JP2020154084A - Waste toner container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent a waste toner floating inside a waste toner container from entering a detection space to accurately determine whether the waste toner container is filled inside with the waste toner.SOLUTION: A waste toner container 18 comprises: a container body 31 that has an introduction space 41 having an introduction port 44 of a waste toner, and a detection space 42 having a communication port 46 with the introduction space 41 and used for detection of a waste toner; a conveying member 32 that conveys a waste toner from the introduction space 41 toward the detection space 42; and a shutter 34 that is provided movably between a closing position to close the communication port 46 and an opening position to open the communication port 46.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a waste toner container and an image forming apparatus including the waste toner container.

Conventionally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a waste toner container for accommodating waste toner collected from an image carrier such as a photoconductor drum.

For example, the waste toner container is provided with a waste toner detection space, and when the sensor detects the waste toner in the detection space, it is determined that the waste toner in the waste toner container is full and the waste toner is wasted. Replacement of the toner container is promoted (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-138984

Since the waste toner is a powder, if the waste toner container is tilted or vibration is applied to the waste toner container, the waste toner may fly up in the waste toner container. When such soaring waste toner invades the detection space and is detected by the sensor, the waste toner in the waste toner container becomes full even though the waste toner in the waste toner container is not full. There is a risk that a judgment will be made.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to accurately determine whether or not the waste toner in the waste toner container is full by suppressing the waste toner soaring in the waste toner container from entering the detection space. And.

The waste toner container according to one aspect of the present invention includes a container body having an introduction space having an introduction port for waste toner and a detection space having a communication port with the introduction space and used for detecting waste toner. A shutter that can be moved between a transport member that conveys waste toner from the introduction space side to the detection space side, a closing position that closes the communication port, and an open position that opens the communication port. Is equipped with.

The transport member is rotatably provided around the rotation shaft and is movably provided in the direction of the rotation axis with respect to the container body between the first position and the second position, and the transport member is provided in the direction of the rotation axis. When moving from the position to the second position, the transport member may push up the shutter, so that the shutter may move from the closed position to the open position.

The transport member includes a transport shaft extending in the direction of the rotation axis, a spiral transport blade provided on the outer periphery of the transport shaft, and the transport member provided on the outer periphery of the transport shaft in the transport direction of waste toner by the transport member. A push-up piece located downstream of the transport blade is provided, and when the transport member moves from the first position to the second position, the push-up piece pushes up the shutter, so that the shutter is released from the closed position. You may move to the open position.

The push-up piece has a tapered surface whose diameter is reduced toward the downstream side in the transport direction, the shutter has an inclined surface which is inclined downward toward the downstream side in the transport direction, and the transport member is the first. When moving from the position to the second position toward the downstream side in the transport direction, the shutter may move from the closed position to the open position by pushing up the inclined surface.

The waste toner container further includes an urging body that urges the shutter to the closing position, and when the transport member moves from the second position to the first position, the urging force of the urging body causes the shutter. May move from the open position to the closed position.

The image forming apparatus moves the waste toner container and the transport member from the first position to the second position as the transport member rotates, and as the rotation of the transport member stops. A drive mechanism for moving the transport member from the second position to the first position may be provided.

The drive mechanism includes a drive member having a drive gear, the transport member has a driven gear that meshes with the drive gear, and the drive gear and the driven gear are composed of a helical gear. When the drive member rotates, the rotation of the drive member is transmitted to the transport member via the drive gear and the driven gear to rotate the transport member, and the drive member rotates via the drive gear and the driven gear. May press the transport member to one side in the direction of the rotation axis so that the transport member moves from the first position to the second position.

The drive mechanism further includes an urging member that urges the transport member to the first position, and when the rotation of the drive member is stopped, the urging force of the urging member causes the transport member to move from the second position. You may move to the first position.

In the image forming apparatus, the waste toner in the waste toner container is generated based on the detection result of the waste toner container, the waste toner detection unit that detects the presence or absence of waste toner in the detection space, and the waste toner detection unit. A control unit that determines whether or not the waste toner container is full and a message screen prompting the replacement of the waste toner container are displayed when the control unit determines that the waste toner in the waste toner container is full. It may be provided with a display unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the waste toner in the waste toner container is full by suppressing the waste toner soaring in the waste toner container from entering the detection space. ..

It is a schematic front view which shows the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the transport screw is in the first position and the shutter is in the closed position in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the transport screw is in the second position and the shutter is in the open position in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a VV cross-sectional view of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The arrows L, R, U, Lo, Fr, and Rr appropriately attached to each figure indicate the left side, the right side, the upper side, the lower side, the front side, and the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, respectively.

First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a color printer.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a box-shaped apparatus main body 2. A paper output tray 3 is provided at the upper end of the apparatus main body 2.

An intermediate transfer belt 4 is housed in the central portion of the apparatus main body 2. A cleaning mechanism 5 is provided on the right end side of the intermediate transfer belt 4.

In the central portion of the apparatus main body 2, four image forming portions 6 are housed under the intermediate transfer belt 4. Each image forming unit 6 includes a photoconductor drum 7, a charger 8, a developing device 9, a primary transfer roller 10, and a cleaning device 11.

The exposure apparatus 12 is housed in the lower portion of the apparatus main body 2. A paper feed cassette 13 is housed in the lower end of the apparatus main body 2. Paper S is stored in the paper feed cassette 13.

A transport path P for the paper S from the paper feed cassette 13 to the paper output tray 3 is provided on the left side of the apparatus main body 2. A secondary transfer roller 14 is provided in the middle stream portion of the transport path P. A fixing device 15 is provided in the downstream portion of the transport path P.

A mounting portion 17 is provided at the lower right portion of the apparatus main body 2. A waste toner container 18 is detachably attached to the attachment portion 17.

Next, the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

When an instruction for a printing operation is input to the image forming apparatus 1, each image forming unit 6 executes the following image forming operation. First, the charger 8 charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 7. Next, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 7 by the light from the exposure apparatus 12 (see the dotted arrow in FIG. 1). Next, the developing device 9 develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 7. As a result, the toner image is supported on the surface of the photoconductor drum 7. This toner image is primarily transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4 by the primary transfer roller 10.

On the other hand, the paper S taken out from the paper feed cassette 13 is conveyed downstream along the transport path P and enters the nip region of the intermediate transfer belt 4 and the secondary transfer roller 14. The secondary transfer roller 14 secondarily transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4 to the paper S. The paper S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is conveyed further downstream along the transfer path P and enters the fixing device 15. The fixing device 15 fixes the toner image on the paper S. The paper S on which the toner image is fixed is ejected onto the output tray 3.

Next, the configuration of the mounting portion 17 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

The mounting unit 17 includes a driving member 21 and a waste toner detecting unit 22.

The drive member 21 is provided at the rear portion of the mounting portion 17. The drive member 21 is rotatable. A drive gear 24 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drive member 21. The drive gear 24 is composed of a helical gear.

The waste toner detection unit 22 is provided at the front portion of the mounting unit 17. The waste toner detection unit 22 is composed of, for example, a PI sensor (Photo Interrupter Sensor). The waste toner detection unit 22 includes a light emitting unit 26 and a light receiving unit 27.

Next, the configuration of the waste toner container 18 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

The waste toner container 18 includes a container main body 31, a transport screw 32 (an example of a transport member), an urging member 33, a shutter 34, and an urging body 35. The urging member 33 constitutes a drive mechanism 36 together with the drive member 21 of the mounting portion 17. In other words, the drive mechanism 36 includes a drive member 21 and an urging member 33.

The container body 31 of the waste toner container 18 has a long box shape in the front-rear direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is the longitudinal direction of the container body 31, and the left-right direction is the width direction of the container body 31. A support cylinder 38 projects toward the front side at the center of the front end wall 31Fr of the container body 31. The support cylinder 38 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with the front end closed. A through hole 39 is provided in the central portion of the rear end wall 31Rr of the container body 31.

An introduction space 41 and a detection space 42 are formed inside the container body 31. A waste toner introduction port 44 is provided in the upper rear portion of the introduction space 41. The detection space 42 is provided on the left front side of the introduction space 41. The detection space 42 is provided in a tubular portion 45 provided in the left front portion of the container main body 31, and extends in the vertical direction. At the upper end of the detection space 42, a communication port 46 with the introduction space 41 is provided. The lower end of the detection space 42 is covered with the lower wall 31Lo of the container body 31, and does not communicate with the introduction space 41.

The lower wall 31Lo of the container body 31 is provided with a pair of recesses 47 on the front side and the rear side of the lower part of the detection space 42. Each recess 47 is recessed upward. The light emitting portion 26 and the light receiving portion 27 of the waste toner detection unit 22 are partially inserted into each recess 47. On the left side of the upper wall 31U of the container body 31, an inclined portion 48 is provided above the detection space 42. The inclined portion 48 is inclined downward toward the left side (outside in the left-right direction).

The transport screw 32 of the waste toner container 18 is rotatably provided around a rotation shaft X extending in the front-rear direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is the rotation axis direction of the transport screw 32. The transport screw 32 is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the container body 31 between the first position (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and the second position (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

The transport screw 32 includes a transport shaft 50, a transport blade 51, a push-up piece 52, and a driven piece 53.

The transport shaft 50 of the transport screw 32 extends in the front-rear direction. The front end of the transport shaft 50 is inserted into the support cylinder 38 of the front end wall 31Fr of the container body 31, and the rear end of the transport shaft 50 penetrates the through hole 39 of the rear end wall 31Rr of the container body 31. As a result, the transport screw 32 is rotatably supported by the front end wall 31Fr and the rear end wall 31Rr of the container body 31. The rear end portion of the transport shaft 50 is located behind the rear end wall 31Rr of the container body 31, and is exposed to the outside of the container body 31.

The transport blade 51 of the transport screw 32 is provided on the outer periphery of the central portion of the transport shaft 50 in the front-rear direction. The transport blade 51 has a spiral shape and is provided integrally with the transport shaft 50. The transport blade 51 is housed in the introduction space 41 of the container body 31. The arrow A attached to FIG. 4 indicates the transport direction of the waste toner by the transport blade 51 (hereinafter, referred to as “transport direction A”).

The push-up piece 52 of the transport screw 32 is provided on the outer periphery of the front portion of the transport shaft 50. The push-up piece 52 has a perfect circular cross section, and is provided integrally with the transport shaft 50. The push-up piece 52 is located on the front side (downstream side in the transport direction A) of the transport blade 51. The push-up piece 52 is housed in the introduction space 41 of the container body 31. A tapered surface 55 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the front portion of the push-up piece 52. The tapered surface 55 is reduced in diameter toward the front side (downstream side in the transport direction A).

The driven piece 53 of the transport screw 32 is fixed to the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the transport shaft 50. The driven piece 53 is located behind the rear end wall 31Rr of the container body 31, and is exposed to the outside of the container body 31. A driven gear 57 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the driven piece 53. The driven gear 57 is composed of a helical gear. The driven gear 57 meshes with the drive gear 24 of the drive member 21.

The urging member 33 of the waste toner container 18 is composed of, for example, a coil spring. The urging member 33 is located behind the rear end wall 31Rr of the container body 31, and is exposed to the outside of the container body 31. The urging member 33 is interposed between the rear end wall 31Rr of the container body 31 and the driven piece 53 of the transport screw 32. The urging member 33 urges the transport screw 32 to the first position (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

The shutter 34 of the waste toner container 18 has a long plate shape in the left-right direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the left-right direction is the longitudinal direction of the shutter 34, and the front-rear direction is the width direction of the shutter 34.

The shutter 34 includes a fulcrum portion 61, a pressed upper portion 62, and an opening / closing portion 63.

The fulcrum portion 61 of the shutter 34 is provided on the right side portion of the shutter 34. It is rotatably attached to the right side wall 31R of the container body 31. As a result, the shutter 34 is rotatably provided about the fulcrum portion 61 between the closed position (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and the open position (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

The pressed upper portion 62 of the shutter 34 is provided at the central portion in the left-right direction of the shutter 34. An inclined surface 65 is provided on the lower surface of the pressed upper portion 62. The inclined surface 65 is inclined downward toward the front side (downstream side in the transport direction A).

The opening / closing portion 63 of the shutter 34 is provided on the left side portion of the shutter 34. The opening / closing portion 63 is located on the opposite side of the fulcrum portion 61 with the pressed upper portion 62 interposed therebetween. The opening / closing unit 63 closes the communication port 46 of the container body 31 when the shutter 34 is in the closed position (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and when the shutter 34 is in the open position (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The communication port 46 of the container body 31 is opened.

The urging body 35 of the waste toner container 18 is composed of, for example, a torsion coil spring. The urging body 35 is housed in the introduction space 41 of the container body 31. The urging body 35 is interposed between the right side wall 31R of the container body 31 and the upper surface of the shutter 34. The urging body 35 urges the shutter 34 to the closed position (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

Next, the control system of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 71. The control unit 71 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 71 is connected to each part of the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, each image forming unit 6) and controls each part of the image forming apparatus 1.

The control unit 71 is connected to a drive source 72 configured by a motor. The drive source 72 is connected to the drive member 21 via a clutch 73, and rotates the drive member 21 based on a signal from the control unit 71. The clutch 73 allows the transmission of rotation from the drive source 72 to the drive member 21, and blocks the transmission of rotation from the drive member 21 to the drive source 72.

The control unit 71 is connected to the waste toner detection unit 22. The waste toner detection unit 22 detects the presence or absence of toner in the detection space 42 of the container body 31 and transmits the detection result to the control unit 71 (details will be described later).

The control unit 71 is connected to the display unit 74. The display unit 74 is composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 74 displays various screens (for example, an operation screen and a message screen) based on the signal from the control unit 71.

Next, the operation of collecting waste toner in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

When the printing operation is executed, as described above, the primary transfer roller 10 primary transfers the toner image from the surface of the photoconductor drum 7 to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4. The waste toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 7 after the completion of the primary transfer is removed from the surface of the photoconductor drum 7 by the cleaning device 11, and the container body 31 is introduced via the waste toner transport path (not shown). It is introduced from the mouth 44 into the introduction space 41 of the container body 31.

Further, when the printing operation is executed, as described above, the secondary transfer roller 14 secondarily transfers the toner image from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4 to the paper S. The waste toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4 after the completion of the secondary transfer is removed from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4 by the cleaning mechanism 5, and the container body 31 is removed via the waste toner transfer path (not shown). It is introduced from the introduction port 44 into the introduction space 41 of the container body 31.

Next, the operations of the transport screw 32 and the shutter 34 in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

When the printing operation is not executed, the transport screw 32 is held in the first position (see FIGS. 2 and 3) by the urging force of the urging member 33, and the shutter 34 is closed by the urging force of the urging body 35 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). (See FIGS. 2 and 3). In this state, the tapered surface 55 of the push-up piece 52 of the transport screw 32 is engaged with the inclined surface 65 of the pressed upper portion 62 of the shutter 34.

On the other hand, when the printing operation is executed, the drive source 72 rotates the drive member 21. When the drive member 21 rotates in this way, the rotation of the drive member 21 is transmitted to the transfer screw 32 via the drive gear 24 and the driven gear 57, and the transfer screw 32 rotates. When the transport screw 32 rotates in this way, the transport blade 51 of the transport screw 32 moves the waste toner in the introduction space 41 from the rear side (introduction space 41 side) to the front side (detection space 42 side) in the front-rear direction. Transport.

Further, when the drive member 21 rotates as described above, the drive member 21 presses the transfer screw 32 to the front side (one side in the front-rear direction) via the drive gear 24 and the driven gear 57, and the transfer screw 32 is in the first position. It moves from (see FIGS. 2 and 3) to the second position (see FIGS. 4 and 5) toward the front side (downstream side in the transport direction A). Along with this, the tapered surface 55 of the push-up piece 52 of the transport screw 32 pushes up the inclined surface 65 of the pressed upper portion 62 of the shutter 34, so that the shutter 34 is moved from the closed position (see FIGS. 2 and 3) to the open position (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Rotate to (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Along with this, the opening / closing portion 63 of the shutter 34 opens the communication port 46.

On the other hand, when the printing operation is completed, the drive source 72 stops the rotation of the drive member 21. When the rotation of the drive member 21 is stopped in this way, the pressure on the drive member 21 toward the front side of the transfer screw 32 is released, and the transfer screw 32 is moved to the second position (see FIGS. 4 and 5) by the urging force of the urging portion 33. ) To the first position (see FIGS. 2 and 3) toward the rear side (upstream side in the transport direction A). Along with this, the push-up piece 52 of the transport screw 32 is released from the pushed upper portion 62 of the shutter 34, and the shutter 34 is closed from the open position (see FIGS. 4 and 5) by the urging force of the urging body 35. Rotate to (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Along with this, the opening / closing portion 63 of the shutter 34 closes the communication port 46.

Next, a method of determining the fullness of the waste toner container 18 in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

When the new waste toner container 18 is mounted on the mounting portion 17 (at the start of use of the waste toner container 18), the waste toner is not contained in the introduction space 41 and the detection space 42. Therefore, the light B (see FIGS. 2 and 4) from the light emitting unit 26 of the waste toner detection unit 22 reaches the light receiving unit 27 of the waste toner detection unit 22. Along with this, the waste toner detection unit 22 detects that there is no waste toner in the detection space 42, and the detection result is transmitted from the waste toner detection unit 22 to the control unit 71. In this case, the control unit 71 determines that the waste toner in the waste toner container 18 is not full.

On the other hand, when the printing operation is executed with the waste toner container 18 mounted on the mounting portion 17, the waste toner is introduced into the introduction space 41 via the introduction port 44 as described above. Along with this, waste toner is gradually accumulated in the introduction space 41.

Further, when the printing operation is executed with the waste toner container 18 mounted on the mounting portion 17, as described above, the transport blade 51 of the transport screw 32 removes the waste toner in the introduction space 41 on the rear side (introduction space). It is conveyed from the 41 side) to the front side (detection space 42 side). Along with this, the waste toner accumulated in the introduction space 41 gradually moves toward the detection space 42 side, and flows into the detection space 42 from the introduction space 41 through the communication port 46.

When a certain amount of waste toner flows from the introduction space 41 into the detection space 42, the light B (see FIGS. 2 and 4) from the light emitting unit 26 of the waste toner detection unit 22 is blocked by the waste toner in the detection space 42 and is abolished. It does not reach the light receiving unit 27 of the toner detection unit 22. Along with this, the waste toner detection unit 22 detects that there is waste toner in the detection space 42, and the detection result is transmitted from the waste toner detection unit 22 to the control unit 71. In this case, the control unit 71 determines that the waste toner in the waste toner container 18 is full, and the display unit 74 displays a message screen prompting the replacement of the waste toner container 18.

By the way, since the waste toner is a powder, if the waste toner container 18 is tilted or vibration is applied to the waste toner container 18, the waste toner may fly up in the introduction space 41. When the waste toner soared in the introduction space 41 invades the detection space 42 through the communication port 46 and blocks the light B from the light emitting unit 26, the waste toner in the waste toner container 18 is full. The control unit 71 may determine that the waste toner in the waste toner container 18 is full even though the waste toner container 18 is not filled.

Therefore, the waste toner container 18 of the present embodiment includes a shutter 34 that can rotate between a closing position for closing the communication port 46 and an open position for opening the communication port 46. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the waste toner soared in the introduction space 41 from entering the detection space 42 through the communication port 46. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the waste toner in the waste toner container 18 is full.

Further, when the transport screw 32 moves from the first position to the second position, the transport screw 32 pushes up the shutter 34, so that the shutter 34 rotates from the closed position to the open position. By directly lifting the shutter 34 with the transport screw 32 in this way, the shutter 34 can be rotated from the closed position to the open position by using a simple configuration.

Further, when the transport screw 32 moves from the first position to the second position, the push-up piece 52 of the transport screw 32 pushes up the pressed upper portion 62 of the shutter 34, so that the shutter 34 rotates from the closed position to the open position. .. By adopting such a configuration, the shutter 34 can be reliably rotated from the closed position to the open position.

Further, when the transport screw 32 moves from the first position to the second position, the tapered surface 55 of the push-up piece 52 pushes up the inclined surface 65 of the pushed upper portion 62, so that the shutter 34 rotates from the closed position to the open position. There is. By adopting such a configuration, the shutter 34 can be rotated more reliably from the closed position to the open position.

Further, when the transport screw 32 moves from the second position to the first position, the shutter 34 is rotated from the open position to the closed position by the urging force of the urging body 35. By adopting such a configuration, the shutter 34 can be reliably rotated from the open position to the closed position.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment moves the transport screw 32 from the first position to the second position as the transport screw 32 rotates, and as the rotation of the transport screw 32 stops. A drive mechanism 36 for moving the transfer screw 32 from the second position to the first position is provided. By adopting such a configuration, the transport screw 32 can be automatically moved between the first position and the second position.

Further, the drive gear 24 and the driven gear 57 are composed of helical gears, and when the drive member 21 rotates, the rotation of the drive member 21 is transmitted to the transport screw 32 via the drive gear 24 and the driven gear 57. As the transport screw 32 rotates, the drive member 21 presses the transport screw 32 forward via the drive gear 24 and the driven gear 57, and the transport screw 32 moves from the first position to the second position. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to realize the rotation of the transport screw 32 and the movement in the front-rear direction by a simple configuration.

Further, when the rotation of the drive member 21 is stopped, the transport screw 32 is moved from the second position to the first position by the urging force of the urging member 33. By adopting such a configuration, the transport screw 32 can be reliably moved from the second position to the first position.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is filled with the waste toner in the waste toner container 18 based on the detection results of the waste toner detection unit 22 that detects the presence or absence of waste toner in the detection space 42 and the waste toner detection unit 22. When the control unit 71 that determines whether or not the toner is used and the control unit 71 determines that the waste toner in the waste toner container 18 is full, a message screen prompting the replacement of the waste toner container 18 is displayed. It includes a display unit 74. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to encourage the user to replace the waste toner container 18 at an appropriate timing.

In the present embodiment, the transport screw 32 is moved from the second position to the first position by the urging force of the urging member 33. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, the transport screw 32 may be moved from the second position to the first position by rotating the drive member 21 in the direction opposite to the execution of the printing operation by the drive source 72.

In the present embodiment, the shutter 34 is rotated from the open position to the closed position by the urging force of the urging body 35. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, the shutter 34 may rotate by its own weight from the open position to the closed position.

In this embodiment, the shutter 34 can rotate between the closed position and the open position. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, the shutter 34 may be linearly movable between the closed and open positions.

In this embodiment, a transport screw 32 having a spiral transport blade 51 is used as a transport member. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, a member other than the transport screw 32, such as a transport paddle having a film-shaped transport blade, may be used as the transport member.

In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color printer. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, even if the image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome printer, a copier, a facsimile, a multifunction device (an image forming apparatus having a printing function, a copying function, a fax function, etc. in combination) or the like. good.

1 Image forming device 18 Waste toner container 21 Drive member 22 Waste toner detection unit 24 Drive gear 31 Container body 32 Conveyance screw (example of transport member)
33 Biasing member 34 Shutter 35 Biasing body 36 Drive mechanism 41 Introductory space 42 Detection space 44 Introductory port 46 Communication port 50 Conveyance shaft 51 Conveyance blade 52 Push-up piece 55 Tapered surface 57 Driven gear 65 Inclined surface A Waste toner transfer direction X Axis of rotation

Claims (9)

A container body having an introduction space having an introduction port for waste toner and a detection space having a communication port with the introduction space and used for detecting waste toner.
A transport member that transports waste toner from the introduction space side to the detection space side,
A waste toner container comprising a shutter that can move between a closing position that closes the communication port and an open position that opens the communication port. The transport member is rotatably provided around the rotation axis and is movably provided in the direction of the rotation axis with respect to the container body between the first position and the second position.
According to claim 1, when the transport member moves from the first position to the second position, the transport member pushes up the shutter, so that the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position. The waste toner container described. The transport member is
The transport shaft extending in the direction of the rotation axis and
A spiral transport blade provided on the outer circumference of the transport shaft and
A push-up piece provided on the outer periphery of the transport shaft and located downstream of the transport blade in the transport direction of waste toner by the transport member is provided.
The second aspect of claim 2, wherein when the transport member moves from the first position to the second position, the push-up piece pushes up the shutter, so that the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position. Waste toner container. The push-up piece has a tapered surface whose diameter is reduced toward the downstream side in the transport direction.
The shutter has an inclined surface that tilts downward toward the downstream side in the transport direction.
When the transport member moves from the first position to the second position toward the downstream side in the transport direction, the tapered surface pushes up the inclined surface, so that the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position. The waste toner container according to claim 3. Further provided with an urging body for urging the shutter to the closing position,
Any of claims 2 to 4, wherein when the transport member moves from the second position to the first position, the shutter moves from the open position to the closed position by the urging force of the urging body. The waste toner container according to item 1. The waste toner container according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
As the transport member rotates, the transport member is moved from the first position to the second position, and as the rotation of the transport member stops, the transport member is moved from the second position to the second position. An image forming apparatus including a drive mechanism for moving to one position. The drive mechanism includes a drive member having a drive gear.
The transport member has a driven gear that meshes with the drive gear.
The drive gear and the driven gear are composed of a helical gear.
When the drive member rotates, the rotation of the drive member is transmitted to the transport member via the drive gear and the driven gear to rotate the transport member, and at the same time, the drive is driven via the drive gear and the driven gear. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the member presses the transport member to one side in the direction of the rotation axis, and the transport member moves from the first position to the second position. The drive mechanism further includes an urging member that urges the transport member to the first position.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the rotation of the driving member is stopped, the conveying member moves from the second position to the first position by the urging force of the urging member. The waste toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A waste toner detection unit that detects the presence or absence of waste toner in the detection space,
Based on the detection result of the waste toner detection unit, a control unit that determines whether or not the waste toner in the waste toner container is full, and a control unit.
An image characterized by including a display unit that displays a message screen prompting replacement of the waste toner container when the control unit determines that the waste toner in the waste toner container is full. Forming device.

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