JP2771797B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0001] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic copying apparatus.
Etc., more specifically, a developing device and
Toner containing toner to be supplied to the developing device
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a storage unit. [0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In general, electrophotographic copying machines and laser printers
An image forming apparatus such as a printer has an electrostatic latent formed on a photoreceptor.
A developing device that attaches developer toner to the image and visualizes it
And a toner containing toner above the developing device.
For example, a toner hopper or toner cart
Ridges are provided to transfer toner from those toner storage units to the developing device.
The toner is sequentially dropped and supplied. Also, two-color copying such as black and red
In an image forming apparatus that performs black development,
Black developing device and black toner storage section for color development
Developing device and color toner container for performing
And Conventional image for performing such two-color copying
In the image forming apparatus, the above-described developing devices and the toner storage section
Use exactly the same thing and put it in the toner container at the end
Just change the color of the toner,
Even if the shape and structure of the toner container are slightly changed,
The toner container such as a toner hopper is located above the developing device.
Was generally provided. For this reason, the developing section occupies the image forming apparatus.
Space in the height direction increases,
There was a disadvantage of inviting an increase in size. Therefore, the developing device
Near a toner hopper or toner cartridge
Provision of a toner container, from which conveyance means such as a screw
To transport and replenish toner into the developing device
Some have done it. In this way, the height of the developing section can be reduced.
As a result, the required space can be reduced and the image forming apparatus can be made compact.
Can be achieved. [0005] However, this is not the case.
Replenish toner from the outside of the developing device
So that replenishment is less than replenishment from the top.
Reliable or charged use remaining in the developing device
Used toner (in the case of a two-component developer,
The new toner supplied from the toner container
Do not mix well and tend to be uneven,
Density unevenness sometimes occurred in an image to be developed. The present invention solves such a problem.
The height of the developing section in the image forming apparatus
To reduce the required space, and
Ensure that toner is supplied to the machine and
New toner is mixed and replenished evenly
The purpose is to do. [0007] Means for Solving the Problems The present inventionIsThe above purpose
To achieve this, a developing device and a toner supplied to the developing device are provided.
An image forming apparatus provided with a toner storage section for storing
And the toner container isLongitudinalNear the outside
And use the used toner from the developing device
Image equipmentLongitudinalA first transport member that is carried out to an outer portion;
Of developing devicethe aboveTransfers toner from outside to the developing device
And a second transport member for receiving the first transport member and the second transport member.
The transport member isthe aboveDelivery of toner on the outside
Supply the toner in the toner storage section to the position where
It is like that. Deliver the toner
The position is the used toner that has been unloaded by the second transport member.
And new toner supplied from the toner container
It is good to be in the mixing section. [0008] In this case, the toner accommodating portion is provided with the developing device.
Place ofLongitudinalSince it is on the outside, the height of the developing section
To reduce the space required
The device can be reduced in size. Moreover, the first transport
The member and the second conveying member areLongitudinalOn the outside
Place the toner container in the toner
Supplies new toner, the new toner
With charged or mixed toner with carrier
The toner is surely carried into the developing device,
The toner is mixed and replenished evenly,
There is no density unevenness in the image to be reproduced. [0009] BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
And will be described specifically. FIG. 1 shows an image embodying the present invention.
FIG. 1 is an external configuration diagram illustrating an example of a copying apparatus as a forming apparatus.
You. This copying apparatus executes an image forming process.
And a copying machine main body 1 to be mounted on the copying machine main body 1.
Reverse feed type automatic document feeder that automatically feeds placed documents
(ADF) 2 and paper ejected from the copier body 1
Sorter 3 that sorts or collates documents, and performs composite copying and double-sided copying.
Paper feed synthesis that re-feeds and reverses the transfer paper to make a copy
-Externally with respect to the duplex unit 4 and the copier body 1
A manual tray 5 and a paper cassette 6 for feeding paper are provided.
I have. On the front side of the top of the copying apparatus main body 1, the copying
Various keys and indicators for operating the device are provided.
A main operation panel 7 is provided, and a hidden door is located on the upper front.
The sub-operation panel normally stored in the copier body 1
A tunnel 8 is provided. In addition, the front of the copying apparatus body 1
The lower part is a two-stage upper paper feeder that feeds paper from inside the copier body 1.
The set 9 and the lower sheet cassette 10 are mounted. The sub operation panel 8 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
And is urged to rotate forward by a spring (not shown).
Is attached to the support plate 86, and the support plate 86 is locked.
Latch 87 is provided. This sub operation panel
8 is normally held in the state shown by the solid line
It is hidden inside the body of the copying apparatus, and in this state the support plate 86
Of the latch 87 by pushing the
The lock is released, and the spring (not shown)
It turns to the position shown by the phantom line to be in use. Soshi
By closing the support plate 86 again after use, the latch
Locked by 87. FIG. 3 shows the entire mechanism of the copying apparatus main body 1.
It is a schematic block diagram. The main body 1 of the copying apparatus
When the start key provided on panel 7 is pressed
In addition, the main motor 100 rotates and the photosensitive drum 101
Rotates in the direction of arrow P, and the grid voltage
High voltage is applied to the charged charge 102 provided with the pole 102a.
And the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 is uniformly charged.
You. On the other hand, an exposure lamp attached to a first scanner described later
105, the first mirror 106, and the second scanner
Of the second mirror 107 and the third mirror 108
Moving optical system (scanner)
Therefore, it is driven. The contact glass 115 has an automatic
Document S is set by document feeder 2 or manually
Have been. The automatic document feeder 2 has a document table.
The document placed on the file 2A is called by the calling roller 2B,
Separating one sheet at a time by the separation roller 2C and the pull-out roller 2D
Conveying bell that rotates in the direction of the arrow through the guide 2E when it is separated
The conveyor belt 2F.
Document S is transported to a predetermined position on contact glass 115
And set it. The moving optical system performs an exposure run at a predetermined timing.
Lamp 105 is turned on and the contact glass 115
While illuminating the placed original S, a virtual line
After moving forward to the illustrated position, it returns in the direction of arrow R. this
At this time, the reflection by the original S irradiated by the exposure lamp 105
The light passes through the first mirror 106, the second mirror 107, and the third mirror.
-108, through lens 109, fourth mirror 110,
5th mirror 111, 6th mirror 112 and dustproof glass
Light enters the charged photosensitive drum 101 via 113
The exposure is performed, and the original is
An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image is formed. The charged area on the photosensitive drum 101
Of the non-transfer area portion of the light emitting diode (LE)
D) erased by the erase lamp 116
Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 101 is subjected to color development.
The developing sleeve 120 of the device 118 or the black developing device 11
Color toner or black by the developing sleeve 121 of No. 9
The toner is adhered and visualized. On the other hand, the upper paper cassette 9 mounted inside
The transfer paper stored in the feed roller 124 and the intermediate row
Through the feeder 125 and in the lower paper cassette 10.
The transferred transfer paper is fed to the feed roller 124 and the relay roller 126.
1 and the intermediate roller 125,
The transfer paper fed from the feed tray 5 is
And stored in the sheet cassette 6 via the intermediate roller 125.
The transferred paper is fed to an intermediate roller 125 from a paper feed path (not shown).
Paper selection key provided on the main operation panel 7
One of those transfer papers is
The paper has been fed to the position where it is
You. Then, the supply to the registration roller 130 is performed.
Transfer paper is rotated at the correct timing
The rotation of the registration roller 130 causes the photosensitive drum 10 to rotate.
1 and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 101 is transferred.
Is done. At this time, the transfer charger 131
A DC high voltage is applied by the
The upper toner image is attracted toward the transfer paper. After that,
AC voltage is applied to the charging
Is removed, and the transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 10 by the separation claw 133.
1 from above. Thus, the feeling that the transfer and the separation are completed
The optical drum 101 is left by the cleaning blade 135.
The residual toner is removed, and the static elimination lamp 136 composed of an LED is used.
Erases the residual charge and prepares for the next copy process
You. Note that the cleaning blade 135 uses the photosensitive drum.
Residual toner peeled off from above 101
137, the toner is collected in the toner collection tank 138.
You. On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 101
The transfer paper is transferred to a fixing device 142 by a transport belt 141.
And the heater roller 1
43 and the pressing roller 144 heats the toner image.
After the image is fixed, the sheet is discharged by fixing discharge rollers 145 and 146.
Is discharged. Then, the toner is discharged from the fixing device 142.
When the paper discharge switching member 148 is located on the paper discharge side
Into the sorter 3 through the discharge rollers 149, 149
The paper is ejected. Further, the paper discharge switching member 148 is a composite / both side.
(The state shown in the drawing)
The paper is sent between the rollers 151 and 152. And one
Direction switching in the state shown by the solid line when copying one sheet
It is guided by the member 153 and passes between the rollers 151 and 154.
Is sent to the combining / double-sided transport unit 156,
・ Position correction etc. can be performed as necessary with the double-sided conveyance unit 156.
After that, the registration roller 13 is re-started at a predetermined timing.
0 is fed. Also, continuous composite copy or continuous double-sided copy
In the case of, the direction switching member 15 in the state shown by the phantom line
Guided by 3 and sent into the composite / double-sided unit 4,
At the time of composition, the currently copied side is
No, the side opposite to the current copy side is
After being inverted so that it will be the next copy side, composite, both sides
It is sent from the unit 4 into the copying apparatus main body 1 again,
Combining / double-sided transport unit via rollers 151 and 154
After the position is corrected and the posture is corrected.
The paper is fed to the registration roller 130 again by the timing. Soshi
After the next image on the photosensitive drum 101 is transferred,
In the same way as described above, after fixing,
Send into knit 156 or composite / double-sided unit
4 is carried out. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the drum unit of the copying apparatus main body 1.
Front and sectional views showing the knit and cleaning unit.
FIG. First, the configuration of the drum unit is explained
I do. The drum unit case 251 is
The upper and lower guides 251a and the lower
Forming the guide 251b and the bracket 251c,
Open necessary parts for electricity, exposure, development, transfer, and cleaning.
It is a cylindrical housing formed by releasing. The drum unit case 251
Inside, the shaft part 252 is integrally formed on the front side and
The photosensitive drum 101 to which the lid 253 is fixed can be rotated.
To the shaft 252 on the front side of the photosensitive drum 101.
Is attached by pressing the leaf spring 254 for grounding.
Attach two separation claws 133 to the bracket 251c,
The sensor bracket 256 is fixed and the P sensor 257 is
Installed. Therefore, this drum unit case
By attaching and detaching 251, the photosensitive drum 101
Attaching and detaching the release claw 133 and the P sensor 257 integrally
Can be. The cover at the rear end of the photosensitive drum 101
253 is rotatably mounted on the rear frame 260B.
Drum rotating shaft 2 rotatably inserted into sleeve 261
62 are fitted, and the rear end of the drum rotation shaft 262 is
Fixing the timing pulley 263
263 and a tool (not shown) attached to the main motor 100.
Stretch the timing belt 264 between the imming pulley
Then, the photosensitive drum 101 is driven by the main motor 100.
Is driven to rotate. The rotating shaft 2 of the photosensitive drum 101
62 is rotatably inserted into the sleeve 261.
A not-shown chain at the rear end
The sprocket 265, which is driven to rotate via the shaft
And the rear frame 206B and the photosensitive drum 101
Between the color developing device 118 and the black developing device 119
The developing gear 266 for transmitting rotation to the
You. Further, a transfer chamber provided below the photosensitive drum 101
For example, an LED is provided on the front side of the
Is provided. Next, the cleaning unit will be described.
I do. The cleaning unit case 271 contains toner
The collection tank 138 is detachably mounted, and the toner collection
The toner collection shaft 137 is rotatable at the inlet of the tank 138
Installation, cleaning blade 135 and static elimination lamp
136 is attached, and the charger 102 is attached and detached.
Wearing freely. The toner collection tank 138
Mylar at the entrance to prevent toner from falling and scattering
138a is attached. Also, this cleaning unit
The toner recovery shaft 137 is fixed to the rear of the
Integrally formed two-stage gear 2 meshing with the worn gear 272
73 and 274 are rotatably supported. Then, the cleaning unit case 27
A duct 275 formed in a trumpet shape is attached to the upper part of
A sensor mounting frame 276 is formed in this duct 275.
The sensor mounting frame 276 has a toner collecting tank.
138 made of rubber or the like mounted in a
A light emitting element and an opposing sensor plate 277
And a light-receiving element
-Over sensor 278 is attached. The duct 275 has an air inlet 28 therein.
0a from the duct 280 formed by the centrifugal fan 281.
Sends in external air and charges it from this duct 275
Around the photosensitive drum 101 via the charger 102
The air stream is blowing. Note that the fan 281 has a double shaft
Is fixed to one output shaft 100a of the main motor 100.
Have been. Also, the other rotating shaft of the main motor 100
Attaches a gear head 282, and this gear head 282
The rotation axis of the drive output shaft 100 such as the photosensitive drum 101
b. FIGS. 6 to 9 show color development of the developing unit.
Sectional view of a black developing device 118 and a black developing device 119.
Top view of image device 119, top view of color developing device 118
And a front sectional view of a toner supply unit of the color developing device 118.
is there. First, the black developing device 119 will be described.
You. The unit case 301 of the black developing device 119
Is provided on the photosensitive drum 101 side as shown in FIG.
A long hole 301b is formed in the front end portion 301a, and the long hole 3b is formed.
01b engages with pin 303 implanted in front frame 302
And fix the rear end portion 301c to the front frame 302.
The sub-frame 302a is pivoted on the sub-frame 302a
A pivotally supported shaft 306 is supported on the supported support plate 305,
The developing sleeve 121 against the surface of the photosensitive drum 101
Are arranged so that they can be separated from each other. The unit of the black developing device 119
The case 301 is not shown, but the drum unit
The black developing device 119 by engaging the
Can be pulled out separately from photoconductor drum 101
I try not to. This is because black copies are usually
The black developing device 119 is similar to the color developing device 118.
Because we do not plan to exchange for color change,
The photosensitive drum 101 and the developing sleeve 1 are pulled out independently.
21 so that no misalignment with the
This is to maintain image quality. Also, unit case 3
01 forward and backward movement, for example, via a solenoid and clutch
Can do it. The rear part of the unit case 301
Above, as shown in FIG.
1 is a toner storage unit for storing the toner to be supplied into
A hopper 312 and a toner supply roller 313
The toner replenishing unit is attached integrally, and the toner hopper 312
And a toner replenishing section comprising a toner replenishing roller 313.
So that it can be moved integrally with the
You. In the unit case 301,
A developing sleeve for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum 101;
To the developing sleeve 121 and toner
Wheel 310 for supplying toner and toner hopper 31
2 through the toner supply roller 313.
Paddle wheel to supply the paddle wheel and the like to the paddle wheel 310
Wire (or strip) around the outer periphery of the
And the mixing roller 315 around which the body 314 is wound.
It is installed as possible. Further, the inside of the unit case 301
Regulates the toner supply amount onto the developing sleeve 121.
The doctor blade 316 is provided and the paddle wheel 31 is provided.
The toner regulated by the doctor blade 316
Is not one pitch in the drum axis direction with respect to the mixing roller 315
With a deflection plate 317 for sending it back and back
-A return guide plate 318 is provided. In addition, this Tona
-The return guide plate 318 has a
Toner return screw 319 for returning the toner to the front end
And the toner return screw 319
The toner returned to the front end falls on the paddle wheel 310
An opening 320 is formed. Then, as shown in FIG.
121 to the developing gear 266 of the drum unit described above.
The meshing sleeve gear 322 is fixed and the paddle wheel
310 through a sleeve gear 322
The paddle gear 323 to be meshed is fixed, and the mixing roller 3
15 through a gear (not shown) to the paddle gear 323
The meshing roller gear 324 is fixed, and the toner return
The gear that meshes with the roller gear 324 on the clew 319
And the paddle wheel 310 and the mixing roller 315
Are rotated in opposite directions. In addition, mixed
Roller 315 rotates in the same direction as paddle wheel 310
You can also make it. The unit case 30
The black developing device 119 is provided at the front end of the photosensitive drum 1.
Used when attaching / detaching with 101 (drum unit)
The handle 326 is fixed. The black developing device 11 thus configured
9, the toner supply low from the toner hopper 312
The new toner supplied through the roller 313 is a mixing roller.
315 and is not supplied to the mixing roller 315.
Used toner is supplied via toner return guide plate 318
The rotation of the mixing roller 315 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.
Therefore, these toners are sent to the paddle wheel 310 side.
Can be On the other hand, the photosensitive drum is driven by the developing sleeve 121.
The toner supplied to the system 101 is not used for development
The used toner that has been used is the arrow of FIG.
The paddle wheel 310 is returned by the rotation in the indicated direction.
You. Accordingly, the diagram of the paddle wheel 310
6 is returned from the developing sleeve 121 by the rotation in the direction of the arrow.
Used toner and supplied from the mixing roller 315
The new toner is mixed with the paddle wheel 310
Is newly supplied to the developing sleeve 121. At this time,
The doctor blade 316 on the paddle wheel 310
The regulated unused toner is removed from the opening of the return guide plate 318.
320. Next, the color developing device 118 will be mainly described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. This color developing device 1
18 unit case 331 is also the black developing device 1 described above.
19, the developing sleeve 1
20 is disposed so as to be able to contact and separate from the surface of the photosensitive drum 101.
Has been established. Also, this unit case 331 is
Unlike the unit case 301 of the image device 119, the drum
The color developing device 1 does not engage with the unit case 251,
18 is separated from the photosensitive drum 101 and the developing
Can be pulled out in the axial direction of
Replacement etc. can be performed easily. In the unit case 331, a photosensitive member is provided.
Developing sleeve 1 for supplying toner to drum 101
21 and toner to the developing sleeve 121
As well as collecting used toner and developing unit
Paddle that is the first transport member to be carried out of the case 331
Carried out by wheel 332 and paddle wheel 332
Unit toner that has been used and new toner
Mixing, which is the second transport member that is carried in from outside to inside
The rollers 333 are rotatably mounted. Note that the color developing device 118
The leave 120 is the developing sleeve 12 of the black developing device 119.
The diameter is smaller than 1. In other words, the development ability
Determined by the ratio of sleeve diameter to drum diameter, but black
When compared with color, the former is more frequently used
And high image quality is required, whereas the latter is
Infrequently used, relatively low image quality compared to black
Is not considered a major problem, but rather the downsizing of the device
It is desired to aim at. Therefore, the color developing device 118
The diameter of the developing sleeve 120 is changed by the black developing device 119.
By making the diameter smaller than the diameter of the sleeve 121,
The size of the color developing device is reduced. The paddle wheel 332 has the black
As with the mixing roller 315 of the color developing device 119,
Spiral wire or strip around the eel
And the mixing roller 333 is also
Spare the wire or band around the dollar wheel clockwise.
It is wound in an spiral shape. The pad of the unit case 331
Part equipped with a wheel 332 and a mixing roller 333
Minutes, as shown in FIG.
The toner mixing section 331a is extended to form a toner mixing section 331a.
The toner storage unit of the toner replenishment unit 335 is located above 331a.
A toner hopper 336 is integrally formed and provided.
With the paddle wheel 332 and the mixing roller 333
The lower part of the toner hopper 336 of the toner supply unit 335
That is, it is formed to extend into the toner mixing section 331a.
You. That is, the toner collection of the color developing device 118
The toner hopper 336 serving as a container is provided with a black developing device 119.
The toner hopper 312 has a shape different from that of the developing device.
Drum center axis directionIs the longitudinal directionOutside of(See Fig. 8)
To reduce the overall height of the development section,
The toner hopper of the developing device 118 is
Compared to the case where the toner hopper has the same shape,
The space occupied especially in the height direction is reduced,
The size of the forming device can be reduced. In the toner hopper 336, two
Agitators 337 and 338 are rotatably mounted.
Toner supply roller 3 between agitators 337 and 338
39 is rotatably mounted on the toner supply roller 33.
Reference numeral 9 denotes a seal forming a toner supply port as shown in FIG.
341 and 342 are in pressure contact. In addition, this Tona
-Can be opened and closed with the shaft 343 as a fulcrum at the top of the hopper 336
A functional lid 344 is attached. Also, the toner hopper 3
On the side of 36, a vibration sensor that detects toner end
Color toner end sensor 345 is attached. Then, as shown in FIG.
20 is engaged with the developing gear 266 of the drum unit described above.
Fix the sleeve gear 346 that fits the paddle wheel 3
32 to the sleeve gear 346 via a gear (not shown).
The paddle gear 347 that meshes with the
333 to the paddle gear 347 via a gear (not shown).
The roller 348 meshing with the paddle wheel 348 is fixed, and the paddle wheel 3
32 and the mixing roller 333 rotate in opposite directions, respectively.
I have to. The agitator in the toner hopper 336
Gears 351 and 352 integrally formed are fixed to 337
The agitator 338 has one gear 351 as shown in FIG.
Gear 353 meshing via two gears
The gear 354 formed integrally with the gear 351 is fixedly attached.
The toner supply roller 339 also has a
The gear 355 meshing with the gear 351 through the gears is fixed.
I'm wearing The color developing device 1 thus configured
18, two agitating units in the toner replenishing unit 335 are provided.
9 are rotated in the directions indicated by arrows in FIG.
While stirring the toner filled in the hopper 336
The toner replenishing roller 339 is rotated, and new toner is
Supply on the paddle wheel 332 in the mixing section 331a
I do. On the other hand, the developing sleeve 120
Used for developing the toner supplied to the drum 101
The used toner that did not exist is shown in FIG.
Return to the paddle wheel 332 by rotating in the direction of the arrow.
Is done. FIG. 9 shows the paddle wheel 332.
The rotation in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.
The returned used toner moves in the direction of arrow C in FIG.
And a toner mixing unit 331 provided outside the developing device.
a, where the toner hopper 336
Is mixed with the new toner supplied from the company. The toner in the toner mixing section 331a is
The rotation of the mixing roller 333 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.
18 in the direction of arrow D in FIG.
Is supplied to the paddle wheel 332 and the developing sleeve
120. In this way, the used toner is
The toner mixing unit 33 outside the developing device
1a, and transfer it to the mixing roller 333.
In the toner mixing section 331a provided in the
After mixing with new toner supplied from
Roller 333 again into the developing device.
Therefore, as described above, the toner hopper 336 is moved outside the developing device.
Even if it is provided on the side, toner can be supplied reliably.
You. The reason is that the used toner is charged and
In the case of a two-component developer, it may be mixed with a carrier.
Therefore, it is necessary to mix and transport new toner
This is because the transport performance is further improved. Moreover, the developing equipment
Uniform mixing of used and new toner in the machine
Is also easy, and uneven density occurs in the developed image.
There will be no hunger. The color developing device 118 and the black developing device
As described above, the image device 119 is a photosensitive drum.
Although it is arranged so as to be able to contact and separate from 101,
Therefore, at the time of color development, the color developing device 118
The black developing device 119 to the separated state, and
The black developing device with the color developing device 118 in the separated state.
119 is in the contact state, and the copying operation is not performed.
The color developing device 118 and the black developing device 119
Both are separated. Even when the copying operation is not performed,
It is possible to maintain the same state as when copying
However, as described above, the color developing device 118 is
When it can be pulled out separately from the ram 101,
The color developing device 118 is separated from the
When the developing device 118 is attached or detached, the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 is
No more hurting. Black developing device 119
When it can be pulled out separately from the photosensitive drum 101
In the same way, the photoreceptor
The surface of the drum 101 is not damaged. As described above, the color developing device 118
If so, remove the used toner with the paddle wheel 332
Move to the outside of the toner mixing section 331 a
After mixing with the toner mixing unit 3 again by the mixing roller 333.
31a and send it out via paddle wheel 332
Because it is supplied to the image sleeve 120,
The size of the developing device can be reduced without impairing the performance.
Wear. Note that these color developing devices 118 and
Of the black developing device 119, the color developing device 118
The toner end sensor 345
When the toner supply roller 339 is
To supply a certain amount of toner.
In addition, detection of density detection by the P sensor 257 described above
The toner supply roller 313 is driven to rotate according to the result, and
Replenish the ner. Therefore, the toner concentration using the P sensor is
The degree detection will be described with reference to FIGS. Toner density detection using this P sensor
Is a document on the contact glass 115 as shown in FIG.
P sensor pattern 360 is attached to the lower surface on the left side from the tip position
And turn on the tip erase timing (full erase)
→ A5R size erase → ON → Erase by size
As shown in FIG.
Form a P sensor pattern image 362 before the original image
You. Then, the P sensor pattern image 362 is transferred and fed.
By controlling the timing without transferring to the transfer paper
Move to the position of P sensor 257 and
Light from the light emitting element of the P sensor 257
The reflected light is received by the light receiving element and the P sensor pattern
The density of the image 362 is detected.
Control the amount of replenishment. The toner density using this P sensor
The detection is performed, for example, on the first sheet after the power is turned on and every 10 sheets thereafter.
When the toner density is detected as low, the next toner
-Toner detection for each sheet up to the tenth sheet before the density detection timing
-Turn the supply roller 313 on → off and continue to supply toner
I can. Also, for color toner to be replenished quantitatively,
Difference based on the toner density detection result by P sensor 257
A normal determination or the like can be performed. Next, the operation timing of the developing device will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The main operation panel shown in FIG.
When the start key provided on the console 7 is turned on
Bias is turned on at time T1 after a predetermined time has elapsed from T3
State. The bias at this time is applied to the notch of the density key.
Regardless of the fixed bias (non-image part)
To the data of the automatic concentration adjustment system (ADS)
Set bias (image part). Also, the scanner library
After a predetermined time from the turn, return to a constant bias,
Furthermore, after a predetermined time has passed since the fixing detection
Turn off. Then, for example, when the toner concentration is reduced,
If a predetermined time has passed since the scanner return, T
In step 2, the toner supply solenoid is turned on, and this state is changed to the next state.
Continue until the toner density check. Also, start key
At the time T3 when the color developing device 118 is turned on,
Displays the type of color toner, and color toner end
Is detected by a vibration sensor,
When the vibration has continued for a predetermined time or more since the start time T4
At the end of the color toner. Next, control of the developing bias will be described.
You. Development bias adjustment is provided on the main operation panel 7.
The bias output is shared with the lamp voltage by the
And adjust the background density of the original using ADS.
And adjust the bias output according to that value.
is there. Note that the notch and bias voltage when using the density key
FIG. 13 shows the relationship with the pressure in the ADS mode in the ADS mode.
FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the data and the bias voltage.
I have. Next, the microcomputer of the copying apparatus will be described.
Black developing device 1 performed by a control unit having a built-in printer
The toner density control of No. 19 will be described with reference to FIG.
You. First, whether the number of copies has reached (10n + 1)
That is, 10 copies have been completed since the last check
It is determined whether or not the number of copies has reached (10n + 1).
Then, a P sensor pattern image is created and a P sensor pattern is created.
Of the P sensor 257 when sensing before and after the image
When the force VSG and P sensor pattern image are sensed
The output VSP of the P sensor 257 is obtained. If 0.5 <VSP,
Returning to the processing for determining the number of copies, 0.5 ≦ VSP ≦ 0.9.
Then, the process returns to the determination process of the number of copies after toner supply.
If 0.9 <VSP, the maximum supply rate is reached.
If the maximum replenishment rate is not reached,
Check the number of copies after replenishing the toner set to the large replenishment rate.
Return to another process. On the other hand, if the maximum supply rate is
For example, after flashing the toner end indicator,
Judge whether the number of copies has exceeded 50 or more
If it is below, continue the copy enabled state and
Turns on the toner end indicator when the
-14 is set in a red (copying impossible) state. It should be noted that color toner is supplied in a fixed amount.
Therefore, the output VSP of the P sensor 257 becomes smaller than a predetermined reference value.
When the amount becomes low (it becomes dark), the fixed amount replenishment is stopped.
For the black toner, the output V of the P sensor 257
When SG falls below a predetermined reference value, toner density
As a control error, shift to the quantitative supply mode and
-When toner falls below other reference values, toner
Halve the feed. In the above embodiment,
In the above, an example in which the present invention was applied to a copying machine was described.
Other printers, such as laser printers, may be used in the same manner.
Can be [0064] As described above, according to the present invention,
If included, a toner storage section that stores toner for replenishment is included.
Reducing the overall height of the developing unit to reduce the required space
Can reduce the size of the image forming apparatus.
Will be possible. In addition, the first transport member and the second transport member
Of developing deviceLongitudinalTransfer the toner on the outside.
Position, the toner in the toner container is supplied.
The new toner is used or charged
Reliable development even in horizontal transport with toner mixed with rear
The used toner and the new toner
As it is mixed and replenished evenly,
No density unevenness occurs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of a copying apparatus as an image forming apparatus embodying the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing a mounting structure of a sub operation panel 8 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an overall schematic configuration diagram showing a mechanical unit of the copying apparatus main body 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front sectional view showing details of the drum cleaning unit. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing details of the drum cleaning unit. FIG. 6 is a front sectional view showing details of a color developing device 118 and a black developing device 119 shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 7 is a plan view of the black developing device 119; FIG. 8 is a plan view of the color developing device 118. FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of the toner supply unit of the color developing device 118; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining toner concentration detection by a P sensor; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining toner concentration detection by the P sensor. FIG. 12 is a timing chart illustrating operation timings of the developing device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a relationship between a notch of a density key and a bias voltage. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a relationship between ADS data and a bias voltage. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling the toner density of the black developing device by the control unit. [Description of Signs] 1: Copier main body 2: ADF 3: Sorter 4: Compositing / duplex unit 5: Manual feed tray 6: Paper cassette 7: Main operation panel 8: Sub operation panels 9, 10: Paper cassette 101: Photoreceptor drum 102: Charging charger 105: Exposure lamp 118: Color developing device 119: Black developing device 131: Transfer charger 120, 121: Developing sleeve 132: Separate charger 136: Static elimination lamp 135: Cleaning blade 141: Transport belt 142: Fixing Apparatus 149: paper discharge roller 331: unit case 331a: toner mixing section 332: paddle wheel (first transport member) 333: mixing roller (second transport member) 335: toner supply section 336: toner hopper (toner storage section) 337, 338: Agitator 339: Toner supply low La

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Masayuki Takashima 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-56-66884 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 13 / 01,13 / 08,15 / 01,15 / 08

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device; and a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner to be supplied to the developing device, wherein the toner accommodating portion is provided near an outer side in a longitudinal direction of the developing device, and is used from the developing device. The used toner in the longitudinal direction of the developing device.
A first transporting member that is carried out to the outside of the developing device;
A second transport member that carries the toner from the outer portion into the developing device, wherein the first transport member and the second transport member are in front of the developing device.
Serial to position for transferring the toner on the outside part, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that so as to supply the toner in the toner accommodating portion. 2. The position where the first transport member and the second transport member transfer toner on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device is a position where the used toner carried out by the second transport member and the used toner are supplied from the toner storage section. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided in a mixing unit that mixes the obtained new toner.