JP2939804B2 - Electrophotographic recording 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 recording apparatus in which a cleaner / toner magazine as a replacement part in which a waste toner tank section and a toner supply tank section are integrally connected is detachably mounted. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As generally known, an electrophotographic recording apparatus circulates, for example, a photoreceptor belt, first precharges a photoreceptor, and then performs optical writing to form an electrostatic latent image. After the toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image and developed to form a toner image, the toner image is transferred to a separately supplied recording sheet. The recording paper to which the toner image has been transferred is heat-fixed and discharged. On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photoreceptor is scraped off by a cleaning blade and collected as waste toner, and the remaining charge is removed by irradiating light.

In this type of electrophotographic recording apparatus, the life of the photoconductor and the developing unit has recently reached hundreds of thousands of sheets in A4 format. However, in order to meet recent needs for downsizing of the apparatus, toner The replenishment tank and waste toner collection tank cannot be made too large, and maintenance such as toner supply and waste toner collection must be performed by the user himself.

Therefore, the inventors of the present application have previously disclosed a cleaner / integral cleaner / waste toner tank unit.
An electrophotographic recording apparatus has been proposed in which a toner magazine (hereinafter, abbreviated as CTM) is used as a replacement part to simplify a maintenance operation by a user and reduce a running cost per recording sheet.

Hereinafter, a recording apparatus using CTM will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 shows an example of a recording apparatus using the CTM. Reference numeral 1 denotes a photoreceptor belt, which circulates in the direction of the arrow. Reference numeral 2 denotes a precharger, which uniformly charges the photosensitive belt 1 in advance. Reference numeral 3 denotes an optical writing unit, for example, a laser light source 4 according to an image signal.
The laser beam emitted from the laser beam is oscillated by a polygon mirror 5 and irradiates the photosensitive belt 1 via a mirror 6 to expose the photosensitive belt 1 to form an electrostatic latent image. Reference numeral 7 denotes a developing unit, which applies toner supplied from the toner supply tank unit 8 to a latent image formed on the photoreceptor belt 1 and develops the toner image to form a toner image. A recording paper cassette 14 separates and supplies recording paper one by one. Reference numeral 9 denotes a transfer charger that transfers the toner image on the photosensitive belt 1 to the fed recording paper. Reference numeral 10 denotes a fixing unit which heats and fixes the toner image transferred to the recording paper. The fixed recording paper is discharged by a discharge roller.

On the other hand, the residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor belt 1 after the transfer is scraped off by a cleaning blade 11 in a cleaning section, and is discarded as toner.
The toner is collected in the waste toner tank unit 12. Reference numeral 13 denotes a charge elimination unit (lamp), which irradiates the photoreceptor belt 1 with light to remove residual charges, and prepares for the next recording process.

In this embodiment, a CTM 20 in which the waste toner tank unit 12 and the toner supply tank unit 8 are integrated adjacent to each other is disposed in front of the charge removing unit 13 in a replaceable manner. This allows the CTM 20 to have a compact structure, facilitates replacement, and improves transport efficiency. However, in this case, the toner supply tank unit 8 and the developing unit 7 are separated from each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, a discharge mechanism 22 for moving the toner to the toner discharge port 21 provided at one end of the toner supply tank unit 8 is provided. And a transport mechanism 23 for transporting the toner from the toner outlet 21 to the inlet of the developing unit 7 and a replenishing mechanism for uniformly replenishing the toner transported to the inlet of the developing unit 7 in the main scanning direction of the developing unit. 24 are provided.

FIG. 4 is a slightly modified version of the structure shown in FIG. 3, in which a toner supply tank 8 and a developing unit 7 are vertically arranged, and a toner outlet 2 of the toner supply tank 8 is provided.
The toner naturally falls from 1 through a drop duct 26,
This is supplied to the developing unit 7. With such a configuration, the transport mechanism 23 in FIG. 3 can be simplified.

In either case, when the toner in the toner supply tank 8 runs out, the waste toner tank 12 becomes full of waste toner in any case. At that time, by a simple exchange work of removing the CTM 20 and installing a new CTM,
Replenishment of toner and removal of waste toner can be performed.

[0010]

However, in this case, it is necessary to replenish the toner from the toner replenishing tank unit 8 in accordance with the amount of toner consumed in the developing unit 7. There are various problems, such as processing when it is gone.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic recording apparatus in which a toner replenishing operation is performed smoothly and reliably.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, an electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the present invention forms an electrostatic latent image by precharging and optically writing a photoreceptor, and forms a developing unit on the electrostatic latent image. To form a toner image, transfer the toner image to recording paper, fix it, and discharge it.
An electrophotographic recording apparatus that removes toner remaining on a photoconductor by a cleaning unit, wherein the electrophotographic recording apparatus is detachably provided to the electrophotographic recording apparatus, and includes a toner outlet for discharging toner to a toner storage unit of the developing unit. A toner replenishing tank portion, a cleaning portion for removing waste toner remaining on the photoconductor, a waste toner tank portion for collecting waste toner removed by the cleaning portion, and the toner An unloading mechanism provided in a replenishing tank unit for moving the toner to the toner outlet, and a replenishing mechanism provided in the developing unit for replenishing the toner discharged from the toner outlet in the main scanning direction with respect to the photoconductor. In the electrophotographic recording apparatus provided with: And a guide member for receiving the toner sent by the screw at the lower side, and after sending the toner for a predetermined time, rotating the guide member to drop the toner into the toner storage portion. And supplying toner.

[0013] Further, according to the present invention, after the toner discharged from the toner discharge port is sent by the screw and reaches the entire width of the developing unit, the guide member is caused to rotate. It is characterized by.

According to the electrophotographic recording apparatus having the above-described structure, the replenishing mechanism for replenishing the toner conveyed into the developing unit in the main scanning direction of the developing unit uniformly feeds the toner by the screw on the guide member, and then guides the toner. By rotating the member and dropping the toner therein into the toner container, the toner can be uniformly replenished over the entire width of the developing unit in the main scanning direction.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrophotographic recording apparatus as a first reference example for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.
3 are the same as those in FIG. FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 28 denotes a toner amount detector for detecting the amount of toner in the toner storage section 27 attached to the developing unit 7.
As the toner amount detector 28, various types such as a piezoelectric sensor type, a load detection micro switch type, and a photo sensor type can be applied. Here, the piezoelectric sensor type is used. In addition, although not shown, a toner supply operation is performed,
Further, a control unit for performing a processing operation when the toner is exhausted in the toner supply tank unit 8 is provided.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electrophotographic recording apparatus as a second reference example for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. A drop duct 26 is used instead of the transport mechanism 23 of FIG. Things. Also in the second embodiment, the first
As in the embodiment, a toner amount detector 28 for detecting the amount of toner is provided in the toner storage unit 27, and a toner supply operation is performed. Is provided.

Next, the operation of the reference example including the operation controlled by the control means will be described.

After the toner is supplied to the toner storage section 27, when the recording operation by the circulating movement of the photosensitive belt 1 is repeated, the toner in the toner storage section 27 decreases. The fact that the toner amount has become smaller than the predetermined amount is detected by the toner amount detector 28. The predetermined amount of toner remaining in the toner container 27 at the time of this detection can be arbitrarily determined by setting the toner amount detector 28. The control means that has received the detection signal of the toner amount detector 28 drives the unloading mechanism 22 and the transport mechanism 23 (not necessary in the configuration of FIG. 2) to transfer the toner to the toner replenishing tank unit 8.
From the toner storage unit 27.

As the toner supply is repeated, the amount of toner in the toner replenishing tank 8 gradually decreases, and the amount of toner in the toner container 27 is increased despite the drive of the carry-out mechanism 22 and the transport mechanism 23. If does not increase, the control means determines that the toner supply tank unit 8 is empty, and displays a toner near end on a display device of an operation panel (not shown). Further, counting of the number of recording sheets is started from this point, and after counting a predetermined number of recording sheets that can be reliably recorded by the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage section 27 together with recording, the toner end is displayed on the display device of the operation panel. Display.

In the reference example configured as described above, the toner can be smoothly supplied to the toner container 27 without any excess or shortage. When the toner in the toner replenishment tank unit 8 runs out, the user is alerted to the fact that the toner is running low, alerts the user, uses the remaining toner effectively, and eventually consumes the toner. Since the user is prompted to exchange the CTM with the user, the user can exchange the CTM accordingly and can operate with confidence.

FIG. 5 shows the replenishing mechanism 24 in the electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, which can uniformly distribute the toner sent to the toner storage section 27 in the main scanning direction of the developing unit. It is a block diagram. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 30 denotes a screw for feeding the toner conveyed to the carry-in port in the main scanning direction of the developing unit. Reference numeral 31 denotes at least a lower half of the screw 30 for receiving the toner to be sent on a lower side, and an upper portion is opened. The guide member has a U-shaped cross section, and has a pivot point 32 at the center. An arm 33 is provided on the side opposite to the U-shaped
Is extended, and its tip is pulled in one direction by a spring 34. A plunger of a solenoid 35 is connected to the arm 33. Although not shown,
The storage means which stores in advance the time from when the toner supplied to one end of the U-shaped guide member 31 is started to be fed in the main scanning direction of the developing unit 7 by the screw 30 to when the toner reaches the entire width of the developing unit 7 is stored. Is provided.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When toner is sent from the toner supply tank unit 8 shown in FIG. 1 to the toner storage unit 27 of the developing unit 7 by the transport mechanism 23 or via the drop duct 26 shown in FIG.
The U-shaped guide member 31 has a spring 34
3 is set at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. Therefore, screw 30
Is rotated for the time stored in advance, the toner becomes U
Since the power reaches the entire width of the developing unit 7 in the V-shaped guide member 31, the supply from the transport mechanism 23 is stopped at that time, and the solenoid 35 operates to operate the arm 3.
3 and thus a U-shaped guide member 31
Rotates to the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 5, and the toner contained in the guide member 31 falls into the toner storage portion 27.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment configured as described above, the toner can be uniformly supplied in the main scanning direction of the developing unit 7.

FIG. 6 is a structural view showing another example of the means for rotating the U-shaped guide member 31. The gear 3 is provided coaxially with the screw 30 and at the end of the U-shaped guide member 31.
A sector gear 39 rotated by a motor 38 meshes with the gear 37. 40
Is a motor gear, and 41 is a gear that meshes with the motor gear 40 to rotate the sector gear 39.

In FIG. 6, the relationship between the gears is such that the portion without the sector gear 39 is rotated during the time required to carry the toner carried to the carry-in port to the back side of the U-shaped guide member 31, and then the sector gear is rotated. 39 meshes with the gear 37 and U
If the letter-shaped guide member 31 is set so as to make one rotation, the toner is uniformly distributed in the toner container 2 of the developing unit 7.
7 can be dropped.

FIG. 7 shows that when the CTM 20 in which the toner supply tank section 8 is empty is replaced with a new one, the shutter member 50 is inserted into the waste toner intake port of the waste toner tank section 12 so that the collected waste toner does not scatter. It shows a configuration example in which the provided electrophotographic recording device is applied to a facsimile machine,
2 are the same as those in FIG.

In this embodiment, a cover 47 on one side of the apparatus in which the transfer charger 9, the fixing unit 10, the discharge roller 45 and the discharge tray 46 are incorporated can be rotated about a fulcrum 48, as shown in FIG. As described above, the cover 47 can be rotated to open and close. And
When the life of the photoreceptor belt 1 has expired, the photoreceptor unit (including the photoreceptor belt and a transport roller for stretching the same) can be pulled out in the direction of the arrow, and the toner supply tank unit 8 becomes empty. The CTM 20 can be pulled out in the direction of the arrow. If the waste toner intake port is left open when the CTM 20 is replaced, the waste toner collected in the waste toner tank unit 12 scatters and pollutes the surroundings. Therefore, a shutter member 50 is provided at the waste toner intake to prevent the waste toner from scattering or falling off.

As shown in FIG. 9, the shutter member 50 is rotatably supported at a fulcrum 51. The other end of an arm 52 having one end fixed to the shutter member 50 is connected to a spring 53.
And the shutter member 50 is urged in the closing direction. On the other hand, a projection 54 is provided on the cover 47 of the apparatus. When the cover 47 is closed, the projection 54 pushes the arm 52 against the urging force of the spring 53, and the shutter member 50 is moved as shown in FIG. Then, the waste toner intake port is opened. Further, when the cover 47 is opened, the projection 54 retreats, so that the shutter member 50 closes the waste toner intake port by the urging force of the spring 53 as shown in FIG. The shutter member 50 includes a seal member 5 between the shutter member 50 and the case of the CTM 20.
6 and a rubber magnet sheet 57 that adsorbs toner adhered to the cleaning blade 11 that scrapes off residual toner on the photoconductor when the shutter member 50 is closed.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the CTM 20 is replaced, the shutter member 50 is opened when the cover 47 of the apparatus is opened.
Closes the waste toner intake and the rubber magnet sheet 5
7 abuts against the cleaning blade 11 and attracts the toner remaining on the blade by magnetic force.
The collected waste toner does not scatter to the surroundings, thereby preventing surrounding contamination. Then, after replacing the CTM with a new CTM, if the cover of the apparatus is closed, the waste toner intake port is opened by the reverse operation, and the apparatus can be used in that state.

In the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 7, in the transmission original reading section 60 arranged at the upper part, the originals set on the original placing table 61 are separated and sent one by one by the separation feeding section 62, and the conveyance rollers While being conveyed by 63 and 64, the light is illuminated by the light source 65 when passing through the reading unit, and the reflected light is guided by the mirror 66.
D67 performs photoelectric conversion and reading. The read original is discharged to the discharge tray 68.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The toner can be smoothly supplied to the developing unit without any excess or shortage, and the toner conveyed into the developing unit can be uniformly and reliably supplied over the entire width of the developing unit in the main scanning direction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an electrophotographic recording apparatus that is a first reference example for describing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an electrophotographic recording apparatus that is a second reference example for describing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an electrophotographic recording apparatus including the toner supply mechanism of FIG.

4 is a configuration diagram of an electrophotographic recording apparatus including the toner supply mechanism of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a toner supply mechanism in the embodiment of the electrophotographic recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating another example of the toner supply mechanism according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a facsimile apparatus provided with a mechanism for preventing scattering of waste toner.

8 is a configuration diagram showing a state where an apparatus cover in FIG. 7 is opened.

9 is a configuration diagram of a shutter mechanism of a waste toner intake port in the waste toner tank unit of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the shutter mechanism of FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 photoreceptor belt 7 developing unit 8 toner supply tank unit 12 waste toner tank unit 20 CTM 22 unloading mechanism 23 transport mechanism 24 supply mechanism 26 drop duct 27 toner storage unit 28 toner amount detector 30 screw 31 guide member with U-shaped cross section 35 Solenoid 38 Motor 39 Sector gear

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Ryozo Matsuura 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-1-315770 (JP, A) JP JP-A-2-293770 (JP, A) JP-A-2-127767 (JP, A) JP-A-63-191357 (JP, U) JP-A-63-58257 (JP, U) JP-A-63-191359 (JP, A) , U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 15/00 550 G03G 21/16-21/18 G03G 13/08 G03G 15/08-15/08 507 G03G 21/00 370 -540 G03G 21/14

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An electrostatic latent image is formed by precharging and optical writing on a photoreceptor, and a toner is formed on the electrostatic latent image by a developing unit, and the toner image is fixed after being transferred to recording paper. An electrophotographic recording device that removes toner remaining on the photoreceptor by a cleaning unit. The electrophotographic recording device is detachably provided in the electrophotographic recording device, and is configured to transport toner to a toner storage unit of the developing unit. A cleaner / toner magazine having a toner replenishing tank unit having a toner outlet, a cleaning unit for removing waste toner remaining on the photoconductor, and a waste toner tank unit for collecting waste toner removed by the cleaning unit If the provided toner supply tank unit, a delivery mechanism for moving the toner to the toner discharge opening, provided in said developing unit, the bets Transportable from over-out port
Replenishes the discharged toner in the main scanning direction with respect to the photoconductor
An electrophotographic recording apparatus having a replenishing mechanism for replenishing toner supplied from the toner outlet.
Screw that feeds in the main scanning direction with respect to the photoreceptor
And the toner that receives the toner sent by the screw on the lower side
And the toner is fed for a predetermined time.
Later, the guide member is rotated to collect the toner.
An electrophotographic recording apparatus, wherein the apparatus is configured to drop into a container and supply toner . 2. A toner which has been carried out from the toner discharge port
Is sent by the screw and the developing unit
After reaching the full width, the rotation is applied to the guide member.
2. The electrophotographic recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the operation.