JP3266295B2 - Life management device for toner handling unit in image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus,
The present invention relates to a life management device for a recyclable toner handling unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows an example of a cleaning unit U used in a laser printer as an image forming apparatus. A rotating shaft 4 that is scraped off from the body 1 and rotates in the direction of arrow A stores it as waste toner in a tank 7 composed of an upper case 5 and a lower case 6. As the toner 2 increases, the filler 9 is lifted through the upper film 8 by the pressure of the toner 2, and the tank 7 is detected by a sensor such as a photo interrupter (not shown).
Is detected to be full. 10 is a screw for fastening the upper case 5 and the lower case 6, 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a blade holder that rotates in the same manner as the rotation shaft 4.

[0003] In the cleaning unit U, it is general to replace the print unit with about 30,000 prints. This replacement cycle is usually determined by the amount of the waste toner 2 collected in the tank 7. If the capacity of the tank 7 is not limited, the life as a part exceeds 100,000 prints. It is considered something.

[0004]

However, when the capacity of the tank 7 is increased, a larger space is required, and the machine body itself is eventually increased, so that the capacity of the tank 7 is actually limited. It was the life of unit U. On the other hand, the unit U can be recycled by cleaning the waste toner 2 in the tank 7 of the cleaning unit U. However, the unit U cannot be recycled forever.

[0005] For the reasons described above, it is difficult to manage the history of how many times the unit has been used, despite the fact that the unit can be used repeatedly with a simple operation. Had no idea when it would last, making recycling difficult. Further, from the above-mentioned problem, there is a problem that most parts have to be replaced at the time of recycling, and it is not possible to recycle in terms of cost. The above does not apply only to the cleaning unit. For example, the developing unit can be repeatedly used by replacing seals for preventing toner scattering,
The same applies to a toner handling unit such as a process cartridge that combines cleaning and development.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a toner handling unit in an image forming apparatus capable of managing the life of a recyclable toner handling unit, eliminating waste such as unconditionally discarding the unit, and effectively using resources. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lifetime management device.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a counting device in which a toner handling unit having a tank capable of storing toner can count the number of times the unit is repeatedly used. The configuration is provided.

Further, it is preferable that the counting device is housed in a partitioned space in the tank.

Further, it is preferable that the counting device can be operated based on a signal for detecting the life of the unit once.

Further, it is preferable that the counting device can automatically detect that the unit has reached the limit of repeated use.

[0011]

By the action the count unit, when recycled with Repeller A units, repetition number of times of use will be able to count.

When the counting device is housed in a partitioned space in the tank, the history of the number of times of repeated use is maintained even if the unit is disassembled.

Further, when the count is automatically advanced each time the unit is used once, a count error due to a work error or the like is prevented.

In addition, when the repetitive use limit of the unit is automatically detected, an accident of using the unusable unit is prevented.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In a configuration similar to that of the cleaning unit U shown in FIG. 7, the tank 7 comprises an upper case 5 and a lower case 6, and an upper case. A partition 13 is provided at the upper end corner portion of the space 5 by, for example, heat welding to form a completely separated space 13, and in the space 13, numerals are written on side surfaces at regular intervals. A dial 14 as a counting device is rotatably arranged, and the rotation of the dial 14 is performed in one direction (B direction).
And a hole 16 for inserting a pin or the like for rotating the dial 14 at a required position on the upper surface of the upper case 5 corresponding to the space 13.
And a window 1 for allowing a numeral on the dial 14 to be seen as the dial 14 rotates at a required position on the side surface of the upper case 5 corresponding to the space 13.
7 is opened. The number written on the dial 14 is equal to the maximum number of units U that can be recycled and used repeatedly. The peripheral surface of the dial 14 is formed in a tooth shape so that a pin or a ratchet 15 can be engaged.

As the amount of the collected toner 2 increases,
Filler -9 is lifted <br/> through the fill-arm 8 by the pressure of the toner 2, the tank 7 is detected that is full by the sensor such as a photo-interrupter (not shown) (or more, see Fig. 7). When the tank 7 is detected to be full,
Insert a pin or the like from the hole 16 of the upper case 5 and dial 14
Turn to advance the number by one. In this case, the number on the dial 14 is equal to the limit number of units U that can be recycled and reused.
If the number seen from is less than the limit, clean up for recycling, and if the limit is reached, dispose of it.

In the above, for example, if the count of the dial 14 is erroneously returned during cleaning work for recycling or the like, a quality problem occurs because the number of times of repeated use becomes larger than originally possible. However, since the ratchet 15 is provided as a reverse rotation preventing member, it is possible to prevent the count number from returning. Therefore, even if the dial 14 is rotated by mistake, the dial only rotates in the direction in which the count advances. Thus, the above problems can be prevented beforehand. Also, in the cleaning work for recycling, the unit U may be disassembled. However, if the unit U is disassembled up to the dial count portion, the history of the number of times of repeated use may be lost. However, in the present invention, since the space 13 in which the dial 14 is arranged is separated by the partition 12 formed by heat welding, this portion is not disassembled, and the history of the number of times of repeated use can be reliably maintained.

As described above, in the present invention, when the unit is repaired and recycled, the number of times of repeated use can be counted by the dial 14 provided as a counting device. Can be prevented beforehand. or,
In order to prevent the occurrence of quality problems due to repeated use as described above, it is possible to eliminate waste such as unconditionally discarding a unit that has been recycled once, and to utilize resources effectively.

FIG. 2 shows another example of a counting device as a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a loop-shaped belt 18 is used in place of the dial 14 in the embodiment of FIG. The belt 18 is hung between pulleys 19 and 20, and a number equal to the maximum number of repetitions that can be repeatedly used is written in order from 1 on the surface thereof. A square hole 21 for inserting and rotating a rod or the like is provided.

The same operation and effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained by using this type of counting device.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 1, a rod 22 is used to rotate the dial 14, and the rod 22 is One end of a link 23 that can rotate in the vertical direction with the intermediate portion as a fulcrum is connected to the upper end, and the link 2
The other end of the solenoid 3 is connected to the plunger 25 of the solenoid 24 arranged downward, and the plunger 25 of the solenoid 24 is pulled up in the direction of the arrow C by the fullness detection signal (conventional life detection signal) of the tank 7 to rotate the link 23. When the rod 22 is pushed down in the direction of arrow D through the dial, the dial 14 is rotated by one character of a number.

In the method shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in which the worker counts each time recycling is performed, there is a possibility that the count may not be advanced due to an operation mistake or the like. However, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the count can be automatically advanced by the solenoid 24 each time the unit U is used, so that the above problem can be prevented. it can.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In the same configuration as the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a protrusion 26 provided on the upper case
When the last number written on the dial 14 appears in the window 17 shown in FIG. 1, the projections 26 and 27 interfere and the further rotation of the dial 14 is prevented. It is to be prevented. Further, the connecting portion side of the link 23 to the plunger 25 is further extended in the longitudinal direction,
In addition, a photo interrupter 28 is arranged corresponding to the rotation trajectory of the extension of the link 23, and the operation of the link 23 is detected by the photo interrupter 28 every time the link 23 operates. In addition, the rotation amount of the dial 14 is a half of the number intervals equally distributed on the dial 14, that is,
If the numbers 1 to 6 are written, it is assumed that half of the six equal parts rotate by 30 degrees. However, only the last number is written at a position that is half the distance from the previous number. Therefore, when the number is 1 to 6, the interval from 1 to 5 is 60 °, and the interval from 5 to 6 is 30 °.

When the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is employed, when a new cleaning unit U is set, the solenoid 24 is operated by a signal (not shown) based on the detection of the presence / absence of a conventional unit, and the dial 14 is moved to half the character interval. Rotate by a minute (30 ° in the example). When the full use is detected and the full detection signal is sent, the solenoid 24 is operated and the dial 14 is rotated by half of the character interval, and the dial is rotated by a total of one character (60 ° in the embodiment).

When a unit that can be repeatedly used is remaining one time, that is, a unit that cannot be recycled any more and is discarded when used one more time is set, first, the solenoid 24 is operated at the set stage, and the dial 14 is moved to the character interval. Rotate by half. In this state, the number that appears in the window 17 of the upper case 5 is the final number, and the upper case 5
The projections 26 and 27 interfere with each other, so that the dial 14 cannot rotate any more. For this reason, the dial 14 does not rotate even if the next full detection signal is sent, so the solenoid 24
Cannot operate, and therefore, the operation cannot be detected by the photointerrupter 28, so that the recycle life of the unit can be determined. Also, the same detection is performed when a unit whose recycling life has expired is set by mistake.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the same configuration as the fifth embodiment shown in FIG.
Instead of the method in which the projection 27 is provided on the dial 14, a notch 29 is provided on the dial 14, and this notch is directly detected by the photo interrupter 30.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the same operation and effect as those of the embodiment of FIG. 4 can be obtained. Further, as a method for detecting a specific position of the display means of the dial 14,
Other schemes may be employed.

FIG. 6 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
A winding type tape 31 is used in place of the dial 14 in the embodiment of FIG. That is, the pulley 32
The leading end of the tape 31 wound on the side is connected to the pulley 33, and numerals are written on the tape 31 in order from 1 from the leading end, and the last numeral is a solid black portion.

In the case of this embodiment, when the service life of the unit is over, the black solid portion is detected by the photo interrupter 30, so that the end of the life can be detected. Also, in the case of this method, there is an advantage that a larger number can be handled.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0031]

As described above, according to the apparatus for managing the life of the toner handling unit in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the following excellent effects are exhibited. (I) Since a counting device capable of counting the repeated use and collection of the unit is provided, it is possible to prevent a quality problem due to repeated use, and to dispose of the unit once recycled unconditionally. You can eliminate waste that would, useful elevational Chi effective use of resources, and was partitioned counting apparatus within the tank
Because the unit was stored in the space, the unit was separated during cleaning.
Even if you do, make sure the history of repeated use
Can be held . (II) When the life detection signal per unit
As the device count is automatically advanced,
The number of times that can be used by preventing forgetting to advance the count
Quality problems caused by overuse.
Can be stopped . (III) itself that the unit has reached the repeated use limit
Motion detection so that it cannot be used repeatedly.
To eliminate waste that would otherwise result in a clean unit
Unit that has reached the limit for repeated use
Can be detected even when the
Also of quality problems due to repeated use can be prevent in advance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a life management device of a toner handling unit in an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a counter device showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a cleaning unit in a laser printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 U Cleaning unit (toner handling unit) 2 Toner 7 Tank 12 Partition 13 Space 14 Dial (Counter)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] To 1. A toner handling unit having a retractable tank toner, provided the count apparatus adapted to count the repetition number of times of use of the unit, the mosquito
Store the und device in a partitioned space in the tank.
Life management system of the toner handling unit in the images forming apparatus. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the counting device is operated once by a unit.
Contractor that can be activated based on the
A toner handling unit in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
Life management device. 3. The unit is turned by the counting device.
It is configured to automatically detect that the return usage limit has been reached.
The toner handling in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
Unit life management device .