JP2553050B2 - Discharge toner discharge mechanism - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a mechanism that is provided in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine and that discharges discharged toner to a discharged toner collecting container.

(Prior Art) For example, in an electrophotographic copying machine, after forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum and developing the electrostatic latent image with toner,
The toner image is transferred to a transfer paper to obtain a copy image.
After the toner image is transferred, the toner remains on the photoconductor drum, and the residual toner is removed from the photoconductor drum by the cleaning device and is transported to the waste toner collection container by the waste toner transport device. To be done. The discharge port formed at the downstream end of the discharged toner conveying device opens toward the discharged toner collecting container and engages with the container. Therefore, the conveyed discharged toner is discharged to the discharged toner collecting container through the discharge port.

By the way, the fed transfer paper may be jammed in the transport path. If this paper jam occurs, the jammed paper must be removed. The jammed paper is generally removed by opening a front cover provided on the front surface of the copying machine body. In addition, recently, a copying machine has been developed in which the copying machine main body can be separated into an upper half body and a lower half body with a transfer paper conveyance path as a boundary.
In such a copying machine, the upper half body is separated from the lower half body, and the conveyance path for the transfer paper is opened to remove the jammed paper. Since the above-mentioned cleaning device is arranged on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the transfer area for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum onto the transfer paper, it is located above the transfer paper transport path. For this reason, the discharged toner collecting container for storing the discharged toner removed from the photoconductor drum by the cleaning device is usually arranged on the side of the conveying path (on the front side of the copying machine main body). The discharged toner collecting container arranged at such a position will obstruct the transfer paper transport path even if the front cover is opened, which hinders the removal work of the jammed paper. Therefore, the discharged toner collecting container is configured to open the transfer paper transport path when the front cover is opened. However, with such a configuration, the discharge port of the waste toner transport device is disengaged from the waste toner collection container, and thus the waste toner may be scattered from the discharge port of the waste toner transport device to the surroundings. is there. Even in a copying machine in which the main body of the copying machine is separable into an upper half body and a lower half body, the waste toner conveying device is disposed on the upper half side and the waste toner collecting container is disposed on the lower half side, so that the two are separated. Then, the discharge port of the discharged toner conveying device is opened, and the discharged toner may be scattered around. The same problem occurs when replacing the discharged toner collecting container that is full of discharged toner.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems.
An object of the present invention is to provide a discharged toner discharging mechanism in which there is no possibility that the discharged toner is scattered from the discharged toner discharging port of the discharged toner conveying device even when the engagement between the discharged toner conveying device and the discharged toner collecting container is released. Especially.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The discharged toner discharging mechanism of the present invention is disposed at the downstream end of the discharged toner conveying device, and has a discharge port that opens downward to discharge the discharged toner to the discharged toner collecting container. A nozzle portion having a nozzle, a cap having a discharge port fitted to the nozzle portion so as to be movable in the circumferential direction and the axial direction, and capable of being aligned with the discharge port, and the cap being moved in the axial direction by the cap. And a rotation means for rotating the discharge port between an alignment position where the discharge port is aligned with the discharge port and a closed position where the discharge port is closed by the cap. In the discharged toner discharging mechanism, the axial movement of the cap and the rotation of the cap by the rotating means are performed at the same time. When the cap moves to the aligned position, the nozzle portion and the discharged toner collecting container are connected. Are engaged with each other, and when the cap moves to the closed position, the engagement between the nozzle portion and the waste toner collecting container is released. Thereby, the above object is achieved.

(Operation) In the present invention, the engagement between the discharged toner conveying device and the discharged toner collecting container is released at the closed position of the cap. Therefore, when these engagements are released, Since the discharged toner discharge port is closed by the cap, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the discharged toner is scattered around from the discharged toner discharge port.

Further, the axial movement of the cap and the rotation of the cap between the matching position and the closing position are performed at the same time, and the movement of the cap to the closing position closes the discharge port for the discharged toner. At the same time, since the engagement between the discharged toner conveying device and the discharged toner collecting device is released, the closing of the discharged toner discharging port and the disengagement of the discharged toner conveying device and the discharged toner collecting container are performed in the axial direction of the cap. These operations can be performed at the same time by moving them, which allows the processing of paper jammed behind the waste toner collection container and replacement of a full waste toner collection container to be performed quickly and without causing toner scattering. You can

(Examples) Examples of the present invention will be described below.

The discharged toner discharging mechanism of the present invention is used, for example, in an electrophotographic copying machine capable of copying on both sides of a transfer paper as shown in FIG. In the electrophotographic copying machine, a photosensitive drum 10 is arranged in the substantially central portion of the machine body. Around the photosensitive drum 10, similar to the conventional electrophotographic copying machine, the photosensitive drum is provided.
10 Charging device 11 for uniformly charging the surface of the photoconductor, Optical device 12 for exposing the charged photoconductor to a document image to form an electrostatic latent image thereof, Developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image by toner 13, a transfer device 14 for transferring the toner image on the photoconductor to the transfer paper, a separating device 15 for separating the transfer paper from the photoconductor, and a cleaning device 16 for collecting the residual toner on the photoconductor.

A transfer paper conveyance path 17 is formed in the substantially vertical center of the machine body, passing between the photoconductor drum 10, the transfer device 14 and the separation device 15, and cutting the machine body vertically. The transfer paper transport path 17
A fixing device 18 that fixes the toner image transferred on the transfer paper to the transfer paper is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer paper.

The transfer paper conveyance path 17 is connected to the discharge port 19, and is also connected to a transfer paper reversal path 21 extending upward and a transfer paper circulation path 22 which is connected to the upstream portion of the transfer paper conveyance path 17 through the lower part of the machine. ing.

Such an electrophotographic copying machine can copy only on one side of the transfer paper, and can also perform double-sided copying by copying on the back side of the transfer paper on which an image is formed. Synthetic copying is also possible in which additional images are formed on the imaged side of the paper. In the case of normal one-sided copying, the transfer paper on which the toner image is transferred and fixed is discharged from the discharge port 19 to the outside of the machine, but in the case of double-sided copying, the transfer paper on which the toner image is fixed is Inversion path above transfer paper transport path 17
After being once conveyed into the inside 21, it is conveyed to the transfer paper circulation path 22 below. While passing through the transfer paper circulation path 22, the transfer paper is inverted so that the surface on which the toner image is fixed faces downward and is introduced into the upstream portion of the transfer paper transport path 17. In the place of the synthetic copying, the transfer paper on which the toner image is fixed is directly conveyed from the transfer paper conveying path 17 into the transfer paper circulating path 22, and the toner image is transferred from the transfer paper circulating path 22 without being reversed. Is introduced into the upstream portion of the transfer paper transport path 17 with the surface on which the is fixed facing upward.

In such an electrophotographic copying machine, in order to easily remove the jammed paper when the paper is jammed in the transfer paper transport path 17, the upper half body 23 and the lower half body 24 are separated from the transfer paper transport path 17 as a boundary.
The upper half 23 and the lower half 24 are rotatably supported by a pivot 25 so that they can be separated from each other.

Further, in the electrophotographic copying machine, the front cover 26 (see FIG. 2) is used to remove the paper jammed in the transfer paper circulation path 22.
Is configured to be openable and closable.

Cleaning device 16 that collects residual toner on the photoconductor
An upstream end portion of a waste toner transport device 31 that transports the collected waste toner, for example, using a spiral conveyor, is disposed in the lower part of the. The discharged toner conveying device 31 is extended to the front side of the machine body, and has a nozzle portion 32 at the downstream end thereof.
2 to 4, the penetrating front side surface 23a of the upper half 23 of the machine body is located between the front side surface 23a and the front cover 26. Below the nozzle 32, the lower half 24 of the fuselage is
On the front side surface 24a of the above, the waste toner collecting container 40 attached via the waste toner container releasing device 27 is positioned. When the front cover 26 is opened, the discharged toner collecting container 40 is
A device 27 for releasing the waste toner container provided on the side of the device
It is rotated forward around the center of 27.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a discharge port 32a opened downward is provided at the tip of the nozzle unit 32 so as to face the input port of the discharged toner collecting container 40.

At the tip of the nozzle portion 32, a cap 33 is fitted onto the nozzle portion 32 so as to be slidable and rotatable in the axial direction. A discharge port 33a that can be aligned with the discharge port 32a of the nozzle portion 32 is provided in the cap 33 in the radial direction.

The nozzle portion 32 and the cap 33 are provided with a rotating means for rotating the cap 33 by, for example, 1/4 by moving the cap 33 in the axial direction. The rotating means is fitted onto the nozzle portion 32 so that the cap 33 is located outside the body (the nozzle portion 32).
A pressing spring 34 that presses in a direction toward the tip side, and a stopper that restricts the movement of the cap 33 toward the outside of the machine by the pressing spring 34.
35, a protrusion 36 disposed on the nozzle portion 32, and the protrusion
36 has a guide groove 37 formed in the cap 33 so that the cap 36 engages.

The push spring 34 is fitted onto the nozzle portion 32, one end of which is locked to the front side surface 23a of the upper half body 23 of the machine body and the other end of which is locked to the base end portion of the cap 33.

The stopper 35 is disposed on the inner side surface of the cover 26,
When the front cover 26 is closed, its tip is capped.
The cap 33 is brought into contact with the front end surface of the cap 33 and presses the cap 33 inward of the machine body against the biasing force of the pressing spring 34. The lower end of the stopper 35 has a taper shape that extends toward the inside of the machine body.

The protrusion 36 provided on the nozzle portion 32 is, for example, substantially horizontal at a position facing the base end portion of the cap 33 when the cap 33 is moved to the outside of the machine by releasing the contact of the stopper 35. It is provided so as to project in the radial direction.

The guide groove 37 with which the protrusion 36 engages is located, for example, in the axial direction at the position where the discharge port 33a extends at the end on the base end side, and the end on the tip end side is the end on the base end side. Approximately 1/4 from part to tip side
It is displaced in the circumferential direction by the circumference, so the guide groove 37 is approximately 1 /
It is formed in a spiral shape with four laps. Therefore, the stopper 35
When the cap 33 is pressed inward by the contact, the projection 36 provided on the nozzle portion 32 is located at the tip end side end of the guide groove 37, and the discharge port 33a of the cap 33 is directed downward. On the other hand, when the pressing of the cap 33 by the stopper 35 is released, the cap 33 moves to the outside of the machine body, and the movement causes the guide groove 37 to move along the protrusion 36, and the cap 33 moves about 1/4 round. Just rotate. This makes the cap 33
The discharge port 33a is directed to the side of the nozzle portion 32 in a substantially horizontal state, and the discharge port 32a of the nozzle portion 32 is closed by the peripheral side surface of the cap 33.

In the electrophotographic copying machine having such a configuration, during the normal copying operation, the front cover 26 is closed, so the stopper 35 resists the cap 33 against the biasing force of the pressing spring 34.
Push inward of the machine. As a result, the protrusion of the nozzle portion 32
36 is located on the tip side of the guide groove 37 in the cap 33, and the discharge port 33a of the cap 33 is the discharge port 3 of the nozzle portion 32.
Aligns with 2a and faces downward. The lower portion of the discharge port 33a is engaged with the input port of the discharged toner collecting container 40. Therefore, the discharged toner conveyed by the discharged toner conveying device 31 falls from the discharge port 32a of the nozzle portion 32 through the discharge port 33a of the cap 33 into the discharged toner collecting container 40.

In the copying machine, when a paper jam occurs in the transfer paper circulation path 22 or when the discharged toner collecting container 40 is full of discharged toner, as shown in FIG. 26 is open. As a result, the stopper 35 is disengaged from the tip surface of the cap 33, and the cap 33 is moved outward by the pressing spring 34. Along with this movement, the guide groove 37 of the cap 33 moves by engaging with the protrusion 36 of the nozzle portion 32, and the cap 33 moves toward the outside of the machine body while rotating about 1/4 turn. Therefore, the discharge port 33a of the cap 33 is not aligned with the discharge port 32a of the nozzle portion 32 as shown in FIG.
The outlet 32a of the nozzle portion 32 is closed by the peripheral surface of the cap 33. Therefore, there is no possibility that the discharged toner will be scattered from the discharge port 32a.

In such a state, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the discharged toner collecting container 40 is rotated by the discharged toner container releasing device 27 around the device 27 toward the upper front so as to transfer the transfer paper. The circulation path 22 is opened to the outside. And the transfer paper circulation path
If the paper is jammed at 22, the jammed paper is removed, and if the discharged toner collecting container 40 is full, it is replaced with a new discharged toner collecting container.

If a paper jam occurs in the transfer paper transport path 17, the 10th
As shown in the figure, the upper half 23 of the main body of the copying machine is rotated upward and separated from the lower half 24. As a result, the tip of the cap 33 comes off the stopper 35, and the cap 33
Rotates about 1/4 turn while moving toward the outside of the machine. The discharge port 33a of the cap 33 is displaced from the alignment position of the discharge port 32a of the nozzle portion 32, and the discharge port 32a is closed by the peripheral surface of the cap 33. Therefore, the discharge port 32a of the nozzle portion 32
There is no possibility that the discharged toner will scatter from the inside. The jammed paper is removed in this state.

Further, in the copying machine, when a paper jam occurs in the transfer paper circulation path 22 during continuous double-sided copying, the transfer paper is already carried in the transfer paper carrying path 17 because the transfer paper is continuously carried. As a result, paper jam also occurs in the transfer paper transport path 17. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 11, the front cover 26 is opened and the upper half body 23 is separated from the lower half body 24 and rotated upward. At this time, cap 33
Is released from the pressing force of the stopper 35, moves to the outside of the machine, and rotates about 1/4 turn to close the discharge port 32a of the nozzle portion 32. In this state, the upper half 23 and the lower half 24
The jammed paper in the transfer paper conveyance path 17 between and is removed. Further, the jammed paper in the transfer paper circulation path 22 is removed while the discharged toner collecting container 40 is rotated forward and upward as shown in FIG.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, the discharged toner discharging mechanism of the present invention is not limited to the case where the front cover is opened, and the discharged toner discharging mechanism is used not only when the main body of the copying machine is separated into the upper half body and the lower half body. Since the discharge port of the conveying device is closed by the cap, there is no risk that the discharged toner will scatter around. Further, the axial movement of the cap and the rotation of the cap between the matching position and the closing position are performed at the same time, and the movement of the cap to the closing position closes the discharge port for the discharged toner. At the same time, the engagement between the discharged toner conveying device and the discharged toner collecting device is released,
For example, the operation of moving the cap in the axial direction or opening the front cover or the upper half of the copying machine simultaneously closes the toner discharge port and disengages the discharged toner conveying device and the discharged toner collecting container. be able to. Therefore, the paper jam processing of the copying machine, which can form the toner image only on one surface of the normal transfer paper, can be easily performed without scattering the discharged toner to the surroundings, and the toner image is formed on both surfaces of the transfer paper. Paper jams in the transfer paper circulation path of a copying machine which can be carried out can be easily performed without scattering the discharged toner to the surroundings.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of an electrophotographic copying machine equipped with the discharged toner discharging mechanism of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the discharged toner discharging mechanism of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a side view showing an example, Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the main part, Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the main part, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an electrophotographic copying machine for explaining the operation, and Fig. 7 is the main part. FIG. 8 is a side view, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an electrophotographic copying machine for explaining the operation, FIG. 9 is a side view of an essential part thereof, and FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are electrophotography for explaining the operation, respectively. It is a perspective view of a copying machine. 31 …… Exhaust toner transport device, 32 …… Nozzle part, 32a …… Discharge port, 33 …… Cap, 33a …… Discharge port, 34 …… Press spring, 35…
… Stopper, 36 …… Projection, 37 …… Guide groove, 40 …… Waste toner collection container.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Hamakawa 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Higashi-ku, Osaka Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Shinji Ogaki 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Higashi-ku, Osaka Mita Kogaku (56) References JP-A-60-118874 (JP, A) Actual development: S55-97765 (JP, U)

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A nozzle portion, which is disposed at an end portion on the downstream side of a waste toner conveying device, and has a discharge port that opens downward to discharge the waste toner to a waste toner collecting container, and a circumferential direction and a shaft at the nozzle portion. With a discharge port that is movably fitted to the discharge port and that can be aligned with the discharge port, and an alignment position where the discharge port aligns the discharge port with the discharge port by the axial movement of the cap. And rotation means for rotating the discharge port between a closed position where the discharge port is closed by the cap, and the axial movement of the cap and the rotation of the cap by the rotation means are performed at the same time. When the cap moves to the alignment position, the nozzle portion and the discharged toner collection container engage, and when the cap moves to the closed position, the nozzle portion and the discharged toner collection container disengage. Exhaust configured to Toner discharge mechanism. 2. The rotating means comprises a pressing spring for urging the cap portion in the axial direction of the nozzle portion, a stopper for restricting the movement of the cap against the urging force of the pressing spring, and the nozzle. The projection according to claim 1 having a projection provided on the portion (or cap) and a spiral guide groove provided on the cap (or nozzle portion) so as to engage with the projection. Exhaust toner discharge mechanism. 3. The discharged toner discharging mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the discharge port faces a discharged toner collecting container. 4. The discharged toner discharging mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the discharged toner collecting container is arranged inside a front cover that can be opened and closed in the electrophotographic copying machine. 5. The discharged toner discharging mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the stopper is attached to the front cover. 6. The discharged toner discharging mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the discharged toner collecting container can rotate forward of the upper portion of the copying machine main body when the front cover is opened. 7. The discharged toner discharging container according to claim 4, wherein the discharged toner collecting container is arranged on a lower half side of a copying machine body which is separable into an upper half body and a lower half body. mechanism. 8. The discharged toner discharging mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the nozzle portion is disposed on the upper half side. 9. The electrophotographic copying machine according to claim 4, wherein the transfer paper on which the toner image has been transferred can be reversed, or can be fed to the upstream portion of the transfer paper conveying path without being reversed. The discharged toner discharging mechanism described in. 10. The rotating means is configured such that the cap is moved to the closed position by one of an operation of opening the front cover and an operation of separating the upper half body from the lower half body. The discharged toner discharging mechanism according to claim 8,