JP3287135B2 - Toner remaining detector - Google Patents
Toner remaining detectorInfo
- Publication number
- JP3287135B2 JP3287135B2 JP24660794A JP24660794A JP3287135B2 JP 3287135 B2 JP3287135 B2 JP 3287135B2 JP 24660794 A JP24660794 A JP 24660794A JP 24660794 A JP24660794 A JP 24660794A JP 3287135 B2 JP3287135 B2 JP 3287135B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- toner
- rotation
- cleaning
- cleaning member
- stirring
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Landscapes
- Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
- Cleaning In Electrography (AREA)
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、トナー残量検知装置に
関し、特に、センサの清掃部材の改善を図ったトナー残
量検知装置に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner remaining amount detecting device, and more particularly to a toner remaining amount detecting device in which a cleaning member of a sensor is improved.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】従来のトナー残量検知装置として、例え
ば、特開平３−２９９８０号に示されたものがある。こ
のトナー残量検知装置は、図５に示すように、トナー２
０を収容した現像機１の中に設けられており、攪拌棒４
の回転軸４ｃに取り付けられた攪拌棒４とほぼ等しい長
さの清掃部材６と、清掃部材６によって表面を清掃さ
れ、トナー２０の圧力を受けて圧電信号を出力する圧電
センサ５を有する。現像機１は駆動源（図示せず）によ
って矢印方向に回転させられる現像ロール２を有し、現
像ロール２の直上に感光体８に供給するトナー量を調節
するブレード３が設けられている。2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional toner remaining amount detecting device, for example, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-29980. As shown in FIG. 5, this toner remaining amount detecting device
0 is provided in the developing machine 1 containing
A cleaning member 6 having a length substantially equal to the length of the stirring rod 4 attached to the rotary shaft 4c of the rotary shaft 4c, and a piezoelectric sensor 5 whose surface is cleaned by the cleaning member 6 and receives a pressure of the toner 20 to output a piezoelectric signal. The developing machine 1 has a developing roll 2 rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow by a driving source (not shown), and a blade 3 for adjusting an amount of toner supplied to the photoconductor 8 is provided immediately above the developing roll 2.
【０００３】以上の構成において、動作を説明する。感
光体８がトナー像の形成動作に入ると、現像ロール２が
矢印方向に回転してブレード３によって調節された量の
トナー２０を感光体８へ供給する。現像ロール２の回転
とともに共通の駆動源から駆動される回転軸４ｃが回転
して攪拌棒４と清掃部材６を回転軌跡１８によって示さ
れるように回転させる。攪拌棒４はトナー２０を攪拌流
動してトナー２０を現像ロール２の方向へ供給し、清掃
部材６は圧電センサ５の表面に付着したトナーを清掃し
て付着トナーによる誤検知を防止する。The operation of the above configuration will be described. When the photoconductor 8 starts to form a toner image, the developing roll 2 rotates in the direction of the arrow and supplies the photoconductor 8 with the amount of toner 20 adjusted by the blade 3. As the developing roll 2 rotates, the rotating shaft 4c driven from the common driving source rotates to rotate the stirring rod 4 and the cleaning member 6 as indicated by the rotation locus 18. The stirring rod 4 stirs and flows the toner 20 to supply the toner 20 toward the developing roll 2, and the cleaning member 6 cleans the toner adhered to the surface of the piezoelectric sensor 5 to prevent erroneous detection due to the adhered toner.
【０００４】図６は圧電センサ５の表面を清掃する清掃
部材６を示しており、回転方向（矢印Ａ）が清掃方向
（矢印Ｂ）と同一の方向になっている。このようにし
て、回転軌跡１８の円内に設けられた圧電センサ５によ
って現像機１内のトナー２０の残量が検知される。FIG. 6 shows a cleaning member 6 for cleaning the surface of the piezoelectric sensor 5, and the rotation direction (arrow A) is the same as the cleaning direction (arrow B). In this manner, the remaining amount of the toner 20 in the developing device 1 is detected by the piezoelectric sensor 5 provided in the circle of the rotation locus 18.
【０００５】[0005]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかし、従来のトナー
残量検知装置によると、回転方向が清掃方向と同一の方
向になっているので、図６に示したように、清掃部材６
にトナー２０が付着し易く、それによって清掃部材６が
圧電センサ５の表面を通過する度に外乱が圧電センサ５
に加わるので誤検知が生じ易く、また、現像機１の底部
に接触する攪拌棒４と清掃部材６がほぼ同じ長さになっ
ているので、圧電センサ５を回転軌跡１８の外部へ設置
できないという構造上の制限がある。However, according to the conventional toner remaining amount detecting device, since the rotation direction is the same as the cleaning direction, as shown in FIG.
Toner 20 easily adheres to the surface of the piezoelectric sensor 5 so that disturbance occurs every time the cleaning member 6 passes over the surface of the piezoelectric sensor 5.
And the agitating rod 4 and the cleaning member 6 that are in contact with the bottom of the developing machine 1 have almost the same length, so that the piezoelectric sensor 5 cannot be installed outside the rotation locus 18. There are structural restrictions.
【０００６】[0006]
【発明の目的】従って、本発明の目的は、清掃部材によ
って圧電センサが外乱を受けず、それによって検知精度
を向上させるトナー残量検知装置を提供することであ
る。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a toner remaining amount detecting device in which a piezoelectric member is not disturbed by a cleaning member, thereby improving detection accuracy.
【０００７】本発明の他の目的は、構造上の制限を緩和
して攪拌部材の回転軌跡の外部に圧電センサを位置させ
ることができるトナー残量検知装置を提供することであ
る。It is another object of the present invention to provide a toner remaining amount detecting device capable of relaxing a structural limitation and allowing a piezoelectric sensor to be positioned outside a rotation locus of a stirring member.
【０００８】[0008]
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明は上記の目的を実
現するため、現像機の中のトナー残量を検知する検知セ
ンサを備えたトナー残量検知装置において、前記現像機
の中のトナーを第１の回転軌跡を形成する回転によって
攪拌流動する攪拌手段と、前記現像機の底部に接触して
弾性圧縮を受ける大径部と、この大径部から除々に縮径
される小径部を有する渦巻き状の線材によって形成さ
れ、前記攪拌手段の回転に伴う回転により前記弾性圧縮
から解放された部分が前記第１の回転軌跡より大きな第
２の回転軌跡を形成しながら前記検知センサを清掃する
清掃部材を備えたことを特徴とするトナー残量検知装置
を提供する。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a toner remaining amount detecting device provided with a detecting sensor for detecting a toner remaining amount in a developing machine. A stirrer that stirs and flows by rotation forming a first rotation locus, a large-diameter portion that contacts the bottom of the developing device and undergoes elastic compression, and a small-diameter portion that is gradually reduced in diameter from the large-diameter portion. A portion formed of a spiral wire having a portion released from the elastic compression by the rotation accompanying rotation of the stirring means forms the second rotation path larger than the first rotation path to clean the detection sensor. Provided is a toner remaining amount detecting device including a cleaning member.
【０００９】また、前記検知センサは、前記現像機の壁
面より所定の距離だけ埋没して前記壁面に固定されてお
り、前記清掃部材は、回転中心軸に対して前記検知セン
サが設けられた位置と反対側の位置で前記現像機の壁面
より遠ざけられる変形力を受ける構成を有する。Further, the detection sensor is fixed to the wall by burying a predetermined distance from the wall surface of the developing machine, and the cleaning member is provided at a position where the detection sensor is provided with respect to a rotation center axis. At a position on the opposite side from the wall of the developing machine.
【００１０】更に、前記清掃部材は、前記攪拌手段の回
転軸の外周に設けられて前記攪拌手段の回転を受け、前
記攪拌手段の回転中心軸と偏心した回転中心軸を有する
構成を有する。Further, the cleaning member is provided on the outer periphery of the rotation shaft of the stirring means, receives the rotation of the stirring means, and has a rotation center axis eccentric to the rotation center axis of the stirring means.
【００１１】[0011]
【作用】攪拌部材が回転すると、清掃部材が回転する。
清掃部材は現像機１の底部で受けた弾性圧縮から解放さ
れると、振動しながら攪拌部材の回転軌跡より大きな回
転軌跡で回転する。清掃部材は、トナーの清掃する方向
を回転方向と直角にしながら検知センサ表面で回転移動
する。また、清掃部材は回転中心軸に対してセンサの位
置と反対側の位置で壁面から遠ざかる力を受けるとセン
サの位置で壁面に押し付けられて回転移動する。更に、
清掃部材は攪拌部材と偏心して回転し、現像機の底部か
ら大きな弾性圧縮を受け、また、偏心量に応じて回転軌
跡を変位させる。When the stirring member rotates, the cleaning member rotates.
When the cleaning member is released from the elastic compression received at the bottom of the developing device 1, the cleaning member rotates with a rotation locus larger than the rotation locus of the stirring member while vibrating. The cleaning member rotates on the surface of the detection sensor while making the direction of cleaning the toner perpendicular to the rotation direction. When the cleaning member receives a force away from the wall surface at a position opposite to the position of the sensor with respect to the rotation center axis, the cleaning member is pressed against the wall surface at the position of the sensor and rotates. Furthermore,
The cleaning member rotates eccentrically with the agitating member, receives a large elastic compression from the bottom of the developing device, and displaces the rotation locus according to the amount of eccentricity.
【００１２】[0012]
【実施例】以下、本発明のトナー残量検知装置の一実施
例を詳細に説明する。図１はそのトナー残量検知装置を
示し、感光体８にトナーを供給する現像機１の内部に渦
巻き状の清掃部材６が回転する構造として設けられてい
る。現像機１は磁気性現像ロール２とトナーカートリッ
ジ１０を有し、その間に中間トナー溜め部７が設けられ
ている。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. FIG. 1 shows the toner remaining amount detecting device, in which a spiral cleaning member 6 is provided inside a developing device 1 for supplying toner to a photoreceptor 8 so as to rotate. The developing machine 1 has a magnetic developing roll 2 and a toner cartridge 10, and an intermediate toner reservoir 7 is provided between them.
【００１３】この中間トナー溜め部７には、図２に示さ
れるように、攪拌アーム４ａの攪拌部４ｂに回転的に設
けられたスポンジ製の攪拌素子１３と、攪拌アーム４ａ
の回転軸４ｃを回転的に支持する軸受部材１４が設けら
れており、軸受部材１４は現像機１（壁部材）に固定さ
れている。軸受部材１４の外周には、渦巻き状の清掃部
材６のコイル基部６ａが所定のクリアランスを有して設
けられており、また、清掃部材６の清掃部６ｂと所定の
間隙ｇを有するように壁表面から埋没して圧電センサ５
が設けられている。As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate toner reservoir 7 includes a sponge stirring element 13 rotatably provided in the stirring section 4b of the stirring arm 4a, and a stirring arm 4a.
A bearing member 14 for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft 4c is provided, and the bearing member 14 is fixed to the developing device 1 (wall member). On the outer periphery of the bearing member 14, a coil base 6a of a spiral cleaning member 6 is provided with a predetermined clearance, and a wall is formed so as to have a predetermined gap g with the cleaning portion 6b of the cleaning member 6. Buried from the surface and piezoelectric sensor 5
Is provided.
【００１４】この圧電センサ５は、その一部が、図１に
示されるように、攪拌素子１３の回転軌跡１８の外部に
位置しており、その表面には清掃部６ｂの一部が常に位
置している。清掃部材６のコイル基部６ａは、Ｒ1 およ
びＲ2 （Ｒ2 ＞Ｒ1 ）によって示されるように、攪拌ア
ーム４ａの回転軸４ｃ（中心Ｏ）から偏心しており、ま
た、清掃部６ｂは現像機１の底部側に位置する部分がス
ロープ状部材１１によって壁表面から遠ざかる方向に変
形させられている。As shown in FIG. 1, a part of the piezoelectric sensor 5 is located outside the rotational path 18 of the stirring element 13, and a part of the cleaning section 6b is always located on the surface thereof. are doing. As shown by R 1 and R 2 (R 2 > R 1 ), the coil base 6a of the cleaning member 6 is eccentric from the rotation axis 4c (center O) of the stirring arm 4a, and the cleaning unit 6b is developed. A portion located on the bottom side of the machine 1 is deformed by the slope member 11 in a direction away from the wall surface.
【００１５】従って、清掃部６ｂはその上部がテコの原
理によって底部の変形方向と逆方向に付勢され、圧電セ
ンサ５の表面が若干埋没している壁面に弾性的に密接し
ている。攪拌アーム４ａに弾性カラー２２の爪２２ａが
引っ掛かっており、これによって清掃部材６のコイル基
部６ａに攪拌アーム４ａの回転運動を伝えるとともにコ
イル基部６ａを現像機１（壁部材）に圧縮して軸受部材
１４の外周に位置させている。Therefore, the upper portion of the cleaning portion 6b is urged in the direction opposite to the deformation direction of the bottom portion by the principle of leverage, so that the surface of the piezoelectric sensor 5 is elastically in close contact with the slightly buried wall surface. The pawl 22a of the elastic collar 22 is hooked on the stirring arm 4a, thereby transmitting the rotational movement of the stirring arm 4a to the coil base 6a of the cleaning member 6 and compressing the coil base 6a to the developing device 1 (wall member). It is located on the outer periphery of the member 14.
【００１６】再び、図１に戻ると、トナーカートリッジ
１０も内部に攪拌機構９を有しており、現像ロール２は
保持部材１２によって保持されたブレード３と摺接して
いる。現像ロール２は、図３に示すように、現像機１
（壁部材）によって回転的に支持され、両者の間をシー
ルするようにシール部材２１が設けられている。Referring back to FIG. 1, the toner cartridge 10 also has a stirring mechanism 9 inside, and the developing roll 2 is in sliding contact with the blade 3 held by the holding member 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the developing roll 2
A sealing member 21 is provided so as to be rotatably supported by the (wall member) and seal between the two.
【００１７】以上の構成において、動作を説明する。感
光体８がトナー像の形成（現像）を開始すると、図示し
ない駆動源によって現像ロール２，攪拌アーム４ａの回
転軸４ｃ（従って、攪拌素子１３）および攪拌機構９が
回転する。攪拌機構９の回転によってトナーカートリッ
ジ１０のトナーが中間トナー溜め部７に供給され、その
部分をトナーで充満する。中間トナー溜め部７に充満し
たトナーは攪拌アーム４ａおよび攪拌素子１３の回転に
よって攪拌流動させられ、現像ロール２へ供給される。
供給されたトナーはブレード３によって適量に調節さ
れ、感光体８へ供給された静電潜像を現像する。The operation of the above configuration will be described. When the photoconductor 8 starts formation (development) of a toner image, the developing roller 2, the rotating shaft 4c of the stirring arm 4a (accordingly, the stirring element 13) and the stirring mechanism 9 are rotated by a driving source (not shown). By the rotation of the stirring mechanism 9, the toner in the toner cartridge 10 is supplied to the intermediate toner reservoir 7, and the portion is filled with the toner. The toner filled in the intermediate toner reservoir 7 is stirred and caused to flow by rotation of the stirring arm 4 a and the stirring element 13, and is supplied to the developing roll 2.
The supplied toner is adjusted to an appropriate amount by the blade 3 to develop the electrostatic latent image supplied to the photoconductor 8.
【００１８】攪拌アーム４ａが回転すると、弾性カラー
２２によって回転を伝えられた清掃部材６が回転する。
清掃部材６は攪拌アーム４ａの回転軸４ｃの中心Ｏに対
して偏心しているので、清掃部６ｂの大部分は現像機１
の底部に接触して弾性圧縮を受け、かつ、スロープ状部
材１１によって変形させられる。清掃部６ｂの先端が回
転につれて現像機１の底部から離れると弾性圧縮から解
放され、そのときの弾性振動によって付着したトナーを
払い落としながら回転を続ける。同時に、スロープ状部
材１１に基づく変形によってその反対側、即ち、圧電セ
ンサ５の側に位置する清掃部６ｂは現像機１の壁面に弾
性的に密接しながら回転を続ける。When the stirring arm 4a rotates, the cleaning member 6, which has been transmitted by the elastic collar 22, rotates.
Since the cleaning member 6 is eccentric with respect to the center O of the rotation shaft 4c of the stirring arm 4a, most of the cleaning portion 6b is
And is elastically compressed by contact with the bottom of the base member and is deformed by the slope-shaped member 11. When the tip of the cleaning unit 6b rotates away from the bottom of the developing device 1 as it rotates, the cleaning unit 6b is released from the elastic compression, and continues to rotate while cleaning off the attached toner by the elastic vibration at that time. At the same time, due to the deformation based on the slope member 11, the cleaning unit 6b located on the opposite side, that is, on the side of the piezoelectric sensor 5, continues to rotate while elastically closely contacting the wall surface of the developing device 1.
【００１９】図４に示すように、清掃部６ｂの圧電セン
サ５の表面に対する相対的位置の変化は回転方向を示す
接線方向の矢印Ａに対して矢印Ｂで示すように直交する
方向になっている。これは渦巻き状の清掃部６ｂの圧電
センサ５上に位置する部分の半径が回転につれて増減す
るためであり、回転方向（矢印Ａ）に対して清掃方向
（矢印Ｂ）を直角にした状態で圧電センサ５と間隙ｇを
有しながらその表面を清掃する。圧電センサ５の表面に
は、常に清掃部６ｂの一部分あるいは複数の部分が位置
していて間隔的あるいは周期的な清掃ではなく、連続的
な清掃が行われる。As shown in FIG. 4, the relative position of the cleaning portion 6b with respect to the surface of the piezoelectric sensor 5 changes in a direction perpendicular to the tangential arrow A indicating the rotation direction as indicated by the arrow B. I have. This is because the radius of a portion of the spiral cleaning portion 6b located on the piezoelectric sensor 5 increases or decreases with rotation, and the piezoelectric member is rotated in a state where the cleaning direction (arrow B) is perpendicular to the rotation direction (arrow A). The surface is cleaned while having a gap g with the sensor 5. A part or a plurality of parts of the cleaning unit 6b are always located on the surface of the piezoelectric sensor 5, and continuous cleaning is performed instead of periodic or periodic cleaning.
【００２０】現像回数が増えると、トナーが減少してト
ナーカートリッジ１０から中間トナー溜め部７へのトナ
ー供給量が減少し、その結果、中間トナー溜め部７のト
ナーレベルが圧電センサ５のレベルより下になる。トナ
ーレベルの低下により、トナー残量不足の信号が圧電セ
ンサ５から制御部（図示せず）へ供給され、表示部（図
示せず）にトナーの補給を指令する表示が行われる。As the number of times of development increases, the amount of toner decreases and the amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridge 10 to the intermediate toner reservoir 7 decreases. As a result, the toner level in the intermediate toner reservoir 7 becomes lower than the level of the piezoelectric sensor 5. Below. Due to the decrease in the toner level, a signal indicating that the remaining amount of toner is insufficient is supplied from the piezoelectric sensor 5 to a control unit (not shown), and a display (not shown) for instructing replenishment of toner is performed.
【００２１】以上の実施例から明らかなように、本発明
のトナー残量検知装置によると、渦巻き状清掃部材によ
る清掃方向がその回転方向とほぼ直角になっており、渦
巻き状清掃部材が現像機の底部から受ける弾性圧縮から
解放されるときに振動し、スロープ状部材によって変形
を受けるので、テコの原理によって反対側で現像機の壁
面に密接し、渦巻き状清掃部材が攪拌アームの回転軸か
ら偏心している。As is apparent from the above embodiment, according to the toner remaining amount detecting apparatus of the present invention, the cleaning direction of the spiral cleaning member is substantially perpendicular to the rotation direction, and the spiral cleaning member is Vibrates when released from the elastic compression received from the bottom of the developer, and is deformed by the slope-shaped member. Eccentric.
【００２２】渦巻き状清掃部材の偏心量は、図２では、
軸受部材１４の外周上におけるクリアランスによってわ
ずかに変動するが、全体として中心軸Ｏより下方に偏心
している。この構造によると、現像機１の底部によって
より大きな弾性圧縮を受けることができ、解放されたと
きにより大きな振動を得ることができる。一方、清掃部
材６の回転中心軸を中心軸Ｏの上方に偏心させても良
い。この場合は、上方における清掃範囲が広くなって圧
電センサの取付位置の制限がより一層緩和される。何れ
の構造を選択するかについては、設計時の要求に従えば
良い。The eccentric amount of the spiral cleaning member is shown in FIG.
Although slightly fluctuated by the clearance on the outer periphery of the bearing member 14, it is eccentric below the center axis O as a whole. According to this structure, greater elastic compression can be received by the bottom of the developing device 1, and greater vibration can be obtained when released. On the other hand, the rotation center axis of the cleaning member 6 may be eccentric above the center axis O. In this case, the upper cleaning range is widened, and the restriction on the mounting position of the piezoelectric sensor is further relaxed. Which structure is to be selected may be in accordance with the requirements at the time of design.
【００２３】清掃部材６の材質は通常の線材（帯材，角
材等を含む）で良いが、弾性材料である方が好ましい。
特別の要求があれば、２重コイルのように、コイル状線
材によって渦巻き構造を実現しても良い。また、攪拌素
子１３はスポンジに限るものではなく、例えば、ゴムで
あっても良く、必要に応じて回転可能なロールにしても
良い。The material of the cleaning member 6 may be a normal wire (including a strip, a square, etc.), but is preferably an elastic material.
If there is a special requirement, a spiral structure may be realized by a coiled wire material such as a double coil. In addition, the stirring element 13 is not limited to a sponge, and may be, for example, rubber or a rotatable roll as needed.
【００２４】[0024]
【発明の効果】以上説明した本発明のトナー残量検知装
置によると、清掃部材を渦巻き状にして弾性変形できる
ようにしたので、圧電センサの取付位置の制限が緩和さ
れる。また、清掃方向が清掃部材の回転方向と直角にな
るので、清掃部材へのトナーの付着が抑制され、清掃部
材が現像機の底部で弾性圧縮を受けた後解放されるの
で、振動によってトナーが付着したとしても振り落とさ
れ、付着トナーによる外乱がなくなって検出精度が向上
する。更に、清掃部材をスロープ状部材によって変形さ
せたので、清掃面に密接させることができ、清掃部材の
回転中心軸が攪拌部材の回転中心軸とオフセットしてい
るので、渦巻き状清掃部材の使用による上述の効果を更
に高めることができる。According to the toner remaining amount detecting device of the present invention described above, the cleaning member is spirally formed so as to be elastically deformed, so that the restriction on the mounting position of the piezoelectric sensor is eased. In addition, since the cleaning direction is perpendicular to the rotation direction of the cleaning member, the adhesion of the toner to the cleaning member is suppressed, and the cleaning member is released after being subjected to elastic compression at the bottom of the developing device. Even if it adheres, it is shaken off, and disturbance due to the adhered toner is eliminated, and the detection accuracy is improved. Further, since the cleaning member is deformed by the slope member, the cleaning member can be brought into close contact with the cleaning surface, and the rotation center axis of the cleaning member is offset from the rotation center axis of the stirring member. The above effects can be further enhanced.
【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of the drawings]
【図１】本発明の一実施例を示す説明図。FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing one embodiment of the present invention.
【図２】図１の清掃部材の部分を示す断面図。FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a part of the cleaning member of FIG. 1;
【図３】図１の現像ロールの部分を示す断面図。FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a part of a developing roll of FIG. 1;
【図４】本発明の一実施例の圧電センサ表面における清
掃状態を示す説明図。FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a cleaning state on the surface of the piezoelectric sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.
【図５】従来のトナー残量検知装置を示す説明図。FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional toner remaining amount detecting device.
【図６】従来の圧電センサ表面における清掃状態を示す
説明図。FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaning state on the surface of a conventional piezoelectric sensor.
１ 現像機 ２ 現像ロール ３ ブレード ４ａ 攪拌アーム ４ｂ 攪拌部 ４ｃ 回転軸 ５ 圧電センサ ６ 渦巻き状清掃部材 ６ａ コイル基部 ６ｂ 清掃部 ７ 中間トナー溜め部 ８ 感光体 ９ 攪拌部材 １０ トナーカートリッジ １１ テーパ状部材 １２ ブレード支持部材 １３ 攪拌素子 １４ 軸受部材 １８ 攪拌部材の回転軌跡 ２０ トナー ２１ シール部材 ２２ 回転力伝達カラー DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Developing machine 2 Developing roll 3 Blade 4a Stirring arm 4b Stirring part 4c Rotating shaft 5 Piezoelectric sensor 6 Spiral cleaning member 6a Coil base 6b Cleaning part 7 Intermediate toner reservoir 8 Photoconductor 9 Stirring member 10 Toner cartridge 11 Tapered member 12 Blade support member 13 Stirring element 14 Bearing member 18 Rotation locus of stirring member 20 Toner 21 Seal member 22 Rotational force transmission collar
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (72)発明者 須長 貴行 神奈川県海老名市本郷2274番地 富士ゼ ロックス株式会社 海老名事業所内 (72)発明者 坂本 孝 神奈川県海老名市本郷2274番地 富士ゼ ロックス株式会社 海老名事業所内 (56)参考文献 特開 平６−202474（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 昭57−190557（ＪＰ，Ａ) 実開 昭64−19967（ＪＰ，Ｕ) (58)調査した分野(Int.Cl.7，ＤＢ名) G03G 15/08 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takayuki Sunaga 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. In-house (56) References JP-A-6-202474 (JP, A) JP-A-57-190557 (JP, A) JP-A-64-19967 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. 7 , DB name) G03G 15/08
Claims (3)
センサを備えたトナー残量検知装置において、 前記現像機の中のトナーを第１の回転軌跡を形成する回
転によって攪拌流動する攪拌手段と、 前記現像機の底部に接触して弾性圧縮を受ける大径部
と、この大径部から除々に縮径される小径部を有する渦
巻き状の線材によって形成され、前記攪拌手段の回転に
伴う回転により前記弾性圧縮から解放された部分が前記
第１の回転軌跡より大きな第２の回転軌跡を形成しなが
ら前記検知センサを清掃する清掃部材を備えたことを特
徴とするトナー残量検知装置。1. A toner remaining amount detecting device provided with a detection sensor for detecting a remaining amount of toner in a developing device, wherein the stirring in the toner in the developing device is caused to flow by rotation forming a first rotation locus. Means, formed by a spiral wire having a large diameter portion that contacts the bottom of the developing device and undergoes elastic compression and a small diameter portion that is gradually reduced in diameter from the large diameter portion. And a cleaning member that cleans the detection sensor while a portion released from the elastic compression by the accompanying rotation forms a second rotation trajectory larger than the first rotation trajectory. .
り所定の距離だけ埋没して前記壁面に固定されており、 前記清掃部材は、回転中心軸に対して前記検知センサが
設けられた位置と反対側の位置で前記現像機の壁面より
遠ざけられる変形力を受ける構成の請求項１のトナー残
量検知装置。2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the detection sensor is buried a predetermined distance from a wall surface of the developing device and fixed to the wall surface, and the cleaning member is provided at a position where the detection sensor is provided with respect to a rotation center axis. The toner remaining amount detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to receive a deformation force at a position on the opposite side from the wall surface of the developing device.
の外周に設けられて前記攪拌手段の回転を受け、前記攪
拌手段の回転中心軸と偏心した回転中心軸を有する構成
の請求項１のトナー残量検知装置。3. The cleaning member according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning member is provided on an outer periphery of a rotation shaft of said stirring means, receives rotation of said stirring means, and has a rotation center axis eccentric to a rotation center axis of said stirring means. Remaining toner detecting device.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP24660794A JP3287135B2 (en) | 1994-10-12 | 1994-10-12 | Toner remaining detector |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP24660794A JP3287135B2 (en) | 1994-10-12 | 1994-10-12 | Toner remaining detector |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH08110694A JPH08110694A (en) | 1996-04-30 |
| JP3287135B2 true JP3287135B2 (en) | 2002-05-27 |
Family
ID=17150931
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP24660794A Expired - Fee Related JP3287135B2 (en) | 1994-10-12 | 1994-10-12 | Toner remaining detector |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3287135B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2007240795A (en) * | 2006-03-08 | 2007-09-20 | Kyocera Mita Corp | Developing device |
| JP2007240794A (en) * | 2006-03-08 | 2007-09-20 | Kyocera Mita Corp | Developing device |
| JP5820827B2 (en) * | 2013-01-21 | 2015-11-24 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Cleaning member, developing device, and image forming apparatus |
-
1994
- 1994-10-12 JP JP24660794A patent/JP3287135B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH08110694A (en) | 1996-04-30 |
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| LAPS | Cancellation because of no payment of annual fees |