JP2022064598A - Developer supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

To further improve a contraction movement and an extension movement of a pump unit to stabilize the amount of developer discharged from a discharge port of a developer supply container even when the bulk density of developer in the vicinity of the discharge port is higher than expected.SOLUTION: A control unit controls a driving unit so as to stop a developer storage unit at any one position of a first stop position at which a contraction movement of a pump unit is performed earlier than the timing to start the rotation of the developer storage unit and a second stop position at which an extension movement of the pump unit is performed earlier than the timing to start the rotation of the developer storage unit, and in making a transition from a first mode for stopping the developer storage unit at the first stop position for the timing to start the rotation of the developer storage unit to a second mode for stopping the developer storage unit at the second stop position for the timing to start the rotation of the developer storage unit, controls the driving unit so as to stop the drive of a developer supply container for a predetermined time longer than the intermittent driving time of the developer supply container, and subsequently stop the developer storage unit at the second stop position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

The present invention relates to a developer replenishment system including a developer replenishment device and a removable developer replenishment container.

Conventionally, a fine powder developer has been used in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine. In such an image forming apparatus, the developing agent consumed by the image forming is replenished from the developing agent replenishing container.

As such a conventional developer supply container, for example, there is one in Patent Document 1. The developer supply container described in Patent Document 1 employs a drive conversion mechanism that converts a rotational drive force input from an image forming apparatus into a force for expanding and contracting a volume-variable pump unit. Therefore, when the pump portion is contracted, the volume inside the developer supply container is reduced, and the inside of the developer supply container is in a pressurized state, so that the developer can be discharged from the discharge port. When the pump portion is extended, the volume inside the developer replenishment container increases, and the inside of the developer replenishment container is in a reduced pressure state, so that air outside the developer replenishment container can be taken in from the discharge port.

Further, in the developer replenishment container described in Patent Document 1, a rotational driving force is input from the image forming apparatus to the developer replenishing container, and the pump unit performs a predetermined stretching operation and contracting operation in order, and then stops the rotational driving force. Let me. With this configuration, the pump unit provided in the developer replenishment container can be appropriately operated so that a predetermined volume can be changed. Therefore, the developer contained in the developer replenishment container can be moved by changing the volume of the pump unit. It is configured so that it can be discharged appropriately.

If the pump unit repeatedly performs a predetermined expansion / contraction operation in a short time, the developer near the discharge port is repeatedly unraveled (fluidized) by the expansion operation, so that the expansion / contraction operation is not performed for a long time. The bulk density is lower. As a result, a large amount of the developer near the discharge port flows into the discharge port, so that the developer is discharged from the discharge port even after the pump unit stops the contraction operation, and the amount of the developer discharged increases. It ends up.

As a countermeasure, after the developer is discharged by the contraction operation of the pump part, the pump part performs the expansion operation to suppress the developer that flows into the discharge port by taking in air from the discharge port. can. That is, even if a predetermined expansion / contraction operation is repeatedly performed in a short time, by performing the operation of the pump unit in the order of the contraction operation and the expansion operation, it is possible to suppress the discharge of a large amount of the developer from the discharge port. can.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-174386

The present invention further improves the above-mentioned contraction operation and extension operation, so that even if the bulk density of the developer near the discharge port of the developer supply container is higher than expected, the developer is discharged from the discharge port. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developer replenishment system capable of stabilizing the amount of the developer to be processed.

In order to achieve the above object, the developer replenishment system according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, in a developer supply system having a developer supply device and a developer supply container that can be attached to and detached from the developer supply device, the developer supply container rotates with a developer storage unit that stores the developer. A rotatable drive receiving unit that receives a drive, a transport unit that conveys the developer in the developer accommodating unit with the rotation of the drive receiving unit, and a discharge port that discharges the developer conveyed by the transport unit. A developer discharge chamber provided with a The developer replenishing device includes a drive conversion unit that converts the force into an operating force of the pump unit, and a detection unit that stops the expansion / contraction operation of the pump unit by a detection unit provided in the developer replenishing device. Has a mounting unit for detachably mounting the developing agent replenishing container, a developing agent receiving unit for receiving the developing agent from the discharging port, a driving unit for applying a driving force to the driving receiving unit, and the detected unit. The detection unit for detecting and a control unit for controlling the operation of the drive unit based on the detection signal of the detection unit in order to control the stop position of the developer accommodating unit are included. The first stop position where the contraction operation of the pump unit is performed first with respect to the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started, and the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started of the pump portion. With respect to the timing at which the drive unit is controlled so that the developer accommodating portion is stopped at one of the second stop position where the stretching operation is first performed and the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started. From the first mode in which the developer accommodating portion is stopped at the first stop position, the developer accommodating portion is stopped at the second stop position with respect to the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started. When shifting to the second mode of processing, the driving of the developing agent replenishing container is stopped for a predetermined time longer than the intermittent driving time of the developing agent replenishing container, and then the developing agent is stopped at the second stop position. It is characterized in that the drive unit is controlled so that the accommodating unit is stopped.

In order to achieve the above object, the developer replenishment system according to another aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, in a developer supply system having a developer supply device and a developer supply container that can be attached to and detached from the developer supply device, the developer supply container rotates with a developer storage unit that stores the developer. A rotatable drive receiving unit that receives a drive, a transport unit that conveys the developer in the developer accommodating unit with the rotation of the drive receiving unit, and a discharge port that discharges the developer conveyed by the transport unit. A developer discharge chamber provided with a The developer replenishing device includes a drive conversion unit that converts the force into an operating force of the pump unit, and a detection unit that stops the expansion / contraction operation of the pump unit by a detection unit provided in the developer replenishing device. Has a mounting unit for detachably mounting the developing agent replenishing container, a developing agent receiving unit for receiving the developing agent from the discharging port, a driving unit for applying a driving force to the driving receiving unit, and the detected unit. The detection unit for detecting and a control unit for controlling the operation of the drive unit based on the detection signal of the detection unit in order to control the stop position of the developer accommodating unit are included. The first stop position where the contraction operation of the pump unit is performed first with respect to the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started, and the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started of the pump portion. The drive unit is controlled so that the developer accommodating unit stops at one of the second stop position where the stretching operation is performed first.
From the first mode in which the developer accommodating portion is stopped at the first stop position with respect to the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started, the above-mentioned is performed with respect to the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started. When shifting to the second mode in which the developer accommodating portion is stopped at the second stop position, the drive of the developer supply container is stopped for 3 seconds or longer, and then the developer is stopped at the second stop position. It is characterized in that the drive unit is controlled so that the accommodating unit is stopped.

According to the present invention, the amount of the developer discharged from the discharge port can be stabilized even when the bulk density of the developer near the discharge port of the developer supply container is higher than expected.

It is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of an image forming apparatus. (A) is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer replenishing device, (b) is a perspective view of the mounting portion, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the mounting portion. It is an enlarged sectional view which shows the developer supply container and the developer supply apparatus. (A) is a perspective view showing the developer replenishment container according to the present embodiment, (b) is a partially enlarged view showing the state around the discharge port, and (c) is a developer replenishment container attached to the mounting portion of the developer replenishment device. It is a front view which shows the wearing state. (A) is a cross-sectional perspective view of the developer replenishment container, (b) is a partial cross-sectional view in which the pump portion is maximally extended in use, and (c) is a portion in which the pump portion is maximally contracted in use. It is a cross-sectional view. (A) is a perspective view of a blade used in a device for measuring fluidity energy, and (b) is a schematic view of the device. It is a graph which showed the relationship between the diameter of the discharge port and the discharge amount. (A) is a partial view of a state in which the pump portion is maximally extended in use, (b) is a partial view of a state in which the pump portion is maximally contracted in use, and (c) is a partial view of the pump portion. It is a developed view which shows the cam groove shape of a developer supply container. It is a perspective view which shows the transport member of a developer supply container. (A) is a perspective view showing a flange portion of a developer supply container, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a flange portion of the developer supply container. (A) is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer replenishment container and the developer replenishing device in the state where the pump part according to the first embodiment is in the stopped operation state, and (b) is the developer in the state where the pump part according to the first embodiment is in the intake process start state. It is a partial cross-sectional view of a replenishment container and a developer replenishment device. It is a developed view of the cam groove shape which shows the transition of each developer supply process which concerns on Example 1. FIG. (A) is a graph showing the pressure transition in the developer replenishment container in the normal discharge sequence according to Example 1, and (b) is required during the developer replenishment step of the developer replenishment container in the normal discharge sequence according to Example 1. It is a graph of the emission average with respect to time. (A) is a graph showing the pressure transition in the developer replenishment container in the blockage clearing sequence according to Example 1, and (b) is required during the developer replenishment step of the developer replenishment container in the blockage clearing sequence according to Example 1. It is a graph of the emission average with respect to time. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the developer replenishment process which concerns on this Example. Changes in internal pressure of the developer replenishment container when changing from the normal discharge sequence to the blockage elimination sequence without adjusting the drive interval Changes in internal pressure of the developer replenishment container when changing from the normal discharge sequence to the blockage elimination sequence by adjusting the drive interval Changes in internal pressure of the developer replenishment container when driven in the blockage elimination sequence without adjusting the drive interval Changes in internal pressure of the developer replenishment container when driven by adjusting the drive interval when driven in the blockage elimination sequence

Hereinafter, the developer supply container and the developer supply system according to the present invention will be specifically described. In the following, unless otherwise specified, various configurations of the developer supply container can be replaced with other known configurations having similar functions within the scope of the idea of the invention. That is, unless otherwise specified, there is no intention of limiting the configuration to the developer supply container described in the examples described later.

First, the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described, and then the configurations of the developer replenishing system mounted on the image forming apparatus, that is, the developer replenishing device and the developing agent replenishing container will be described in order.

(Image forming device)
As an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with a developing agent replenishing device to which a developing agent replenishing container (so-called toner cartridge) is detachably attached (removable), a copying machine (electrophotograph image forming apparatus) adopting an electrophotographic method is used. ) Will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, 100 is a copying machine main body (hereinafter, referred to as an image forming apparatus main body or an apparatus main body). Further, 101 is a document and is placed on the platen glass 102. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed by forming an optical image according to the image information of the original on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 104 (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive member) by a plurality of mirrors M of the optical unit 103 and a lens Ln. .. This electrostatic latent image is visualized by a dry-type developer (one-component developer, developing device) 201a using toner (one-component magnetic toner) as a developer (dry powder).

In this example, an example in which a one-component magnetic toner is used as the developer to be replenished from the developer replenishment container 1 will be described, but not only such an example but also a configuration as described later may be used.

Specifically, when a one-component developer that develops using a one-component non-magnetic toner is used, the one-component non-magnetic toner is replenished as a developer. Further, when a two-component developer that develops using a two-component developer in which a magnetic carrier and a non-magnetic toner are mixed is used, the non-magnetic toner is replenished as the developer. In this case, the developer may be configured to supply a magnetic carrier together with the non-magnetic toner.

105 to 108 are cassettes accommodating a recording medium (hereinafter, also referred to as “sheet”) S. Among the sheets S loaded on the cassettes 105 to 108, the optimum cassette is selected based on the information input by the operator (user) from the liquid crystal operation unit of the copying machine or the sheet size of the document 101. Here, the recording medium is not limited to paper, and for example, an OHP sheet or the like can be appropriately used and selected.

Then, one sheet S conveyed by the feeding / separating devices 105A to 108A is conveyed to the resist roller 110 via the conveying unit 109, and the rotation of the photoconductor 104 and the scanning timing of the optical unit 103 are synchronized. Let and transport.

Reference numerals 111 and 112 are a transfer charger and a separate charger. Here, the image of the developer formed on the photoconductor 104 is transferred to the sheet S by the transfer charger 111. Then, the sheet S to which the developer image (toner image) is transferred is separated from the photoconductor 104 by the separation charger 112.

After that, the sheet S transported by the transport unit 113 fixes the developer image on the sheet by heat and pressure in the fixing unit 114, and then passes through the discharge inversion unit 115 in the case of single-sided copying and is discharged. It is discharged to the discharge tray 117 by the roller 116.

Further, in the case of double-sided copying, the sheet S passes through the discharge inversion unit 115, and a part of the sheet S is once discharged to the outside of the device by the discharge roller 116. After that, the end of the sheet S passes through the flapper 118, and the flapper 118 is controlled at the timing when it is still sandwiched by the discharge roller 116, and the discharge roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction to be conveyed into the apparatus again. .. Further, after that, it is conveyed to the resist roller 110 via the refeeding and conveying units 119 and 120, and then discharged to the discharge tray 117 by following the same route as in the case of single-sided copying.

In the apparatus main body 100 having the above configuration, an image forming process device such as a developer 201a as a developing means, a cleaner portion 202 as a cleaning means, and a primary charger 203 as a charging means is installed around the photoconductor 104. .. The developer 201a develops by adhering a developer to an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 104 by the optical unit 103 based on the image information of the original document 101. Further, the primary charger 203 is for uniformly charging the surface of the photoconductor in order to form a desired electrostatic image on the photoconductor 104. Further, the cleaner portion 202 is for removing the developer remaining on the photoconductor 104.

(Developer replenishment device)
Next, the developer replenishing device 201, which is a component of the developer replenishment system, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. Here, FIG. 2A is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer replenishing device 201, FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the mounting portion 10 for mounting the developer replenishing container 1, and FIG. 2C is the mounting portion 10. A cross-sectional view is shown. Further, FIG. 3 shows a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the control system, the developer supply container 1, and the developer supply device 201. As shown in FIG. 1, the developer supply device 201 has a mounting portion (mounting space) 10 to which the developer supply container 1 is detachably (removably) mounted, and a developer discharged from the developer supply container 1. It has a hopper 10a for temporarily storing the hopper and a developing device 201a. As shown in FIG. 2C, the developer supply container 1 is configured to be mounted in the M direction with respect to the mounting portion 10. That is, the developer replenishment container 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 10 so that the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction) substantially coincides with the M direction. The M direction is substantially parallel to the X direction in FIG. 5A, which will be described later. Further, the direction of taking out the developer supply container 1 from the mounting portion 10 is opposite to the M direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the developing device 201a has a developing roller 201f, a stirring member 201c, and feeding members 201d and 201e. Then, the developer replenished from the developer replenishment container 1 is agitated by the stirring member 201c, sent to the developing roller 201f by the feeding members 201d and 201e, and supplied to the photoconductor 104 by the developing roller 201f.

The developing roller 201f has a leak-preventing sheet 201h arranged in contact with the developing roller 201f in order to prevent leakage of the developing agent between the developing blade 201g that regulates the amount of the developing agent coated on the roller and the developing device 201a. Is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the mounting portion 10 is in contact with the flange portion 4 (see FIG. 4A) of the developing agent replenishing container 1 when the developing agent replenishing container 1 is mounted. A rotation direction restricting portion (holding mechanism) 11 for restricting the movement of the flange portion 4 in the rotation direction is provided.

Further, when the developer replenishment container 1 is mounted, the mounting unit 10 communicates with the discharge port (discharge hole) 4a (see FIG. 4B) of the developer replenishment container 1 described later, and is communicated with the developer replenishment container. It has a developer receiving port (developer receiving hole) 13 for receiving the developing agent discharged from 1. Then, the developer is supplied from the discharge port 4a of the developer supply container 1 to the developer 201a through the developer receiving port 13. In this embodiment, the diameter φ of the developer receiving port 13 is set to about 3 mm as a fine port (pinhole) for the purpose of preventing stains due to the developer in the mounting portion 10 as much as possible. There is. The diameter of the developer receiving port may be any diameter as long as the developer can be discharged from the discharge port 4a.

FIG. 3 shows a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the control system, the developer supply container 1, and the developer supply device 201. The developer 201 is provided with a magnetic sensor 201c (developer detection unit) that detects the toner concentration in the developer (toner concentration in the developing device). The control device 600 (control unit, CPU) is configured to control the operation of the drive motor 500 based on the detection result of the magnetic sensor 201c. Although the details will be described later, the control device 600 gives a rotation drive instruction to the drive motor 500 based on the detection result of the magnetic sensor 201c, and the control device 600 gives a rotation drive stop instruction to the drive motor 500 from the detection result of the control unit 600a. It has a configuration (see FIG. 16).

As shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 2 (c), the mounting unit 10 has a drive gear 300 that functions as a drive mechanism (drive unit). The drive gear 300 transmits the rotational drive force from the drive motor 500 (not shown) via the drive gear train, and applies the rotational drive force to the developer replenishment container 1 in the state of being set in the mounting portion 10. It has a function.

(How to install / remove the developer supply container)
Next, a method of attaching / detaching the developer supply container 1 will be described. First, the operator opens the replacement cover and inserts and mounts the developer supply container 1 into the mounting portion 10 of the developer supply device 201. Along with this mounting operation, the flange portion 4 of the developer replenishment container 1 is held and fixed to the developer replenisher device 201.

After that, the operator closes the replacement cover to complete the mounting process. After that, the control device 600 controls the drive motor 500 to rotate the drive gear 300 at an appropriate timing.

On the other hand, when the developer in the developer supply container 1 becomes empty, the operator opens the replacement cover and takes out the developer supply container 1 from the mounting portion 10. Then, by inserting and mounting the new developer replenishment container 1 prepared in advance into the mounting unit 10 and closing the replacement cover, the replacement work from the removal to the remounting of the developer replenishment container 1 is completed.

(Developer supply container)
Next, the configuration of the developer replenishment container 1, which is a component of the developer replenishment system, will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Here, FIG. 4A is an overall perspective view of the developer supply container 1, FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the discharge port 4a of the developer supply container 1, and FIG. 4C is a developer supply container. It is a front view which shows the state which 1 is attached to the attachment part 10. Further, FIG. 5A is a sectional perspective view of the developer replenishment container, FIG. 5B is a partial sectional view in a state where the pump portion is maximally extended for use, and FIG. 5C is a partial cross-sectional view for the pump portion to be used at maximum. It is a partial sectional view of the contracted state.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the developer supply container 1 has a developer storage unit 2 (also referred to as a container body) which is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and has an internal space for storing the developer. There is. In this example, the cylindrical portion 2k, the discharge portion 4c (see FIG. 3), and the pump portion 3a (see FIG. 3) function as the developer accommodating portion 2. Further, the developer supply container 1 has a flange portion 4 (also referred to as a non-rotating portion) on one end side in the longitudinal direction (developer material transport direction) of the developer accommodating portion 2. Further, the cylindrical portion 2k is configured to be rotatable relative to the flange portion 4. The cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical portion 2k may be a non-circular shape as long as it does not affect the rotational operation in the developer replenishment step. For example, an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape may be adopted.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the total length L1 of the cylindrical portion 2k functioning as the developer accommodating chamber is about 460 mm, and the region where the discharge portion 4c functioning as the developer discharge chamber is installed. The length L2 is set to about 21 mm. Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the total length L3 of the pump portion 3a (when it is in the most extended state in the stretchable range in use) is about 30 mm, and as shown in FIG. 5 (c), the pump is pumped. The total length L4 of the portion 3a (when it is in the most contracted state in the stretchable range in use) is about 24 mm.

(Material of developer supply container)
In this example, as will be described later, the developer is discharged from the discharge port 4a by changing the volume in the developer supply container 1 by the pump unit 3a. Therefore, as the material of the developer replenishment container 1, it is preferable to use a material having a rigidity that does not cause a large crush or a large swelling due to a change in volume.

Further, in this example, the developer supply container 1 communicates with the outside only through the discharge port 4a, and is sealed from the outside except for the discharge port 4a. That is, since the pump unit 3a reduces and increases the volume of the developer supply container 1 to discharge the developer from the discharge port 4a, the airtightness is such that stable discharge performance is maintained. Desired.

Therefore, in this example, the material of the developer accommodating portion 2 and the discharging portion 4c is made of polystyrene resin, and the material of the pump portion 3a is made of polypropylene resin.

Regarding the material to be used, other materials such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like can be used as long as the developer accommodating portion 2 and the discharging portion 4c are materials that can withstand variable volume. It is possible to use resin. Further, it may be made of metal.

Further, the material of the pump portion 3a may be any material that exhibits an expansion / contraction function and can change the volume of the developer supply container 1 by changing the volume. For example, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), polystyrene, polyester, polyethylene or the like may be formed thinly. It is also possible to use rubber or other stretchable materials.

If each of the pump unit 3a, the developer accommodating unit 2, and the discharging unit 4c satisfies the above-mentioned functions by adjusting the thickness of the resin material, the pump unit 3a, the developer accommodating unit 2, and the discharging unit 4c can be made of the same material, for example, an injection molding method or the like. A product integrally molded by a blow molding method or the like may be used.

Hereinafter, the configurations of the flange portion 4, the cylindrical portion 2k, the pump portion 3a, the drive receiving mechanism 2d, and the drive conversion mechanism 2e (cam groove) will be described in detail in order.

(Flange part)
The flange portion 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 11. 11A is a perspective view showing the flange portion 4 of the developer supply container 1, and FIG. 11B is a partial cross-sectional view showing the flange portion 4 of the developer supply container 1. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, a hollow discharge section (developer discharge chamber) 4c for temporarily storing the developer conveyed from the developer storage section (developer storage chamber) 2 is provided. ing. At the bottom of the discharge unit 4c, a small discharge port 4a for allowing the developer to be discharged to the outside of the developer supply container 1, that is, for supplying the developer to the developer supply device 201 is formed. The size of the discharge port 4a will be described later. Further, above the discharge port 4a, a developer storage unit 4d capable of storing a certain amount of the developer before discharge is provided.

Further, the flange portion 4 is provided with a shutter 4b that opens and closes the discharge port 4a. The shutter 4b is configured to abut against the abutting portion 21 (see FIG. 2B) provided in the mounting portion 10 as the developer replenishing container 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 10. Therefore, the shutter 4b slides relative to the developer replenishment container 1 in the direction of the rotation axis of the cylindrical portion 2k (opposite to the M direction) as the developer replenishment container 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 10. do. As a result, the discharge port 4a is exposed from the shutter 4b, and the opening operation is completed.

At this point, since the discharge port 4a is in the same position as the developer receiving port 13 of the mounting portion 10, it is in a state of communicating with each other, and the developer can be replenished from the developer replenishment container 1.

Further, the flange portion 4 is configured to be substantially immovable when the developer replenishment container 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 10 of the developer replenishing device 201.

Specifically, the rotation direction regulating portion 11 shown in FIG. 2B is provided so that the flange portion 4 does not rotate in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k by itself. Therefore, the developer supply container 1 is provided. In the state of being attached to the developer replenishing device 201, the discharge portion 4c provided in the flange portion 4 is also in a state of being substantially prevented from rotating in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k (movement of looseness is permitted). do).

On the other hand, the cylindrical portion 2k is configured to rotate in the developer replenishing step without being restricted in the rotation direction by the developer replenishing device 201.

(About the discharge port of the flange)
In this example, the discharge port 4a of the developer supply container 1 is set to a size that is not sufficiently discharged only by the action of gravity when the developer supply container 1 is in a posture of supplying the developer to the developer supply device 201. are doing. That is, the opening size of the discharge port 4a is set so small that the discharge of the developer from the developer supply container is insufficient only by the action of gravity (also referred to as a fine port (pinhole)). In other words, the size of the opening is set so that the discharge port 4a is substantially blocked by the developer. As a result, the following effects can be expected.
(1) The developer is less likely to leak from the discharge port 4a.
(2) Excessive discharge of the developer when the discharge port 4a is opened can be suppressed.
(3) The discharge of the developer can be predominantly dependent on the exhaust operation by the pump unit 3a.

Therefore, the present inventors conducted a verification experiment to determine the size of the discharge port 4a, which is not sufficiently discharged only by the action of gravity. Hereinafter, the verification experiment (measurement method) and its judgment criteria will be described below.

Prepare a rectangular parallelepiped container of a predetermined volume with a discharge port (circular shape) formed in the center of the bottom, fill the container with 200 g of developer, and then shake the container well with the filling port closed and the discharge port closed. Thoroughly dissolve the developer. This rectangular parallelepiped container has a volume of about 1000 cm ³ and a size of 90 mm in length × 92 mm in width × 120 mm in height.

Then, as soon as possible, the discharge port is opened with the discharge port facing vertically downward, and the amount of the developer discharged from the discharge port is measured. At this time, the rectangular parallelepiped container is kept completely sealed except for the discharge port. The verification experiment was conducted in an environment with a temperature of 24 ° C. and a relative humidity of 55%.

In the above procedure, the amount of discharge is measured by changing the type of developer and the size of the discharge port. In this example, when the amount of the discharged developer is 2 g or less, the amount is negligible, and it is judged that the discharge port is of a size that cannot be sufficiently discharged only by the action of gravity.

Table 1 shows the developer used in the verification experiment. The type of developer is a mixture of a one-component magnetic toner, a two-component non-magnetic toner used in a two-component developer, a two-component non-magnetic toner used in a two-component developer, and a magnetic carrier.

As physical property values indicating the characteristics of these developing agents, in addition to the angle of repose indicating fluidity, the fluidity indicating the ease of unraveling of the developer layer by a powder fluidity analyzer (powder rheometer FT4 manufactured by Freeman Technology) The energy was measured.

The method for measuring the fluid energy will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a device for measuring fluidity energy.

The principle of this powder fluidity analyzer is to move a blade in a powder sample and measure the fluidity energy required for the blade to move in the powder. The blade is a propeller type, and at the same time it rotates, it also moves in the direction of the axis of rotation, so the tip of the blade draws a spiral.

As the propeller type blade 54 (hereinafter referred to as a blade), a SUS blade (model number: C210) having a diameter of 48 mm and being smoothly twisted counterclockwise was used. Specifically, there is a rotation axis in the normal direction with respect to the rotation surface of the blade plate at the center of the blade plate of 48 mm × 10 mm, and the helix angle of both outermost edges (24 mm portion from the rotation axis) of the blade plate is 70. °, the helix angle of the portion 12 mm from the rotation axis is 35 °.

The fluid energy is the sum of the rotational torque and the vertical load obtained when the blade 54, which rotates in a spiral shape as described above, penetrates into the powder layer and moves in the powder layer, and is time-integrated. Refers to the total energy obtained. This value represents the ease of unraveling of the developer powder layer, and means that it is difficult to unravel when the fluidity energy is large and easy to unravel when the fluidity energy is small.

In this measurement, as shown in FIG. 6, each developer was placed in a cylindrical container 53 (volume 200 cc, L1 = 50 mm in FIG. 6) having a φ of 50 mm, which is a standard component of this apparatus, with a powder surface height of 70 mm (FIG. 6). It was filled so as to be L2). The filling amount is adjusted according to the bulk density to be measured. Further, a blade 54 having a diameter of 48 mm, which is a standard component, is penetrated into the powder layer, and the energy obtained between the penetration depths of 10 to 30 mm is displayed.

As the setting conditions at the time of measurement, the rotation speed of the blade 54 (tip speed. The peripheral speed of the outermost edge of the blade) is 60 mm / s, and the blade approach speed in the vertical direction to the powder layer is the moving blade. The speed was set so that the angle θ (helix angle, hereinafter referred to as the angle formed) formed by the locus drawn by the outermost edge portion of 54 and the surface of the powder layer becomes 10 °. The vertical approach speed to the powder layer is 11 mm / s (vertical blade entry speed to the powder layer = blade rotation speed x tan (history angle x π / 180)). This measurement was also performed in an environment with a temperature of 24 ° C. and a relative humidity of 55%.

The bulk density of the developer when measuring the fluidity energy of the developer is close to the bulk density in the experiment for verifying the relationship between the discharge amount of the developer and the size of the discharge port, and the change in the bulk density changes. The bulk density was adjusted to 0.5 g / cm ³ so that the measurement can be performed with a small amount and stability.

FIG. 7 shows the results of verification experiments on the developer having fluid energy measured in this way (Table 1). FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the diameter of the discharge port and the discharge amount for each type of developer.

From the verification results shown in FIG. 7, if the diameter φ of the discharge port is 4 mm (opening area is 12.6 mm ² : pi is calculated at 3.14, the same applies hereinafter), the developer A to E are discharged. It was confirmed that the amount discharged from the outlet was 2 g or less. It was confirmed that when the diameter φ of the discharge port was larger than 4 mm, the discharge amount of all the developing agents increased sharply.

That is, the fluid energy of the developer (bulk density is 0.5 g / cm ³ ) is 4.3 × 10 ^-4 (kg ・ m ² / s ² (J)) or more and 4.14 × 10 ^-3 (kg ・). When it is m ² / s ² (J)) or less, the diameter φ of the discharge port may be 4 mm or less (opening area is 12.6 (mm ² )) or less.

In addition, the bulk density of the developer is measured in this verification experiment in a state where the developer is sufficiently dissolved and fluidized, which is higher than the state assumed in a normal usage environment (a state of being left unattended). The measurement is performed under conditions where the bulk density is low and it is easier to discharge.

From the above results, by making the discharge port φ4 mm (area 12.6 mm ² ) or less, the discharge port is in a downward state (replenishment to the developer replenishing device 201) regardless of the type of the developer and the bulk density state. (Assuming a posture), it was confirmed that the gravitational action alone did not sufficiently discharge from the discharge port.

On the other hand, as the lower limit of the size of the discharge port 4a, at least the developer (1 component magnetic toner, 1 component non-magnetic toner, 2 component non-magnetic toner, 2 component magnetic carrier) to be replenished from the developer replenishment container 1 is used. It is preferable to set it to a value that can be passed. That is, it is preferable to set the discharge port larger than the particle size of the developer (volume average particle size in the case of toner, number average particle size in the case of carrier) contained in the developer supply container 1. For example, when the developer for replenishment contains a two-component non-magnetic toner and a two-component magnetic carrier, the particle size is larger, that is, the discharge port is larger than the average particle size of the number of two-component magnetic carriers. Is preferable.

Specifically, when the developer to be replenished contains a two-component non-magnetic toner (volume average particle size is 5.5 μm) and a two-component magnetic carrier (number average particle size is 40 μm), the discharge port 4a It is preferable to set the diameter to 0.05 mm (opening area 0.002 mm ² ) or more.

However, if the size of the discharge port 4a is set to a size close to the particle size of the developer, the energy required to discharge the desired amount from the developer supply container 1, that is, the pump unit 3a is operated. The energy required for this will increase. In addition, there may be restrictions on the production of the developer supply container 1. In order to mold the discharge port 4a into the resin part by the injection molding method, the durability of the mold part forming the portion of the discharge port 4a becomes severe. From the above, it is preferable to set the diameter φ of the discharge port 4a to 0.5 mm or more.

In this example, the shape of the discharge port 4a is a circular shape, but the shape is not limited to such a shape. That is, if the opening has an opening area of 12.6 mm ² or less, which is the opening area corresponding to the case where the diameter is 4 mm, it can be changed to a square, a rectangle, an ellipse, a shape combining a straight line and a curved line, and the like. ..

However, when the area of the opening is the same, the circular discharge port has the smallest peripheral length of the edge of the opening where the developer adheres and becomes dirty as compared with other shapes. Therefore, the amount of the developer that spreads in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the shutter 4b is small, and it is difficult to get dirty. In addition, the circular discharge port has the highest discharge performance with less resistance during discharge. Therefore, as the shape of the discharge port 4a, a circular shape having the best balance between the discharge amount and the stain prevention is more preferable.

From the above, it is preferable that the size of the discharge port 4a is such that the discharge port 4a is oriented vertically downward (assuming a supply posture to the developer replenishing device 201) and the discharge port 4a is not sufficiently discharged only by the action of gravity. Specifically, the diameter φ of the discharge port 4a is preferably set in the range of 0.05 mm (opening area 0.002 mm ² ) or more and 4 mm (opening area 12.6 mm ² ) or less. Further, it is more preferable that the diameter φ of the discharge port 4a is set in the range of 0.5 mm (opening area 0.2 mm ² ) or more and 4 mm (opening area 12.6 mm ² ) or less. In this example, from the above viewpoint, the discharge port 4a has a circular shape, and the diameter φ of the opening is set to 3 mm.

In this example, the number of discharge ports 4a is set to one, but the number is not limited to one, and a plurality of discharge ports 4a may be provided so that each opening area satisfies the above-mentioned opening area range. not. For example, two discharge ports 4a having a diameter φ of 2.1 mm are provided for one developer receiving port 13 having a diameter φ of 5 mm. However, in this case, since the amount of the developer discharged (per unit time) tends to decrease, it is more preferable to provide one discharge port 4a having a diameter φ of 3 mm.

(Cylinder part)
Next, the cylindrical portion 2k that functions as the developer accommodating chamber will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical portion 2k is directed toward the discharge portion 4c (discharge port 4a) that functions as a developer discharge chamber on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 2k as the developer is rotated by itself. A spirally projecting transport portion 2c that functions as a transport means is provided. Further, the cylindrical portion 2k is formed by a blow molding method using the resin of the above-mentioned material.

When the volume of the developer supply container 1 is increased to increase the filling amount, a method of increasing the volume of the flange portion 4 as the developer accommodating portion 2 in the height direction can be considered. However, with such a configuration, the gravitational action on the developer in the vicinity of the discharge port 4a is further increased due to the weight of the developer. As a result, the developer in the vicinity of the discharge port 4a is likely to be consolidated, which hinders intake / exhaust through the discharge port 4a. In this case, in order to release the developed agent compacted by the intake air from the discharge port 4a or to discharge the developer by the exhaust gas, the volume change amount of the pump portion 3a must be further increased. However, as a result, the driving force for driving the pump portion 3a also increases, and the load on the image forming apparatus main body 100 may become excessive.

On the other hand, in this example, since the cylindrical portions 2k are arranged horizontally side by side on the flange portion 4, the thickness of the developer layer on the discharge port 4a in the developer supply container 1 is different from the above configuration. Can be set thin. As a result, the developer is less likely to be consolidated due to the action of gravity, and as a result, the developer can be stably discharged without imposing a load on the image forming apparatus main body 100.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the cylindrical portion 2k is provided with respect to the flange portion 4 in a state where the flange seal 5b of the ring-shaped sealing member provided on the inner surface of the flange portion 4 is compressed. It is fixed so that it can rotate relative to each other.

As a result, the cylindrical portion 2k rotates while sliding with the flange seal 5b, so that the developer does not leak during rotation and the airtightness is maintained. That is, the air enters and exits through the discharge port 4a appropriately, and the volume of the developer replenishment container 1 can be changed to a desired state during replenishment.

The flange seal 5b uses a material that can be replaced with air in a long-term range. The reason is described below. It is assumed that the place where the developer supply container 1 is assembled and the air is sealed inside the developer supply container 1 is an area where the atmospheric pressure is higher than the place where the developer supply container 1 is actually used. At this time, if a material that cannot replace air with the outside at all is used, there is a concern that the developer may be ejected to the outside due to the difference between the internal pressure and the external pressure when the developer supply container 1 is actually used. Is.

For the above reasons, a material capable of minute air substitution is used so that the internal pressure and the external pressure of the developer supply container 1 become the same pressure in a long-term range. Therefore, even in the process of discharging the developer, if the internal pressure of the developer replenishment container 1 is different from the external pressure, the internal pressure of the developer replenishment container 1 approaches the external pressure although it is minute. Shows the behavior.

(Pump section)
Next, a pump unit (reciprocating) 3a whose volume is variable according to the reciprocating motion will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 5 (a) is a cross-sectional perspective view of the developer supply container, FIG. 5 (b) is a partial cross-sectional view in a state where the pump portion is maximally extended for use, and FIG. 5 (c) is used by the pump portion. It is a partial cross-sectional view in a state of being fully contracted.

The pump unit 3a of this example functions as an intake / exhaust mechanism that alternately performs an intake operation and an exhaust operation via the exhaust port 4a. In other words, the pump unit 3a functions as an airflow generation mechanism that alternately and repeatedly generates an airflow toward the inside of the developer replenishment container and an airflow from the developer replenishment container to the outside through the discharge port 4a.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the pump unit 3a is provided in the X direction from the discharge unit 4c. That is, the pump portion 3a is provided together with the discharge portion 4c so that it does not rotate in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k.

In this example, as the pump unit 3a, a resin-made volume-variable pump unit (bellows-shaped pump) whose volume is variable according to the reciprocating motion is adopted. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (c), a bellows-shaped pump is adopted, and a plurality of "mountain fold" portions and "valley fold" portions are periodically and alternately formed. There is. Therefore, the pump unit 3a can alternately repeat contraction and expansion by the driving force received from the developer replenishing device 201.

By adopting such a pump unit 3a, the volume of the developer supply container 1 can be varied and can be alternately and repeatedly changed at a predetermined cycle. As a result, the developer in the discharge portion 4c can be efficiently discharged from the discharge port 4a having a small diameter (diameter of about 3 mm).

(Drive receiving mechanism)
Next, a drive receiving mechanism (drive input unit, driving force receiving unit) of the developer replenishing container 1 that receives the rotational driving force for rotating the transport unit 2c from the developer replenishing device 201 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the developer supply container 1 has a drive receiving mechanism (drive input unit) capable of engaging (driving and connecting) with the drive gear 300 (functioning as a drive mechanism) of the developer supply device 201. A gear portion 2d that functions as a drive force receiving portion and a driving receiving portion) is provided. The gear portion 2d is configured to be rotatable integrally with the cylindrical portion 2k.

Therefore, the rotational driving force input from the drive gear 300 to the gear portion 2d is transmitted to the pump 3a via the reciprocating members 3b of FIGS. 8A and 8B. Specifically, the drive transmission mechanism will be described later. The bellows-shaped pump portion 3a of this example is manufactured by using a resin material having a property of being resistant to twisting in the rotational direction within a range that does not hinder its expansion / contraction operation.

In this example, the gear portion 2d is provided on the longitudinal direction (developer transfer direction) side of the cylindrical portion 2k, but the present invention is not limited to such an example, and for example, the longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating portion 2 is provided. It may be provided on the other end side, that is, on the rearmost side. In this case, the drive gear 300 will be installed at the corresponding position.

Further, in this example, a gear mechanism is used as a drive connection mechanism between the drive input unit of the developer replenishment container 1 and the drive unit of the developer replenishment device 201, but the present invention is not limited to such an example, and for example. , A known coupling mechanism may be used. Specifically, a non-circular concave portion is provided as a drive input portion, while a convex portion having a shape corresponding to the above-mentioned concave portion is provided as a drive portion of the developer replenishing device 201, and these may be driven and connected to each other. I do not care.

(Drive conversion mechanism)
Next, the drive conversion mechanism (drive conversion unit) of the developer supply container 1 will be described. In this example, a case where a cam mechanism is used as an example of the drive conversion mechanism will be described.

The developer supply container 1 functions as a drive conversion mechanism (drive conversion unit) that converts the rotational driving force for rotating the transport unit 2c received by the gear unit 2d into a force in the direction of reciprocating the pump unit 3a. A cam mechanism is provided.

That is, in this example, the gear unit 2d receives the driving force for the rotation of the transport unit 2c and the expansion / contraction operation (reciprocating operation) of the pump unit 3a by one drive input unit (gear unit 2d). The rotational driving force is converted into reciprocating power on the developer supply container 1 side.

This is because the configuration of the drive input mechanism of the developer replenishment container 1 can be simplified as compared with the case where two drive input units are separately provided in the developer replenishment container 1. Further, since it is configured to be driven by one drive gear of the developer replenishing device 201, it can contribute to the simplification of the drive mechanism of the developer replenishing device 201.

Here, FIG. 8A is a partial view of the state in which the pump portion 3a is maximally extended in use, and FIG. 8B is a partial view of the state in which the pump portion 3a is maximally contracted in use, FIG. c) is a partial view of the pump section. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a reciprocating member 3b is used as an intervening member for converting the rotational driving force into the reciprocating power of the pump unit 3a. Specifically, the drive input unit (gear unit 2d) that has been rotationally driven by the drive gear 300 and the cam groove 2e that is integrally provided with a groove on the entire circumference rotate. The cam groove 2e will be described later. In the cam groove 2e, a reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c partially protruding from the reciprocating member 3b is engaged with the cam groove 2e. In this example, as shown in FIG. 8C, the reciprocating member 3b is a protective member rotation restricting unit that prevents itself from rotating in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k (permissible backlash). The rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k is regulated by 3f. By restricting the rotation direction in this way, it is restricted to reciprocate along the groove of the cam groove 2e (X direction or reverse direction in FIG. 5A). Further, the reciprocating member engaging protrusions 3c are provided so as to engage a plurality of cam grooves 2e. Specifically, two reciprocating member engaging protrusions 3c are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2k so as to face each other by about 180 °.

Here, at least one of the reciprocating member engaging protrusions 3c may be provided. However, since a moment may be generated in the drive conversion mechanism or the like due to the drag force when the pump portion 3a expands and contracts, and smooth reciprocating movement may not be performed, a plurality of pump portions are provided so as not to break the relationship with the cam groove 2e shape described later. Is preferable.

That is, when the cam groove 2e is rotated by the rotational driving force input from the drive gear 300, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c reciprocates in the X direction or the opposite direction along the cam groove 2e. As a result, the volume of the developer supply container 1 can be changed by alternately repeating the state in which the pump portion 3a is extended ((a) in FIG. 8) and the state in which the pump portion 3a is contracted ((b) in FIG. 8). Can be achieved.

(Setting conditions for drive conversion mechanism)
In this example, in the drive conversion mechanism, the amount of the developing agent conveyed (per unit time) transferred to the discharging unit 4c with the rotation of the cylindrical portion 2k is discharged from the discharging unit 4c to the developing agent replenishing device 201 by the action of the pumping unit. Drive conversion is performed so that the amount is larger than the amount (per unit time).

This is because when the discharge capacity of the developer by the pump unit 3a is larger than the transfer capacity of the developer by the transport unit 2c to the discharge unit 4c, the amount of the developer present in the discharge unit 4c gradually decreases. Because it will end up. That is, this is to prevent the time required for replenishing the developer from the developer replenishment container 1 to the developer replenishment device 201 from becoming long.

Further, in this example, the drive conversion mechanism performs drive conversion so that the pump unit 3a reciprocates a plurality of times while the cylindrical portion 2k makes one rotation. This is due to the following reasons.

In the case of the configuration in which the cylindrical portion 2k is rotated in the developer replenishing device 201, it is preferable that the drive motor 500 is set to the output required for the cylindrical portion 2k to be rotated stably at all times. However, in order to reduce the energy consumption of the image forming apparatus 100 as much as possible, it is preferable to make the output of the drive motor 500 as small as possible. Here, since the output required for the drive motor 500 is calculated from the rotation torque and the rotation speed of the cylindrical portion 2k, the rotation speed of the cylindrical portion 2k is made as low as possible in order to reduce the output of the drive motor 500. It is preferable to set it.

However, in the case of this example, if the rotation speed of the cylindrical portion 2k is reduced, the number of operations of the pump portion 3a per unit time is reduced, so that the amount of the developer discharged from the developer supply container 1 is reduced. (Per unit time) will decrease. That is, in order to satisfy the replenishment amount of the developer required from the image forming apparatus main body 100 in a short time, the amount of the developer discharged from the developer replenishment container 1 may be insufficient.

Therefore, if the volume change amount of the pump unit 3a is increased, the developer discharge amount per cycle of the pump unit 3a can be increased, so that the request from the image forming apparatus main body 100 can be met. , There are the following problems in such a coping method.

That is, when the volume change amount of the pump unit 3a is increased, the peak value of the internal pressure (positive pressure) of the developer supply container 1 in the exhaust process increases, so that the load required to reciprocate the pump unit 3a increases. Will end up.

For this reason, in this example, the pump portion 3a is operated for a plurality of cycles while the cylindrical portion 2k makes one rotation. As a result, the amount of the developer discharged per unit time can be reduced without increasing the volume change amount of the pump part 3a, as compared with the case where the pump part 3a is operated only for one cycle while the cylindrical part 2k makes one rotation. It will be possible to increase. Then, the rotation speed of the cylindrical portion 2k can be reduced by the amount that the amount of the developer discharged can be increased.

Therefore, with the configuration as in this example, the drive motor 500 can be set to a smaller output, which can contribute to the reduction of energy consumption in the image forming apparatus main body 100.

(Arrangement position of drive conversion mechanism)
In this example, as shown in FIG. 8, a drive conversion mechanism (a cam mechanism composed of a reciprocating member engaging projection 3c and a cam groove 2e) is provided outside the developer accommodating portion 2. That is, from the internal space of the cylindrical portion 2k, the pump portion 3a, and the flange portion 4 so that the drive conversion mechanism does not come into contact with the developer housed inside the cylindrical portion 2k, the pump portion 3a, and the flange portion 4. It is installed at a separated position.

As a result, it is possible to solve the problem assumed when the drive conversion mechanism is provided in the internal space of the developer accommodating portion 2. In other words, when the developer invades the rubbing part of the drive conversion mechanism, heat and pressure are applied to the particles of the developer to soften them, and some particles stick to each other to form large lumps (coarse particles). It is possible to prevent the torque from increasing due to the biting of the developer into the conversion mechanism.

(Developer replenishment process)
Next, the developer replenishment step by the pump unit 3a will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

Here, FIG. 8A is a partial view of the state in which the pump portion 3a is maximally extended in use, and FIG. 8B is a partial view of the state in which the pump portion 3a is maximally contracted in use, FIG. c) is a partial view of the pump unit 3a. FIG. 9 is a developed view showing the shape of the cam groove of the developer supply container.

In the developer replenishment step by the pump unit 3a, as shown in FIG. 9, the pump unit 3a is expanded and contracted by the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c engaged with the shape of the cam groove 2e configured as the drive conversion mechanism. The arrow A shown in FIG. 9 indicates the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k (movement direction of the cam groove 2e), the arrow B indicates the extension direction of the pump portion 3a, and the arrow C indicates the compression direction of the pump portion 3a. Further, in the configuration of the cam groove 2e, the groove used when compressing the pump portion 3a is the cam groove 2g, the groove used when extending the pump portion 3a is the cam groove 2h, and the above-mentioned pump portion 3a is used. It is a pump unit non-operating unit 2i that does not reciprocate. When the cam groove 2e rotates in the direction of arrow A, the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c is restricted from moving in the rotation direction by the protective member rotation restricting portion 3f shown in FIG. 8 (c), and the rotation shaft of the cylindrical portion 2k. The configuration is limited to movement in the direction only. Therefore, when the cam groove 2e rotates in the direction of the arrow A, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c engaged with the cam groove 2e moves relative to the direction opposite to the arrow A.

In this example, as will be described later, three patterns of an exhaust process due to the operation of the pump unit 3a, an intake process, and an operation stop process due to the non-operation of the pump unit (intake / exhaust is not performed from the discharge port 4a) are rotated by the drive converter. The driving force is converted into reciprocating power. The exhaust step is an exhaust operation in which a positive pressure is generated in the developer replenishment container 1 by compressing the pump portion 3a and the developer is exhausted to the outside together with the internal air from the discharge port 4a. The intake step is an intake operation in which a negative pressure is generated in the developer replenishment container 1 by extending the pump portion 3a and external air is taken into the developer replenishment container 1 from the discharge port 4a.

Hereinafter, the intake process, the exhaust process, and the operation stop process will be described in order.

(Exhaust process)
First, the exhaust process will be described.

The exhaust operation is performed by changing from FIG. 8 (a) in which the pump portion 3a is in the most extended state to FIG. 8 (b) in which the pump portion 3a is in the most contracted state. Specifically, the volume of the portion (pump portion 3a, cylindrical portion 2k, flange portion 4) that can accommodate the developer in the developer supply container 1 decreases with this exhaust operation. At that time, the inside of the developer supply container 1 is substantially sealed except for the discharge port 4a (the air substitution of the flange seal 5b is present in a minute amount), and the discharge port 4a is the developer until the developer is discharged. It is in a state of being substantially blocked. Therefore, as the volume of the portion of the developer supply container 1 that can accommodate the developer decreases, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 increases. At this time, since the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 becomes higher than the atmospheric pressure (external pressure), the developer is pushed out from the discharge port 4a due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the developer supply container 1. That is, the developer is discharged from the developer supply container 1 to the developer supply device 201.

Since the air in the developer supply container 1 is discharged together with the developer, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 decreases.

(Intake process)
Next, the intake process will be described.

The intake operation is performed by changing from FIG. 8 (b) in which the pump portion 3a is in the most contracted state to FIG. 8 (a) in which the pump portion 3a is in the most extended state by the drive conversion mechanism (cam mechanism) described above. That is, with this intake operation, the volume of the portion (pump portion 3a, cylindrical portion 2k, flange portion 4) that can accommodate the developer in the developer supply container 1 increases.

At that time, the inside of the developer supply container 1 is substantially sealed except for the discharge port 4a (the air substitution of the flange seal 5b is present in a minute amount), and the discharge port 4a is substantially filled with the developer. It is in a state of being blocked by. Therefore, as the volume of the portion of the developer supply container 1 that can accommodate the developer increases, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 decreases.

At this time, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure (external pressure) (negative pressure). Therefore, the air outside the developer supply container 1 moves into the developer supply container 1 through the discharge port 4a due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the developer supply container 1.

At that time, since air is taken in from the outside of the developer supply container 1 through the discharge port 4a, the developer located in the vicinity of the discharge port 4a can be dissolved (fluidized). Specifically, the bulk density can be reduced by impregnating the developer located near the discharge port 4a with air, and the developer can be appropriately fluidized. Further, the developer can be appropriately fluidized due to distribution and environmental changes. When the developer having a high bulk density is clogged in the reservoir 4d, the developer cannot be supplied to the developer 201a unless the developer in the developer reservoir 4d is dissolved (closed state). Then, there is a risk that the user takes out the developer supply container 1 and shakes the developer supply container to dissolve the developer, and it is determined that the developer remains inside the developer supply container 1 but is empty. There is a risk of doing it.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the opening area of the discharge port 4a is smaller than that of the developer storage unit 4d. It is assumed that the developer storage unit 4d is clogged with a high bulk density developer due to physical distribution or environmental changes. When the developer storage unit 4d is clogged with a high bulk density developer, even if the pressure in the developer supply container 1 is higher than the atmospheric pressure (positive pressure) by the exhaust process, the pressure in the developer storage unit 4d is increased. The developer having a high bulk density cannot pass through the discharge port 4a having a smaller opening area than the developer storage portion 4d. Therefore, when the developer storage unit 4d is clogged with the high bulk density developer, the high bulk density developer in the developer storage unit 4d cannot be discharged to the outside even in a positive pressure state.

However, the internal pressure in the developer replenishment container 1 is brought into a pressure (negative pressure) state lower than the atmospheric pressure by the intake step. By creating a negative pressure state, the high bulk density developer in the developer storage unit 4d that receives pressure from the discharge port 4a on the narrow area side is taken into the developer supply container 1 and is taken into the developer supply container 1. It can be solved by the internal rotational movement. For the above reasons, when the developer having a high bulk density in the developer storage unit 4d is unraveled, it is necessary to perform an intake step to increase the negative pressure in the developer replenishment container 1 and allow air to flow in from the outside.

(Operation stop process)
Next, an operation stop step in which the pump unit 3a does not reciprocate will be described.

In this example, as described above, the control device 600 gives an instruction to rotate the drive motor 500 based on the detection results of the magnetic sensor 201c and the developer sensor 10d. Further, the control device 600 is configured to give a rotary drive stop instruction to the drive motor 500 based on the detection result of the control unit 600a. In this configuration, the amount of the developer discharged from the developer supply container directly affects the developer concentration, so that the amount of the developer required by the image forming apparatus is stably replenished from the developer supply container 1. There is a need. At this time, in order to stabilize the amount of the developer replenished from the developer replenishment container, it is desirable to perform a fixed volume variable amount each time.

For example, if the cam groove 2e is composed of only the exhaust process and the intake process, the motor drive is stopped during the exhaust process or the intake process. At that time, even after the drive motor 500 stops rotating, the cylindrical portion 2k rotates due to inertia, and the pump portion 3a continues to reciprocate in conjunction with the cylindrical portion 2k until the cylindrical portion 2k stops, so that the exhaust process or the intake process is performed. Will be. The distance that the cylindrical portion 2k rotates due to inertia depends on the rotation speed of the cylindrical portion 2k. Further, the rotation speed of the cylindrical portion 2k depends on the torque applied to the drive motor 500. From this, the torque to the motor may change depending on the amount of the developer in the developer supply container 1, and the speed of the cylindrical portion 2k may also change. Therefore, the stop position of the pump portion 3a should be the same every time. Is difficult.

Therefore, in order to stop the pump portion 3a at a fixed position each time, it is necessary to provide a region in the cam groove 2e where the pump portion 3a does not reciprocate even when the cylindrical portion 2k is rotating. In this example, the cam groove 2i shown in FIG. 9 is provided so that the pump portion 3a does not reciprocate. The cam groove 2i has a straight shape in which a groove is dug in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k and the reciprocating member 3b does not move even if it rotates. That is, the operation stop step is a state in which the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c is engaged with the cam groove 2i.

(Detected part)
Next, the detected unit 6a will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b). FIG. 12A is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply container 1 in which the pump unit 3a according to the first embodiment is in the operation stop process state. FIG. 12B is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply container 1 in which the pump unit 3a according to the first embodiment is in the intake process start state.

As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the detected portion 6a of this embodiment has a concave-convex shape that rotates integrally with the gear portion 2d. As shown in FIG. 12A, the concave surface of the detected portion 6a is in contact with the hidden portion 600b of the developer replenishing device 201. The developer replenishing device 201 includes an optical sensor 600a and a sensor flag 600b as detection units. The sensor flag 600b swings about the axis of rotation by the detected portion 6a, and is located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion (not shown) of the optical sensor 600a, or retracts from between the light emitting portions. The optical sensor 600a outputs a detection signal by detecting the detected portion 6a. Since the hidden portion 600b is located at a position away from the optical sensor 600a of the developer replenishing device 201, the optical sensor 600a is in an exposed state.

Next, from FIG. 12 (a), a state in which the drive motor 500 (not shown) of the developer replenishing device 201 transmits the rotational drive to the gear portion 2d and the developer replenishing container 1 is rotated is shown in FIG. 12 (b). .. As shown in FIG. 12B, the hidden portion 600b is in contact with the inclined convex surface of the detected portion 6a. That is, since the hidden portion 600b is lifted from the state shown in FIG. 12A and rises to a position where the optical sensor 600a is shielded, the optical sensor 600a is changed from the exposed state to the shielded state. The timing from this exposure state to the shielded state is called the rotation detection timing.

(Discharge sequence)
Next, in order to explain that the characteristics differ depending on the order of the intake process and the exhaust process described above, the discharge processes of the two patterns in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 shows the order of the two patterns of the normal exhaust sequence (first mode) and the blockage elimination sequence (second mode).

The first pattern is a normal discharge sequence (first mode) in which a drive operation start, an operation stop process, an exhaust process, an intake process, and a drive stop are performed in this order.

The second pattern is a blockage elimination sequence (second mode) performed in the order of the intake process, the operation stop process, the exhaust process, and the drive stop.

(Normal discharge sequence (first mode))
13 and 14 (a) and 14 (b) will be described with respect to the developer replenishment process performed by the pump unit 3a in the order of the operation stop process, the exhaust process, and the intake process. FIG. 14 (a) is a graph showing the pressure transition in the developer supply container 1 of the normal discharge sequence according to Example 1, and FIG. 14 (b) is the developer of the normal discharge sequence developer supply container 1 according to Example 1. It is a graph of the emission average with respect to the time required during the replenishment process.

As shown in the upper side of FIG. 13, when driven by the normal discharge sequence, the operation is started and then the operation is stopped. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14 (a), initially in the developer supply container 1 The pressure starts from the same state as the atmospheric pressure.

Further rotation starts the exhaust process. As described above, in the exhaust step, the volume of the pump portion 3a becomes small, so that the pressure in the developer supply container 1 increases as shown in FIG. 14 (a). Then, in the vicinity of the developer storage portion 4d. The developer is pushed by the pressure in the developer supply container 1 and discharged through the discharge port 4a. Further rotation initiates the intake process. As shown in FIG. 14A, when the intake process starts, the pressure in the developer replenishment container 1 shifts in the depressurizing direction and approaches the atmospheric pressure, and the pressure in the developer replenishment container 1 returns to almost the atmospheric pressure. It becomes a process.

Next, in this sequence, the mechanism by which the developer can be discharged relatively stably will be described. The reason why the discharge amount is not stable when the developer is discharged is that when the developer becomes a fluid developer with a low bulk density and the pressure in the developer supply container 1 is in a positive pressure state, the developer flows. As long as the developed developer is in a positive pressure state, it flows into the discharge port 4a. Then, the developer is constantly discharged during the flowing time, and a large amount of the developer is discharged. On the contrary, when the bulk density of the developer is high, the developer does not flow into the discharge port 4a even if the pressure inside the developer supply container is positive, so that the positive pressure is eliminated at a relatively early stage. Emissions stop in a short time (low emissions).

When a user prints a high-density output, the amount of developer required per unit time increases, so the developer replenishment container must be rotated at short intervals, and the bulk density of the developer is low. become. On the other hand, in a state where no printing continues for a long time, and when printing a low-density output product, the developer replenishment container is driven at long intervals, so that the apparent bulk density (the state where the bulk density is low becomes calm over time). It becomes a developer with a bulk density near the bulk density). As described above, it is difficult to control the bulk density state of the developer because it depends on how the user uses the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, it is important to control the time of positive pressure in order to stably discharge the developer. In that respect, in this sequence, the pressure inside the developer replenishment container 1 returns to atmospheric pressure after the intake process, and a positive pressure time is generated only between the exhaust process and the intake process, so that the bulk density of the developer does not depend on it. Stable replenishment of developer is possible. As shown in FIG. 14 (a), there is a slight difference in the pressure transition between the fluidized developer having a short replenishment interval shown by the dotted line and the developer having a long replenishment interval shown by the solid line due to the difference in bulk density. Although there is, it shows almost the same pressure behavior.

For the above reasons, as shown in FIG. 14B, it can be confirmed that in this sequence, the emission amount does not change even if the intermittent time is changed.

Since most of the developer state of the developer supply container 1 is not in a high bulk density state, this sequence capable of stabilizing the developer supply amount is usually used.

However, as described above, when the developer storage unit 4d is clogged with the developer having a high bulk density, the developer in the vicinity of the developer storage unit 4d cannot be melted in a state where positive pressure is always applied as in this sequence. There is a concern that it will be blocked. Therefore, the blockage elimination sequence will be described next.

(Blockage clearing sequence (second mode))
13 and 15 (a) and 15 (b) will be described with respect to the blockage clearing sequence performed in the order of the drive operation start, the intake process, the operation stop process, and the drive stop. FIG. 15A is a graph showing the pressure transition in the developer supply container 1 of the blockage elimination sequence according to Example 1, and FIG. 15B is the development of the developer supply container 1 of the blockage elimination sequence according to Example 1. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 13, which is a graph of the average discharge amount with respect to the time required during the agent replenishment process, when the vehicle is driven by the blockage elimination sequence, the drive is started from the drive stop state in the atmospheric pressure state and the process shifts to the intake process. As shown in FIG. 15A, the pressure in the developer supply container 1 shifts to a negative pressure. At this time, the developer 4d in the vicinity of the developer storage portion 4d is fluidized by taking in external air from the discharge port 4a. In addition, the decompression behavior gradually shifts to the atmospheric pressure side from the timing when air is taken in from the outside. As described above, when the developer storage portion 4d is clogged with the developer having a high bulk density, air is not taken in during the intake, so that the depressurization behavior is continuously continued during the intake operation. Then, the maximum negative pressure acts on the developer supply container 1 at the timing of shifting from the intake process to the operation stop process. As described above, when the developer having a high bulk density is clogged in the developer storage portion 4d, it can be solved because a negative pressure acts in the intake step of this sequence.

When it rotates further, it shifts to the operation stop process. As shown in FIG. 15 (a), in the operation stop process, although there is no change in pressure due to the pump unit 3a, if the discharge port 4a is in a state of communicating with the outside, air is taken in from the outside, so that the pressure shifts to the pressurized side. do.

Further, consider a case where the developer storage unit 4d is filled with a high bulk density developer, and even if a negative pressure is applied, the blocked state cannot be resolved by a single negative pressure. In this case, there is no inflow of air from the discharge port 4a, but since minute air substitution is generated from the flange seal 5b, the process shifts to the pressurized side in the operation stop step.

When it rotates further, it shifts to the exhaust process. As shown in FIG. 15A, in the exhaust step, the inside of the developer supply container 1 is pressurized, and the developer near the developer storage unit 4d is discharged to the outside together with the air taken in in the intake step. At this time, a positive pressure for the air taken in by the intake operation is generated, and the exhaust process is in a drive stop state while the positive pressure is generated.

As described above, if the bulk density of the developer is not stable under a positive pressure, the emission amount is not stable. As shown in FIG. 15A, in this sequence, after the exhaust step, the fluidized developer having a short replenishment interval causes the developer to flow into the discharge port 4a. For this reason, the positive pressure state is maintained for a long time and discharge is performed, and in the case of a developer having a long replenishment interval, the flow of the developer ends at a relatively early timing and air is discharged to the outside, so that the positive pressure is positive in a short time. Transition from pressure to atmospheric pressure. In this sequence, since the time of positive pressure cannot be controlled, as shown in FIG. 15B, the amount of change in the discharge amount is large depending on the replenishment interval, and the replenishment amount of the developer is not stable.

For the above reasons, the developer storage unit 4d is not clogged with the high bulk density developer. Normally, the normal replenishment sequence in which the developer discharge amount is stable, and the developer storage unit 4d is clogged with the high bulk density developer. In some cases, the drive is performed with a blockage clearing sequence having a high blockage clearing ability.

Next, a method of changing the above-mentioned two sequences will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, in the present implementation system, the rotation detection timing by the detected unit 6a and the control unit 600a described in the detected unit is located between the exhaust process and the intake process. When the control unit 600 that detects the rotation detection timing during the rotation of the developer supply container 1 is driven by the normal discharge sequence, a delay time is provided as shown in FIG. 13 and the detection time is up to a predetermined number of seconds. Stays driven and stops after a predetermined number of seconds. In addition, the blockage elimination sequence is controlled so that the drive is stopped immediately after detection.

Then, by controlling the time from the rotation detection timing, it is possible to change the stop position using the same cam groove 2e, and it is possible to drive two sequences.

(Developer replenishment process control method)
Next, a judgment sequence for properly using the above-mentioned normal replenishment sequence and blockage elimination sequence will be described. FIG. 16 shows a flowchart illustrating a flow of the developer replenishment process according to the present embodiment. The control of FIG. 16 is executed by the control device 600 reading a control program stored in the storage medium and controlling various devices.

When the user is printing the deliverable, the corresponding developer is consumed from within the developer 201a. Then, the magnetic sensor 201c in the developing device 201a gradually deviates from the predetermined concentration and deviates by A or more (S200). Next, it is determined whether or not the magnetic sensor 201c in the developer 201a deviates from the predetermined concentration by B or more (the toner concentration of the developer in the developer 201a is lower than the predetermined threshold value) (S201). The relationship between A and B, which is the amount of deviation from the predetermined concentration, is A <B, and the concentration of the developer in the developer 201a is lower when the amount of deviation is B. If there is no deviation of B or more (when the toner concentration of the developer in the developer 201a is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value), the process shifts to the normal discharge sequence, and the control device 600 instructs the drive motor 500 to drive the rotation. (S205). After that, the control unit detects the detected unit (S206), drives the unit during the delay time, and then stops (S207), so that the drive is performed in the normal discharge sequence. Normally, the developer is supplied to the developer 201a in the normal discharge sequence, and the concentration of the developer in the developer 201a is restored to be within the deviation amount A, and then the user consumes the developer to consume the developer 201a. Driving is not performed until the concentration in the inside drops.

However, as described above, when the developer storage unit 4d is clogged with a high bulk density developer due to physical distribution or environmental changes, or when the developer in the developer supply container 1 is used up, the normal discharge sequence is performed. However, the developer is not supplied to the developer 201a. In that state, if the developer continues to be consumed, the concentration deviates from the predetermined concentration by B or more. When this state continues for a predetermined number of times, the developer does not come out from the developing supply container 1. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 erroneously determines that the developer in the developer supply container 1 has been used up, or takes out the developer supply container so that the user can understand the high bulk density developer. It may be necessary to have them shake.

Therefore, when the concentration deviates from the predetermined concentration by B or more (when the toner concentration of the developer in the developing device 201a is lower than the predetermined threshold value), the process shifts to the blockage elimination sequence as shown in FIG. .. Then, after stopping for a predetermined time or more from the previous drive time, the control device 600 instructs the drive motor 500 to rotate drive (S202). The reason for turning on the drive after stopping for a predetermined time from the previous drive will be described later. After that, the control unit detects the detected unit (S203) and stops the drive immediately after the detection (S204), so that the drive is performed in the blockage elimination sequence. Then, when the developer storage unit 4d is clogged with the developer, the developer is dissolved and the developer is supplied to the developer 201a, so that the concentration of the developer in the developer 201a is restored and the amount of deviation is increased. When it becomes B or less, it is possible to return to the normal sequence.

By performing the above sequence, as described above, it is driven by the normal discharge sequence capable of stable discharge in the normal time. In addition, even when the developer is blocked due to physical distribution or environmental changes, the user can vibrate the developer supply container 1 to eliminate the blockage, and the developer remains in the developer supply container 1. The developer supply container 1 can be continued to be used without erroneously determining that the developer has been used up.

However, in the case of shifting to the blockage elimination sequence during the normal replenishment sequence, there is a concern that the expected effect when unraveling the high bulk density developer cannot be obtained unless the interval for driving the developer replenishment container 1 is adjusted. There is. The above concerns will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

FIG. 17 shows the changes in the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 in chronological order when the normal discharge sequence is changed to the blockage elimination sequence without adjusting the drive interval. FIG. 18 shows the changes in the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 in chronological order when the normal discharge sequence is changed to the blockage elimination sequence by adjusting the drive interval.

As shown in FIG. 17, when a high bulk density developer is clogged in the developer storage unit 4d due to physical distribution or environmental influence during the normal replenishment sequence, the developer can be solved as described above. The developer is not discharged from the discharge port 4a. At that time, a positive pressure is generated in the developer supply container 1 ((1), (2)). Further, when the magnetic sensor 201c in the developing device 201a deviates from the predetermined concentration by B or more, the process shifts to the blockage elimination sequence. However, in order to shift from the normal replenishment sequence to the blockage clearing sequence, the stop position is moved from the stop position of the normal discharge sequence (position x in FIG. 13) to the stop position of the blockage clearing sequence (position y in FIG. 13). It is necessary to perform the blockage elimination sequence from (3). The operation for moving this stop position is called a sequence switching operation (see FIG. 17).

However, in the sequence switching operation (3), the exhaust process must be passed, and at that time, the inside of the developer supply container 1 is in a positive pressure state (between (3) and (4) in FIG. 17). State of standstill). If the drive is started from the stopped state without adjusting the stop time, the internal pressure in the developer supply container 1 remains in the positive pressure state at the start of the drive. In that state, even if the blockage elimination sequence (4) is performed, the negative pressure amount that should be generated is used to eliminate the positive pressure component, so that the expected negative pressure amount cannot be obtained. (See Fig. 17)
Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 18, after the sequence switching operation, the time from the stop to the start of the drive is set a certain time (drive stop time) or more. As a result, the pressure inside the developer supply container 1 is changed to the external pressure by utilizing the air substitution from the flange seal 5b described above. It is preferable to set this drive stop time according to the physical properties of the pressure that can be generated in the exhaust process and the air permeability of the flange seal 5b. For example, in an image forming apparatus (so-called 60-sheet machine) that forms an image on 60 sheets per minute, the sequence is switched in consideration of the pressure that can be generated in the exhaust process and the physical properties of the air transmittance of the flange seal 5b. Set the drive stop time after operation to 3 seconds or more. On the other hand, in the 60-sheet machine, the intermittent drive time of the developer supply container 1 is 1 second. That is, in the 60-sheet machine, the intermittent drive time of the developer supply container 1 is 1 second, whereas the drive stop time after the sequence switching operation is set to 3 seconds or more. That is, by making the drive stop time after the sequence switching operation longer than the intermittent drive time of the developer supply container 1, the positive pressure generated in the developer supply container 1 can be returned to the atmospheric pressure. By setting the drive stop time after the sequence switching operation to stop for 3 seconds or more, the positive pressure generated in the developer supply container 1 can be returned to the atmospheric pressure more efficiently.

Then, in the subsequent blockage elimination sequence (4), a negative pressure as expected can be generated, which has the effect of increasing the ability to dissolve the developer having a high bulk density.

Next, a case where the bulk density of the developer storage portion 4d is significantly higher than expected will be described.

In order to solve the developer with a bulk density significantly higher than expected, the blockage cannot be eliminated unless the assumed negative pressure is applied several times. Even in that case, the assumed negative pressure cannot be generated unless the driving interval is adjusted, and there is a concern that the effect of eliminating the blockage cannot be sufficiently obtained.
The above concerns will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. FIG. 19 shows the change in the internal pressure of the developer replenishment container when driven in the blockage elimination sequence without adjusting the drive interval. FIG. 20 shows the change in the internal pressure of the developer replenishment container when the driving is performed by adjusting the driving interval when the driving is performed in the blockage elimination sequence.

In this embodiment, as described above, there is an operation stop process after the intake process, and then an exhaust process (see FIG. 13). Then, as shown in FIG. 19, in the operation stop step, a small amount of air flows into the developer supply container 1 in the negative pressure state due to the influence of air substitution from the flange seal 5b. Then, when the pump unit 3a is changed by the same volume in the intake process in the exhaust process, which is the next process, a minute amount of air flowing in in the operation stop process becomes a positive pressure component and is generated in the developer supply container 1. do. If the developer replenishment container 1 is driven in this state without adjusting the drive interval (2), the positive pressure state shifts to the intake process as in the above-mentioned phenomenon, so that the expected negative pressure amount cannot be obtained. Further, also in the next operation stop step, the minute air flows into the developer replenishment container 1 by the above mechanism (operation stop step of (2)), and the state of (2) is closer to the positive pressure side. The exhaust process is completed.

By repeating the above mechanism, the negative pressure gradually decreases ((1) to (4)), and the assumed negative pressure cannot be generated.

Therefore, also in this step, as shown in FIG. 20, the negative pressure assumed by returning the positive pressure generated in the developer replenishment container 1 to the atmospheric pressure by leaving the replenishment drive time for a certain period of time (drive stop time). Can be generated. The drive stop time is also preferably set according to the physical properties of the air permeability of the flange seal 5b. For example, in an image forming apparatus (so-called 60-sheet machine) that forms an image on 60 sheets per minute, the drive stop time in the blockage elimination sequence is 3 seconds in consideration of the physical properties of the air transmittance of the flange seal 5b. Set to the above. On the other hand, in the 60-sheet machine, the intermittent drive time of the developer supply container 1 is 1 second. That is, in the 60-sheet machine, the intermittent drive time of the developer supply container 1 is 1 second, whereas the drive stop time in the blockage elimination sequence is set to 3 seconds or more. That is, by making the drive stop time in the blockage elimination sequence longer than the intermittent drive time of the developer supply container 1, the positive pressure generated in the developer supply container 1 can be returned to the atmospheric pressure. By setting the drive stop time in the blockage elimination sequence to stop for 3 seconds or longer, the positive pressure generated in the developer supply container 1 can be returned to the atmospheric pressure more efficiently.

As described above, in the blockage elimination sequence, the drive stop time based on the physical characteristics of the positive pressure generated in the exhaust process and the air permeability of the flange seal 5b is appropriately provided. As a result, the negative pressure that can eliminate the blockage can be increased, and even if the developer is in a severe bulk density state due to physical distribution or environmental changes, the developer is surely released (fluidized). be able to. Therefore, even if the bulk density of the developer in the vicinity of the discharge port 4a of the developer supply container 1 is higher than expected, the amount of the developer discharged from the discharge port 4a can be stabilized.

1 Developing agent replenishment container 2 Developing agent accommodating part 2c Conveying protrusion, Conveying part 2d Gear part 2e, 2g, 2h, 2i Cam groove 2f Cam gear ring 2k Cylindrical part 3a Pump part 3b Reciprocating member 3c Reciprocating member Engaging protrusion 3d Pump Engagement part 3e Protective member 3f Protective member Rotation control part 3g Protective member hole 4 Flange part 4a Discharge port 4b Shutter 4c Discharge part 4d Developer storage part 5 Elastic member (seal)
5a Opening seal 5b Flange seal 6a Detected part 8 Conveying member 8a Inclined rib 9 Deterrent part 9a, 9b Thrust deterring wall 9c, 9d Radial deterring wall 9e Containment part opening 9f Storage part opening 9g Reservoir 10 Mounting part 10a Hopper 10b Conveying screw 10c Aperture 10d Developer sensor 11 Rotational direction control part 13 Developer receiving port 21 Butting part 100 Image forming device 201 Developing agent replenishing device 201a Developer 201c Magnetic sensor (developing agent detector)
300 Drive gear 500 Drive motor 600 Control device (CPU)
600a Control unit 600b Hidden unit T developer

Claims (6)

In a developer supply system having a developer supply device and a developer supply container that can be attached to and detached from the developer supply device.
The developer supply container is
A developer accommodating unit for accommodating the developer and a developer accommodating portion
A rotatable drive receiving unit that receives rotary drive, and
A transport unit that transports the developer in the developer accommodating unit as the drive receiving unit rotates, and a transport unit.
A developer discharge chamber provided with a discharge port for discharging the developer carried by the transport unit, and a developer discharge chamber.
A pump unit that is provided to act on at least the developer discharge chamber and whose volume is variable by expanding and contracting with reciprocating motion.
A drive conversion unit that converts the rotational driving force received by the drive receiving unit into the operating force of the pump unit.
A detection unit provided in the developer replenishing device is provided with a detection unit for stopping the expansion / contraction operation of the pump unit.
The developer replenishing device is
A mounting part for detachably mounting the developer supply container,
A developer receiving unit that receives the developing agent from the discharge port,
A drive unit that applies a driving force to the drive receiving unit,
The detection unit that detects the detected unit and
It has a control unit that controls the operation of the drive unit based on the detection signal of the detection unit in order to control the stop position of the developer accommodating unit.
The control unit
The first stop position where the contraction operation of the pump unit is performed first with respect to the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started, and the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started of the pump portion. The drive unit is controlled so that the developer accommodating unit stops at one of the second stop position where the stretching operation is performed first.
From the first mode in which the developer accommodating portion is stopped at the first stop position with respect to the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started, the above-mentioned is performed with respect to the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started. When shifting to the second mode in which the developer accommodating portion is stopped at the second stop position, the drive of the developer supply container is stopped for a predetermined time longer than the intermittent drive time of the developer supply container. Then, the developer replenishment system is characterized in that the drive unit is controlled so that the developer accommodating unit is stopped at the second stop position. The control unit
In the second mode, the position where the developer accommodating portion is stopped after the driving of the developer replenishing container is stopped for a time longer than the intermittent driving time of the developer replenishing container is the first stop position. The developer replenishment system according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit is controlled so as to move from the second stop position to the second stop position. The control unit shifts from the first mode to the second mode when the toner concentration of the developer in the developing device to which the developing agent is supplied from the developing agent replenishing device is lower than a predetermined threshold value. The developer replenishment system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. In a developer supply system having a developer supply device and a developer supply container that can be attached to and detached from the developer supply device.
The developer supply container is
A developer accommodating unit for accommodating the developer and a developer accommodating portion
A rotatable drive receiving unit that receives rotary drive, and
A transport unit that transports the developer in the developer accommodating unit as the drive receiving unit rotates, and a transport unit.
A developer discharge chamber provided with a discharge port for discharging the developer carried by the transport unit, and a developer discharge chamber.
A pump unit that is provided to act on at least the developer discharge chamber and whose volume is variable by expanding and contracting with reciprocating motion.
A drive conversion unit that converts the rotational driving force received by the drive receiving unit into the operating force of the pump unit.
A detection unit provided in the developer replenishing device is provided with a detection unit for stopping the expansion / contraction operation of the pump unit.
The developer replenishing device is
A mounting part for detachably mounting the developer supply container,
A developer receiving unit that receives the developing agent from the discharge port,
A drive unit that applies a driving force to the drive receiving unit,
The detection unit that detects the detected unit and
It has a control unit that controls the operation of the drive unit based on the detection signal of the detection unit in order to control the stop position of the developer accommodating unit.
The control unit
The first stop position where the contraction operation of the pump unit is performed first with respect to the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started, and the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started of the pump portion. The drive unit is controlled so that the developer accommodating unit stops at one of the second stop position where the stretching operation is performed first.
From the first mode in which the developer accommodating portion is stopped at the first stop position with respect to the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started, the above-mentioned is performed with respect to the timing at which the rotation of the developer accommodating portion is started. When shifting to the second mode in which the developer accommodating portion is stopped at the second stop position, the drive of the developer supply container is stopped for 3 seconds or longer, and then the developer is stopped at the second stop position. A developer replenishment system characterized in that the drive unit is controlled so that the accommodating unit is stopped. The control unit
In the second mode, after stopping the driving of the developer supply container for 3 seconds or more, the position where the developer accommodating portion stops moves from the first stop position to the second stop position. The developer replenishment system according to claim 4, wherein the drive unit is controlled. The control unit shifts from the first mode to the second mode when the toner concentration of the developer in the developing device to which the developing agent is supplied from the developing agent replenishing device is lower than a predetermined threshold value. The developer replenishment system according to claim 4 or 5.

Images