JP4154055B2 - Toner supply device and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the toner supply device, and in particular, supplies toner for forming a toner image by developing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system from a position away from a development position. Toner supply apparatus and copier, facsimile apparatus, which forms toner image by supplying toner for forming a toner image by developing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system having the toner supply apparatus from a position away from a development position The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a complex machine of these.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the frequency of replacement of toner cartridges by an operator is such that a plurality of toner cartridges provided in a toner server provided adjacent to a toner tank of a developing device are rotated and automatically converted a plurality of times. A toner replenishing mechanism for reducing the toner is known (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 277083).
A small-sized developing device that improves the operability during maintenance is also known in which toner is supplied from a toner storing means provided separately from the developing device using a Mono pump (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-219329). See).
A toner replenishing device having a toner cartridge housing portion capable of individually mounting two toner cartridges and replenishing toner to the developing device from one toner cartridge via a toner branch tube having two branch pipes and a main pipe When the sensor detects that there is no passing toner in the vicinity of the sensor for measuring the amount of toner passing through the toner conveying tube, the agitator in the other toner cartridge is rotated to remove the toner in the other toner cartridge. It is also known to start unloading (refer to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 4-80779 or Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-137227).
Further, it has been proposed by the inventors of the same applicant to form an image by conveying toner to a developing device from a toner supply device having a plurality of toner containers separated from the developing position.
However, in a conventional toner server or toner supply device having a toner container of a plurality of toner cartridges, the toner container is not easily attached and detached, and the exchange of toner is delayed, and the image forming operation is interrupted. In order to automatically detect the presence / absence of toner in the toner container in advance, a plurality of detection means are required, which not only increases the cost but also frequently changes the toner container. In addition to waste of resources due to frequent occurrence of toner failures and toner scattering during toner container replacement, there is a problem that the scattered toner adheres to the photoreceptor and the image quality also deteriorates. It was.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The above-described conventional toner server and toner supply device having toner containers of a plurality of toner cartridges and an image forming apparatus having the toner container have poor detachability and exchangeability of the toner container, delaying the toner discharge, and image formation. In order to detect the presence or absence of toner in multiple toner containers automatically in advance, multiple detection means are required to increase the cost and frequent replacement of the toner container. If this happens, these detection means will frequently fail or toner may be scattered when the toner container is replaced. There was a problem of being lowered.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve such problems. That is, the detachability and exchangeability of the toner containers are good, the presence or absence of toner in a plurality of toner containers is automatically detected in advance at low cost and with few failures, and toner conveyance is performed without interruption. A resource-saving toner supply device that prevents the occurrence of toner scattering at the time of replacement of a toner container, and an image forming device that continuously forms high-quality images having the image forming operation without interruption. The purpose is to provide.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  To achieve the above object, the present invention of claim 1 is provided in a toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers for storing and discharging toner are inserted, and the toner container insertion portion, Toner container presence / absence detecting means for detecting presence / absence of a toner container to be inserted, toner container driving means for driving the toner container inserted in the toner container insertion portion to discharge toner, and driving by the toner container driving means A toner accumulation container for accumulating and accommodating the toner discharged from the toner container, toner presence / absence detecting means in the toner accumulation container for detecting the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container, and the toner accumulation An air-fuel mixture conveying means for conveying the toner as an air-fuel mixture with a gas that fluidizes the toner deposited in the container, and the toner container driving means By detecting the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container by the toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container after driving for a predetermined time so as to discharge the toner from the toner container, the toner in the toner container is detected. In the toner supply device for detecting presence or absence, the toner container is a replenishment toner container in a replenishment state in which the toner container is prevented from being pulled out and the lid of the toner discharge port is opened, or the toner container is prevented from being pulled out. A standby toner container that is in a standby state to release and block the opening of the toner ejection port, and when the presence or absence of toner in the toner container is confirmed, the presence of toner in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection unit Is detected until the toner presence / absence detecting means detects no toner. It is possible to temporarily stop the toner container driving means for driving the container and forcibly operate the air-fuel mixture conveying means. Of the toner containers, only one toner container is a supply toner container. Management is performed to maintain the replenishment state until all toner containers are standby toner containers and the replenishment toner containers are detected as having no toner by the toner presence / absence detecting means in the toner accumulation container.DoIt is characterized by that.
  Claim2The present invention of claim 1DescriptionIn this toner supply device, when the air-fuel mixture transporting means forcibly transports the toner, the toner container driving means drives the toner container to replenish toner from the replenishment toner container to the toner accumulation container for a predetermined time. It is characterized by stopping.
  Claim3The present invention of claim 1 or 22 descriptionAn image forming apparatus having a toner supply device.
[0005]
[Action]
  In the toner supply device configured as described above and the image forming apparatus having the toner supply device, is the toner container a replenishment toner container in a replenishment state in which the toner container is prevented from being pulled out and the toner discharge port lid is opened? Or a standby toner container in a standby state in which the toner container is prevented from being pulled out to prevent the opening of the toner discharge port from being opened, and toner accumulation is performed by the toner presence / absence detecting means when checking the presence / absence of toner in the toner container. If it is detected that the toner in the container is present, the toner container driving means for driving the replenishing toner container is temporarily stopped until the toner presence / absence detecting means detects that there is no toner, and the mixture conveying means is forced Of the toner containers, only one toner container is a supply toner container, or all the toner containers are standby toner containers. Ri, managed to maintain the supply state to supply the toner container is detected that there is no toner by the toner presence detection means in the toner accumulation accommodating portionby doing,The presence or absence of toner in the toner container can be detected without providing a sensor or the like for detecting the presence or absence of toner in the toner container.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the illustrated case, a plurality of toner containers 1 are an upper replenishment toner container 1a and a lower standby toner container 1b are electrophotographic. A toner supply device that stores toner (T) that forms a toner image by visualizing the latent image in the cylinder, and is disposed at a position away from the developing position of the developing means 102 of the independent image forming apparatus 100. The toner container insertion portion 2 is detachably attached to the insertion port 2a and the insertion port 2b from the direction of the arrow A shown in the figure, and is held by the toner container holding means 9a and the toner container holding means 9b of the toner container holding means 9. It is like that.
The plurality of toner containers 1, the replenishment toner container 1a in the upper toner (T) replenishment state and the standby toner container 1b in the wait state for replenishment or replacement of the lower toner (T), The toner container set detection means 8 is mounted on the insertion port 2a or the insertion port 2b of the toner container insertion portion 2 by the sensor of the toner container set detection unit 8a, the sensor of the toner container set detection unit 8b, and the control unit 11. A set or an unset is detected.
The upper replenishment toner container 1a and the lower standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 have an ejection opening 1a having an opening for ejecting toner (T) from the tip.₁ And outlet 1b₁ The lid 1a₂ And lid 1b₂ When the replenishment toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b is in a toner replenishment state, the discharge port 1a is opened.₁ Or the said discharge outlet 1b₁ To the lid 1a₂ Or the lid 1b₂ Is removed by the lid opening / closing means 12a or the lid opening / closing means 12b of the lid opening / closing means 12 and rotated independently by the toner container driving means 3a or the toner container driving means 3b of the toner container driving means 3. The discharge port 1a of the upper supply toner container 1a or the lower standby toner container 1b₁ Or the said discharge outlet 1b₁ The toner (T) is discharged from the toner and accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 to be accommodated.
[0010]
The amount of toner (T) discharged by the rotation of the upper supply toner container 1a or the lower standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 according to the presence or absence of toner in the toner accumulation container. 5 is determined by the mounting position of the sensor. The sensor of the toner presence / absence detection means 5 in the toner accumulation container 5 is determined by the height level indicating the presence of toner in the toner accumulation container 4, and when the toner amount reaches the level indicating the presence of toner, the toner container 1. The rotation of the upper supply toner container 1a or the lower standby toner container 1b stops.
The toner (T) accumulated and accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 uses the driving force of the motor of the drive source 13 that is rotationally driven during image formation by the image forming apparatus 100 as a screw member by the toner replenishment clutch 14. 15, the toner (T) is sequentially fed to the entrance of the elastic tube of the air-fuel mixture transport path 103 communicated with the toner transport port 4 a of the toner accumulation container 4.
The air-fuel mixture conveying means 6 is a diaphragm pump, and the knitting cam 6b is rotated by the rotational drive of the drive motor 6a that is rotationally driven while the image forming apparatus 100 is forming an image, and the arrow B shown in the drawing of the diaphragm 6c. The toner accumulation container 4 is inserted into the elastic tube of the air-fuel mixture conveyance path 103 which is communicated with the toner conveyance port 4a of the toner accumulation container 4 and the other end is communicated with the hopper 102a of the developing means 102. A gas flow is created from the toner transport port 4a toward the hopper 102a of the developing means 102, and the toner (T) in the elastic tube of the air-fuel mixture transport path 103 is mixed with the gas by this gas flow. It is conveyed to the hopper 102a of the developing means 102.
[0011]
The toner presence / absence detecting means 102b in the hopper for detecting the presence / absence of toner (T) in the hopper 102a of the developing means 102 is used for the ON condition of the toner replenishing clutch 14. While the sensor of the toner presence / absence detecting means 102b in the hopper detects that there is no toner, the toner replenishing clutch 14 is turned on, and the normal toner (T) into the hopper 102a of the developing means 102 is turned on. Transport is performed.
The replenishment toner container 1a and the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 are discharged from the discharge opening 1a by the lid opening / closing means 12a or the lid opening / closing means 12b.₁ And outlet 1b₁ Lid 1a for opening and closing₂ Or lid 1b₂ Can be inserted and removed independently and can be opened and closed.
The replenishment toner container 1a and the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 are provided with a discharge port 1a.₁ And outlet 1b₁ From lid 1a₂ Or lid 1b₂ When the control means 11 is opened, the control means 11 operates the lock means 7a and the lock means 7b of the lock means 7, so that it cannot be pulled out.
[0012]
The power of a main motor (not shown) is turned on, and the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 is held by the toner container holding means 9a of the toner container holding means 9 while the toner container driving means of the toner container driving means 3 is held. The toner (T) that is rotationally driven by 3a and is stored in the cylindrical shape of the replenishment toner container 1a is an ejection port 1a provided at one axial end of the replenishment toner container 1a.₁ The toner (T) discharged from and accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 and accumulated and accommodated in the toner accumulation container 4 is mixed with the mixture gas by the diaphragm pump of the mixture conveying means 6. The toner is conveyed to the hopper 102a of the developing means 102 through an elastic tube made of an elastic material of the conveying path 103, and normal toner (T) is conveyed.
The toner (T) is supplied to the toner accumulation container 4 by the height sensor of the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation container provided at the lower position of the toner accumulation container 4 and the control means 11. Done.
That is, when the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 is detected by the toner presence / absence detection unit 5 in the toner accumulation container, the toner accumulation / accommodation unit 6 until the detection unit 5 detects the absence of toner. The toner (T) deposited in the unit 4 is forcibly conveyed as a mixture with a fluidizing gas. After the detection means 5 detects the absence of toner, the toner container driving means 3 is driven for a predetermined time so that the toner (T) is discharged from the replenishment toner container 1a in which the toner container 1 has been replenished, and then the toner. The presence / absence of toner (T) in the replenishment toner container 1a is detected by detecting the presence / absence of toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation / container 4 by the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the accumulation / container 4. As a result, when the presence of toner (T) in the replenishment toner container 1a is detected, the replenishment toner container 1a is detected, or when the absence of toner in the replenishment toner container 1a is detected, the standby toner container 1b is set in a toner replenishment state. After detecting the presence or absence of toner (T) by the same method as described above and detecting the presence of toner (T), supply of toner (T) to the toner accumulation container 4 by discharging is started. .
Then, the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation container 5 detects the presence / absence of toner (T) accumulated and accommodated in the toner accumulation container 4, and accumulates in the toner accumulation container 4. Then, when the amount of the toner (T) accommodated exceeds a predetermined height, the supply of the toner (T) is stopped.
By the control of the control means 11, a predetermined amount of toner (T) is always stored in the toner accumulation container 4, and a stable development process is guaranteed.
[0013]
The image forming apparatus 100 is an example of a copying machine, and includes a toner supply device 0, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 110, an exposure unit 120 for forming an image by a conventionally known electrophotographic method, an image forming unit. A groove is formed by the section 130, the sheet feeding section 140, and the like. The exposure unit 120 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 110 or a light source 121 for irradiating a document (O) placed on the contact glass 111 by manual feed, and a reflected light image from the document (O). Is formed by an exposure optical system including a mirror group 122 and a lens 123 for exposing the image on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 101 of the image forming unit 130.
The image forming unit 130 includes a photosensitive drum of the image carrier 101 and a charging unit 105, a developing unit 102, a registration roller 106, a transfer unit 104, a cleaning unit 107, a fixing unit 108, and a paper discharge roller disposed around the photosensitive drum. 109 or the like.
The paper feed unit 140 is provided with a plurality of paper feed cassettes in which transfer papers (P) of various sizes are stored.
Although the exposure unit 120 is an example of an analog exposure optical system, a laser scanning optical system using a laser light source and a deflector is used as the exposure unit 120 in accordance with an image signal. If a method of performing optical writing on the photosensitive drum is adopted, it can function as a laser printer, and if a document reading device is installed between the automatic document feeder (ADF) 110 and the exposure unit 120, digital The configuration is a copying machine or a facsimile machine.
When the image forming operation is started, the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 101 is charged by the charging unit 105, and the original image from the exposure unit 120 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the two-component developer or the one-component developer of the developing unit 102 to be visualized, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 101.
[0014]
The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 101 is fed from the paper feeding unit 140 and is connected between the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 101 and the transfer belt 104 a of the transfer unit 104 via the registration roller 106. The transfer paper (P) transferred to the transfer paper (P) fed to the nib portion by the transfer means 104 and transferred with the toner image is conveyed to the fixing means 108 by the transfer belt 104a of the transfer means 104, and the fixing means 108 is transferred. Thus, the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper (P). The fixed transfer sheet (P) is discharged and stored via the discharge roller 109.
On the other hand, the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 101 after the toner image is transferred to the transfer paper (P) is cleaned by the cleaning means 107, and foreign matters such as residual toner and paper dust are removed and collected. Prepared for. Further, the transfer belt 104a of the transfer means 104 after the transfer paper (P) is conveyed is also cleaned by the transfer cleaning means 104b, and foreign matters such as residual toner and paper dust are removed and collected.
As the developing means 102, an example using a two-component magnetic brush developing system using toner (T) and a carrier is shown in the following description.
The toner supply device 0 disposed at a position away from the development position of the developing unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the developing unit 102 through the air-fuel mixture transport path 103, and a toner container insertion portion of the toner supply device 0. The toner (T) stored in the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 attached to 2 is passed through the mixture transport path 103 by a powder air pump unit called a diaphragm pump of the mixture transport means 6. Then, it is conveyed and supplied to the present means 102 as an air-fuel mixture with gaseous air.
The air-fuel mixture conveyance path 103 is a tube material that is flexible and excellent in toner resistance. For example, nylon or Teflon is very effective. Accordingly, since the connection between the toner supply device 0 and the developing means 102 is flexible, there is no restriction on the installation of each, the layout can be used effectively, and the detachability and exchangeability of the toner container 1 can be improved. The presence / absence of toner (T) in the plurality of toner containers 1 can be detected automatically and in advance without any failure at low cost, and the toner conveyance is performed without interruption, and the image forming operation is not interrupted. It is possible to provide a resource-saving toner supply device that continues to prevent the occurrence of toner scattering at the time of replacement of the toner container 1 and an image forming device that has the same and continuously forms high-quality images. Became.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an example of the developing means. In FIG. 2, the developing means 102 is composed of a developing container portion 102c and the hopper 102a, and the developing container portion 102c is shown in the drawing. Arranged in the vicinity of the photosensitive drum, which is an image carrier 101 held rotatably in the direction of arrow C, the hopper 102a is mounted on the developing container portion 102c.
Inside the developing container portion 102c, a stirring roller 102d and a paddle wheel 102e are provided. Magnetic or non-magnetic toner (T) that is stirred and mixed by the stirring roller 102d and frictionally charged to opposite polarities. And a two-component developer composed of a magnetic carrier are pumped up by the paddle wheel 102e. The hopper 102a is provided with a toner replenishing roller 102a when the density of the toner (T) supplied to the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 101 decreases.₁ , The toner (T) is fed out toward the stirring roller 102d. At a position where the developer is pumped up by the paddle wheel 102e, a plurality of developing rollers 102f and a developing roller 102g are provided in the vicinity of the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 101.
The developing roller 102f and the developing roller 102g are located on the upstream side along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 101 as the first developing roller 102f and located on the downstream side. The second developing roller 102g is used. The first developing roller 102f and the second developing roller 102g include, as main parts, a sleeve that can be rotated counterclockwise by a driving unit (not shown) and a mag roller fixed inside the sleeve. ing. The sleeve is made of a non-magnetic material such as aluminum or stainless steel, and the mag roller is made of a ferrite magnet, a rubber magnet, or a plastic magnet formed by kneading nylon powder and ferrite powder, and the magnetic poles extend in the circumferential direction. A plurality of arrangements.
[0016]
In the developing container portion 102c, the developer is pumped up by the centrifugal force generated when the paddle wheel 102e is rotated, and is discharged toward the first current twill roller 102f. A part of the discharged developer is directly supplied to the first developing roller 102f and carried on the surface of the first developing roller 102f. The remaining part of the released developer is supported on the surface of the first developing roller 102f by the magnetic force on the first developing roller 102f side when it rebounds by hitting against the second developing roller 102g. In order to supply the developer to the first developing roller 102f also from the second roller 102g side, the paddle wheel 102e is provided for the purpose of increasing the amount of rebound from the second developing roller 102g. It is necessary to relatively increase the rotational speed and increase the centrifugal force.
The developer carried on the first developing roller 102f moves on the surface of the roller with the rotation of the developing sleeve, the layer thickness is regulated by the doctor blade 102h, and then the first developing roller 102f and the image carrier. The first developing area (DI) that faces the photosensitive drum 101 is reached. When the developer that has reached the development area (DI) moves to a position where the action of the magnetic force on the first developing roller 102f side is weakened, the broken line shown in the figure is generated by the rotation on the second developing roller 102g side and the magnetic force from the mag roller. As shown, the second developing roller 102g and the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 101 are transferred toward the second developing area (D2). Then, it falls to the bottom of the developing container 102c at a position where the magnetic force of the second developing roller 102g does not act, and is stirred again by the paddle wheel 102e.
[0017]
The developer scraped off by the doctor blade 102h is guided toward the conveying screw 102j located at the other end in the extending direction by the separator 102i, and is lowered onto the stirring roller 102d by the conveying screw 102j. For this reason, a slit for dropping the developer is formed at the other end in the extending direction of the separator 102i at a position facing the stirring roller 102d. The mag rollers provided on the first developing roller 102f and the second developing roller 102g are repelled by the same polarity between the closest positions of the first developing roller 102f and the second developing roller 102g. The arrangement of magnetic poles that can form a magnetic field is set, and the developer transfer direction is forcibly set in the direction toward the second developing roller 102g. Thus, the developer is transferred to the second developing roller 102g by the magnetic force of the magnetic pole on the second developing roller 102g side.
In the vicinity of the stirring roller 102d in the developing container portion 102c, a toner concentration sensor constituting a toner concentration detecting means 102k for detecting a mixing ratio of toner and carrier is disposed. The toner density sensor of the toner density detecting means 102k uses, for example, a system that detects the toner density from the content of toner (T) in the developer by using the inductance change of the coil located in the developer. Yes.
[0018]
FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the state of the main part of the toner container according to the embodiment of the present invention. The replenishing toner container 1a of the toner container 1 is a cylindrical toner container main body for storing toner (T) therein. 1a_Three The toner container main body 1a that can be opened and closed to discharge the stored toner at one axial end thereof_Three The discharge port 1a having a diameter smaller than the diameter of₁ Is forming.
Further, the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 has the discharge port 1a.₁ A part of the inner surface of the shoulder portion of the end surface on which the surface is formed extends from the inner surface portion of the shoulder portion to the discharge port 1a.₁ The protruding portion 1a for lifting the toner (T)_Four Form.
The partial drawings (a) to (d) of the replenishing toner container 1a are the protruding portion 1a._Four And discharge port protruding portion 1a_Five FIG. 3 shows how to guide the toner (T) according to FIG. 1. In each of the divided drawings, each of the divided drawings (a1), (b1), (c1), and (d1) is a front view, and corresponding to each of them. Minute diagrams (a2), (b2), (c2), and (d2) are right side views.
The state in which the replenishment toner container 1 is rotated 90 degrees from the state of the partial view (a) in the direction of the arrow D shown in the drawing is the partial view (b), the partial view (c), and the partial view (d).
In the state of the partial diagram (a), the maximum diameter portion of the shoulder portion is positioned vertically downward, and the guide groove 1a₆ Thus, the toner (T) is guided to the lower part of the peripheral wall of the maximum diameter portion of the head of the toner container 1a.
The state of the partial diagram (b) is a prone bear rotated by 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow D shown from the state of the partial diagram (a), and the maximum diameter portion of the shoulder portion and the protruding portion 1a._Four Is located vertically below the guide groove 1a.₆ A part of the toner (T) guided by the_Four It is on.
The state of the partial diagram (c) is rotated 90 degrees from the state of the partial diagram (b) in the direction of the arrow D shown in the figure until reaching the state of the partial diagram (c). In addition, the protruding portion 1a_Four Is like a spoon and the discharge port 1a₁ Lift the toner (T) to the edge.
The state of the partial diagram (d) is a state in which the state is further rotated by 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow D shown in the figure from the state of the partial diagram (c), and before and after the state before the state of the partial diagram (d) is rotated. Delivery part 1a_Four The toner (T) on the upper part partially projects the opening protruding portion 1a._Five And the discharge port protruding portion 1a._Five By the inclination of the discharge port 1a₁ It is made to discharge from.
Here, in the example shown in the drawing, the protruding portion 1a as shown in FIG._Four It itself has a concave shape like the scooping part of a spoon.
Therefore, the discharge port 1a is₁ If the vicinity is formed in a container shape, the toner (T) in the replenishing toner container 1a is transferred to the discharge port 1a.₁ The toner (T) powder is discharged and dropped as a whole from the toner, and the toner (T) powder is gradually discharged without causing dust in the toner accumulation container 4 (not shown). Further, the toner (T) stored in the replenishing toner container 1a of the toner container 1 can be used up almost without leaving it to the end. Further, when the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 is rotated, the excess toner (T) is removed, so that only one spoonful of toner is scooped up so that the discharge port 1a.₁ The discharge port 1a.₁ The toner is discharged from the camera at a constant rate.
[0019]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration inside the toner container insertion portion. The replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 is the toner container of the toner container insertion portion 2 from the front of the main body of the toner supply device 0 in the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. The toner container holding means 9a of the toner container holding means 9 integrated with the toner supply device 0 is detachably set by being inserted into the insertion portion 2a. The toner container holding means 9a of the toner container holding means 9 is a holder 9a.₁ Inner holder 9a rotatably supported in₂ The inner holder 9a₂ Is a gear 9a by a rotational drive means (not shown)._Three Can be rotated through.
The replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 has the inner holder 9a.₂ Concavities and convexities not shown in the figure are provided so that they can rotate in synchronization with each other. Inner holder 9a₂ When the toner (T) is discharged, the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 and the inner holder 9a₂ The seal 9a prevents the toner from scattering from between the receiving portion and the receiving portion._Four Is provided.
Holder 9a₁ Inside, the slider 12a of the lid opening / closing means 12a of the lid opening / closing means 12₁ And chuck 12a₂ Are slidably supported. The slider 12a₁ Always covers the lid 1a₂ Spring 12a in the direction of pressing toner (T)_Three It is pushed by. From this state, the chuck 12a₂ Is moved in the direction of arrow E shown in the figure, the lid 1a is moved.₂ Knob part 1a_{twenty one}The chuck 12a₂ Nail 12a_{twenty one}Grab the lid 1a₂ Is pulled out of the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1.
[0020]
FIG. 5 shows a state in which the cover 1a is pulled out.₂ Is pulled out from the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1, and the gear 9a is_Three Rotation drive source 3a₁ The inner holder 9a₂ And the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 is moved to the inner holder 9a.₂ When rotating in synchronization with the toner, the toner (T) in the replenishing toner container 1a of the toner container 1 is discharged into the discharge port 1a.₁ More discharged. When the toner (T) in the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 decreases, the moving means 12a passes after a predetermined time sufficient for the toner (T) stored in the toner container 1 to disappear._Four By the above chuck 12a₂ Is moved in the direction of the arrow F shown in the figure, and the discharge port 1a is moved.₁ The lid 1a₂ Closes.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a driving mechanism of the moving means, and the moving means 12a._Four The drive motor 12a₄₁, Worm gear 12a₄₂, Worm wheel (or Hasuba gear) 12a₄₃, Pinion 12a₄₄Rack 12a₄₅The drive motor 12a₄₁Rotates in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, thereby the chuck 12a.₂ Can be moved in the left-right direction in the direction of arrow G shown in the figure.
[0021]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the locking means, and the stopper 7a of the locking means 7a of the locking means 7 is shown.₁ Is a locking portion 1a provided in the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1.₇ The holder 9a₁ Stepped screw 7a₂ And spring 7a_Three Supported by the lid 1a.₂ In order to prevent the spring 7a from rotating up to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line with the closing force, the spring 7a_Three It is pressed by. Accordingly, the lid 1a is attached to the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1.₂ With the force to close the lid 1a₂ When the toner is closed, the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 does not escape.
However, when the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 becomes the standby toner container 1b during standby, the stopper 7a.₁ The solenoid 7a is controlled by the control means 11 (not shown)._Four Is turned off and the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is pulled more strongly, whereby the discharge port 1b of the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is drawn.₁ The lid 1b₂ The stopper 7a is closed to the position of the two-dot chain line shown in the figure.₁ It can be easily replaced by retracting.
[0022]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system, and FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the operation unit. The CPU 11a of the control means 11 is operated by a control program stored in the ROM 11b. The RAM 11c is a work memory for program execution. The output port 11d, the input port 11e, the LCD controller 11f, and the CPU 11a are connected by an address bus / data bus 11g. The bit map developed by the CPU 11a on the VRAM 11h via the LCD control unit 11f is transferred to the display unit (LCD module) 11j on the operation panel 11i and displayed. The CPU 11a reads the language switching key 11k, the print key 11l, and the sensors such as the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 and the toner container set detecting means 8 in the toner accumulation container through the input port 11e.
The drive motor 6a of the air-fuel mixture transport means 6 and the solenoid 7a of the lock means_Four LED 10 and the drive motor 12a of the lid opening / closing means 12₄₁The motors such as the drive source 13 and the toner replenishing clutch 14, solenoids, LEDs, and clutches are controlled by the output port 11d through a driver 11m.
[0023]
FIG. 10 is a transition diagram of the apparatus according to the present invention, and the state of waiting in the toner container insertion portion 2 of the toner container 1 has an upper supply toner container 1a and a lower standby toner container 1b, respectively. Apart from this state, the main toner container has a data store expressed as “upper toner container | lower toner container”.
The default main toner container is the upper toner container. This default is a default value at the time of product shipment, and the data store of the main toner container is non-volatile.
However, the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is the lid 1b.₂ Since the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 may be operated while the power is turned off in the state where the toner container 1 can be pulled out, the state 2 is set to the state 1 when the power is turned on, and the states 6, 9 In this case, the state is initialized to state 8. In the target state, the “toner container extraction” event is enabled (see FIG. 12F column). On the other hand, the lid 1a of the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1₂ Are opened in states 2 to 7, states 9 to 7, and states 3 to 4, and the lid 1b of the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is opened.₂ Is closed in states 5 to 6 and states 7 to 6. For the lock state in the state of each toner container 1, refer to the description in row F in FIG.
Hereinafter, the transition will be described in order. When it is recognized that the toner container is set from state 1 “not set: previous history”, the state transitions to state 2 “unknown toner container”. Since the lid has not been opened yet, the toner container can be pulled out and the state 1 is restored.
State 2 stays only when the other toner container is the main toner container. While the toner container is not the main toner container, the toner confirmation in the toner container does not operate regardless of how many times it is inserted and removed. At the same time, the toner container can be pulled out when it is desired to divert the toner container to another machine.
[0024]
When the next toner container becomes the main toner container, the state transitions to state 7 “check toner container”. The main toner container is used when the other toner container changes from state 4 “present toner container: main” to state 5 “NE (near end) toner container”. In the case where the operation is performed with one toner container from the beginning, the state 1 to the state 2 to the state 3 “toner container: sub” are continuously changed.
In state 7, the toner in the toner container is checked (see FIG. 14). When a transition is made from state 2, it is the main toner container. As a result of the toner confirmation, if there is toner, the flow goes to state 4. At this time, an event of “toner supply device NE (near end) release” is generated. This event is an input to FIG. If there is no toner, the flow goes to the state 6 “E (end) toner container”. This transition occurs during an exceptional operation when a toner container with empty toner is inserted.
When the condition of “NE (near end)” is satisfied in state 4, the state transitions to state 5. This condition is satisfied when the sensor of the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation container does not become “toner present” even if the toner container is rotationally driven by the toner container driving means 3 for a predetermined time. At this time, it is determined whether the main toner container (replenishment toner container 1a) and the sub toner container (standby toner container 1b) are exchanged. If the other toner container is “present toner container: secondary” or “unknown toner container”, the main toner container (replenishment toner container 1a) and the secondary toner container (standby toner container 1b) are switched.
[0025]
When the E (end) condition is satisfied in the state 5, the state transitions to the state 6 when the sub toner container is used. For the last main toner container, a “countdown start” event is generated simultaneously with the transition. This event is an input to FIG. This is a trigger for continuing image formation, for example, 50 sheets for a while until the last toner container reaches E (end) and the rest of the toner accumulation container 4 is interrupted because image formation is impossible. Become.
In state 6, the discharge port 1b of the standby toner container 1b.₁ Lid 1b₂ Is closed and the replacement of the toner container is displayed. The state transitions from state 6 to state 8 “not set: previous history E (end)” in which the toner container is pulled out.
State 8 indicates “not set”, which is a case where the previous history is the toner container E (end). The previous history is different from the state 1 in which the previous history is “present”. Here, when the sensor of the toner container set detecting means 8 detects the setting of the toner container, the state transits to the state 7 via the state 9 “check toner container: standby”. State 9 is a state that remains when the previous toner container is a “check toner container” when two E (end) toner containers are replaced together.
There are three transitions in the “check toner container” transitioned from state 9. When the main toner container has toner and the sub-toner container of the E (end) toner container is replaced with toner, the state 3 is entered. In state 3, the discharge port 1b of the standby toner container 1b₁ On the lid 1b₂ Is closed and the standby toner container 1b can be pulled out.
In the first replacement when both are E (end) toner containers, the replacement toner container becomes the main toner container (replenishment toner container 1a), and the state 4 is changed. At this time, an event of “toner supply device NE (near end) release” is generated. This event is an input to FIG. When the E (end) toner container is again inserted into the toner container insertion portion 2 and set, as a result of checking the presence or absence of toner in the toner container, there is no toner, and the state 6 is changed.
[0026]
In FIG. 11, the toner supply device 0 is in the normal state 1. Transition is made to state 2 by a “countdown” event (in FIG. 10, which occurs at the time of transition from state 5 to state 6. In other words, this represents a state in which the toner in the last toner container is empty). Here, one count is made per image formation. State 2 is when the toner end state of the toner supply device 0 is “NE (near end)”. Here, when 50 images are formed, the state 1 is entered. State 1 is when the toner end state of the toner supply device 0 is “E (end)”.
An event of “toner supply device (0) NE (near end) release” occurs in state 1 and state 2 (that is, a toner container 1 with toner newly inserted into the toner container insertion portion 2 to detect toner container set When the sensor No. 8 recognizes the set), the state 3 returns to “toner present”.
[0027]
In FIG. 12, the A row (off), B row (flashing), and C row (lit) in the figure indicate the insertion ports 2 a and the insertion ports of the toner container insertion port 2 into which the toner containers 1 are inserted. It is LED10a and LED10b of LED10 arrange | positioned 1 every 2b. The LED 10a and LED 10b of the LED 10 are turned on to prompt the operator to “replace” or “set” the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 or the standby toner container 1b.
The LED 10a and the LED 10b of the LED 10 are lit. Even if the replenishment toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is pulled out, the LED 10a and the standby toner container 1b are lit. Is set to the insertion port 2a or the insertion port 2b of the toner container insertion port 2, the light is turned off. At this time, if the toner container 1 is “toner present” or “no toner”, the display is turned off. If the toner container 1 is “E (end)”, the state transitions from state 7 to state 6 and The LED 10a or the LED 10b of the LED 10 is turned on again (see FIG. 10).
Column D is a message displayed on the screen of the display unit (LCD module) 11j according to the toner container state (see FIG. 9).
In the E row and the F row, the set state in each state of the replenishment toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 and the lock state by the lock means 7a or the lock means 7b of the lock means 7 are described above. It is displayed on the screen of the display unit (LCD module) 11j (see FIG. 9).
[0028]
In FIG. 13, the “E (end)” condition of the toner (T) of the toner supply device 0 is determined by a combination of the states of the replenishment toner container 1 a and the standby toner container 1 b of the toner container 1.
When either the replenishing toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is “with toner” or “NE (near end)”, image formation is possible regardless of the other state.
The combination {circle around (1)} between “E (end)” and “not set” in the replenishing toner container 1a or standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1, that is, the state shown in FIG. For example, only 50 sheets of images can be formed from the “E (end)” detection timing of the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 that has become “E (end)” or the standby toner container 1b. At this time, a warning message is displayed on the screen of the display unit (LCD module) 11j (see FIG. 9). Thereafter, if image formation is in progress, the image formation is interrupted and image formation becomes impossible. At this time, a full warning is displayed on the screen of the display (LCD module) 11j (see FIG. 9).
If the toner supply 1 of the toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b has “toner present” or a combination of “NE (near end)” and “check” (2), and the state of the toner supply device 0 is NE (near end), the image is displayed. Formation is possible. This is because it is inappropriate to display “NE (near end)” in a normal state in which “E (end)” of the toner container 1a or standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is set to “toner present”. “NE (near end)” display is deleted.
This is a measure for requiring a predetermined time to confirm the presence or absence of toner (T) in the replenishment toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1.
When the toner in the replenishment toner container 1a or standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is inserted in an empty state, E (end) is confirmed after the toner in the replenishment toner container 1a or standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 is confirmed. ), The combination of the E (end) toner container 1 with the replenishment toner container 1a or the standby toner container 1b is obtained.
[0029]
On the other hand, if the state of the toner supply device 0 is E (end), “W (please wait)” is displayed. In this case, both the replenishment toner container 1a and the standby toner container 1b of the toner container 1 are emptied, and after 50 images are formed and image formation becomes impossible, the toner containers 1 are replaced. Since the reserve remaining in the toner supply device 0 has already been consumed, the presence or absence of toner (T) in the replenishment toner container 1a of the toner container 1 or in the standby toner container 1b until the exit from the check toner container state is confirmed. It is necessary to wait for image formation until the operation is completed. In addition, after the system NE (near end), when the image is exchanged for the 45th image formation, the formation of the 50th image is reached during the confirmation. At this time, the image formation is interrupted, and if “toner is present” after the confirmation, the interruption of the image formation is canceled and the image forming operation is resumed.
[0030]
In FIG. 14, the control unit 11 controls the air-fuel mixture transport unit 6 to perform forced toner transport.
The presence or absence of toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 is detected by the sensor of the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation container (step 1), and the toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 is detected. If there is no toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4, the drive source 13 is turned on (step 2), and the diaphragm pump of the mixture conveying means 6 is turned on. The drive motor 6a is turned on (step 3), the rise of the diaphragm pump of the mixture conveying means 6 is waited (step 4), the toner replenishing clutch 14 is turned on (step 5), and the forced toner conveyance flag is set. (Step 6), the presence or absence of toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 is detected by the sensor of the toner presence / absence detection means 5 in the toner accumulation container (S6). 7), the absence of toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 is detected, the drive source 13 is turned off (step 8), and the drive motor of the diaphragm pump of the mixture transport means 6 6a is turned off (step 9), the toner replenishing clutch 14 is turned off (step 10), and the process is terminated.
[0031]
In FIG. 15, the control means 11 controls the air-fuel mixture conveying means 6 so that normal toner (T) is conveyed.
The presence or absence of toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 is detected by the sensor of the toner presence / absence detecting means 5 in the toner accumulation container 4 (step 21), and the toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 is detected. If there is no toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4, the forced toner conveyance flag is set (step 22), and the forced toner conveyance flag is set. If no set is detected, the process proceeds to step 25 to wait for a predetermined time since the forced toner conveyance flag is set (step 23), clears the forced toner conveyance flag (step 24), and replenishes (main). Drive source 3a for driving toner container 1a₁ Is turned on (step 25), and the presence or absence of toner (T) accumulated in the toner accumulation container 4 is detected by the sensor of the toner presence / absence detection means 5 in the toner accumulation container 4 (step 26). There is toner (T) to be accumulated in the accumulation container 4, and a drive source 3a for driving the replenishment (main) toner container 1a.₁ The motor is turned off (step 27) and the process ends.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the present invention, the toner container is a replenishment toner container in a replenishment state in which the toner container is prevented from being pulled out and the lid of the toner discharge port is opened, or the toner container is prevented from being withdrawn and the toner container is released. In a standby toner container in a standby state that prevents the lid of the discharge port from being opened, and when the presence or absence of toner in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection means when checking the presence or absence of toner in the toner container, Until the toner presence / absence detecting means detects that there is no toner, the toner container driving means of the replenishing toner container is temporarily stopped, the air-fuel mixture conveying means is forcibly operated, and one toner container among the toner containers Only the replenishment toner container or all the toner containers are standby toner containers, and the replenishment toner container is a toner presence / absence detection unit in the toner accumulation container. Managed to maintain the supply state until it is detected that there is no toner byby doing,The presence or absence of toner in the toner container can be detected without providing a sensor or the like for detecting the presence or absence of toner in the toner container.
  This makes it possible to detect the presence or absence of toner in the plurality of toner containers at a low cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the toner supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a main part (developing device) of an image forming apparatus having a toner supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state (toner discharge state) of a main part of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the toner supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another main part (lid opening / closing mechanism) of the image forming apparatus having the toner supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another main part of an image forming apparatus having a toner supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another main part of an image forming apparatus having a toner supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another main part of the image forming apparatus having the toner supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating another main part of a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged explanatory view illustrating another main part of the toner supply device and the image forming apparatus having the toner supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a transition diagram illustrating a state of another main part of the toner supply device and the image forming apparatus having the toner supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a transition diagram illustrating another state of another main part of the toner supply device and the image forming apparatus having the toner supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a table for explaining another state of another main part of the toner supply device and the image forming apparatus having the toner supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a table for explaining another state of another main part of the toner supply device and the image forming apparatus having the toner supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of another main part of the toner supply device and the image forming apparatus having the toner supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of another main part of the toner supply device and the image forming apparatus having the toner supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
0 Toner supply device
Toner container, 1a Supply toner container, 1a₁   Discharge port,
1a₂   Lid, 1a_{twenty one}  Knob part,
1a_Three   Toner container body,
1a_Four   The projecting part,
1a_Five   Discharge port protruding part,
1a₆   Guide groove,
1a₇   Locking part,
1b Standby toner container, 1b₁   Discharge port, 1b₂   lid
Toner container insertion portion, 2a insertion port,
2b insertion slot
Toner container driving means, 3a Toner container driving means, 3a₁   Driving source,
3b Toner container driving means, 3b₁   Driving source
Toner accumulation container, 4a Toner transport port
Means for detecting presence / absence of toner in toner accumulation container
Air-fuel mixture conveying means, 6a drive motor, 6b knitting core cam,
6c Diaphragm
Locking means, 7a Locking means, 7a₁   stopper,
7a₂   Corrugated child,
7a_Three   spring,
7a_Four   solenoid,
7b Locking means
8 toner container set detecting means, 8a toner container set detecting means,
8b Toner container set detection means
9 Toner container holding means, 9a Toner container holding means, 9a₁   holder,
9a₂   Inner holder,
9a_Three   gear,
9a_Four   sticker,
9b Toner container holding means
10 LED, 10a LED, 10b LED
11 control means, 11a CPU, 11b ROM, 11c RAM,
11d output port, 11e input port,
11f LCD controller, 11g address bus / data bus,
11h VRAM, 11i operation panel,
11j Display unit (LCD module),
11k language switch key, 11l print key,
11m driver
12 Lid opening / closing means, 12a Lid opening / closing means, 12a₁   Slider,
12a₂   Chuck, 12a_{twenty one}claw,
12a_Three   spring,
12a_Four   transportation,
12a₄₁  Drive motor,
12a₄₂  Worm gear,
12a₄₃  Worm wheel,
12a₄₄  Pinion,
12a₄₅  rack,
12b Lid opening / closing means
13 Drive source
14 Toner refill clutch
15 Screw member
100 Image forming apparatus
101 Image carrier
102 Developing means, 102a Hopper, 102a₁   Toner supply roller,
102b Means for detecting presence or absence of toner in the hopper,
102c developer container,
102d stirring roller,
102e paddle wheel,
102f developing roller,
102g developing roller,
102h Doctor blade,
102i separator,
102j conveying screw,
102k toner density detection means
103 Mixture transport path
104 transfer means, 104a transfer belt, 104b transfer cleaning means
105 Charging means
106 Registration roller
107 Cleaning means
108 Fixing means
109 Paper discharge roller
110 Automatic document feeder (ADF)
111 Contact glass
120 Exposure section
121 Light source
122 mirrors
123 lens
130 Image forming unit
140 Paper feeder

Claims (3)

A toner container insertion portion into which at least two or more toner containers for storing and discharging toner are inserted, and a toner container presence / absence detecting means provided in the toner container insertion portion for detecting the presence or absence of the toner container to be inserted; A toner container driving means for driving the toner container inserted into the toner container insertion portion to discharge the toner, and a toner which is driven by the toner container driving means and deposits and stores the toner discharged from the toner container As an air-fuel mixture of the accumulation container, toner presence / absence detecting means in the toner accumulation container for detecting the presence / absence of toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container, and a gas for fluidizing the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation container An air-fuel mixture conveying means for conveying toner, and the toner container driving means is configured to discharge the toner from the toner container at a predetermined time. By detecting the presence or absence of toner deposited on the toner deposit containing portion by the toner presence detection means in the toner accumulation accommodating portion from the drive, in the toner supply device for detecting the presence or absence of the toner in the toner container,
The toner container is a replenishment toner container in a replenishment state in which the toner container is prevented from being pulled out and the toner discharge port lid is opened, or the toner container is prevented from being pulled out and the toner discharge port lid is released. A standby toner container in a standby state to prevent the opening of
When the presence / absence of toner in the toner accumulation container is detected by the toner presence / absence detection unit when checking the presence / absence of toner in the toner container, the replenishment is performed until the toner presence / absence detection unit detects the absence of toner. It is possible to temporarily stop the toner container driving means for driving the toner container and forcibly operate the air-fuel mixture conveying means,
Of the toner containers, only one toner container is a replenishing toner container, or all toner containers are standby toner containers, and the replenishing toner container is charged with toner by means of toner presence / absence detection means in the toner accumulation container. a toner supply apparatus characterized by managing to maintain the supply state until it is detected that there is no. 2. The toner supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when the air-fuel mixture transporting means forcibly transports the toner, the toner container driving means drives the toner container to replenish toner from the replenishment toner container of the toner container to the toner accumulation container. A toner supply device that stops for a predetermined time. An image forming apparatus comprising: a toner supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein.

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