JP2021076733A - Container mounting device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a container mounting device that can appropriately detect the amount of toner.SOLUTION: A waste toner recovery device 13 comprises: a recovery bottle 61 having a container main body 32 that can store toner and is formed in a cylindrical shape; a recovery-side mounting unit 60 that supports the container main body 32 rotated around the axis; and a displacement sensor 64 that is arranged opposite to the container main body 32 and detects a capacitance according to the amount of accumulation of waste toner stored in the container main body 32. A conveyance rib projecting inward in a radial direction obtained by depressing a conveyance groove in a spiral shape is formed in a spiral shape in a peripheral wall of the container main body 32. The displacement sensor 64 has a range being an integral multiple of the pitch of the conveyance groove as a detection range, and outputs a waveform signal indicating a capacitance that is periodically changed by the waste toner vibrating in a circumferential direction inside the container main body 32. The amount of accumulation of the waste toner stored in the container main body 32 is detected based on the value, amplitude, and cycle of the waveform signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to a container mounting device and an image forming device on which a toner container is mounted.

For example, the process cartridge described in Patent Document 1 includes a rotating stirring rod and a first antenna rod provided on the stirring rod inside a toner container for storing toner. By detecting the capacitance between the stirring rod and the first antenna rod, the amount of toner in the toner container was sequentially detected.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-147891

However, in the above-mentioned process cartridge, since the stirring rod and the first antenna rod are provided in the toner container, for example, when the toner adheres to the first antenna rod or the like, the toner amount can be accurately detected. There was something I couldn't do.

The present invention provides a container mounting device and an image forming device capable of appropriately detecting the amount of toner in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

In order to achieve the above object, the container mounting device of the present invention includes a toner container having a container body formed in a cylindrical shape capable of accommodating toner, and a mounting portion for supporting the container body rotated about an axis. A displacement sensor, which is arranged to face the container body and detects the electrostatic capacity according to the amount of the toner contained in the container body, is provided, and a transport groove is spirally formed on the peripheral wall of the container body. By denting in a shape, the transport ribs protruding inward in the radial direction are formed in a spiral shape, and the displacement sensor sets the range in which the pitch of the transport grooves is an integral multiple as the detection range, and the circumferential direction inside the container body. A waveform signal indicating the capacitance that periodically changes due to the toner vibrating in the container is output, and is housed in the container body based on the value of the waveform signal and at least one of the amplitude and period of the waveform signal. The amount of the toner is detected.

In this case, it is preferable that the rotation of the container body is detected based on the amplitude of the waveform signal.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the container mounting device of the present invention is mounted by supporting a toner container having a container body formed in a cylindrical shape capable of accommodating toner and the container body rotated about an axis. A unit and a displacement sensor which is arranged to face the container body and detects an electrostatic capacity according to the amount of the toner contained in the container body are provided, and a transport groove is provided on the peripheral wall of the container body. The transport ribs protruding inward in the radial direction are formed in a spiral shape by denting in a spiral shape, and the displacement sensor sets the range in which the pitch of the transport groove is a real multiple other than an integer as the detection range, and sets the container body as the detection range. A waveform signal indicating the capacitance that periodically changes due to the toner vibrating in the circumferential direction inside the container and the transport groove rotating integrally with the container body is output, and the waveform signal is Fourier converted to the above. The toner that is separated into the vibration frequency component of the toner that vibrates inside the container body and the rotation frequency component of the transport groove that rotates integrally with the container body, and is housed in the container body based on the vibration frequency component. The amount of is detected.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, the container mounting device of the present invention supports a toner container having a container body formed in a cylindrical shape capable of accommodating toner and the container body rotated about an axis. A mounting portion to be mounted and a displacement sensor which is arranged to face the container body and detects an electrostatic capacity according to the amount of the toner contained in the container body are provided, and the peripheral wall of the container body is provided with a displacement sensor. By denting the transport groove in a spiral shape, the transport ribs protruding inward in the radial direction are formed in a spiral shape, and the displacement sensor sets a range inclined along the opposite transport groove as a detection range and sets the detection range of the container body. A waveform signal indicating the capacitance that periodically changes due to the toner vibrating in the circumferential direction and the transport groove that rotates integrally with the container body is output, and the waveform signal is Fourier transformed into the container. The vibration frequency component of the toner vibrating inside the main body and the rotation frequency component of the transport groove that rotates integrally with the container body of the toner contained in the container body based on the vibration frequency component. The amount is detected.

In this case, it is preferable that the amount of the toner contained in the container body is detected based on at least one of the value of the vibration frequency component and the amplitude and period of the vibration frequency component.

In this case, it is preferable that the rotation of the container body is detected based on the amplitude of the vibration frequency component or the amplitude of the rotation frequency component.

In this case, it is preferable that the rotation speed of the container body is adjusted based on the period of the rotation frequency component.

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the container mounting apparatus according to any one of the above.

According to the present invention, the amount of toner can be detected appropriately.

It is a schematic (front view) which shows the internal structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, waste toner recovery apparatus, and the like. It is a perspective view which shows the front side peripheral part of the waste toner recovery apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the toner replenishing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the toner bottle which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic (cross-sectional view seen from the plane) which shows the drum cleaning device, the belt cleaning device, and the discharge transfer device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. It is a side view which shows the collection bottle and the displacement sensor of the waste toner collection device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the waste toner recovery apparatus (when the accumulation amount of waste toner is small) which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the waste toner recovery apparatus (when the accumulation amount of waste toner is large) which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the waveform signal which the displacement sensor of the waste toner recovery apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention outputs in each state. It is a side view which shows the collection bottle and the displacement sensor of the waste toner collection device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the collection bottle and the displacement sensor of the waste toner collection apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the waste toner recovery device (displacement sensor) which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing, "Fr" indicates "front", "Rr" indicates "rear", "L" indicates "left", "R" indicates "right", and "U" indicates "U". "Upper" and "D" indicate "lower". Although terms indicating directions and positions are used in the present specification, these terms are used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a schematic view (front view) showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the paper feed cassette 3, the waste toner collecting device 13, and the like. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the front periphery of the waste toner recovery device 13.

[Overview of image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus 1 is a color printer that forms an image by transferring a full-color toner image formed by an electrophotographic method onto a sheet S. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 that constitutes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped appearance. A cassette mounting portion 10 is provided on the lower side of the apparatus main body 2 so that the paper feed cassette 3 can be detachably mounted. For example, a paper sheet S (or a bundle of sheets S) is housed in the paper cassette 3. An output tray 4 for receiving the image-formed sheet S is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2. The sheet S is not limited to paper, and may be a resin film, an OHP sheet, or the like.

The cassette mounting unit 10 constitutes a space for mounting the paper feed cassette 3. The paper feed cassette 3 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape (box shape) with the upper surface opened. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a pair of slide guides 3A are fixed to the left and right side surfaces of the paper feed cassette 3, and a pair of cassette rails 10A are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the cassette mounting portion 10 (FIG. 2). Only the left side is shown in 2 and FIG. 3). The pair of cassette rails 10A are fixed to the apparatus main body 2 via the pair of rail holding members 11. The slide guide 3A, the cassette rail 10A, and the rail holding member 11 are made of, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel. The cassette rail 10A supports the paper feed cassette 3 via a slide guide 3A that is slidably held.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feeding unit 5, an image forming unit 6, a fixing device 7, a toner replenishing device 12, and a waste toner collecting device 13 of the apparatus main body 2. It is prepared inside. The paper feed unit 5 is provided on the upstream side of the transport path 8 extending from the paper feed cassette 3 to the paper output tray 4. The fixing device 7 is provided on the downstream side of the transport path 8, and the image forming section 6 is provided between the paper feeding section 5 and the fixing device 7 on the transport path 8. The toner replenishing device 12 is provided above the image forming unit 6. The waste toner collecting device 13 is provided below the image forming unit 6.

The image forming unit 6 includes an intermediate transfer unit 14, four drum units 15, and an optical scanning device 16. The intermediate transfer unit 14 is provided below the output tray 4. The four drum units 15 correspond to four colors of toner and are provided side by side in the left-right direction on the lower side of the intermediate transfer unit 14. The optical scanning device 16 is provided under each drum unit 15. Since the four drum units 15 have the same configuration, one drum unit 15 will be described below.

The intermediate transfer unit 14 has an intermediate transfer belt 21 wound around a drive roller 20A arranged on the right side inside the apparatus main body 2 and a driven roller 20B arranged on the left side inside the apparatus main body 2. .. When the drive roller 20A is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), the intermediate transfer belt 21 rotates counterclockwise (see the arrow in FIG. 1). A belt cleaning device 22 is arranged on the left side of the driven roller 20B.

The drum unit 15 includes a photoconductor drum 23, a charging device 24, a developing device 25, a primary transfer roller 26, a drum cleaning device 27, and a static elimination device 28.

The photoconductor drum 23 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) while in contact with the lower surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21. The charging device 24, the developing device 25, the primary transfer roller 26, the drum cleaning device 27, and the static elimination device 28 are arranged around the photoconductor drum 23 in the order of the transfer process. The primary transfer roller 26 is arranged to face the photoconductor drum 23 from above with the intermediate transfer belt 21 interposed therebetween. The secondary transfer roller 29 is in contact with the right side of the intermediate transfer belt 21 (drive roller 20A).

Although details will be described later, four toner bottles 31 are detachably attached to the toner replenishment device 12. The four toner bottles 31 contain toners (developer) for replenishment of four colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black). The four toner bottles 31 communicate with the four developing devices 25 via a supply pipe or the like (not shown) having a built-in screw, and supply toner for replenishment to the four developing devices 25. A collection bottle 61 is detachably attached to the waste toner collection device 13. The collection bottle 61 contains (recovers) waste toner that is discharged without being transferred to the sheet S.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a control unit 17 for appropriately controlling the controlled object device such as the image forming unit 6. The control unit 17 includes a processor that executes various arithmetic processes according to programs and parameters stored in the memory. The control unit 17 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit or the like instead of a processor or the like that executes a program or the like.

Here, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The control unit 17 executes the image forming process as follows based on the input image data.

The charging device 24 charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 23. The optical scanning device 16 performs exposure corresponding to the image data toward the photoconductor drum 23, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 23. The developing device 25 develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 23 into a toner image using the toner supplied from the toner bottle 31 of the toner replenishing device 12. The four-color toner images supported on the four photoconductor drums 23 are sequentially primary-transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21 by the primary transfer roller 26 to which the primary transfer bias is applied. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21.

On the other hand, the paper feed unit 5 feeds the sheet S in the paper feed cassette 3 to the transport path 8. The secondary transfer roller 29 secondarily transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the sheet S passing between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the sheet S. The fixing device 7 heat-fixes the toner image on the sheet S. After that, the sheet S is discharged to the paper ejection tray 4. The drum cleaning device 27 removes waste toner (residual toner) remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 23 after the primary transfer. The static elimination device 28 irradiates the static elimination light to remove the electric charge of the photoconductor drum 23. Further, the belt cleaning device 22 removes waste toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after the secondary transfer. The waste toner removed from the photoconductor drum 23 and the intermediate transfer belt 21 is collected in the collection bottle 61 of the waste toner collection device 13.

[Toner replenishment device]
Next, the toner replenishing device 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the toner replenishing device 12. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the toner bottle 31.

The toner replenishment device 12 (container mounting device) is arranged above the intermediate transfer unit 14 and the developing device 25 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 4, the toner replenishment device 12 includes four toner bottles 31, four replenishment side mounting portions 30, and four remaining amount confirmation sensors (not shown). The toner bottle 31 contains a replenishing toner to be supplied to the developing device 25. The replenishment side mounting portion 30 constitutes a space for mounting the toner bottle 31, and a replenishment side opening 30A for opening the space is formed on the upper front surface of the apparatus main body 2. A toner bottle 31 is detachably attached to the supply side attachment portion 30. Further, the replenishment side mounting portion 30 is provided with a replenishment cover 37 for opening and closing the replenishment side opening 30A. The replenishment cover 37 is provided so as to be rotatable around a shaft at the lower part. The remaining amount confirmation sensor is provided to detect the amount of toner contained in the toner bottle 31. The remaining amount confirmation sensor is arranged so as to face the container body 32 mounted on the replenishment side mounting portion 30, and detects the capacitance according to the remaining amount of toner. Since the remaining amount confirmation sensor is the same as the displacement sensor 64 described later, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

<Toner bottle>
As shown in FIG. 5, each toner bottle 31 includes a container body 32 and a cap 33. The container body 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape capable of accommodating toner. The rear end of the container body 32 is attached to the cap 33 so as to rotate about an axis. The toner bottle 31 for accommodating the black toner is formed to be thicker (larger diameter) than the other toner bottles 31, and the replenishment side mounting portion 30 at the right end into which the toner bottle 31 is inserted is also replenished. It is formed to have a diameter larger than that of the side mounting portion 30 (see FIG. 1). Further, since the four toner bottles 31 have the same configuration except for the difference in thickness, one toner bottle 31 will be described below. The four toner bottles 31 (four replenishment side mounting portions 30) may all have the same size (diameter). Further, in the following description, the direction is set with reference to the state in which the toner bottle 31 is mounted on the replenishment side mounting portion 30. The toner may be a two-component developer containing a toner and a carrier, or a one-component developer composed of a magnetic toner.

(Container body)
The container body 32 is made of a synthetic resin material such as PET resin (polyethylene terephthalate) and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape long in the front-rear direction. On the peripheral wall of the container body 32, a transport rib 34 protruding inward in the radial direction (toward the axis) is spirally formed by denting the transport groove 34G in a spiral shape. The transport rib 34 (convey groove 34G) has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and is integrally formed with a thickness substantially the same as that of the container body 32. A grip portion G for gripping by the user projects from the front end surface of the container body 32. The rear portion of the container body 32 is formed thinner than the other portions, and the rear end surface of the container body 32 is open (not shown). A substantially annular transmission gear 35 is fixed to the rear portion (thinned portion) of the container body 32. The transmission gear 35 is connected to the replenishment motor M1 via a power transmission mechanism (not shown) such as a shaft or a gear. Although the details will be described later, the container body 32 is driven by the replenishment motor M1 to rotate around the axis, and the transport rib 34 rotates together with the container body 32 to apply a transport force along the axial direction to the toner inside the container body 32. Make it work. The replenishment motor M1 is a so-called brushed DC motor, and does not have functions such as angle control and rotation detection.

(cap)
The cap 33 is arranged behind the transmission gear 35 and is attached to the container body 32 so as to cover the rear end surface (opening) of the container body 32. The cap 33 has a communication port 36 that communicates with the inside of the container body 32. The communication port 36 is a substantially rectangular hole formed on the lower side surface of the cap 33. Further, the cap 33 is provided with a shutter (not shown) for opening and closing the communication port 36 so as to be slidable in the axial direction (front-back direction). When the toner bottle 31 is removed from the replenishment side mounting portion 30, the shutter closes the communication port 36.

[Installation of toner bottle]
Here, a procedure for mounting the toner bottle 31 on the replenishment side mounting portion 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the user opens the replenishment cover 37 of the replenishment side mounting portion 30 to expose the replenishment side opening 30A, faces the grip portion G toward the front, and faces the communication port 36 downward. The toner bottle 31 is inserted into the replenishment side mounting portion 30 (replenishment side opening 30A). In the process of inserting the toner bottle 31, the shutter contacts a part of the replenishment side mounting portion 30 and slides relatively forward to open the communication port 36. The opened communication port 36 is connected to the upstream end of the supply pipe. After that, the user closes the replenishment cover 37.

With the above, the installation of the toner bottle 31 is completed. In this state, the replenishment side mounting portion 30 fixes the cap 33 and supports the container body 32 that is rotated around the axis. Further, in this state, the transmission gear 35 is connected to the replenishment motor M1 via the power transmission mechanism, and the communication port 36 is connected to the developing device 25 via the replenishment pipe or the like.

[Toner replenishment]
When the replenishment motor M1 is driven by the toner replenishment command from the control unit 17, the container body 32 rotates around the axis together with the transmission gear 35. The container body 32 (conveying rib 34) mounted on the replenishment side mounting portion 30 rotates around the axis, so that the replenishing toner contained inside the container body 32 is transported toward the communication port 36. The toner is discharged from the communication port 36 and supplied (supplied) to the developing device 25 through the supply pipe.

The control unit 17 determines that the toner bottle 31 is empty (or the toner is low) based on the detection result of the remaining amount confirmation sensor. For example, the touch panel provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is provided. (Not shown) displays a message such as that the toner bottle 31 is empty or a message prompting the toner bottle 31 to be replaced. When replacing an empty (or low toner) toner bottle 31, the user grabs the grip portion G and pulls the toner bottle 31 toward the front to separate it from the replenishment side mounting portion 30. As the toner bottle 31 is pulled out, the shutter is urged rearward by a spring (not shown) to close the communication port 36.

Next, the four drum cleaning devices 27 and the belt cleaning device 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a schematic view (cross-sectional view seen from a plane) showing the drum cleaning device 27, the belt cleaning device 22, and the discharge transfer device 18. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG.

[Drum cleaning device]
The four drum cleaning devices 27 are provided corresponding to the four photoconductor drums 23 (see FIG. 1). Since the four drum cleaning devices 27 have the same configuration, one drum cleaning device 27 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 7, the drum cleaning device 27 includes a drum-side housing 40, a polishing roller 41, a regulation roller 42, a cleaning blade 43, and a drum-side screw 44.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the drum-side housing 40 is formed in a substantially box shape with a surface facing the photoconductor drum 23 opened. A drum-side discharge port 40A connected to a discharge transfer device 18 described later is opened on the rear bottom surface of the drum-side housing 40. The polishing roller 41 and the regulation roller 42 are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape long in the front-rear direction, and are rotatably supported around the axis inside the drum-side housing 40. The polishing roller 41 is in contact with the photoconductor drum 23, and the regulation roller 42 is in contact with the lower right side of the polishing roller 41. The cleaning blade 43 is formed in a plate shape by, for example, synthetic resin, and is fixed to the drum-side housing 40. The tip of the cleaning blade 43 is in contact with the photoconductor drum 23. The drum-side screw 44 has a spiral blade fixed to the peripheral surface of the shaft extending in the front-rear direction, and is rotatably supported around the axis inside the drum-side housing 40. The drum-side screw 44 is arranged at the lower left of the drum-side housing 40.

[Belt cleaning device]
As shown in FIG. 7, the belt cleaning device 22 includes a belt-side housing 45, a bias brush 46, a recovery roller 47, a recovery blade 48, and a belt-side screw 49.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the belt-side housing 45 is formed in a substantially box shape with a surface facing the intermediate transfer belt 21 opened. A belt-side discharge port 45A connected to a discharge transfer device 18 described later is opened on the rear bottom surface of the belt-side housing 45. The bias brush 46 and the recovery roller 47 are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape long in the front-rear direction, and are rotatably supported around the axis inside the belt-side housing 45. The bias brush 46 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the recovery roller 47 is in contact with the upper left side of the bias brush 46. The recovery blade 48 is formed in a plate shape by, for example, synthetic resin, and is fixed to the belt-side housing 45. The tip of the recovery blade 48 is in contact with the recovery roller 47. The belt-side screw 49 has a spiral blade fixed to the peripheral surface of the shaft extending in the front-rear direction, and is rotatably supported around the axis inside the belt-side housing 45. The belt-side screw 49 is arranged at the lower left of the belt-side housing 45.

[Discharge transfer device]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the four drum cleaning devices 27 and the belt cleaning device 22 are connected to the discharge transfer device 18 that conveys the waste toner toward the waste toner recovery device 13. The discharge transfer device 18 includes a transfer housing 50 and a transfer screw 51.

The transport housing 50 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction. On the upper surface of the transport housing 50, four drum-side introduction pipes 52 and belt-side introduction pipes 53 are provided side by side in the left-right direction. Each drum-side introduction pipe 52 is connected to the drum-side discharge port 40A of the drum cleaning device 27. The belt-side introduction pipe 53 is connected to the belt-side discharge port 45A of the belt cleaning device 22. A transport / discharge pipe 54 connected to the waste toner collection device 13 is formed on the left bottom surface of the transport housing 50. The transport screw 51 has spiral blades fixed to the peripheral surface of the shaft extending in the left-right direction, and is rotatably supported around the axis inside the transport housing 50.

[Waste toner recovery device]
Next, the waste toner collecting device 13 as an example of the container mounting device will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 9. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the collection bottle 61 and the displacement sensor 64. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a waste toner collecting device 13 (when the accumulated amount of waste toner is small).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the waste toner collecting device 13 includes a collecting bottle 61, a collecting side mounting portion 60 (mounting portion), and a displacement sensor 64. The collection bottle 61 (container body 32) contains waste toner discharged from the belt cleaning device 22 and the drum cleaning device 27. A collection bottle 61 is detachably attached to the collection side mounting portion 60. The displacement sensor 64 detects the accumulated amount of waste toner contained in the collection bottle 61.

<Recovery bottle>
The recovery bottle 61 as an example of the toner container is a toner bottle 31 that has been emptied by consuming the replenishing toner (any of the four toner bottles 31 may be used). That is, the empty toner bottle 31 is also used (reused) as a collection bottle 61 for collecting waste toner. Since the recovery bottle 61 has the same shape as the toner bottle 31 already described, detailed description of the recovery bottle 61 will be omitted. The code attached to the structure of the recovery bottle 61 is the same as the code attached to the structure of the toner bottle 31. The empty toner bottle 31 has been diverted as the recovery bottle 61, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a dedicated recovery bottle 61 different from the toner bottle 31 may be prepared.

<Recovery side mounting part>
The collection side mounting portion 60 is arranged adjacent to the left side of the cassette mounting portion 10 (see FIG. 2). The collection side mounting portion 60 is arranged at a position corresponding to the transport discharge pipe 54 of the discharge transport device 18 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the collection side mounting portion 60 constitutes a space for mounting the collection bottle 61, and the collection side opening 60A for opening the space is provided on the lower front surface of the apparatus main body 2. It is formed. Further, the recovery side mounting portion 60 is provided with a recovery cover 62 for opening and closing the recovery side opening 60A. The recovery cover 62 is rotatably provided about a shaft at the bottom.

<Displacement sensor>
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 9, the displacement sensor 64 is arranged to face the collection bottle 61 mounted on the recovery side mounting portion 60, and depends on the accumulated amount of waste toner contained in the recovery bottle 61. Detects changing capacitance. Specifically, the displacement sensor 64 is a mutual capacitance type capacitance sensor that detects an electric field change between the transmitting electrode 70 and the receiving electrode 71 facing each other with the recovery bottle 61 in between. The displacement sensor 64 can detect the accumulated amount of waste toner with respect to the volume of the collection bottle 61 from 0 to 100%, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the detectable accumulated amount may be freely set.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the transmitting electrode 70 and the receiving electrode 71 are mounted on the rectangular substrates 70A and 71A, which are long in the front-rear direction, respectively. The transmitting electrode 70 and the receiving electrode 71 are mounted on the surfaces of the substrates 70A and 71A on the container body 32 side. The substrates 70A and 71A are arranged on the left and right sides of the container body 32 in an upright posture, and are fixed to a frame (not shown) of the collection side mounting portion 60. The transmission electrode 70 is arranged on the side opposite to the cassette mounting portion 10 (on the left side of the apparatus main body 2) with the collection bottle 61 interposed therebetween. The receiving electrode 71 is arranged on the cassette mounting portion 10 (paper feed cassette 3) side. The transmitting electrode 70 and the receiving electrode 71 are electrically connected to the control unit 17.

As shown in FIG. 8, the displacement sensors 64 (transmitting electrode 70, receiving electrode 71) are arranged so as to face one pitch of the transport groove 34G (in FIG. 8, the receiving electrode 71 side is shown). That is, the displacement sensor 64 is arranged so that one pitch of the transport groove 34G is the detection range D1 (the range surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 8).

The collection bottle 61, the transmission electrode 70, and the reception electrode 71 are arranged substantially parallel to the rail holding member 11 (cassette rail 10A) (see FIG. 2). The transmitting electrode 70 and the receiving electrode 71 are arranged at positions on the front side of the container body 32 (the other side of the center in the axial direction) so as not to contact the container body 32. The receiving electrode 71 is arranged between the container body 32 and the rail holding member 11 (when viewed from the front). The front side (part) of the receiving electrode 71 overlaps with the rail holding member 11 provided immovably.

[Installation of collection bottle]
Here, a procedure for mounting the recovery bottle 61 on the recovery side mounting portion 60 will be described.

The user opens the collection cover 62, and puts the collection bottle 61 (empty toner bottle 31) with the grip portion G facing toward the front and the communication port 36 facing upward with the collection side mounting portion 60 (collection side opening 60A). ). In the process of inserting the collection bottle 61, the shutter contacts a part of the collection side mounting portion 60 and slides relatively forward to open the communication port 36. The opened communication port 36 is connected to the downstream end of the transport / discharge pipe 54 (see FIG. 7). After that, the user closes the collection cover 62.

With the above, the mounting of the collection bottle 61 is completed (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In this state, the collection side mounting portion 60 fixes the cap 33 and supports the container body 32 that is rotated around the axis. Further, in this state, the transmission gear 35 is connected to the recovery motor M2 (see FIG. 8) via the power transmission mechanism, and the communication port 36 is connected to the cleaning devices 22 and 27 via the discharge transfer device 18 (see FIG. 8). (See FIG. 7). If the recovery bottle 61 is not properly mounted on the recovery side mounting portion 60, the recovery cover 62 has a structure that interferes with the grip portion G and does not close properly. That is, when the recovery cover 62 is not closed, the transmission gear 35 is not connected to the recovery motor M2. The recovery motor M2 is a so-called brushed DC motor, and does not have functions such as angle control and rotation detection.

[Removal / recovery of waste toner]
Next, the operation of removing the waste toner (residual toner) will be described. It is assumed that a negative electrode bias is applied to the bias brush 46 and the screws 44, 49, 51, respectively.

When the image forming process is executed, the polishing roller 41 and the regulation roller 42 are driven by the photoconductor drum 23 to rotate, and the drum side screw 44 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown). The polishing roller 41 and the regulation roller 42 may be rotationally driven by a motor. Waste toner (residual toner) remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 23 adheres to the surface of the polishing roller 41 to form a toner layer. The polishing roller 41 polishes the surface of the photoconductor drum 23 via the toner layer. The regulation roller 42 makes the thickness of the toner layer uniform. The cleaning blade 43 scrapes off the waste toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor drum 23, and the waste toner is housed in the drum side housing 40. The drum-side screw 44 is rotationally driven by a motor to convey the waste toner contained in the drum-side housing 40 toward the drum-side discharge port 40A (see the arrow in FIG. 6). The waste toner is discharged from the drum-side discharge port 40A and enters the transport housing 50 through the drum-side introduction pipe 52 (see the arrow in FIG. 7).

The bias brush 46, the recovery roller 47, and the belt-side screw 49 are rotationally driven by a motor. The bias brush 46 adsorbs waste toner (residual toner) adhering to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 by an electrostatic adsorption force. The recovery roller 47 receives the waste toner that has moved to the bias brush 46. The recovery blade 48 scrapes the waste toner that has moved to the recovery roller 47, and the waste toner is stored in the belt-side housing 45. The belt-side screw 49 is rotationally driven by a motor and conveys the waste toner contained in the belt-side housing 45 toward the belt-side discharge port 45A (see the arrow in FIG. 6). The waste toner is discharged from the belt-side discharge port 45A and enters the transport housing 50 through the belt-side introduction pipe 53 (see the arrow in FIG. 7).

The transport screw 51 is rotationally driven by a motor and transports the waste toner that has entered the transport housing 50 toward the transport discharge pipe 54 (see the arrow in FIG. 6). The waste toner that has entered the transport housing 50 enters the cap 33 (collection bottle 61) through the communication port 36 through the transport discharge pipe 54 (see the arrow in FIG. 7).

The container body 32 (conveying rib 34) mounted on the collection side mounting portion 60 is driven by the recovery motor M2 and rotates around an axis (opposite to the container body 32 mounted on the replenishment side mounting portion 30). By rotating the container body 32 (conveying rib 34) around the axis, the waste toner introduced into the container body 32 from the communication port 36 is conveyed from the rear to the front (the other in the axial direction). Further, the transport rib 34 transports the waste toner forward and makes the surface (upper surface) of the stored waste toner uniform.

As described above, the waste toner is collected in the collection bottle 61 (container body 32) (see FIG. 11).

[Detection of accumulated waste toner]
Next, the detection of the accumulated amount of waste toner using the displacement sensor 64 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the waste toner collecting device 13 (when the accumulated amount of waste toner is large). FIG. 11 is a graph showing the waveform signal W0 output by the displacement sensor 64 in each state.

The displacement sensor 64 detects the capacitance according to the accumulated amount of waste toner in the container body 32. Specifically, as the amount of waste toner accumulated in the container body 32 increases, the electric field between the transmitting electrode 70 and the receiving electrode 71 changes (capacitance increases), and a signal corresponding to the capacitance is generated. It is output to the control unit 17.

Here, since the container body 32 rotates about the axis, the waste toner on the bottom surface of the container body 32 is lifted as the container body 32 rotates (see the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 9 and 10). After that, it collapses due to its own weight (slides down along the inner peripheral surface of the container body 32). As the rotation of the container body 32 continues, the waste toner repeatedly rises and falls in the container body 32 (see the arrows shown by the alternate long and short dash lines in FIGS. 9 and 10). In this way, since the waste toner vibrates in the circumferential direction inside the container body 32, the displacement sensor 64 outputs a waveform signal W1 indicating a capacitance that changes periodically due to the vibrating waste toner (FIGS. 9 and 9). See the lower graph in FIG. 10). Note that the lower graphs of FIGS. 9 and 10 do not include the capacitance of the container body 32.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the accumulated amount of waste toner is small (the accumulated amount is close to 0%), the accumulated waste toner easily moves to the container body 32 and does not easily collapse. In this case, the period of the waveform signal W1 is slow and the amplitude is large. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the accumulated amount of waste toner is large (the accumulated amount is close to 100%), the accumulated waste toner is difficult to be carried around to the container body 32 and easily collapses. In this case, the period of the waveform signal W1 is fast and the amplitude is small. The waveform signal W1 is a substantially sine wave, but in a state where waste toner is not accumulated inside the container body 32 (empty state described later), the waveform signal W1 output by the displacement sensor 64 is a substantially linear shape that does not vibrate. (See FIG. 11). Similarly, the waveform signal W1 becomes a substantially linear signal even when the inside of the container body 32 is full of waste toner (full state described later) (see FIG. 11). That is, when the container body 32 is empty and full, the displacement sensor 64 outputs the waveform signal W1 whose amplitude is substantially zero.

Further, since the displacement sensor 64 is arranged to face the recovery bottle 61, the electric field between the transmission electrode 70 and the reception electrode 71 changes depending on the presence or absence of the recovery bottle 61 in the recovery side mounting portion 60. That is, the displacement sensor 64 also detects the capacitance of the container body 32 itself regardless of the amount of waste toner accumulated in the collection bottle 61. As shown in FIG. 8, since the transport groove 34G is spirally recessed on the outer peripheral surface of the container body 32, the transport groove 34G detects the displacement sensor 64 while drawing a wave shape as the container body 32 rotates. Move within range D1. If the transport groove 34G rotating together with the container body 32 repeatedly moves out of the detection range D1 and enters the detection range D1, the electric field between the transmission electrode 70 and the reception electrode 71 changes. Therefore, the displacement sensor 64 is a waveform signal obtained by adding the waveform signal W1 corresponding to the vibration of the waste toner and the waveform signal corresponding to the rotation of the transport groove 34G (see the two-dot chain line in the lower graph of FIG. 8). (Not shown) will be output. The lower graph of FIG. 8 does not include the capacitance of waste toner.

On the other hand, in the first embodiment, since one pitch of the transport groove 34G is set as the detection range D1, even if the container body 32 rotates, one pitch of the transport groove 34G always keeps entering the detection range D1. .. Since the transport groove 34G does not repeatedly move in and out of the detection range D1, the change in the electric field between the transmission electrode 70 and the reception electrode 71 is suppressed. As a result, the output of the displacement sensor 64 that detects the capacitance of the rotating container body 32 becomes substantially constant (see the solid line in the lower graph of FIG. 8). Therefore, the displacement sensor 64 is a waveform signal W0 (a substantially constant signal) obtained by adding a waveform signal W1 corresponding to the vibration of waste toner and a waveform signal W2 (a substantially constant signal) corresponding to the rotation of the transport groove 34G (container body 32). (See FIG. 11) will be output. Therefore, the fluctuation of the waveform signal W0 (substantially sine wave) obtained by adding the two signals is close to the waveform signal W1 corresponding to the vibration of the waste toner, and represents the vibration of the waste toner.

The control unit 17 detects the accumulated amount of waste toner contained in the container body 32 based on the value (capacitance value), amplitude, and period of the waveform signal W0. The value of the waveform signal W0 is a capacitance value set by the user according to a predetermined reference in the waveform signal W0, such as the maximum value, the minimum value, or the median value (average value) of the waveform signal W0.

In the memory of the control unit 17, various parameters (data) indicating an empty state, a near empty state, a near full state, and a full state are stored in advance. The empty state is a state in which the collection bottle 61 (container body 32) is empty (accumulation amount ≈ 0%). The near empty state is a state in which the collection bottle 61 is almost empty (for example, the accumulated amount = about 10 to 20%). The near-full state is a state in which the collection bottle 61 is almost full (for example, the accumulated amount = about 80 to 90%). The full state is a state in which the collection bottle 61 is full (accumulated amount ≈100%). The memory of the control unit 17 stores four capacitance values indicating four states, a period and amplitude of the waveform signal W0 indicating the near empty state, and a period and amplitude of the waveform signal W0 indicating the near full state. (See FIG. 11 for the waveform signal W0 in each state). These various parameters (value, period, amplitude of waveform signal W0) are obtained experimentally. Since there is no waste toner in the empty state, the amplitude of the waveform signal W0 of the displacement sensor 64 becomes substantially zero (see FIG. 11). Further, since the waste toner is less likely to vibrate in the full state, the amplitude of the waveform signal W0 of the displacement sensor 64 becomes substantially zero (see FIG. 11). For these reasons, the period and amplitude of the waveform signal W0 are not set in the empty state and the full state.

The control unit 17 periodically receives the waveform signal W0 from the displacement sensor 64 and temporarily stores it in the memory. The control unit 17 (processor) compares the waveform signal W0 with various parameters stored in the memory in advance, and determines the state (accumulated amount of waste toner) of the collection bottle 61 (container body 32). The interval (sampling rate) for receiving the waveform signal W0 from the displacement sensor 64 can be freely set.

For example, when the value of the waveform signal W0 indicates an empty state and the amplitude and period of the waveform signal W0 are substantially zero, the control unit 17 (processor) has an empty collection bottle 61 (container body 32) (empty state). ). Further, when all the values, amplitudes, and cycles of the waveform signal W0 show a near empty state, the control unit 17 determines that the collection bottle 61 has sufficient space (near empty state). When the control unit 17 determines that the image is in the empty state or the near empty state, the control unit 17 permits the execution (continuation) of the image formation process.

When all the values, amplitudes, and cycles of the waveform signal W0 show a near-full state, the control unit 17 determines that the collection bottle 61 is low in empty space (near-full state). In this case, the control unit 17 permits the execution (continuation) of the image forming process, but for example, displays a message on the touch panel notifying that the replacement time of the collection bottle 61 is approaching.

When the value of the waveform signal W0 indicates a full state and the amplitude and period of the waveform signal W0 are substantially zero, the control unit 17 determines that the collection bottle 61 is full (full state) and executes the image formation process. Is prohibited. Then, the control unit 17 displays, for example, a message on the touch panel prompting that the collection bottle 61 is full or that the collection bottle 61 is replaced. When replacing the full collection bottle 61, the user opens the collection cover 62, grasps the grip portion G, pulls out the collection bottle 61 toward the front, and separates the collection bottle 61 from the collection side mounting portion 60. As the collection bottle 61 is pulled out, the shutter is urged rearward by a spring (not shown) to close the communication port 36.

For example, when the value of the waveform signal W0 indicates a full state, but the amplitude and period of the waveform signal W0 indicate a near full state, and the control unit 17 cannot determine the state, the control unit 17 may, for example, set a predetermined time. After the lapse of time, the waveform signal W0 is received from the displacement sensor 64 again, and the above comparison / determination is re-executed. If the control unit 17 cannot determine the state even after re-execution, for example, the image forming apparatus 1 is stopped, and a message indicating that maintenance is required because the accumulated amount of waste toner cannot be detected is displayed on the touch panel.

[Detection of rotation of container body]
As described above, the waste toner in the container body 32 is conveyed in the direction away from the communication port 36 (forward) by rotating the container body 32 (conveying rib 34) around the axis. If the waste toner is sent in a state where the container body 32 is not rotating, the waste toner may be clogged in the vicinity of the communication port 36. Therefore, it is important to detect that the container body 32 is rotating.

As a method of detecting the rotation of the container body 32, it is conceivable to provide a dedicated sensor for detecting the rotation of the container body 32, but there are problems such as the installation space for the dedicated sensor cannot be secured and the cost increases. is there. Further, as another rotation detection method of the container body 32, a dedicated sensor for detecting the rotation of the recovery motor M2 (DC motor with a brush) is provided, or the recovery motor M2 is changed to a stepping motor or the like whose angle can be controlled. It is possible, but both have problems of increased installation space and cost. Therefore, in the waste toner collecting device 13 according to the first embodiment, the displacement sensor 64 for detecting the accumulated amount of waste toner is used (also used) for detecting the rotation of the container body 32.

The control unit 17 detects the rotation of the container body 32 based on the amplitude of the waveform signal W0. As described above, the waveform signal W0 output from the displacement sensor 64 represents waste toner that vibrates in the circumferential direction inside the container body 32. Therefore, if the amplitude can be detected in the waveform signal W0, the container body 32 is rotating. For example, when the control unit 17 detects an amplitude of a predetermined value or more in the received waveform signal W0, it determines that the container body 32 is rotating, and permits execution (continuation) of the image formation process. In the empty state or the full state, the amplitude of the waveform signal W0 becomes substantially zero, so that the rotation detection of the container body 32 is omitted.

In the waste toner collecting device 13 according to the first embodiment described above, the detection range D1 of the displacement sensor 64 faces one pitch of the transport groove 34G, and the accumulated amount of waste toner contained in the container body 32 is determined. The configuration is such that the waveform signal W0 is detected based on the value, amplitude, and period. According to this configuration, the waveform signal W2 (periodic change in capacitance value) corresponding to the rotation of the transport groove 34G (container body 32) can be substantially eliminated, and the waveform signal corresponding to the vibration of the waste toner can be eliminated. The accumulated amount of waste toner can be appropriately detected based on W0. Further, since the accumulated amount of waste toner can be determined by referring to a plurality of parameters (value, amplitude, period of waveform signal W0), the accumulated amount of waste toner is detected only based on the value of waveform signal W0. Compared with the case, the accumulated amount of waste toner can be detected more accurately.

Further, the waste toner collecting device 13 according to the first embodiment has a configuration in which the rotation of the container body 32 is detected based on the waveform signal W0. According to this configuration, it can be determined that the container body 32 is rotating by detecting the amplitude of the waveform signal W0. As a result, the rotation of the container body 32 can also be detected by using the displacement sensor 64 that detects the accumulated amount of waste toner. As a result, the size and cost of the waste toner collecting device 13 can be reduced as compared with the case where a dedicated sensor for detecting the rotation of the container body 32 is provided.

In the waste toner collecting device 13 according to the first embodiment, the detection range D1 of the displacement sensor 64 faces one pitch of the transport groove 34G, but the present invention is not limited to this. The displacement sensor 64 may set the detection range D1 in a range obtained by multiplying the pitch of the transport groove 34G by an integral multiple.

Further, in the waste toner recovery device 13 according to the first embodiment, the control unit 17 determines the accumulated amount of waste toner (state of the recovery bottle 61) by referring to all the values, amplitudes, and cycles of the waveform signal W0. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 17 may detect the accumulated amount of waste toner based on at least one of the value of the waveform signal W0 and the amplitude and period of the waveform signal W0.

In the waste toner recovery device 13 according to the first embodiment, the front side of the receiving electrode 71 faces the rail holding member 11, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the rear side of the receiving electrode 71 and the entire receiving electrode 71 are rails. It may be arranged so as to face the holding member 11 (not shown). Further, the receiving electrode 71 faces the rail holding member 11, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the receiving electrode 71 and the transmitting electrode 70 may be exchanged so that the transmitting electrode 70 faces the rail holding member 11 (FIG. FIG. Not shown). That is, the rail holding member 11 may be arranged so as to face at least a part of the displacement sensor 64. Further, the transmission / reception electrodes 70 and 71 of the displacement sensor 64 are arranged so as to face each other in the left-right direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, they may be arranged so as to face each other in the vertical direction (not shown).

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the waste toner recovery device 80 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a side view showing the collection bottle 61 and the displacement sensor 65 of the waste toner collection device 80. In the following description, the same components as those of the waste toner recovery device 13 according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the same description will be omitted.

In the waste toner collecting device 80 according to the second embodiment, the displacement sensors 65 (transmitting electrode 70, receiving electrode 71) are arranged so as to face the half pitch of the transport groove 34G. That is, the displacement sensor 65 is arranged so that the half pitch of the transport groove 34G is the detection range D2 (the range surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 12).

[Detection of accumulated waste toner]
Next, the detection of the accumulated amount of waste toner using the displacement sensor 65 will be described.

Since the detection range D2 of the displacement sensor 65 faces the half pitch of the transport groove 34G, the transport groove 34G rotating together with the container body 32 repeatedly moves in and out of the detection range D2. Therefore, the electric field between the transmitting electrode 70 and the receiving electrode 71 changes, and the displacement sensor 65 is periodically driven by the waste toner that vibrates in the circumferential direction inside the container body 32 and the transport groove 34G that rotates integrally with the container body 32. A waveform signal W0 (not shown in FIG. 12) indicating the capacitance changing to is output. That is, the displacement sensor 65 has a waveform signal W1 corresponding to the vibration of the waste toner (see the graph on the lower right side of FIG. 12) and a waveform signal W3 corresponding to the rotation of the transport groove 34G (see the graph on the lower left side of FIG. 12). ) And the waveform signal W0 is output. The waveform signal W3 is a substantially sine wave.

The control unit 17 (processor) Fourier transforms the received waveform signal W0, and the vibration frequency component W10 of the waste toner vibrating inside the container body 32 and the rotation frequency component W30 of the transport groove 34G that rotates integrally with the container body 32. (See the lower graph in FIG. 12 for both). The vibration frequency component W10 is substantially the same as the waveform signal W1, and the rotation frequency component W30 is substantially the same as the waveform signal W3.

The control unit 17 (processor) detects the accumulated amount of waste toner contained in the container body 32 based on the vibration frequency component W10. Specifically, the accumulated amount of waste toner contained in the container body 32 is calculated based on the value (capacitance value), amplitude, and period of the vibration frequency component W10. The value of the vibration frequency component W10 is a capacitance value set by the user in the vibration frequency component W10 according to a predetermined standard, such as the maximum value, the minimum value, or the median value (average value) of the vibration frequency component W10. is there.

The memory of the control unit 17 contains four capacitance values indicating four states, a period and amplitude of the vibration frequency component W10 indicating the near empty state, and a period and amplitude of the vibration frequency component W10 indicating the near full state. It is remembered. As in the first embodiment, in the empty state and the full state, the amplitude of the vibration frequency component W10 of the displacement sensor 64 becomes substantially zero, so that the period and the amplitude are not set.

The control unit 17 (processor) compares the vibration frequency component W10 with various parameters stored in the memory, and determines the state (accumulated amount of waste toner) of the collection bottle 61 (container body 32). For example, when the value of the vibration frequency component W10 indicates an empty state and the amplitude and period of the vibration frequency component W10 are substantially zero, the control unit 17 (processor) determines that the collection bottle 61 is empty (empty state). To do. Further, when all the values, amplitudes, and cycles of the vibration frequency component W10 show a near empty state, the control unit 17 determines that the recovery bottle 61 has sufficient space (near empty state). When all the values, amplitudes, and cycles of the vibration frequency component W10 show a near-full state, the control unit 17 determines that the collection bottle 61 is low in empty space (near-full state). When the value of the vibration frequency component W10 indicates a full state and the amplitude and period of the vibration frequency component W10 are substantially zero, the control unit 17 determines that the collection bottle 61 is full (full state). The procedure for re-determination (re-execution) is the same as that of the waste toner recovery device 13 according to the first embodiment.

[Detection of rotation of container body]
The waste toner recovery device 80 according to the second embodiment detects the rotation of the container body 32 by the same logic and method as the waste toner recovery device 13 according to the first embodiment. That is, the control unit 17 detects the rotation of the container body 32 based on the amplitude of the vibration frequency component W10 (by detecting the amplitude).

[Adjustment of rotation speed of container body]
By the way, in order to properly convey the waste toner inside the container body 32, it is desirable to rotate the container body 32 while maintaining a predetermined rotation speed (cycle). However, as the accumulated amount of waste toner increases, the weight of the container body 32 gradually increases, so that the rotation speed of the recovery motor M2 (output shaft) gradually decreases. Therefore, when the accumulated amount of waste toner is increased, the cycle of the container body 32 becomes slower (longer) than the specified value, and there is a possibility that the waste toner cannot be properly conveyed. Therefore, in the waste toner collecting device 80 according to the second embodiment, the displacement sensor 65 for detecting the accumulated amount of waste toner is used (combined) for detecting the cycle (rotational speed) of the container body 32, and the displacement sensor 65 is used (combined). The detection result is used for adjusting the rotation speed of the container body 32.

A specified value of the cycle of the container body 32 is stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 17. The "specified cycle value" is a cycle in which waste toner can be appropriately conveyed inside the container body 32, and is experimentally obtained. Further, in the memory of the control unit 17, a standard voltage value applied to the recovery motor M2, an additional value to be added to the standard voltage value, and a working voltage range of the recovery motor M2 are stored in advance. The “standard voltage value” means, for example, that the recovery motor M2 can rotate the container body 32 in which the accumulated amount of waste toner is about 50% at a predetermined cycle, and is set within the working voltage range of the recovery motor M2. It is a voltage value and is obtained experimentally. Further, the "additional value" is a voltage value that is sufficiently smaller than the standard voltage value and can increase the rotation speed of the recovery motor M2, and is experimentally obtained.

The control unit 17 (processor) calculates (detects) the cycle of the rotation frequency component W30, and compares the cycle of the rotation frequency component W30 with the specified value of the cycle stored in the memory. As a result, when the period of the rotation frequency component W30 is equal to or less than the specified value, the control unit 17 drives and controls the recovery motor M2 with the currently set voltage value. On the other hand, when the period of the rotation frequency component W30 exceeds the specified value, the control unit 17 drives and controls the recovery motor M2 with a corrected voltage value (standard voltage value <corrected voltage value) obtained by adding an additional value to the standard voltage value. .. The control unit 17 repeats the process of adding an additional value to the standard voltage value until the period of the rotation frequency component W30 becomes equal to or less than the specified value, provided that the corrected voltage value does not exceed the working voltage range of the recovery motor M2.

When the recovery motor M2 is driven at the corrected voltage value, the rotation speed of the recovery motor M2 is higher than when the recovery motor M2 is driven at the standard voltage value. As a result, the cycle of the container body 32 becomes faster (shorter), and the container body 32 is maintained at a rotation speed that can ensure proper transfer of waste toner.

In the waste toner collecting device 80 according to the second embodiment described above, the detection range D2 of the displacement sensor 65 faces the half pitch of the transport groove 34G, and the displacement sensor 65 has a waveform signal corresponding to the vibration of the waste toner. The waveform signal W0, which is the sum of W1 and the waveform signal W3 corresponding to the rotation of the transport groove 34G, was output. By Fourier transforming this waveform signal W0, the vibration frequency component W10 of the waste toner can be separated, and the accumulated amount of the waste toner can be appropriately detected based on the vibration frequency component W10. Further, since the accumulated amount of waste toner can be determined by referring to a plurality of parameters (value, amplitude, period of vibration frequency component W10), the accumulated amount of waste toner is determined only based on the value of the vibration frequency component W10. Compared with the case of detection, the accumulated amount of waste toner can be detected more accurately.

Further, in the waste toner collecting device 80 according to the second embodiment, it can be determined that the container body 32 is rotating by detecting the amplitude of the vibration frequency component W10 corresponding to the vibration of the waste toner. As a result, the displacement sensor 65 that detects the accumulated amount of waste toner can also be used for detecting the rotation of the container body 32.

Further, in the waste toner recovery device 80 according to the second embodiment, the rotation speed of the container body 32 is adjusted based on the cycle of the rotation frequency component W30. According to this configuration, even if the accumulated amount of waste toner increases and the cycle of the container body 32 becomes slow (the rotation speed decreases) due to the weight thereof, the cycle can be returned to the specified value. As a result, it is possible to continue to apply an appropriate conveying force to the waste toner from the rotating conveying rib 34.

In the waste toner recovery device 80 according to the second embodiment, the detection range D2 of the displacement sensor 65 faces the half pitch of the transport groove 34G, but the present invention is not limited to this. The displacement sensor 65 may have a detection range D2 in which the pitch of the transport groove 34G is multiplied by a real number other than an integer.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, the waste toner recovery device 81 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a side view showing the collection bottle 61 and the displacement sensor 66 of the waste toner collection device 81. In the following description, the same components as those of the waste toner recovery devices 13 and 80 according to the first to second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the same description will be omitted.

In the waste toner collecting device 81 according to the third embodiment, the displacement sensors 66 (transmitting electrode 70, receiving electrode 71) face the transport groove 34G and are arranged in an inclined posture along the transport groove 34G. That is, the displacement sensor 66 is arranged so that the range inclined along the opposing transport groove 34G is the detection range D3 (the range surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 13).

[Detection of accumulated waste toner]
Since the detection range D3 of the displacement sensor 66 is inclined along the transport groove 34G, the transport groove 34G rotating together with the container body 32 repeatedly moves in and out of the detection range D3. Specifically, the displacement sensor 66 alternately repeats a state of facing the transport groove 34G and a state of facing the peripheral surface of the container body 32 without the transport groove 34G. Therefore, the waveform signal W4 corresponding to the rotation of the transport groove 34G becomes a substantially rectangular wave. Similar to the waste toner recovery device 80 according to the second embodiment, the displacement sensor 66 adds the waveform signal W1 (see the graph on the lower right side of FIG. 13) and the waveform signal W4 (see the graph on the lower left side of FIG. 13). The combined waveform signal W0 (not shown in FIG. 13) is output.

The control unit 17 Fourier transforms the received waveform signal W0 and separates it into a vibration frequency component W10 and a rotation frequency component W40. (Refer to the graph on the lower side of FIG. 13) The vibration frequency component W10 is substantially the same as the waveform signal W1, and the rotation frequency component W40 is substantially the same as the waveform signal W4. The control unit 17 (processor) detects the accumulated amount of waste toner contained in the container body 32 based on the vibration frequency component W10. Since the specific detection method is the same as that of the waste toner recovery device 80 according to the second embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Further, in the waste toner recovery device 81 according to the third embodiment, the rotation of the container body 32 is detected based on the amplitude of the vibration frequency component W10, and the rotation speed of the container body 32 is adjusted based on the cycle of the rotation frequency component W40. Will be done. Since these specific detection methods are the same as those of the waste toner recovery device 80 according to the second embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to the waste toner collecting device 81 according to the third embodiment described above, the accumulated amount of waste toner can be appropriately detected, and the rotation of the container body 32 and the rotation speed of the container body 32 can be detected. It is possible to obtain the same effect as the waste toner recovery device 80 according to the second embodiment.

In the waste toner recovery devices 80 and 81 according to the second to third embodiments, the control unit 17 refers to all the values, amplitudes, and cycles of the vibration frequency component W10, and the accumulated amount of waste toner (recovery bottle). 61) has been determined, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 17 may detect the accumulated amount of waste toner based on at least one of the value of the vibration frequency component W10 and the amplitude and period of the vibration frequency component W10.

Further, in the waste toner recovery devices 80 and 81 according to the second to third embodiments, the rotation of the container body 32 is detected based on the amplitude of the vibration frequency component W10, but the rotation frequency component W30 is not limited to this. , The rotation of the container body 32 may be detected based on the amplitude of W40.

Further, in the waste toner recovery devices 80 and 81 according to the second to third embodiments, the control unit 17 calculates the cycles of the rotation frequency components W30 and W40 and adjusts the rotation speed of the container body 32 (recovery motor M2). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a specified value of the rotation speed of the container body 32 is stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 17, and the control unit 17 stores the rotation speed of the container body 32 from the period of the rotation frequency components W30 and W40 and the outer peripheral length of the container body 32. May be calculated and the rotation speed and the specified value may be compared / determined. Further, in the waste toner recovery devices 80 and 81 according to the second to third embodiments, the rotation speed of the container body 32 is adjusted by increasing the voltage applied to the recovery motor M2, but the present invention is limited to this. Not done. For example, even if the power transmission mechanism provided between the recovery motor M2 and the transmission gear 35 has a transmission (not shown) and the rotation speed (cycle) of the container body 32 is adjusted by the function of the transmission. Good.

In the waste toner collecting devices 13, 80, 81 according to the first to third embodiments, the transmitting electrode 70 and the receiving electrode 71 of the displacement sensors 64 to 66 face each other in the left-right direction with the container body 32 interposed therebetween. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the displacement sensor 67 may have a transmitting electrode 70 and a receiving electrode 71 mounted vertically side by side on one substrate 67A (modification example). In FIG. 14, as an example, the transmitting electrode 70 is arranged on the lower side of the substrate 67A and the receiving electrode 71 is arranged on the upper side of the substrate 67A. Good. Further, although the displacement sensor 67 is arranged on the right side of the container body 32, it may be arranged on the left side (not shown). Further, the transmitting electrode 70 and the receiving electrode 71 may be mounted on one substrate 67A side by side in the left-right direction (not shown). The same structure as the displacement sensor 67 may be adopted for the remaining amount confirmation sensor of the toner replenishing device 12.

In the first to third embodiments (including a modified example, the same applies hereinafter), the displacement sensors 64 to 67 are not in contact with the rail holding member 11, but for example, the displacement sensors 64 to 67 are the rail holding members. It may be in contact with 11. Further, in order to ensure smooth rotation of the container body 32 and the like, the displacement sensors 64 to 67 were not in contact with the collection bottle 61, but they may be in contact with each other.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the first to third embodiments described above, the features of the invention have been applied to the waste toner recovery device 13, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As another example of the container mounting device, the features of the present invention may be applied to the toner replenishing device 12 (fourth embodiment (not shown)). That is, the remaining amount confirmation sensor for detecting the remaining amount of the toner bottle 31 (replenishment toner) may be used for detecting the rotation of the container body 32 and adjusting the rotation speed. The features of the present invention may be adopted in both the toner replenishment device 12 and the waste toner recovery devices 13, 80, 81.

The waste toner collecting devices 13, 80, 81 according to the first to third embodiments and the toner replenishing device 12 according to the fourth embodiment were controlled by the control unit 17 provided in the image forming apparatus 1. , The present invention is not limited to this. In addition to the control unit 17, a dedicated control unit for controlling the waste toner collection device 13, 80, 81 and / and the toner replenishment device 12 may be provided (not shown).

Further, in the description of the first to fourth embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 1 (color printer) is shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a monochrome printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile. Alternatively, the present invention may be applied to a multifunction device or the like.

The description of the above embodiment shows one aspect of the container mounting device and the image forming device according to the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The present invention may be variously modified, replaced or modified without departing from the spirit of the technical idea, and the claims include all embodiments that may be included within the scope of the technical idea.

1 Image forming device 12 Toner replenishing device (container mounting device)
13, 80, 81 Waste toner recovery device (container mounting device)
30 Replenishment side mounting part (mounting part)
31 Toner bottle (toner container)
32 Container body 34 Transport rib 34G Transport groove 60 Recovery side mounting part (mounting part)
61 Recovery bottle (toner container)
64, 65, 66, 67 Displacement sensor W0, W1, W2, W3, W4 Waveform signal W10 Vibration frequency component W30, W40 Conversion frequency component

Claims (8)

A toner container having a cylindrically formed container body capable of accommodating toner, and
A mounting portion that supports the container body that is rotated around an axis, and a mounting portion that supports the container body.
A displacement sensor, which is arranged to face the container body and detects a capacitance according to the amount of the toner contained in the container body, is provided.
On the peripheral wall of the container body, a transport rib that protrudes inward in the radial direction is spirally formed by denting the transport groove in a spiral shape.
The displacement sensor sets a range in which the pitch of the transport groove is an integral multiple, and outputs a waveform signal indicating the capacitance which is periodically changed by the toner vibrating in the circumferential direction inside the container body. And
A container mounting device, characterized in that the amount of the toner contained in the container body is detected based on at least one of the value of the waveform signal and the amplitude and period of the waveform signal. The container mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the container body is detected based on the amplitude of the waveform signal. A toner container having a cylindrically formed container body capable of accommodating toner, and
A mounting portion that supports the container body that is rotated around an axis, and a mounting portion that supports the container body.
A displacement sensor, which is arranged to face the container body and detects a capacitance according to the amount of the toner contained in the container body, is provided.
On the peripheral wall of the container body, a transport rib that protrudes inward in the radial direction is spirally formed by denting the transport groove in a spiral shape.
The displacement sensor has a detection range in which the pitch of the transport groove is multiplied by a real number other than an integer, and the toner vibrates in the circumferential direction inside the container body and the transport groove rotates integrally with the container body. A waveform signal indicating the capacitance that changes periodically is output, and the waveform signal is output.
The waveform signal is Fourier transformed and separated into a vibration frequency component of the toner that vibrates inside the container body and a rotation frequency component of the transport groove that rotates integrally with the container body.
A container mounting device characterized in that the amount of the toner contained in the container body is detected based on the vibration frequency component. A toner container having a cylindrically formed container body capable of accommodating toner, and
A mounting portion that supports the container body that is rotated around an axis, and a mounting portion that supports the container body.
A displacement sensor, which is arranged to face the container body and detects a capacitance according to the amount of the toner contained in the container body, is provided.
On the peripheral wall of the container body, a transport rib that protrudes inward in the radial direction is spirally formed by denting the transport groove in a spiral shape.
The displacement sensor has a detection range in a range inclined along the opposite transport groove, and is periodically generated by the toner vibrating in the circumferential direction inside the container body and the transport groove rotating integrally with the container body. Outputs a waveform signal indicating the changing capacitance,
The waveform signal is Fourier transformed and separated into a vibration frequency component of the toner that vibrates inside the container body and a rotation frequency component of the transport groove that rotates integrally with the container body.
A container mounting device characterized in that the amount of the toner contained in the container body is detected based on the vibration frequency component. According to claim 3 or 4, the amount of the toner contained in the container body is detected based on at least one of the value of the vibration frequency component and the amplitude and period of the vibration frequency component. The container mounting device described. The container mounting device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the rotation of the container body is detected based on the amplitude of the vibration frequency component or the amplitude of the rotation frequency component. The container mounting device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the rotation speed of the container body is adjusted based on the period of the rotation frequency component. An image forming apparatus comprising the container mounting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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