JP3164624U - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of satisfactorily breaking a developer even when the state of the developer changes due to environmental changes. An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier (photosensitive drum 3) carrying a developer image, and a developer having a supply port that accommodates the developer and opens at a position facing the image carrier. A case (cartridge case 71) and a plurality of transport electrodes are formed, and by forming a traveling-wave electric field with these transport electrodes, the developer contained in the developer case is transported toward the image carrier. A developer transport body (toner transport body 73) that vibrates, a vibration body 74 that vibrates the developer transport body, and a control device 8 that changes the frequency of the vibration body 74. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that transports a developer using a traveling wave electric field.

  In general, as a developer conveying device that conveys a developer toward an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral, the developer conveys the developer using a traveling wave electric field. A conveying device is known. This developer transport device has a transport body in which a large number of linear transport electrodes are arranged in a line, and a multiphase AC voltage is sequentially applied to each transport electrode of the transport body. A traveling wave electric field is formed and the charged developer is conveyed. In such a developer transport apparatus, there is a problem that the developer aggregates on the transport body and the developer cannot be transported smoothly.

In order to deal with such a problem, a developer conveying device having a vibrating body fixed at a predetermined position is known in order to apply vibration to a predetermined position of the conveying body (see Patent Document 1). According to this developer transport device, the developer aggregated on the transport body can be broken by shaking the entire transport body by applying vibration at a predetermined frequency to a predetermined portion of the transport body by the vibrating body. Yes.
JP 61-73167 A

  However, in the prior art, since the frequency of the vibrating body is fixed to a predetermined value, there is a problem that it is difficult to break down the developer well when the state of the developer changes depending on the environment (humidity, temperature, etc.). It was.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can break down a developer satisfactorily even when the state of the developer changes due to environmental changes.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image carrier that carries a developer image, and a developer that has a supply port that accommodates the developer and opens at a position facing the image carrier. A developer case that includes a developer case and a plurality of transport electrodes, and forms a traveling-wave electric field with the transport electrodes to transport the developer contained in the developer case toward the image carrier. And a vibration body that vibrates the developer conveyance body, and a control device that changes the frequency of the vibration body.

  According to the present invention, since the frequency of the vibration of the vibrating body can be changed by the control device, even if the state of the developer changes due to an environmental change, it depends on the state of the developer at that time. The developer can be satisfactorily broken by vibrating the vibrating body at a different frequency.

  According to the present invention, since the frequency of vibration of the vibrating body can be changed by the control device, even when the state of the developer has changed due to environmental changes, the developer can be driven by vibration at an appropriate frequency. Can break down well.

1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a laser printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a toner supply device. FIG. 4 is a plan view (a) and a cross-sectional view (b) showing a toner transport body. It is a figure which shows the waveform of the voltage output from each electric power feeding part. It is the front view (a) which shows a vibrating body, and sectional drawing (b). FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a toner conveyance state, a cross-sectional view (a) showing a state at time t1, a cross-sectional view (b) showing a state at time t2, and a cross-section showing a state at time t3. It is a figure (c). It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the program memorize | stored in the memory | storage device of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a control apparatus. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure around a toner supply device according to a second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure around a toner supply device according to a third embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a mode in which the frequency of vibration is changed before toner conveyance.

[First Embodiment]
Next, an embodiment of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a laser printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a toner supply device. 3 is a plan view (a) and a cross-sectional view (b) showing the toner carrier, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing waveforms of voltages output from the respective power feeding units. 5 is a front view (a) and a cross-sectional view (b) showing the vibrating body. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the toner conveyance state, a cross-sectional view (a) showing the state at time t1, a cross-sectional view (b) showing the state at time t2, and a time t3. It is sectional drawing (c) which shows the state of time.

<Laser printer>
As shown in FIG. 1, a laser printer 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus includes a paper transport mechanism 2, a photosensitive drum 3 as an example of an image carrier, a charger 4, a scanner unit 5, and toner supply. A device 7 and a control device 8 are provided. Although not shown, the laser printer 1 is appropriately provided with known configurations such as a paper feed tray and a fixing device.

  The paper transport mechanism 2 is a known mechanism that transports the paper P from the paper feed tray, and transports the paper P to the transfer position of the photosensitive drum 3 via a plurality of rollers (for example, registration rollers 21).

  The photosensitive drum 3, the charger 4 and the scanner unit 5 have a known configuration. In brief, the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 is uniformly negatively charged by the charger 4 and then exposed by high-speed scanning of the laser beam LB from the scanner unit 5. As a result, the potential of the exposed portion changes and an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed. Next, toner T (see FIG. 2) as an example of a developer is supplied from the toner supply device 7 to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 3, and this toner T is selectively applied on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3. By being carried on the toner image, a toner image is formed. Thereafter, the photosensitive drum 3 and the transfer roller 22 are rotationally driven so as to sandwich and convey the paper P between them, and the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 at this time is transferred to the transfer roller 22. Is transferred onto the paper P.

<Toner supply device>
As shown in FIG. 2, the toner supply device 7 includes a cartridge case 71 as an example of a developer case, an agitator 72, a toner conveyance body 73, and a vibration body 74.

  The cartridge case 71 is formed of a member having relatively high rigidity such as resin, and a part of the wall thereof is constituted by a toner transport body 73. A supply port 71 </ b> A is formed above the cartridge case 71 so as to open at a position facing the photosensitive drum 3. The bottom of the cartridge case 71 contains a negatively chargeable, non-magnetic one-component black toner T mainly composed of polyester.

  The agitator 72 is rotatably provided at the deepest part in the cartridge case 71 and agitates the toner T accumulated in the cartridge case 71. The agitated toner T is negatively charged due to friction between the toners T and friction between the toner T and the toner transport body 73.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the toner transport body 73 includes a support plate 731 that is a thin plate member made of synthetic resin, a plurality of transport electrodes 732 disposed on the support plate 731, and a support plate 731. And a coating film 733 covering the side where the transport electrode 732 is disposed. Here, as the coating film 733, for example, a nylon coating film which is a synthetic resin can be employed. The surface of the coating film 733 serves as a transport surface TS for transporting the toner T. Note that the toner conveyance body 73 formed in such a thin plate shape has lower rigidity than the cartridge case 71 and is likely to vibrate.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the transport electrodes 732 are linear wiring patterns made of a metal thin film, and are arranged at equal intervals in the toner T transport direction and orthogonal to the toner T transport direction. They extend along the direction (the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 3) and are arranged in parallel to each other. As shown in FIG. 3B, the first feeding unit VA, the second feeding unit VB, the third feeding unit VC, and the fourth feeding unit VD that output voltages having different phases to the transport electrodes 732, respectively. Are appropriately connected. Specifically, the first power feeding unit VA, the second power feeding unit VB, the third power feeding unit VC, and the fourth power feeding unit VD are repeatedly connected to the respective transport electrodes 732 in this order from the upstream side in the transport direction. . In other words, every three transport electrodes 732 are connected to the same power supply unit (for example, the first power supply unit VA) every third. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the transport electrode 732 connected to the first power supply unit VA is referred to as “transport electrode EA”, the transport electrode 732 connected to the second power supply unit VB is referred to as “transport electrode EB”, and third. The transport electrode 732 connected to the power supply unit VC is also referred to as “transport electrode EC”, and the transport electrode 732 connected to the fourth power supply unit VD is also referred to as “transport electrode ED”.

  Each of the power supply units VA to VD outputs a voltage having a waveform as shown in FIG. 4 by being appropriately controlled by the control device 8 disposed in the laser printer 1. In other words, the voltages output from the power supply units VA to VD have the same waveform, but are out of phase by 90 °. Specifically, the phase of the voltage waveform is delayed by 90 ° in the order of the first power supply unit VA, the second power supply unit VB, the third power supply unit VC, and the fourth power supply unit VD. Then, a traveling-wave voltage is applied to each transport electrode 732 by each of the power supply units VA to VD controlled by the control device 8 in this manner, thereby forming a traveling-wave electric field on the transport surface TS. .

  Specifically, at time t1 in FIG. 4, when “−550V” is negative and “−450V” is positive with respect to the intermediate potential “−500V”, the first power supply unit VA and the fourth power supply unit VD A negative voltage is output, and positive voltages are output from the second power supply unit VB and the third power supply unit VC. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6A, an electric field EF1 opposite to the transport direction is formed between the negative transport electrode EA and the positive transport electrode EB, and the positive transport electrode EC and the negative transport electrode EC are negative. An electric field EF2 is formed in the transport direction between the transport electrode ED. Therefore, a large amount of negative toner T is collected around the positive transport electrodes EB and EC. A small amount of toner T that could not move to the positive transport electrodes EB and EC remains between the negative transport electrodes ED and EA.

  As shown in FIG. 4, at time t2, a negative voltage is output from the first power supply unit VA and the second power supply unit VB, and a positive voltage is output from the third power supply unit VC and the fourth power supply unit VD. . As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, an electric field EF1 is formed between the negative transport electrode EB and the positive transport electrode EC, so that the toner around the transport electrodes EB and EC at time t1. T moves around the transport electrodes EC and ED that have become positive this time. At this time, a small amount of toner T between the transport electrodes ED and EA also moves around the transport electrodes EC and ED. Similarly, at time t3 (see FIG. 4), as shown in FIG. 6C, an electric field EF1 is formed between the negative transport electrode EC and the positive transport electrode ED, so that time t2 The toner T around the transport electrodes EC and ED moves around the transport electrodes ED and EA that have become positive this time. By repeating the above operation, the toner T is transported on the transport surface TS.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the toner conveyance body 73 configured as described above constitutes a cylindrical first toner conveyance body 73 </ b> A disposed in the cartridge case 71 and a part of the wall of the cartridge case 71. And a curved second plate-shaped toner conveying body 73B. Specifically, the second toner conveyance body 73B is formed along the inclined portion B1 inclined obliquely upward from the bottom of the cartridge case 71 and the first toner conveyance body 73A, and supplied at the upper edge thereof. And a cylindrical part B2 constituting a part of the mouth 71A. In the toner transport body 73 configured as described above, the toner T collected at the bottom of the cartridge case 71 is transported obliquely upward by the inclined portion B1 of the second toner transport body 73B, and then the second toner transport body. By being conveyed between the cylindrical portion B2 of 73B and the first toner conveyance body 73A, it is conveyed toward the photosensitive drum 3.

  When the electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 3, the toner T that has moved to the vicinity of the supply port 71 </ b> A moves to the photosensitive drum 3 so as to be attracted to the electrostatic latent image. When no electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductive drum 3, the toner T passes through the photoconductive drum 3, and the first toner transport is performed until the application of voltage to the first toner transport body 73A is completed. It continues to be conveyed on the body 73A.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the vibrating body 74 includes a plate member 74A formed with substantially the same area as the inclined portion B1 of the toner transport body 73, and a coil 74B fixed to the center of the plate member 74A. And a core 74C that vibrates the coil 74B in the axial direction.

  The plate-like member 74 </ b> A is configured with a member having higher rigidity than the toner transport body 73. The plate-like member 74A is formed such that its lateral length is equal to or greater than the longitudinal length of the transport electrode 732, and when the toner T aggregates on the transport electrode 732, It is possible to break down the agglomerated toner T well.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the coil 74B has one end fixed to the plate member 74A and the other end arranged in the core 74C. The coil 74 </ b> B is supplied with an alternating voltage from the control device 8, so that a voltage having the same magnitude that is opposite in polarity is applied alternately. For this reason, a magnetic field whose polarity is reversed is alternately generated from the coil 74B.

  The core 74C includes a bottomed cylindrical outer core portion C1, an inner core portion C2 disposed in the outer core portion C1 with a predetermined gap (gap), a bottom surface of the outer core portion C1, and an inner core portion C2. And a permanent magnet portion C3 provided between the two. And in the core 74C comprised in this way, a magnetic field generate | occur | produces from the gap. Therefore, when an AC voltage is applied, the coil 74B disposed in the magnetic field receives a force alternately in the axial direction according to Fleming's law and vibrates with respect to the core 74C.

<Control device 8>
Next, the control device 8 will be described. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the control device, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a program stored in the storage device of the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device.

  The control device 8 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and appropriately controls the AC voltage supplied to the drive of each part of the laser printer 1 and the toner conveyance body 73, and also vibrates during printing (during the conveyance of the toner T). Control for moving the frequency of the body 74 up and down within a predetermined range is executed. Specifically, the control device 8 includes a storage device 81, vibration control means 82, and print control means 83, as shown in FIG.

  The storage device 81 mainly stores a program as shown in FIG. This program is a program for repeatedly moving the frequency up and down in a continuous sine wave form between α and β. Here, the frequency variation range “α to β” is preferably 50 to 1000 Hz, and more preferably 100 to 500 Hz. The program is not limited to that shown in FIG. 8, and a program that moves up and down intermittently within a predetermined range “α to β” may be employed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, upon receiving a print instruction from the user, the vibration control means 82 reads the program described above from the storage device 81, and changes the frequency of the vibrating body 74 while continuously changing the frequency based on this program. Has a function to vibrate. Here, the “print instruction” is a signal input to the control device 8 by an operation of an operation panel provided on the outer surface of the laser printer 1 or a computer connected to the laser printer 1, and printing of the paper P Information such as the number of copies is included. When the vibration control unit 82 starts to vibrate the vibrating body 74, it outputs a print instruction to the print control unit 83 and receives a print completion signal output from the print control unit 83 described later. The vibration of the vibrating body 74 is stopped.

  When the print control unit 83 receives a print instruction output from the vibration control unit 82, the print control unit 83 has a function of executing printing based on the print instruction. Specifically, the print control unit 83 executes printing by appropriately controlling each part of the laser printer 1, the toner carrier 73, and the like by a known method. Then, when printing for the number of prints corresponding to the print instruction is completed, the print control unit 83 outputs a print completion signal indicating that to the vibration control unit 82.

  The control device 8 configured as described above executes control according to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, when receiving a print instruction from the user (START), the control device 8 first reads a program from the storage device 81 (S1). After step S1, the control device 8 applies an alternating voltage that changes the frequency of vibration over time based on the read program to the vibrating body 74, thereby vibrating the vibrator 74 while changing the frequency over time ( S2).

  After step S2, the control device 8 executes printing (S3). When the printing for the number of prints corresponding to the print instruction is completed in step S3, the control device 8 stops the application of the AC voltage to the vibrating body 74 and stops the vibration of the vibrating body 74 (S4). The operation by the flow is terminated.

  According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in the present embodiment.

  Since the frequency of the vibration of the vibrating body 74 is moved up and down within a predetermined range by the control device 8, even when the state of the toner T changes due to environmental changes, the vibration that is optimal for breaking the toner T in that state When the frequency is reached, the toner T can be favorably broken.

  Since the frequency is moved up and down during the conveyance of the toner T, the toner T is fluidized by the vibration of the optimum frequency compared with the case where the movement is not performed up and down, and smooth conveyance can be performed.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In this embodiment, a part of the structure around the toner supply device 7 according to the first embodiment described above is changed, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment. A description thereof will be omitted. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the structure around the toner supply device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, around the toner supply device 7, an optical sensor 9 as an example of a developer amount detecting means for detecting the amount of toner T conveyed by the toner conveyance body 73, and detection by the optical sensor 9. And a control device 8 ′ for controlling the vibrating body 74 based on the received signal.

  The optical sensor 9 is provided upstream of the supply port 71A of the cartridge case 71 in the transport direction of the toner T. The light sensor 9 emits light toward the transport surface TS of the first toner transport body 73A, and the first light sensor 91. And a light receiving unit 92 that receives light reflected by the transport surface TS of one toner transport body 73A. In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the support plate 731 and the coating film 733 constituting the second toner transport body 73B are formed transparently. The optical sensor 9 transports the toner T by changing the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 92 due to a change in the amount of toner T transported between the first toner transport body 73A and the second toner transport body 73B. It is possible to detect the amount. Information on the amount of light detected by the light receiving unit 92 of the optical sensor 9 is output to the control device 8 '.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the control device 8 ′ includes a storage device 84, a light amount determination unit 85, a vibration control unit 86, and a print control unit 87.

  The storage device 84 has a predetermined value (light amount) as an index for determining whether or not the transport amount of the toner T is normal, information on the light amount detected by the optical sensor 9, and an initial frequency of vibration of the vibrating body 74. The value is mainly memorized.

  Upon receiving a print instruction from the user, the light amount determination unit 85 acquires light amount information from the optical sensor 9 and determines whether or not the acquired light amount information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value stored in the storage device 84. Thus, it has a function of determining whether or not the transport amount of the toner T is equal to or less than a predetermined value (whether or not it is abnormal). When the light amount determination means 85 determines that the transport amount of the toner T is less than or equal to a predetermined value (abnormal), the light amount determination means 85 outputs an error signal indicating that to the vibration control means 86 and the acquired light amount. Is stored in the storage device 84 as the previous value. The light quantity determination unit 85 is configured not to send any signal to the vibration control unit 86 when it is determined that the transport amount of the toner T exceeds a predetermined value (normal).

  The vibration control means 86 has a function of vibrating the vibrating body 74 at the frequency of the initial value stored in the storage device 84 when receiving a print instruction from the user. Further, when receiving an error signal from the light amount determination means 85, the vibration control means 86 has a function of increasing the vibration frequency of the vibrating body 74 by a predetermined amount for the time being. That is, the vibration control means 86 selects the increase mode for the first time as the vibration frequency increase / decrease mode.

  Further, the vibration control unit 86 acquires light amount information from the optical sensor 9 after a predetermined time from increasing the frequency, and the acquired light amount information is equal to or less than the previous value of the light amount stored in the storage device 84. By determining whether or not the toner T has reached, it has a function of determining whether or not the transport amount of the toner T has exceeded the previous value. At this time, the light quantity information acquired from the optical sensor 9 is stored in the storage device 84 as a new previous value.

  If the vibration control unit 86 determines that the carry amount has become equal to or greater than the previous value, the vibration control unit 86 determines that the increased frequency is close to the optimum frequency for breaking the toner T, and maintains the increase mode. To further increase the frequency. Further, when the vibration control unit 86 determines that the transport amount has become less than the previous value, the vibration control unit 86 determines that the increased frequency is away from the optimum frequency for breaking the toner T, and decreases the increase mode. Change to mode and decrease frequency. Thereafter, the vibration control unit 86 obtains the light amount information from the optical sensor 9 again, and repeatedly executes the above-described control, thereby bringing the frequency closer to the optimum frequency. The vibration control means 86 stops the increase / decrease of the frequency when the frequency becomes the optimal frequency and the transport amount of the toner T exceeds a predetermined value, and when the print completion signal is received from the print control means 87, The vibration of the vibrating body 74 is stopped.

  Upon receiving a print instruction from the user, the print control unit 87 executes printing by a known method. Then, when printing for the number of prints corresponding to the print instruction is completed, the print control unit 87 outputs a print completion signal indicating that to the vibration control unit 86.

  The control device 8 ′ configured as described above executes control according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12. Here, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device according to the second embodiment. Note that the control related to printing is appropriately executed according to a printing instruction from the user according to a known flowchart different from the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when receiving a print instruction from the user (START), the control device 8 'first vibrates the vibrating body 74 at the initial frequency (S11). After step S11, the control device 8 'determines whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed, thereby determining whether or not the toner T has been transported to a position that can be detected by the optical sensor 9 (S12).

  If it is determined in step S12 that the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes), the control device 8 ′ determines whether or not the transport amount of toner T (hereinafter also referred to as “toner amount”) is equal to or less than a predetermined value (S13). ). If it is determined in step S13 that the toner amount is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value (Yes), the control device 8 'increases the frequency in step S14. That is, in step S14, the control device 8 'sets the increase / decrease mode to the increase mode for the time being.

  After step S14, the control device 8 ′ determines whether or not the toner amount is equal to or greater than the previous value, and thereby determines the frequency according to the increase / decrease mode set at that time (for example, the increase mode set in step S14). It is determined whether or not the toner is approaching the optimum frequency for breaking the toner T (S15). If it is determined in step S15 that the toner amount is equal to or greater than the previous value (Yes), the control device 8 ′ maintains the increase / decrease mode (S16), and if it is determined that the toner amount is less than the previous value (No), the increase / decrease mode is changed. (S17). That is, in the processing of steps S15 to S17, when the increase / decrease mode when entering the processing of step S15 is the increase mode, the increase mode is maintained in step S16, and the increase mode is changed to the decrease mode in step S17. The If the increase / decrease mode when entering the process of step S15 is the decrease mode, the decrease mode is maintained in step S16, and the decrease mode is changed to the increase mode in step S17.

  After steps S16 and S17, the control device 8 ′ determines whether or not printing is being performed by determining whether or not a print completion signal is output from the print control unit 87 to the vibration control unit 86 (step S16). S18). If it is determined in step S18 that printing is in progress (Yes), the control device 8 'determines whether the toner amount has exceeded a predetermined value (S19).

  If it is determined in step S19 that the toner amount is still below the predetermined value (No), the control device 8 'returns to the process of step S15. If it is determined in step 19 or step S13 that the toner amount has exceeded a predetermined value (S19; Yes, S13; No), the control device 8 ′ determines whether or not a print completion signal is output. Then, it is determined whether or not the printing is completed (S20).

  When the printing is not completed in step S20 (No), the control device 8 ′ repeats the process of step S20, that is, does not return to the process of step S15, stops increasing / decreasing the frequency, and until printing is completed. The vibration of the vibrating body 74 is continued at the predetermined frequency set in the previous process (step S16 or step S17). If it is determined in step S20 or step S18 that printing has been completed (S20; Yes, S18; No), the control device 8 ′ stops the vibration of the vibrating body 74 (S21), and this flow is followed. End the operation.

  According to the above, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in the second embodiment.

  Since the vibration frequency is determined based on the information related to the transport amount of the toner T detected by the optical sensor 9, an appropriate frequency can be appropriately determined according to the actual transport amount of the toner T.

  By providing the optical sensor 9 on the upstream side of the supply port 71A of the cartridge case 71, it is possible to feed back the transport amount of the toner T during printing and change the vibration frequency to an appropriate frequency in real time during printing. Therefore, the toner T can be transported favorably during printing, and as a result, image formation can be favorably performed.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In this embodiment, since a part of the structure around the toner supply device 7 according to the second embodiment is changed, the same components as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. A description thereof will be omitted. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the structure around the toner supply device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the toner supply device 7 ′ according to the third embodiment, a part of the cartridge case 71 on the supply port 71A side is a window portion 71B formed of a transparent material such as glass. It is configured. The optical sensor 9 is disposed downstream of the supply port 71A in the toner T conveyance direction, and emits light to the conveyance surface TS of the first toner conveyance body 73A through the window 71B. Information on the amount of light detected by the light receiving unit 92 of the optical sensor 9 is output to the control device 8 ″.

  The control device 8 ″ operates the toner conveying body 73 during non-development in which the supply of the toner T to the photosensitive drum 3 is stopped, and sets the vibration frequency of the vibrating body 74 based on a signal from the optical sensor 9. Here, “non-development” means, for example, a time period during which each job relating to printing is not executed, and in this embodiment, a print instruction is output. This is the time period from when printing starts to when printing starts. As shown in FIG. 14, the control device 8 ″ includes a storage device 84 similar to that of the second embodiment, a light amount determination means 85 ′, a vibration control means 86 ′, and print control that are slightly different from those of the second embodiment. Means 87 ′ and transport body operating means 88 newly provided in the third embodiment are provided.

  The transport body operating unit 88 has a function of starting the transport of the toner T by operating the toner transport body 73 upon receiving a print instruction from the user. When the toner transport body 73 is operated, the transport body operating means 88 outputs an operation start signal indicating that to the light amount determination means 85 'and the vibration control means 86'.

  The light quantity determination unit 85 ′ is different from the second embodiment in that the above-described control is started in response to receiving an operation start signal from the transport body operation unit 88 instead of a print instruction from the user. . In addition, since the content of control itself is the same as that of 2nd Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The vibration control means 86 ′ is different from the second embodiment in that it starts the above-described control triggered by receiving an operation start signal from the transport body operation means 88 instead of a printing instruction from the user. . Further, the vibration control means 86 ′ stops the vertical movement of the frequency of the vibrating body 74 when the frequency becomes an optimum frequency and the transport amount of the toner T exceeds a predetermined value, and then outputs a predetermined print start signal. This is different from the second embodiment in that it is output to the print control means 87 ′. In addition, since the content of control itself is the same as that of 2nd Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The print control unit 87 ′ is different from the second embodiment in that it starts the above-described control triggered by receiving a print start signal from the vibration control unit 86 ′ instead of a print instruction from the user. . Note that the print control means 87 ′ according to the third embodiment controls the other parts of the laser printer 1 by a known method because the toner transport body 73 is already operated by the transport body operating means 88. Execute printing.

  The control device 8 ″ configured as described above executes control according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15. Here, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when receiving a print instruction from the user (START), the control device 8 ″ first operates the toner transport body 73 to start transporting the toner T (S31). The control device 8 ″ executes steps S11 to S17, S19 similar to those described above. Here, in the third embodiment, before starting printing, the frequency of vibration is determined, and the vibration body 74 is vibrated at this frequency to break the toner T well, and then printing is started. Step S18 in the second embodiment is deleted.

  If the toner amount exceeds the predetermined value in step 19 or step S13 (S19; Yes, S13; No), that is, if the toner T is transported satisfactorily, the control device 8 ″ performs the process of step S15. In step S32, the control unit 8 ″ causes the vibration body 74 to stop the vibration of the vibration body 74. When the printing process is completed, the control device 8 ″ The vibration is stopped (S21), and the operation according to this flow is finished.

  According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in the third embodiment.

  Before starting printing, the toner transport body 73 is operated, and the vibration body 74 whose vibration frequency is changed toward the optimum frequency until the amount of toner T transported by the toner transport body 73 is optimized is the toner T. Therefore, a good amount of toner T can be conveyed to the photosensitive drum 3 during printing, and image formation can be performed more satisfactorily.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can utilize with various forms so that it may illustrate below.

  In the first embodiment, the vibration frequency is varied during the conveyance of the toner T. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vibration frequency may be varied before the toner T is conveyed. In this case, for example, it can be realized by appropriately modifying the flowchart of FIG. 9 to obtain a flowchart as shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the vibration stop process (S4) in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is moved before the print execution process (S3), and a predetermined interval is set between step S2 and step S4. What is necessary is just to add the process (S41) of whether time passed. Here, the predetermined time may be set to a time during which the toner T can be satisfactorily broken by conducting experiments, simulations, and the like in advance. According to this, the frequency of vibration is moved up and down based on the program before the start of printing, and the toner T is favorably destroyed, so that the toner T can be transported well during printing.

  In the third embodiment, the time period from when a printing instruction is received until printing is started is adopted as non-development, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when printing is stopped when printing is stopped when the power of the laser printer 1 is turned on, or when the temperature and humidity detected by the temperature and humidity sensor are equal to or higher than a predetermined value, for example, during non-development A time zone between a predetermined time later and a time zone between a predetermined time after the number of printed sheets reaches the predetermined number can be adopted.

  In the third embodiment, the optical sensor 9 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction of the supply port 71A. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction.

  In the second or third embodiment, in order to find an optimum frequency for satisfactorily breaking the toner T, the frequency is temporarily increased in step S14. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the frequency is for the time being. It may be decreased.

  In the second or third embodiment, the optical sensor 9 that detects the light reflected by the first toner conveyance body 73A is used as the developer amount detection means, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as the developer amount detection means, a density sensor configured by a camera that captures the toner T that is conveyed and an image processing apparatus that processes an image captured by the camera may be employed. Also in this case, the conveyance amount can be detected by detecting the density of the toner T.

  In each of the above embodiments, the core 74C is fixed to the main body side of the laser printer 1 and the coil 74B is vibrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the coil 74B is fixed to the main body side and the core 74C is vibrated. May be.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the vibrating body including the coil 74B, the core 74C, and the like is employed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a piezo element.

  In each of the above embodiments, the second toner conveyance body 73B that is vibrated by the vibration body 74 is configured as a part of the cartridge case 71, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be disposed in the cartridge case.

  In each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to the laser printer 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a multifunction machine.

  In each of the above embodiments, the photosensitive drum 3 is employed as the image carrier. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a belt-shaped photosensitive member may be employed.

  In the above embodiment, the toner T that is negatively charged is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a toner that is charged positively may be used. In this case, the charged state of the photosensitive drum or the like may be reversed from that in the above embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser printer 3 Photosensitive drum 7 Toner supply apparatus 8 Control apparatus 9 Optical sensor 71 Cartridge case 71A Supply port 73 Toner conveyance body 73A 1st toner conveyance body 73B 2nd toner conveyance body 74 Vibration body 74A Plate-like member 74B Coil 74C Core 81 Storage Device 82 Vibration Control Unit 83 Print Control Unit 732 Transport Electrode T Toner

Claims (9)

An image carrier for carrying a developer image;
A developer case containing a developer and having a supply port that opens at a position facing the image carrier;
A developer transport body that includes a plurality of transport electrodes, and forms a traveling-wave electric field with these transport electrodes to transport the developer contained in the developer case toward the image carrier;
A vibrating body for vibrating the developer transport body;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control device that changes a frequency of the vibrating body. The controller is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frequency is moved up and down within a predetermined range. The controller is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the vertical movement is continuously performed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined range is 50 to 1000 Hz.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined range is 100 to 500 Hz. The controller is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the vertical movement is performed while the developer is being conveyed. A developer amount detecting means for detecting the amount of developer conveyed by the developer conveying member;
The controller is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frequency is determined based on a signal detected by the developer amount detection unit. The developer amount detection means is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction from the supply port of the developer case,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control device performs control based on a signal from the developer amount detection unit at the time of developing to supply the developer to the image carrier.   The control device operates the developer transport body and performs control based on a signal from the developer amount detection means during non-development in which supply of the developer to the image carrier is stopped. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.

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