JP3534381B2 - 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 an image carrier, a developing device for forming a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, and a transfer belt for carrying a transfer material to which the toner image on the surface of the image carrier is transferred. A carrier cleaning device for cleaning the surface of the image carrier by removing the transfer residual toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier after transferring the toner image on the transfer material, and the surface of the transfer belt. A cleaning device for the belt, which removes the toner adhering to the transfer belt surface from the transfer belt surface, and a developing device for cleaning the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device in the developing device. A first toner conveying means for conveying the toner discharged from the belt cleaning device to a waste toner container, and a first toner conveying means for conveying the toner to the waste toner container. The conveying means and said respective toner second conveying means to convey respectively a developing device the waste toner container, the first conveying means and second
And a drive unit for operating each of the toner transporting units.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus of the above type configured as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine having at least these two functions, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device is Since the toner is conveyed to the developing device by the first toner conveying means and the toner can be reused in the developing device, the toner consumption amount of the image forming apparatus can be reduced and the economical burden on the user can be reduced. On the other hand, the toner collected from the transfer belt can be conveyed to the waste toner container by the second toner conveying means, and the toner can be stored in the waste toner container.

The transfer residual toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier is
In many cases, since the quality is maintained so that it can be reused in the developing device, it is conveyed to the developing device by the first toner conveying means. On the other hand, the toner collected from the transfer belt has a large amount of foreign matter such as paper dust mixed in, and the quality thereof is poor. Therefore, when the toner is reused in the developing device, the toner image formed by the toner is regenerated. The image quality is significantly reduced. Therefore, this toner is conveyed to the waste toner container by the second toner conveying means so that it is not used in the developing device.

However, since the toner discharged from the cleaning device for the carrier also contains a small amount of foreign matter such as paper dust, when the toner is reused in the developing device, the image quality of the toner image formed by this is improved. However, it is generally inevitable that the toner will deteriorate to some extent as compared with the case where a new toner is used. Especially when the temperature and humidity inside the main body of the image forming apparatus are high, the image quality of the toner image is likely to deteriorate, and the amount of foreign matter mixed in the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device also depends on the paper quality of the transfer material used. And the image quality of the toner image formed thereby deteriorates.

As described above, when the transfer residual toner collected from the surface of the image bearing member is conveyed to the developing device and reused, there is an advantage that the economical burden on the user can be reduced, but the toner is used. The image formed by
There is an unavoidable drawback that the image quality deteriorates to some extent. Even if some of the users consider the reduction of toner consumption to be a priority even if the quality of the finally obtained image is slightly poor, a high-quality image can be obtained even if the toner consumption is slightly increased. Some people want to.

On the other hand, conventionally, the image forming apparatus is of a type in which the toner discharged from the cleaning device for the carrier is reused in the developing device and the image forming apparatus in which the toner is discarded. , The former image forming apparatus,
The toner discharged from the cleaning device for the carrier is always operated to be reused, and the image forming apparatus of the latter is always operated to discard the toner. The conventional image forming apparatus of the type described at the beginning belongs to the former image forming apparatus, but in this type of image forming apparatus, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device is reused in the developing device. Without doing so, it is not possible to meet the demand of users who want to obtain high-quality images.

[0007] Further, for some users, when the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device is reused in the developing device, a certain degree of image quality deterioration can be tolerated, but when the image quality deterioration becomes remarkable. , Some think it can't stand this. Further, the user's demand for image quality may vary depending on the purpose of use of the final transfer material on which an image is formed. However, the conventional image forming apparatus cannot meet such a user's request.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned novel recognition, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which can meet various demands of users.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is designed so that, in an image forming apparatus of the type described at the beginning, the operation of the first toner conveying means is prohibited by an operator's input. In the state in which the carrying means operation control means for controlling the first toner carrying means and the second toner carrying means are in operation and the operation of the first toner carrying means is prohibited, A toner transfer section from the first toner transfer means to the second toner transfer means is provided so that the toner sent into the first toner transfer means can transfer into the second toner transfer means. A characteristic image forming apparatus is proposed (Claim 1).

In order to achieve the same object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus of the type described at the beginning with a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body and the inside of the image forming apparatus main body by the temperature sensor. When it is detected that the temperature of the first toner conveying means is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the conveying means operation control means for controlling the first toner conveying means so as to prohibit the operation of the first toner conveying means, and the second means. The toner fed from the carrier cleaning device into the first toner transporting means enters the second toner transporting means in a state where the toner transporting means operates and the operation of the first toner transporting means is prohibited. An image forming apparatus is proposed which is provided with a toner transfer section from the first toner carrying means to the second toner carrying means so that the toner can be transferred.

At this time, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the conveyance means operation control means detects, by the temperature sensor, that the temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body becomes lower than the predetermined temperature. It is advantageous to control the first toner transporting means so as to release the prohibition of the operation of the first toner transporting means when this occurs.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, the temperature sensor of the conveying means operation control means detects that the temperature inside the image forming apparatus body is lower than the predetermined temperature. In this case, it is advantageous to control the first toner transporting means so as to release the prohibition of the operation of the first toner transporting means after a predetermined time has elapsed from that point (claim 4).

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus of the type described at the beginning with a humidity sensor for detecting humidity in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and in the main body of the image forming apparatus by the humidity sensor. When it is detected that the humidity of the first toner carrying means is equal to or higher than a predetermined humidity, the carrying means operation control means for controlling the first toner carrying means is prohibited so as to prohibit the operation of the first toner carrying means, and the second means. The toner fed from the carrier cleaning device into the first toner transporting means enters the second toner transporting means in a state where the toner transporting means operates and the operation of the first toner transporting means is prohibited. An image forming apparatus is proposed which is provided with a toner transfer section from the first toner carrying means to the second toner carrying means so that the toner can be transferred.

At this time, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the conveyance means operation control means detects, by the humidity sensor, that the humidity in the main body of the image forming apparatus is lower than the predetermined humidity. It is advantageous to control the first toner transporting means so as to release the prohibition of the operation of the first toner transporting means when this occurs.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the conveyance means operation control means detects that the humidity inside the image forming apparatus main body is lower than the predetermined humidity by the humidity sensor. In this case, it is advantageous to control the first toner transporting means so that the prohibition of the operation of the first toner transporting means is released after a predetermined time has elapsed from that point (claim 7).

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is an image forming apparatus of the type described at the beginning, which has a motor operating time detecting means for detecting an operating time of a drive motor for driving the image carrier. A conveyance means operation control means for controlling the first toner conveyance means so that the operation of the first toner conveyance means is prohibited when the time during which the drive motor has been continuously operated exceeds a predetermined value; The toner sent from the carrier cleaning device into the first toner carrying means is the second toner carrying means while the second toner carrying means is operating and the first toner carrying means is prohibited from operating. An image forming apparatus is proposed in which a toner transfer section from the first toner transfer means to the second toner transfer means is provided so that the transfer can be made inside.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention further comprises, in an image forming apparatus of the type described at the beginning, a motor operating time detecting means for detecting an operating time of a drive motor for driving the image carrier, and When the total time during which the drive motor has been operated within a predetermined time is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the operation of the first toner transfer means is controlled so that the operation of the first toner transfer means is prohibited. The toner sent from the carrier cleaning device into the first toner carrying means is in the first state while the control means and the second toner carrying means are operating, and the operation of the first toner carrying means is prohibited. 2 so that the toner can be transferred into the toner conveying means.
An image forming apparatus is proposed in which a toner transfer portion from the first toner carrying means to the second toner carrying means is provided (Claim 9).

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and an image forming method thereof will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied from the front side, and FIG. 2 shows a part of the image forming apparatus with the outer cover of the image forming apparatus removed. It is the perspective view which showed only the element of from diagonally rear. The image forming apparatus shown here has a function of a copying machine that reads a document image and forms an image by an electrophotographic method based on the document image, and a function of a printer. You can add more.

In FIG. 1, a document (not shown) is placed on a contact glass 2 fixed to the top of the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the document is illuminated by a light source 3 which moves to the right in FIG. The reflected light image is reflected by the first mirror 4 which moves to the right together with the light source 3, and then the light source 3
After being reflected by the second and third mirrors 5 and 6 that move to the right at a speed of ½, the light enters the reading device 7. The reading device 7 includes an image sensor (not shown) formed of, for example, a CCD for reading a reflected light image from a document,
It also has an imaging lens (not shown) for forming an optical image on this sensor.

On the other hand, a drum-shaped photoreceptor 14 which is an example of a latent image carrier rotatably supported by the frame 1A and the side plate 1B of the image forming apparatus body 1 shown in FIG. By the drive motor 61 supported by the side plate 1B on the back side of 1, through a transmission device (not shown),
It is rotated clockwise in FIG. At this time, the surface of the photoconductor 14 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity, for example, about −900 V by the charging device 15, and the light-modulated laser beam L emitted from the exposure device 8 is applied to the charging surface. It is irradiated, and thereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 14. An image carrier made of an endless belt-shaped photoconductor that is wound around a plurality of pulleys and driven to rotate can also be used. The drive motor 61 serves as a drive source for other elements for image formation in addition to the photoconductor 14, and also serves as a drive source for first and second toner conveying units described later.

The exposure apparatus 8 shown in FIG. 1 is a lens system 1 for scanning and imaging, which comprises a rotating polygon mirror 9 for reflecting laser light emitted from a laser light source (not shown), an fθ lens and the like.
0, a mirror 1 that reflects the laser light that has passed through the lens system 10.
1, 12, and 13, and the laser light L thereof is imaged on the photoconductor 14. The laser light is optically modulated according to the image signal read by the reading device 7, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 14 irradiated with the laser light L. To be done.

In the electrostatic latent image described above, this is the developing device 16.
When it passes through, it is visualized as a toner image. The developing device 16 shown in FIG. 1 includes a developer case 18 containing a developer D and a developing roller 1 rotatably supported therein.
7, the developer is carried on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 17 which is rotatably driven, and is conveyed. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 14 is visualized as a toner image by the conveyed developer. It In the developing device 16 of the present example, as the developer D, a powdery two-component developer having a toner and a carrier is used, but a one-component developer containing no carrier may be used. Further, a toner replenishing container 18A is attached to the developer case 18, and the toner T is stored therein. When the toner concentration of the developer D in the developer case 18 decreases, the toner replenishing roller 19 rotates and the toner replenishing roller 19 rotates. The toner T in the supply container 18A is supplied to the developer in the developer case 18.

On the other hand, a plurality of paper feed cassettes 20, 20A,
A transfer sheet P, which is an example of a transfer material, is fed from one of the cassettes 20B in the direction of arrow A, and the transfer sheet P is aligned with the toner image on the photoconductor 14 by the registration roller pair 21. The sheet is fed to the transfer position S between the photoconductor 14 and the transfer belt 22.

The endless transfer belt 22 is composed of the drive roller 2
3 and the driven roller 24 are wound around and driven in the direction of arrow B, and are in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 14 at the transfer position S. The transfer paper P sent out by the pair of registration rollers 21 is carried on the transfer belt 22 and conveyed while passing through the transfer position S between the transfer belt 22 and the photoconductor 14. At this time, a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner image on the photoconductor 14 is applied to the bias roller 25 arranged on the back surface side of the transfer belt 22. It is electrostatically transferred onto the surface of the transfer paper P.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the elements of the image forming apparatus from the obliquely rear side thereof. As shown in this figure, the driving roller 23 and the driven roller 24 on which the transfer belt 22 is wound are: The case 27 is rotatably supported and constitutes a transfer unit.

The transfer paper P on which the toner image has been transferred is continuously carried on the transfer belt 22 by being carried by the transfer belt 22.
After leaving 2, the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper P by the action of heat and pressure at this time through the fixing device 30. Then
The transfer paper P is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 32 as copy paper by the paper discharge roller pair 31.

After the transfer of the toner image, the transfer residual toner that has not been transferred to the transfer paper P is attached to the surface of the photosensitive member. The transfer residual toner is removed by the carrier cleaning device 33, and the surface of the photosensitive member is removed. Are cleaned. The surface of the photoconductor after cleaning is initialized by being subjected to static elimination by the static eliminator 37 composed of a lamp, and the above-mentioned operation is continuously executed.
The toner image is transferred onto the next transfer paper.

The carrier cleaning device 33 of this embodiment is
The cleaning member includes a cleaning member including a cleaning blade 34, a cleaning case 35, and a toner discharging member 36 arranged at the bottom of the cleaning case 35. The cleaning blade 34 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and extends parallel to the photoconductor 14 over the entire image region in the axial direction of the photoconductor 14, that is, the region where the transfer residual toner adheres, and its base end portion. Is fixed to the cleaning case 35, and the edge portion on the opposite side is pressed against the surface of the photoconductor 14 to scrape off the transfer residual toner adhering to the surface.

The toner discharging member 36 is constructed as a screw conveyor having a rotation center axis and spiral blades fixed around it (see FIG. 5), and the toner discharging member 36 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning case 35. It is rotatably arranged and driven to rotate about its central axis.
The toner discharging member 36 extends substantially parallel to the photoconductor 14 and long in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning case 35 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1), and as shown in FIGS. It projects into the inside of a toner discharge pipe 42 fixedly provided on the back side wall of the case 35.

The transfer residual toner scraped off and removed from the surface of the photoconductor 14 by the cleaning blade 34 shown in FIG. 1 drops to the bottom of the cleaning case 35, and the dropped toner is dropped to the bottom of the cleaning case 35. The toner discharging member 36 arranged and driven to rotate is conveyed toward the inner side of the image forming apparatus main body 1, and is discharged to the outside of the carrier cleaning device 33 through the toner discharging pipe 42 from the toner discharging port at the tip thereof. in this way,
The carrier cleaning device 33 includes a toner discharge member 36 that conveys the toner removed from the surface of the image carrier to the outside of the carrier cleaning device and discharges the toner.

In the illustrated image forming apparatus, the photoconductor 14, the charging device 15, the carrier cleaning device 33, and the charge eliminating device 37 are assembled in the unit case 41 shown in FIG. The cleaning case 35 is configured by a part of the unit case 41.

On the other hand, on the surface of the transfer belt 22, some background dirt toner on the photoconductor 14 is transferred and adhered.
If left unattended, the toner adheres to the back surface of the transfer paper P sent to the transfer belt 22 and stains the transfer paper with the toner. Therefore, the toner adhered to the surface of the transfer belt 22 is used for the belt. It is removed by the cleaning device 26.

The belt cleaning device 26 of this embodiment is
A cleaning member composed of a cleaning blade 28 pressed against the surface of the transfer belt 22, a cleaning case 26A formed by a part of the case 27, and
It has a toner discharge member 29 arranged at the bottom thereof.

The cleaning blade 28 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and extends parallel to the transfer belt 22 over the entire area of the transfer belt 22 to which the toner adheres, and its base end portion is located in the cleaning case 26A. It is fixed and the tip edge portion on the opposite side is pressed against the surface of the transfer belt 22, and the toner adhering to the surface is scraped off.

Cleaning blades 28, 3 of the belt cleaning device 26 and the carrier cleaning device 33
Instead of 4, a cleaning member such as a fur brush, a cleaning roller, or a magnetic brush roller may be used, or a plurality of cleaning members may be used.

The toner discharging member 29, like the toner discharging member 36 described above, is constructed as a screw conveyor having a rotation center axis and spiral blades fixed around it (see FIG. 5). The member 29 is rotatably arranged at the bottom of the cleaning case 26A and is driven to rotate about its central axis. The toner discharging member 29 also extends long in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning case 26A (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1) and is fixed to the back side wall of the cleaning case 26A as shown in FIGS. It is projected into the toner discharge pipe 43 provided.

As a toner discharging member for the belt cleaning device 26 and the carrier cleaning device 33, for example, a linear member such as a wire is wound in a coil shape, and this is rotationally driven to convey toner. Etc. can also be used.

The toner scraped off and removed from the surface of the transfer belt 22 by the cleaning blade 28 is
The toner that has fallen to the bottom of the cleaning case 26A is conveyed toward the inner side of the image forming apparatus main body by the toner discharge member 29 that is disposed at the bottom of the cleaning case 26A and is rotationally driven, and passes through the toner discharge pipe 43. The toner is discharged to the outside of the belt cleaning device 26 from the toner discharge port at the tip. As described above, the belt cleaning device 26 also has the toner discharging member 29 that conveys the toner removed from the surface of the transfer belt 22 to the outside of the belt cleaning device 26 and discharges it.

As described above, the illustrated image forming apparatus is
An image carrier composed of a photosensitive member 14 which is rotationally driven, a developing device 16 which forms a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, and a transfer material composed of a transfer paper P onto which the toner image on the surface of the image carrier is transferred. A transfer belt 22 for conveying, and a carrier cleaning device 33 for cleaning the surface of the image carrier by removing transfer residual toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier after transferring the toner image on the transfer material. The belt cleaning device 26 removes the toner adhering to the surface of the transfer belt 22 from the surface of the transfer belt and cleans the surface of the transfer belt.

In many cases, the transfer residual toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive member after the toner image is transferred is developed by the developing device 1.
6 maintains the quality that can be reused, the image forming apparatus of this example uses the toner discharged from the cleaning device 33 for the carrier to the first toner conveying unit 44 shown in FIGS. 2 to 6. It is configured so that it can be transported to the developing device 16 and reused. On the other hand, the toner collected from the transfer belt 22 is generally of poor quality, and it is inappropriate to reuse it in the developing device 16. Therefore, the toner discharged from the belt cleaning device 26 is conveyed to the waste toner container 38 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the second toner conveying means 45 shown in FIGS. It is configured to be housed.

The toner discharge pipe 42 connected to the cleaning case 35 of the carrier cleaning device 33 and the cleaning case 26A of the belt cleaning device 26.
The toner discharge pipes 43 connected to the both protrude toward the inner side of the image forming apparatus body 1 and penetrate the side plate 1B (FIG. 2) on the inner side of the image forming apparatus body to extend to the inner side. The toners discharged from both cleaning devices 33 and 26 are discharged in the same direction on the inner side of the main body of the image forming apparatus. Then, first and second toner transporting means 44, 45 are provided inside the image forming apparatus body further on the back side than the side plate 1B on the back side of the image forming apparatus body 1, and these toner transporting means 44 are provided. , 45 are configured as follows.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the first toner carrying means 44 has a box-shaped first toner receiving case 46, and the first toner receiving case 46 is provided at the lower end thereof.
A first toner carrying tube 62 communicating with
The toner carrying pipe 62 has a first toner carrying member 72.
(See also FIG. 6) is disposed over substantially the entire length of the toner transport pipe 62.

On the other hand, the second toner conveying means 45 also has a box-shaped second toner receiving case 52, and the lower end portion thereof has
A second toner carrying pipe 53 communicating with the second toner receiving case 52 is integrally connected, and a second toner carrying member 54 is attached to the second toner carrying pipe 53. It is arranged over almost the entire length. Further, the toner carrying pipe 5 is connected to the second toner carrying pipe 53.
3, a hollow case 47 communicating with 3 is integrally fixed, and the hollow case 47 and the above-described first toner receiving case 46 are adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus main body.

A toner discharge pipe 42 protruding from the cleaning case 35 of the above-mentioned carrier cleaning device 33.
Penetrates through the holes 48 and 49 formed in the upper portion of the hollow case 47 and the first toner receiving case 46, and the tip end thereof projects into the upper space of the first toner receiving case 46. Similarly, the toner discharge pipe 43 protruding from the cleaning case 26A of the belt cleaning device 26 has a hole 153 formed in the upper portion of the second toner receiving case 52.
And the tip portion thereof projects into the upper space of the second toner receiving case 52. The first and second toner transport tubes 62 and 53 are integrally assembled with each other, and are fixed to the side plate 1B on the rear side of the image forming apparatus main body 1 by screws (not shown). The second toner carrying tube 53 is
As shown in FIG. 2, the connection pipe 3 that extends to the waste toner container 38 and has an outlet of the conveying pipe 53 is fixed to the waste toner container 38.
It is connected to the entrance of 8A.

The first and second toner conveying members 7 of this example
Like the above-described toner discharge members 36 and 29, the reference numerals 2 and 54 are configured as screw conveyors having a rotation center axis and spiral blades fixed around the rotation center axis. It is also possible to use a toner conveying member formed by winding.

A toner pump 154 is connected to the downstream end of the first toner carrying pipe 62.
As shown in cross section in FIG. 6, a holder 70, a cylindrical stator 69 made of an elastic body fixedly arranged therein,
The rotor 6 rotatably fitted inside the stator 69.
And the downstream end of the first toner carrying member 72 is fixed to the rotor 68. The rotor 68 is
It is concentrically connected to the first toner carrying member 72, and is rotationally driven by the rotation of the toner carrying member 72.

As shown in FIG. 2, one end of a tube 56 is connected to the air intake 73 of the holder 70, and the other end of the tube 56 is connected to an air supply device 64. The air supply device 64 is operated by a DC motor (not shown) and supplies external air into the holder 70 through the tube 56. 2 is connected to the toner outlet 71 of the holder 70, and the other end of the tube 55 is connected to the toner supply container 18A of the developing device 16 shown in FIG. It is open inside the container 18A.

The rotor 68 is rotationally driven by the rotation of the first toner carrying member 72, and the air supply device 6 is also provided.
The toner introduced into the stator 69 from the first toner carrying tube 62 by the introduction of the outside air into the holder 70 by the tube 4 is mixed with the air in the tube 5
5, and is conveyed into the toner supply container 18A.
This toner horn itself has been conventionally known, and for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-219329 discloses a pump similar to the pump 54.

Next, an example of the driving means for operating the above-mentioned first and second toner conveying means 44, 45 will be described. The first toner conveying member 72 is connected to the pulley 59 via the electromagnetic clutch 57. The timing belt 58 is wound around the pulley 59. The timing belt 58 is wound around the pulley 63 that is rotationally driven by the drive motor 61 described above. Further, the pulley 59 is integrally provided with a gear 60 concentric therewith, and the gear 60 meshes with a gear 67 fixed to the second toner conveying member 54. As described above, in the image forming apparatus of this example, the drive motor 61, the pulley 63, the timing belt 58, the pulley 59, the gear 60,
67 constitutes a driving means for operating the first and second toner conveying means.

The operation of the first and second toner conveying means 44, 45 and their driving means constructed as described above is as follows.

As described above, the toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor 14 by the cleaning blade 34 of the carrier cleaning device 33 is discharged by the toner discharging member 36 to the outside of the carrier cleaning device. As shown by the reference numeral T1 in FIG. 5, the first toner receiving case 46 extends from the tip end outlet of the toner discharge pipe 42.
Through and falls into the inside of the first toner carrying tube 62. At this time, since the drive motor 61 shown in FIG. 2 is operating, the rotation is transmitted to the other pulley 59 via the pulley 63 and the timing belt 58. At this time,
When the electromagnetic clutch 57 is in the ON state, the rotation of the pulley 59 is transmitted to the first toner carrying member 72, which rotates.

The toner T1 that has fallen into the first toner carrying tube 62 in this manner is sent to the toner pump 154 by the first toner carrying member 72 that is rotationally driven. By the operation of this toner pump 154, the toner is removed. Further, the developing device 16 is urged through the flexible tube 55.
Is sent to the toner supply container 18A. The carrying direction of the toner at this time is shown by an arrow C in FIG.

The toner returned to the toner replenishing container 18A is replenished in the developing case 18 by the rotation of the toner replenishing roller 19 as described above, and a visible image of the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 14 is formed. Used for conversion. A foreign matter removing device, such as a filter (not shown), for removing foreign matter such as paper dust mixed in the toner may be provided in the toner carrying path of the first toner carrying means 44.

Since the amount of toner T1 discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 is smaller than the toner carrying capacity of the toner pump 154, the electromagnetic clutch 57 is used.
ON and OFF are controlled intermittently, and the first
The toner that has fallen into the toner carrying tube 62 may be carried to the developing device 16. In this case,
The DC motor that drives the air supply device 64 may also be turned on / off at a predetermined timing with respect to the operation timing of the electromagnetic clutch 57. With this configuration, the load on the toner pump 154 can be reduced and the life of the toner pump 154 can be extended.

On the other hand, the toner removed from the surface of the transfer belt 22 by the cleaning blade 28 of the belt cleaning device 26 is discharged by the toner discharging member 29 to the outside of the belt cleaning device 26. As indicated by the reference numeral T2, the second toner receiving case 52 extends from the tip outlet of the toner discharge pipe 43.
Through and falls into the second toner carrying tube 53. At this time, the rotation of the drive motor 61 is directly transmitted to the gear 67 via the pulleys 63 and 59, the timing belt 58, and the gear 60 without passing through the electromagnetic clutch 57, and thus the second toner conveying member 54. The toner T2 dropped into the second toner carrying tube 53 is sent to the waste toner container 38 by the second toner carrying member 54, and is stored and accumulated therein.
The toner carrying direction at this time is indicated by an arrow E in FIG.

The waste toner container 38 is provided with the level sensor 39 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and when it is detected that the waste toner container 38 is filled with toner, the fact is formed. The waste toner container 38, which is displayed on the display unit of the apparatus and is filled by the user, is
Replace with a new empty waste toner container. The toner in the waste toner container is usually discarded eventually, but it is also possible to recycle this toner for reuse.

As described above, in the first toner conveying means 44 of this example, the toner is conveyed to the developing device 16 using the toner pump 154 and the flexible tube 55. This is because the toner transport path from the carrier cleaning device 33 to the developing device 16 is complicated, and it is difficult to transport the toner only by the toner transport member such as the screw conveyor. Depending on the layout state of each element of the image forming apparatus, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 may be conveyed to the developing device 16 only by a toner conveying member such as a screw conveyor.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the first toner for conveying the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 to the developing device 16 in order to reuse the toner in the developing device 16. Toner conveying means 44,
The second toner transporting means 45 for transporting the toner discharged from the belt cleaning device 26 to the waste toner container 38, the first toner transporting means 44 and the second toner transporting means 45 clean the carrier. The first toner transporting means 44 and the second toner transporting means 45 are respectively operated so that the toners discharged from the device 33 and the belt cleaning device 26 are transported to the developing device 16 and the waste toner container 38, respectively. And driving means for driving.

With this configuration, the toner of relatively high quality discharged from the cleaning device 33 for the carrier is reused in the developing device 16, and the toner of low quality discharged from the cleaning device 26 for belt is used. Can be transported to the waste toner container 38 and disposed of.

The above is common to the first to ninth configurations described later, and this configuration will be referred to as a basic configuration. Further, as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the opening 5 is formed in the toner receiving case 46 and the hollow case 47.
1 and 50 are formed, and these constitute one example of the toner transfer section, but the configuration of this toner transfer section is also common to the first to ninth configurations described later.

By the way, as described above, the toner discharged from the cleaning device 33 for the carrier also contains some foreign matter such as paper powder and other components of the paper. When returned to the developing device 16 and used, it is generally unavoidable that the image quality of the toner image formed thereby is somewhat inferior. As the temperature and humidity inside the main body of the image forming apparatus increase, the tendency of image quality deterioration of the toner image increases. Even when a transfer paper containing a large amount of components that adversely affect the image is used, if the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 is reused in the developing device 16, the image quality of the toner image formed thereby deteriorates. It will be easier. For this reason, some users do not like to return the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 to the developing device 16 and reuse it. Further, even the same user wants to reuse the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 in the developing device 16 even if the image quality is somewhat poor depending on the purpose of using the transfer paper on which the image is formed. In some cases, even if the toner consumption amount increases a little, it may be desired to obtain a high-quality image without reusing this toner.

In order to meet each user's request,
In the illustrated image forming apparatus, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 is uniformly applied to the developing device 1.
Instead of returning to 6, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 can be transported to the waste toner container 38 using the second toner transporting unit 45 according to the user's request. ing.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the control device 80 of the image forming apparatus including the CPU and the driver is connected to the control panel 81 of the image forming apparatus or from the external terminal 82 outside the image forming apparatus, for example, on the network. Although various information is input from a personal computer or the like connected to the communication device via a communication device, an operator such as a user or a serviceman of the image forming apparatus operates the operation panel 81 or the external terminal 82 to 1 toner conveying means 44
When the information for prohibiting the operation of is input to the control device 80,
The electromagnetic clutch 57 is turned off by the output signal from the controller 80, and the rotation of the drive motor 61 is not transmitted to the first toner conveying member 72. Therefore,
The operation of the toner pump 154 is also stopped. The operation of the first toner carrying means 44 is prohibited. When the image forming apparatus operates in this state, the rotation of the drive motor 61 is transmitted to the second toner conveying member 54, so
Only the toner conveying means 45 of the above is operated.

On the other hand, as briefly described above, the first toner receiving case 46, which is a component of the first toner carrying means 44 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the second toner carrying means 45. Of the hollow case 47, which is a component of FIG.
6, 47 are in communication with each other. The first toner transport pipe 62 and the second toner transport pipe 53 connected to the lower portion of each case 46, 47 are formed by the wall portions of the both toner transport pipes 62, 53 below the openings 50, 51. It is partitioned by a partition wall 74.

Here, as described above, when the operation of the first toner carrying means 44 is prohibited by the operator's input to the operation panel 81 or the external terminal 82, the second toner carrying means 45 is operated. The first toner conveying means 44
However, at this time, the toner that has dropped from the toner discharge pipe 42 to the first toner carrying pipe 62 does not come into contact with the opening 5
1, 50 to the second toner carrying pipe 53 of the second toner carrying means 45. Then, the transferred toner is conveyed to the waste toner container 38 by the second toner conveying means 45. Therefore, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 is not conveyed to the developing device 16, and the toner is not reused in the developing device 16. In this way, although the toner consumption increases, it is possible to meet the demand of the user who wants to form a high quality toner image on the photoconductor 14. Such a mode will be referred to as a toner recycle off mode.

Further, when an operator such as a user or a service person operates the operation unit 81 or the external terminal 82 to input the information for enabling the operation of the first toner conveying means 44 to the control device 80, the control is performed. The electromagnetic clutch 57 is turned on by the output signal from the device 80. The prohibition of the operation of the first toner conveying means 44 is released. As a result, the rotation of the drive motor 61 is transmitted to the first toner carrying member 72 via the electromagnetic clutch 57, the toner carrying member 72 rotates, and the toner pump 154 operates. Therefore, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 is conveyed to the developing device 16 by the first toner conveying means 44 and reused there, and the toner discharged from the belt cleaning device 26 is Two
Of the waste toner container 38 by the operation of the toner conveying means 45 of
Be transported to. At this time, the toner T1, which has dropped into the first toner carrying tube 62 and the second toner carrying tube 53, respectively.
At T2, since the toner transfer tubes 62 and 53 are partitioned from each other, the toner is transferred to the developing device 16 and the waste toner container 38, respectively, as described above. In this way, it is possible to meet the demand of the user who does not want to increase the toner consumption amount. The mode at this time will be referred to as a toner recycle on mode.

The switching between the toner recycle off mode and the toner recycle on mode may be initially set when a new image forming apparatus is started to be used, and thereafter, the image forming apparatus may be continuously used in this state. However, any one of the modes can be freely selected by the user or the service person during the use period of the image forming apparatus.
In this way, it is possible to easily and surely respond to a wide range of user requests.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present example, which is based on the above-mentioned basic configuration, the first toner conveying means 44 is prohibited from operating due to the input of the operator. And a second toner transporting means 45, which controls the toner transporting means 44, and the second toner transporting means 45.
In addition, the toner fed from the carrier cleaning device 33 into the first toner transporting means 44 can be transferred into the second toner transporting means 45 while the operation of the first toner transporting means 44 is prohibited. In addition, a toner transfer section from the first toner carrying means to the second toner carrying means is provided.

In the illustrated example, the operation panel 81, the external terminal 82, the control device 80, the electromagnetic clutch 57 and the like constitute the above-mentioned conveying means operation control means, and are formed in the first toner receiving case 46 and the hollow case 47. Opened openings 51, 50
Form a toner transfer section from the first toner carrying means 44 to the second toner carrying means 45. This is the first configuration of the image forming apparatus of this example.

By the way, as previously described, when the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 is conveyed to the developing device 16 by the first toner conveying means 44 and is reused, an image is formed. As the temperature inside the apparatus main body 1 becomes higher, the toner is more likely to aggregate, and the image quality of the toner image formed by the toner is more likely to be deteriorated. Therefore, when the temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body is low instead of or together with the first configuration described above, the toner recycle on mode is selected and the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 is selected. Developing device 1
6, the toner is reused here, and when the temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body becomes a predetermined temperature or higher, it is automatically switched to the toner recycle off mode, and the carrier cleaning device 33 Discharge toner to waste toner container 3
It is particularly advantageous to transport it to 8 and dispose of it. With this configuration, when the toner is reused in the developing device 16, it is possible to meet a user's request that the image quality of an image can be deteriorated to some extent but cannot be endured when the image quality is significantly deteriorated. it can.

In the illustrated image forming apparatus, in order to embody this, a temperature sensor 83 is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 1 as shown in FIG. 1, and a detection signal from the temperature sensor 83 as shown in FIG. It is input to the control device 80. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when it is detected by the temperature sensor 83 that the temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body 1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (45 ° C. or higher in the example of FIG. 8) (S in FIG. 8).
1), turning on of the electromagnetic clutch 57 is prohibited, and the operation of the first toner conveying unit 44 is stopped (S2 in FIG. 8). W1 in FIG. 8 indicates the output value of the temperature sensor 83,
When the temperature reaches 45 ° C. or higher, the toner recycle off mode is switched to. As a result, the toner sent from the carrier cleaning device 33 to the first toner conveying means 44 passes through the transition portion formed by the above-mentioned openings 51 and 50, and the second toner of the second toner conveying means 45.
Of the second toner carrying means 4
By the operation of 5, the toner is conveyed to the waste toner container 38.

When the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is in a high temperature environment, the toner collected from the photoconductor 14 to the carrier cleaning device 33 easily aggregates, and the toner is reused as a recycled toner in the developing device 16. Then, a black spot image of a white portion, a blank image of a black portion, and the like are generated by the aggregated toner, and the image quality is deteriorated. However,
In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, at such a high temperature, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 is conveyed to the waste toner container 38 by the second toner conveying means 45, so that the toner image is remarkably formed. Image quality deterioration can be prevented.

If the above-mentioned predetermined temperature can be freely changed to a temperature other than 45 ° C. by an input from the operation panel 81 or the external terminal 82, it is possible to meet a wider demand of the user, which is particularly advantageous. is there.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of this example, in the above-described basic configuration, the temperature sensor 83 for detecting the temperature in the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the temperature in the image forming apparatus main body 1 by the temperature sensor 83 are detected. Is detected to be equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the conveyance means operation control means for controlling the first toner conveyance means 44 so that the operation of the first toner conveyance means 44 is prohibited; The toner fed to the first toner transporting means 44 from the carrier cleaning device 33 is the second toner transporting means 45 while the toner transporting means 45 of the first toner transporting means 45 is operated and the operation of the first toner transporting means 44 is prohibited. The first so that the toner can be transferred into the toner conveying means 45.
There is provided a toner transfer section from the toner transporting means to the second toner transporting means. This is the second configuration of the image forming apparatus of this example, and in the illustrated example, the controller 80
The electromagnetic clutch 57 and the electromagnetic clutch 57 constitute the above-mentioned transporting means operation control means. Further, the openings 50 and 51 constitute a toner transfer portion from the first toner conveying means to the second toner conveying means, as in the case of the first constitution.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the temperature sensor 83 detects that the temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body 1 becomes lower than the above-mentioned predetermined temperature (45 ° C.) (FIG. 8).
S1), and the toner recycle on mode is switched by the signal from the controller 80 (S3 in FIG. 8). That is, the electromagnetic clutch 57 is turned on to drive the drive motor 6
The rotation of 1 is transmitted to the first toner carrying member 72, the first toner carrying means 44 is operated, and the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 is carried to the developing device 16 and reused. If the temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body 1 becomes low, the toner collected in the carrier cleaning device 33 is less likely to agglomerate.
Even if the toner image is reused, the image quality of the toner image is not significantly deteriorated.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of this example, in the above-described second configuration, the conveyance means operation control means including the control device 80 and the electromagnetic clutch 57 uses the temperature sensor 83 to cause the image forming apparatus main body 1 to operate. When it is detected that the internal temperature becomes lower than the above-mentioned predetermined temperature, the first toner transporting means 44 is controlled so as to release the inhibition of the operation of the first toner transporting means 44. It is configured. This is the third configuration of this example.

In the above example, when it is detected that the temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body becomes lower than the predetermined temperature, the electromagnetic clutch 57 may be immediately turned on. It takes a certain time for the toner collected by the toner to return to the developing device 16. Therefore, when the temperature inside the main body of the image forming apparatus becomes lower than a predetermined temperature, the cleaning device 33 for the carrier is immediately started.
When the toner discharged from the developing device 16 is conveyed to the developing device 16, the aggregated toner may be directly conveyed to the developing device 16 due to the influence of the high temperature.

Therefore, when a certain time elapses after it is detected that the temperature inside the main body of the image forming apparatus becomes lower than the predetermined temperature, the toner recycle mode is switched to the first toner conveying means 44. It is particularly advantageous to convey the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 by operation to the developing device 16. This makes it possible to prevent the deterioration of the image quality of the toner image more reliably.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of this example, in the above-described second configuration, the conveyance means operation control means including the control device 80 and the electromagnetic clutch 57 uses the temperature sensor 83 to cause the image forming apparatus main body 1 to operate. When it is detected that the internal temperature has become lower than the above-mentioned predetermined temperature, the first operation is performed so that the prohibition of the operation of the first toner conveying unit 44 is released after a predetermined time has elapsed from that point. It is configured to control the toner conveying means 44. This is the fourth configuration of this example.

The above-described second to fourth configurations are examples in which either the toner recycle on mode or the toner recycle off mode is automatically switched according to the temperature change in the image forming apparatus main body. As for the humidity in the main body of the image forming apparatus, when the humidity becomes high, the toner agglomerates easily, and when the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 is reused in the developing device 16,
As a result, the image quality of the formed toner image tends to deteriorate.

Therefore, instead of the above-described temperature sensor and the second to fourth configurations related thereto, a humidity sensor is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus together with these configurations, whereby the temperature sensor is exactly the same as the temperature sensor. In addition, it is advantageous to control switching between the toner recycle on mode and the toner recycle off mode. The specific configuration related to this is the same as the above-described configuration except that the temperature is replaced by the humidity, and thus the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of this example, in the above-described basic structure, the humidity sensor for detecting the humidity in the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the humidity in the image forming apparatus main body 1 are set by the humidity sensor. When it is detected that the humidity is equal to or higher than the humidity, a conveyance unit operation control unit that controls the first toner conveyance unit 44 so that the operation of the first toner conveyance unit 44 is prohibited, and a second toner conveyance unit. The toner sent from the carrier cleaning device 33 into the first toner transporting means 44 is the second toner transporting means while the means 45 is operating and the operation of the first toner transporting means 44 is prohibited. A toner transfer section from the first toner transporting means to the second toner transporting means is provided so that the toner can be transferred to the inside of 45. This is the fifth configuration of the image forming apparatus of this example.

Further, in the fifth structure, when the above-mentioned conveying means operation control means detects that the humidity inside the image forming apparatus main body is lower than the above-mentioned predetermined humidity by the humidity sensor, Advantageously, the first toner conveying means is controlled so as to release the prohibition of the operation of the first toner conveying means. This is the sixth configuration of the image forming apparatus of this example.

Further, in the above-mentioned fifth structure, when the above-mentioned conveyance means operation control means detects by the humidity sensor that the humidity inside the image forming apparatus main body 1 becomes lower than the above-mentioned predetermined humidity. It is particularly advantageous to control the first toner transporting means 44 so as to release the prohibition of the operation of the first toner transporting means 44 after a predetermined time has elapsed from that point. . This is the seventh configuration of the image forming apparatus of this example.

In the present embodiment, the transporting means operation control means of the above-mentioned fifth to seventh constructions is also constituted by the control device 80 and the electromagnetic clutch 57, and the first toner transporting means to the second toner transporting means are used.
The transfer portion of the toner to the toner conveying means of
It is composed of 1. Both the fifth to seventh configurations and the second to fourth configurations can be adopted. Further, also in the fifth to seventh configurations, it is desirable that the predetermined humidity can be freely set so as to meet a wide range of user's demands.

The above-mentioned temperature sensor 83 is provided near the image forming means such as the photoconductor 14, the developing device 16, the carrier cleaning device 33, and the belt cleaning device 26 in the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is desirable that the temperature change of the image portion can be accurately detected and the toner recycle on mode and the toner recycle off mode are switched according to the change. In the example shown in FIG.
A temperature sensor 83 is arranged near the developing device 16. This is exactly the same for the humidity sensor.

By the way, when the image forming apparatus is used in a normal office or the like, the temperature outside the apparatus rarely changes extremely, and this does not usually occur.
Therefore, when the image forming apparatus continuously performs the image forming operation, the longer the operating time is, the correspondingly the temperature in the image forming apparatus main body 1 rises. Similarly, if the ratio of the time during which the image forming apparatus operates within a certain fixed time increases, the temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body rises. Therefore, it is configured to detect these times and automatically switch from the toner recycle on mode to the toner recycle off mode assuming that the temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body 1 has risen when the time reaches a predetermined value. The temperature sensor 83 can be omitted.

That is, the continuous operation time of the drive motor 61 (FIG. 2) for driving the photoconductor 14 shown in FIG. 1 is detected by the counter of the controller 80 shown in FIG. 7, and as shown in FIG. This operation time W2 is a predetermined value (3 in this example).
It is checked whether or not it is 0 minutes or more (S in FIG. 9).
4) When the operation time W2 is less than 30 minutes, the electromagnetic clutch 57 is turned on and the rotation of the drive motor 61 is set to the first value.
Of the toner carrying member 72, the first toner carrying means 4
4 is operated to convey the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 to the developing device 16 for reuse. The toner recycle on mode is set (see FIG. 9).
S5). Of course, at this time, the second toner conveying means 45
Is operated, and the toner discharged from the belt cleaning device 26 is conveyed to the waste toner container 38.

On the other hand, when the continuous operation time W2 of the drive motor 61 exceeds the predetermined value of 30 minutes, the electromagnetic clutch 57 is turned off by the output signal from the control device 80, and the drive motor 61 is driven. The rotation is not transmitted to the first toner carrying member 72, and the operation of the first toner carrying means 44 is stopped. The mode is switched to the toner recycle off mode (S6 in FIG. 9). As a result, the toner sent from the cleaning device 33 for the carrier to the first toner carrying means 44 moves into the second toner carrying means 45 through the above-mentioned transition part including the openings 51 and 50, and the second toner carrying means 45
Of the waste toner container 38 by the operation of the toner conveying means 45
Be transported to.

In this way, without using the temperature sensor, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 is returned to the developing device 16 at low temperature and reused, and when the temperature is high, this toner is discarded as a waste toner container 38. It is possible to prevent the deterioration of the image quality of the toner image by transporting it to and discarding it.

As described above, in this example, the motor operating time detecting means for detecting the operating time of the drive motor 61 for driving the image carrier composed of the photoconductor 14 and the drive motor 61 are continuously connected in the above-described basic structure. And a second conveying means operation control means for controlling the first toner conveying means 44 so that the operation of the first toner conveying means 44 is prohibited when the operated time exceeds a predetermined value. The toner fed to the first toner transporting means 44 from the carrier cleaning device 33 is the second toner transporting means 45 while the toner transporting means 45 of the first toner transporting means 45 is operated and the operation of the first toner transporting means 44 is prohibited. The first so that the toner can be transferred into the toner conveying means 45.
A toner transfer section from the toner transporting means 44 to the second toner transporting means 45 is provided. This is the eighth configuration of the image forming apparatus of this example.

In the above-mentioned example, the time when the drive motor 61 continuously operates is detected, but even when the image forming apparatus intermittently performs the image forming operation, the drive motor 61 of the drive motor 61 per unit time is detected. As the operating time increases, the temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body rises. Therefore, the operation time of the drive motor 61 for driving the photoconductor 14 is detected as in the above example, and as shown in FIG. 10, within the past predetermined time before this, that is, 60 minutes in the example of FIG. The total value W3 of the operating time of the drive motor 61 is a predetermined value (40 minutes in this example)
Is checked (S7 in FIG. 10), and when the total value W3 is less than 40 minutes, the electromagnetic clutch 5
When 7 is turned on, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 is conveyed to the developing device 16 and reused. The toner recycle on mode is set (see FIG. 1).
0 S8). Also at this time, the belt cleaning device 2
Naturally, the toner discharged from 6 is carried to the waste toner container 38 by the second toner carrying means 45.

Further, the total value W of the operating time of the drive motor 61
When 3 is 40 minutes or more, the electromagnetic clutch 57 is turned off by an output signal from the control device 80, and the rotation of the drive motor 61 is stopped without being transmitted to the first toner conveying member 72, and the first toner conveying means is stopped. The operation of 44 is stopped.
As a result, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 and sent into the first toner transporting means 44 moves to the second toner transporting means 45 through the transitional part formed by the openings 51 and 50, and the second toner transporting means 45 moves. The toner transport means 45 transports the waste toner to the waste toner container 38.

According to the above construction, even when the image forming apparatus does not operate continuously, the temperature state in the image forming apparatus main body is detected without the temperature sensor, and the carrier cleaning device 33 is discharged accordingly. Developing device 16
Alternatively, it can be appropriately conveyed to the waste toner container 38.

The predetermined time values shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are also
It is desirable to be able to set freely so as to meet a wide range of user needs.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of this example, in the above-described basic structure, the motor operating time detecting means for detecting the operating time of the drive motor 61 for driving the image carrier composed of the photoconductor 14, and the past When the total time during which the drive motor 61 is operated within a predetermined time period becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, the first toner carrying means 44 is controlled so that the operation of the first toner carrying means 44 is prohibited. The conveyance unit operation control unit and the second toner conveyance unit 45 are activated,
In addition, the toner fed from the carrier cleaning device 33 into the first toner transporting means 44 can be transferred into the second toner transporting means 45 while the operation of the first toner transporting means 44 is prohibited. In addition, a toner transfer section from the first toner carrying means 44 to the second toner carrying means 45 is provided. This is the ninth configuration of the image forming apparatus of this example.

In the illustrated example, the motor operating time detecting means in the eighth and ninth configurations is constituted by the controller 80, and the conveying means operation controlling means is constituted by the controller 80 and the electromagnetic clutch 57.

In each of the above-mentioned configurations, the operation and stop of the first toner carrying means 44 are controlled by using the electromagnetic clutch 57. For example, the first and second toner carrying means 44, 45 are separately provided. If it is configured to be driven by the drive motor, the operation and stop of the first transporting means 44 can be controlled by turning on and off the drive motor for the first toner transporting means, which makes the electromagnetic clutch unnecessary. You can also

By the way, if each of the above-mentioned configurations is adopted,
Even when the first toner conveying means 44 fails, the first
It is possible to prevent the problem that the toner conveying means is clogged with toner. That is, the amount of toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device 33 is much larger than the amount of toner discharged from the belt cleaning device 26, and the former toner amount is usually 10 times the latter toner amount or When the toner carrying function is deteriorated or the toner cannot be carried due to a failure of the first toner carrying device 44, the toner from the first toner carrying device 44 may be exceeded. May overflow to the outside. However, in the illustrated image forming apparatus, the first toner conveying unit 44
Even if the failure occurs, the toner dropped from the toner discharge pipe 42 to the first toner carrying pipe 62 moves to the second toner carrying pipe 53 of the second toner carrying means 45 through the openings 51 and 50, and the second toner carrying pipe 53 Since the toner transport member 54 of the first toner transport member 54 transports the waste toner to the waste toner container 38, the toner is not clogged in the first toner transport tube 62 of the first toner transport unit 44 and overflows outside. .

It is particularly advantageous to construct an image forming apparatus by appropriately combining the above-mentioned respective configurations. Further, the present invention can be widely applied to various image forming apparatuses other than the illustrated type.

[0102]

According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the low quality toner discharged from the belt cleaning device is conveyed to the waste toner container, and the toner collected in the carrier cleaning device is developed. The toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device can be transported to the device and reused, depending on the user's request, the temperature and humidity inside the image forming device, and the properties of the transfer paper used. When it is inappropriate to reuse in the developing device,
The toner can be transported to the waste toner container.

According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect,
When the temperature inside the main body of the image forming apparatus becomes high, the toner discharged from the cleaning device for the carrier is automatically conveyed to the waste toner container, so that the deterioration of the image quality of the image can be prevented. You can

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 3,
When the temperature inside the main body of the image forming apparatus decreases, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device can be automatically conveyed to the developing device and reused to reduce the toner consumption and the image quality. Can be prevented from deteriorating.

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 4,
When the temperature inside the main body of the image forming apparatus becomes lower than the predetermined temperature, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device is not immediately sent to the developing device, and therefore the aggregated toner is conveyed to the developing device. Can be prevented.

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 5,
When the humidity inside the main body of the image forming apparatus becomes high, the toner discharged from the cleaning device for the carrier is automatically conveyed to the waste toner container, so that it is possible to prevent the image quality of the image from being deteriorated. You can

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 6,
When the humidity inside the main body of the image forming apparatus is lowered, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device can be automatically conveyed to the developing device and reused, reducing the toner consumption and improving the image quality. Can be prevented from deteriorating.

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 7,
When the humidity inside the main body of the image forming apparatus becomes lower than the predetermined humidity, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device is not immediately sent to the developing device, and therefore the aggregated toner is conveyed to the developing device. Can be prevented.

According to the eighth and ninth aspects of the image forming apparatus, even if the temperature sensor is not used, when the temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body rises, the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device is removed. Since the toner can be automatically conveyed to the waste toner container, it is possible to prevent the image quality of the image from being deteriorated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing only a part of the elements of the image forming apparatus from an oblique rear side thereof.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first and second toner transporting means separated from the image forming apparatus main body, with the transfer unit including a transfer belt and the carrier unit separated from each other. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the first and second toner transporting devices in a separated state, with some elements cut away.

FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical sectional view of first and second toner transport tubes.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a toner pump.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system including a control device of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching between the toner recycle on mode and the toner recycle off mode depending on the temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching between a toner recycle on mode and a toner recycle off mode according to the continuous operation time of the drive motor.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching between the toner recycle on mode and the toner recycle off mode according to the operating time of the drive motor.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image forming device body 16 Developing device 22 Transfer belt 26 Belt cleaning device 33 Cleaning device for carrier 38 Waste Toner Container 44 First Toner Conveying Means 45 Second Toner Conveying Means 61 Drive motor 83 Temperature sensor T1 toner T2 toner

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Saito 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-6-186894 (JP, A) JP-A 9-288397 (JP, A) JP-A-9-218630 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/00 G03G 21/10-21/12 G03G 15 / 08-15/08 507 G03G 15/16-15/16 103

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image carrier, a developing device that forms a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, a transfer belt that conveys a transfer material onto which the toner image on the surface of the image carrier is transferred, and a toner on the transfer material. A carrier cleaning device that removes residual toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier after transferring the image from the surface of the image carrier to clean the surface of the image carrier, and transfer the toner that adheres to the surface of the transfer belt. A belt cleaning device for cleaning the transfer belt surface by removing it from the belt surface, and a first cleaning device for conveying the toner to the developing device in order to reuse the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device in the developing device. No. 1 toner conveying means, second toner conveying means for conveying the toner discharged from the belt cleaning device to the waste toner container, the first toner conveying means, and the first toner conveying means. So that the second toner conveying means conveys the respective toners to the developing device and the waste toner container,
In an image forming apparatus including a driving unit that operates each of the first toner conveying unit and the second toner conveying unit, the operation of the first toner conveying unit is prohibited by an operator's input. In the state in which the carrying means operation control means for controlling the first toner carrying means and the second toner carrying means are in operation and the operation of the first toner carrying means is prohibited, A toner transfer section from the first toner transfer means to the second toner transfer means is provided so that the toner sent into the first toner transfer means can transfer into the second toner transfer means. A characteristic image forming apparatus. 2. An image carrier, a developing device for forming a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, a transfer belt for carrying a transfer material onto which the toner image on the surface of the image carrier is transferred, and a toner for the transfer material. A carrier cleaning device that removes residual toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier after transferring the image from the surface of the image carrier to clean the surface of the image carrier, and transfer the toner that adheres to the surface of the transfer belt. A belt cleaning device for cleaning the transfer belt surface by removing it from the belt surface, and a first means for transporting the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device to the developing device for reuse in the developing device. No. 1 toner conveying means, second toner conveying means for conveying the toner discharged from the belt cleaning device to the waste toner container, the first toner conveying means, and the first toner conveying means. So that the second toner conveying means conveys the respective toners to the developing device and the waste toner container,
In an image forming apparatus including a driving unit that operates each of the first toner transporting unit and the second toner transporting unit, a temperature sensor that detects a temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body, and an image by the temperature sensor. Transporting means operation control means for controlling the first toner transporting means so as to prohibit the operation of the first toner transporting means when it is detected that the temperature in the main body of the forming apparatus becomes higher than a predetermined temperature. In the state in which the second toner conveying means is activated and the operation of the first toner conveying means is prohibited,
The toner transfer section from the first toner transfer means to the second toner transfer means is provided so that the toner sent into the second toner transfer means can be transferred into the second toner transfer means. Image forming apparatus. 3. The operation control means for the conveying means operates the first toner conveying means when the temperature sensor detects that the temperature inside the main body of the image forming apparatus is lower than the predetermined temperature. The first to remove the ban
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the toner conveying unit is controlled. 4. When the temperature sensor detects that the temperature inside the image forming apparatus main body is lower than the predetermined temperature, the conveyance means operation control means, after a predetermined time has elapsed from that point, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first toner conveying unit is controlled so as to release the prohibition of the operation of the first toner conveying unit. 5. An image carrier, a developing device that forms a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, a transfer belt that conveys a transfer material onto which the toner image on the surface of the image carrier is transferred, and a toner on the transfer material. A carrier cleaning device that removes residual toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier after transferring the image from the surface of the image carrier to clean the surface of the image carrier, and transfer the toner that adheres to the surface of the transfer belt. A belt cleaning device for cleaning the transfer belt surface by removing it from the belt surface, and a first cleaning device for conveying the toner to the developing device in order to reuse the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device in the developing device. No. 1 toner conveying means, second toner conveying means for conveying the toner discharged from the belt cleaning device to the waste toner container, the first toner conveying means, and the first toner conveying means. So that the second toner conveying means conveys the respective toners to the developing device and the waste toner container,
In an image forming apparatus including a driving unit that operates each of the first toner transporting unit and the second toner transporting unit, a humidity sensor that detects humidity in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and an image by the humidity sensor. Transporting means operation control means for controlling the first toner transporting means so as to prohibit the operation of the first toner transporting means when it is detected that the humidity in the main body of the forming apparatus becomes higher than a predetermined humidity. In the state in which the second toner conveying means is activated and the operation of the first toner conveying means is prohibited,
A toner transfer portion from the first toner transfer means to the second toner transfer means is provided so that the toner sent into the second toner transfer means can transfer into the second toner transfer means. Image forming apparatus. 6. The conveyance means operation control means, when the humidity sensor detects that the humidity in the image forming apparatus main body is lower than the predetermined humidity, operates the first toner conveyance means. The first to remove the ban
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the toner conveying unit is controlled. 7. The conveyance means operation control means, when the humidity sensor detects that the humidity in the image forming apparatus main body is lower than the predetermined humidity, after a predetermined time has elapsed from that time point. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first toner transporting means is controlled so as to release the prohibition of the operation of the first toner transporting means. 8. An image carrier, a developing device that forms a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, a transfer belt that conveys a transfer material onto which the toner image on the surface of the image carrier is transferred, and a toner on the transfer material. A carrier cleaning device that removes residual toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier after transferring the image from the surface of the image carrier to clean the surface of the image carrier, and transfer the toner that adheres to the surface of the transfer belt. A belt cleaning device for cleaning the transfer belt surface by removing it from the belt surface, and a first cleaning device for conveying the toner to the developing device in order to reuse the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device in the developing device. No. 1 toner conveying means, second toner conveying means for conveying the toner discharged from the belt cleaning device to the waste toner container, the first toner conveying means, and the first toner conveying means. So that the second toner conveying means conveys the respective toners to the developing device and the waste toner container,
In an image forming apparatus including a driving unit that operates each of the first toner transporting unit and the second toner transporting unit, a motor operating time detection that detects an operating time of a drive motor that drives the image carrier. Means and the conveying means operation control for controlling the first toner conveying means so that the operation of the first toner conveying means is prohibited when the time during which the drive motor continuously operates exceeds a predetermined value. And the second toner conveying means are activated, and the operation of the first toner conveying means is prohibited, the toner sent from the carrier cleaning device into the first toner conveying means is the second toner. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that a toner transfer section from the first toner transfer means to the second toner transfer means is provided so that the toner can be transferred into the toner transfer means. 9. An image carrier, a developing device for forming a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, a transfer belt for carrying a transfer material onto which the toner image on the surface of the image carrier is transferred, and a toner for the transfer material. A carrier cleaning device that removes residual toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier after transferring the image from the surface of the image carrier to clean the surface of the image carrier, and transfer the toner that adheres to the surface of the transfer belt. A belt cleaning device for cleaning the transfer belt surface by removing it from the belt surface, and a first means for transporting the toner discharged from the carrier cleaning device to the developing device for reuse in the developing device. No. 1 toner conveying means, second toner conveying means for conveying the toner discharged from the belt cleaning device to the waste toner container, the first toner conveying means, and the first toner conveying means. So that the second toner conveying means conveys the respective toners to the developing device and the waste toner container,
In an image forming apparatus including a driving unit that operates each of the first toner transporting unit and the second toner transporting unit, a motor operating time detection that detects an operating time of a drive motor that drives the image carrier. Means and the first toner conveying means is controlled so that the operation of the first toner conveying means is prohibited when the total of the time when the drive motor operates within a predetermined time in the past exceeds a predetermined value. And the second toner transporting means are activated,
In addition, in a state where the operation of the first toner conveying unit is prohibited,
Transfer of toner from the first toner carrying means to the second toner carrying means so that the toner sent from the carrier cleaning device into the first toner carrying means can be moved into the second toner carrying means. An image forming apparatus having a section.