JP2897411B2 - Toner collection device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process, in which toner collected by a cleaning device is housed in a toner collection box provided integrally with a toner cartridge, and is emptied. In particular, the present invention relates to a device that can be disposed of together with a toner cartridge. In particular, it is possible to prevent toner from spilling when an alligator-like frame of an image forming apparatus is opened, and to easily store collected toner in a toner collection box. Related to a device to be obtained.

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process, such as an electronic copying machine or a laser printer, an image writing unit and a toner image creating unit are provided around an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum. And a means for fixing a transfer of the toner image onto a sheet or the like and making a copy.

In the image forming apparatus using the dry toner as described above, a unit that removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum by a cleaning device after transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductor drum to paper is used. . The amount of the collected toner is about 20% in a general image forming apparatus.
It is housed in a toner collecting box using a collecting means as shown in JP 181054 and the like.

Since the conventional image forming apparatus is a large-sized machine in which a large number of copies are made per unit time, the toner collection box is also configured as a large-sized one. It is arranged at the bottom to cope with a large amount of toner consumption. And
The toner collected in the large toner collection box is
When the toner collection box is full, it is removed from the apparatus and discarded.

Apart from the case of the large-sized machine, in a small-sized electronic copying machine and the like, for example, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-79265, a toner cartridge for supplying toner to a developing device, There is a case where a unit for integrally providing a toner collection box and storing the toner collected by the cleaning device in the toner collection box is used. In the conventional toner cartridge integrally provided with a toner collecting box, the toner conveying means of the cleaning device is extended to the developing device portion so that the collected toner can be supplied to the toner collecting box. .

Further, the toner collection box is provided with an opening / closing lid member so that the toner cartridge can be automatically opened when the toner cartridge is set in a state capable of discharging toner. When removing
The lid member can be automatically closed.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the case where the toner cartridge and the toner collection box as described above are integrally formed, the portion of the toner cartridge is configured to correspond to the width of the developing device. In addition, there is a problem that the unit becomes long because the toner collection box is additionally provided.

Further, if the unit of the toner cartridge is configured to correspond to the width of the developing device, the toner supplied from the cartridge is distributed in an uneven state with respect to the developing device. It becomes necessary to provide another means for leveling.

On the other hand, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-89672, it has been proposed to store the collected toner in a space after the toner is discharged from the cartridge. However, providing a flexible partitioning means inside the cartridge and storing the collected toner as in the conventional example described above has a problem in that the operation of inserting the collected toner into the cartridge cannot be easily performed.

The developing device using the toner cartridge as described above is used for a relatively small image forming apparatus. In such a small image forming apparatus, an upper frame for accommodating an upper member of the apparatus and a paper tray The frame is configured so that the lower frame that accommodates the like can be opened and closed like a crocodile mouth. Further, a photosensitive drum, a developing device and the like are provided so as to be able to be inserted into and removed from the upper frame, so that each member can be independently removed from the frame when inspecting such members.

Therefore, when the upper frame is opened, the toner discharge pipe connecting the cleaning device and the toner collection box is
There is a case where the toner is separated from the toner collection box, and at that time, a problem occurs that the toner is spilled from a connection portion between the two members.

Further, when the toner cartridge and the toner collection box are integrally formed, when the toner cartridge is emptied and the cartridge is removed from the developing device,
There is also a problem that the collected toner spills out of the connection portion with the toner discharge pipe, and contaminates the periphery of the apparatus.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional toner collecting device, and automatically closes the discharge end of the toner discharge pipe when the upper frame is opened like a crocodile mouth. In addition, the toner can be prevented from spilling out of the toner discharge pipe, and the toner receiving port of the toner collection box is automatically opened and closed when the toner cartridge is attached to and detached from the developing device. It is intended to provide a device.

(Means and Actions for Solving the Problems) The present invention develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member and visualizes it as a toner image, and transfers the toner image to paper. And a cleaning device for removing the toner remaining on the image carrier after the image is transferred. The apparatus main body is divided at a portion of the paper conveyance path, and the upper frame is alligated with respect to the lower frame. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus configured to be openable and closable. In the present invention, a toner collection box is provided integrally with a toner cartridge mounted on the developing device, and a toner discharge pipe of the cleaning device is connected to the toner collection box. And a toner storage section corresponding to the above. A step is formed between the two members, and the opening and closing operation of the upper frame directs the collected toner received in the toner reception section to the toner storage section. Opening and closing lid members are provided at the toner discharge end of the toner discharge pipe of the cleaning device and at the toner receiving port of the toner collection box, respectively, to cope with opening and closing operations of the upper frame of the image forming apparatus main body. The opening and closing operation of the opening and closing lid member is performed.

With the above-described configuration, in the toner cartridge of the present invention, since the toner storage unit and the toner collection box are integrally configured, the configuration can be simplified. Then, by opening and closing the upper frame, the toner is automatically moved to the rear side and held in the toner collection box, so that it is possible to prevent the toner from remaining near the entrance.

In addition, since the opening and closing of the toner outlet of the toner discharge pipe and the toner receiving opening of the toner collection box are performed in accordance with the insertion and removal of the cartridge with respect to the developing device, the opening and closing of the upper frame are performed. And the like can be easily performed, the toner does not spill, and the maintenance is not troublesome.

(Embodiment) The toner collecting apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated example.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a photoconductor drum 1 is provided on an upper frame of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, and a charged corotron 2 is formed around the photoconductor drum in order to form an image according to an electrophotographic process. , Developing device 30, transfer / peeling corotron 4 and cleaning device 5 are shown.

In the image forming apparatus, means for writing an image on the photosensitive drum 1 by the exposure unit 3 is an image of a document set on a platen using an optical scanning device as in a normal electronic copying machine. Or a device using laser beam writing means.

The developing device 30 for supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum includes a toner cartridge 40.
Is configured as an apparatus of a type that supplies toner.

Then, by the agitator 45 provided inside the cartridge 40, the toner is sent out toward the developing roller 38,
The thin layer of toner formed on the surface of the developing roller 38 is exposed toward the photosensitive drum, and the toner flies on the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum to form a toner image.

In the developing device 30, an upper frame 31 thereof,
A spring 33 is disposed between the main frame and the upper frame 34. When the upper frame 34 of the apparatus main body is opened, the spring 33 performs an operation of separating the developing device 30 from the photosensitive drum 1. Let

Further, a leaf spring member 35 is disposed on the rear side of the rear frame 32 of the developing device 30, and a base of the leaf spring 35 is supported by a lower frame 37 of the apparatus main body, and developed through a curved portion 36. Means are provided for pressing the rear portion of the apparatus and positioning the developing roller with respect to the photosensitive drum 1.

Then, when the upper frame of the image forming apparatus is opened by the two pressing members arranged with respect to the developing device,
The pressing by the leaf spring 35 is released, and the developing device 30 is moved by the spring 33 in a direction to separate the developing device 30 from the photosensitive drum 1.

On the other hand, when the upper frame is closed, the developing device is moved toward the photosensitive drum to perform the developing operation because the pressing force of the leaf spring 35 is set stronger than the spring 33. Set to state. The retracting means provided for the developing device of the present invention is not limited to the one having the above-described structure, and any other means can be used.

A cleaning device 5 is provided to remove toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum after the toner image formed on the photoconductor drum is transferred to a sheet by discharging by a transfer corotron. In the example, the cleaning device 5 is configured by using a plate 6.

Further, in the cleaning device 5 of the present invention, means for discharging the toner scraped off by the blade 6 to the outside of the device by the auger 7 is used. A toner discharge pipe 10 is connected to the pipe of the auger 7, and an auger is mounted inside the toner discharge pipe 10 so that the collected toner can be transported. The toner discharge pipe 10
As shown in the figure, a discharge port 11 provided at an end of the toner collection box 50 is connected to a toner collection box 50 integrally disposed on the side of the toner cartridge 40, and collects the collected toner via a toner discharge pipe 10. Transport toward 50.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, when the upper frame is opened, a means is provided for automatically closing the outlet of the toner discharge pipe 10 in accordance with the movement of the developing device. ing. Further, means for automatically closing the toner receiving port of the toner collection box when the toner cartridge 40 is removed from the developing device 30 is provided. The respective mechanisms will be described in detail below.

(Structure of Toner Cartridge) As shown in FIGS. 2 to 2B, the toner cartridge 40 mounted on the developing device of the present invention and used to supply toner has a toner collection The box 50 is provided integrally, so that toner can be supplied from the cartridge body and the collected toner can be stored in the toner collection box 50.

As shown in FIG. 2, the toner cartridge 40 has an opening 46 at the side of the main body, and supplies the toner from the opening 46 to the developing device. Further, as shown in FIG. 2a, the toner cartridge 40 is configured as a substantially cylindrical member by arranging partition plate members 41 and 42 at both end portions of the main body, and is configured as a substantially cylindrical member. The agitator 45 is supported via bearings 43 and 43a provided on 42.

And a drive gear disposed at the end of the agitator 45.
A drive mechanism of the apparatus main body is connected via 44, and the agitator 45 is rotated to discharge the toner inside from the opening 46.

(Structure of Toner Collection Box) As shown in FIG. 2b, the toner collection box 50 disposed on the side of the toner cartridge main body of the present invention receives the toner at the upper part of the side of the main body of the toner collection box. An opening 55 is provided, and the toner receiving section 51 and the toner storing section
52 and 52 are integrally connected via a step 53. The toner collection box 50 shown in FIG. 2B is configured as shown in FIG.
A lid member 60 as shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 4d and the like is provided in the portion of the toner receiving port 55 connected to

FIG. 3 shows the toner receiving section 51 of the toner collecting box 50.
1 shows a case in which the opening 11 of the toner discharge pipe 10 is connected to the toner receiving port 55 provided in the toner collecting box 50 so that the collected toner is received in the toner collecting box 50. As shown in the figure, when the toner discharge pipe 10 is positioned with respect to the toner collection box, a rotary shutter 15 provided at the tip of the toner discharge pipe 10 is opened by opening / closing means described later, and the opening 11 is opened. A state is established in which communication with the toner receiving port 55 is made.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3, the toner cartridge 50 of the present invention is divided into a toner receiving section 51 and a toner storing section 52 via a step 53 so as to provide a toner discharge pipe. The collected toner received from 10 is first deposited on the receiving section 51.

However, in an apparatus such as a normal small electronic copying machine, the upper frame may be opened about once for every 1500 to 2000 copies in order to clear paper jams and check other apparatuses. is there.

Then, when the upper frame is opened and closed, the developing device supported by the frame is also swung, and at that time, the developing device moves from the receiving portion 51 under the step portion 53 to the storage portion 52. Then, the collected toner is stored in the toner storage section 52. Therefore, even when the upper frame is returned to the original position, the toner stored in the storage unit is not blocked by the stepped portion, and is less likely to flow back toward the reception unit 51. New collected toner can be accommodated in the space.

In the toner collection box of the present invention, the toner storage section 52 is configured to have a volume of about 20% of the toner stored in the cartridge. Therefore, in the toner collection box of the present invention,
By making the box taller than the illustrated example, the box can be made thinner, and the entire length of the toner cartridge can be made shorter. Then, even in that case, the storing operation of the collected toner can be automatically performed by swinging the upper frame.

Further, a toner receiving port 55 of the toner collecting box 50 is provided.
Is provided with a lid member 60. When the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device, the lid member 60 is engaged with locking means provided on the developing device to release the toner receiving port. To be.

Therefore, when the upper frame of the image forming apparatus is closed, as shown in FIG. 3, the toner discharge pipe 10 is connected to the toner collecting box 50, and the collected toner is stored in the toner collecting box. It is set to be able to do.

As shown in FIG. 4, a lid member 60 provided to correspond to the toner receiving port 55 of the toner collection box 50 has an opening 61 and a sealing portion, and a plate member is provided at an end of the developing device side. 65 is provided to protrude.

The plate member 65 is provided with a hole 66, and the plate member 65 is engaged with a locking member provided on the main body of the developing device so that the opening 61 coincides with the toner receiving port 55. When the toner cartridge is pulled out, the lid member 60 is slid to close the toner receiving port 55.

In order to slide the lid member 60 with respect to the toner receiving port 55, guide means as shown in FIG. 4a is used.
FIG. 4a shows a cross section taken along line AA of FIG. 4,
Guide members 56 are provided on both sides of the toner receiving port 55,
The sliding member 63 provided on the lid member 60 is engaged so that the lid member 60 can be guided.

In addition, a seal member 62 is provided on the lower surface of the lid member 60, and the seal member 62 closes a gap between the lid member and the toner receiving portion. Note that the seal member is provided around the opening of the lid member and the entire portion that closes the toner receiving port, whereby the periphery of the toner receiving port can be sealed regardless of the position of the lid member. I can do it.

When mounting the toner cartridge in the developing device, as shown in FIG. 4b, the toner receiving port 55 is closed by the lid member 60, and the leading end of the plate member 65 is in a free state. Has become.

Then, at the final stage of mounting the cartridge in the developing device, the base of the plate member 65 abuts against the tip of the locking projection 67 protruding from the developing device main body, and by further advancing the cartridge, the lid member 60 is moved to the toner collection box. To make the openings of both members coincide.

As described above, the opening 61 of the lid member and the toner receiving port 55
4c, by closing the upper frame of the image forming apparatus, the opening of the distal end of the toner discharge pipe 10 communicates with the toner receiving port 55, as shown in FIG. Can be sent to the toner collection box.

A cross section taken along line BB of FIG. 4c is shown in FIG. 4d. As shown in FIG. 4d, a seal member 62a is arranged around the upper surface of the opening 61 of the lid member 60, and the seal member can seal between the toner discharge pipe and the lid member. To In addition, the periphery of the opening 61 of the lid member 60 is formed as a curved surface corresponding to the curved surface of the toner discharge tube 10, so that the toner discharge tube 10 is stably mounted on the lid member and positioned. Can be performed.

In the example of FIG. 4, the state where the toner receiving port is closed by the lid member and the state where the opening is communicated are shown in FIG. 4b and FIG.
4d, the lid member 60 is moved from the state shown in FIG. 4b to the state shown in FIG. Match it with the receiving port 55. At that time,
Claws 67 of locking projections protruding from the developing device main body
Is inserted into the hole 66 of the plate member 65, and holds the lid member in the locked state as shown in FIG. 4d.

On the other hand, when the toner cartridge is pulled out of the developing device, the toner cartridge is moved together with the cartridge in the pulling-out direction of the toner collection box, but the hole 66 of the plate member is still engaged with the projection 67. Therefore, the lid member 60 slides with respect to the toner collection box, and moves from the position in FIG. 4d to the position in FIG. 4b.

Then, as shown in the figure, a projection 68 is provided on the lower surface of the plate member 65, and the projection 68 is attached to the toner collection box.
If it is configured to slide along the top of the body of 50,
The function of moving the cover member along the toner receiving port can be accurately performed. The mechanism for moving the lid member is not limited to the illustrated example,
Other arbitrary means can be used.

For example, the closing member of the opening is set at the reverse position, and a biasing means such as a spring is provided to the lid member so that the opening is constantly biased in the closing direction. Then, when the cartridge is mounted, the cover member can be moved by using the pressing member of the developing device so that the opening coincides with the toner receiving port.

(Structure of Toner Discharge Tube) As described above, the toner discharge tube 10 that conveys the collected toner discharged from the cleaning device 5 toward the toner collection box 50 is provided as shown in FIGS. 5 and 5a. Be composed.

The toner discharge pipe 10 is provided such that an end of an auger disposed at a lower portion of the cleaning device is also extended in the toner discharge pipe, and is collected in the toner discharge pipe by the auger. The operation of conveying the toner is performed.

In order to cover the opening 11 provided at the end of the toner discharge pipe 10, a rotary shutter 15 provided with an opening 16 is arranged,
The rotary shutter 15 is rotatably provided around the toner discharge pipe. An urging means by a coil spring 18 is provided for the rotary shutter 15 so that the opening 11 of the toner discharge pipe is closed by the rotary shutter 15.

Further, the rotary shutter 15 is provided with a plate 17 protruding toward the side, and the plate is rocked by a shutter rocking member 20, so that the openings of both members are aligned, and the collected toner is collected. Be able to send out.

A state in which the rotary shutter is set to a closed position,
The state in which the openings communicate is shown in FIGS. 5b and 5c, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5c, when the rotary shutter 15 is not rotated, the opening 11 of the toner discharge pipe is opened.
Is in a state of being closed by the rotating shutter, and by rotating the rotating shutter, as shown in FIG. 5b,
The two openings are in communication.

As described above, as means for rotating the rotary shutter, in the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 5a, two members, a shutter swinging member 20 and a sliding shaft 25, It is provided to be supported by the frame of the cleaning device.

Then, when the upper frame of the image forming apparatus is closed,
The sliding shaft 225 is pushed up by the projecting member 28 of the lower frame, and the shutter swinging member 20 is swung through the sliding shaft 25, whereby the upper arm of the shutter swinging member 20 is moved.
The plate 21 allows the plate 17 to be rotated to a position where the opening is opened.

The shutter swinging member 20 has an upper arm 21 and a lower arm 22 arranged in a substantially L-shape, and a connecting portion of both arms is connected to a shaft 23.
Supported by When the lower arm 22 is raised by the push-up member 26 of the sliding shaft 25, the upper arm 21 is rotated counterclockwise around the shaft 23 as shown in FIG. Has a function of rotating the plate 17 of the rotary shutter.

When releasing the upper frame of the image forming apparatus, the sliding shaft 25 is released from being pressed by the projection 28 of the main body, and descends by its own weight. And the shutter swinging member
Since the plate 17 is released from the pressing by the upper arm of 20, the rotary shutter 15 is rotated by the coil spring to return the opening 11 of the toner discharge pipe to the closed state.

Therefore, in the toner discharge pipe of the present invention, the opening can be automatically opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the upper frame. Therefore, when the upper frame is opened like an alligator and the developing device is retracted. Further, the collected toner does not spill out from the opening of the toner discharge pipe.

Further, when the upper frame is closed and the image forming apparatus is returned to the operation state, a state in which the collected toner can be sent out from the toner discharge pipe toward the toner collection box can be automatically set.

(Effect of the Invention) Since the apparatus of the present invention is configured as described above, the toner storage portion of the toner cartridge and the toner collection box are integrally configured, so that the configuration can be simplified. Then, by opening and closing the upper frame, the toner is automatically moved to the rear side and held in the toner collection box, so that it is possible to prevent the toner from remaining near the entrance. In addition, the opening and closing operation of the toner discharge port of the toner discharge pipe and the toner receiving port of the toner recovery box is performed by following the insertion and removal of the cartridge with respect to the developing device in accordance with the operation of opening and closing the upper frame. Can be easily performed, the toner does not spill, and the maintenance is not troublesome.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the structure of an upper device of an image forming apparatus to which the toner collecting device of the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a side view of the toner cartridge of the present invention, FIG. 2a is a sectional view thereof, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front view, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the toner collection box and the toner discharge pipe of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the lid member of the present invention, and FIG. 4a is A in FIG. FIG. 4b is a sectional view taken along the line A, FIG. 4b is an explanatory view showing a state in which the lid member is closed, FIG. 4c is an explanatory view showing a state in which the toner discharge pipe and the toner receiving port are communicated, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of the toner discharge pipe, FIG. 5a is a side view thereof, and FIG. 5b is an explanatory view showing a state where the openings of the toner discharge pipe are communicated. FIG. 5c is an explanatory view showing a state in which the opening of the toner discharge pipe is closed by a rotary shutter. Reference numerals 1 in the drawing: photosensitive drum, 5: cleaning device, 10:
Toner discharge tube, 11 opening, 15 rotating shutter, 16
…… Aperture, 17 …… Plate, 18 …… Coil spring,
20 Shutter swing member, 21 Upper arm, 22
Lower arm, 25 ... Sliding shaft, 28 ... Projection of main body, 30 ...
Developing device, 40: toner cartridge, 50: toner collection box, 51: toner receiving section, 52: toner storage section, 55: toner receiving port, 56: guide member, 60:
Lid member, 61, opening, 62, sealing member, 63, sliding member, 65, plate member, 67, claw of locking projection.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 15/08 G03G 21/10

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier to visualize it as a toner image, a transfer unit for transferring the toner image to a sheet, and an image after the image is transferred. An image forming apparatus comprising: a cleaning device that removes toner remaining on a carrier; a device main body divided at a portion of a paper transport path; and an upper frame that can be opened and closed in an alligator-like shape with respect to a lower frame. In the above, a toner collection box is provided integrally with a toner cartridge mounted on the developing device, and a toner discharge pipe of the cleaning device is connected to the toner collection box, and the toner collection box corresponds to a portion of a toner receiving port. It is composed of a toner receiving section and a toner storing section. A step is formed between the two members, and the upper frame is opened and closed to receive the toner in the toner receiving section. The collected toner,
Means for moving toward the toner storage section; opening and closing lid members provided at a toner discharge end of a toner discharge pipe of the cleaning device and a toner receiving port of a toner collection box, respectively; A toner collecting device, wherein the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing cover member is performed in accordance with the opening and closing operation.