JP4443590B2 - Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner cartridge and an image forming apparatus for supplying toner to an image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers that employ an electrophotographic system include a photosensitive drum, a toner cartridge that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus, and a developing device.
When the image forming apparatus forms an image, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image to be formed on a recording sheet such as recording paper or an OHP sheet (hereinafter referred to as an image to be reproduced) is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. Is done. The toner cartridge supplies a developer (specifically, toner), which is a colorant, to the developing device, and the developing device attaches the toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum to form a toner image. The image is developed (that is, the photosensitive drum is developed).

  In such an image forming apparatus, after uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum, the surface of the photosensitive drum is irradiated with light so as to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image to be reproduced. As a result, the charged charges in the region irradiated with light on the surface of the photosensitive drum are removed, and the portion that has not been removed becomes an electrostatic latent image. Next, toner is supplied to the surface of the photosensitive drum and attached to a charged region (that is, an electrostatic latent image) on the surface of the photosensitive drum, whereby a toner image corresponding to an image to be reproduced is visualized on the surface of the photosensitive drum. It becomes. Finally, the visualized toner image is transferred to the recording sheet, whereby an image to be reproduced is formed on the recording sheet.

  When the toner cartridge supplies toner to the developing device, the toner in the toner cartridge is consumed. If the amount of toner supplied from the developing unit to the photosensitive drum is insufficient, it becomes difficult to form a high-quality image. Therefore, the image forming apparatus detects the remaining amount of toner contained in the toner cartridge, and the toner is insufficient. In this case, for example, it is notified to the user, manager, etc. (hereinafter referred to as an operator) of the image forming apparatus that it is time to replace the toner cartridge. An operator who recognizes the replacement timing of the toner cartridge removes the toner cartridge attached to the image forming apparatus and attaches a new toner cartridge to the image forming apparatus. That is, the toner is replenished to the image forming apparatus by replacing the empty toner cartridge with a new toner cartridge.

  Note that the image forming apparatus may include a toner supply device having a toner container. In this case, the operator attaches a toner cartridge to the toner supply device of the image forming apparatus, supplies new toner contained in the toner cartridge to the toner container of the toner supply device, and after completion of replenishment, Remove the toner cartridge from the toner supply device.

  By the way, the toner is in the form of a fine powder and has fluidity close to that of a liquid. However, when the toner cartridge is left for a long period of time, the toner in the toner cartridge aggregates and the fluidity decreases, and the behavior is close to solid. May be indicated. Toner having sufficient fluidity is easily supplied to the developing device and further to the photosensitive drum, but the agglomerated toner has low fluidity, so it easily remains in the toner cartridge and is supplied to the developing device and photosensitive drum. It is hard to be done. As a result, there is an inconvenience that a sufficient amount of toner is present in the toner cartridge, but the toner is insufficient on the photosensitive drum.

In order to prevent such an inconvenience, an operator shakes the toner cartridge and agitates the toner in the toner cartridge before the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus. It is necessary to keep.
However, since the operator manually swings the toner cartridge, some workers may mount the toner cartridge on the image forming apparatus without shaking the toner cartridge until the toner is sufficiently stirred and released. is there.

Conventionally, a toner cartridge that incorporates a toner stirring member has been proposed so that the toner can be sufficiently stirred and unwound even if the number of times the operator swings the toner cartridge is small (see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-10-288882

  However, the necessity of shaking the toner cartridge itself is not recognized by the operator, and the operator may attach the image forming apparatus without shaking the toner cartridge. In this case, even if the toner cartridge disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used, the toner is hardly stirred and cannot be removed.

Also, even if the operator shakes the toner cartridge, if the toner is shaken more times than the minimum number of times required for the toner to be sufficiently agitated and released, the toner is sufficiently agitated. I can't understand.
Furthermore, even if the user knows the minimum number of times that the toner cartridge should be shaken, it is cumbersome for the operator to count the number of times that the toner cartridge has been shaken. Forgetting etc. may occur, and the number of times of shaking may be insufficient.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the main object of the present invention is to count the number of times that the operator has swung without causing the operator to count the number of times that it has been swung. To provide a toner cartridge capable of counting.

  Another object of the present invention is to accurately count the number of times the operator has swung immediately before being mounted on the image forming apparatus by adopting a configuration that does not count the number of times that it has been swung when it is packed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner cartridge that can be used.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a toner cartridge that can count the number of times the operator swings with a simple configuration by counting the number of times the pendulum has contacted the contact. .

  Another object of the present invention is to count the number of times that the operator has swung so that the toner amount distribution is uniform by counting the number of times the pendulum swinging in the direction along the longitudinal direction contacts the contact. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner cartridge capable of counting the above with a simple configuration.

  Another object of the present invention is to count the number of times the operator swings in a plurality of directions with a simple configuration by counting the number of times the pendulum swinging in a plurality of directions contacts the contact. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner cartridge that can be used.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a toner cartridge capable of recognizing the number of times of shaking without counting by an operator by displaying the number of times of shaking.

  Another object of the present invention is to display a message indicating that rocking should be performed when the number of times of rocking is less than a predetermined value, so that the operator should not rock and should rock. An object of the present invention is to provide a toner cartridge that allows an operator to recognize a lack of rocking without knowing the minimum number of times required.

  Another object of the present invention is to form on the surface of the photoreceptor by controlling the supply of the toner contained in the toner cartridge to the developing means according to the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of supplying a sufficiently agitated undissolved toner to a developing unit that visualizes a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image.

  Another object of the present invention is to prohibit the supply of toner to the developing means when the number of times the toner cartridge is swung is less than a predetermined value, so that the toner that is not released due to insufficient stirring is developed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the supply to the printer.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of recognizing the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung without the operator counting, by displaying the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung. It is to provide.

  Still another object of the present invention is to display that the toner cartridge should be swung when the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung is less than a predetermined value, so that the operator does not count. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which an operator can recognize that the toner cartridge is insufficiently oscillated without knowing the minimum necessary number of times that the toner cartridge should be oscillated.

The toner cartridge according to the present invention contains toner , and is packed with counting means for counting the number of times the toner contained in the toner cartridge is agitated by being shaken . and a packing detecting means for detecting, said counting means, said packing detecting means, when detecting the fact that the packaging, the Citea Rukoto to maintain the counting result to "0" Features.

  The toner cartridge according to the present invention is characterized in that the counting means includes a pendulum that swings in at least one direction, a contact point that the pendulum contacts, and a counter that counts the number of times the pendulum has contacted the contact point. And

  The toner cartridge according to the present invention is columnar, and the pendulum swings in a direction along a longitudinal direction thereof.

  The toner cartridge according to the present invention is characterized in that the pendulum swings in a plurality of directions, and the contact point is arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of swing directions of the pendulum.

  The toner cartridge according to the present invention further includes result display means for displaying the counting result.

  The toner cartridge according to the present invention includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the counting result is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and a swing display unit that displays that it should swing when the determination unit determines that the determination result is negative. And further comprising.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a developing unit that visualizes a toner image by attaching toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of a photoreceptor, and a toner image that is visualized by the developing unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a transfer unit configured to transfer to a recording sheet; wherein the toner cartridge according to the present invention is detachably mounted, and the toner contained in the mounted toner cartridge is supplied to the developing unit. Control means for controlling the supply of toner to the developing means based on the counting result of the counting means of the toner cartridge.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit includes a unit that determines whether or not the counting result is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and a unit that prohibits the supply when the unit determines not. It is characterized by that.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention further includes an apparatus-side result display unit that displays the counting result.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the apparatus-side determination unit that determines whether or not the counting result is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the toner cartridge should be swung when the apparatus-side determination unit determines NO And a device-side swing display means for displaying the effect.

In the present invention, the toner cartridge includes the counting means.
The toner cartridge contains toner, and the toner contained in the toner cartridge is agitated and released when the operator swings the toner cartridge.
The counting means counts the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung. For this reason, it is not necessary for the operator to count the number of times the operator has swung the toner cartridge. That is, the number of times the toner cartridge is swung is accurately counted without mistakenly counting the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung or forgetting the counted number.

The toner cartridge including the counting unit further includes a packing detection unit.
The packaged toner cartridge is naturally swung during transportation, for example, but this rocking is not rocking for stirring and releasing the toner contained in the toner cartridge. Even if the toner is released by the swinging, a long time may elapse after the swinging until the toner cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, and the toner may condense during this time.
On the other hand, the unpacked toner cartridge may be mounted on the image forming apparatus in a short time after being shaken by an operator to stir and unpack the toner contained in the toner cartridge. high.

  Therefore, in order to count the number of swings for stirring and releasing the toner just before mounting the toner cartridge in the image forming apparatus, and so as not to erroneously count swings other than this swing, When it is detected that the toner cartridge is packed and the packing detection unit detects that the toner cartridge is packed, the counting unit maintains the count result at “0”. For this reason, the counting means does not execute the swing counting itself when it is detected that the toner cartridge is packed, or repeatedly clears the count result to “0” at an appropriate timing. .

  On the other hand, when the packing detection means does not detect that the toner cartridge is packed (that is, when it is detected that the toner cartridge is not packed), the counting means causes the toner cartridge to swing. Count the number of times. As a result, it is possible to accurately count the number of times the operator swings the toner cartridge immediately before mounting the toner cartridge on the image forming apparatus.

In the present invention, the counting means provided in the toner cartridge includes a pendulum, a contact point, and a counter.
The pendulum swings in at least one direction. Therefore, when the operator swings the toner cartridge in this one direction, the pendulum swings in this one direction.
For example, when there is one contact point, the pendulum and the contact point once per reciprocation of the pendulum, and when two contact points are spaced apart in one direction, the pendulum Contact with the contact.
The counter counts the number of times the pendulum has contacted the contact. Therefore, the counting result of the counter corresponds to the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung.

  As a result, the number of times that the operator has swung the toner cartridge can be counted with a simple configuration using the pendulum, the contact, and the counter.

In the present invention, the counting means provided in the toner cartridge includes a pendulum that swings in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge, a contact, and a counter. Generally, the longitudinal direction of a columnar toner cartridge is the length direction of a column.
The toner contained in the toner cartridge may have a non-uniform toner amount distribution in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge. In order to make the toner amount distribution in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge uniform, it is necessary to swing the toner cartridge in the longitudinal direction.

When the operator swings the toner cartridge in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge, the pendulum swings in a direction along the longitudinal direction and comes into contact with the contact. The counter counts the number of times the pendulum has contacted the contact. Therefore, the counting result of the counter corresponds to the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung in the longitudinal direction.
As a result, the number of times that the operator swings the toner cartridge so that the toner amount distribution in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge becomes uniform can be counted with a simple configuration.

In the present invention, the counting means provided in the toner cartridge includes a pendulum that swings in a plurality of directions, contacts that are arranged corresponding to the plurality of swing directions of the pendulum, and a counter.
The toner cartridge is not always swung only in one direction. Further, the toner stored in the toner cartridge is more easily stirred and unraveled when the toner cartridge is swung in a plurality of directions than when the toner cartridge is swung in only one direction. In addition, the toner amount distribution in the toner cartridge tends to be uniform.

When the operator swings the toner cartridge in a plurality of directions, the pendulum swings in each of the plurality of swing directions and comes into contact with the contact. The counter counts the number of times the pendulum has contacted the contact. Therefore, the counting result of the counter corresponds to the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung in a plurality of directions.
As a result, the number of times the operator has swung the toner cartridge in a plurality of directions can be counted with a simple configuration.

In the present invention, the toner cartridge including the counting unit further includes a result display unit.
The counting means counts the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung, and the result display means displays the counting result of the counting means, that is, the number of times the operator has swung the toner cartridge.
For this reason, the operator can easily recognize the number of times the operator has swung the toner cartridge before mounting the toner cartridge on the image forming apparatus without counting.

In the present invention, the toner cartridge including the counting unit further includes a determination unit and a swing display unit.
The counting means counts the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung, and the determining means determines whether the counting result of the counting means, that is, whether the number of times the operator has swung the toner cartridge is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The rocking display means displays that the toner cartridge should be rocked when it is determined as NO (that is, when the counting result of the counting means is determined to be less than a predetermined value).

For this reason, even if the operator does not count the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung, or even if the operator does not know the minimum number of times necessary for the toner to be sufficiently stirred and released, Further, even if the operator does not compare the minimum number of swings and the counting result, the worker can easily detect the insufficient swing of the toner cartridge before attaching the toner cartridge to the image forming apparatus. Can be recognized. Further, when the swing is insufficient, the toner cartridge can be further swung.
Further, when the toner cartridge is sufficiently swung, there is no indication that the toner cartridge should be swung, so that the operator forms an image of the toner cartridge that the worker has swung the toner cartridge sufficiently. It can be easily recognized before being attached to the device.

In the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a control unit, and the toner cartridge according to the present invention is detachably mounted on the image forming apparatus, and is accommodated in the mounted toner cartridge. The toner is supplied to the developing means.
The toner cartridge contains toner, and the toner contained in the toner cartridge is agitated and released when the operator swings the toner cartridge. The counting means included in the toner cartridge according to the present invention counts the number of times the toner cartridge is swung.

When the counting result of the counting means is large, the toner cartridge is swung many times, so that the toner contained in the toner cartridge is sufficiently stirred and unwound. On the other hand, when the counting result of the counting means is small, the number of times that the toner cartridge has been swung is small, so the toner contained in the toner cartridge is not sufficiently stirred and is considered to be agglomerated.
The control unit controls the supply of toner to the developing unit based on the counting result of the counting unit. For this purpose, for example, the image forming apparatus is provided with a toner supply mechanism that supplies the toner contained in the toner cartridge to the developing means, and the control means controls the operation of the toner supply mechanism so that the counting result of the counting means is If it is larger, the toner contained in the toner cartridge is supplied to the developing means.

When the toner is supplied, the developing unit attaches the toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor to visualize the toner image, and the transfer unit visualizes the toner image developed by the developing unit. Is transferred to a recording sheet. Accordingly, the sufficiently stirred and unwound toner is supplied to the developing means and further to the transferring means, and an image is formed on the recording sheet.
On the other hand, when the counting result of the counting means is small, the toner contained in the toner cartridge is not supplied to the developing means. Accordingly, the agglomerated toner with insufficient stirring is not supplied to the developing means and further to the transferring means, and an image is not formed on the recording sheet.

In the present invention, when the control unit included in the image forming unit determines whether or not the counting result of the counting unit included in the toner cartridge is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, that is, when the determination result is negative (that is, the counting result of the counting unit). Is determined to be less than a predetermined value), the toner supply to the developing means is prohibited. On the other hand, when it is determined that the counting result of the counting unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit executes supply of toner to the developing unit.
When the counting result of the counting means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is considered that the toner contained in the toner cartridge is sufficiently stirred and unwound. Therefore, the sufficiently stirred toner can be supplied to the developing means and further to the transfer means, and an image can be formed on the recording sheet using this toner.

  On the other hand, when the counting result of the counting means is less than the predetermined value, it is considered that the toner contained in the toner cartridge is not sufficiently stirred and aggregated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner that has been insufficiently agglomerated and agglomerated from being supplied to the developing means and further to the transfer means, and using this toner, an image can be formed on the recording sheet. Can be prevented.

In the present invention, the image forming apparatus further includes apparatus-side result display means.
The counting means of the toner cartridge counts the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung, and the apparatus-side result display means displays the counting result of the counting means, that is, the number of times the operator has swung the toner cartridge.
Therefore, the operator can easily recognize the number of times the operator has swung the toner cartridge even after the toner cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus without counting.

In the present invention, the image forming apparatus further includes an apparatus-side determination unit and an apparatus-side swing display unit.
The counting means included in the toner cartridge counts the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung, and the apparatus-side determining means counts the counting result of the counting means, that is, the number of times the operator has swung the toner cartridge is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The apparatus-side rocking display means displays that the toner cartridge should be rocked when it is judged as NO (ie, when the counting result of the counting means is determined to be less than a predetermined value). To do.

  For this reason, even if the operator does not count the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung, or even if the operator does not know the minimum number of times necessary for the toner to be sufficiently stirred and released, Further, even if the operator does not compare the minimum number of swings and the counting result, the worker can easily detect the insufficient swing of the toner cartridge even after the toner cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus. Can be recognized. Further, when the swing is insufficient, the toner cartridge can be once detached from the image forming apparatus and further swung.

  Further, when the toner cartridge is sufficiently swung, there is no indication that the toner cartridge should be swung, so that the operator forms an image of the toner cartridge that the worker has swung the toner cartridge sufficiently. Even after being attached to the device, it can be easily recognized.

  In the case of the toner cartridge of the present invention, it is not necessary for the operator to count the number of times the operator has swung the toner cartridge, so that the convenience of the operator can be improved. In addition, since the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung is not mistakenly counted or forgotten, the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung can be accurately counted.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner contained in the toner cartridge can be supplied to the developing means or not supplied depending on the number of times the toner cartridge has been swung. For this reason, when the toner cartridge is swung a sufficient number of times, and the toner is sufficiently stirred, an image can be formed using the sufficiently undissolved toner. As a result, it is possible to prevent unnecessary use of the agglomerated toner when the number of times the toner cartridge is swung is insufficient or the toner cartridge is not swung.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In the figure, reference numeral 500 denotes an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 500 includes an image reading unit 530 at the top, an image forming unit 540 at the center in the vertical direction, and a paper feeding unit 550 at the bottom. And have. Hereinafter, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 500 will be described first.

On the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 500, a translucent glass platen 531 is provided. A document cover 523 for pressing the document against the document table 531 is provided on the document table 531.
The image reading unit 530 is located below the document table 531. The image reading unit 530 includes a first scanning unit 532, a second scanning unit 533, an optical lens 526, and a CCD line sensor 504 that is a photoelectric conversion element, and an image of a document placed on a document table 531. Are read by relatively scanning at a predetermined exposure position.
The first scanning unit 532 is equipped with a light source lamp unit 501 that exposes the original surface and a first mirror 502 that reflects a reflected light image from the original in a predetermined direction.

The second scanning unit 533 includes a second mirror 525 and a third mirror 524 that guide the reflected light image from the document reflected by the first mirror 502 to the CCD line sensor 504.
The optical lens 526 forms an image of the reflected light from the original on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 504.
Image data of the image read by the CCD line sensor 504 is transferred to the image forming unit 540.

  The image forming unit 540 emits laser light in response to image data transferred from the photosensitive drum 510, the charger 505 that charges the photosensitive drum 510 to a predetermined potential, the document reading unit 530, or an external device. A laser scan unit 503 that forms an electrostatic latent image on the body drum 510, and a development that visualizes the toner image by supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 510 via a developing roller 522. A transfer device 528 and a transfer device 513 for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 510 to the recording sheet S as a recording sheet are provided.

The toner cartridge 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a columnar appearance, and has a posture in which the longitudinal direction is arranged in the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 500 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1). The toner is supplied to the developing device 528 by being detachably attached to the printer 528. In addition, a density sensor (not shown) for detecting the toner density in the developing device 528 is attached in the vicinity of the developing device 528.
The laser scan unit 503 incorporates a semiconductor laser that emits laser light modulated based on image data, a polygon mirror that polarizes the laser light in the main scanning direction by rotation, and a lens group (not shown). .

Further, the image forming unit 540 is provided with a fixing unit 541 for fixing the toner image on the recording paper S by heating and pressing the recording paper S on which the toner image is transferred. The fixing unit 541 includes a pair of rollers including an upper heating roller 508 and a lower pressure roller 509. The heating roller 508 includes a heater, and the temperature of the heating roller 508 is detected and controlled by a temperature sensor.
The recording sheet S on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 541 is conveyed by the discharge rollers 506 and 507 and discharged to the discharge tray 527.

  The paper feed unit 550 includes a manual feed tray 515 mounted on the side surface of the image forming apparatus 500 and paper feed trays 542 and 543 provided at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 500. Further, these paper feed trays 542 and 543 store a plurality of recording sheets S in a stacked manner. The paper feeding unit 550 conveys the recording paper S supplied from the paper feeding trays 542 and 543 and the manual feed tray 515 to a transfer position between the photosensitive drum 510 and the transfer unit 513 in the image forming unit 540. Conveying means such as rollers 519, 518, 521, 520, 516, 517, 514 are provided.

In the image forming apparatus 500 as described above, the photosensitive drum 510 functions as a photosensitive member, the developing unit 528 functions as a developing unit, and the transfer unit 513 functions as a transferring unit.
Next, the configuration of the toner cartridge 1 will be described. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 500 excluding the toner cartridge 1 is referred to as an image forming apparatus 500 main body.
Here, as shown in FIG. 2 to be described later, the image forming apparatus 500 main body uses a connector 17, a toner amount sensor 24, a control unit 28 having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O, and a liquid crystal panel. A display unit 29, a toner conveyance motor 205, a toner agitation motor 207, a mounting detection sensor 208, and motor drivers 209 and 210.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a state where the toner cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the toner cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is packed, and FIG. 4 is a counting unit provided in the toner cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a toner cartridge. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a housing 1a of the toner cartridge 1 is provided with a toner container 22 for containing toner and paddles 23a and 23a projecting from the peripheral surface. A stirring roller 23, a conveying roller 25, and a discharge roller 26 are built in, and a toner supply port 27 is formed in the housing 1a.
As the stirring roller 23 rotates, the paddles 23 a and 23 a stir the toner stored in the toner container 22, and the transport roller 25 transports the stirred toner to the outside of the toner container 22. The discharge roller 26 discharges the toner conveyed by the conveyance roller 25 to the developing device 528 through the toner supply port 27.

However, a seal 21 that covers the toner supply port 27 is attached to the toner supply port 27 at the time of shipment from the factory. The seal 21 is manually removed by an operator after the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 500.
In addition, the toner cartridge 1 includes the number of times the toner cartridge 1 has been swung before the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 500 (that is, before the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 500. A counting unit 206 is provided that counts the number of times that the operator has swung the toner cartridge 1 (hereinafter referred to as the number of swings). Further, the toner cartridge 1 is provided with a reset switch 100 for resetting the counting result of the counting unit 206 to “0”.

The reset switch 100 includes a cylindrical detection unit 98 and a housing 99 that houses a proximal end portion of the detection unit 98. The reset switch 100 is turned on when the detection unit 98 is pressed and turned off when the press is released. It is comprised so that it may become.
The tip of the detection unit 98 is normally biased by a spring (not shown) built in the housing 99 and protrudes from the housing 99 to the outside of the housing 1a. In this state, the reset switch 100 is off.
Here, when an external force is applied to the detection unit 98 and the detection unit 98 is pushed into the housing 99, the reset switch 100 is turned on.

That is, the reset switch 100 functions as a packing detection unit that detects whether or not the toner cartridge 1 is packed. The reset switch 100 is turned on when the toner cartridge 1 is packed and turned off when the toner cartridge 1 is not packed.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the toner cartridge 1 is packed by the packing member P, the detection unit 98 of the reset switch 100 is pressed by the packing member P and pressed into the housing 99. Turn on.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, when the toner cartridge 1 is unpacked and the packing member P is removed, the detection unit 98 released from the pressing by the packing member P is attached to the spring in the housing 99. The reset switch 100 is turned off because it is biased and protrudes from the housing 99.

  That is, the reset switch 100 is on from the time when the toner cartridge 1 is shipped from the factory until the operator removes the packing member P. Further, after the operator removes the packing member P, the reset switch 100 is off even if the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 500 main body.

As shown in FIG. 4, the toner cartridge 1 further includes a battery 97 that supplies power to the counting unit 206. The counting unit 206 includes a pendulum unit 101 and a counter 102.
The pendulum unit 101 includes a pendulum 93 that swings in at least one direction, and two contacts 94 and 94 that are spaced apart from each other in this direction.
With respect to the pendulum 93, the weight 93b suspended from the fulcrum 93a reciprocates in at least one direction around the fulcrum 93a and alternately contacts the contacts 94 and 94. The pendulum unit 101 may be provided with a guide portion that guides the reciprocation of the weight 93b so that the reciprocation of the weight 93b is limited in one direction.

The pendulum 93 and the contacts 94, 94 have conductivity, and the fulcrum 93 a and the contacts 94, 94 are connected to the counter 102, and the weight 93 b comes into contact with one of the contacts 94, so Are electrically connected.
The counter 102 generates a pulse when the reset switch 100 is OFF and the fulcrum 93a and the contact 94 are electrically connected, and counts the generated pulse (that is, every time one pulse is generated). The count result is incremented by “1”).

When the reset switch 100 is on, the power supply from the battery 97 to the counter 102 is short-circuited, so that no pulse can be generated in the reset switch 100. For this reason, regardless of whether or not the weight 93b is in contact with the contact 94, the counter 102 does not count the pulses. That is, when the reset switch 100 is turned on, the count result of the counter 102 is maintained at “0”.
The counter 102 is connected to a connector 17 provided on the image forming apparatus 500 main body when the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 500 main body (see FIG. 2).

  A toner transport motor 205 shown in FIG. 2 rotates and drives the transport roller 25 and the discharge roller 26, and a toner stirring motor 207 drives the stirring roller 23 to rotate. The control unit 28 is a control center that controls the operation of the main body of the image forming apparatus 500, and controls driving / stopping of the toner transport motor 205 and the toner agitation motor 207 via the motor drivers 209 and 210. More specifically, the motor driver 209 (or the motor driver 210) is controlled by the control unit 28 to supply necessary power to the toner transport motor 205 (or the toner agitation motor 207), and to stop power supply. As a result, the toner transport motor 205 (or toner stirring motor 207) is driven and stopped.

  The toner is charged by the rotation of the various rollers 23, 25, and 26 driven by the toner conveyance motor 205 and the toner agitation motor 207, and the rotation speed and rotation start / stop timing of the various rollers 23, 25, and 26. And the like are controlled by the control unit 28, so that an appropriate amount of toner is supplied from the toner supply port 27 to the developing device 528 as needed. That is, the control unit 28 controls the supply of toner to the developing device 528.

The control unit 28 controls the display unit 29 to display various messages. The control unit 28 is connected to the connector 17, the toner amount sensor 24, and the attachment detection sensor 208.
The attachment detection sensor 208 detects whether or not the toner cartridge 1 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 500, and when detecting that the toner cartridge 1 is attached, the toner cartridge 1 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 500. An attachment detection signal indicating this is given to the control unit 28.
The toner amount sensor 24 detects the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 22 of the toner cartridge 1, and gives a remaining toner signal corresponding to the amount of remaining toner to the control unit 28.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of toner supply processing executed by the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
When the mounting detection signal is supplied from the mounting detection sensor 208, the control unit 28 determines that the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 22 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount based on the remaining toner signal supplied from the toner amount sensor 24. It is determined whether or not there is (S11), and if it is a predetermined amount or more (YES in S11), the process of S11 is repeated.

  At this time, since a sufficient amount of toner is stored in the toner container 22 of the toner cartridge 1, a sufficient amount of toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 1 to the developing device 528, and from the developing device 528 to the photosensitive drum 510. A sufficient amount of toner is supplied. Further, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 510 is transferred to the recording paper S in the transfer unit 513, so that a high quality image is formed on the recording paper S.

  When the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 22 is less than the predetermined amount (NO in S11), the control unit 28 determines that the amount of toner contained in the toner container 22 is insufficient, so A message prompting the operator to replace 1 (that is, the empty toner cartridge 1) with a new toner cartridge 1 is displayed on the display unit 29 (S12). Further, the control unit 28 determines whether or not a mounting detection signal is given from the mounting detection sensor 208 (S13). When the mounting detection signal is given (YES in S13), the toner cartridge which has become empty is determined. Since 1 is still attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 500, the process of S13 is repeated.

Even if an image is formed in this state, a sufficient amount of toner is not supplied from the toner cartridge 1 to the photosensitive drum 510 via the developing unit 528. As a result, the quality of the image formed on the recording paper S deteriorates.
If a message prompting the user to replace the toner cartridge 1 is displayed on the display unit 29, the operator opens a door (not shown) of the main body of the image forming apparatus 500, and the toner cartridge 1 attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 500. Remove. In addition, after a new toner cartridge 1 is prepared and the packing member P of the toner cartridge 1 is removed, the toner cartridge 1 is swung. However, at this time, the seal 21 that is still blocking the toner supply port 27 of the toner cartridge 1 is not removed.

By removing the packing member P, the reset switch 100 is turned off in the toner cartridge 1, and the counter 102 of the counting unit 206 can count pulses.
When the operator swings the toner cartridge 1, each time the weight 93 b comes into contact with the contacts 94, 94 due to the swing of the pendulum 93, a pulse is generated in the counter 102, and the number of generated pulses is counted. That is, the count result of the counter 102 corresponds to the number of times the toner cartridge 1 is swung.

Even if the toner in the toner cartridge 1 is agglomerated due to the toner cartridge 1 being left for a long time, the operator sufficiently swings the toner cartridge 1 immediately before mounting the toner cartridge 1 on the image forming apparatus 500 main body. As a result, the toner in the toner cartridge 1 is agitated and the aggregated toner is released.
By the way, the toner cartridge 1 from which the packing member P has not been removed is not immediately mounted on the image forming apparatus 500 main body even after it is sufficiently swung, and is left for a long time, and the toner in the toner cartridge 1 aggregates. There is a risk. For this reason, in the toner cartridge 1 before the packing member P is removed, the reset switch 100 is turned on, and the counter 102 cannot count pulses.

That is, the counting result of the counter 102 corresponds to the number of times the operator has swung the toner cartridge 1 immediately before mounting the toner cartridge 1 on the main body of the image forming apparatus 500. If the number of times is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, it is considered that the toner in the toner cartridge 1 is sufficiently stirred and unraveled.
An operator who has finished swinging the toner cartridge 1 attaches the toner cartridge 1 to the main body of the image forming apparatus 500.

When the mounting detection signal is no longer given from the mounting detection sensor 208 (NO in S13), the control unit 28 prompts the operator to mount the toner cartridge 1 because the toner cartridge 1 is removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus 500. The message is displayed on the display unit 29 (S14).
After completion of the processing of S14, the control unit 28 determines whether or not a mounting detection signal is given from the mounting detection sensor 208 (S15). If not (NO in S15), a new toner cartridge 1 is installed. Since the image forming apparatus 500 has not been mounted yet, the process of S15 is repeated. In this state, naturally, image formation cannot be executed.

  When a mounting detection signal is given from the mounting detection sensor 208 (YES in S15), since a new toner cartridge 1 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 500, the control unit 28 uses the counter 17 of the counting unit 206 via the connector 17. The count result of 102 is acquired (S16), and it is determined whether or not the obtained count result is a predetermined value or more (S17).

  If the counting result obtained from the counter 102 is less than the predetermined value (NO in S17), the toner cartridge 1 is insufficiently swung, and the toner in the toner cartridge 1 may still be aggregated. The unit 28 causes the display unit 29 to display the count result obtained from the counter 102 and the predetermined value (S18). Further, since the toner cartridge 1 is insufficiently oscillated, the operation is performed to oscillate the toner cartridge 1. A message prompting the user is displayed on the display unit 29 (S19), and the process returns to S13. In S18 or S19, the difference between the predetermined value and the counting result obtained from the counter 102 may be displayed to notify the operator how many times the rocking should be performed.

The operator who is prompted to swing the toner cartridge 1 removes the new toner cartridge 1 just attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 500, swings the toner cartridge 1 sufficiently, and then returns to the main body of the image forming apparatus 500 again. Installing.
Here, the control unit 28 does not operate the toner transport motor 205 and the toner agitation motor 207 until the processing of S20 to S23 described later is completed. For this reason, toner is not supplied from the toner cartridge 1 that has not yet been sufficiently swung to the developing device 528, and an image is not formed.

  As described above, if the toner cartridge 1 is insufficiently swung, the image forming apparatus 500 displays a warning to the operator, and the toner from the toner cartridge 1 that has not yet sufficiently swung to the developing device 528. In order to prohibit the supply of toner, the operator reliably recognizes the necessity of swinging the toner cartridge 1. In addition, it is not necessary for the operator to accurately count the number of times the toner cartridge 1 is swung. Further, by visually confirming the counting result and the predetermined value displayed on the display unit 29 (that is, the number of times the operator has swung the toner cartridge 1 and the number of times that the toner cartridge 1 should be swung to the minimum), how much toner will be used later. It can be seen that the cartridge 1 should be swung.

On the other hand, when the counting result obtained from the counter 102 is equal to or larger than the predetermined value (YES in S17), the toner cartridge 1 is sufficiently swung so that the toner in the toner cartridge 1 is released. Then, a message prompting the operator to remove the seal 21 covering the toner supply port 27 of the toner cartridge 1 is displayed on the display unit 29 (S20).
The operator who is prompted to remove the seal 21 removes the seal 21 from the toner cartridge 1 and closes the door of the main body of the image forming apparatus 500. The opening / closing of the door of the image forming apparatus 500 is detected by an opening / closing sensor (not shown) and the detection result is given to the control unit 28.

After the door of the main body of the image forming apparatus 500 is closed, the control unit 28 drives the toner transport motor 205 and the toner agitation motor 207 via the motor drivers 209 and 210 (S21). At this time, the various rollers 23, 25, and 26 that are rotationally driven by the toner conveyance motor 205 and the toner agitation motor 207 rotate, and the toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 1 to the developing device 528.
The control unit 28 determines whether or not the toner amount in the developing device 528 is sufficient based on the detection result of the density sensor provided in the vicinity of the developing device 528 (S22). If the toner is insufficient (NO in S22), the process of S22 is continued. At this time, the rotation of the various rollers 23, 25, and 26 is continued, and the toner is continuously supplied from the toner cartridge 1 to the developing device 528.

When the amount of toner in the developing device 528 is sufficient (YES in S22), the control unit 28 stops the toner conveyance motor 205 and the toner agitation motor 207 via the motor drivers 209 and 210 (S23), and performs processing. Return to S11.
By executing the toner replenishing process as described above, the image forming apparatus 500 is replenished with toner, and then the toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 1 to the photosensitive drum 510 via the developing unit 528 to form an image. The
Here, the counting unit 206 of the toner cartridge 1 functions as counting means, and the reset switch 100 functions as packing detection means.
The control unit 28 functions as a control unit and a device-side determination unit, and the display unit 29 functions as a device-side result display unit and a device-side swing display unit.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a counting unit provided in the toner cartridge according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
Unlike the toner cartridge 1 of the first embodiment, the toner cartridge 1 of the present embodiment further includes a control device 95 and a display panel 96 that are operated by being supplied with power from the battery 97.
Other parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The control device 95 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, and I / O integrally, and the display panel 96 uses a liquid crystal panel. The control device 95 controls the display panel 96 to display various messages. The control device 95 is connected to the counter 102.
The ROM of the control device 95 stores a predetermined value n _{0 of the} number of swings in advance, and if the number of swings of the toner cartridge 1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value n ₀ , the toner in the toner cartridge 1 is sufficient. It is thought to have been stirred and unraveled.
The control device 95 acquires the count result n of the counter 102 and stores it in the RAM of the control device 95 as the number of swings n ₁ . Each of the counting result n and the number of swings n ₁ is “0” at the time of factory shipment.

  If a message prompting the user to replace the toner cartridge 1 is displayed on the display unit 29 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 500, the operator, as in the case of using the toner cartridge 1 of the first embodiment, Is opened, the toner cartridge 1 attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 500 is removed, and a new toner cartridge 1 is prepared. Next, after the packing member P of the prepared toner cartridge 1 is removed, the toner cartridge 1 is swung. However, at this time, the seal 21 that is still blocking the toner supply port 27 of the toner cartridge 1 is not removed.

  An operator who has finished swinging the toner cartridge 1 visually recognizes the display panel 96 of the toner cartridge 1 before mounting the toner cartridge 1 on the main body of the image forming apparatus 500.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the swing support process executed by the toner cartridge control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The control device 95 obtains the count result n of the counter 102 of the counting unit 206 (S31), and whether or not the obtained count result n is larger than the number of swings n ₁ stored in the RAM of the control device 95. If n ≦ n ₁ (NO in S32), the toner cartridge 1 has not been shaken after the previous processing of S31 is completed, or the reset switch 100 is on. The process returns to S31.

If n> n _{1 is} exceeded (YES in S32), since the toner cartridge 1 has been shaken after the completion of the previous processing of S31, the control device 95 substitutes the count result n into the number of times of swing n ₁ in the RAM. Further, it is stored (S33), and it is further determined whether or not the number of swings n ₁ is equal to or greater than a predetermined value n ₀ stored in the ROM of the controller 95 (S34).
When n ₁ <n ₀ (NO in S34), the control device 95 has insufficient number of swings of the toner cartridge 1, and thus the number of times the toner cartridge 1 should be swung further (hereinafter referred to as the remaining number of times). n ₂ is calculated (S35). Specifically, the control device 95 assigns the result obtained by subtracting n ₁ from n ₀ to the remaining number of times n ₂ (ie, n ₂ ← n ₀ −n ₁ ) and stores it in the RAM.

Further, the controller 95 displays the number of swings n ₁ and the remaining number of times n ₂ on the display panel 96 (S36), and the toner cartridge 1 swings because the swing of the toner cartridge 1 is insufficient. A message prompting the operator is displayed on the display panel 96 (S37), and the process returns to S31. In S36, only the remaining number n ₂ may be displayed.

The operator who is prompted to swing the toner cartridge 1 further swings the toner cartridge 1 with reference to the swing number n ₁ and the remaining number n ₂ displayed on the display panel 96.
As described above, if the toner cartridge 1 is insufficiently swung, the toner cartridge 1 displays a warning to the worker, and the worker recognizes the necessity of swinging the toner cartridge 1. In addition, it is not necessary for the operator to accurately count the number of times the toner cartridge 1 is swung.

On the other hand, if n ₁ ≧ n ₀ (YES in S34), the toner cartridge 1 is sufficiently swung and the toner in the toner cartridge 1 is released, so the controller 95 causes the toner cartridge 1 to form an image. A message for instructing the operator to attach the apparatus to the main body of the apparatus 500 is displayed on the display panel 96 (S38), and the swing support process is terminated.
An operator who is instructed to attach the toner cartridge 1 to the main body of the image forming apparatus 500 attaches the seal 21 that closes the toner supply port 27 of the toner cartridge 1 after mounting the toner cartridge 1 to the main body of the image forming apparatus 500. Then, the door of the image forming apparatus 500 main body is closed.

  After the door of the image forming apparatus 500 main body is closed, the control unit 28 of the image forming apparatus 500 main body drives the toner conveyance motor 205 and the toner agitation motor 207 via the motor drivers 209 and 210, respectively. At this time, the various rollers 23, 25, and 26 that are rotationally driven by the toner conveyance motor 205 and the toner agitation motor 207 rotate, and the toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 1 to the developing device 528. That is, toner is supplied to the image forming apparatus 500.

The control device 95 of the toner cartridge 1 in the swing support process functions as a determination unit, and the display panel 96 functions as a result display unit and a swing display unit.
When using the toner cartridge 1 as described above, the operator recognizes the necessity of swinging of the toner cartridge 1 before mounting the toner cartridge 1 on the main body of the image forming apparatus 500. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 1 is insufficiently swung, it is possible to save the trouble of removing and swinging the toner cartridge 1 once mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 500 and mounting it again.

Embodiment 3. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a side view schematically showing the swing direction of the pendulum provided in the toner cartridge according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows the distribution of the amount of toner contained in the toner cartridge. It is a side view showing typically.
The toner cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the toner cartridge 1 according to the first and second embodiments. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the pendulum 93 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 1 (in FIG. 8). The two contact points 94 and 94 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction.

More specifically, in the pendulum 93, the weight 93b suspended from the fulcrum 93a reciprocates in the direction along the longitudinal direction around the fulcrum 93a, and contacts the contacts 94 and 94 alternately. The pendulum unit 101 may be provided with a guide portion that guides the swinging of the weight 93b so that the reciprocation of the weight 93b is limited in the direction along the longitudinal direction.
Other parts corresponding to those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  Since the contacts 94 and 94 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, even if the pendulum 93 can swing in a plurality of directions, the operator swings the toner cartridge 1 in the longitudinal direction so that the pendulum 93 is in the longitudinal direction. , The weight 93b contacts the contact 94, and the number of times the toner cartridge 1 is swung is counted. Even if the toner cartridge 1 is swung in a direction other than the longitudinal direction (for example, a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction), the count result of the counter 102 is hardly incremented.

Here, in the toner cartridge 1, as shown in FIG. 9A, the distribution of the toner amount in the longitudinal direction of the accommodated toner T may be non-uniform. If the distribution of the toner amount in the longitudinal direction is non-uniform, the toner amount sensor 24 cannot accurately detect the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 22, or the length of the toner T supplied from the toner cartridge 1 to the developing device 528 may be reduced. The toner amount distribution in the direction becomes non-uniform, and the image quality of the image formed on the recording paper S deteriorates. In order to suppress such inconvenience, it is necessary to swing the toner cartridge 1 in the longitudinal direction.
When the operator swings the toner cartridge 1 in the longitudinal direction and the number of swings reaches a predetermined value or more, as shown in FIG. 9B, the longitudinal direction of the toner T accommodated in the toner cartridge 1 The toner amount distribution becomes uniform.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 10 is a front view showing the configuration of the pendulum unit included in the toner cartridge according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the pendulum unit included in the toner cartridge according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG.
The toner cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the toner cartridge 1 according to the first and second embodiments, but includes a pendulum unit 88 instead of the pendulum unit 101 according to the first and second embodiments. Yes.
Other parts corresponding to those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As described in the third embodiment, in the toner cartridge 1, the distribution of the toner amount in the longitudinal direction (arrow direction in FIG. 11) of the accommodated toner may be non-uniform. Need to be swung.
Further, since the toner condenses due to its own weight, it needs to be swung in the vertical direction (indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 10).
Therefore, the operator swings the toner cartridge 1 in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction.

The pendulum unit 88 includes a pendulum 90 that swings in a plurality of directions, and contacts 91, 91, and 92 that are arranged corresponding to the swing directions of the pendulum 90.
The pendulum 90 reciprocates in the longitudinal direction around the fulcrum 90a and alternately contacts the contacts 91 and 91. Further, the pendulum 90 reciprocates in the vertical direction and contacts the contact 92 disposed above and below. It is comprised so that the receiving tray 89 arranged may be contacted. The tray 89 functions as a guide unit that guides the swinging of the pendulum 90 in the longitudinal direction.
The pendulum 90 and the contacts 91, 91, 92 have conductivity, and the fulcrum 90 a and the contacts 91, 91 are connected to the counter 102, and the weight 90 b comes into contact with one contact 91 or the contact 92. The fulcrum 90a and the contact 91 or the contact 92 are electrically connected.

The counter 102 generates a pulse when the reset switch 100 is OFF and the fulcrum 90a and the contact 91 or the contact 92 are electrically connected, and counts the generated pulses. Therefore, the counting result of the counter 102 corresponds to the total number of times that the toner cartridge 1 is swung in the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction. When the counting result of the counter 102 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is considered that the distribution of the toner amount in the longitudinal direction becomes uniform, and the toner is sufficiently stirred and unraveled.
In addition, the structure which counts each frequency | count of the rocking | fluctuation of an up-down direction and the rocking | fluctuation frequency of a longitudinal direction separately, and determines whether each count result is more than predetermined value may be sufficient.

1 is a front view schematically showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a state where the toner cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is attached to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a state where the toner cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is packed. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a counting unit provided in the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of toner supply processing executed by a control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a counting unit provided in a toner cartridge according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of swing support processing executed by the toner cartridge control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a side view schematically illustrating a swinging direction of a pendulum provided in a toner cartridge according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing the distribution of the amount of toner stored in a toner cartridge according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a configuration of a pendulum unit provided in a toner cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a configuration of a pendulum unit provided in a toner cartridge according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 toner cartridge 100 reset switch (packaging detection means)
102 counter 206 counter (counting means)
28 Control unit (control means, device side determination means)
29 Display unit (device-side result display means, device-side swing display means)
500 Image forming apparatus 510 Photosensitive drum (photosensitive member)
513 Transfer device (transfer means)
528 Developer (Developing means)
90, 93 Pendulum 91, 92, 94 Contact 95 Control device (determination means)
96 display panel (result display means, swing display means)
S Recording paper (recording sheet)
T Toner

Claims (10)

In a toner cartridge that contains toner, and the toner that is contained is stirred by being swung,
Counting means for counting the number of oscillations ;
And a packing detection means for detecting that it is packed ,
Said counting means, said packing detecting means, when detecting the fact that the packaging, the toner cartridge, wherein Citea Rukoto to maintain the "0" count result. The counting means includes
A pendulum swinging in at least one direction;
A contact point with which the pendulum contacts;
The toner cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: a counter that counts the number of times the pendulum has contacted the contact. Columnar,
The toner cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein the pendulum swings in a direction along a longitudinal direction thereof. The pendulum swings in a plurality of directions,
The toner cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein the contact point is arranged corresponding to each of a plurality of swing directions of the pendulum. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 4, characterized by further comprising a result displaying means for displaying the count result. Determining means for determining whether or not the counting result is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
The If the determination unit determines that not the toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 5, characterized by further comprising a rocking display means for displaying that should swing. Developing means for visualizing the toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image visualized by the developing means to a recording sheet,
An image forming apparatus in which the toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is detachably mounted, and toner contained in the mounted toner cartridge is supplied to the developing unit.
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls supply of toner to the developing unit based on a counting result of a counting unit included in the toner cartridge. The control means includes
Means for determining whether the counting result is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising: a unit that prohibits the supply when the unit determines NO. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a device-side result display means for displaying the count result. Device-side determination means for determining whether or not the counting result is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
In a case where the apparatus-side determination means determines whether, according to any one of claims 7, characterized by further comprising a device-side rocking display means for displaying that should swing the toner cartridge 9 Image forming apparatus.

Images