space 120 </ b> D.

  The guide rail 123 guides the movement of the slide member 160 in the first direction. The guide rail 123 protrudes upward from the container 120A. Note that the top and bottom in the embodiment are the top and bottom of the state where the cleaning unit 100 is mounted on the color printer 1. The guide rail 123 extends in the first direction. The guide rail 123 has a first surface 123A, a second surface 123B, and a third surface 123C.

  The first surface 123A and the second surface 123B support the slide member 160. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, the first surface 123A supports the slide member 160 from below when the slide member 160 is in the new position. Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, the second surface 123B supports the slide member 160 from below when the slide member 160 is in the old product position.

  The second surface 123B is located farther from the auger 130 than the first surface 123A in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction, here, in the second direction. Specifically, the second surface 123B is located below the first surface 123A. Further, the second surface 123B is located away from the first surface 123A in the first direction.

  The third surface 123C is located between the first surface 123A and the second surface 123B in the first direction. The third surface 123C is inclined from the first surface 123A toward the second surface 123B. Specifically, the third surface 123C is inclined so as to be away from the auger 130 as it approaches the second surface 123B from the first surface 123A. Specifically, the third surface 123C is inclined so as to be positioned downward as it approaches the second surface 123B from the first surface 123A.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the guide rail 123 has a cut 123 </ b> D. The cut 123D is formed so as to divide the first surface 123A into two in the first direction. The cut 123D passes through a first lever protrusion 143 to be described later of the first lever 140.

  The guide surface 124 guides the movement of the slide member 160 in the first direction together with the guide rail 123. The guide surface 124 is a part of the surface of the partition wall 121A on the detection space 120D side. The guide surface 124 faces the guide rail 123 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, here, in the third direction. The guide surface 124 can support the slide member 160 in the third direction.

  The first stopper surface 125 restricts the movement of the slide member 160 to one side in the first direction. The container 120A has a first partition wall 121B on one side of the guide rail 123 in the first direction. The first stopper surface 125 is a surface of the first partition wall 121B that faces the guide rail 123. The first stopper surface 125 can come into contact with the surface on one side of the slide member 160 in the first direction. In other words, the first stopper surface 125 can contact the upstream surface of the slide member 160 in the moving direction from the new position to the old position.

  The second stopper surface 126 restricts the movement of the slide member 160 to the other side in the first direction. The container 120A has a second partition wall 121C on the other side of the guide rail 123 in the first direction. The second stopper surface 126 is a surface of the second partition wall 121C facing the guide rail 123. The second stopper surface 126 can come into contact with the surface on the other side in the first direction of the slide member 160. In other words, the second stopper surface 126 can contact the downstream surface of the slide member 160 in the moving direction from the new position to the old position.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the auger 130 can rotate about an auger shaft 130 </ b> A extending in the first direction, and can convey the toner in the housing 120 in the first direction. Specifically, the auger 130 can convey the toner that has flowed into the detection space 120D from the waste toner storage space 120C through the communication port 122 toward the first lever protrusion 143 (see FIG. 4) of the first lever 140. It is.

  The auger 130 includes an auger shaft 131 extending in the first direction and a wing 132 formed in a spiral shape around the auger shaft 131. The auger shaft 131 is rotatable about the auger shaft 130A. An auger gear 139 is attached to one end of the auger shaft 131 in the first direction. The auger 130 is rotatable when a driving force is input from the color printer 1 to the auger gear 139.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the auger 130 has a disc 133 and an eccentric protrusion 134 at the other end in the first direction of the auger shaft 131. The eccentric protrusion 134 protrudes from the disk 133 in the first direction. The eccentric protrusion 134 has a cylindrical shape having an axis parallel to the auger shaft 130A and positioned at a position different from the auger shaft 130A.

  The auger 130 has a plurality of auger protrusions 135. The auger protrusion 135 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the auger shaft 131 in a direction orthogonal to the first direction. The auger protrusion 135 is formed integrally with the auger shaft 131 and is rotatable together with the auger shaft 131.

  The plurality of auger protrusions 135 are located at different positions in the first direction. Specifically, the plurality of auger protrusions 135 are a first auger protrusion 135A and a second auger protrusion 135B, and the second auger protrusion 135B is located on the other side in the first direction with respect to the first auger protrusion 135A. The second auger protrusion 135B protrudes opposite to the first auger protrusion 135A in a direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first auger protrusion 135A and the second auger protrusion 135B are cylindrical.

  The first lever 140 is rotatable about a first shaft 140A extending in the first direction, and includes a first shaft 141 as an example of a shaft, a first detected portion 142, a first lever protrusion 143, and a second And a lever projection 144. The first shaft 141 is rotatable about the first shaft 140A.

  The first detected portion 142 extends from the other end portion of the first shaft 141 in the first direction toward the radially outer side of the first shaft 141. The first detected portion 142 has a notch 142A with which the second detected portion 152 (described later) of the second lever 150 can come into contact. As shown in FIG. 5, the first detected portion 142 is exposed to the outside of the housing 120 through the opening 127 of the housing 120. That is, the first detected part 142 is a part of the first lever 140 exposed to the outside of the housing 120. The first detected portion 142 can be detected by the sensor 15 of the color printer 1.

  Here, the sensor 15 will be described. The sensor 15 is an optical sensor having a light emitting element 15 </ b> A and a light receiving element 15 </ b> B, and is located in the main body housing 10 of the color printer 1. The light emitting element 15A and the light receiving element 15B face each other in the first direction. The light emitting element 15A emits light 15L toward the light receiving element 15B, and the light receiving element 15B can receive light 15L emitted from the light emitting element 15A.

  The sensor 15 outputs a High signal to the control device 17 when the light receiving element 15B receives the light 15L from the light emitting element 15A. Further, the sensor 15 outputs a Low signal to the control device 17 when the light receiving element 15B does not receive the light 15L from the light emitting element 15A.

  Although details will be described later, the sensor 15 can detect the first detected portion 142 of the first lever 140 and the second detected portion 152 of the second lever 150. Furthermore, the sensor 15 can detect the displacement of the first detected portion 142 due to the rotation of the first lever 140 and can detect the displacement of the second detected portion 152 due to the rotation of the second lever 150. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the first lever 140 is rotatable between a detection position indicated by a two-dot chain line and a non-detection position indicated by a solid line.

  The detection position indicated by the two-dot chain line is an example of a first position, and is a position that can be detected by the sensor 15 of the color printer 1. When the first lever 140 is in the detection position, the first detected portion 142 is located between the light emitting element 15A and the light receiving element 15B of the sensor 15. Thereby, the light 15L emitted from the light emitting element 15A is blocked by the first detected portion 142 and is not received by the light receiving element 15B.

  The non-detection position indicated by the solid line is an example of the second position, and is a position that is not detected by the sensor 15. When the first lever 140 is in the non-detection position, the first detected portion 142 is not positioned between the light emitting element 15A and the light receiving element 15B. Thereby, the light 15L emitted from the light emitting element 15A is received by the light receiving element 15B.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the first lever protrusion 143 and the second lever protrusion 144 protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft 141 in a direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first lever protrusion 143 and the second lever protrusion 144 extend in different directions. Specifically, in a state where the first lever 140 is located at the non-detection position, the first lever protrusion 143 extends from the first shaft 141 to the other side in the third direction, and the second lever protrusion 144 extends from the first shaft 141. It extends to the other side in the second direction. The length of the second lever protrusion 144 is shorter than the length of the first lever protrusion 143.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first lever protrusion 143 and the second lever protrusion 144 are located at substantially the same position of the first shaft 141 in the first direction. The first lever protrusion 143 and the second lever protrusion 144 are plate-shaped. The first lever protrusion 143 and the second lever protrusion 144 are formed integrally with the first shaft 141 and can rotate together with the first shaft 141.

  The second lever 150 is rotatable about a second shaft 150 </ b> A extending in the first direction, and includes a second shaft 151, a second detected portion 152, and an arm portion 153. The second shaft 151 is rotatable about the second shaft 150A.

  The second detected portion 152 extends from the one end portion of the second shaft 151 in the first direction toward the radially outer side of the second shaft 151. The dimension of the second detected part 152 in the second direction is smaller than the dimension of the first detected part 142 in the second direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the second detected portion 152 is exposed to the outside of the housing 120 through the opening 127 of the housing 120. The second detected part 152 can be detected by the sensor 15 of the color printer 1.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the second lever 150 can rotate between a fourth position indicated by a solid line and a fifth position indicated by a two-dot chain line through a third position indicated by a broken line. is there.

  A third position indicated by a broken line is a position that can be detected by the sensor 15. When the second lever 150 is in the third position, the second detected portion 152 is located between the light emitting element 15A and the light receiving element 15B. Thereby, the light 15L emitted from the light emitting element 15A is blocked by the second detected portion 152 and is not received by the light receiving element 15B.

  The fourth position indicated by the solid line and the fifth position indicated by the two-dot chain line are positions that are not detected by the sensor 15. When the second lever 150 is in the fourth position and the fifth position, the second detected portion 152 is not positioned between the light emitting element 15A and the light receiving element 15B. Thereby, the light 15L emitted from the light emitting element 15A is received by the light receiving element 15B.

  The arm portion 153 extends from the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft 151 toward the radially outer side of the second shaft 151. The arm portion 153 can contact the eccentric protrusion 134 of the auger 130. The arm portion 153 swings when the eccentric protrusion 134 revolves around the auger shaft 130 </ b> A as the auger 130 rotates while in contact with the eccentric protrusion 134. Thereby, the 2nd lever 150 rotates between the 4th position and the 5th position.

  The cleaning unit 100 includes a spring 170, and the arm portion 153 can contact the eccentric protrusion 134 by the biasing force of the spring 170. As an example, the spring 170 is a torsion spring, and urges the arm portion 153 clockwise. That is, the spring 170 biases the second lever 150 from the fourth position indicated by the solid line toward the fifth position indicated by the two-dot chain line.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the second detected portion 152 can contact the notch 142 </ b> A included in the first detected portion 142 of the first lever 140. The second lever 150 rotates from the fourth position indicated by the two-dot chain line to the fifth position indicated by the solid line in a state where the second detected part 152 is in contact with the notch 142A of the first detected part 142. The second detected part 152 comes into contact with the first detected part 142 and pushes up the first detected part 142 to rotate the first lever 140 from the detection position to the non-detection position. When the second lever 150 rotates from the fifth position to the fourth position, the first lever 140 rotates from the non-detection position to the detection position by the weight of the first detected portion 142. As described above, the first lever 140 can be rotated as the second lever 150 is rotated.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the slide member 160 is movable in the first direction and has an L shape having a main body portion 161 and an extension portion 162.

  The main body 161 is supported by the first surface 123A and the second surface 123B of the guide rail 123. The main body 161 has a first recess 161A with which the second lever protrusion 144 of the first lever 140 can contact.

  The extension part 162 protrudes downward from the main body part 161. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the extension portion 162 is located between the guide rail 123 and the guide surface 124 in the third direction and extends in the first direction along the guide rail 123.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the slide member 160 has a cam 163 that protrudes upward from the main body portion 161. The slide member 160 has a plurality of, specifically, two cams 163. The plurality of cams 163 are arranged in the first direction. The cam 163 has a second recess 163A into which the auger shaft 131 is inserted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the surfaces on one side in the first direction of the two cams 163 are cam surfaces 164, respectively. That is, the slide member 160 has a plurality of cam surfaces 164, and the plurality of cam surfaces 164 are arranged in the first direction. Each cam surface 164 is inclined with respect to the first direction. Specifically, each cam surface 164 is inclined so as to be located on one side in the third direction from one side in the first direction to the other. In other words, each cam surface 164 is inclined away from the partition wall 121A as it goes from one side to the other side in the first direction.

  As the auger 130 rotates, the slide member 160 can move from a new position indicated by a solid line to an old position indicated by a two-dot chain line. When in the new position, the slide member 160 contacts the second lever protrusion 144 of the first lever 140 and stops the first lever 140 at the detection position.

  When the slide member 160 is in the old product position, the contact of the first lever 140 with the second lever protrusion 144 is released, and the first lever 140 can be rotated between the detection position and the non-detection position. The first lever 140 rotates with the rotation of the second lever 150 in a state in which the contact between the second lever protrusion 144 and the slide member 160 is released, as in the case where the slide member 160 is in the position of the old product. Is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, in the first lever 140, when the slide member 160 is in the new position, the second lever protrusion 144 is in contact with the first recess 161A of the main body 161. In this case, the second lever protrusion 144 is in contact with the main body 161 of the slide member 160 by the biasing force of the spring 170.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, the spring 170 urges the second lever 150 clockwise, so that the second detected portion 152 attempts to lift the first detected portion 142. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7B, the first lever 140 is also urged clockwise, and the second lever protrusion 144 comes into contact with the main body portion 161 so as to press against it. When the slide member 160 is in the new position, the second lever protrusion 144 contacts the slide member 160 and stops the first lever 140 at the detection position.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, in the second lever 150, the arm portion 153 does not contact the eccentric protrusion 134 of the auger 130 when the slide member 160 is in the new position.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the color printer 1 includes a control device 17. The control device 17 is located in the main body housing 10. Although details will be described later, the control device 17 can determine whether or not the cleaning unit 100 attached to the color printer 1 is new. Further, the control device 17 can determine the replacement time of the cleaning unit 100.

Next, operations and effects of the cleaning unit 100 and the color printer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the cleaning unit 100 is in a new state, the slide member 160 is in a new position indicated by a solid line. When the slide member 160 is in the new position, the first lever 140 is stopped at the detection position.

  When the new cleaning unit 100 is mounted on the color printer 1, the first detected portion 142 is positioned between the light emitting element 15A and the light receiving element 15B of the sensor 15, and the light 15L emitted from the light emitting element 15A is the first detected object. It is blocked by the detector 142 and is not received by the light receiving element 15B. Therefore, the sensor 15 outputs a Low signal to the control device 17.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the auger 130 rotates, the first auger protrusion 135 </ b> A and the second auger protrusion 135 </ b> B rotate with the auger shaft 131. When the first auger protrusion 135A and the second auger protrusion 135B rotate, they come into contact with the cam surface 164 of the slide member 160 and press the cam surface 164 to move the slide member 160 from the new position toward the old position.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the slide member 160 is inclined while the downstream end in the movement direction falls and contacts the second surface 123B during the movement. When the slide member 160 further moves, as shown by a two-dot chain line, the slide member 160 moves while sliding on the third surface 123C where the upstream end in the movement direction is inclined.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the entire slide member 160 is supported by the second surface 123B and reaches the position of the old product. The contact between the second auger protrusion 135B of the auger 130 and the cam surface 164 of the slide member 160 is released immediately before the slide member 160 reaches the position of the old product. Thereafter, the slide member is rotated even if the auger 130 rotates. 160 does not move.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the second lever projection 144 of the first lever 140 is in contact with the slide member 160 during the movement of the slide member 160, the first lever 140 is Stopped at the detection position. As a result, the first detected portion 142 continues to be positioned between the light emitting element 15A and the light receiving element 15B, so that the sensor 15 continues to output a Low signal to the control device 17, as shown in FIG. .

  When the slide member 160 moves a predetermined distance or more from the new position and the contact between the second lever projection 144 and the slide member 160 is released as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the spring 170 is attached. The arm portion 153 of the second lever 150 contacts the eccentric protrusion 134 of the auger 130 by the force. And after that, the 2nd lever 150 rotates with rotation of the auger 130, and the 1st lever 140 rotates between a detection position and a non-detection position.

  When the first lever 140 rotates between the detection position and the non-detection position, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the sensor 15 is set to Low, High, during one rotation of the auger 130 (one cycle). A signal that switches in this order is output to the control device 17.

  After the sensor 15 does not detect the displacement of the first detected portion 142 due to the rotation between the detection position and the non-detection position of the first lever 140 for a predetermined time or more, the control device 17 When the displacement of the first detected portion 142 due to the rotation between the detection position and the non-detection position of the first lever 140 is detected, it is determined that the cleaning unit 100 is new.

  Specifically, after the sensor 15 continues to output a Low signal as shown in FIG. 10A for a predetermined time or more, the control device 17 switches the sensor 15 as shown in FIG. 10B. When the pattern signal is output for a plurality of periods, it is determined that the cleaning unit 100 is new.

  The predetermined time is, for example, the time for which the auger 130 makes one rotation. Note that the time during which the Low signal is continuously output (“predetermined time or longer”) is preferably, for example, a time during which the auger 130 rotates two or more times. If it does so, the time which continues outputting a Low signal will become long, and since the difference from the signal shown in FIG.10 (b) when the sensor 15 detects the displacement of the 1st to-be-detected part 142 becomes clear, new article detection Accuracy can be improved.

  When the control unit 17 determines that the cleaning unit 100 is new (hereinafter referred to as “when a new product is detected”), when the predetermined parameter is equal to or greater than the threshold, the cleaning unit 100 is in the replacement period. judge. The predetermined parameters are, for example, the number of rotations of the cleaning rollers 111 and 112 and the drive roller 71 since the new article is detected, the number of printed sheets since the new article is detected, and the elapsed time since the new article is detected.

  When it is determined that the cleaning unit 100 is in the replacement period, the control device 17 notifies the user of that fact. For example, the control device 17 displays a message that the cleaning unit 100 is about to be replaced on a liquid crystal display (not shown) of the color printer 1.

  According to the cleaning unit 100 described above, the operation of the first detected portion 142 of the first lever 140 can be changed between when the slide member 160 is in the new position and when the slide member 160 is in the old position. . Accordingly, it is possible to detect a new cleaning unit 100 for determining the life of the cleaning member 110 from the operation of the first detected portion 142.

  Specifically, a new product of the cleaning unit 100 can be detected from the displacement state of the first detected portion 142 detected by the sensor 15.

  Further, since the plurality of auger protrusions 135 are located at different positions in the first direction, it is possible to earn a moving distance from the new position to the old position of the slide member 160 in the first direction. Thereby, it is possible to earn time for stopping the first lever 140 at the detection position, so it is possible to earn the output time of the Low signal at the time of new article detection, and to improve the accuracy of new article detection.

  Further, since the plurality of cam surfaces 164 of the slide member 160 are arranged in the first direction, the slide member 160 can be moved smoothly while increasing the moving distance from the new position to the old position of the slide member 160 in the first direction. Can be made.

  When there is one cam surface, it is necessary to reduce the angle of inclination of the cam surface with respect to the first direction in order to earn the moving distance of the slide member. It becomes difficult for the slide member to move smoothly. By having a plurality of cam surfaces 164, it is not necessary to reduce the inclination angle of each cam surface 164 with respect to the first direction, so that the slide member 160 can be moved smoothly.

  Further, since the first auger protrusion 135A and the second auger protrusion 135B protrude from the auger shaft 131 in the opposite direction, when the auger 130 is molded with resin by a mold, it becomes easy to remove the molded product from the mold. That is, the auger 130 can be easily formed.

  Moreover, since the housing | casing 120 has the guide rail 123, the slide member 160 can be smoothly moved toward the old product position from a new article position.

  Further, since the second surface 123B of the guide rail 123 is further away from the auger 130 than the first surface 123A, the slide member 160 is prevented from obstructing the auger 130 when the slide member 160 is in the old product position. can do. Further, the slide member 160 can be smoothly moved by the inclined third surface 123 </ b> C of the guide rail 123.

  In addition, since the second surface 123B is positioned below the first surface 123A, the slide member 160 that has moved from the new position to the old position can be dropped down. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the slide member 160 from returning to the new position with a simple configuration that does not use a spring or the like.

  Further, since the guide rail 123 has a cut 123D through which the first lever protrusion 143 that rotates together with the first shaft 141 passes, the guide rail 123 can be prevented from interfering with the first lever 140.

  Moreover, since the housing | casing 120 has the guide surface 124 which faces the guide rail 123, the shakiness of the slide member 160 can be suppressed and the slide member 160 can be moved more smoothly.

  Moreover, since the housing | casing 120 has the 1st stopper surface 125, it can control that the slide member 160 moves upstream in the movement direction from a new article position to an old article position, specifically, an upstream from a new article position.

  Further, since the housing 120 has the second stopper surface 126, it is possible to restrict the slide member 160 from moving downstream in the moving direction from the new position to the old position, specifically, further downstream from the old position. it can.

  It should be noted that the control device 17 is in a case where a predetermined amount or more of toner is stored in the casing 120 even before the predetermined parameter becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value since the new article is detected, that is, the toner in the casing 120 is almost full. When it becomes a state, it determines with the cleaning unit 100 being a replacement time.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the waste toner storage space 120C is almost full of toner T, and the toner T flows into the detection space 120D and accumulates, the first lever The first lever protrusion 143 of 140 is buried in the toner T.

  Then, after the first lever 140 rotates from the detection position to the non-detection position, when the rotation of the first lever protrusion 143 is stopped by the toner T, the first lever 140 stops at the non-detection position. The first lever protrusion 143 stops the first lever 140 at the non-detection position by stopping the rotation by the toner T in the detection space 120D when the toner T in the housing 120 is almost full. .

  When the first lever 140 stops at the non-detection position, thereafter, with the rotation of the auger 130, only the second lever 150 rotates between the fourth position and the fifth position through the third position. Then, as shown in FIG. 10C, the sensor 15 outputs a signal that switches to Low, High, Low, and High in this order during one rotation of the auger 130 (one cycle) to the control device 17.

  After the sensor 15 detects the displacement of the first detected portion 142 due to the rotation between the detection position of the first lever 140 and the non-detection position, the control device 17 detects the displacement of the second lever 150. When the displacement of the second detected portion 152 due to the rotation between the fourth position and the fifth position is detected, it is determined that the cleaning unit 100 is in the replacement period.

  Specifically, after the sensor 15 outputs a switching pattern signal as shown in FIG. 10B, the sensor 15 outputs a switching pattern signal as shown in FIG. When it is output for a plurality of periods, it is determined that the cleaning unit 100 is in the replacement period.

  According to the first embodiment described above, it is possible to detect whether or not the toner T in the housing 120 is almost full based on the presence or absence of the rotation of the first lever 140, and the cleaning unit 100. Can be detected. That is, the first lever 140 can perform both full detection and new product detection.

Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the same elements as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.
As shown in FIG. 11, the cleaning unit 100 includes a cleaning member (not shown), a housing 220, an auger 230, a first lever 240, a second lever 250, and a slide member 260.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the housing 220 has a second storage space 220C that is partitioned from the waste toner storage space 120C and the detection space 120D by partition walls 121A and 221A of the container 120A. The second storage space 220C communicates with the detection space 120D through the second communication port 222, and does not directly communicate with the waste toner storage space 120C. The second communication port 222 is a position where the position in the first direction faces the second surface 123 </ b> B of the guide rail 123.

  The guide rail 123 has a first surface 123A, a second surface 123B, and a third surface 223C. The third surface 223C extends vertically and forms a step between the first surface 123A and the second surface 123B.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the auger 230 has a second wing 232 in addition to an auger shaft 131, a wing 132, an eccentric protrusion 134, a plurality of auger protrusions 135, and the like. The second wing 232 has a plate shape and extends from the outer peripheral surface of the auger shaft 131 in a direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second wing 232 is located at a position facing the second communication port 222 of the housing 220 in the first direction (see FIG. 11). As the auger 230 rotates, the second wing 232 can convey part of the toner accumulated in the detection space 120D from the second communication port 222 into the second storage space 220C.

  The first lever 240 has a first shaft 141, a first detected portion 142, and a first lever protrusion 143. Unlike the first lever 140 of the first embodiment described above, the first lever 240 does not include the second lever protrusion 144. The first lever protrusion 143 protrudes opposite to the first detected portion 142 in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

  The second lever 250 includes a second shaft 151, a second detected portion 152, and a U-shaped arm portion 253. In the second embodiment, the cleaning unit 100 does not include the spring 170. As shown in FIG. 14A, in the second lever 250, the second groove 253 </ b> A of the arm portion 253 is in contact with the eccentric protrusion 134 of the auger 230. The second lever 250 is biased counterclockwise by the weight of the second detected portion 152, and one side surface of the second groove 253 </ b> A is always in contact with the eccentric protrusion 134.

  Returning to FIG. 13, the slide member 260 includes a main body portion 261 and two cams 163. The main body portion 261 has a U shape having a groove 261A extending in the first direction. As shown in FIG. 14B, the guide rail 123 is fitted in the groove 261A.

  The first lever protrusion 143 of the first lever 240 contacts the main body 261 of the slide member 260 when the slide member 260 is in the new position, and stops the first lever 240 in the non-detection position. When the first lever 240 is in the non-detection position, it tends to rotate counterclockwise due to the weight of the first detected portion 142, but when the slide member 260 is in the new position, the first lever protrusion 143 is By being caught by the main body portion 261 of the slide member 260, the counterclockwise rotation is restricted and stopped at the non-detection position.

  In the second embodiment, the non-detected position where the first detected portion 142 is not detected by the sensor 15 of the color printer 1 is the “first position”, and the first detected position indicated by the solid line in FIG. The detection position that can be detected by the sensor 142 by the sensor 15 is the “second position”.

Next, operations and effects of the cleaning unit 100 and the color printer 1 according to the second embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, in the cleaning unit 100, when the slide member 260 is in the new position, the first lever 240 is stopped in the non-detection position.

  When the new cleaning unit 100 is attached to the color printer 1, the first detected portion 142 does not block the light 15L emitted from the light emitting element 15A, so the light 15L is received by the light receiving element 15B. Therefore, the sensor 15 outputs a High signal to the control device 17.

  When the auger 230 rotates, the slide member 260 moves from the new position shown in FIG. 16A toward the old position as shown in FIG. 16B. Then, as shown in FIG. 16C, the slide member 260 falls from the first surface 123A of the guide rail 123 along the step formed by the third surface 223C and is supported by the second surface 123B. Move to the product position.

  As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, when the first lever protrusion 143 of the first lever 240 is in contact with the slide member 260 during the movement of the slide member 260, the first lever 240 is Stopped at the non-detection position.

  Therefore, at this time, when the eccentric protrusion 134 revolves around the auger shaft 130A with the rotation of the auger 230 and the arm portion 253 swings, only the second lever 250 passes through the third position indicated by the broken line, It rotates between a fourth position indicated by a solid line and a fifth position indicated by a two-dot chain line. Then, as shown in FIG. 10C, the sensor 15 outputs a signal that switches to Low, High, Low, and High in this order during one rotation of the auger 130 (one cycle) to the control device 17.

  When the slide member 260 is moved a predetermined distance or more from the new position and the contact between the first lever protrusion 143 and the slide member 260 is released as shown in FIGS. The first lever 240 is rotated from the non-detection position to the detection position by the weight of the portion 142. When the first lever 240 rotates from the non-detection position to the detection position, the second detected part 152 of the second lever 250 contacts the notch 142A of the first detected part 142.

  And after that, the 2nd lever 250 rotates with rotation of the auger 230, and the 1st lever 240 rotates between a detection position and a non-detection position. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, the sensor 15 outputs a signal that switches between Low and High in this order while the auger 130 makes one rotation (one cycle) to the control device 17.

  After the sensor 15 detects the displacement of the second detected portion 152 due to the rotation between the fourth position and the fifth position of the second lever 250, the control device 17 detects the displacement of the first lever 240. When the displacement of the first detected portion 142 due to the rotation between the detection position and the non-detection position is detected, it is determined that the cleaning unit 100 is new.

  Specifically, after the sensor 15 outputs a switching pattern signal as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the sensor 15 outputs a switching pattern signal as shown in FIG. 10 (b). When it is output, it is determined that the cleaning unit 100 is in the replacement period. When it is determined that the cleaning unit 100 is in the replacement period, the control device 17 notifies the user of that fact.

  According to the cleaning unit 100 described above, new detection of the cleaning unit 100 for determining the life of the cleaning member 110 from the displacement states of the first detected portion 142 and the second detected portion 152 detected by the sensor 15 is performed. can do.

  Further, since the second surface 123B of the guide rail 123 is farther from the auger 230 than the first surface 123A, the slide member 260 is prevented from obstructing the auger 230 when the slide member 260 is in the old product position. can do.

  Further, since the second surface 123B is located below the first surface 123A, the slide member 260 that has moved from the new position to the old position can be dropped down. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the slide member 260 from returning to the new position with a simple configuration.

  Also in the second embodiment, when the toner in the housing 220 is almost full, the control device 17 determines that the cleaning unit 100 is in the replacement period, as in the first embodiment described above. To do. The first lever protrusion 143 of the first lever 240 does not detect the first lever 240 because the rotation of the toner in the detection space 120D is stopped when the toner in the housing 220 is almost full. Stop in position.

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, both the full detection and the new article detection can be performed by the first lever 240.

  In the second embodiment, even when it is determined that the toner in the housing 220 is almost full and the cleaning unit 100 is in the replacement period, the auger 230 causes the toner in the detection space 120 </ b> D by the second wing 232. Can be transferred to the second accommodation space 220C through the second communication port 222.

  As a result, it is possible to earn time until the toner cannot be stored in the cleaning unit 100. That is, the cleaning unit 100 determined to be the replacement time can be used for a while. Thereby, for example, even when the cleaning unit 100 cannot be replaced immediately, the color printer 1 can be used.

  Although the embodiments of the invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. About a concrete structure, it can change suitably in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the cleaning unit 100 includes the second levers 150 and 250. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration without the second lever may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cleaning member 110 includes the two cleaning rollers 111 and 112 and the cleaning blade 113. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cleaning member may include one cleaning roller and one cleaning blade. Further, the cleaning unit may include only a cleaning blade as a cleaning member, and the toner attached to the conveyance belt may be directly scraped by the cleaning blade.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cleaning unit 100 that collects the toner on the conveyance belt 73 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cleaning unit may collect toner on an intermediate transfer member such as an intermediate transfer belt. The cleaning unit may collect toner on the photosensitive drum.

  In the above-described embodiment, the optical sensor having the light emitting element 15A and the light receiving element 15B is exemplified as the sensor 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sensor may be, for example, an electrostatic induction sensor.

  In the above-described embodiment, the augers 130 and 230 have the two auger protrusions 135, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, there may be one auger protrusion or three or more auger protrusions. The same applies to the cam surface of the slide member, and instead of two, there may be one, or three or more.

  In the above-described embodiment, the color printer 1 capable of forming a multicolor image is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus may be a monochrome printer that forms a single color image. Further, the image forming apparatus may be a printer that exposes the photosensitive drum with light emitted from the LED. In addition, the image forming apparatus may be a copier or a multifunction machine instead of a printer.

  Moreover, each element demonstrated by embodiment mentioned above and a modification can be implemented in combination as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color printer 15 Sensor 17 Control apparatus 100 Cleaning unit 110 Cleaning member 111 1st cleaning roller 112 2nd cleaning roller 113 Cleaning blade 120 Case 123 Guide rail 123A 1st surface 123B 2nd surface 123C 3rd surface 123D Cut 124 Guide surface 125 first stopper surface 126 second stopper surface 130 auger 130A auger shaft 131 auger shaft 135 auger projection 135A first auger projection 135B second auger projection 140 first lever 140A first shaft 141 first shaft 142 first detected portion 143 First lever protrusion 144 Second lever protrusion 150 Second lever 150A Second shaft 152 Second detected portion 160 Slide member 161 Main body portion 162 Extension portion 164 Surface 170 spring

Claims (25)

A cleaning member for collecting the developer;
A housing for storing the developer collected by the cleaning member;
A first lever capable of rotating between a first position and a second position with respect to a first axis extending in the axial direction, a first lever partially exposed to the outside of the housing;
An auger rotatable about the auger shaft extending in the axial direction, the auger capable of transporting the developer in the housing in the axial direction, and capable of transporting the developer in the housing toward the first lever Ogre and
A slide member that is movable in the axial direction from a new position to an old position in accordance with the rotation of the auger, and in the case of the new position, contacts the first lever to move the first lever to the first position. And a slide member that releases the contact with the first lever in the case of the old product position so that the first lever can be rotated between the first position and the second position. A cleaning unit characterized by. The slide member has a cam surface inclined with respect to the axial direction,
The auger
An auger shaft rotatable about the auger shaft;
An auger projection that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the auger shaft and is rotatable together with the auger shaft, and contacts the cam surface when rotated with the auger shaft to move the slide member from the new position to the old position. An auger protrusion to be moved toward,
The cleaning unit according to claim 1, comprising: The auger has a plurality of the auger protrusions,
The cleaning unit according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of auger protrusions are located at different positions in the axial direction. The slide member has a plurality of the cam surfaces,
The cleaning unit according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of cam surfaces are arranged in the axial direction.   5. The cleaning unit according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of auger protrusions are a first auger protrusion and a second auger protrusion protruding opposite to the first auger protrusion.   The cleaning unit according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a guide rail that guides the movement of the slide member and extends in the axial direction. . The guide rail is
A first surface that supports the slide member when the slide member is in the new position;
A second surface that supports the slide member when the slide member is in the old product position, and is located farther from the auger than the first surface in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction; ,
A third surface forming a step between the first surface and the second surface;
The cleaning unit according to claim 6, comprising: The guide rail is
A first surface that supports the slide member when the slide member is in the new position;
A second surface that supports the slide member when the slide member is in the old product position, and is positioned farther from the auger than the first surface in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction; A second surface located away from the first surface in the direction;
A third surface inclined from the first surface toward the second surface;
The cleaning unit according to claim 6, comprising: The first lever is
A shaft rotatable about the first axis;
A first lever protrusion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and rotatable together with the shaft;
Have
The cleaning unit according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the guide rail has a cut through which the first lever protrusion passes.   The said housing | casing has a guide surface which guides the movement of the said slide member, Comprising: The guide surface which faces the said guide rail in the direction orthogonal to the said axial direction is any one of Claim 6-9 The cleaning unit according to claim 1. The slide member is
A main body supported by the guide rail;
Projecting from the main body and extending along the guide rail;
The cleaning unit according to claim 6, further comprising:   The cleaning unit according to claim 6, wherein the slide member has a groove extending in the axial direction and into which the guide rail is fitted.   The said housing | casing has a 1st stopper surface which can contact with the surface of the upstream in the moving direction from the said new article position to the said old article position of the said slide member, Any one of Claim 1-12 The cleaning unit according to claim 1.   The said housing | casing has a 2nd stopper surface which can contact the surface of the downstream in the movement direction from the said new article position to the said old article position of the said slide member, The any one of Claim 1-13 The cleaning unit according to claim 1. The first position is a position that can be detected by a sensor of the image forming apparatus,
The cleaning unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the second position is a position that is not detected by the sensor. The first lever is
A shaft rotatable about the first axis;
A first lever protrusion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and is rotatable together with the shaft, and the rotation is stopped by the developer when a predetermined amount or more of developer is stored in the housing. A first lever protrusion for stopping the first lever in the second position;
A second lever projection protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the shaft and rotatable together with the shaft, wherein the first lever is brought into the first position by contacting the slide member when the slide member is in the new position. A second lever protrusion to stop,
The cleaning unit according to claim 15, comprising:   The cleaning unit according to claim 16, wherein the auger can convey the developer in the housing toward the first lever protrusion. The second shaft extending in the axial direction with the rotation of the auger passes through a third position that can be detected by the sensor, and can rotate between a fourth position and a fifth position that are not detected by the sensor. With two levers,
The first lever is a first detected part exposed to the outside of the housing, and has a first detected part that can be detected by the sensor,
The second lever is a second detected part exposed to the outside of the housing, and has a second detected part that can be detected by the sensor,
When the slide member is in the old product position, the second lever rotates from the fourth position to the fifth position, so that the second detected portion comes into contact with the first detected portion, and The cleaning unit according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the first lever is rotated from the first position to the second position. A spring for urging the second lever from the fourth position toward the fifth position;
The cleaning unit according to claim 18, wherein the second lever protrusion is in contact with the slide member by a biasing force of the spring when the slide member is in the new position. 20. An image forming apparatus comprising: the sensor capable of detecting the first detected part and the second detected part; and a control device, wherein the cleaning unit according to claim 18 or 19 is detachable. ,
The control device includes:
After the sensor does not detect the displacement of the first detected part due to the rotation between the first position and the second position of the first lever for a predetermined time or more,
When the sensor detects a displacement of the first detected part due to rotation between the first position and the second position of the first lever,
An image forming apparatus that determines that the cleaning unit is new. The first position is a position that is not detected by a sensor of the image forming apparatus,
The cleaning unit according to claim 1, wherein the second position is a position that can be detected by the sensor. The first lever is
A shaft rotatable about the first axis;
A first lever protrusion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and rotatable together with the shaft, wherein the first lever is brought into the first position by contacting the slide member when the slide member is in the new position. And a first lever protrusion for stopping the first lever at the first position by stopping the rotation by the developer when a predetermined amount or more of the developer is stored in the housing. The cleaning unit according to claim 21.   The cleaning unit according to claim 22, wherein the auger is capable of transporting the developer in the housing toward the first lever protrusion. The second shaft extending in the axial direction with the rotation of the auger passes through a third position that can be detected by the sensor, and can rotate between a fourth position and a fifth position that are not detected by the sensor. With two levers,
The first lever is a first detected part exposed to the outside of the housing, and has a first detected part that can be detected by the sensor,
The second lever is a second detected part exposed to the outside of the housing, and has a second detected part that can be detected by the sensor,
When the slide member is in the old product position, the second lever rotates from the fourth position to the fifth position, so that the second detected portion comes into contact with the first detected portion, and The cleaning unit according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the first lever is rotated from the first position to the second position. 25. An image forming apparatus comprising the sensor capable of detecting the first detected part and the second detected part, and a control device, wherein the cleaning unit according to claim 24 is removable.
The control device includes:
After the sensor detects the displacement of the second detected part due to the rotation between the fourth position and the fifth position of the second lever,
When the sensor detects a displacement of the first detected part due to rotation between the first position and the second position of the first lever,
An image forming apparatus that determines that the cleaning unit is new.

Images