JP3585351B2 - Toner recycling device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toner recycling apparatus, and more particularly, to a toner recycling apparatus that reuses toner remaining on an image carrier.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using a toner, toner collected from a photoreceptor by a cleaner is generally discarded or returned to a developing unit of a developing unit for forming an image. there were.
[0003]
Therefore, recently, while effective use of resources has been demanded, it has been desired to reuse (recycle) toner collected from the photoconductor by a cleaner. An image forming apparatus provided with a toner recycling device for returning the toner to the developing unit has been proposed.
[0004]
However, when the collected toner is reused, the collected toner is separated from paper powder, paper chips, fibers typified by paper fibers, dust, and further, aggregates to increase the particle size. Toner, or conversely, a fine toner having a reduced particle size, has adverse effects such as clogging in the developing unit, reduced developer fluidity, image defects, and background smearing of the output image. Foreign matter and toner having a diameter larger than the toner particle diameter (hereinafter, referred to as an appropriate toner particle diameter) and foreign matter and toner having a diameter smaller than the appropriate toner particle diameter are removed and recycled.
[0005]
As such an image forming apparatus, for example, there is an image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-219349. This image forming apparatus uses used toner collected by a cleaner in a cartridge, Toner conveying means for conveying a mixed substance from used toner disposed in the toner conveying means, toner conveying driving means for transmitting a driving force to the toner conveying means, separated toner from which foreign matter has been removed by the separating apparatus And a separated toner transport drive unit for transmitting the drive of the separated toner transport unit.
[0006]
Further, conventionally, a collecting member for collecting and transporting the toner attached to the surface of the photosensitive drum, and a separating member formed in a mesh shape for separating the toner transported by the collecting member into reusable toner and foreign matter A reduction member for reducing the reusable toner separated by the separation member to the developing unit; and a vibration generating member for applying vibration to the collection member and the reduction member and conveying the toner by the vibration. There has been proposed a toner recycling apparatus that removes foreign substances contained in the toner and transports the reusable toner particles without crushing the toner (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-87164).
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional image forming apparatus and toner recycling apparatus, the cleaning unit and the portion for transporting the collected toner to the developing unit are disposed adjacent to each other, so that the degree of freedom in design is extremely small. This is a problem in downsizing the image forming apparatus. In addition, when the toner collected by the cleaning unit from the photoconductor is transported to the developing unit, no consideration is given to the occurrence of toner clogging in the transport path. There was a phenomenon that could not be done.
[0008]
That is, as described above, the collected toner has an irregular particle size, is charged, or contains more water than unused toner, and the collected toner is removed from the cleaner. There has been such a phenomenon that toner clogging is likely to occur in a transport path that is transported to the developing unit, and particularly, toner clogging is likely to occur in a discharging unit to the developing unit.
[0009]
When such toner clogging occurs, the collected toner is not transported to the developing unit, so that not only can the toner not be reused, but also it is necessary to stop the image forming apparatus and perform maintenance. There was a problem of poor usability. In this case, if the collected toner is conveyed to the developing unit side by a mechanical driving force of an agitator or the like, there is a problem that the image forming apparatus becomes large and the cost increases.
[0011]
Therefore,Claim1According to the invention described above, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image bearing member is sent to the connection unit on the developing unit side by an air pump connected by a conveyance pipe and an intake pipe, and the air sucked from the intake pipe is sent out to the transport pipe. When transferring to the connection unit through the transfer pipe by air flow, attach the end of the suction pipe on the connection unit side to the upper end of the connection unit, and attach the end of the transfer pipe on the connection unit side to the side surface of the connection unit at a predetermined angle. By mounting downwardly, the collected toner conveyed through the conveyance pipe is appropriately stored in the connection unit by the weight of the collected toner together with the airflow flowing downward from the side surface of the connection unit, and the upper end of the connection unit Air that does not contain collected toner from the part flows into the intake pipe and is returned to the air pump, making toner clogging more appropriate. While preventing, by utilizing an air flow efficiently, and its object is to provide a toner recycling device which can efficiently perform transfer of the collected toner.
[0012]
Claim2The described invention is to form a bell mouth shape with the inner diameter of the conveying pipe closer to the connection unit side, the inner diameter of which increases toward the front end, thereby suppressing a decrease in performance of the air pump due to a pressure loss of an air flow and preventing toner clogging. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner recycling apparatus capable of efficiently transporting the collected toner by using the air flow more efficiently while preventing the toner from being recovered.
[0013]
Claim3According to the invention described above, by forming the inner diameter of the bell mouth shape on the connection unit side of the transfer pipe to be at least 11/10 times and not more than 15/10 times the diameter of the transfer pipe, While preventing the collected toner from adhering and coagulating to the bell-mouth-shaped end of the conveying pipe, further suppressing the performance deterioration of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow, and further preventing the toner clogging, the air flow It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner recycling apparatus capable of more efficiently transporting the collected toner by utilizing the toner more efficiently.
[0014]
Claim4The described invention is such that, by disposing a plate member having a predetermined planar shape and a predetermined size in the hollow portion of the connection unit and between the end of the transfer pipe and the end of the intake pipe, The plate member prevents the collected toner mixed in the airflow flowing from the pipe into the connection unit from flowing into the intake pipe, and the collected toner moves to the cleaning unit, the air pump, etc., and the performance of the cleaning unit is degraded. To provide a toner recycling apparatus that can efficiently utilize the air flow and transport the collected toner more efficiently while preventing the performance of the air pump from deteriorating and further preventing toner clogging. The purpose is.
[0015]
Claim5According to the invention described above, the plate member is formed to have a width that is １ ／ to ／ of the width of the hollow portion of the connection unit, so that the air flow flowing from the transfer pipe into the connection unit causes the plate member to be formed. A secondary vortex is prevented from being generated on the back side to prevent the performance of the air pump from deteriorating due to the pressure loss of the air flow, and the collected toner mixed in the air flow flowing into the connection unit from the transport pipe. Device that suppresses the inflow of air into the intake pipe with a plate member, utilizes the air flow more efficiently, prevents toner clogging, and more efficiently conveys collected toner. It is intended to provide.
[0016]
Claim6According to the invention described above, a predetermined vibration is applied to the connection unit by a vibrating mechanism to remove the collected toner adhered to the inside of the connection unit or around the connection unit side end of the transport pipe or the suction pipe, and the toner is clogged. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner recycling apparatus capable of suppressing the occurrence of toner more efficiently and conveying the collected toner more efficiently.
[0017]
Claim7According to the invention described above, the vibration member applies vibration substantially equal to the natural frequency of the plate member to the connection unit, thereby vibrating the plate member and preventing adhesion and aggregation of the collected toner to the plate member. In addition to suppressing the reduction in the performance of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow, the plate member can more appropriately prevent the collected toner mixed in the air flow flowing into the connection unit from the transport pipe from flowing into the intake pipe. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner recycling apparatus capable of suppressing the clogging and utilizing the air flow more efficiently to prevent clogging of the toner and to more efficiently convey the collected toner.
[0018]
Claim8The described invention provides an impeller provided with rotating blades that are rotated by an airflow flowing into the hollow portion from the transfer tube in the hollow portion of the connection unit, so that the impeller has an outlet portion on the hollow portion side of the transfer tube. Prevent adhesion and aggregation of collected toner to the air pump, further reduce the performance degradation of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow, and use the air flow more efficiently to prevent toner clogging, It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner recycling apparatus that can efficiently transport collected toner.
[0019]
Claim9According to the invention described above, the impeller is disposed at a position where the tip of the rotary blade passes directly above the tip in the hollow portion of the connection unit of the transfer tube, so that the impeller has an outlet portion to the hollow portion of the transfer tube. In particular, it prevents adhesion and aggregation of the collected toner to a portion directly above where the adhesion and aggregation of the collected toner are likely to occur, thereby more effectively suppressing the deterioration of the performance of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner recycling apparatus capable of more efficiently transporting the collected toner while preventing toner clogging by utilizing the toner more efficiently.
[0020]
Claim 10According to the invention described above, the transfer pipe is vibrated by using the vibration of an air pump or the like by attaching both ends of the transfer pipe to an air pump and a connection unit in a state where the transfer pipe can vibrate with a predetermined vibration width. Adhesion and agglomeration of collected toner generated at the end of the connection unit side of the pipe are suppressed, the performance of the air pump is reduced more effectively due to the pressure loss of the air flow, and the air flow is used more efficiently. It is another object of the present invention to provide a toner recycling apparatus that can more efficiently convey collected toner while preventing toner clogging.
[0023]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Claim1The toner recycling apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the cleaning unit that recovers the toner remaining on the image carrier carries the toner to the image carrier and supplies the toner to a developing unit that forms a toner image. In the toner recycling device for transporting toner, a toner supply unit disposed on the developing unit side for supplying the toner to the developing unit, and a toner supply unit disposed on the developing unit side and having a hollow portion having a predetermined shape, A connection unit that stores the collected toner and supplies the collected toner to the toner supply unit, and a predetermined air pump that is provided on the cleaning unit side and communicates with the connection unit by a transport pipe and an intake pipe. The air sucked from the suction pipe is sent to the transfer pipe, and the transfer is performed by the air flow. And an air transport mechanism for transporting the collected toner to the connection unit through the connection unit, wherein an end of the intake pipe on the connection unit side is attached to an upper end of the connection unit, and The above-mentioned object is achieved by attaching the end of the connection unit downward at a predetermined angle to the side surface of the connection unit.
[0024]
According to the above configuration, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is supplied to the connection unit on the developing unit side by an air pump connected with the conveyance pipe and the suction pipe, and the air sucked from the suction pipe is sent to the conveyance pipe. When carrying the air flow to the connection unit through the transfer pipe, attach the end of the suction pipe on the connection unit side to the upper end of the connection unit, and attach the end of the transfer pipe on the connection unit side to the side surface of the connection unit. Since the toner is attached downward at an angle, the collected toner conveyed through the conveyance pipe can be appropriately housed in the connection unit by the weight of the collected toner together with the airflow downward from the side surface of the connection unit. At the same time, air containing no collected toner can flow into the intake pipe from the upper end of the connection unit and return to the air pump. Can, while more appropriately prevent toner clogging, by utilizing an air flow efficiently, it is possible to efficiently transport the collected toner.
[0025]
In each of the above cases, for example,2As described in the above, the transfer tube may be formed in a bell-mouth shape such that an inner end of the transfer tube on the connection unit side has an inner diameter that increases toward a tip.
[0026]
According to the above configuration, since the end of the transfer tube on the connection unit side is formed in a bell mouth shape whose inner diameter increases toward the tip, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the performance of the air pump due to a pressure loss of the air flow. As a result, while the toner clogging is prevented, the collected toner can be efficiently transported by using the air flow more efficiently.
[0027]
Also, for example, in the claims3As described in the above, the end of the bell-mouth-shaped transfer pipe on the connection unit side is such that the inner diameter of the enlarged diameter portion is at least 11/10 times the diameter of the transfer pipe. Therefore, it may be formed in a size of 15/10 or less.
[0028]
According to the above configuration, the inside diameter of the bell mouth shape on the connection unit side of the transport pipe is formed to be at least 11/10 times and at most 15/10 times the diameter of the transport pipe. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the performance deterioration of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow while preventing the collected toner from adhering and aggregating to the bell mouth-shaped end of the conveying pipe, and further prevent toner clogging. In addition, it is possible to more efficiently use the air flow and more efficiently transport the collected toner.
[0029]
Further, for example, the claims4As described in the above, in the connection unit, in the hollow portion, between the end of the transport pipe and the end of the intake pipe, a plate member of a predetermined planar shape and a predetermined size is provided. It may be provided.
[0030]
According to the above configuration, since the plate member having the predetermined planar shape and the predetermined size is disposed in the hollow portion of the connection unit and between the end of the transfer pipe and the end of the intake pipe. The plate member can prevent the collected toner mixed in the airflow flowing from the transport pipe into the connection unit from flowing into the suction pipe, and the collected toner moves to the cleaning unit or the air pump to perform cleaning. The performance of the unit and the performance of the air pump can be prevented from lowering. Therefore, the air flow can be efficiently used while the toner clogging is further prevented, and the collected toner can be more efficiently conveyed.
[0031]
Also, for example, in the claims5As described in the above, the plate member may be formed to have a width of 1/2 to 2/3 of a width of the hollow portion of the connection unit.
[0032]
According to the above configuration, since the plate member is formed to have a width of 1/2 to 2/3 of the width of the hollow portion of the connection unit, the plate member is formed by the airflow flowing into the connection unit from the transport pipe. The generation of secondary vortices on the back side of the member can be prevented, the performance loss of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow can be suppressed, and the air flow flowing into the connection unit from the transport pipe can be mixed. The flow of the collected toner flowing into the intake pipe can be suppressed by the plate member, and the air flow can be more efficiently used to prevent the toner from being clogged. It can be performed.
[0033]
Further, for example, the claims6As described in the above, the toner recycling apparatus may further include a vibration mechanism for applying a predetermined vibration to the connection unit.
[0034]
According to the above configuration, since the vibration mechanism applies predetermined vibration to the connection unit, the collected toner attached to the inside of the connection unit or around the connection unit side end of the transport pipe or the suction pipe is removed, and the toner is clogged. Can be suppressed more efficiently, and the collected toner can be transported more efficiently.
[0035]
Also, for example, in the claims7As described in the above, the vibration mechanism may apply a vibration substantially equal to a natural frequency of the plate member to the connection unit.
[0036]
According to the above configuration, since the vibration mechanism applies vibration substantially corresponding to the natural frequency of the plate member to the connection unit, the plate member is vibrated to prevent adhesion and aggregation of the collected toner to the plate member. In addition, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the performance of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow, and to further prevent the collected toner mixed in the air flow flowing from the transport pipe into the connection unit from flowing into the intake pipe by the plate member. It is possible to suppress the toner flow appropriately, to use the air flow more efficiently, to prevent the toner clogging, and to more efficiently convey the collected toner.
[0037]
Further, for example, the claims8In the connection unit, an impeller provided with a rotating blade that is rotated by the airflow flowing into the hollow portion from the transfer pipe may be provided in the hollow portion. .
[0038]
According to the above configuration, in the hollow portion of the connection unit, the impeller provided with the rotating blades that are rotated by the airflow flowing into the hollow portion from the transport tube is provided. Adhesion and agglomeration of the collected toner at the outlet portion can be prevented, and the performance of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow can be further suppressed, so that the air flow can be used more efficiently. Therefore, it is possible to more efficiently convey the collected toner while preventing toner clogging.
[0039]
Also, for example, in the claims9As described in the above, the impeller may be disposed at a position where a tip of the rotary blade passes directly above a tip in the hollow portion of the connection unit of the transport pipe.
[0040]
According to the above configuration, since the impeller is disposed at a position where the tip of the rotating blade passes right above the tip in the hollow portion of the connection unit of the transfer tube, an outlet portion to the hollow portion of the transfer tube is provided. Among them, in particular, it is possible to prevent the collected toner from adhering and aggregating to the portion directly above where the collected toner is likely to adhere and agglomerate, and to more effectively suppress the performance deterioration of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow. As a result, the airflow can be more efficiently utilized. Therefore, it is possible to more efficiently convey the collected toner while preventing toner clogging.
[0041]
Further, for example, claim 10As described in the above, both ends of the transfer pipe may be attached to the air pump and the connection unit in a state where the transfer pipe can vibrate at a predetermined vibration width.
[0042]
According to the above configuration, both ends of the transport pipe are attached to the air pump and the connection unit in a state where the transport pipe can vibrate with a predetermined vibration width, so that the transport pipe is vibrated by using the vibration of the air pump or the like. The adhesion and agglomeration of the collected toner generated at the connection unit side end of the transport pipe can be suppressed, the performance of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow can be more effectively suppressed, and the air flow can be more efficient. This makes it possible to more efficiently convey the collected toner while preventing toner clogging.
[0043]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore, various technically preferred limitations are added. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description. The embodiments are not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified.
[0044]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a toner recycling apparatus according to the present invention.
[0045]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a toner recycling apparatus 1 to which a first embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.
[0046]
In FIG. 1, a toner recycling apparatus 1 includes a developing unit (not shown) that collects collected toner 7 (indicated by white circles in FIG. 1) collected from a photoconductor (image carrier) by a cleaning unit 2 of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Is to be transported.
[0047]
This image forming apparatus transfers and records a toner image on transfer paper by a normal electrophotographic method. That is, a uniformly charged photoconductor is irradiated with writing light modulated by image data to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor, and the photoconductor on which the electrostatic latent image is formed is formed. The toner is supplied from a developing unit to form a toner image on a photoreceptor and is developed. After the toner image on the photoreceptor is transferred to transfer paper at a transfer unit, the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor is collected by a method such as scraping off the cleaning unit 2. The image forming apparatus conveys the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit 2 to the developing unit side by the toner recycling device 1 and supplies the collected toner to the photoconductor again by the developing unit to reuse (recycle) the collected toner.
[0048]
The toner recycling apparatus 1 includes a cleaning unit 2, an air pump 3, a connection unit 4, and an exhaust tube 5 and an intake tube 6 for connecting and communicating the air pump 3 and the connection unit 4.
[0049]
The cleaning unit 2 has a built-in toner classifier that selects only toner having a certain particle diameter from the collected toner 7 collected from the photoconductor, and is connected to the exhaust tube 5 by a connection tube 8. The cleaning unit 2 selects only toner having a certain particle diameter from the collected toner 7, and supplies the selected collected toner 7 to the exhaust tube 5 via the connection tube 8.
[0050]
As described above, the air pump 3 is connected to the connection unit 4 by the exhaust tube 5 and the intake tube 6, and has a rubber portion formed of a rubber material or the like. The center of the rubber portion of the air pump 3 is connected to a shaft of a motor (not shown), and the motor rotates to vibrate the rubber portion. The air pump 3 sucks air from the intake tube 6 and discharges air from the exhaust tube 5 by vibrating the rubber portion.
[0051]
A connecting tube 8 communicating with the cleaning unit 2 communicates with the exhaust tube 5, and the collected toner 7 supplied to the connecting tube 8 from the cleaning unit 2 is sucked into the exhaust tube 5 to remove the exhaust tube 5. It passes through and is transported to the connection unit 4.
[0052]
The exhaust tube 5 and the intake tube 6 are attached to the side surface of the connection unit 4, and the exhaust tube 5 and the intake tube 6 are attached to the connection unit 4 in a predetermined close state.
[0053]
The connection unit 4 is formed in a rectangular shape having an upper part narrower than the lower part, and a hollow part 4a corresponding to the shape of the connection unit 4 is formed inside. The toner supply unit 9 is provided on the toner supply unit 9 and communicates with the toner supply unit 9 through an opening at a lower portion. Therefore, the collected toner 7 conveyed into the hollow portion 4a of the connection unit 4 via the exhaust tube 5 is supplied to the toner supply unit 9 from the lower opening.
[0054]
The exhaust tube 5 and the connection tube 8 function as a transport pipe, and the intake tube 6 functions as an intake pipe. The air pump 3, the motor driving the air pump, the exhaust tube 5, the connecting tube 8, and the intake tube 6 function as an air transport mechanism as a whole.
[0055]
The toner supply unit 9 is connected to a toner bottle 11 for storing unused toner 10 (indicated by a black circle in FIG. 1). The toner supply unit 9 is connected to the unused toner 10 in the toner bottle 11 by a connection unit. The collected toner 7 supplied from 4 is mixed and transported to a developing unit (not shown).
[0056]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In the toner recycling device 1, the exhaust tube 5 and the intake tube 6 connected to the air pump 3 are attached to the connection unit 4 in a state of being close to each other, and while the air flow of the air pump 3 is efficiently used, toner clogging is prevented. The feature is that the collected toner 7 is efficiently conveyed.
[0057]
That is, an image forming apparatus to which the toner recycling apparatus 1 is applied supplies toner by a developing unit to a photoconductor (not shown) on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, forms a toner image, and forms a toner image on the photoconductor. The image is transferred to transfer paper at the transfer section. The toner remaining on the photoreceptor after the transfer is collected by the cleaning unit 2, only the toner having a predetermined particle diameter is selected from the collected toner 7 by the cleaning unit 2, and the selected collected toner 7 is exhausted through the connection tube 8. Supply to tube 5. The exhaust tube 5 is connected to the air pump 3 and the connection unit 4, and the air pump 3 and the connection unit 4 are connected to an intake tube 6.
[0058]
The exhaust tube 5 and the intake tube 6 are connected to the connection unit 4 in a state of being close to each other.
[0059]
The air pump 3 has its rubber portion vibrated by a motor, thereby sucking air from the intake tube 6 and discharging air from the exhaust tube 5 to the connection unit 4. The air pump 3 is separated from the exhaust tube 5 by the cleaning unit 2. The collected toner 7 is supplied through the connection tube 8.
[0060]
Therefore, the collected toner 7 selected by the cleaning unit 2 is conveyed through the connection tube 8 and the exhaust tube 5 into the hollow portion 4a of the connection unit 4.
[0061]
The collected toner 7 conveyed to the connection unit 4 is supplied to the toner supply unit 9 through an opening at the lower end, and the toner supply unit 9 transfers the collected toner 7 supplied from the connection unit 4 to unused toner in the toner bottle 11. The toner is transported together with the toner 10 to a developing unit (not shown), and is again subjected to development by the developing unit.
[0062]
When the collected toner 7 is conveyed to the connection unit 4 through the exhaust tube 5 by the air flow of the air pump 3, the exhaust tube 5 and the intake tube 6 are attached to the connection unit 4 in a state of being close to each other. The air having substantially the same volume as the air flowing into the hollow portion 4a of the connection unit 4 flows into the intake tube 6 and is returned to the air pump 3. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently use the air flow and efficiently transport the collected toner.
[0063]
Further, the collected toner 7 that has been conveyed into the hollow portion 4a of the connection unit 4 by the airflow from the exhaust tube 5 drops in the hollow portion 4a by its own weight, and is supplied to the toner supply unit 9 from the opening at the lower end. Is done. Therefore, toner clogging can be prevented while efficiently utilizing the airflow. As a result, the collected toner 7 can be appropriately conveyed to the connection unit 4, and the toner can be appropriately recycled.
[0064]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention.
[0065]
This embodiment is applied to the same toner recycling apparatus as that of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the toner recycling apparatus of the first embodiment is used as necessary. The description will be made using the reference numerals used in the description of the apparatus as they are.
[0066]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a connection unit 21 portion of a toner recycling apparatus 20 to which a second embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.
[0067]
In FIG. 2, although not shown, the toner recycling apparatus 20 of the present embodiment includes the same cleaning unit 2 and air pump 3 as the toner recycling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, and includes a connection unit 21. In addition, the exhaust tube 5 and the intake tube 6 are connected to the connection unit 21.
[0068]
The exhaust tube 5 is connected to the side of the connection unit 21 at a predetermined inclination angle and downwardly to the connection unit 21. The intake tube 6 is connected to the upper end of the connection unit 21 by the connection unit 21 side. Are connected to the connection unit 21 in a state where the front end faces downward.
[0069]
The toner recycling apparatus 20 of the present embodiment transports the collected toner 7 selected by the cleaning unit 2 by the air pump 3 to the connection unit 21 through the connection tube 8 and the exhaust tube 5, and from the connection unit 21 to the toner supply unit 9. The collected toner 7 is supplied and transported to the developing unit together with the unused toner 10 in the toner bottle 11.
[0070]
Then, the exhaust tube 5 is connected to the side of the connection unit 21 at a predetermined inclination angle and downwardly to the connection unit 21, and the intake tube 6 is connected to the upper end portion of the connection unit 21 on the side of the connection unit 21. Are connected to the connection unit 21 in a state where the front end faces downward.
[0071]
Therefore, the collected toner 7 mixed in the airflow flowing into the hollow portion 21a of the connection unit 21 from the exhaust tube 5 is discharged from the exhaust tube 5 downward of the hollow portion 21a, and the collected toner 7 Due to its own weight and the airflow from the exhaust tube 5, it appropriately falls downward in the hollow portion 21 a of the connection unit 21, and is prevented from adhering and coagulating to the tip of the connection unit 21 of the exhaust tube 5. In addition, it is possible to further suppress re-inhalation into the intake tube 6 attached to the upper end portion of the connection unit 21.
[0072]
As a result, it is possible to appropriately prevent the collected toner 7 from moving as excess toner to the air pump 3 and the cleaning unit 2, and to convey the collected toner 7 by using the air flow of the air pump 7 and the cleaning unit 2. The cleaning performance can be improved, and while the toner clogging is more appropriately prevented, the recovered toner 7 can be efficiently transported by efficiently utilizing the air flow.
[0073]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention.
[0074]
This embodiment is applied to the same toner recycling apparatus as that of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the first embodiment will be made as necessary. A description will be given below using the used symbols.
[0075]
FIG. 3 is a front view of an exhaust tube 30 used in a toner recycling apparatus to which the third embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus according to the present invention is applied.
[0076]
3, the toner recycling apparatus includes a cleaning unit 2, an air pump 3, a connection unit 4 and the like, which are the same as the toner recycling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, and the air pump 3 and the connection unit 4 are connected to the exhaust tube 30. They are connected by an intake tube 6.
[0077]
The exhaust tube 30 is formed in a bell mouth shape such that a tip portion 30a of the connection unit 4 side has an inner diameter that increases toward the tip. The tip portion 30a formed in the bell mouth shape has, for example, an inner diameter. The exhaust tube 30 is formed to have a size that is 11/10 times or more and 15/10 times or less the diameter (inner diameter) of the exhaust tube 30 other than the tip portion 30a formed in a bell mouth shape.
[0078]
In the toner recycling apparatus of the present embodiment, the collected toner 7 selected by the cleaning unit 2 by the air pump 3 is conveyed to the connection unit 4 through the connection tube 8 and the exhaust tube 30 and collected from the connection unit 4 to the toner supply unit 9. The toner 7 is supplied and transported to the developing unit together with the unused toner 10 in the toner bottle 11.
[0079]
The exhaust tube 30 has a bell mouth shape at the distal end 30a on the connection unit 21 side.
[0080]
Therefore, the pressure loss of the airflow flowing from the exhaust tube 30 into the hollow portion 4a of the connection unit 21 can be reduced, and a decrease in the performance of the air pump 3 can be suppressed. In particular, the bell mouth-shaped tip portion 30a has a size that is 11/10 times or more and 15/10 times or less the diameter (inner diameter) of the exhaust tube 30 other than the bell mouth-shaped tip portion 30a. Since it is formed, the pressure loss of the airflow can be further reduced, and the performance deterioration of the air pump 3 can be further suppressed. That is, if the tip portion 30a is 11/10 times or less the diameter of the other portion, the effect of preventing the pressure loss of the air flow from decreasing due to the bell mouth shape cannot be obtained, and the tip portion 30a has the diameter of the other portion. If the ratio is 15/10 times or more of the above, the collected toner 7 is likely to be aggregated at the tip portion 30a of the bell mouth shape.
[0081]
As a result, the performance of the air pump 3 can be further improved, the toner clogging can be further prevented, and the recovered toner 7 can be transported more efficiently by utilizing the air flow more efficiently. be able to.
[0082]
Although the present embodiment has been described with reference to the case where it is applied to the first embodiment, the present embodiment can be similarly applied to the case of the second embodiment.
[0083]
FIG. 4 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention.
[0084]
This embodiment is applied to the same toner recycling apparatus as that of the second embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the first embodiment will be made as necessary. The description will be made by using the used symbols as they are.
[0085]
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a connection unit 41 of a toner recycling apparatus 40 to which the fourth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.
[0086]
In FIG. 4, the toner recycling device 40 includes the same cleaning unit 2 and air pump 3 as the toner recycling device 1 of the first embodiment, and also includes a connection unit 41. The air pump 3 and the connection unit 41 exhaust air. The tube 5 and the intake tube 6 are connected.
[0087]
The exhaust tube 5 is connected to the side of the connection unit 41 at a predetermined inclination angle and downwardly to the connection unit 41, and the intake tube 6 is attached to the upper end portion of the connection unit 41 at the end on the connection unit 41 side. Are connected to the connection unit 41 in a state facing downward.
[0088]
The connection unit 41 is formed in a rectangular shape having an upper portion narrower than the lower portion, and a hollow portion 41a corresponding to the shape of the connection unit 41 is formed inside. In the connection unit 41, a rectangular plate member 42 according to the shape of the hollow portion 41a is disposed in the hollow portion 41a, and the plate member 42 is connected to the distal end of the exhaust tube 5 in the hollow portion 41a. The tube 6 is disposed between the tube 6 and the distal end in the hollow portion 41a. The plate member 42 is formed to have a size having a predetermined ratio of the area of the hollow portion 41a at the position where the plate member 42 is provided, and for example, at the position where the plate member 42 is provided. A size having an area equal to or more than の of the area of the hollow portion 41a and equal to or less than ／, that is, １ ／ of the width of the hollow portion 41a at the position where the plate member 42 is provided. And a width of about 2/3 of the width. Further, the plate member 42 is disposed in an inclined state at an angle corresponding to a downward inclination angle of the distal end of the exhaust tube 5 on the connection unit 41 side.
[0089]
The toner recycling device 40 of the present embodiment transports the collected toner 7 selected by the cleaning unit 2 by the air pump 3 to the connection unit 41 through the connection tube 8 and the exhaust tube 5, and from the connection unit 41 to the toner supply unit 9. The collected toner 7 is supplied and transported to the developing unit together with the unused toner 10 in the toner bottle 11.
[0090]
The exhaust tube 5 is connected to the side of the connection unit 41 at a predetermined inclination angle in a downward direction to the connection unit 41, and the intake tube 6 is connected to the upper end of the connection unit 41 at the side of the connection unit 41. Is connected to the connection unit 41 in a state where the tip of the is downward.
[0091]
Then, inside the hollow portion 41a of the connection unit 41, between the exhaust tube 5 and the intake tube 6, in a state of being inclined at an angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the exhaust tube 5, and A plate member 42 having a size having a predetermined ratio of the area of the portion 41a is provided.
[0092]
Therefore, the collected toner 7 mixed in the airflow flowing into the hollow portion 41a of the connection unit 41 from the exhaust tube 5 is discharged from the exhaust tube 5 toward the lower side of the hollow portion 41a, and flows through the hollow portion 41a. The rising of the collected toner 7 and the airflow from the exhaust tube 5 are appropriately prevented from falling toward the suction tube 6 side by the plate member 42 and falling downward in the hollow portion 4 a of the connection unit 41. As a result, it is possible to prevent the exhaust tube 5 from adhering and agglomerating to the end of the connection unit 41 side, and to prevent the exhaust tube 5 from being re-inhaled by the intake tube 6 attached to the upper end of the connection unit 41. The member 42 can suppress the effect more effectively.
[0093]
Therefore, it is possible to more appropriately prevent the collected toner 7 from moving to the air pump 3 and the cleaning unit 2 as surplus toner, and the transfer performance of the collected toner 7 using the air flow by the air pump 7 and the cleaning unit 2 The cleaning performance of the toner can be further improved, and the clogging of the toner can be more appropriately prevented, and the collection of the recovered toner 7 can be more efficiently carried out by using the air flow more efficiently. it can.
[0094]
In particular, the size of the plate member 42 is 面積 or more of the area of the hollow portion 41 a at the position where the plate member 42 is provided, and is 2/3 or less, that is, the plate member When the width of the hollow portion 41a at the position where the 42 is disposed is set to a width of か ら to ／ of the width of the hollow portion 41a, the collected toner 7 discharged from the exhaust tube 5 into the hollow portion 41a is discharged. It can be more appropriately prevented from rising to the side. That is, if the plate member 42 is formed to have a size smaller than half the area of the hollow portion 41a at the position where the plate member 42 is provided, the collected toner 7 discharged into the hollow portion 41a from the exhaust tube 5 If the plate member 42 is formed to have a size larger than 2/3, the plate member 42 cannot be appropriately prevented from rising toward the intake tube 6 side. This is because a secondary eddy current is generated on the back surface of the air pump 3 and the pressure loss in this area is increased, which may deteriorate the performance of the air pump 3. Therefore, by forming the plate member 42 under the above conditions, the performance of preventing the collected toner 7 from moving toward the intake tube 6 can be maximized, and the performance of the air pump 3 can be further improved. Can be done.
[0095]
Although the present embodiment has been described with reference to the case where the present invention is applied to the same toner recycling apparatus 40 as that of the second embodiment, the toner recycling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment and the toner recycling apparatus of the third embodiment are described. The same can be applied to a recycling device.
[0096]
FIG. 5 is a view showing a fifth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention.
[0097]
This embodiment is applied to the same toner recycling apparatus as that of the second embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the first embodiment will be made as necessary. A description will be given below using the used symbols.
[0098]
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a connection unit 51 of a toner recycling apparatus 50 to which the fifth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.
[0099]
In FIG. 5, the toner recycling device 50 includes the same cleaning unit 2 and air pump 3 as the toner recycling device 1 of the first embodiment, and also includes a connection unit 51. The air pump 3 and the connection unit 51 The exhaust tube 5 and the intake tube 6 are connected.
[0100]
The exhaust tube 5 is connected to the side of the connection unit 51 at a predetermined inclination angle and downwardly to the connection unit 51, and the intake tube 6 is attached to the upper end portion of the connection unit 51 at the end on the connection unit 51 side. Are connected to the connection unit 51 in a state facing downward.
[0101]
Near the connection unit 51, a semicircular vibration cam 52 is provided in contact with the connection unit 51, and the vibration cam 52 is driven by a vibration motor (not shown) and a clock indicated by an arrow in FIG. The connection unit 51 is rotationally driven in the direction to apply a predetermined impact vibration to the connection unit 51. The vibration cam 52 and the vibration motor function as a vibration mechanism.
[0102]
The toner recycling device 50 of the present embodiment transports the collected toner 7 selected by the cleaning unit 2 by the air pump 3 to the connection unit 51 through the connection tube 8 and the exhaust tube 5, and from the connection unit 51 to the toner supply unit 9. The collected toner 7 is supplied and transported to the developing unit together with the unused toner 10 in the toner bottle 11.
[0103]
Then, the exhaust tube 5 is connected to the side of the connection unit 51 at a predetermined inclination angle and downwardly to the connection unit 51, and the intake tube 6 is connected to the upper end portion of the connection unit 51 by the connection unit 51 side. Is connected to the connection unit 51 in a state in which the tip of the is directed downward.
[0104]
Therefore, the collected toner 7 mixed in the airflow that has flowed into the hollow portion 51a of the connection unit 51 from the exhaust tube 5 is discharged from the exhaust tube 5 toward the lower side of the hollow portion 51a, and the weight of the collected toner 7 is reduced. The airflow from the exhaust tube 5 causes the connection unit 51 to appropriately fall downward in the hollow portion 51a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the exhaust tube 5 from adhering and coagulating to the distal end portion on the connection unit 51 side, and effectively prevent the exhaust tube 5 from being re-inhaled by the intake tube 6 attached to the upper end portion of the connection unit 51. Can be suppressed.
[0105]
Further, a vibration cam 52 is in contact with the connection unit 51, and the vibration cam 52 is rotationally driven in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 5 by a vibration motor (not shown) to apply impact vibration to the connection unit 51. .
[0106]
Therefore, the impact vibration applied to the connection unit 51 by the vibration cam 52 causes the end of the exhaust tube 5 on the connection unit 51 side, the end of the intake tube 6 on the connection unit 51 side, and the collected toner to the inner wall of the connection unit 51. 7 can be suppressed, and even if the collected toner 7 adheres or agglomerates, it can be removed. The collected toner 7 can be transported.
[0107]
Although the present embodiment has been described with reference to the case where the present invention is applied to the same toner recycling apparatus 50 as that of the second embodiment, the toner recycling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment and the toner recycling apparatus of the third embodiment are described. The same can be applied to a recycling device.
[0108]
Further, the present invention can be applied to the toner recycling device 40 of the fourth embodiment. In this case, the adhesion and aggregation of the collected toner 7 to the plate member 42 can be prevented and the adhesion and aggregation of the collected toner 7 can be prevented. The collected toner 7 can be removed. In particular, when the frequency of the vibration applied to the connection unit 51 by the vibration cam 52 is substantially equal to the natural frequency of the plate member 42, the plate member 42 resonates and the collected toner 7 adheres to the plate member 42. Aggregation can be more effectively prevented beforehand, and the attached and aggregated collected toner 7 can be more effectively removed.
[0109]
FIG. 6 is a view showing a sixth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention.
[0110]
This embodiment is applied to the same toner recycling apparatus as that of the second embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the first embodiment will be made as necessary. A description will be given below using the used symbols.
[0111]
FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a connection unit 61 portion of a toner recycling apparatus 60 to which the sixth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.
[0112]
In FIG. 6, the toner recycling device 60 includes the same cleaning unit 2 and air pump 3 as the toner recycling device 1 of the first embodiment, and also includes a connection unit 61. The air pump 3 and the connection unit 61 The exhaust tube 5 and the intake tube 6 are connected.
[0113]
The exhaust tube 5 is connected to the side of the connection unit 61 at a predetermined inclination angle and downwardly to the connection unit 61, and the intake tube 6 is attached to the upper end portion of the connection unit 61 at the end on the connection unit 61 side. Are connected to the connection unit 61 in a state facing downward.
[0114]
An impeller 62 is rotatably provided in the hollow portion 61a of the connection unit 61, and the impeller 62 includes four rotating blades 62a. The impeller 62 is located at a position where the airflow flowing from the exhaust tube 5 into the hollow portion 61 a acts on the rotary blade 62 a to rotate the rotary blade 62 a, particularly, just above the tip in the hollow portion 61 a of the exhaust tube 5. Is disposed at a position where the rotating blades 62a pass through, and the rotating blades 62a can rotate to remove the collected toner 7 attached to the distal end portion of the exhaust tube 5 by the rotating blades 62a.
[0115]
The toner recycling device 60 of the present embodiment transports the collected toner 7 selected by the cleaning unit 2 by the air pump 3 to the connection unit 61 through the connection tube 8 and the exhaust tube 5, and from the connection unit 61 to the toner supply unit 9. The collected toner 7 is supplied and transported to the developing unit together with the unused toner 10 in the toner bottle 11.
[0116]
Then, the exhaust tube 5 is connected to the side of the connection unit 61 at a predetermined inclination angle and downwardly to the connection unit 61, and the intake tube 6 is connected to the upper end of the connection unit 61 at the side of the connection unit 61. Are connected to the connection unit 61 in a state in which the front end faces downward.
[0117]
Therefore, the collected toner 7 mixed into the airflow that has flowed into the hollow portion 61a of the connection unit 61 from the exhaust tube 5 is discharged from the exhaust tube 5 toward the lower side of the hollow portion 61a, and the weight of the collected toner 7 is reduced. Due to the airflow from the exhaust tube 5, the connection unit 61 appropriately falls downward in the hollow portion 61a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the exhaust tube 5 from adhering and coagulating to the distal end portion on the connection unit 61 side, and effectively prevent the exhaust tube 5 from being re-inhaled by the intake tube 6 attached to the upper end portion of the connection unit 61. Can be suppressed.
[0118]
Further, in the connection unit 61, the impeller 62 is located at a position where the rotary blade 62a passes just above the tip in the hollow portion 61a of the exhaust tube 5 in the hollow portion 61a, and the rotary blade 62a rotates. Accordingly, the rotary blade 62a is disposed at a position where the collected toner 7 attached to the tip of the exhaust tube 5 can be removed.
[0119]
Therefore, the inflow from the exhaust tube 5 into the hollow portion 61a causes the rotating blade 62a of the impeller 62 to rotate in the direction (clockwise) indicated by the arrow in FIG. The collected toner 7 can be prevented from adhering to the portion, and the attached collected toner 7 can be scraped off by the rotating blades 62a, thereby effectively preventing toner clogging and improving airflow. The collected toner 7 can be transported more efficiently by utilizing it more efficiently.
[0120]
In particular, the impeller 62 is located at a position where the rotary blade 62a passes directly above the tip of the exhaust tube 5 in the hollow portion 61a in the hollow portion 61a, and when the rotary blade 62a rotates, the rotary blade 62a Is disposed at a position where the collected toner 7 attached to the end of the exhaust tube 5 can be removed, so that the collected toner 7 is attached to the upper end of the end of the exhaust tube 5 where the collected toner 7 is most likely to adhere and aggregate. Can be prevented beforehand, and the collected toner 7 that has adhered can be scraped off by the rotating blades 62a, so that the clogging of the toner can be more effectively prevented and the air flow can be more efficiently utilized. As a result, the collected toner 7 can be more efficiently conveyed.
[0121]
Although the present embodiment has been described for the case where the present invention is applied to the same toner recycling apparatus 60 as the second embodiment, the toner recycling apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment and the toner recycling apparatus 60 according to the third embodiment The same can be applied to the recycling apparatus and the toner recycling apparatus 50 of the fifth embodiment.
[0122]
In each of the above embodiments, the exhaust tubes 5 and 30 may be attached to the air pump 3 and the connection units 4, 21, 41, 51 and 61 in a state where the exhaust tubes 5 and 30 can vibrate at a predetermined vibration width. In this case, the exhaust tubes 5 and 30 are vibrated by the vibration of the air pump 3 and the like, and the collected toner 7 adheres to and aggregates on the end of the exhaust tubes 5 and 30 on the side of the connection unit 4, 21, 41, 51, 61. Can be prevented beforehand, and even if it adheres or aggregates, it can be removed by vibration of the exhaust tubes 5 and 30. In this case, for example, when the exhaust tubes 5, 30 are fixed to the air pump 3 and the connection units 4, 21, 41, 51, 61 by using the thin rubber film-like members with the exhaust tubes 5, 30, for example, the exhaust tubes 5, 30 can be easily obtained. 30 can be mounted in a vibrable manner.
[0123]
<Example>
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of an electrophotographic copying apparatus 80 to which the toner recycling apparatus 70 is applied.
[0124]
The toner recycling device 70 includes a cleaning unit 71, an air pump 72, a connection unit 73, an exhaust tube 74, an intake tube 75, and the like. The image forming device 80 includes a toner supply unit 81, a toner bottle 82, and the like. , A development unit (not shown), a photoconductor (image carrier), a transfer unit, and other units necessary for forming an image by an electrophotographic method.
[0125]
The connection unit 73 of the toner recycling device 70 is provided on the toner supply unit 81, and the connection unit 73 and the air pump 72 are communicated by the exhaust tube 74 and the intake tube 75. The exhaust tube 74 is connected to the cleaning unit 71 by a connection tube 76.
[0126]
The toner recycling device 70 collects the toner remaining on the photoreceptor by the cleaning unit 71, separates only the toner having a predetermined particle size, supplies the separated toner to the exhaust tube 74 through the connecting tube 76, and connects the air pump 72 through the intake tube 75. By sucking air from the unit 73 and sending the air to the connection unit 73 through the exhaust tube 74, the collected toner supplied from the cleaning unit 71 through the connection tube 76 is sent to the connection unit 73 through the exhaust tube 74 by an air flow. Transport.
[0127]
The collected toner conveyed to the connection unit 73 is supplied to the toner supply unit 81 as shown by an arrow in FIG. 8, and further supplied from the toner bottle 82 to the toner supply unit 81 as shown by an arrow in FIG. , Unused toner is supplied through the toner hopper 83.
[0128]
The toner supply unit 81 has a built-in rotating spiral toner transport agitator 81a. The toner supply unit 81 agitates the unused toner supplied from the toner bottle 82 and the collected toner supplied from the connection unit 73, and develops the toner (not shown). Transfer to unit.
[0129]
The following experiment was performed by attaching the toner recycling device 70 having the above configuration to the image forming device 80.
[0130]
The air pump 72 has a flow rate of about 2.2 cubic meters / minute, and the exhaust tube 74 and the intake tube 75 have a length of 2 m and a diameter of 6 mmφ.
[0131]
Under the following conditions, a standard original (hereinafter referred to as a 6% original) whose image occupies 6% of the original paper and a 12% original image (hereinafter referred to as a 6% original) whose original image occupies 12% of the original paper. 12% original) were continuously copied 30,000 times, respectively, to evaluate the toner recycling apparatus 70.
[0132]
<conditions>
Condition A: The collected toner is transported only by the airflow from the exhaust tube 74 without attaching the intake tube 75 to the connection unit 73.
[0133]
Condition B: Both the exhaust tube 74 and the intake tube 75 are attached to the connection unit 73, and the collected toner is transported using the intake tube 75 and the exhaust tube 74.
[0134]
Condition C: In addition to the condition of Condition B, the collected toner is transported in a state where a plate member similar to the plate member 42 of the toner recycling device 40 of the fourth embodiment is mounted in the connection unit 73.
[0135]
Condition D: In addition to the condition of Condition B, the connection unit 73 is provided with a vibration cam similar to the vibration cam 52 of the toner recycling apparatus 50 of the fifth embodiment, and the connection unit 73 is subjected to impact vibration. The collected toner is transported in the state where the toner is applied.
[0136]
Condition E: In addition to the condition of Condition B, a plate member similar to the plate member 42 of the toner recycling device 40 of the fourth embodiment is attached to the connection unit 73, and the connection unit 73 of the fifth embodiment is used. A vibrating cam similar to the vibrating cam 52 of the toner recycling device 50 is provided, and the collected toner is conveyed in a state where impact vibration is applied to the connection unit 73.
[0137]
<Evaluation>
In the case of condition A: the efficiency of recycling the collected toner by the toner recycling device 40 is poor, and the amount of unused toner in the toner bottle 82 is large. Further, the toner was scattered into the housing of the image forming apparatus 80 at the air pump 72.
[0138]
In the case of the condition B: compared with the case of the condition A, the recycling efficiency is improved, and the copying can be performed 30,000 times for the 6% original, but the toner clogging due to the toner aggregation occurs for the 12% original. did. However, no toner was scattered into the housing of the image forming apparatus 80.
[0139]
In the case of the condition C: the recycling efficiency was improved as compared with the case of the condition B, and copying was possible 30,000 times for both the 6% original and the 12% original. However, the toner adhered to the plate member.
[0140]
In the case of the condition D: the recycling efficiency was improved as compared with the case of the condition B, and copying was possible 30,000 times for both the 6% original and the 12% original. However, toner aggregation slightly occurred in the connection unit 73.
[0141]
In the case of the condition E: compared with the case of the condition B, the recycling efficiency was improved, and the copying could be performed 30,000 times for both the 6% original and the 12% original. Further, the toner aggregation in the connection unit 73 did not occur at all.
[0143]
【The invention's effect】
Claim1According to the toner recycling apparatus of the invention described in the above, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is supplied to the connection unit on the developing unit side by an air pump connected to the conveyance pipe and the suction pipe, and the air sucked from the suction pipe is removed. When the air is sent to the transport pipe and transported to the connection unit through the transport pipe by the air flow, the end of the intake pipe on the connection unit side is attached to the upper end of the connection unit, and the end of the transport pipe on the connection unit side is connected. Since it is attached to the side surface of the unit downward at a predetermined angle, the collected toner conveyed through the conveyance pipe is properly placed in the connection unit by the weight of the collected toner together with the airflow flowing downward from the side surface of the connection unit. Air that does not contain the collected toner flows into the intake pipe from the upper end of the connection unit, Can be recirculated to the pump, while more appropriately prevent toner clogging, by utilizing an air flow efficiently, it is possible to efficiently transport the collected toner.
[0144]
Claim2According to the toner recycling apparatus of the invention described above, the end of the conveying pipe on the connection unit side is formed in a bell mouth shape in which the inner diameter increases toward the tip, so that the performance of the air pump deteriorates due to the pressure loss of the air flow. Can be suppressed, and the clogging of the toner can be prevented, and the collected toner can be efficiently transported by using the air flow more efficiently.
[0145]
Claim3According to the toner recycling apparatus of the invention described above, the inner diameter of the bell mouth shape on the connection unit side of the transport pipe is 11/10 times or more and 15/10 times or less of the diameter of the transport pipe. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the deterioration of the performance of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow while suppressing the adhesion and aggregation of the collected toner at the bell-mouth-shaped end of the conveying pipe. The collection of toner can be more efficiently conveyed by using the air flow more efficiently while further preventing clogging.
[0146]
Claim4According to the toner recycling apparatus of the described invention, a plate member having a predetermined planar shape and a predetermined size is arranged between the end of the transport pipe and the end of the suction pipe inside the hollow portion of the connection unit. The plate member can prevent the collected toner mixed in the air flow flowing into the connection unit from the transport pipe from flowing into the intake pipe, and the collected toner can be supplied to the cleaning unit and the air pump. By moving, the performance of the cleaning unit and the performance of the air pump can be prevented from lowering. Therefore, the air flow can be efficiently used while the toner clogging is further prevented, and the collected toner can be more efficiently conveyed.
[0147]
Claim5According to the toner recycling apparatus of the invention described above, since the plate member is formed to have a width of 1/2 to 2/3 of the width of the hollow portion of the connection unit, the plate member flows into the connection unit from the transport pipe. A secondary vortex is prevented from being generated on the back surface side of the plate member due to the generated air flow, so that the performance loss of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow can be suppressed, and the air flows into the connection unit from the transport pipe. The plate member can prevent the collected toner mixed in the flowing air flow from flowing into the intake pipe, and the air flow can be used more efficiently to prevent toner clogging and to be more efficient. Then, the collected toner can be transported.
[0148]
Claim6According to the toner recycling apparatus of the invention described above, the predetermined vibration is applied to the connection unit by the vibration mechanism, so that the collected toner attached to the inside of the connection unit or around the connection unit side end of the transport pipe or the suction pipe is removed. As a result, the occurrence of toner clogging can be suppressed more efficiently, and the collected toner can be more efficiently conveyed.
[0149]
Claim7According to the toner recycling apparatus of the invention described above, since the vibration that substantially matches the natural frequency of the plate member is applied to the connection unit by the vibration mechanism, the plate member is vibrated, and the collected toner adheres to the plate member.・ Agglomeration can be prevented, performance of the air pump can be prevented from deteriorating due to pressure loss of the air flow, and collected toner mixed in the air flow flowing from the transport pipe into the connection unit flows into the intake pipe. The plate member can more appropriately suppress the toner flow, and the air flow can be more efficiently used to prevent the toner clogging, and the collected toner can be more efficiently conveyed.
[0150]
Claim8According to the toner recycling apparatus of the invention described above, since the impeller provided with the rotating blades that are rotated by the airflow flowing into the hollow portion from the transport tube is provided in the hollow portion of the connection unit, the transport tube is provided by the impeller. Adhesion and agglomeration of the collected toner to the outlet part on the hollow side of the air pump can be prevented, the performance of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow can be further suppressed, and the air flow can be used more efficiently. Can be. Therefore, it is possible to more efficiently convey the collected toner while preventing toner clogging.
[0151]
Claim9According to the toner recycling apparatus of the invention described above, the impeller is disposed at a position where the tip of the rotating blade passes just above the tip in the hollow portion of the connection unit of the transport pipe, so that the hollow of the transport pipe is provided. In particular, it is possible to prevent the collected toner from adhering and aggregating to the portion immediately above the outlet portion where the collected toner is likely to adhere and agglomerate, thereby further reducing the performance of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow. The air flow can be more effectively suppressed and the air flow can be more efficiently utilized. Therefore, it is possible to more efficiently convey the collected toner while preventing toner clogging.
[0152]
Claim 10According to the toner recycling apparatus of the invention described above, since both ends of the transport pipe are attached to the air pump and the connection unit in a state where the transport pipe can vibrate with a predetermined vibration width, the transport is performed using the vibration of the air pump or the like. By vibrating the pipe, it is possible to suppress the adhesion and aggregation of the collected toner generated at the end of the conveying pipe on the connection unit side, and to further effectively suppress the performance deterioration of the air pump due to the pressure loss of the air flow, The flow of the collected toner can be more efficiently carried out while using the flow more efficiently to prevent toner clogging.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a toner recycling apparatus to which a first embodiment of a toner recycling apparatus according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a connection unit of a toner recycling apparatus to which a second embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a front view of an exhaust tube of a toner recycling device to which a third embodiment of the toner recycling device according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connection unit portion of a toner recycling device to which a fourth embodiment of the toner recycling device of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connection unit of a toner recycling apparatus to which a fifth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a connection unit of a toner recycling apparatus to which a sixth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of a toner recycling apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment to which the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the connection unit of FIG. 7;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Toner recycling device
2 Cleaning unit
3 air pump
4 Connection unit
4a Hollow part
5 Exhaust tube
6 Intake tube
7 Collected toner
8 Connecting tube
9 Toner supply unit
10 Unused toner
11 Toner bottle
20 Toner recycling device
21 Connection unit
21a hollow part
30 Exhaust tube
30a Tip
40 Toner recycling device
41 Connection unit
41a hollow part
42 plate members
50 Toner recycling device
51 Connection unit
51a hollow part
52 Excitation cam
60 Toner recycling device
61 Connection unit
61a hollow part
62 impeller
62a rotating blade

Claims (10)

In a toner recycling device that transports the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from a cleaning unit that collects toner remaining on the image carrier to a developing unit that supplies the toner to the image carrier and forms a toner image by forming the toner image, A toner supply unit disposed on the developing unit side to supply the toner to the developing unit; and a toner supply unit disposed on the developing unit side and having a hollow portion of a predetermined shape for storing the conveyed collected toner. A connection unit that supplies the collected toner to the toner supply unit, and air suctioned from the suction pipe by a predetermined air pump disposed on the cleaning unit side and communicated with the connection unit by a conveyance pipe and a suction pipe. The collected toner is sent out to the transport pipe and the collected toner is passed through the transport pipe by the air flow. An air transfer mechanism for transferring the suction pipe to the connection unit, an end of the suction pipe on the connection unit side is attached to an upper end of the connection unit, and an end of the transfer pipe on the connection unit side is A toner recycling device, which is attached to a side surface of a connection unit downward at a predetermined angle. 2. The toner recycling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an end of the conveying pipe on the side of the connection unit is formed in a bell-mouth shape whose inner diameter increases toward a tip. The end of the bell-shaped transfer tube on the connection unit side has an inner diameter of an enlarged diameter portion that is at least 11/10 times as large as the diameter of the transfer tube. 3. The toner recycling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the size of the toner recycling apparatus is less than twice. In the connection unit, a plate member having a predetermined planar shape and a predetermined size is disposed between the end of the transfer pipe and the end of the intake pipe within the hollow portion. The toner recycling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The toner recycling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plate member is formed to have a width of 1/2 to 2/3 of a width of the hollow portion of the connection unit. The toner recycling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner recycling apparatus further includes a vibrating mechanism that applies a predetermined vibration to the connection unit. 7. The toner recycling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the vibrating mechanism applies a vibration substantially equal to a natural frequency of the plate member to the connection unit. The said connection unit WHEREIN: The impeller provided with the rotating blade rotated by the said air flow which flows into the said hollow part from the said conveyance pipe in the said hollow part is arrange | positioned, The said unit is characterized by the above-mentioned. The toner recycling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . 9. The toner recycling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the impeller is disposed at a position where a tip of the rotary blade passes right above a tip in the hollow portion of the connection unit of the transport pipe. . The toner according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the transport pipe are attached to the air pump and the connection unit so that the transport pipe can vibrate with a predetermined vibration width. Recycling equipment.

Images