JP3503458B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine, a laser printer, and other electrostatic image forming apparatuses, and more particularly, a toner image carrier supported by an up-and-down moving member or a sheet conveying belt. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a toner adhering member and a cleaner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The following technology (J01) is conventionally known as an image forming apparatus in which a rotatively moving sheet conveying belt (toner image adhering member) is moved upward during maintenance. (J01) Technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-171248 This publication describes a movable base that is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and a belt module supported on the movable base. The belt module has a belt supporting frame rotatably supported by the moving base in the vertical direction and a sheet conveying belt rotatably supported by the belt supporting frame.

[0003]

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention)
Problem 1)) When a cleaner for belt cleaning is provided to clean the paper transport belt,
Since the cleaner needs to be fixed in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the paper transport belt, it is often fixed to the belt support frame. The maintenance work is performed on the belt support frame while the belt support frame is rotated upward with respect to the movable table during maintenance such as belt replacement.

When the sheet conveying belt and the cleaner for the belt are supported on the belt supporting frame, the belt module constituted by the belt supporting frame, the sheet conveying belt and the cleaner, etc. should be constructed so as not to be heavy and large. Is desirable. Therefore, it is desired that the cleaner, the space for accommodating the toner collected by the cleaner, and the like be made small. However, when the cleaner is configured to be small in size, the accommodation space for the collected toner becomes narrow, and therefore, it is necessary to take out and dispose of the collected toner before the collected toner fills the toner storage space. , Troublesome.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides the following (O0
The content of 1) is the subject. (O01) In an image forming apparatus having an up-and-down moving member that supports a toner adhering member that rotates and a cleaner that collects adhering toner on the surface thereof, even if the cleaner is made small, the toner collected from the cleaner Eliminate the need for frequent removal work.

[0006]

The present invention, which has solved the above-mentioned problems, will now be described. Elements of the present invention include elements of the embodiment in order to facilitate correspondence with elements of the embodiment described later. It is noted that the sign of is enclosed in parentheses. Further, the reason why the present invention is described in association with the reference numerals of the embodiments described later is to facilitate understanding of the present invention and not to limit the scope of the present invention to the embodiments.

(First Invention) In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the first invention of the present application has the following requirements (A 01 )-(A 05 ), (A 08 )-
(A 010 ) is provided, (A01) A recovery toner inflow port (94a) and a recovery toner discharge port (89) formed at a position apart from the recovery toner inflow port (94a) Toner transport cylinder (9
5) and a toner conveying member (9) for conveying the collected toner flowing into the collected toner conveying cylinder (95) from the collected toner inflow port (94a) to the collected toner discharge port (89).
And (6) a collecting toner conveying device (81 to 97), (A02) a toner adhering member (B) to which toner adheres to the surface that rotates, and a cleaner (39) that collects toner on the surface of the toner adhering member (B). ), And
A vertical movement member (28) movably supported between a normal use position close to the collected toner conveying device (81 to 97) and a maintenance work position separated upward, (A03) the toner adhering member (B) a cleaning member (61 + 62) for coming into contact with the surface and peeling off and collecting the toner on the surface of the toner adhering member (B); and a cleaner container (56) for containing the cleaning member (61 + 62) and the collected toner. The recovery toner outlet (59a) connected to the recovery toner inlet (94a) when formed in the cleaner container (56) and moved to the normal use position, and collected in the cleaner container (56). The toner discharge member (63) for discharging the collected toner from the collected toner outlet (59a) and the collected toner outlet (59a) can be opened and closed. Cleaner (3) having an outlet shutter (66) biased in the direction of always closing one
9), (A04) When the cleaner (39) moves from the maintenance work position to the normal use position, when the cleaner (39) approaches the collected toner transport device (81-97), the outlet shutter (66) is in the open position. (A05) Collected toner accommodating device (101 + 102) for accommodating toner discharged from the collected toner discharge port (89).
+ V) , (A 08 ) The collected toner storage device (101 + 102 +)
V) supporting an image forming apparatus main body, (A 09 ) the collected toner conveying device (81 to 97),
Vertical movement member (28) and opening of the outlet shutter
The image forming apparatus supports the operating member (74).
The mounting position and the image forming apparatus body mounted on the mounting body
Moveable to and from the detached position pulled out from the
Moving table (27), (A 010 ) The moving table (27) moves to the mounting position.
Automatically connected and the movable table (27) is in front
The recovery tray that automatically separates from the mounting position
Toner discharge port (89) and the collected toner storage device (1
01 + 102 + V).

The collected toner outlet (59a) of the cleaner (39) and the collected toner inlet (94a) of the collected toner conveying device (81-97) are connected directly or by another connection. It is possible to have a configuration in which the connection is made indirectly via the member (71).

(Operation of the First Invention) In the image forming apparatus of the first invention of the present application having the above-mentioned configuration, the toner adhering member (B) on which the toner adheres to the surface which rotates and the toner adhering member (B). The vertical movement member (28) supporting the cleaner (39) for collecting the surface toner is provided between a normal use position close to the collected toner transport device (81 to 97) and a maintenance work position separated upward. Can be moved. The vertical moving member (2
8) and the cleaner (39) supported thereby move to the upper maintenance work position, the collected toner outlet (59a) formed in the cleaner container (56) of the cleaner (39) is always closed. The outlet shutter (66) biased in the direction moves to the closed position. The operation member (74) for opening the outlet shutter is provided with the collected toner conveying device (81-9) when the cleaner (39) moves from the maintenance work position to the normal use position.
When approaching 7), the outlet shutter (66) is moved to the open position. In the state where the cleaner container (56) is moved to the normal use position, the recovered toner outflow port (59a) is connected to the recovered toner inflow port (94a). In the normal use position, the cleaning member (61
+62) comes into contact with the surface of the toner adhering member (B) to remove and collect the toner on the surface of the toner adhering member (B). The collected toner is stored in the cleaner container (56). The toner discharge member (63) discharges the toner collected in the cleaner container (56) from the collected toner outlet (59a). The collected toner outlet (5
The toner discharged from 9a) flows into the collected toner inflow port (94a) provided in the collected toner conveying cylinder (95) of the collected toner conveying device (81 to 97). The toner carrying member (96) carries the collected toner flowing into the collected toner carrying cylinder (95) to the collected toner discharge port (89). The toner discharged from the collected toner discharge port (89) is stored in the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V). Then, the image forming apparatus main body is
-Supports containment device (101 + 102 + V). The picture
Mounting position and image formation mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus
Moves to and from the detached position pulled out from the device body
A possible moving base (27) is the collected toner conveying device (8).
1-97), the vertical movement member (28) and the outflow.
Supports an operating member (74) for opening the mouth shutter. The times
Collected toner outlet (89) and the collected toner container
For (101 + 102 + V), the movable table (27) is
When it moves to the mounting position, it is automatically connected and
Automatically when the moving base (27) moves away from the mounting position.
Leave. Therefore, the movable table (27) is set at the mounting position.
Simply move it to and from the detached position,
7) the collected toner conveying device (81 to 9)
The toner conveyed by 7) is transferred to the main body of the image forming apparatus.
The recovered toner storage device (101 + 102 +) supported
V). Contains the collected toner
Collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V)
Since it is supported by the main body of the forming device, a sufficient toner storage space is
The source can be easily secured. Also, the cleaner
The toner collected in the container (56) does not stay and
It is transported to the toner collecting device (101 + 102 + V)
Therefore, the toner storage capacity of the cleaner container (56) can be reduced.
Can be configured. In addition, the movable table (27)
There is no need to secure a space to store the collected toner.
It

[0010]

(First Embodiment) The first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that, in the present invention, the following requirements are satisfied: (A06) The recovered toner inlet port (94a) a lower connection port and a toner transfer connection member (upper connection port (76a) connected to the recovered toner outflow port (59a) when the cleaner (39) is moved to the normal use position ( 71),

(Operation of First Embodiment) In the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the lower connection port of the toner carrying connection member (71) is the collected toner inflow port (94a). Always connect to. In addition, the cleaner (3
When 9) is moved to the normal use position, the upper connection port (76a) of the toner carrying connection member (71) is connected to the recovered toner outflow port (59a). Therefore, in the state where the cleaner (39) is moved to the normal use position, the toner flowing out from the collected toner outlet (59a) of the cleaner (39) is discharged from the upper connection port (76a) of the toner conveying connection member (71). ) And the lower connection port to flow into the collected toner inflow port (94a) of the collected toner conveying device (81 to 97).

(Second Embodiment of the Invention) The second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the same as the first embodiment of the present invention.
In (A), the following requirements are satisfied, (A
07) An elastic member (79) that absorbs the impact force applied to the toner carrying connection member (71) by the cleaner (39) that has descended from the upper maintenance work position and moved to the normal work position.

(Operation of Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the elastic member (79) is moved down from the upper maintenance work position and moved to the normal work position (39). ) Absorbs the impact force acting on the toner carrying connection member (71). Further, the elastic member (79) is vertically displaced from the recovered toner outflow port (59a) of the cleaner container (56) and the recovered toner inflow port (94a) of the recovered toner transport cylinder (95) in the normal use position. Can be absorbed.

[0014]

[0015]

[0016] (EMBODIMENT 3) Further, the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention the present onset
In the light, characterized by comprising the requirement (A011) below, (A011) the collected toner discharge port (89) and the waste toner storing unit (101 + 102 + V) the collected toner discharge port when the connected ( A discharge port shutter (92) that automatically opens 89) and automatically closes the collected toner discharge port (89) when the collected toner discharge port (89) and the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V) are separated. ).

[0017] In Embodiment 3 of (exemplary action of Embodiment 3) The present invention having the above configuration, the discharge port shutter (92), the collected toner discharge port (89) and the waste toner storing unit (101 + 102 + V) The recovery toner discharge port (89) is automatically opened when is connected, and the recovery toner discharge port (89) is separated from the recovery toner discharge port (89) and the recovery toner storage device (101 + 102 + V). ) Is automatically closed. Therefore, when the moving table (27) moves from the mounting position to the detaching position, the collected toner discharge port (89) of the collected toner conveying device (81 to 97) supported by the moving table (27) has the above-mentioned image. Although it is separated from the collected toner storage device supported by the main body of the forming apparatus, it is closed by the discharge port shutter (92) at that time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner from being discharged from the collected toner discharge port (89).

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example (that is, an embodiment) of an embodiment of a copying machine as an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is limited to the following embodiments. Not a thing. To facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-back direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction.
The directions or sides indicated by Y, -Y, Z, -Z are defined as front, rear, left, right, upper, lower, or front, rear, left, right, upper, lower. In addition, in the figure, "○" in "○" means an arrow from the back of the paper to the front, and "○" in "○" indicates the front of the paper. Shall mean the arrow from to the back.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus (tandem type digital color copying machine) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing a state in which a belt module is in a raised position (used position). It is a figure. FIG. 2 shows an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention (tandem type digital color copying machine).
FIG. 7 is an overall explanatory diagram of FIG. 7, showing a state in which the belt module is in a lowered position (non-use position). FIG. 3 is the same as FIG.
FIG. The tandem type digital color copying machine U as an image forming apparatus has a UI (user interface) having a copy start key, a numeric keypad, a copy setting number input key, a paper type input key, a display unit, etc. on the upper portion.
And a transparent platen glass 1 on which a document is placed.

An exposure scanning optical system 2 is disposed below the platen glass 1. The scanning optical system 2 for exposure has a document illumination unit 3 that scans while illuminating a document on the platen glass 1. The document image light emitted from the illumination light source 4 of the document illumination unit 3 and reflected by the document 1 is reflected by the first mirror 5 and then by the second mirror 7 and the third mirror 8 of the mirror unit 6, Further, the light passes through the imaging lens 9 and is read by a CCD (color image reading sensor) as analog signals of red (R), green (G), and blue (B).

The R (red), G (green), and B (blue) image signals read by the CCD are controlled by the controller C. IPS (image processing system)
Entered in. IPS is the R obtained by the CCD,
The image read data output means 11 for converting the analog electric signals of the G and B read images into digital signals and outputting the digital signals, and the RGB image data are K (black), Y (yellow), and M.
An image data output unit 12 is provided which converts the image data to (magenta) and C (cyan), performs data processing such as density correction and enlargement / reduction correction, and outputs the image data as writing image data (laser drive data). ing. The image data output means 12 has an image memory 13 for temporarily storing the KYMC image data.

The written image data output means 12 of the IPS
The KYMC four-color image writing data (laser driving data) output by the laser driving signal outputting device 14k, 14y, 14m, 14c of the respective colors K, Y, M, and C Entered in. The laser driving signal output devices 14k, 14y, 14m and 14c for the respective colors are
A laser drive signal corresponding to the input image data is provided at a predetermined timing with each color latent image writing device ROSk, ROSy,
Output to ROSm and ROSc.

The image carriers 16k, 16y, 16m and 16c are uniformly charged by the respective chargers 17k, 17y, 17m and 17c, and then the image writing areas Q1k, Q1y, Q1m and Q1.
1c, the latent image writing devices ROSk, ROSy, RO
Sm, ROSc output laser beams Lk, Ly, Lm,
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by Lc. The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier 16k, 16y, 16m, 16c is developed in the developing area Q2k, Q2y, Q2m, Q2c by the developing device 18k,
A toner image is developed by 18y, 18m, and 18c. The developed toner image has development areas Q2k, Q2y, Q2m,
Pretranscriptional corotrons 19k, 19y, 19 downstream of Q2c
After the charge amount is made uniform by m and 19c, the primary transfer areas T3k, Q3y, Q3m, and Q3c are transferred to the primary transfer devices T1k, T1y, and T1.
It is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt (toner adhering member) B by m and T1c. The image bearing members 16k, 16y, 16m, and 16c transfer the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt B, and the residual toner on the surface is left before cleaning by the corotrons 21k, 21y, and 2c.
The charge is removed by 1 m and 21 c, and the image carrier cleaners 22 k and 22
It is removed at y, 22m and 22c.

Next, the image carriers 16k, 16y, 16
The belt module housed in the belt module housing space of the image forming apparatus body formed below m and 16c will be described. (Belt Module) In FIGS. 1 to 3, a movable table 27 (indicated by a chain double-dashed line) is slidably supported in the image forming apparatus main body by slide rails 26 for the movable table. A belt module (vertical moving member) 28 is supported on the moving base 27 so as to be able to move up and down.
In FIG. 1, the belt module 28 is held in the raised position, and in FIG. 2, it is held in the lowered position. Such a configuration for moving the movable table 27 back and forth and a configuration for raising and lowering the belt module 28 are conventionally known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-171248), and various conventionally known configurations may be adopted. It is possible.

The belt module 28 is a belt support including an intermediate transfer belt B, a belt drive roll 29 rotatably supporting the intermediate transfer belt B, a tension roll 30, a plurality of idler rolls 31 and an inner roll 32 for secondary transfer. It is rotatably supported by rolls 29 to 32. A secondary transfer outer roll 33 is disposed so as to face the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B which is in contact with the secondary transfer inner roll 32, and is provided in a region where the intermediate transfer belt B and the secondary transfer outer roll 33 face each other. Secondary transfer area Q4 is formed. The secondary transfer roll 34 includes the secondary transfer inner roll 32 and the secondary transfer outer roll 33.
Is configured.

The secondary transfer outer roll 33 is rotatably supported by a swing arm 35 which is swingable around a swing shaft 35a. The swing arm 35 is always held at a position apart from the secondary transfer inner roll 32 by a tension spring 36, and the swing arm 35 is held only when the solenoid 37 is operated.
It is configured to move to a position where it comes into contact with the next transfer inner roll 32. Therefore, when the moving table 27 and the belt module 28 supported by the moving table 27 move back and forth when being attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the belt module 28 is held at the lower position as shown in FIG. The secondary transfer outer roll 33 is moved to a lower position apart from the secondary transfer inner roll 32 so as not to come into frictional contact with the image carriers 16k, 16y, 16m and 16c. , So as not to make frictional contact with the intermediate transfer belt B. Further, the toner adhered to the surface of the secondary transfer outer roll 33 is removed by the roll cleaner 38, and the removed toner is removed by the roll cleaner 3.
No. 8 toner collection container. The intermediate transfer belt B is cleaned by a belt cleaner 39 on the outer surface of the upstream portion of the belt drive roll 29.

The toner images on the surfaces of the image carriers 16y, 16m, 16c and 16k are the primary transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c,
In Q3k, the primary transfer devices T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k sequentially transfer the images onto the intermediate transfer belt B in an overlapping manner.
A color image is formed on top. The color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4. The recording sheets S in the paper feed tray 41 arranged below the belt B are taken out by the pickup roll 42, separated one by one by the separating roll 43, and then sent to the registration roll 44. The registration roll 44 conveys the recording sheet S to the secondary transfer area Q4 at the same timing as the color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4. The color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred to the secondary transfer area Q.
When passing through 4, the image is transferred onto the recording sheet S by the secondary transfer roll 34. The recording sheet S is fixed by the fixing device 46 in the fixing area Q5, and then discharged from the discharge roller 47 to the discharge tray 48.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory view of the main parts of FIG. 3, and is a front view of the belt cleaner, the collected toner conveying device and the toner conveying connecting member. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lower surface of the belt cleaner. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the frame and the belt cleaner of the belt module supported by the moving base are rotated upward. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the belt cleaner, FIG. 7A is a view showing a state in which the outlet shutter of the collected toner outlet is closed, and FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a state in which the outlet shutter is opened. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the collected toner outlet and the outlet shutter moved to the open position, and is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 9A and 9B are explanatory views of the outlet shutter of the collected toner outlet, FIG. 9A is a top view, FIG. 9B is a view seen from an arrow IXB of FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9C is a view seen from an arrow IXC of FIG. 9A. 9D is a bottom view of the outlet shutter as seen from the arrow IXD in FIG. 9C.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the toner carrying connection member, the collected toner carrying device and the collected toner containing device, and shows the state in which the collected toner carrying device and the collected toner containing device are separated from each other. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the toner carrying connection member, the collected toner carrying device, and the collected toner containing device, and shows a state in which the collected toner carrying device and the collected toner containing device are connected. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a toner conveying connection member that connects the belt cleaner and the collected toner conveying device and an outlet shutter that opens and closes the collected toner outlet of the belt cleaner.
FIG. 12A is a diagram showing a state in which the belt cleaner is moved to the upper maintenance work position and the outlet shutter of the collected toner outlet is closed, and FIG. 12B is a diagram showing the state in which the belt cleaner is moved to the lower normal use position. It is a figure which shows the state which the exit shutter rotated and moved to the open position. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram related to the configuration of the belt cleaner, the toner conveying connection member, and the collected toner conveying device. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the collected toner transport cylinder of the collected toner storage device.
14A is a partial top view, and FIG. 14B is the arrow XIV of FIG. 14A.
14B is a view seen from B, and FIG. 14C is XIVC-XI of FIG. 14B.
14C is a sectional view taken along line VC, FIG. 14D is a view seen from an arrow XIVD when a part of the components shown in FIG. 14B is omitted, and FIG.
It is an E line sectional view.

1 to 3 and 6, a movable table 27 (indicated by a chain double-dashed line) is moved forward and backward (in the X-axis direction) on the image forming apparatus main body by slide rails 26, 26 for the movable table.
It is slidably supported on. A belt module (vertical moving member) 28 is supported on the moving base 27 so as to be able to move up and down. In FIG. 1, the belt module 28 is held in the raised position, and in FIG. 2, it is held in the lowered position. Such a configuration for moving the movable table 27 back and forth and a configuration for raising and lowering the belt module 28 are conventionally known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-171248), and various conventionally known configurations may be adopted. It is possible. Further, in FIG. 6, the belt module 28 is configured to be movable (rotatable) to a maintenance work position inclined upward while being pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body. A configuration in which such a belt module is rotated to an upper maintenance work position is also conventionally known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-171248).

In FIG. 6, the belt module 28 is
It has a front panel 51 and a rear plate 52, and the belt supporting rolls 29 to 32 shown in FIGS.
The primary transfer devices T1k, T1y, T1m, T1c and the belt cleaner 39 are supported. The intermediate transfer belt B is rotatably supported by the belt support rolls 29 to 32. In FIG. 5, the belt cleaner 3
9 is a cleaner container 56 having a cleaner container 56.
The rear end wall 56a has two connecting pins 5 protruding rearward.
7,57 are provided. A motor support plate 58 is fixed to the front end wall 56b of the cleaner container 56. A cleaner motor M is supported on the front surface of the motor support plate 58. The belt cleaner 39 inserts the connecting pins 57, 57 into a pin fitting hole formed in the rear plate 52, and the motor support plate 58.
The front plate 51 of the belt module by connecting the front plate 51 to the front plate 51 with screws or the like.
And is fixed to the rear plate 52.

The cleaner container 5 of the belt cleaner 39
A flat outlet shutter engagement surface 59 and a flat outlet shutter support surface 60 are formed on the lower surface of the front end portion of 6. The collected toner outlet 59a is provided on the outlet shutter engagement surface 59.
Are formed. In FIG. 7, inside the cleaner container 56 of the belt cleaner 39, a brush 61 for removing the toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B is arranged. A blade 62 for scraping off the toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B is supported on the cleaner container 56. The brush 61 and the blade 62 constitute a cleaning member (61 + 62). The toner collected by the brush 61 and the blade 62 is conveyed forward (X direction) by an auger (toner discharging member) 63 for discharging collected toner arranged inside the case, and the toner is collected at the front end of the lower surface of the cleaner container 56. The collected toner is conveyed to the outlet 59. A gear train G is arranged between the front end wall 56b of the cleaner container 56 and the motor support plate 58.

In FIG. 4, the gear train G includes a gear G1 fixed to the output shaft of the motor M and the brush 61.
It has a large diameter gear 61a and a small diameter gear 61b fixed to the shaft, and a large diameter gear 63a and a small diameter gear 63b fixed to the shaft of the auger 63. Gear G1 and large diameter gear 6
1a meshes with each other, and a small diameter gear 61b integral with the large diameter gear 61a fixed to the shaft of the brush 61 meshes with the large diameter gear 63a fixed to the shaft of the auger 63. The gear train G
Is composed of the gears G1, 61a, 61b, 63a, 63b. The brush 61 and the auger 63 are rotated by a gear train G rotated by the motor M.

In FIGS. 5 and 8, an outlet shutter 66 for opening and closing the collected toner outlet 59a is rotatably supported on the outlet shutter support surface 60. 5, 8, and 9, the outlet shutter 66 includes a shaft portion 66a and a cam surface 66 formed on the upper surface of the shaft portion 66a.
b, 66b (see FIGS. 9C and 9D) and the opening / closing plate portion 6
6c and a tension spring connecting portion 66d. Are formed. A tension spring 67 is attached to the tension spring connecting portion 66d.
Is connected to one end, and the other end of the tension spring 67 is connected to a tension spring locking member provided on the front end wall 56b of the cleaner container 56. The outlet shutter 66 is constantly urged by the tension spring 67 toward the closing position (see the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 8) that closes the collected toner outlet 59a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the belt module 28 and the belt cleaner 39 are moved to the maintenance work position in which the belt module 28 and the belt cleaner 39 are pivoted upward, the outlet shutter 66 for opening and closing the toner outflow opening 59a is constantly operated by the tension spring 67. It is held in a closed state.

When the belt module 28 and the belt cleaner 39 are lowered from the maintenance work position shown in FIG. 6, the lower surface of the front end portion of the belt cleaner 39 is the cleaner of the toner carrying connecting member 71 supported by the moving table 27. It is supported by the support plate 72. On the upper surface of the cleaner support plate 72, a recess 73 for accommodating the shaft portion 66a of the outlet shutter 66 is formed. The recess 73 is provided with a plate-shaped outlet shutter opening actuating member 74 protruding upward. When the belt cleaner 39 moves from the maintenance work position in which the belt cleaner 39 is rotated upwards to the normal use position in the lower side, the outflow port shutter opening operation member 74 is moved to the cam surfaces 66b and 66b (see FIG. 9).
C, see FIG. 9D) to move the outlet shutter 66 to the open position.

That is, when the outlet shutter 66, which is constantly biased to the closed position by the tension spring 67, moves from the upper maintenance work position shown in FIG. 6 to the lower normal use position, the cam surface 66b, 66b is shown in FIG. 9C.
To the operation member 74 for opening the outlet shutter indicated by the two-dot chain line in the direction of arrow A1 (see FIG. 9C). At this time, when the cam surfaces 66b, 66b are pressed by the operation member 74 for opening the outlet shutter, the outlet shutter 66 rotates in the direction of arrow A2 shown in FIG. 9D, and the toner outlet opening 59a opens. .

The collected toner outlet 59 is formed on the cleaner support plate 72 of the toner conveying connection member 71.
A connection recess 76 having an upper connection port 76a connected to a is formed, and a transport member connection cylindrical portion 77 is provided at the lower end of the connection recess 76. A lower connection port (a connection port with a later-described collected toner transport device) is formed by the rear end of the transport member connecting cylindrical portion 77. The toner conveying connection member 71 is constituted by the elements indicated by the reference numerals 72 to 77. The cleaner support plate 72 has four screws 78 (see FIG. 12) penetrating downward from the upper surface, and the lower ends of the four screws 78 are supported by the bottom wall of the moving table 27. A compression spring (elastic member) 79 is arranged on the outer circumference of the four screws 78 between the lower surface of the cleaner support plate 72 and the bottom wall of the movable table 27. Therefore, the cleaner support plate 72 is constantly urged upward by the compression spring 79, and the rising position of the cleaner support plate 72 is regulated by the head of the screw 78. In the compression spring 78, the belt cleaner 39 descends from the upper maintenance work position,
It absorbs the impact of the toner carrying connection member 71 when it comes into contact with the cleaner support plate 72, and the gear 63b
And 96b (described later) are properly engaged with each other to have a function of surely connecting the collected toner outflow port 59a and the upper connection port 76a.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 10 and 11, a rigid transfer cylinder 81 is fixed to the bottom wall of the movable table 27. As shown in FIG. 14, the rigid transport cylinder 81 has a mounting box 82 having a rectangular outer cross-section for mounting on the bottom wall of the movable table 27, and mounting portions 83, 83 provided on the left and right sides thereof. . The mounting portions 83, 83 are fixed to the bottom wall of the moving table 27 with screws. The mounting box 82
Is integrally formed on the front side of the cylindrical tube connection portion 84.
And a large diameter portion 86 having an outer diameter gradually decreasing, a spring mounting portion 87, and a discharge port shutter mounting portion 88 are provided on the rear side of the mounting box 82. A collected toner discharge port 89 is formed on the lower surface of the front end portion (rear end portion) of the discharge port shutter mounting portion, and an elastic protrusion 90 is formed on the outer peripheral surface.
Are formed.

A compression spring 9 is provided on the outer periphery of the spring mounting portion 87.
1, a cylindrical outlet shutter 92 having a front end flange 92a is slidably mounted on the outlet shutter mounting portion 88. The outlet shutter 9
The second front end flange 92a is always biased rearward by the compression spring 91. The discharge port shutter 92
Is moved to the rear end, the front end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the discharge port shutter 92 has a small diameter, and the small diameter portion is locked to the elastic projection 90. The discharge port shutter 92 is held at the rear end position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 14A and 14B, that is, the position shown in FIG. In this state, the collected toner discharge port 89 is closed by the discharge port shutter 92. 14A, 14B, and 14C, the collected toner discharge port 89 is opened. An auger shaft mounting member 93 is mounted on the rear end of the discharge port shutter mounting portion 88 of the rigid transport cylinder 81. An auger shaft support hole 93a is formed on the inner surface of the auger shaft mounting portion 93.

The cylindrical tube 94 made of an elastic material shown in FIGS. 6, 10 and 11 has a front end portion 94a connected to the rear end portion of the conveying member connecting cylindrical portion 77, and a rear end portion of the tube. It is connected to the connecting portion 84. The tube 94
Further, the rigid transfer cylinder 81 constitutes a collected toner transfer cylinder 95. The front end portion 94a of the tube 94 forms a collected toner inflow port 94a to the collected toner conveying cylinder 95. A toner conveying auger (toner conveying member) 96 is disposed inside the rigid conveying cylinder 81, the tube 94, and the conveying member connecting cylindrical portion 77. The auger shaft 96 of the toner conveying auger 96
The rear end a is fitted into the auger shaft support hole 93a with a gap and is rotatably supported. A front end portion of the auger shaft 96a penetrates the conveying member connecting cylindrical portion 77 and projects to the front side, and is rotatably supported by a front end of the conveying member connecting cylindrical portion 77 via a bearing 97.
A gear 96b is fixed to the front end of the auger shaft 96a. The collected toner conveying devices (81 to 97) are constituted by the elements indicated by the reference numerals 81 to 97.

The gear 96b corresponds to the belt cleaner 3
In a state where 6 is moved to the normal use position where it is supported by the cleaner support plate 72, it meshes with the gear 63b (see FIGS. 4 and 13). Therefore, when the motor M rotates in the normal use position, the gear G1,
61a, 61b, 63a, 63b, and 96b rotate sequentially, and at this time, the brush 61, the auger 63, and the toner conveying auger 96 rotate. Further, the cleaner support plate 72 is used for the belt cleaner 3
When the belt cleaner 39 moves to the elevated maintenance work position, it slightly rises, and when the belt cleaner 39 descends to the normal use position, it slightly descends. At that time, the movement is absorbed by the elasticity of the tube 94. Further, since the rear end of the auger shaft 96a of the toner transporting auger 96 is fitted in the auger shaft support hole 93a with a gap, the auger shaft 96a will not move even if the cleaner support plate 72 is slightly moved up and down. , It is possible to rotate in a straight line state without bending, only by slightly changing the inclination angle.

The relay box 101 for conveying the collected toner shown in FIGS. 6, 10 and 11 is fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The relay box 101 has a discharge port shutter fitting hole 102 through which a part other than the front end flange 92a of the discharge port shutter 92 mounted on the rigid transport cylinder 81 can penetrate. When the movable table 27 is pulled out forward from the image forming apparatus main body, the discharge port shutter 92 at the rear end portion of the rigid transport cylinder 81 supported by the movable table 27 is moved to the rear end position by the compression spring 91 (see FIG. 6). , The position shown in FIG. 10). In this state, as shown in FIG. 14, the collected toner discharge port 89 formed in the discharge port shutter mounting portion 88 at the rear end of the rigid transport cylinder 81 is closed by the discharge port shutter 92. In this state, the toner inside the discharge port shutter mounting portion 88 is not discharged from the collected toner discharge port 89.

With the discharge port shutter 92 shown in FIGS. 6 and 10 and with the belt module 39 held in the normal use position (down position), the movable table 27 is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the front end flange 92 a of the discharge port shutter 92 engages with the discharge port shutter fitting hole 102, and the discharge port shutter 92 is at the discharge port shutter at the rear end portion of the rigid transport cylinder 81. By sliding forward on the mounting portion (see FIG. 14) 88, the state shown in FIG. 11 (or the state shown by the solid line in FIGS. 14A to 14C) is obtained. At this time, the collected toner discharge port 8
9 is opened, and the toner can be discharged. 6 and 1
As shown in FIG. 11, the toner discharged from the collected toner discharge port 89 into the relay box 101 is conveyed to the toner collecting container V by a toner conveying device (not shown) on the main body of the image forming apparatus. ing. The collected toner container (101 + 102 + V) is constituted by the elements indicated by the reference numerals 101, 102, and V.

(Operation of First Embodiment) In the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the main body of the image forming apparatus supports the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V).
The movable base 27, which is movable between a mounting position attached to the image forming apparatus main body and a detaching position pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body, includes the collected toner conveying device (81 to 97), The vertically moving member 28 and the operating member 74 for opening the outlet shutter are supported. When the movable table 27 is moving to the position (separation position) shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the discharge port shutter mounting portion 8 of the collected toner conveying device (81 to 97) supported by the movable table 27.
The discharge port shutter 92 attached to the
1 has moved to the rear position (the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIGS. 14A and 14B). At this time, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the collected toner discharge port 89 is closed by the discharge port shutter 92.

In the state where the movable table 27 is moved to the detached position (the state where it is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body),
A belt module (vertical moving member) 28, which supports an intermediate transfer belt (toner adhering member) B on which toner is attached to the surface that rotates and a cleaner 39 that collects toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B, is mounted on the moving base 27. It is movable between a normal use position close to the supported collected toner conveying device (81 to 97) and the toner conveying connecting member 71 and a maintenance work position separated upward. When the vertical moving member 28 and the cleaner 39 supported by the vertical moving member 28 move to the upper maintenance work position, the collected toner outlet 59a formed in the cleaner container 56 of the cleaner 39 is always biased in the closing direction. The outlet shutter 66 moves to the closed position.

When the cleaner 39 descends from the upper maintenance work position and moves to the normal work position, the elastic member 79 absorbs the impact force exerted by the cleaner 39 on the toner carrying connection member 71. Further, the elastic member 79 is used for the cleaner container 5 in the normal use position.
It is possible to absorb the vertical misalignment between the recovered toner outflow port 59a of No. 6 and the recovered toner inflow port 94a of the recovered toner transport cylinder 95. When the cleaner 39 is moved to the normal use position, the upper connection port 76a of the toner carrying connection member 71 is connected to the recovered toner outflow port 59a.
Further, the lower connection port of the toner carrying connection member 71 supported by the moving table 27 is always connected to the recovered toner inflow port 94a.

The operation member 74 for opening the outlet shutter is provided with the collected toner conveying device (81) when the cleaner 39 moves from the maintenance work position to the normal use position.
~ 97), the outlet shutter 66 is moved to the open position. When the cleaner container 56 is moved to the normal use position, the collected toner outlet 5
9a is connected to the collected toner inflow port 94a. With the belt module 28 moved to the normal use position, the moving table 27 can be attached to the image forming apparatus main body.

The state shown in FIGS. 6 and 10 (moving table 27)
When the movable table 27 is moved to a mounting position where the movable table 27 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body (from a state in which the image forming apparatus main body is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body), the collected toner conveying device (81 to 97) supported by the movable table 27. The discharge port shutter 92 mounted on the discharge port shutter mounting portion 88 is fitted and penetrates the discharge port shutter fitting hole 102 of the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V). However, since the front end flange 92a of the discharge port shutter 92 engages with the discharge port shutter fitting hole 102, the discharge hole shutter 92 slides forward on the shutter mounting portion 88. The state at this time is shown in FIG. In this state, the discharge port shutter 92 opens the collected toner discharge port 89. Therefore, in this state, the toner carried in the collected toner carrying cylinder 95 of the collected toner carrying device (81 to 97) can be discharged into the relay box 101 from the collected toner discharge port 89.

In the state where the movable table 27 is mounted and the belt module (vertical moving member) 28 is moved to the normal use position, the cleaning member (61 + 62) is
The toner adhering member B is brought into contact with the surface of the toner adhering member B.
The toner on the surface is peeled off and collected. The collected toner is stored in the cleaner container 56. Toner discharging member 6
3 discharges the toner collected in the cleaner container 56 from the collected toner outlet 59a.

With the cleaner 39 moved to the normal use position, the collected toner outlet 59a of the cleaner 39 is discharged.
The toner that has flowed out from the toner transfer connection member 71.
Through the upper connection port 76a and the lower connection port of the recovery toner conveying device (81 to 9) supported by the moving table 27.
The toner flows into the collected toner inflow port 94a provided in the collected toner conveying cylinder 95 of 7). Collected toner transport device (81-97)
Conveys the toner flowing into the collected toner inflow port 94a to the collected toner discharge port 89 by the toner conveying member 96. From the collected toner discharge port 89, a collected toner storage device (101 + 102 +) supported by the main body of the image forming apparatus.
The toner discharged into the relay box 101 of V) is transported to and housed in the toner collecting container V by a transport device (not shown).

Since the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V) for storing the collected toner is supported by the image forming apparatus main body, it is possible to easily secure a sufficient toner storage space. Further, the toner collected in the cleaner container 56 does not stay, and the collected toner storage device (10
(1 + 102 + V) toner is collected in the toner collecting container V, so that the toner container capacity of the cleaner container 56 can be made small. Further, it is not necessary to secure a space for accommodating the collected toner on the moving table 27. The discharge port shutter 92 automatically opens the collected toner discharge port 89 and the collected toner discharge port 89 when the collected toner discharge port 89 and the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V) are connected. When the toner storage device (101 + 102 + V) is separated, the collected toner discharge port 89 is automatically closed. Therefore,
When the moving table 27 moves from the mounting position to the detaching position, the collected toner discharge port 89 of the collected toner conveying device (81 to 97) supported by the moving table 27 is collected by the image forming apparatus main body. Although it is separated from the toner container, it is closed by the discharge port shutter 92 at that time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner from being discharged from the collected toner discharge port 89.

(Modifications) The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and is within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Thus, various changes can be made. A modified embodiment of the present invention is illustrated below. (H01) The cleaner used in the present invention is the intermediate transfer belt B.
Other toner adhering members (members with toner adhering to the surface)
Can be applied to. For example, it can be applied to a sheet conveying belt, a belt for electrostatic latent image formation, or the like.

[0053]

The image forming apparatus of the present invention described above has the following effects. (E01) In an image forming apparatus including a vertically moving member that supports a toner adhering member that rotates and a cleaner that collects toner adhering to the surface of the toner adhering member, even if the cleaner is made small, the toner collected from the cleaner is reduced. It is possible to eliminate the need for frequent take-out work.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus (tandem type digital color copying machine) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the state in which a belt module exists in a raise position (use position).

FIG. 2 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus (tandem type digital color copying machine) according to the first embodiment of the present invention,
It is a figure which shows the state in which a belt module exists in a descent position (non-use position).

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of FIG. 3, and is a front view of a belt cleaner, a collected toner conveying device, and a toner conveying connecting member.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lower surface of the belt cleaner.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a frame and a belt cleaner of a belt module supported by a moving table are rotated upward.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the belt cleaner, FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state in which an outlet shutter of a collected toner outlet is closed, and FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a state in which the outlet shutter is opened.

8 is a perspective view of a collected toner outlet and an outlet shutter moved to an open position, and is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 5;

9A and 9B are explanatory views of an outlet shutter of the collected toner outlet, FIG. 9A is a top view, FIG. 9B is a view seen from an arrow IXB of FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9C is an arrow IXC of FIG. 9A.
FIG. 9D is a bottom view of the outlet shutter as viewed from the arrow IXD in FIG. 9C.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the toner conveying connection member, the collected toner conveying device, and the collected toner containing device, and is a view showing a state where the collected toner carrying device and the collected toner containing device are separated from each other.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the toner conveying connection member, the collected toner conveying device, and the collected toner containing device, showing a state in which the collected toner carrying device and the collected toner containing device are connected. .

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a toner conveying connection member that connects a belt cleaner and a collected toner conveying device and an outlet shutter that opens and closes a collected toner outlet of the belt cleaner. FIG. FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a state in which the outlet shutter of the collected toner outlet is closed by moving to the work position. FIG. 12B shows that the belt cleaner is moved to a lower normal use position and the outlet shutter is rotationally moved to an open position. It is a figure which shows a state.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram related to the configuration of a belt cleaner, a toner conveying connection member, and a collected toner conveying device.

14A and 14B are explanatory views of a collected toner conveying cylinder of the collected toner storage device, FIG. 14A is a partial top view, FIG. 14B is a view seen from the arrow XIVB of FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14C is XIVC of FIG. 14B. -XIVC cross-sectional view, FIG. 14D is a view seen from the arrow XIVD when some parts of FIG. 14B are omitted, FIG. Is.

[Explanation of symbols]

B ... Toner attachment member (belt, intermediate transfer belt), 27
... moving table, 28 ... vertical moving member, 39 ... cleaner, 56
... cleaner container, 59a ... recovered toner outlet, 63 ... toner discharging member (auger), 66 ... outlet shutter, 71
... toner conveying connection member, 74 ... outflow port shutter opening operation member, 76a ... upper connection port, 79 ... elastic member, 89
... Collected toner discharge port, 92 ... Discharge port shutter, 94a
Collected toner inflow port, 95 ... Collected toner conveying cylinder, 96 ... Toner conveying member, (61 + 62) ... Cleaning member,
(81 to 97) ... Collected toner conveying device, (101 + 10)
2 + V) ... Collected toner storage device.

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Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A following requirements (A01) ~ (A05), (A 0
8 ) to (A 010 ) are provided, and (A01) a recovery toner inflow port having a recovery toner inflow port and a recovery toner discharge port formed at a position apart from the recovery toner inflow port And a toner carrying member for carrying the collected toner flowing into the collected toner carrying cylinder from the collected toner inflow port to the collected toner discharge port, (A02) The toner is attached to the surface which is rotationally moved. And a cleaner for collecting the toner on the surface of the toner adhering member, and movably supported between a normal use position close to the recovered toner conveying device and a maintenance work position separated upward. (A03) Cleaner for contacting the surface of the toner adhering member to remove and collect the toner on the surface of the toner adhering member A cleaning member, a cleaner container for accommodating the collected toner, a recovery toner outlet formed in the cleaner container and connected to the recovery toner inlet when the cleaner container is moved to the normal use position, (A04) A cleaner having a toner discharge member for discharging the toner collected in the cleaner container from the collected toner outlet, and an outlet shutter which is capable of opening and closing the collected toner outlet and biased in a direction to always close the collected toner outlet. ) An operation member for opening an outlet shutter, which moves the outlet shutter to an open position when the cleaner moves from the maintenance work position to the normal use position and approaches the recovery toner conveying device, (A05) the recovery A collected toner storage device for storing the toner discharged from the toner discharge port , ( A08 ) -
An image forming apparatus main body that supports a container, (A 09 ) the collected toner conveying device, the vertical moving member, and the like.
And supporting the operating member for opening the outlet shutter.
The mounting position attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus
And the detached position pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus
Movable table that is movable between a, when the (A 010) said movable carriage is moved to the mounting position
Automatically connected and the movable table is separated from the mounting position.
And the collected toner discharge port
The collected toner storage device. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the following requirement (A06): (A06) The lower connection port that is always connected to the collected toner inflow port and the cleaner are in normal use positions. A toner conveying connection member having an upper connection port that is connected to the recovered toner outflow port in a state of being moved to. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising the following requirement (A07): (A07) The cleaner that descends from a maintenance work position above and moves to a normal work position is the toner. An elastic member that absorbs the impact force applied to the transport connecting member. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising the following requirement (A011): (A011) The recovery when the recovery toner discharge port and the recovery toner accommodating device are connected. A discharge port shutter that automatically opens the toner discharge port and automatically closes the collected toner discharge port when the collected toner discharge port and the collected toner storage device are separated from each other.