JP3972483B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus applied to a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus, charged toner is electrostatically supplied to an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor) by a developing device and developed, and the developed toner image is transferred. Some transfer images onto paper and fix them to form images. In such an image forming apparatus, the toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier after the transfer is collected by a cleaning device, transported again to the developing device, and reused (hereinafter referred to as toner recycling). The toner to be reused is referred to as recycled toner).
[0003]
In this type of toner recycling apparatus, the supply rate of the recycled toner is changed according to the copy mode, the image forming conditions are controlled, the amount of fog toner on the photosensitive drum is detected by a sensor, and the toner is based on the detected amount. Techniques have been proposed for controlling the supply amount so as not to impair image quality (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-54955 and US Pat. No. 5,604,575).
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in such a recycled toner, since the characteristics are deteriorated and the toner is not sufficiently charged, the poorly charged toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier without being transferred to the transfer material (paper or the like), It contains powder (hereinafter referred to as paper dust) generated from the paper when it is transported. When such poorly charged toner or paper dust is supplied to the developing device again, the toner charging function is fully effective. Otherwise, it may cause background fogging or in-flight contamination. The above problem is more likely to occur as the toner concentration in the developer is higher. However, if the toner density is used at a low level, it causes a reduction in image density. Therefore, it is necessary to set the charging potential / development bias, etc. to a high potential. Problems such as leaks occur.
[0005]
In addition, it is known that the dust toner generated by the rotation operation of the developing sleeve of the developing device is collected in the suction duct by air, but the collected dust toner remains in the suction duct, When the inside of the suction duct becomes full with the collected toner, it becomes impossible to stably collect the dust and the performance of the suction duct cannot be maintained. Therefore, when the inside of the suction duct becomes full, the suction duct is replaced by a service man call, but the maintenance is troublesome.
[0006]
It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to dispose of dust toner generated around the developing device and collected in the suction duct, stably collecting dust toner by the suction duct, and improving the performance of the suction duct over a long period of time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can be easily maintained.
Another object of the present invention is to discard the dust toner collected in the suction duct and to selectively recycle or discard the toner collected by the cleaning device according to the image forming conditions, thereby improving the performance of the suction duct for a long time. And an image forming apparatus capable of stably obtaining a high-quality image.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention provides an image carrier, a cleaning unit for cleaning the surface of the image carrier, a developing unit for developing an image, and a collected material collected by the cleaning unit. A first transport means for transporting to one part, and a powdered smoke consisting of scattered developerSuckA collecting means for collecting; a second conveying means for conveying the collected material collected by the collecting means to the first part;A detecting means for detecting the suction force of the powder smoke by the collecting means, the amount of collected matter accumulated in the collecting means, or the number of images formed;
  First control means for controlling the second transport means in accordance with a detection result of the detection means;An image forming apparatus comprising:
[0008]
In the above configuration, the collected toner toner or the like collected by a cleaning device such as a cleaning device that cleans the surface of the photosensitive member or transfer drum / belt that is the image carrier, and the developing device that develops the image are scattered around the image. The collected material collected by the collecting means such as a suction duct for collecting the powdered developer toner is conveyed to the first part by the conveying means. As this 1st site | part, the collection | recovery box which discards a collection thing can be mentioned, for example. As a result, the collected material does not remain in the suction duct or the like, which is a collecting means, and the dust can be collected stably.
[0009]
  In addition, the suction power of powder smoke by the recovery means,The amount of collected smokeOr the number of images formedAccordingly, the second conveying means can be controlled to be conveyed to a first part, for example, a collection box for disposal so that the collected material does not accumulate in the collecting means.
[0010]
  Claim2According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the collecting means is provided in the vicinity of the functional means for generating developer dust. Examples of the function unit that generates dust include a developing device, a cleaning unit (cleaning device), and a charging device.
[0011]
  A third aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the image is collected by the cleaning unit.
A third transport means for transporting the collected material to the second part, and the first and third transport means.Depending on the imaging conditionsSecond control means for controlling, andWritingThe image condition is at least one of the type of transfer material, the black / white ratio of the image, the dot count value, the document density, the developing toner consumption, the number of images formed, the print mode, and the environment. In this configuration, examples of the second part include a toner hopper and a developing device for recycling the toner that is the collected material. If the value of the image forming condition exceeds the reference level, it is considered that the collected toner is deteriorating. Therefore, the third transport for transporting to the second part for recycling is the first transport. And the recycling rate of the developer may be lowered.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer using a general electrophotographic process will be described. 1 to 3 show a process unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The photosensitive drum 1 (image carrier) has a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral portion, and is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow a around the drum shaft 1S by a drive motor 13A. When the photosensitive drum 1 rotates, the charger 2 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and light (lm) from an exposure device (not shown) releases the charge on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and the charge remains. The developing device 3 (developing means) electrostatically attracts toner to the electrostatic latent image. The transfer charger 4A of the transfer / separation device 4 transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 1 onto a sheet (transfer material) fed from a sheet feeding device (not shown), and the sheet on which the toner image is transferred is separated by the separation device 4B. The paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 1, and the toner image is fixed on the paper by a fixing device (not shown). Further, about 10% of the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 is collected by the cleaning device 5 (cleaning means), and all the charges on the photosensitive drum 1 are removed by the main eraser 6 so as to prepare for the next copying operation. It is configured.
[0013]
Next, a recycling apparatus that selectively performs toner recycling in such an image forming apparatus will be described. The recycling device selectively uses the toner collected by the cleaning device 5 to the waste toner container 12 (first portion) or the recycled toner supply port 3B (including the second portion, toner hopper and developing device) of the developing device 3. In order to convey to the 1st, the 1st conveyance means 8A and the 2nd conveyance means 8B are provided. The photosensitive drum 1 and the developing device 3 are driven by a drive motor 13A of the drive device 13. The first transport unit 8A and the second transport unit 8B are driven by a drive motor 13B different from the drive motor 13A, and discard the toner collected by the cleaning device 5 by forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor 13B. Whether to recycle (arrow c direction) or to recycle (arrow b direction). A drive connecting portion (FIG. 2) between the first conveying means 8A and the second conveying means 8B is provided with a one-way clutch 13C so that the toner is not clogged when the collected toner is discarded, and the drive is not transmitted. ing. The waste toner or recycling transport path in the recycling apparatus according to the first embodiment is as shown in FIG. As the conveying means, for example, a rotational member that is rotationally driven can be used.
[0014]
Further, there is provided a toner absorption duct 3F (corresponding to the collecting means, only the side surface is shown in the figure) for collecting the dust and soot consisting of developer toner scattered around the developing device 3 by the force of air. . Most of the toner collected in the absorption duct 3F is poorly charged toner as will be described later, and is conveyed to the waste toner container 12. Although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the means for transporting may be configured to be equivalent to the third transport means 8 </ b> C shown in FIG. 5 according to a second embodiment described later.
The first conveying means 8A (when the toner is discarded) corresponds to the first conveying means in the claims, and the third conveying means 8C (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) is the first conveying means in the claims. The first conveying means 8A (during toner recycling) and the second conveying means 8B correspond to the third conveying means in the claims.
[0015]
4 and 5 show a process unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. The configuration of the process unit is the same as that described above, and the configuration of the toner recycling apparatus is different. In addition to the first transport unit 8A and the second transport unit 8B, the recycling apparatus is provided at the bottom of the developing device 3 and the third transport unit 8C that transports the collected toner to the waste toner container 12 (first portion). A toner absorbing duct 3F (collecting means, only the side surface is shown in the figure) that collects the poorly charged toner (powder consisting of the above scattered developer toner) generated by the rotation of the magnetic brush 3C with air force. ). The first transport unit 8A and the second transport unit 8B recycle the toner (collected material) collected by the cleaning device 5 to the developing device 3 by a drive motor 13A that drives the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing device 3. It is rotationally driven only in the direction (the direction of arrow b in FIG. 5). A switching valve 8D (FIG. 25B) is provided in the middle of the conveying path of the second conveying means 8B. By switching the switching valve, recycled toner is supplied to the recycled toner supply port 3B (second portion) of the developing device 3. ) Or a toner disposal port (into the third transport means 8C) provided in the toner absorption duct 3F that collects the toner with poor charging by the force of air by the rotation of the magnetic brush 3C provided at the lower part of the developing device 3. Transported to a chain).
[0016]
Further, in the toner suction duct 3F, a wind sensor 3G and a weight sensor 3H (corresponding to detection means for detecting the amount of dust) and a third transport means 8C for transporting toner to the waste toner container 12 are provided. Yes. The sensor outputs of the wind sensor 3G and the weight sensor 3H and the toner suction amount have a relationship as shown in FIGS. Therefore, the third conveying means 8C is measured before a decrease in toner suction capability is detected by the sensor output, when a certain amount of toner is accumulated in the toner suction duct 3F, or measured by an electronic counter (not shown). When the number of copies reaches the set number, the toner collected by the force of air and the recycled toner are conveyed together to the waste toner container 12. FIG. 25B shows a waste toner recycling or recycling conveyance path in the recycling apparatus according to the second embodiment configured as described above.
[0017]
As described above, the amount of the dust composed of the developer toner collected in the toner absorption duct 3F is detected by the air volume sensor 3G, the weight sensor 3H, etc., and the dust toner is appropriately discarded according to the detection result. Since it is conveyed to the toner container 12, the inside of the suction duct 3F is not filled with the dust toner, so that the dust can be stably collected and the performance of the suction duct can be maintained.
The transporting units 8A to 8C in the second embodiment correspond to the first transporting unit in the claims that transports the toner collected by the cleaning device 5 to the waste toner container 12, and the third transporting unit 8C Corresponding to the second conveying means for conveying the dust collected in the toner suction duct 3F to the waste toner container 12, the conveying means 8A and 8B supply recycled toner to the toner collected by the cleaning device 5. This corresponds to the third conveying means in the claims, which is recycled and conveyed to the port 3B.
The means for controlling the second conveying means (disposal of dust toner collected in the suction duct 3F) is referred to as first control means, and the first control means is an air volume sensor 3G or weight sensor 3H. It operates according to the detection result of the sensor. The means for controlling the first and third conveying means (whether the toner collected by the cleaning device 5 is discarded or recycled) is referred to as second control means, and the second control means corresponds to the image forming conditions. Works. These first and second control means are constituted by a microcomputer 21 (FIG. 7) described later.
[0018]
Next, the developing device 3 will be described here using the two-component developer composed of toner and carrier. The developing device 3 includes a recycled toner supply port 3B for carrying in a recycled toner corresponding to a recycled toner supply rate, which will be described later, a bucket roller 3D for charging the toner in the developer, and an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. A magnetic brush 3C for supplying toner, a regulating blade 3D for regulating the developer conveyance amount to the magnetic brush 3C, and an ATDC (auto toner density) for detecting the toner concentration in the developer in the developing device 3 A control) sensor 3A, and a sub-hopper 10 for replenishing new toner, a remaining amount detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the sub-hopper 10, and a new one for the developing device 3. A supply roller 10B for supplying toner is provided. New toner is replenished to the developing device 3 from the sub hopper 10 according to the detection value of the ATDC sensor 3A, and new toner is supplied to the sub hopper 10 from a toner bottle (not shown) according to the detection value of the remaining amount detection sensor (not shown). New toner is supplied to the mouth 10A.
[0019]
Next, the transfer assist device 11 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 as the first and second embodiments, the transfer auxiliary device 11 includes a pre-transfer charger 11A, a pre-transfer eraser 11B, a light amount detection sensor 11C, and a guide member 11D. . The pre-transfer charger 11A applies an AC + DC bias voltage using the corotron method, and applies a charge of the same polarity as the toner to the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 so as to increase the transfer efficiency of the transfer device 4A (see FIG. 14) The pre-transfer eraser 11B attenuates the charge on the photosensitive drum 1, reduces the adsorption force between the photosensitive drum 1 and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1, and increases the transfer efficiency (FIG. 15). In order to easily separate the paper with the separating device 4B, the adsorption force between the photosensitive drum 1 and the paper is reduced to improve the separation performance. The pre-transfer eraser 11B is provided with a light quantity detection sensor 11C, and the power supply voltage is adjusted according to the detection value of the sensor so as to keep the light quantity constant.
[0020]
FIG. 7 shows a block configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus. In the figure, a microcomputer 21 is provided with a CPU, ROM, and RAM as control means. In addition to the photosensitive drum 1 and the charging charger 2, the microcomputer 21 includes an exposure device 22, a fixing device 24, Various functional parts such as a toner suction fan 25, a solenoid 26, and an operation panel 27 are connected.
[0021]
FIG. 8A is a flowchart of the entire process performed by the microcomputer 21. The microcomputer 21 performs initial setting (# 1), internal timer start (# 2), input / output processing (# 3), copying processing (# 4), recycled toner processing (# 5), and other processing (# 6). ) And the internal timer expires (# 7), the process returns to # 2, and the same processing as described above is performed again. In this way, since the recycled toner processing is performed every time the predetermined period elapses, an appropriate recycling operation can be performed.
[0022]
FIG. 8B is a flowchart of the recycled toner process. Hereinafter, control for determining the recycled toner supply rate will be described. The microcomputer 21, after the completion of the copy operation that reaches the preset number of copies (# 11) so that it can appropriately follow the change in the image forming conditions, is set to the AIDC (auto image) installed at the lower part of the cleaning device 5. Density control) The sensor 7 detects the fog toner on the photosensitive drum 1 (# 12). The relationship between the AIDC sensor 7 output and the fog toner level on the photosensitive drum is as shown in FIG. 13, and the fog toner detection is performed as follows. When the photosensitive drum 1 is in a bare state (a state in which toner is not developed), a constant current is passed through the AIDC sensor 7, and the resistance value of the control board of the AIDC sensor 7 is set so that the sensor output has a certain voltage. The selected resistance value is compared with the previously selected resistance value (# 13), and a preset recycled toner supply rate setting value as shown in FIG. 18 is selected according to the difference (# 13). # 14). For example, when the standard setting of the recycling supply rate is 100% and the resistance value difference is 7 duty, the recycling toner supply rate is changed to 75%. The setting is performed by a flag set.
[0023]
Further, the microcomputer 21 determines the final recycled toner supply rate in accordance with the following various image forming conditions (# 15). In other words, the paper type (acidic paper, neutral paper, recycled paper, etc.) can be input to the microcomputer 21 from the operation panel 27, and the coefficient set according to the paper type as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the total document density copied during the predetermined number of copies is detected by a document density detection sensor (not shown) provided in the exposure device 22, and a setting corresponding to the total document density as shown in FIG. The toner consumption is calculated by a detection device that detects the calculated coefficient or the number of copies per bottle in which new toner is stored, and the coefficient is set according to the calculated value as shown in FIG. The final recycled toner supply rate is determined by multiplying any one or more coefficients by the recycled toner supply rate selected by the AIDC sensor 7.
[0024]
For example, when the recycled toner supply rate is 75% and the paper coefficient is 0.5, the final recycled toner supply rate is 37.5% (= 75% × 0.5), and the recycled toner supply rate is When 50%, paper coefficient is 1.0, original density coefficient is 0.8, and toner consumption coefficient is 0.6, the final recycled toner supply rate is 24%.
(= 50% × 1.0 × 0.8 × 0.6). The final recycled toner supply rate (recycling rate) is determined according to the predetermined various image forming conditions as described above. Here, when the image forming condition exceeds a certain reference level considering the deterioration of the recycled toner, the flag is set so that the recycling rate is lowered.
[0025]
When the toner density in the developer is remarkably reduced during the copying operation, the forced toner replenishment input from the operation panel 27, the drum dry (refresh mode of the photosensitive drum 1), or the copying operation is performed. When it is interrupted and forced toner supply is performed, the developing device 3 is forcibly driven or the driving time becomes longer at any time during the control (CPM) for reducing the copy productivity in order to ensure the fixing performance. In order to improve the toner charging ability of the toner, the toner supply rate is increased (for example, 50% to 75%) or fully recycled than the final recycled toner supply rate described above.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 9, the ATDC sensor 3A has a characteristic that the sensor output increases as the toner concentration in the developer decreases.
It can be controlled to replenish the toner when the sensor output voltage becomes higher than (which may be held in the zone). The relationship between the background fog level and the toner concentration in the developer and the recycled toner supply rate is as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and the toner concentration in the developer and the photoreceptor surface potential for obtaining a constant density image. The relationship is as shown in FIG. Here, when the recycled toner supply rate is low or the toner concentration in the developer is high, the developing ability is high and the charging potential can be set low. However, problems such as background fogging and toner dust smoke occur, and conversely, the recycled toner When the supply rate is high or when the toner concentration in the developer is low, it is necessary to set the charging potential low because the developing ability is low, and problems such as leakage and image quality degradation occur. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, when the recycled toner supply rate is high, the toner concentration in the developer is set low, and when the recycled toner supply rate is low, the recycled toner supply is set so that the toner concentration in the developer is set high. The reference control voltage of the ATDC sensor 3A is changed in accordance with the rate (YES in # 16 of FIG. 8B, # 17) to control the reference toner concentration in the developer. Thereby, it is possible to perform optimum parameter setting of the developing device 3. Further, since the image quality is not stabilized when the toner concentration in the developer is changed at a stroke, the change range of the toner concentration in the developer per time is limited.
[0027]
Further, the operation of the transfer assist device 11 will be described. As described above, the transfer assisting device 11 functions to improve transfer efficiency and separation performance. However, if fog toner is present on the photosensitive drum 1, the fog toner is also charged. It becomes a dirty copy of the background. As a countermeasure, the control set value of the auxiliary transfer device 11 is changed according to the recycled toner supply rate (# 18). That is, as shown in FIG. 23, when the recycle toner supply rate is high, the output value of the pre-transfer charger 11A is set to be low or turned off, and the light amount of the pre-transfer eraser 11B is increased. Conversely, when the recycled toner supply rate is low, the output value of the pre-transfer charger 11A is set high, and the light amount of the pre-transfer eraser 11B is reduced. Such selective switching of the control set value can prevent the fog toner from being transferred to the paper.
[0028]
FIG. 6 shows a process unit of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, only the transfer assisting device 11 is different from the first embodiment, and the pre-transfer charger 11A and the light amount detection sensor 11C in the first embodiment are not provided, and the transfer is made of an LED array. Only the front erasers 11E (LED1) and 11F (LED2) are provided, and the pre-transfer eraser 11F is set to have higher luminance than the pre-transfer eraser 11E. As shown in FIG. 24, when the recycle toner supply rate is high, both the pre-transfer erasers 11E and 11F are turned on to increase the light amount, but when the recycle toner supply rate is low, only the pre-transfer eraser 11E is turned on and the light amount is reduced. Let Such selective switching can prevent fog toner from being transferred.
[0029]
In addition, this invention is not restricted to the structure of the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible. For example, the switching of the recycling rate may be controlled in consideration of the time lag because a time lag occurs in the transport of the collected material (toner or the like) by the transport unit. In the above embodiment, the case where the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 1 is collected has been described. However, the toner is not limited to the photosensitive drum 1, and the toner on the photosensitive belt and the intermediate transfer drum / belt is cleaned and collected. But you can. Further, in the cleaning device 5, toner collection may be performed not only by using a blade but also by a brush, a roller, or a combination thereof. The configuration of the developing device 3 can employ various forms. The image forming conditions include the type of transfer material, the black / white ratio of the image, the dot count value, the document density, the development toner consumption, the number of images formed, the print mode, and the environment. When these values exceed a predetermined reference level, the recycling rate (the third conveyance is made smaller than the first conveyance) is lowered. This reference level may be stored in a table or may be obtained by a calculation formula.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the collected matter collected by the cleaning means and the collected matter collected from the scattered developer toner in the collecting means such as a suction duct are both a collection box for disposal, etc. Therefore, the collected matter is not collected in the suction duct or the like, and the dust can be stably collected, and the performance of the suction duct or the like can be maintained for a long time.
In addition, the dust toner collected in the suction duct is discarded, and the toner collected by the cleaning means is selectively recycled or discarded according to the image forming conditions, thereby improving the performance of the suction duct over a long period of time. It can be maintained and a high-quality image can be obtained stably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a process unit of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view of a second transport unit of the recycling apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a top view of a toner disposal unit of the recycling apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a process unit of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a top view of a toner disposal unit of a recycling apparatus according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a process unit of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control unit in the embodiment of the present invention.
8A is a flowchart of overall control in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is a flowchart of recycled toner processing.
FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the toner concentration in the developer and the ATDC sensor output in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the toner concentration in the developer and the background fog level according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the recycle toner supply rate and the background fog level in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a relationship diagram between the toner density in the developer and the photosensitive drum surface potential for ensuring the image density in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a relationship diagram between a fog toner level on a photosensitive drum and an AIDC sensor output in the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 14 is a relationship diagram between pre-transfer charger output and transfer efficiency in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a relationship diagram between a pre-transfer eraser light amount and transfer efficiency in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a relationship diagram between the toner suction amount and the wind sensor output in the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 17 is a relationship diagram between the toner suction amount and the weight sensor output in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a setting table of AIDC sensor detection values and recycled toner supply rates in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a setting table for a recycled toner supply rate and a toner concentration in a developer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a view showing a paper type coefficient setting table according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a view showing a document density coefficient setting table according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a toner consumption coefficient setting table according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 23 is a view showing a setting table of a recycled toner supply rate and a transfer auxiliary output in the first or second embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a view showing a setting table of a recycled toner supply rate and a pre-transfer eraser output in the third embodiment.
FIG. 25A is a diagram showing a conveyance path in the first embodiment, and FIG. 25B is a diagram showing a conveyance path in the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Photosensitive drum
3 Development device
3B Recycle toner supply port
3F Toner suction duct
3G air volume sensor
3H weight sensor
5 Cleaning device
8A 1st conveyance means (1st and 3rd conveyance means)
8B Second conveying means (third conveying means)
8C 3rd conveyance means (2nd conveyance means)
12 Waste toner container
13 Drive device
13A Photosensitive drum / developing device drive motor
13B Drive motor for recycling equipment
21 Microcomputer

Claims (4)

An image carrier;
Cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the image carrier;
Developing means for developing an image;
First transport means for transporting the collected material collected by the cleaning means to a first part;
A collection means for sucking and collecting powdered smoke consisting of scattered developer;
Second transport means for transporting the recovered material collected by the recovery means to the first part;
A detecting means for detecting the suction force of the powder smoke by the collecting means, the amount of collected matter accumulated in the collecting means, or the number of images formed;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a first control unit that controls the second transport unit according to a detection result of the detection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the collecting unit is provided in the vicinity of a functional unit that generates developer smoke. Third transport means for transporting the recovered material collected by the cleaning means to a second site;
A second control means for controlling the first and third transport means according to image forming conditions ;
Before SL imaging conditions, and wherein the type of the transfer material, black-and-white ratio of an image, the dot count value, document density, developing toner consumption, the number of image formation, the print mode, at least one of the environment The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The second conveying unit is configured to detect the decrease in the suction force by the collecting unit, the amount of collected material accumulated in the collecting unit reaching a certain amount, or the number of image forming sheets reaching a set number. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the collected material collected by the collecting unit is conveyed to the first part in accordance with a detection result.

Images