JP3534159B2 - Toner bank and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner bank and an image forming apparatus having the same, and more particularly to a toner for forming a toner image by visualizing or developing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system. A toner bank supplied from a position distant from the developing position and a toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in the electrophotographic system having the toner bank are supplied from a position distant from the developing position to form an image. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer or a composite machine of these machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of toner cartridges provided in a toner server provided adjacent to a toner tank of a developing device are rotated to be automatically converted a plurality of times so that the toner cartridges of A toner replenishing mechanism that reduces the frequency of replacement is known (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-277083). There is also known a small-sized developing device for improving operability at the time of maintenance, in which a toner is supplied from a toner storage means provided separately from the developing device by using a mono pump (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-219329). See). There is also known a technique of supplying toner to a developing device via a toner transfer pipe having two branch pipes and a main pipe, which is provided with a toner cartridge accommodating portion into which two toner cartridges can be individually mounted. Kaihei 8-1372
(See publication No. 27). Further, the inventor of the same applicant has proposed a technique of forming toner images by carrying toner from a toner bank provided with a plurality of toner containers installed at a position apart from the developing position. However, in a conventional toner server or toner bank having a toner container of a plurality of toner cartridges, the operability of attaching and detaching the toner container is poor, and the exposed parts of the rotating toner bank are also dangerous. There was a problem that toner was scattered.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional toner bank and the image forming apparatus having the toner bank, the operability of attaching and detaching the toner container is poor, and the exposed parts of the rotating toner bank are dangerous. Therefore, there is a problem that toner is scattered from the insertion portion of the toner bank. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology, to provide a toner bank which has a structure for easily attaching and detaching a toner container, has good operability for attachment and detachment, is safe, and can prevent toner from scattering. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus for forming an image.

[0004]

To achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 uses a toner when developing a latent image formed on an image carrier in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus with toner. In a toner bank that supplies the toner from a position away from the developing position, the toner container inserting section for inserting the toner container storing the toner from the front of the main body and the toner container inserted from the toner container inserting section can be attached and detached. A gas that moves as a mixture of a toner container holding unit that holds the toner, an opening that discharges toner from the toner container held by the toner container holding unit, and a gas that fluidizes the toner that is discharged from the opening. Flow transfer means
Of the toner container holding means.
When the conditions for holding and ejecting toner from the opening are satisfied
Restrict the opening of the shield that opens and closes the toner container insertion
There is a control unit that removes the restriction of opening the shielding means when the conditions are not met.
The most important feature to be. A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the toner bank according to the first aspect, the toner container insertion portion is a toner bank into which a plurality of toner containers are inserted from the front of the main body. Also,
A third aspect of the present invention, in the toner bank of claim 1, wherein the shielding means is mainly characterized in that a toner bank for opening and closing each toner container insert. Also, the claims
A fourth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the toner bank according to the first or third aspect , the shielding means has a regulating means for regulating the opening of the shielding means at the toner container insertion portion . According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the toner bank according to the fourth aspect, the regulating means is a shielding means at the toner container insertion portion.
The main feature is the removal of restrictions on opening . According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming an image by supplying toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system from a position away from a developing position. 6. A toner mixture bank according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , an air-fuel mixture conveying path including an elastic tube for conveying a mixture of toner and gas transferred by the toner bank, and the mixture. Developing means to which the toner is conveyed and supplied by the air conveying path, an image carrier that carries the toner image that visualizes the electrostatic latent image by the developing means, and a toner image formed on the image carrier. The most main feature is that the image forming apparatus is composed of a transfer unit that transfers the image to a transfer target. A seventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect , the toner container insertion portion of the toner bank is an image forming apparatus in which the toner container is inserted from the front of the main body. Further, the invention according to claim 8 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the toner bank is arranged at a position avoiding the front cover where the image forming operation is stopped by the opening / closing operation. The main feature.

With the above construction, in the first aspect of the invention, the toner container for storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion which is inserted from the front of the main body, and is detachably held by the toner container holding means. The toner discharged from the toner container to the opening is moved as a mixture with the gas fluidized by the gas flow transfer means , and the shielding means is opened.
Locked to prevent it from being locked or unlocked
When the above-mentioned toner container is attached or detached
( EN) Provided is a toner bank which has good operability, is safe, and does not scatter toner. Further, in claim 2, a plurality of toner containers that store toner therein are provided.
The toner is inserted into the toner container insertion portion inserted from the front of the main body, is detachably held by the toner container holding means, and the toner discharged from the toner container to the opening is mixed with the gas fluidized by the gas flow transfer means. Therefore, it is possible to provide a toner bank having a large amount of toner replenishment with a structure that allows easy attachment / detachment of the toner container so that the toner container can be easily attached / detached . Further , in the third aspect, the toner container for storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion inserted from the front of the main body, is detachably held by the toner container holding means, and is discharged from the toner container to the opening portion. The toner container is moved as a mixture with the gas that is fluidized by the gas flow transfer means, and is opened and closed for each toner container insertion portion by the shielding means, so that the toner container can be easily attached and removed. (EN) Provided is a toner bank which has good properties, is safe, prevents the toner from scattering, and allows the toner container to be exchanged even while the toner is being transferred. Further, in a fourth aspect of the present invention, a toner container for storing toner therein is inserted into a toner container insertion portion which is inserted from the front of the main body, is detachably held by the toner container holding means, and is discharged from the toner container to the opening. The toner is moved as a mixture with the gas that is fluidized by the gas flow transfer means, and at the time of discharging the toner from the toner container held by the toner container holding means, the toner container insertion portion is opened and closed by the shielding means. so as to regulated by a regulating means, to be able to provide a secure safe and toner bank to reliably prevent scattering of the toner with detachable operability attaching and detaching a simple structure of the toner container is better . Further, Oite to claim 5, the toner container store toner therein, is inserted into the toner container insertion portion to be inserted from the front of the unit, detachably held by the toner container holder, the opening from the toner container The toner discharged onto the toner container is moved as a mixture with the gas that is fluidized by the gas flow transfer means and the toner discharge is stopped by the regulating means. To remove the restrictions
The toner container can be easily attached and detached, and the attaching and detaching operability is good, and the toner container insertion portion is surely safe and the toner scattering is surely prevented, and the toner container is being transferred except when the toner is being discharged. To be able to provide a replaceable toner bank. Further, in a sixth aspect of the present invention, the mixture of toner and gas transferred by the toner bank according to any one of the first to fifth aspects is developed by a mixture conveying path formed of an elastic tube. The toner image formed on the image bearing member carrying the toner image visualized by the developing unit is transferred to the transfer target member by the transfer unit, (EN) Provided is an image forming apparatus which has a structure in which a toner container can be easily attached and detached and which has good operability in attaching and detaching and forms an image. Further, in claim 7 , the mixture of the toner and the gas transferred by the toner bank according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is a mixture formed of an elastic tube. It is transported to the developing means by the transport route and supplied,
The toner image formed on the image bearing member that bears the toner image in which the electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developing unit is transferred to the transfer target member by the transfer unit, and the toner container insertion portion of the toner bank is the toner container. Insert it from the front of the main unit,
(EN) Provided is an image forming apparatus which forms an image with a structure in which a toner container is easily attached and detached and which has a better operability for attachment and detachment. Further, in claim 8 , the air-fuel mixture of the toner and the gas transferred by the toner bank according to any one of the first to fifth aspects is developed by the air-fuel mixture conveying path formed of an elastic tube. And supply it to
A front cover in which the toner image formed on the image bearing member carrying the toner image in which the electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developing unit is transferred to the transfer target member by the transfer unit and the image forming operation is stopped by the opening / closing operation. By providing a toner bank at a position that avoids the problem, the toner container can be easily attached and detached, and the operability of the toner container is good, and the toner container can be exchanged even during the image forming operation to provide an image forming apparatus. To be able to.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a toner bank and an image forming apparatus having the same, showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 has an image carrier 10 and a developing means 9 built-in inside the upper right portion thereof, and a position away from the developing position by the developing means 9,
That is, in this example, the toner bank 20 is provided in the lower left corner of the image forming apparatus 100. The toner bank 20 contains toner (T) which is a developing material for forming a toner image by visualizing or developing the latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 10 in the electrophotographic system by the developing means 9. Two cylindrical toner containers 1 stored inside can be mounted from the toner bank main body front surface 20a. That is, the toner bank 20 is provided with two upper and lower toner container insertion portions 2 for receiving the toner container 1, and the insertion port 2a is opened on the front surface 20a of the toner bank main body so that the toner container 1 can be easily attached and detached. Has been done. The toner container 1 is held by the toner container holding means 3 by mounting the toner container 1 from the direction of arrow A in the figure. In the state where the toner container 1 is held by the toner container holding means 3, the toner (T) stored inside the toner container 1 is provided at one axial end (the leading end in the insertion direction) of the toner container 1. The toner is discharged from the opening 1a into the opening 4 formed at the back of the toner container insertion portion 2. Then, it is mixed with the fluidized gas by the gas flow transfer means 5 and transferred, and is conveyed and supplied to the developing means 9 of the image forming apparatus 100 through the mixed gas conveyance path 8. In the image forming apparatus 100, the toner image formed on the image carrier 10 that carries the toner image in which the electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developing unit 9 is transferred to the transfer target body (P) by the transfer unit 11. It is designed to be transcribed. The toner bank 20 is provided with a revolving door type cover 6 as a shielding means so as to cover the entire front surface 20a of the toner bank main body including the toner container insertion portion 2. The cover 6 covers a front cover 100b that shields a front opening of a housing of the image forming apparatus 100 such as the image carrier 10 (the image forming operation is stopped when the front cover 100b is open). It is arranged at the avoided position, and the arrow C shown in the figure
It is supported in a cantilever state so as to open and close in the direction, and the opening and closing is restricted or released by the magnet catch 7a of the restricting means 7. By configuring the toner bank 20 as described above, the toner container 1 can be attached / detached to / from the main body front surface 20a of the toner bank 20.
Alternatively, the main body front surface 100a of the image forming apparatus 100.
Since it can be carried out from above, it is possible to improve the attachment / detachment operability with a simple structure. Further, since the exposed portion of the rotating toner container 1 and the like are covered with the cover 6 serving as the shielding means, it is possible to improve safety and prevent toner (T) from scattering.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a toner bank and an image forming apparatus having the same, showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 has an image carrier 10 and a developing unit 9 built-in inside the upper right side thereof.
A toner bank 30 is provided at a position away from the developing position by the developing means 9, that is, in the lower left corner in this example. The toner bank 30 stores toner (T) which is a developing material for forming a toner image by developing or developing the latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 10 in the electrophotographic system by the developing means 9. Three cylindrical toner containers 1 stored inside can be mounted side by side vertically from the toner bank main body front surface 30a. That is, the toner bank 30 is provided with three stages of toner container insertion parts 2 for receiving the toner containers 1, and each toner container insertion part 2 (2-1, 2- Two
The insertion port 2a of 2-3) is opened on the front surface 30a of the toner bank main body. The toner container 1 is held by the toner container holding means 3 by mounting the toner container 1 from the direction of arrow A in the figure. In the state where the toner container 1 is held by the toner container holding means 3, the toner (T) stored inside the toner container 1 is provided at one axial end (the leading end in the insertion direction) of the toner container 1. The toner is discharged from the opening 1a into the opening 4 formed at the back of the toner container insertion portion 2. Then, the developing means 9 of the image forming apparatus 100 is mixed with the gas fluidized by the gas flow transfer means 5 and transferred, and is passed through the gas mixture transfer path 8.
Are transported to and supplied.

In the image forming apparatus 100, the toner image formed on the image carrier 10 carrying the toner image in which the electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developing unit 9 is transferred to the transfer unit 1.
1 is to be transferred to the transfer target (P).
The toner bank 30 includes the toner container insertion portions 2
Revolving door type covers 6a, 6b, 6c as shielding means are provided corresponding to each of -1, 2-2, 2-3. These covers 6a, 6b, 6c are front covers 100b that shield the front opening of the housing of the image forming apparatus 100 such as the image carrier 10 (when the front cover 100b is open, the image forming operation is not performed). It is arranged at a position avoiding the (stopping).
Each is supported in a cantilever state so as to be opened and closed in the direction, and the opening and closing is regulated or released by the magnet catch 7a of the regulating means 7. By configuring the toner bank 30 as described above, the toner container 1 can be attached / detached to / from the main body front surface 3 of the toner bank 30.
0a or the main body front surface 10 of the image forming apparatus 100.
Since it can be carried out from 0a, the attaching / detaching operability can be improved with a simple structure. In addition, each of the toner container insertion parts 2-
The exposed portions and the like of the rotating toner container 1 attached to 1, 2-2, 2-3 are the covers 6a, 6 as the shielding means.
Since they are covered with b and 6c respectively, the safety can be improved and the toner (T) can be prevented from scattering.

3 and 4 show the toner banks 20 and 3 described above.
It is a partial horizontal sectional view which shows the principal part of 0. As shown in the figure, the cover 6 which is the shielding means in the toner bank 20 and the covers 6a, 6b and 6c which are the shielding means in the toner bank 30 are provided in the regulating means 7 provided respectively. The lock mechanism 7b restricts the opening and closing or releases the restriction. The lock mechanism 7b is provided in the toner bank 20.
Groove cover 7b1 provided in the cover 6 as the shielding means in the toner bank 30 and the cover 6a, 6b, 6c as the shielding means in the toner bank 30, the toner bank 20 and the toner bank. It is composed of a key 7b3 and the like that engages or disengages with the groove member 7b1 by the rotating operation of the motors 7b2 provided on the main body side of 30. While the toner (T) stored in the cylindrical shape of the toner container 1 is being discharged from the opening 1a to the opening 4, the control unit 1
2, the rotation of the motor 7b2 causes the groove member 7b1 of the lock mechanism 7b and the key 7b3 to be rotated.
And the above are engaged with each other to form the cover 6, 6a, 6b, or 6c.
Is locked to prevent it from opening (see Figure 3). On the other hand, when the toner (T) stored in the cylindrical shape of the toner container 1 is not discharged from the opening 1 a to the opening 4, the control unit 12
The rotation of the motor 7b2 releases the engagement between the groove member 7b1 of the lock mechanism 7b and the key 7b3, and the cover 6, 6a, 6b, or 6 is controlled.
The lock is released so that c opens in the direction of arrow C shown in the figure, and the regulation is released (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 5 shows the flow of the control operation by the control unit 12. The control unit 12 in the toner bank 20 is in the toner container insertion unit 2, and in the toner bank 30 is each of the above-mentioned. Toner container insertion part 2
-1, 2-2, 2-3, it is determined whether the toner container 1 is inserted and attached (step 1), if the toner container 1 is not attached (No in step 1), Applicable toner container insertion parts 2, 2-1, 2
-2, or 2-3 of the cover 6, 6a, 6b, or 6
The lock of the regulating means 7 of c by the lock mechanism 7b is released. As a result, the covers 6, 6a, 6a, 6 serving as shielding means for the toner container insertion portion 2, 2a, 2b, or 2c to which the toner container 1 is not mounted are provided.
The lock is released so that b or 6c is opened and the regulation is released (step 2). Further, as a result of the determination in step 1, if the toner container 1 is attached (Yes in step S1), the toner (T) stored in the toner container 1 is discharged from the opening portion 1a to the opening portion 4. Whether the toner (T) has not been discharged (No in step S3),
The lock mechanism 7b of the regulating means 7 of the cover 6, 6a, 6b, or 6c of the toner container insertion portion 2, 2-1, 2-2, or 2-3 in which the corresponding toner container 1 is mounted. To unlock. As a result, the cover 6, 6a, 6a, 6b, or 6c serving as a shielding means for the toner container insertion portion 2, 2a, 2b, or 2c in which the toner container 1 not ejecting the toner (T) is mounted. The lock is released and the regulation is released to open (step 2). If the toner (T) is ejected as a result of the determination in step 3 (Yes in step S3), the toner container insertion portions 2, 2-1, 2-2 in which the corresponding toner container 1 is mounted are attached. , Or 2-3 of the cover 6,
The restriction means 7 is provided so as not to open 6a, 6b, or 6c.
Is locked by the lock mechanism 7b and its opening and closing is restricted (step S4).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. 2 in more detail. This image forming apparatus 10
Reference numeral 0 is an example of a copying machine, which includes the toner bank 30, the automatic document feeder (ADF) 110, the exposure unit 120, the image forming unit 130, and the supply unit for performing image formation by a conventionally known electrophotographic method. A groove is formed from the paper portion 140 and the like. The exposure unit 120 includes the automatic document feeder (ADF) 11
A light source 121 for irradiating the original (D) placed on the contact glass 111 with light 0 or manually;
The exposure optical system includes a mirror group 122 and a lens 123 for exposing the reflected light image from the document (D) onto the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10 of the image forming unit 130. The image forming unit 130 includes a photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10 and a charging unit 13, a developing unit 9, a registration roller 14, a transfer unit 11, a cleaning unit 15, and a fixing unit 1 arranged around the photosensitive drum.
6, a paper discharge roller 17, a transfer paper reversal conveyance unit 18 for double-sided copying, a paper discharge tray 19, and the like. Further, the paper feeding unit 140 is provided with a plurality of paper feeding cassettes that store transfer papers (P) of various sizes.

Although the exposure section 120 is an example of an analog type exposure optical system, a laser scanning optical system using a laser light source and a deflector is used as the exposure section 120 in accordance with an image signal, and the image A system for performing optical writing on the photosensitive drum of the carrier 10 can function as a laser printer, and further, the automatic document feeder (ADF) described above.
If a document reading device is installed between 110 and the exposure unit 120, the structure of a digital copying machine or a facsimile device is obtained.
When the image forming operation is started, the photoconductor drum of the image carrier 10 is charged by the charging means 13, and the original image from the exposing section 120 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. This electrostatic latent image is developed by the two-component developer or the one-component developer of the developing means 9 to be visualized, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10 is fed from the paper feed section 140, and passes through the registration roller 14 to the image carrier 1 of the transfer unit 11.
0 photosensitive drum and the transfer belt 11 of the transfer means 11
Transferred to the transfer paper (P) fed to the nib part with a,
The transfer paper (P) on which the toner image is transferred is the transfer means 11 described above.
The transfer belt 11a conveys the toner image to the fixing means 16, and the fixing means 16 fixes the toner image on the transfer paper (P).

The transfer paper (P) after fixing is the discharge roller 1 described above.
The sheet is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 19 via the sheet 7 and stored. On the other hand, the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10 after the toner image is transferred to the transfer paper (P) is cleaned by the cleaning unit 15 to remove and collect the residual toner and foreign matter of the paper dust brush, and the next step. Be prepared for. or,
The transfer belt 11a of the transfer means 11 after carrying the transfer paper (P) is also cleaned by the cleaning means 11b,
Foreign matter such as residual toner and paper powder is removed and collected. As the developing means 9, an example using a two-component magnetic brush developing method using toner (T) and a carrier will be described below. The toner bank 30 arranged at a position away from the developing position of the developing means 9 of the image forming apparatus 100 is a mixture of toner (T) and gas formed of a flexible pipe member of the mixture conveying path 8. The toner (T) stored in the toner container 1 attached to the main body front surface 30a of the toner bank 0, which is connected to the developing unit 9 by a supply pipe and is also the main body front surface 100a of the image forming apparatus 100. ) Is supplied to the developing means 9 via a toner supply pipe formed of a flexible pipe member of the mixture conveying path 8 by a powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 5, which is also called a mono pump. It is designed to be transported and supplied as a mixture.

In the toner bank 30, the three toner containers 1 are attached to the image forming apparatus 10 by an operator.
The toner bank 3 which is also the front surface 100a of the main body 0
0 from the front surface 30a of the main body, the toner container insertion portion 2-1 and the toner container insertion portion 2-2 of the toner container insertion portion 2 on the front side in a substantially vertical direction with the opening portion 1a as a depth measurement,
When the toner container insertion portion 2-3 is inserted from the direction of the arrow A shown in the figure, it is mounted and held, and the toner bank 3
The opening / closing of the door cover of the shielding means 6 of 0 is regulated or released by the regulation means 7.

The mixed gas supply pipe of the toner (T) and the gas in the mixed gas conveying path 8 is a pipe material which is flexible and has excellent toner resistance. For example, nylon, Teflon or the like is extremely used. Is effective for. Therefore, since the connection between the toner bank 30 and the developing means 9 is flexible, there is no restriction on the installation of each, and not only the layout can be effectively utilized but also the toner bank 30.
In addition, the three toner containers 1 are inspected by the operator from the body front face 30a of the toner bank 30, which is also the body front face 100a of the image forming apparatus 100, from the opening 1a. And the toner container insertion portion 2 of the toner container insertion portion 2 on the front side in the substantially vertical direction.
-1, the toner container insertion portion 2-2 and the toner container insertion portion 2-3 are inserted and mounted and held, so that the toner container 1 can be easily attached and detached, and the operability is good and safe. Also, the toner bank 30 described above does not scatter toner.
And the image forming apparatus 10 having the same and forming an image
It is now possible to offer 0.

In FIG. 7, the powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 5 is conventionally known as a so-called mono pump, and is composed of a rotor 5a, a stator 5b, a holder 5c and the like, and the opening of the toner container 1 is formed. The toner (T) discharged from the portion 1a to the opening 4 and stored in the hopper 5k is transferred in a mixed state with gaseous air. The rotor 5a is connected to a drive source (not shown) via a horizontal transfer screw 5d and is rotationally driven.
The stator 5b is made of an elastic material such as a rubber material and surrounds the rotor 5a. The holder 5c
Holds the stator 5b. Stay 5 above
There is a gap 5e of about 1 mm between the side surface of b and the inner side surface of the holder 5c, which communicates with the toner passage 5f.
A gas supply port 5g is provided so as to blow into the toner passage 5f from the gap 5e. The gas supply port 5g communicates with the toner passage 5f, and communicates with a gas discharge port 5i provided in the air pump of the gas supply unit 5h via a gas supply pipe 5j. When the air pump of the gas supply means 5h operates, the gas supply port 5g
The gas (T) is blown into the toner (T) at a flow rate of about 0.5 to 1.0 liter / min. As a result, the toner (T) discharged from the toner passage 5f of the powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 5 is
Fluidization is promoted, and in a mixed state with gas air, to the present means 9 via a mixture gas supply pipe of toner and gas, which is made of a flexible pipe member of the mixture transfer path 8.
Since the gas is transferred and supplied as a mixture with air, the transfer of the powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 5 becomes more reliable.

In FIG. 8, the toner supply from the toner bank 20 or the toner bank 30 to the developing means 9 is performed by the toner remaining amount detecting means 9a provided in the developing means 9. That is, the toner remaining amount detecting means 9
When the amount of toner detected in a is less than a predetermined value, the powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 5 is driven and the toner (T) is supplied to the toner replenishing portion 9b of the developing means 9.
Is started to be supplied. Then, when the amount of toner in the toner replenishing section 9b exceeds a predetermined value, the toner remaining amount detecting means 9a detects it and stops the toner supply.
By these controls, a predetermined amount of toner is always stored in the toner replenishing section 9b, and a stable developing process is guaranteed. Further, when the toner amount detecting means 9a detects that the toner amount is less than or equal to a predetermined value and exceeds a predetermined number of times, time, etc., the toner bank 20 or the toner bank 30 is detected. When it is determined that the toner is absent, a warning that can be understood by the operator is issued to the operation unit or display unit (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the toner can be replenished at an appropriate time by replacing the toner container 1 with the toner bank 20 or the toner bank 30. The toner replenishing section 9 of the developing means 9
A toner replenishment opening 9d is formed at b in the axial direction one end side of the stirring member 9c provided in the toner replenishment section 9b, and the toner collecting means 9e can be attached to and detached from the toner replenishment opening 9d. It is supposed to be installed in.

In FIG. 9, the toner collecting means 9e is provided.
Is a unit structure formed separately from the developing means 9 and is the toner bank 2 as a toner (T) supply source.
0 or the mixture transfer path 8 from the toner bank 30
The toner that has been transferred in a mixed state of gaseous air through the mixed gas supply pipe of the toner and the gas formed of the flexible tube member is separated from the air and collected, and the toner replenishing section of the developing unit 9 is provided. It is used for replenishing when the replenishment toner contained in 9b is reduced. The toner collecting unit 9e has a funnel-shaped toner separating unit 9e1 whose longitudinal direction is set to the longitudinal direction. The toner separating section 9
e1 separates the toner (T) from the toner bank 20 or the toner bank 30 which is a toner supply source by air and is separated from the air, and drops only the toner (T) by gravity to develop the developing means. It is configured by a hopper that can be introduced into the toner replenishing section 9b of No. 9. Therefore, at the upper position of the toner separating portion 9e1, the air-fuel mixture conveying path 8 forming one of the toner transferring means is provided.
One end of a mixed gas supply pipe for toner and gas, which is made of a flexible pipe member, is connected, and an opening 9e that can be connected to the toner replenishing portion 9b of the developing means 9 is provided at a lower position.
2 is formed. As a result, the mixture of air and toner (T) sent from the mixture supply pipe of toner and gas, which is made of a flexible pipe member of the mixture transfer path 8, is transferred to the inner peripheral wall of the toner separation portion 9e1. When a collision occurs, depending on the shape of the toner separating portion 9e1 and the discharge position from the mixture gas supply pipe of toner and gas, which is made of a flexible tube member of the mixture transfer path 8, the toner mixture portion descends in a spiral motion and has a low specific gravity. While the gaseous air rises, only the toner (T) having a large specific gravity falls, so that the gaseous air and the toner are separated. A filter 9e3 for discharging only air is provided on the upper surface of the toner separating portion 9e1, and an opening / closing member 9e4 for opening / closing the opening 9e2 is provided on the lower surface.

In FIG. 10, the developing means 9 is composed of the toner replenishing portion 9b and the developing container portion 9f, and the developing container portion 9f is rotatably held in the direction of arrow B shown in the drawing. The toner replenishing section 9b is arranged near the photosensitive drum, which is the image carrier 10, and is mounted on the developing container section 9f. The developing container section 9
Inside f, the stirring roller 9g and the paddle wheel 9h
Is provided, so that a two-component developer composed of a magnetic or non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier, which are agitated and mixed by the agitating roller 9g and triboelectrically charged in opposite polarities, is pumped up by the paddle wheel 9h. It has become. The toner replenishing section 9b directs the toner (T) toward the stirring roller 9g by rotating the toner replenishing roller 9b1 when the density of the toner (T) supplied to the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10 is lowered. It is designed to be extended. At a position where the developer is scooped up by the paddle wheel 9h, a plurality of developing rollers 9i and 9j are provided close to the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10. Of the developing roller 9i and the developing roller 9j, the one located upstream in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10 is the first developing roller 9i, and the one located downstream. Is the second developing roller 9j. The first developing roller 9i and the second developing roller 9j mainly include a sleeve rotatable counterclockwise in the figure by a driving unit (not shown) and a mag roller fixed inside the sleeve. I have it. This sleeve is made of a non-magnetic material such as aluminum or stainless steel, and the mag roller is made of a ferrite magnet, a rubber magnet, or a plastic magnet formed by kneading nylon powder and ferrite powder. And a plurality of them are arranged.

In the developing container portion 9f, the developer is drawn up by the centrifugal force generated when the paddle wheel 9h rotates, and is discharged toward the first existing twill roller 9i. A part of the discharged developer is directly supplied to the first developing roller 9i and carried on the surface of the first developing roller 9i. The remaining part of the discharged developer bounces by hitting the second developing roller 9j and is held by the surface of the first developing roller 9i by the magnetic force on the side of the first developing roller 9i. . In order to supply the developer to the first developing roller 9i from the side of the second roller 9j, the amount of rebound from the second developing roller 9j is increased in order to increase the amount of rebound. It is necessary to increase the rotation speed of the paddle wheel 9h relatively and increase the centrifugal force. First developing roller 9
The developer carried by i moves on the roller surface with the rotation of the developing sleeve, the layer thickness is regulated by the doctor blade 9k, and then the first developing roller 9i and the image carrier 10 are exposed to light. The first development area (DI) that faces the body drum is reached. When the developer having reached the developing area (DI) moves to a position where the action of the magnetic force on the first developing roller 9i side is weakened, the developer on the side of the second developing roller 9j side and the magnetic force from the mag roller cause the developer shown in FIG. As indicated by the wavy line, the second developing roller 9j and the image carrier 10
And is transferred toward the second developing area (D2) with the photoconductor drum. Then, at the position where the magnetic force of the second developing roller 9j does not act, it drops to the bottom of the developing container 9f and is again stirred by the paddle wheel 9h.

The developer scraped off by the doctor blade 9k is guided by the separator 9l toward the conveying screw 9m located at the other end in the extension direction, and is dropped onto the stirring roller 9g by the conveying screw 9m. It has become. Therefore, the separator 9
A slit for dropping the developer is formed at a position opposite to the stirring roller 9g at the other end in the extension direction of l. The mag roller provided on the first developing roller 9i and the second developing roller 9j is the same between the positions where the first developing cola 9i and the second developing roller 9j are closest to each other. The arrangement of magnetic poles capable of forming a repulsive magnetic field between the poles is set, and the developer transfer direction is forcibly set in the direction toward the second developing roller 9j. As a result, the developer is transferred to the second developing roller 9j by the magnetic force of the magnetic pole on the second developing cola 9j side. In the vicinity of the stirring roller 9g in the developing container portion 9f, a toner concentration sensor which is a toner concentration detecting means 9n for detecting a mixing ratio of toner and carrier is arranged. As a toner concentration sensor of the toner concentration detecting means 9n, a method of detecting the toner concentration from the content of the toner in the developer by utilizing the inductance change of the coil located in the developer is used as an example.

FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b) are structural views in the vicinity of the opening 1a of an example of the toner container, in which the cylindrical opening 1 is formed.
A shoulder portion 101 is formed on the container end surface 102 that supports a. Further, a spiral groove, a protrusion, or the like is formed inside the container so as to face the opening 1a.
When the toner in the container is moved along the spiral groove or the like by rotating it in the direction, the opening 1 passes through the shoulder 101.
It will be discharged from a. FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which the toner is surely discharged from the opening 1a by the action of the shoulder portion 101 in the process of rotating the toner container 1. In FIG. 12, the toner container 1 has a cylindrical main body 1b of the toner container 1 for storing the toner (T) therein, and an openable and closable toner container main body 1b for discharging the stored toner. The opening 1a having a diameter smaller than the diameter is formed. In addition, the toner container 1
Is a part of the inner surface of the shoulder portion 101 of the end surface 102 where the opening portion 1a is formed.
Of the toner (T) to form a protruding portion 1c for lifting the toner (T). The drawings (a) to (d) of the toner container 1 show how to guide the toner (T) by the projecting portion 1c and the opening projecting portion 1d. Figure (a1),
(B1), (c1), and (d1) are front views, and the corresponding partial diagrams (a2), (b2), (c2),
(D2) is a right side view. The toner container 1 is rotated from the drawing (a) by 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow D shown in the drawing in order (b), (c), and (d).
Is. In the state shown in FIG. 1A, the maximum diameter portion of the shoulder 101 is located vertically downward, and the toner (T) is guided to the lower portion of the peripheral wall of the maximum diameter portion of the head of the toner container 1 by the guide groove 1e. ing. The state of the division diagram (b) is a fusuma that has been rotated by 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow D shown in the state of the division diagram (a), and is the boundary portion between the maximum diameter portion of the shoulder portion 101 and the protruding portion 1c. Is located vertically below and a part of the toner (T) guided by the guide groove 1e is part of the protruding portion 1c.
It is listed in.

The state of the division diagram (c) is 90 ° from the state of the division diagram (b) to the state of the division diagram (c) when further rotated by 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow D in the figure. During rotation,
The protruding portion 1c lifts the toner (T) to the edge of the opening portion 1a like a spoon. Diagram (d)
In the state of FIG. 6C, the toner on the protruding portion 1c is rotated before and after the state of being rotated by 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow D shown in FIG. (T) partially moves to the opening protruding portion 1d, and the opening 1a is inclined due to the inclination of the opening protruding portion 1d.
It is designed to be discharged from. Here, in the illustrated example, the protruding portion 1c itself has a concave shape like the scooping portion of a spoon, as well shown in the drawing (c). Therefore, if such a container shape near the open portion 1a is formed, the toner (T) in the toner container 1 is discharged and dropped from the opening portion 1a while the toner (T) powder is discharged. The toner (T) powder is gradually discharged without causing dust in the hopper (not shown). Further, the toner stored in the toner container 1 can be used up with almost no remaining toner. Further, when the toner container 1 is rotated, excess toner is removed, and so to speak, only one spoonful of toner is scooped up and lifted to the opening 1a, so that the amount of toner discharged from the opening 1a is constant. Become.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a mechanism for automatically opening the stopper for closing the opening of the toner container. In this embodiment, the toner container 1 is the main body of the toner bank 20 or the toner bank 30. Front 20a or main body front 30
It is inserted from a in the direction of arrow E in the figure, and is detachably set to the toner bank 20 or the holder portion 3a of the toner container holding means 3 integrated with the toner bank 30. The holder portion 3a is provided with an inner holder 3c rotatably supported in the holder 3b. The inner holder 3c is provided with a gear 3 by a rotation driving means (not shown).
It can be rotated via c1. The toner container 1 has irregularities (not shown) so that it can rotate in synchronization with the inner holder 3c. The inner holder 3c has a seal 3d so as to prevent the toner from scattering between the toner container 1 and the receiving portion of the inner holder 3c when the toner (T) is discharged. A slider 3e and a chuck 3f are slidably supported in the holder 3b. The slider 3e is always a stopper 3g.
Is pressed by the spring 3h in the direction of pressing the toner (T). From this state, when the chuck 3f is moved in the direction of the arrow F shown in the drawing, the knob 3 of the stopper 3g is moved.
i is grasped by the claw 3f1 of the chuck 3f, and the stopper 3g
Are pulled out from the toner container 1.

FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory view of the mechanism of FIG. 13, in which the stopper 3g is pulled out from the toner container 1,
When the gear 3c1 is rotated by the gear of the rotation driving means 3j, the inner holder 3c is rotated, and when the toner container 1 is rotated in synchronization with the inner holder 3c, the toner (T) in the toner container 1 is It is discharged from the opening 1a. When the toner (T) in the toner container 1 is used up,
The toner remaining amount detecting means 9a of the developing means 9 warns that there is no toner (T), and the moving means 3k moves the chuck 3f in the direction of the arrow G shown in the drawing so that the opening 1a is closed by the plug 3g. It can be closed. FIG. 15 shows a configuration example of the moving means. The moving means 3k includes a drive motor 3k1, a worm gear 3k2, a worm wheel (or a helical gear) 3.
k3, a pinion 3k4, and a rack 3k5. The drive motor 3k1 rotates clockwise and counterclockwise so that the chuck 3f can be moved in the left and right directions indicated by the arrow H in the drawing. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation when closing the stopper. In this embodiment, the stopper 3l is supported by the holder 3b by the step screw 3m and the spring 3n, and the force for closing the stopper 3g is different. , Is pressed by the spring 3n so that it does not rotate to the direction of the arrow I and lift up to the position shown by the chain double-dashed line. Therefore, when the cap 3g is closed in the toner container 1, the toner container 1 does not escape. However, when replacing the toner container 1,
The toner container 1 can be easily replaced by pulling out the toner container 1 more strongly, manually operating the stopper 3l, or retracting the stopper 3l to the position of the two-point iron wire shown by adding a lever or the like (not shown). There is.

[0026]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, according to the invention of claim 1, the toner container for storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion which is inserted from the front of the main body. , The toner ejected from the toner container to the opening is detachably held by the toner container holding means, and is moved as a gas mixture with the gas fluidized by the gas flow transfer means so that the shielding means does not open. Locked
Regulated or unlocked and deregulated
As a result, the toner container is easy to put on and take off and is safe and
It is now possible to provide a toner bank that does not scatter . According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of toner containers that store toner therein are inserted into a toner container insertion portion that is inserted from the front of the main body, and are detachably held by the toner container holding means. Since the toner discharged to the opening is moved as a mixture with the gas that is fluidized by the gas flow transfer means, the toner container can be easily attached and detached, and the attaching and detaching operability is good. so it is possible to provide more toner bank
It was According to the third aspect of the present invention, the toner container for storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion which is inserted from the front of the main body, and is detachably held by the toner container holding means, and the toner container is opened from the opening portion. Since the discharged toner is moved as a mixture with the gas which is fluidized by the gas flow transfer means and is opened / closed for each toner container insertion portion by the shielding means, the structure for easy attachment / detachment of the toner container is provided. Therefore, it is possible to provide a toner bank which has a good operability for attachment and detachment, is safe, prevents the toner from scattering, and allows the toner container to be replaced even during the transfer of the toner. According to the invention of claim 4, the toner container for storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion inserted from the front of the main body, and is detachably held by the toner container holding means so that the toner container is opened from the opening portion. The discharged toner,
When the toner is discharged from the toner container held by the toner container holding means while being moved as a mixture with the fluidized gas by the gas flow transfer means, the opening and closing of the toner container insertion portion by the shielding means is regulated by the regulating means. Since the toner banks are regulated, it is possible to provide a toner bank that has a simple structure for attaching and detaching the toner container, has good operability for attaching and detaching, is surely safe, and reliably prevents the toner from scattering . According to the invention of claim 5, the toner container for storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion inserted from the front of the main body, and is detachably held by the toner container holding means so that the toner container is opened from the opening portion. The discharged toner,
The restriction of opening / closing of the shielding means of the toner container insertion portion corresponding to the toner container whose toner discharge is stopped by the restriction means is moved as a mixture with the fluidized gas by the gas flow transfer means. Therefore, the toner container can be easily attached and detached, and the attaching and detaching operability is good, and the toner container insertion portion is surely safe and toner scattering is surely prevented. It is now possible to provide a toner bank that can be exchanged even during transportation. According to the invention of claim 6 , a mixture of toner and gas transferred by the toner bank according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is developed by a mixture conveying path formed of an elastic tube. The toner image formed on the image bearing member carrying the toner image visualized from the electrostatic latent image by the developing unit is transferred to the transfer target member by the transfer unit. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which forms an image with a structure in which the toner container is easily attached and detached and which has good attachment and detachment operability. According to the invention of claim 7 , the above-mentioned claim 1
The mixture of toner and gas transferred by the toner bank according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is conveyed and supplied to a developing unit by a mixture conveying path formed of an elastic tube, The toner image formed on the image carrier, which carries the toner image that visualizes the electrostatic latent image, is transferred to the transfer target by the transfer means, and the toner container insertion portion of the toner bank inserts the toner container from the front of the main body. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which forms an image with a structure in which the toner container is easily attached and detached and which has a better operability for attachment and detachment. According to the invention of claim 8 , a mixture of toner and gas transferred by the toner bank according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is developed by a mixture conveying path formed of an elastic tube. The toner image formed on the image carrier, which carries the toner image obtained by developing the electrostatic latent image by the developing device, is transferred to the transfer member by the transfer device and is opened / closed. Due to this, the toner bank is placed at a position avoiding the front cover where the image forming operation is stopped, so that the toner container can be easily attached and detached and the operability is good, and the toner container can be replaced even during the image forming operation. It is now possible to provide an image forming apparatus that forms an image.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the outline of a toner bank and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the outline of a toner bank and an image forming apparatus including the toner bank according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of main parts of a toner bank and an image forming apparatus including the toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another state of a toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention and a main part of an image forming apparatus including the toner bank.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a main part of a toner bank and an image forming apparatus including the toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a toner bank according to another embodiment of the present invention and an image forming apparatus including the toner bank.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus including the toner bank.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus including the toner bank.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus including the toner bank.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another main part of the toner bank and the image forming apparatus including the toner bank according to the embodiment of the present invention.

11A and 11B are an external view and a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an example of a toner container used in the present invention.

12 (a1) (a2) (b1) (b2) (c1)
(C2) (d1) (d2) are explanatory views for explaining the state of the main part of the toner container of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of a toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus including the toner bank.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of another main part of a toner bank and an image forming apparatus including the toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus including the toner bank.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of a toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus including the toner bank.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Toner Container, 1a Opening, 1b Main Body, 1c
Overhanging part, 1d Opening overhanging part, 1e Guide groove, 2
Toner container insertion part, 2-1 Toner container insertion part, 2
-2 toner container insertion part, 2-3 toner container insertion part,
3 toner container holding means, 3a holder part, 3b holder, 3c inner holder, 3c1 gear, 3d seal,
3e slider, 3f chuck, 3f1 claw, 3g
Stopper, 3h spring, 3i knob, 3j rotation driving means, 3k moving means, 3k1 driving motor, 3k2
Worm gear, 3k3 Worm wheel (or helical gear), 3k4 pinion, 3k5 rack, 3l stopper, 3m stopper, 3n spring, 4 opening, 5 gas flow transfer means, 5a rotor, 5b stator, 5c holder, 5d horizontal transfer screw, 5e gap, 5f toner passage, 5g gas supply port, 5h gas supply means, 5i gas discharge port, 5j gas supply pipe, 5k
Hopper, 6 shielding means, 6a shielding means, 6b
Shielding means, 6c shielding means, 7 regulating means, 7a magnet catch, 7b lock mechanism, 7b1 groove member,
7b2 motor, 7b3 key, 8 mixture conveying path, 9 developing means, 9a toner remaining amount detecting means, 9b toner replenishing section, 9b1 toner replenishing roller, 9c stirring member, 9d toner replenishing opening, 9e toner collecting means,
9e1 toner separating part, 9e2 opening, 9e3 filter, 9e4 opening / closing member, 9f developing container part, 9g stirring roller, 9h paddle wheel, 9i developing roller, 9
j developing roller, 9k doctor blade, 9l separator, 9m conveying screw, 9n toner concentration detecting means, 10 image carrier, 11 transfer means, 11a transfer belt, 11b cleaning means, 12 control section,
13 charging means, 14 registration roller, 15
Cleaning means, 16 fixing means, 17 paper discharge rollers, 18 transfer paper reversal conveyance section for double-sided copying, 19
Paper ejection tray, 20 toner bank, 20a main body front, 30 toner bank, 30a main body front, 100
Image forming apparatus, 100a main body front, 100b front cover, 110 automatic document feeder (ADF), 111 contact glass, 120 exposure section, 121 light source, 1
22 mirror group, 123 lens, 130 image forming unit, 140 paper feeding unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-9-15957 (JP, A) JP-A-8-137227 (JP, A) JP-A-1-309081 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/08

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A main body of a toner container for storing toner in a toner bank for supplying a toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system from a position away from a developing position. Toner container insertion portion provided to be inserted from the front, toner container holding means for detachably holding the toner container inserted from the toner container insertion portion, and the toner container held by the toner container holding means consists of an opening for discharging the toner, the gas flow conveying means for moving the toner discharged from the opening as a mixture of the gas to fluidize, the
Holding the toner container by the toner container holding means and the opening
The toner container is inserted when the conditions for discharging toner from the machine are met.
The opening of the shielding means that opens and closes the section is restricted, and the above conditions are not met.
A toner bank having a control unit for releasing the restriction of opening of the shielding unit . 2. The toner bank according to claim 1, wherein
The toner container insertion portion is configured so that a plurality of toner containers can be inserted from the front of the main body. 3. The toner bank according to claim 1 , wherein:
The toner bank, wherein the shielding means is opened and closed for each toner container insertion portion. 4. The toner bank according to claim 1, wherein the shielding unit has a regulating unit that regulates the opening of the shielding unit at the toner container insertion portion . 5. The toner bank according to claim 4 , wherein:
The toner bank is characterized in that the regulation means releases the regulation of the opening of the shielding means at the toner container insertion portion . 6. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by supplying a toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system to form an image by being supplied from a position away from a developing position. By the toner bank according to any one of 1 to 5 , an air-fuel mixture conveying path including an elastic tube that conveys an air-fuel mixture of toner and gas transferred by the toner bank, and the air-fuel mixture conveying path. Developing means to which the toner is conveyed and supplied, an image carrier for carrying a toner image that visualizes an electrostatic latent image by the developing means, and a toner image formed on the image carrier to which the toner image is transferred. An image forming apparatus comprising: a transfer unit that transfers the image onto the image forming apparatus. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6,
The toner container insertion portion of the toner bank is an image forming apparatus in which the toner container is inserted from the front of the main body. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the toner bank is arranged at a position avoiding a front cover where the image forming operation is stopped by the opening / closing operation.