JP5024086B2 - Developing apparatus, visible image forming apparatus, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device, a visible image forming device, and an image forming device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, a developing device is disposed facing an image carrier on which a latent image is formed on the surface, and a latent image is formed by a developer supplied from the developing device. Visualization is performed to form an image. When the developer is consumed as the image is formed, the developer is supplied to the developing device.
As techniques for supplying developer to the developing device, techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below are known.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-160989 discloses a toner extending along the developing sleeve (121) in order to replenish the toner corresponding to the distribution even when the distribution of the developer consumption is deviated. In a developing device that replenishes toner by overflowing and dropping the developer conveyed by the conveying screw (125) from the screw wall (126), the rotational speed of the toner conveying screw (125) is based on the distribution of toner consumption. Describes a technique for supplying toner corresponding to the distribution of consumption by controlling. In other words, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, after rapidly rotating at the start of toner replenishment, the toner is replenished by gradually rotating slowly so that a large amount of toner overflows on the front side of the developing sleeve (121). By gradually increasing the speed, a large amount of toner overflows and is replenished on the back side of the developing sleeve (121).

  Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-171177) discloses a developing machine that divides a print image data into a finite number of sections in the main scanning direction and provides a toner feeder (2) corresponding to each section. By supplying toner from each toner feeder (2) “before” the printing operation based on the integrated value of the number of dots printed in the section, the toner amount corresponding to the image data to be printed is supplied in advance. The technology to put is described.

JP-A-11-160989 ("0015" to "0017", "0022" to "0025") JP 2006-171177 A (“0032” to “0037”, “0047” to “0051”)

  An object of the present invention is to reduce image density non-uniformity in the main scanning direction.

In order to solve the technical problem, the developing device of the invention according to claim 1 comprises:
A developer holder that is housed in the developer holder housing chamber and that transports the developer to a development area where the developer is held on the surface and the latent image is developed into a visible image;
A first agitating / conveying chamber disposed adjacent to the developer holding member accommodating chamber and accommodating a two-component developer, and disposed adjacent to the first agitating / conveying chamber and developed from the first agitating / conveying chamber A circulation conveyance chamber that includes an inflow portion into which the developer flows in and a second agitation conveyance chamber having an outflow portion that causes the developer to flow out into the first agitation conveyance chamber;
A first developer conveying member accommodated in the first agitating and conveying chamber and conveying the developer in the first agitating and conveying chamber in a predetermined first conveying direction; and accommodated in the second agitating and conveying chamber and the second A circulating transport member that circulates and transports the developer in the circulation transport chamber, and includes a second developer transport member that transports the developer in the stirring transport chamber in a second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction;
A developer replenishment section provided at a developer replenishment position in the circulation transfer chamber ;
Developer consumption calculation means for calculating the consumption amount of the developer in the accumulated consumption calculation area which is the area of the predetermined range divided from the circulation transfer chamber along the first transfer direction and the second transfer direction. When,
Consumption amount transfer means for transferring the consumption amount of each cumulative consumption amount calculation area to each cumulative consumption amount calculation area on the downstream side in the developer conveyance direction in accordance with the conveyance of the developer by the circulation conveyance member;
Replenishment amount setting means for setting a replenishment amount from the developer replenishment unit based on a consumption amount in a cumulative consumption amount calculation region corresponding to the developer replenishment position;
Developer replenishment control means for controlling replenishment of developer from the developer replenishment unit based on the set replenishment amount;
The developer consumption amount calculating means for subtracting the replenishment amount from the consumption amount in the cumulative consumption amount calculation area at the developer replenishment position when the developer is replenished at the developer replenishment position;
When the total balance of all areas of the developer balance, which is a value obtained by subtracting the consumption from the replenishment amount in each area of the cumulative consumption calculation area, is a negative value, the replenishment operation from the developer replenishment unit is permitted. The developer replenishment control means;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, the developing device according to claim 2 comprises:
A developer holder that is housed in the developer holder housing chamber and that transports the developer to a development area where the developer is held on the surface and the latent image is developed into a visible image;
A first agitating / conveying chamber disposed adjacent to the developer holding member accommodating chamber and accommodating a two-component developer, and disposed adjacent to the first agitating / conveying chamber and developed from the first agitating / conveying chamber A circulation conveyance chamber that includes an inflow portion into which the developer flows in and a second agitation conveyance chamber having an outflow portion that causes the developer to flow out into the first agitation conveyance chamber;
A first developer conveying member accommodated in the first agitating and conveying chamber and conveying the developer in the first agitating and conveying chamber in a predetermined first conveying direction; and accommodated in the second agitating and conveying chamber and the second A circulating transport member that circulates and transports the developer in the circulation transport chamber, and includes a second developer transport member that transports the developer in the stirring transport chamber in a second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction;
A developer replenishment section provided at a developer replenishment position in the circulation transfer chamber;
The developer consumption calculation for calculating the developer consumption in a cumulative consumption calculation region that is an area of the predetermined range obtained by dividing the circulation transfer chamber along the first transfer direction and the second transfer direction. Means,
Consumption amount transfer means for transferring the consumption amount of each cumulative consumption amount calculation area to each cumulative consumption amount calculation area on the downstream side in the developer conveyance direction in accordance with the conveyance of the developer by the circulation conveyance member;
Replenishment amount setting means for setting a replenishment amount from the developer replenishment unit based on a consumption amount in a cumulative consumption amount calculation region corresponding to the developer replenishment position;
Developer replenishment control means for controlling replenishment of developer from the developer replenishment unit based on the set replenishment amount;
The developer consumption amount calculating means for subtracting the replenishment amount from the consumption amount in the cumulative consumption amount calculation area at the developer replenishment position when the developer is replenished at the developer replenishment position;
When the total balance of all areas of the developer balance, which is a value obtained by subtracting the consumption amount from the supply amount of each area of the cumulative consumption calculation area, is a positive value, the supply operation from the developer supply section is stopped. and the developer-supply control means,
It is provided with.

The invention described in claim 3 is the developing device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The transport speed at which each developer transport member transports the developer is v, the length of the cumulative consumption calculation area in the developer transport direction is L, and the developer consumption is calculated in each cumulative consumption calculation area. When the time interval to be calculated is t1, t1 is an integral multiple of L / v.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to any one of the first to third aspects,
The developer consumption calculating means for calculating the consumption based on the cumulative number of pixels of the image corresponding to the cumulative consumption calculation area;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 5 is provided.
An image carrier for holding an image on the surface;
A developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for developing the latent image on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image,
A transfer device for transferring a visible image formed on the image carrier to a medium;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, a visible image forming apparatus according to claim 6 is provided.
An image carrier for holding an image on the surface;
A developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for developing the latent image on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image,
It is provided with.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the developer corresponding to the amount consumed can be replenished to the area where the developer is consumed, and the inside of the developing device is compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided. Thus, the difference in developer concentration in the toner can be reduced. For this reason, the density difference along the axial direction of the developer holder is also reduced, and unevenness of the image density in the main scanning direction of the developed image can be reduced. According to the first aspect of the present invention, replenishment can be performed based on the consumption amount accumulated by shifting the consumption amount in each accumulated consumption amount calculation area. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the balance between the consumption amount and the replenishment amount in the cumulative consumption calculation area can be calculated. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the developer can be replenished when the developer consumption is larger than the replenishment amount and the total developer amount is smaller than the reference amount.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to replenish the developer corresponding to the consumption amount to the area where the developer is consumed, and in the developing device as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided. Thus, the difference in developer concentration in the toner can be reduced. For this reason, the density difference along the axial direction of the developer holder is also reduced, and unevenness of the image density in the main scanning direction of the developed image can be reduced. According to the second aspect of the present invention, replenishment can be performed based on the consumption amount accumulated by shifting the consumption amount in each accumulated consumption amount calculation area. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the balance between the consumption amount and the replenishment amount in the cumulative consumption calculation area can be calculated. Further, according to the invention described in claim 2, more than replenishing amount consumed amount of the developer, than the reference to stop the replenishment of the developer is often the total amount of the developer, the total amount of the developer reference Can be prevented from becoming too much.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the consumption is calculated for each cumulative consumption calculation area by shifting the consumption at an integral multiple of the integer multiple downstream at the time interval t1. it can.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the consumption amount can be calculated based on the cumulative number of pixels in which the developer is consumed by development.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to form an image with reduced non-uniformity of the image density in the main scanning direction as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided. Even when it is formed, non-uniformity in image density can be reduced. In addition, a decrease in image formation speed due to interruption can be reduced as compared with the prior art in which image formation needs to be interrupted in order to eliminate nonuniform image density.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the developer concentration difference in the developing device can be reduced as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided. For this reason, the density difference along the axial direction of the developer holding member is also reduced, and unevenness of the image density in the main scanning direction of the image developed on the surface of the image holding member can be reduced.

Next, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as examples) will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the opening / closing portion of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is opened.
In FIG. 1, a printer U as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a sheet feeding container TR1 that accommodates a recording medium S as an example of a medium on which an image is recorded accommodated in a lower portion. A paper discharge section TRh is provided on the upper surface. An operation unit UI is provided at the top of the printer U.
1 and 2, the printer U according to the first embodiment includes an image forming apparatus main body U1 and an opening / closing section U2 that can be opened and closed about a rotation center U2a provided at the lower right end of the image forming apparatus main body U1. The opening / closing unit U2 is an open position (see a solid line in FIG. 2) for opening the inside of the image forming apparatus main body U1 in order to replenish developer, replace a failed member, and remove a paper jammed recording medium S. It is configured to be movable between a closed position (refer to a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) held at a normal time when the forming operation is performed.

  The printer U includes a control unit C that performs various controls of the printer U, an image processing unit GS whose operation is controlled by the control unit C, an image writing device driving circuit DL, a power supply device E, and the like. The power supply device E applies voltages to charging rollers CRy to CRk as an example of a charger described later, developing rollers G1y to G1k as an example of a developer holding member, and transfer rollers T1y to T1k as an example of a transfer device. .

The image processing unit GS converts print information input from an external image information transmission device or the like into latent images corresponding to four color images of K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan). The image information is converted into image information for image formation and output to the image writing device driving circuit DL at a predetermined timing. The image writing device driving circuit DL outputs a driving signal to the latent image writing device ROS according to the input image information of each color. The latent image writing device ROS emits laser beams Ly, Lm, Lc, and Lk as an example of image writing light for image writing of each color in accordance with a drive signal.
In FIG. 1, toners as examples of visible images of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) are displayed on the right side (+ Y direction) of the latent image writing device ROS. Visible image forming apparatuses UY, UM, UC, UK for forming images are arranged.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a visible image forming apparatus which is an example of a detachable body according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3A is an explanatory view at the time of use, and FIG. 3B is a state before the initial developer accommodating chamber is opened. It is explanatory drawing of a state.
In FIG. 3, a visible image forming device UK for K (black) has a photoconductor Pk as an example of a rotating image carrier. Around the photosensitive member Pk, there are a charging roll CRk as an example of a charger, a developing device Gk that develops an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member into a visible image, a static eliminating member Jk that neutralizes the surface of the photosensitive member Pk, a photosensitive member A photoreceptor cleaner CLk as an example of an image carrier cleaner that removes the developer remaining on the surface of the body Pk is disposed.

The surface of the photoreceptor Pk is uniformly charged by the charging roll CRk in the charging area Q1k facing the charging roll CRk, and then a latent image is written by the laser beam Lk in the latent image forming area Q2k. The written electrostatic latent image is visualized in the developing area Qgk facing the developing device Gk.
The black visible image forming apparatus UK according to the first exemplary embodiment integrally includes a photosensitive member Pk, a charger CRk, a developing device Gk, a charge eliminating member Jk, a photosensitive member cleaner CLk, a developer supply container (11 + 16 + 18), and the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the detachable body, that is, a so-called process cartridge UK, is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body U1 with the opening / closing portion U2 moved to the open position.
The other color visible image forming apparatuses UY, UM, UC are also configured in the same manner as the black visible image forming apparatus UK, and are detachable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body U1, so-called process cartridges. It is composed of UY, UM, and UC.

  1 and 2, a belt module BM as an example of a recording medium transport device supported by an opening / closing portion U2 is disposed on the right side of the photoreceptors Py to Pk. The belt module BM includes a medium conveying belt B as an example of a recording medium holding and conveying member, a belt driving roll Rd as an example of a driving member that supports the medium conveying belt B, and a driven roll Rj as an example of a driven member. A belt support roll (Rd + Rj) as an example of a holding / conveying member support system, transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k as an example of a transfer device disposed facing each of the photoconductors Py to Pk, and image density detection An image density sensor SN1 as an example of a member, a belt cleaner CLb as an example of a holding and conveying member cleaner, and a recording medium adsorption that is arranged opposite to the driven roll Rj and adsorbs the recording medium S to the medium conveying belt B. It has medium adsorption | suction roll Rk as an example of a member. The medium transport belt B is rotatably supported by the belt support roll (Rd + Rj). The image density sensor SN1 is for detecting the density of a density detection image formed by an image density adjusting means (not shown) of the control unit C, that is, a so-called patch image, at a predetermined time. The adjusting means adjusts the voltage applied to the chargers CRy to CRk, the developing devices Gy to Gk and the transfer rolls T1y to T1k based on the image density detected by the image density detecting member, and the latent image writing light Ly to By adjusting the intensity of Lk, image density adjustment and correction, so-called process control is performed.

The recording medium S in the paper supply container TR1 disposed below the medium conveyance belt B is taken out by the paper supply member Rp and conveyed to the recording medium conveyance path SH.
The recording medium S in the recording medium conveyance path SH is conveyed by a medium conveyance roll Ra as an example of a recording medium conveyance member, and is sent to a registration roll Rr as an example of a paper feed timing adjustment member. The registration roll Rr transports the recording medium S to a recording medium suction position Q6 that is a region where the driven roll Rj and the medium suction roll Rk face each other at a predetermined timing. The recording medium S conveyed to the recording medium adsorption position Q6 is electrostatically adsorbed to the medium conveyance belt B.
When paper is fed from the manual paper feed unit TR0, the recording medium S fed by the manual paper feed member Rp1 is transported to the registration roll Rr by the medium transport roll Ra and transported to the medium transport belt B.

The recording medium S adsorbed on the medium conveying belt B sequentially passes through the transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k that are in contact with the photoreceptors Py to Pk.
To the transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k disposed on the back side of the medium conveying belt B in the transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k, toner is supplied at a predetermined timing from the power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. A transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity is applied.
In the case of a multicolor image, the toner images on the respective photoreceptors Py to Pk are transferred onto the recording medium S on the medium conveying belt B by the transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. In the case of a monochromatic image, so-called monochrome image, only a K (black) toner image is formed on the photoreceptor Pk, and only this K (black) toner image is transferred to the recording medium S by the transfer device T1k. .
After the toner images are transferred, the photoreceptors Py to Pk are neutralized by the neutralization members Jy to Jk in the neutralization areas Qjy to Qjk, and then the toner remaining on the surface is collected by the photoreceptor cleaners CLy to CLk in the cleaning areas Q4y to Q4k. And then charged again by the charging rolls CRy to CRk.

The recording medium S to which the toner image has been transferred is formed in a fixing region Q5 formed by press-contacting a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating fixing member of the fixing device F and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressure fixing member. It is fixed by. The recording medium S on which the image is fixed is guided by a guide roller Rgk as an example of a guide member, and is discharged from a discharge roller Rh as an example of a medium discharge member to the medium discharge unit TRh.
The medium conveying belt B after the recording medium S is separated is cleaned by the belt cleaner CLb.
When duplex printing is performed, the paper discharge roller Rh is driven to rotate reversely, the recording medium S is conveyed to the medium reversing path SH2 by the switching member GT1, and is retransmitted to the registration roll Rr with the front and back sides reversed.
Note that the fixing device F, the lower drive roll of the paper discharge roll Rh, the switching member GT1, and the lower guide surface of the medium reversing path SH2 of the first embodiment are integrated and replaceable fixing devices, so-called fixing. It is comprised by unit U3. The driven member on the upper side of the paper discharge roll Rh is supported by the opening / closing part U2.

(Description of visible image forming apparatus)
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.
Hereinafter, the visible image forming apparatuses UY to UK will be described in detail. However, since the visible image forming apparatuses UY to UK of the respective colors are configured in the same manner, only the black visible image forming apparatus UK will be described. Description of the other visible image forming apparatuses UY, UM, UC is omitted.
3 and 4, the visible image forming device UK includes a developing unit Uk1 having a photoconductor Pk and a developing device Gk, and a cleaning charging unit Uk2 having a charging roll CRk, a photoconductor cleaner CLk, and a charge eliminating roll Jk. A writing light passage path Uk3 through which the laser beam Lk passes is formed between the developing unit Uk1 and the cleaning charging unit Uk2.
The developing unit Uk includes a developer storage container 1 that stores a developer. The developer container 1 includes a developer container body 1a, a lower developer container body 1a, a lid member 1b that closes the upper surface of the developer container body 1a, and a developer transport chamber, which will be described later, by partitioning the central portion in the horizontal direction of the developer container body 1a And a central partition member 1c for forming.

The developer container 1 is adjacent to a developer holder housing chamber 2 in which a developing roll G1k as an example of a developer holder facing the photoreceptor Pk is supported, and on the left side of the developer holder chamber 2. A first agitation transport chamber 3 in which the developer is accommodated, and a second agitation transport chamber 4 adjacent to the left side of the first agitation transport chamber 3. Further, a layer thickness regulating member SK is arranged in the developer holding body storage chamber 2 so as to face the developing roll G1k and regulate the layer thickness which is the thickness of the developer carried on the surface of the developing roll G1k. ing.
The first agitation transport chamber 3 and the second agitation transport chamber 4 as an example of a developer storage chamber are partitioned by a partition wall 6, and the first agitation transport chamber 3 and the second agitation transport chamber 4 are The developer is configured to be movable at the outflow portion 6a and the inflow portion 6b at both front and rear ends.
In the developer container 1 of Example 1, a two-component developer containing toner and carrier is accommodated as the developer. The first agitation conveyance chamber 3 and the second agitation conveyance chamber 4 constitute a circulation conveyance chamber (3 + 4), and the developer holding body accommodation chamber 2 and the circulation conveyance chamber (3 + 4) constitute a developer accommodation chamber (2-4). ) Is configured.

In the first agitation conveyance chamber 3 and the second agitation conveyance chamber 4, agitation conveyance members 7 and 8 as an example of a developer conveyance member that conveys the developer in opposite directions while agitating the developer are disposed. The agitating / conveying members 7 and 8 of the first embodiment are configured by agitating / conveying members, so-called augers, having rotating shafts 7a and 8a and spiral conveying blades 7b and 8b fixedly supported by the rotating shafts 7a and 8a. ing. The pair of agitating and conveying members 7 and 8 constitutes the circulating and conveying member (7 + 8) of Example 1.
The agitating and conveying members 7 and 8 of Example 1 have a rotation axis of 4 mm in diameter, a helical diameter that is the outer diameter of the conveying blades 7 b and 8 b, 8 mm, and a shaft while the spiral of the conveying blades 7 b and 8 b rotates once. The pitch, which is the distance traveled in the direction, is set to 15 mm, and the rotation speed is set to 408.39 rpm. These values can be arbitrarily changed according to the design.

In FIG. 3, the lid member 1b is formed with an initial developer accommodating chamber 9 disposed above the second stirring and conveying chamber 4. As shown by a broken line in FIG. 4, an opening 9 a extending in the front-rear direction is formed at the lower end portion of the initial developer accommodating chamber 9.
A cylindrical toner transfer chamber 11 as an example of a developer transfer chamber is formed on the left side of the second stirring transfer chamber 4. A toner replenishing port 11a as an example of a developer replenishing unit connected to the second agitating / conveying chamber 4 is formed at the front end of the toner conveying chamber 11, and this position is a toner replenishing position as an example of a developer replenishing position. Set to position. A toner inlet 11 b as an example of a developer inlet is formed at the rear end of the toner transfer chamber 11. A toner replenishing member 12 as an example of a developer replenishing member that conveys the developer in the toner transporting chamber 11 to the toner replenishing port 11 a side is disposed in the toner transporting chamber 11.
The toner replenishing member 12 of Example 1 has a rotating shaft 12a having a diameter of 4 mm, an outer diameter of the conveying blade 12b of 8 mm, and a distance that advances in the axial direction during one rotation of the conveying blade 12b. A certain pitch is set to 8 mm and the rotation speed is set to 100 rpm. These values can be arbitrarily changed according to the design.

A first toner supply chamber 16 as an example of a first developer supply chamber is formed on the left side of the toner transfer chamber 11. The first toner supply chamber 16 is formed at the end in the front-rear direction above the first toner supply chamber 16. A second toner replenishing chamber 18 as an example of a second developer replenishing chamber connected via a toner dropping passage 17 as an example of the developer dropping path is disposed. The first toner supply chamber 16 includes a first toner transfer member 21 and a second toner transfer member 22 as an example of a developer supply member that transfers the toner in the first toner supply chamber 16 to the toner inflow port 11b. ing.
The first toner conveying member 21 includes a rotating shaft portion 21a and a conveying thin film portion 21b made of a flexible resin thin film such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) supported by the rotating shaft portion 21a. The transport thin film portion 21b is formed with a notch 21c that is inclined with respect to the axial direction, and the toner flows into the toner inflow port 11b with increased strength at a position facing the toner inflow port 11b of the transport thin film portion 21b. An auxiliary thin film 23 is attached to facilitate the process. Therefore, when the first toner transport member 21 rotates, the transport thin film portion 21b in which the cut 21c is formed transports the toner to the toner inlet 11b on the rear side, and the toner is transported to the toner transport chamber in the auxiliary thin film 23 portion. 11 is conveyed.

The second toner conveying member 22 conveys toner to the first toner conveying member 21 side. The third toner conveying member 24 and the fourth toner conveying member 26 as examples of the developer replenishing member disposed in the second toner replenishing chamber 18 are configured to transfer the toner in the second toner replenishing chamber 18 to the toner dropping path 17 side. Transport to.
The toner transfer chamber 11, the first toner supply chamber 16, and the second toner supply chamber 18 constitute a toner supply container (11 + 16 + 18) as an example of the developer supply container of the first embodiment. , 26 constitute a toner replenishing member as an example of a developer replenishing member.
The photoreceptor cleaner CLk is disposed on the right side of the second toner supply chamber 18, and the photoreceptor cleaner CLk is a plate-shaped image carrier cleaning member that is in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor Pk, a so-called cleaning blade 31. The recovered toner transport member as an example of the recovered developer transport member that transports the toner, paper powder, discharge product, etc. scraped by the cleaning blade 31 to the recovered toner storage chamber 32 as an example of the recovered developer storage chamber 33.

In FIG. 3B, the visible image forming device Uk is provided with a film seal FS as an example of a partitioning member / opening blocking member. The outer end side of the film seal FS is led to the outside through a through hole (not shown) of the visible image forming device Uk, the inner end side is divided into two parts, and one side is the lower surface of the opening 9a. Is pasted. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the other of the inner ends of the film seal FS is attached so as to close the toner supply port 11 a of the toner transfer chamber 11.
Therefore, the opening 9a is closed by the film seal FS, the initial developer storage chamber 9 is sealed, and the space between the toner transfer chamber 11 and the developer storage chamber (2 to 4) is also sealed.

In Example 1, in the visible image forming apparatus Uk to which the film seal FS is attached, the toner and the carrier are mixed at a predetermined ratio in the sealed initial developer storage chamber 9. A two-component developer, so-called initial developer, is accommodated, and toner is accommodated in a developer supply container (11 + 16 + 18) as a developer for supply. The developer storage chambers (2 to 4) are held without any developer. Therefore, in the state where the film seal FS is mounted, the developer does not exist in the developer storage chamber (2-4) and is sealed, so that the developer may leak during storage or transportation in a warehouse. By removing the film seal FS from the visible image forming apparatus Uk before the visible image forming apparatus Uk is mounted on the image forming apparatus body U1, the initial developer is accommodated in the developer accommodating chamber (2-4). As the developer in the chamber 9 flows in, the toner can be supplied from the toner supply container (11 + 16 + 18).
The developer conveying device according to the first exemplary embodiment is configured by the members 1 to 26 and the members denoted by FS.

(Description of control unit)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 5, the control unit C includes an input / output interface for input / output of signals to / from the outside and adjustment of input / output signal levels, and a ROM (read-only) in which programs and data for performing necessary processing are stored. Memory), a RAM (random access memory) for temporarily storing necessary data, a central processing unit (CPU) that performs processing according to a program stored in the ROM, and a computer having a clock oscillator and the like It is configured, and various functions can be realized by executing a program stored in the ROM.

(Signal input element connected to the control unit C)
The control unit C receives signals from the operation unit UI and other signal input elements.
The UI includes a display unit UI1, an operation button UI2, and the like.

(Control element connected to the control unit C)
The control unit C is connected to the main motor drive circuit D1, the developing device motor drive circuit D2, the developer supply motor drive circuit D3, and other control elements, and outputs their operation control signals. .
The main motor drive circuit D1 rotationally drives the image carriers PRy to PRk and the like via a main motor M1 which is an example of a main drive source.
The developing device motor drive circuit D2 rotationally drives the developer holders G1y to G1k and the circulation conveyance member (7 + 8) via the developing device motors M2y to M2k which are driving sources for the developing devices Gy to Gk.
The toner replenishing motor drive circuit D3 is connected to toner replenishing members (12, 21,...) Of the developing devices Gy to Gk via a toner replenishing motor M3 that is a driving source of the toner replenishing members (12, 21, 22, 24, 26). 22, 24, and 26) are rotationally driven.

The power supply circuit E includes a development power supply circuit E1, a charging power supply circuit E2, a transfer power supply circuit E3, a fixing power supply circuit E4, and the like.
The developing power supply circuit E1 applies a developing bias to the developing rolls G1y to G1k of the developing devices Gy to Gk.
The charging power supply circuit E2 applies a charging bias to the charging rolls CRy to CRk.
The transfer power supply circuit E3 applies a transfer bias to the transfer rolls T1y to T1k.
The fixing power supply circuit E4 supplies a heating current to the heater of the heating roll Fh of the fixing device F.

(Function of the control unit C)
The control unit C has a function of executing processing according to an input signal from the signal output element and outputting a control signal to each control element.
That is, the control unit C has the following functions.
C1: Job control means The job control means C1 as an example of the image recording control means is configured to respond to a print request from the image information transmitting apparatus by the latent image forming device ROS, the photoconductors PRy to PRk, the transfer rolls T1y to T1k, The operation of the fixing device F or the like is controlled to execute a job that is an image forming operation.

C2: Main motor rotation control means The main motor rotation control means C2 controls the main motor M1 via the main motor drive circuit D1 to control the driving of the photoconductors PRy to PRk.
C3: Power supply circuit control means The power supply circuit control means C3 includes a development power supply control means C3A, a charging power supply control means C3B, a transfer power supply control means C3C, and a fixing power supply control means C3D, and controls the power supply circuit E. The power supply to each member of the image forming apparatus U is controlled.

C3A: Development power control means The development power control means C3A controls the development power supply circuit E1 to control the development voltage.
C3B: Charging power supply control means The charging power supply control means C3B controls the charging power supply circuit E2 to control the charging voltage.
C3C: Power supply control means for transfer (transfer voltage control means)
The transfer power supply control means C3C controls the transfer power supply circuit E3 to control the transfer voltage.
C3D: Fixing power supply control means The fixing power supply control means C3D controls the fixing power supply circuit E4 to control the fixing temperature of the fixing device F.

C4: Latent image forming device control means The latent image forming device control means C4 controls the latent image forming device ROS via the image writing device drive circuit DL and the like to generate electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photoreceptors PRy to PRk. Form.
C5: Development device control means (circulation conveyance member drive control means)
The developing device control means C5 controls the developing device motors M2y to M2k via the developing device motor drive circuit D2, and rotates the developer holders G1y to G1k and the circulation conveyance member (7 + 8) of the developing devices Gy to Gk. To control.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the cumulative consumption calculation area of the first embodiment, and FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the developer storage chamber and the cumulative consumption calculation area. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram for explaining a relationship between an image to be formed and a cumulative consumption calculation area.
C6: Toner consumption calculation means (developer consumption calculation means)
The toner consumption amount calculation unit C6 as an example of the developer consumption amount calculation unit has a cumulative pixel number calculation unit C6A for each region, and calculates the amount of toner consumed by the developing devices Gy to Gk by image formation. In FIG. 6, the toner consumption calculation means C6 according to the first exemplary embodiment uses toner in a plurality of cumulative consumption calculation areas A1 to A15 divided into a predetermined range along the conveyance direction in the circulation conveyance chamber (3 + 4). The consumption amount is calculated for each region based on the cumulative number of pixels at the time of image formation.

  6A, in Example 1, a part of the circulation transfer chamber (3 + 4) is divided into accumulated consumption calculation areas A1 to A15 having a predetermined width along the developer transfer direction. In the cumulative consumption calculation areas A1 to A15 of the first embodiment, areas A2, A3,... Are set in order from the cumulative consumption calculation area A1 corresponding to the toner supply port 11a toward the upstream side in the developer transport direction. The developing area Qgk corresponding to the area from one end to the other end of the developer holders G1y to G1k is divided into 10 areas A6 to A15. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6B, the image forming area GK is virtually arranged along the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, as shown in FIG. 6B, corresponding to the cumulative consumption calculation areas A6 to A15 of the development area. It is divided into a plurality of consumption calculation areas GKi. In the first embodiment, the length L in the developer transport direction of the cumulative consumption calculation areas A1 to A15 is a length proportional to the developer transport speed v of the developer transport member 8, that is, the upstream cumulative consumption calculation. The distance at which the developer is transported at an area transition time t1, which will be described later, set to the time required for the developer in the area A2 to be transported to the downstream cumulative consumption calculation area A1, that is, L = v × t1, Alternatively, it can be set to an integer multiple of v × t1. Further, the length in the sub-scanning direction of the consumption calculation area GKi of the image forming area GK can be set to a length proportional to the circumferential length of rotation of the photoconductors PRy to PRk at the area transition time t1, for example.

C6A: Area-specific pixel number calculation means The area-specific pixel number calculation means C6A calculates the number of pixels written by the latent image forming device ROS at the time of image formation, that is, the number of dots, for each cumulative consumption calculation area A1 to A15. Count and calculate. At this time, in the first embodiment, the unit consumption Ns0 is added to the consumption Ns for every Ng of pixels. The number of pixels Ng and the unit consumption Ns0 can be arbitrarily set according to the design and specifications of the image forming apparatus U. For example, Ng = 100 [dots], Ns0 = 0.1 [μg], etc. it can.
C7: Toner balance storage means (developer consumption storage means)
The toner balance storage unit C7 as an example of the developer consumption storage unit includes a toner balance storage unit C7A for each region and a total toner balance storage unit C7B, and is supplied to the developer storage chambers (2 to 4). The difference between the toner amount and the consumed toner amount, that is, the toner balance is stored.
C7A: Area-specific toner balance storage means The area-specific toner balance storage means C7A stores the toner consumption and supply amount, that is, the area-specific toner balance, for each of the cumulative consumption calculation areas A1 to A15.

C7B: Total toner balance storage means The total toner balance storage means C7B stores the total amount of toner balance in the developer storage chambers (2 to 4). That is, the total toner balance that is the sum of all the balances in the cumulative consumption calculation areas A1 to A15 is stored.
C8: Consumption amount transfer means The consumption amount transfer means C8 has an area transfer time storage means C8A and a transfer time timer TM1, and each accumulated consumption amount according to the developer transport by the circulation transport member (7 + 8). The consumption amounts of the calculation areas A1 to A15 are shifted to the respective cumulative consumption calculation areas A1 to A15 on the downstream side in the developer transport direction. The consumption amount shifting means C8 of the first embodiment shifts the consumption amount every time the area transition time t1 elapses. In the first embodiment, when the consumption amount is shifted, it is considered that the developer replenished according to the consumption amount at the toner replenishment position is conveyed from the upstream side to the uppermost cumulative consumption amount calculation area A15. The balance “0” is input.

C8A: Region Transition Time Storage Unit The region transition time storage unit C8A is a region transition time t1 that is a time for shifting the value of the consumption (balance) of the upstream cumulative consumption calculation region to the downstream cumulative consumption calculation region. Remember. In the first embodiment, the area transition time t1 is used as an example of a time interval for calculating the toner consumption, and the developer in the upstream cumulative consumption calculation area A2 is used in the downstream cumulative consumption calculation area A1. The time required to be transported is set.
TM1: Transition time clock timer The transition time clock timer TM1 counts the area transition time t1.
C9: Toner replenishment control means (developer replenishment control means)
The toner replenishment control means C9 has a replenishment completion determination means C9A, and a toner replenishment motor as an example of a developer replenishment motor via a toner replenishment motor drive circuit D3 as an example of a developer replenishment motor drive circuit. M3y to M3k are controlled to control driving of the toner replenishing members 12, 21, 22, 24, and 26, and toner replenishment to the developer storage chambers (2 to 4) is controlled. The toner replenishment control means C9 according to the first exemplary embodiment drives the toner replenishing motors M3y to M3k for a predetermined unit replenishment time for replenishing a predetermined unit replenishment amount of toner to the developer storage chambers (2 to 4). In addition, the replenishment amount is controlled by controlling the number of times of driving.

C9A: Supply end determination means The supply end determination means C9A determines whether or not to end the supply operation. When the total toner balance is negative, that is, when a large amount of toner is consumed, the replenishment end determination unit C9A according to the first exemplary embodiment permits the replenishment operation and continues the replenishment operation. Further, when the total toner balance is 0 or positive, that is, when more toner than is consumed is supplied, the supply operation is stopped. In the first embodiment, in principle, the total toner balance does not exceed 0, but if it becomes positive due to a failure of the control unit C or the like, the replenishment operation is not performed and development is performed by the developing devices Gy to Gk. The leakage of the agent is prevented.
C10: Replenishment Amount Setting Unit The replenishment amount setting unit C10 sets the replenishment amount from the toner replenishment port 11a based on the consumption amount in the cumulative consumption amount calculation area A1 corresponding to the toner replenishment position. The replenishment amount setting means C10 according to the first exemplary embodiment drives the toner replenishing members 12, 21, 22, 24, and 26 that are replenished by a unit replenishment amount in one drive according to the consumption amount in the cumulative consumption amount calculation area A1. Set the replenishment amount by setting the number of times.

(Description of Flowchart of Example 1)
Next, processing according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart. The toner supply members 12, 21, 22, 24, and 26 are set every time the number of times of driving is set according to the supply amount. Since the process of driving and supplying the toner by the number of times of driving is simple, illustration and detailed description thereof are omitted.
(Explanation of developer consumption calculation processing)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of developer (toner) consumption calculation processing in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
The processing of each ST (step) in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is performed according to a program stored in the ROM of the control unit C. This process is executed in parallel with other various processes of the image forming apparatus.
The developer (toner) consumption calculation process shown in FIG. 7 is started when the image forming apparatus U is turned on.

In ST1 of FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not a job that is an image forming operation is started. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST2. If no (N), ST1 is repeated.
In ST2, it is determined whether or not latent image formation by the latent image forming apparatus ROS has been executed. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST3, and if no (N), ST2 is repeated.
In ST3, all the count values of the cumulative number of pixels are initialized, so-called reset. Then, the process proceeds to ST4.
In ST4, counting of the cumulative number of pixels is started for each of the cumulative consumption calculation areas A6 to A15 in accordance with image writing by the latent image forming device ROS. Then, the process proceeds to ST5.

In ST5, the consumption amount shift means C8 shifts the consumption amount of each of the cumulative consumption amount calculation areas A6 to A15, that is, whether or not it is time to shift the toner balance by area downstream. It is determined whether or not it is time to perform. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST6, and if no (N), ST5 is repeated.
In ST6, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST7.
(1) The toner consumption amount of each area is calculated from the cumulative number of pixels in each of the accumulated consumption calculation areas A6 to A15, and the area-specific toner balance of each area is updated.
(2) The total toner consumption is calculated from the total toner consumption, and the total toner balance is updated.
In ST7, it is determined whether or not the job is finished. If no (N), the process returns to ST3, and if yes (Y), the process returns to ST1.

(Description of replenishment amount setting process)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the replenishment amount setting process in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The processing of each ST (step) in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is performed according to a program stored in the ROM of the control unit C. This process is executed in parallel with other various processes of the image forming apparatus.
8 is started when the image forming apparatus U is turned on.
In ST11 of FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the job is started. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST12. If no (N), ST11 is repeated.
In ST12, the circulation conveyance member (7 + 8) starts to be driven. Then, the process proceeds to ST13.

In ST13, it is determined whether or not processing for shifting the consumption amount calculation area A1 to A15, that is, the toner balance, has been executed. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST14, and if no (N), ST13 is repeated.
In ST14, it is determined whether or not the consumption amount in the cumulative consumption amount calculation area A1 corresponding to the toner replenishment position, that is, the toner balance for each area is zero. If no (N), the process proceeds to ST15, and if yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST17.
In ST15, it is determined whether or not the total toner balance is smaller than zero. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST16. If no (N), the process returns to ST13.
In ST16, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process returns to ST13.
(1) The toner replenishment amount is set based on the consumption amount in the cumulative consumption amount calculation area A1 at the toner replenishment position. That is, in the first exemplary embodiment, the number of driving times of the toner supply members 12, 21, 22, 24, and 26 is set based on the consumption.
(2) Update the total toner balance. That is, a new total toner balance is calculated by subtracting the consumption amount from the total toner balance before update and adding the set replenishment amount. At this time, the replenishment amount is reflected in the area-specific toner balance of the cumulative consumption amount calculation area A1 corresponding to the toner replenishment position, and the consumption amount is zero in the first embodiment.

In ST17, it is determined whether or not the total toner balance is 0 or more. That is, it is determined whether or not toner replenishment has been executed corresponding to the consumed toner. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST18, and, if no (N), the process returns to ST13.
In ST18, it is determined whether or not the job is finished. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST19. If no (N), the process returns to ST13.
In ST19, the driving of the circulating conveyance member (7 + 8) is stopped. Then, the process returns to ST11.

(Explanation of consumption transfer processing)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the consumption shift process in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The processing of each ST (step) in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is performed according to a program stored in the ROM of the control unit C. This process is executed in parallel with other various processes of the image forming apparatus.
9 is started when the image forming apparatus U is turned on.

In ST21 of FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the job is started. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST22, and if no (N), ST21 is repeated.
In ST22, it is determined whether or not the driving of the circulating conveyance member (7 + 8) has been started. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST23, and if no (N), ST22 is repeated.
In ST23, the area transition time t1 is set in the transition time timer TM1. Then, the process proceeds to ST24.

In ST24, it is determined whether or not the driving of the circulating conveyance member (7 + 8) is stopped. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST25, and, if no (N), the process proceeds to ST26.
In ST25, the clocking of the transition time clock timer TM1 is terminated, and the process returns to ST21.
In ST26, it is determined whether or not the transition time counting timer TM1 has expired. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST27, and, if no (N), the process returns to ST24.
In ST27, the consumption amount in the accumulated consumption calculation areas A1 to A15, that is, the value of the toner balance is shifted to the downstream area, that is, shifted. When shifting, the original value stored in the most downstream A1 is discarded, and 0 is newly set in the most upstream A15. Then, the process returns to ST23.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the printer U as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment having the above-described configuration requirements, an electrostatic latent image is formed along with image formation, and toners of the developing devices Gy to Gk are consumed. As shown in ST2 and ST3, the value of the toner balance in the accumulated consumption calculation areas A6 to A15 corresponding to the consumed area changes. Then, with the continuation of the image forming operation, that is, with the movement of the developer in the circulation conveyance chamber (3 + 4) as the circulation conveyance member (7 + 8) of the developing devices Gy to Gk is driven, ST27 in FIG. As described above, the toner balance of the accumulated consumption calculation areas A1 to A15 is also shifted to the downstream area, that is, shifted. When the accumulated consumption calculation areas A1 to A15 where the toner is consumed are shifted to the accumulated toner consumption calculation area A1 corresponding to the toner supply position, the toner supply amount is set according to the toner balance, and the toner Is replenished. That is, in the developer circulating in the circulation conveyance chamber (3 + 4), when the portion where the toner is consumed reaches the toner supply position, the supply according to the consumption is performed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.
In FIG. 10, a specific example in which an image is formed only in the areas corresponding to the areas A8 to A13 among the accumulated consumption calculation areas A6 to A15 corresponding to the print area will be described. For easy understanding, it is assumed that the amount of toner consumed in each printing area within t1 time is one unit. In the state before the image forming operation is started, as shown at time 0, the toner balance by total area and the total toner balance are zero.
In this state, when an image is printed in the area corresponding to the areas A8 to A13, the toner balance for each area corresponding to A8 to A13 becomes 1, and as the area transition time t1 elapses, it becomes time 1. , 1 which is the value of the regions A1 to A15, particularly the regions A8 to A13, shifts to A7 to A12 on the downstream side. At this time, the total amount of consumption is 6, and no replenishment is performed, so the total toner balance is -6, which is the sum of A8 to A13.

Subsequently, when an image is printed in an area corresponding to the areas A8 to A13, a value of 1 is stored as a toner balance in A8 to A12 due to the shift. The balance becomes 2, and the area A13 becomes 1. Then, when the region transition time t1 elapses and becomes time 2, the values of A1 to A15 shift to the downstream side.
In this way, when image formation, addition of consumption, and shift are continued, and the value of the toner balance by region in the cumulative consumption calculation region A1 corresponding to the toner supply position becomes a value other than 0 at time 7, The replenishment amount 1 is set corresponding to the consumption amount 1 and replenishment according to the consumption amount is performed.
Then, the total toner balance is also calculated in accordance with the addition, shift, and replenishment of the consumption associated with image formation.

Even if the latent image is formed until time 15 and the job is completed at time 15, the conveyance by the circulation conveyance member (7 + 8) is continued, and the toner balance by area in the accumulated consumption calculation areas A1 to A15 is shifted. Replenishment is performed according to the toner balance by region at the toner replenishment position.
When the total toner balance is 0, that is, when the toner balance of all regions is 0, the driving of the circulation conveyance member (7 + 8) is stopped, and the series of operations ends.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 5 according to the first embodiment.
Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, components corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and details thereof are described. The detailed explanation is omitted. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.
In FIG. 11, in the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, the toner consumption calculation means C6, the toner balance storage means C7A for each area, the total toner balance storage means C7B, the replenishment completion determination means C9A and the replenishment amount setting means C10 of the first embodiment. Instead, a toner consumption amount calculating means C6 ′, an area-specific toner balance storage means C7A ′, a total toner balance storage means C7B ′, a supply completion determining means C9A ′, and a supply amount setting means C10 ′ are provided.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the developer storage chamber and the accumulated consumption calculation area according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 6A according to the first embodiment.
C6 ′: Toner Consumption Amount Calculation Unit The toner consumption amount calculation unit C6 ′ includes an area-specific cumulative pixel number calculation unit C6A ′, and calculates the amount of toner consumed by the developing devices Gy to Gk by image formation. In FIG. 12, the toner consumption amount calculation means C6 ′ of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the entire circulation transfer chamber (3 + 4) is divided into 82 cumulative consumption calculation areas A1 to A82. In Example 2, a part of the developer corresponding to the image forming area of the first agitation transport chamber 3 adheres to the developing rolls G1y to G1k from the developer holding body storage chamber 2 and enters the developing area. After being transported, it is returned to the first stirring transport chamber 3 and transported downstream by the first stirring transport member 7. Therefore, the actual conveyance speed of the developer is slower in the portion where the developer holding body storage chamber 2 is provided than in the portion where the developer holding body storage chamber 2 is not provided. In the second embodiment, in order to calculate the toner consumption more accurately, the widths of the cumulative consumption calculation areas A1 to A82 are set according to the actual developer conveyance speed, and the areas A1 to A82 are set. The length L along the developer transport direction is set to L = v × t1 from the actual developer transport speed v in each region and the region transition time t1 as an example of unit time. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12, the cumulative consumption calculation areas A1 to A5 and A66 to A82 corresponding to the part where the developer holding body containing chamber 2 including the toner replenishment position is not provided are arranged along the developer transport direction. The length L2 of the cumulative consumption calculation areas A6 to A65 corresponding to the portion where the developer holding body accommodation chamber 2 is provided is set shorter than the length L1.

  In addition, the toner consumption calculation unit C6 ′ according to the second exemplary embodiment calculates the toner consumption in each of the cumulative consumption calculation areas A6 to A65 for each area based on the cumulative number of pixels at the time of image formation. At this time, the toner consumption amount calculation unit C6 ′ according to the second exemplary embodiment adds the unit consumption amount Ns0 to the consumption amount Ns for each Ng pixel. The number of pixels Ng and the unit consumption Ns0 can be arbitrarily set according to the design and specifications of the image forming apparatus U. For example, Ng = 100 [dots], Ns0 = 0.1 [μg], etc. it can. In the second embodiment, when the consumption amount is transferred, the value of the area A1 is transferred to the area A82.

C7A ′: Area-specific toner balance storage means The area-specific toner balance storage means C7A ′ stores the toner consumption and supply amount, that is, the area-specific toner balance, for each of the cumulative consumption calculation areas A1 to A82.
C7B ′: Total Toner Balance Storage Unit The total toner balance storage unit C7B ′ stores the total amount of toner in the developer storage chambers (2 to 4). That is, the total toner balance, which is the sum of the balance of the amount of toner replenished by the toner replenishment member 12 and the total consumption of toner based on the cumulative number of toner balance pixels in the cumulative consumption calculation areas A6 to A65, is stored.

C9A ′: Replenishment End Determination Unit The replenishment end determination unit C9A ′ determines whether or not to end the replenishment operation. When the total toner balance is negative, that is, when the consumed toner is large, the replenishment end determination unit C9A ′ of the second embodiment permits the replenishment operation and continues the replenishment operation. Further, when the total toner balance is 0 or positive, that is, when more toner than is consumed is supplied, the supply operation is stopped.
C10 ′: Supply amount setting means The supply amount setting means C10 ′ sets the supply amount from the toner supply port 11a based on the consumption amount in the cumulative consumption amount calculation area A1 corresponding to the toner supply position. The replenishment amount setting means C10 'according to the second exemplary embodiment is configured so that the toner replenishment members 12, 21, 22, 24, and 26 are replenished by a unit replenishment amount by one driving according to the consumption amount in the accumulated consumption calculation area A1. The replenishment amount is set by setting the number of times of driving. In the second embodiment, the unit consumption amount Ns is smaller than the unit supply amount Nh replenished by one driving of the toner replenishing members 12, 21, 22, 24, and 26 in order to increase the control accuracy. In the replenishment amount setting means C10 ′ of the second embodiment, the replenishment amount = (unit replenishment amount Nh) × (integer nh) is based on the consumption amount = (unit consumption amount Ns) × (accumulated pixel number). The minimum integer nh that is equal to or greater than the integer ns) is calculated and set as the driving frequency nh.

(Explanation of flowchart of embodiment 2)
Next, the processing of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart. The processing for calculating the developer (toner) consumption and the processing for controlling the driving of the toner replenishing members 12, 21, 22, 24, and 26 are as follows. Since the number of arguments such as the number of areas A1 to A82, so-called parameters, are the same as in the first embodiment except for the differences, illustration and detailed description are omitted.
Note that the consumption amount transfer process of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the parameters are different. However, in ST27, since the areas A1 to A82 correspond to the circulation path in the second embodiment, the shift is performed. The area-specific toner balance of A82 is not reset to 0, and the area-specific toner balance of area A1 is shifted.

(Supply amount setting process)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the replenishment amount setting process of the second embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 8 of the first embodiment.
In the replenishment amount setting process of the second embodiment, only the process in ST16 ′ is different from the flowchart of FIG. 8 of the first embodiment, so only ST16 ′ will be described, and the other ST processes will be described. The same ST number is assigned and detailed description is omitted.
In ST16 ′ of FIG. 13, the following processes (1) to (3) are executed.
(1) The toner replenishment amount is set based on the consumption amount in the cumulative consumption amount calculation area A1 at the toner replenishment position. That is, also in the second embodiment, the number of driving times of the toner supply members 12, 21, 22, 24, and 26 is set based on the consumption. At this time, if the amount of consumption is equal to or greater than the amount of toner that can be replenished within t1, the number of times the toner replenishment member is driven is set to the maximum amount that can be replenished within t1.
(2) Update the total toner balance. That is, a new total toner balance is calculated by subtracting the consumption amount from the total toner balance before update and adding the set replenishment amount.
(3) The replenishment amount is reflected and updated in the area-specific toner balance of the cumulative consumption calculation area A1 corresponding to the toner replenishment position. At this time, if the toner replenishment amount is suppressed to the maximum value in (1), the updated toner balance by region does not become zero but becomes a negative value.

(Operation of Example 2)
In the image forming apparatus U according to the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the entire developer storage chamber (2 to 4) is divided into accumulated consumption calculation areas A1 to A82. In order to increase the accuracy of the amount calculation, the amount is divided according to the actual developer conveyance speed in the region. In addition, for each divided area, the consumption amount is calculated based on the unit consumption amount Ns from the cumulative number of pixels, and replenishment is performed based on the unit replenishment amount Nh. In Example 2, since the unit consumption amount Ns is smaller than the unit supply amount Nh, when the consumption amount is equal to or less than the unit supply amount, the toner is supplied more than the consumption amount. As described above, when the total balance is positive, toner replenishment is not permitted and replenishment is not performed. Further, when the consumption amount is equal to or greater than the amount of toner that can be replenished within t1 time, the toner replenishment amount is suppressed to the maximum amount that can be replenished within t1 time. Shifted.

(Experimental example)
In order to confirm the effect of the present application, the following Experiments 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were performed. The experimental example was performed by adopting the configuration of Example 2, and was performed under the following experimental conditions. For the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating chambers (2 to 4), the developer conveying speed in the portion where the developer retaining member accommodating chamber 2 is not present is 38.9 mm / s, and the portion where the developer retaining member accommodating chamber 2 is present The developer transport speed at 30 mm was about 30% of 39 mm / s, that is, 11.7 mm / s. The length L1 of the accumulated consumption calculation areas A1 to A5 and A66 to A82 in a portion where the length of the circulation path of the developer storage chambers (2 to 4) is 467 mm per revolution and the developer holding body storage chamber 2 is not 11 is set to 11. The length L2 of the cumulative consumption calculation areas A6 to A65 in the portion where the developer holding chamber 2 is located is set to 3.5 mm. The total amount of developer accommodated in the developer accommodating chambers (2 to 4) is 64 g, the toner consumption rate when forming an A4 solid image is 0.18 g / s, and the toner replenishment rate by the toner replenishment member 12 is The minimum driving time for one toner replenishing member 12, that is, the minimum toner replenishing time was 30 ms, 0.60 mg / s. That is, the unit replenishment amount of toner was 0.60 mg / s × 30 ms = 1.8 μg.

(Experimental example 1)
In Experimental Example 1, as in the second embodiment, the toner balance of each of the cumulative consumption calculation areas A1 to A82 is calculated and replenished according to the consumption of the area A1 corresponding to the toner replenishment position, that is, the toner balance for each area. The amount was set and replenished.
The printed image is an A4 size printed image having a width of 210 mm corresponding to the entire width of the developing rolls G1y to G1k, that is, a portion of the printing region A6 to A65 on the upstream side in the developer transport direction, that is, the region A45 to A63. A solid image band was formed, and a 50% halftone for density difference confirmation was formed at the full width (full width in the main scanning direction) at the lower end of the image (downstream in the sub scanning direction). The result of an experiment conducted on the balance of toner when the printed image is printed 10 pages continuously and the transition of the toner density between the upstream end region A65 and the downstream end region A4 of the first agitation transport chamber 3 is shown. As shown in FIG. The toner concentration can be measured by a conventionally known toner concentration sensor such as a magnetic permeability sensor.

(Comparative Example 1)
In the first comparative example, unlike the second embodiment, the toner is consumed when the cumulative number of pixels exceeds a predetermined value even if the area where the toner is consumed is not shifted to the toner replenishment position as in the conventional case. Replenishment operation to replenish was performed. The print image used was the same print image as in Experimental Example 1. The experimental results of Comparative Example 1 are shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a graph of experimental results of Experimental Example 1 of the present invention. FIG. 14A is a graph showing the relationship between the number of printed sheets and the balance of toner, toner replenishment timing, and toner consumption timing, and FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between downstream toner density, the number of printed sheets, toner supply timing, and toner consumption timing.
FIG. 15 is a graph of experimental results of Comparative Example 1. FIG. 15A is a graph showing the relationship between the number of printed sheets and the balance of toner, toner replenishment timing, and toner consumption timing. FIG. 15B is an upstream and downstream graph. 6 is a graph showing a relationship between toner density, the number of printed sheets, toner supply timing, and toner consumption timing.

14A, in the first experimental example, when image formation is performed, toner is consumed every time an image is formed on the recording sheet S that is conveyed with a predetermined gap between the sheets, but a solid image is formed. Therefore, the upstream cumulative consumption calculation area where the toner has been consumed is not conveyed to the toner replenishment position, that is, the position of the toner replenishment port 11a. Therefore, replenishment is not performed at first, and the total toner balance is reduced. During execution of printing of the sixth sheet, the developer whose toner has been consumed is conveyed to the toner replenishing port 11a, so that toner is replenished according to the area-specific toner balance in area A1. At this time, in FIG. 14B, the difference in toner density between the upstream side and the downstream side is within 1.3% on the 10th page, so that the density difference can be visually recognized even if the confirmation halftone image is confirmed. The concentration difference was not noticeable. The toner density difference is 1.9% at the maximum on the 12th page, but this is not a problem because no image is formed.
On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, as shown in FIG. 15A, toner supply is started immediately after the start of image formation, and toner is also supplied to areas A1 to A45 where toner is not consumed. That is, since the position where the toner is replenished and the position where it is consumed are different, as shown in FIG. 15B, the maximum is 2.5% on the seventh page. As visible.

(Experimental example 2)
In Experimental Example 2, an experiment was performed for the case of a printed image different from Experimental Example 1 under the above experimental conditions, and the other conditions were the same. That is, in Experimental Example 2, a solid band of the image is formed on the downstream side 1/3 of the printing area A6 to A65, that is, in the area A8 to A26, and the lower end of the image (in the sub-scanning direction). On the downstream side, a 50% halftone for checking the density difference was formed in the full width (full width in the main scanning direction). The experimental results are shown in FIG.
(Comparative Example 2)
In Comparative Example 2, an experiment was performed in the same manner as in Experimental Example 2 only for a printed image under the same conditions as in Comparative Example 1. The experimental results are shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a graph of experimental results of Experimental Example 2 of the present invention. FIG. 16A is a graph showing the relationship between the number of printed sheets and the balance of toner, toner replenishment timing, and toner consumption timing, and FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between downstream toner density, the number of printed sheets, toner supply timing, and toner consumption timing.
FIG. 17 is a graph of the experimental results of Comparative Example 2. FIG. 17A is a graph showing the relationship between the number of printed sheets and the balance of toner, toner replenishment timing, and toner consumption timing, and FIG. 6 is a graph showing a relationship between toner density, the number of printed sheets, toner supply timing, and toner consumption timing.

In FIG. 16A, in Experimental Example 2, since the solid image is formed on the downstream side, compared with the case of Experimental Example 1, the region where the toner is replenished moves to the toner replenishing position faster, and the second page Then, toner replenishment is started. In FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B, in Experimental Example 2, the difference between the upstream and downstream of the toner density is suppressed to 1.8% at the maximum, and the density difference was not visually recognized even in the halftone image.
On the other hand, in FIG. 17, in Comparative Example 2, as in Comparative Example 1, the position where toner is replenished and the position where it is consumed are different. When the halftone image was confirmed, it was visually recognized as a left-right difference in the width direction of the print density.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is performed within the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. It is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H07) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In the above-described embodiment, the printer as the image forming apparatus has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a FAX, a copying machine, or a multifunction machine having all or a plurality of functions may be used. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a multi-color developing image forming apparatus, and may be configured by a monochromatic, so-called monochrome image forming apparatus.

(H02) In the above embodiment, the method of dividing the cumulative consumption calculation area, the number of divisions, the length, and the like are not limited to the method exemplified in the embodiment, and can be arbitrarily changed according to the design or the like.
(H03) In the above embodiment, the developing device G and the toner replenishing container (11 + 16 + 18) are integrated and can be replaced integrally. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the developing device and the toner replenishing container are separated. It is also possible to constitute the body, connect between them with a toner conveying member, and convey the toner.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example, FIG. 18A is an explanatory diagram when the developer movement distance per unit time t1 and the length of the cumulative consumption calculation area are the same, and FIG. 18B is the length of the cumulative consumption calculation area. Is an explanatory diagram in the case where is an integral multiple of the developer movement distance per unit time t1.
(H04) In the above embodiment, the case where the toner consumption is calculated each time and the balance is calculated is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the consumption for each time is stored as a history. It is also possible to calculate the cumulative consumption amount of the area that has moved to the toner supply position from the consumption history.
In FIG. 18A, for example, the total number of accumulated consumption calculation areas is n _A, and the areas 0, 1 and 2 are sequentially arranged from the accumulated consumption calculation area A1 corresponding to the toner supply port 11a toward the upstream side in the developer transport direction. ,..., Region (n _A −1), i is an integer not less than 0 and not greater than (n _A −1), and the consumption amount of region i during time step t with time t1 as one unit is represented by ct (i , T), Li is the length of the cumulative consumption calculation area along the toner conveyance direction, vi is the developer conveyance distance during time t1, and j is a positive number not less than 0 and not more than (n _A −1). When Li = vi is set, the region that has moved to the toner replenishment position passes through region j at time (t−j) j × t1 hours before current time t. Therefore, the cumulative consumption can be calculated based on Equation 1, and based on Equation 1. It is also possible to configure to calculate Te.

また、移動する消費量算出対象領域Ａ_Ｌにおける消費量を計算する際に、領域［int（ｊ／ｎ）］と領域［int（ｊ／ｎ）＋１］にまたがった場合に、領域［int（ｊ／ｎ）］と領域［int（ｊ／ｎ）＋１］の消費量を領域Ａ_Ｌが重複する割合に応じて比をとって演算すると、トナー補給位置に移動した領域Ａ_Ｌの累積消費量は、ｋを０以上（ｎ−１）以下の整数とした場合に、数３に基づいて算出することができる。

ただし、ｉ＞ｎ_Ａ−１ の時ｃｔ（ｉ，ｔ）＝０とする。
よって、前記数１に変えて、数２、数３に基づいて計算するように構成することも可能である。
更に、印字領域が領域ｐから領域ｑの場合、ｉ＜ｐまたはｉ＞ｑの領域ｉは印字領域ではないため、トナーが消費されない。すなわち、ｉ＜ｐまたはｉ＞ｑの領域ｉでは、常にｃｔ（ｉ，ｔ）＝０なので、０となるｃｔ（ｉ，ｔ）を予め除くことで、計算量を少なくことができる。よって、数１に替えて数４として算出しても良い。

例えば、図１８Ａでは数４のｐ、ｑは、それぞれ、ｐ＝５、ｑ＝ｎ_Ａ−１の場合に相当する。 In Examples 1 and 2 and FIG. 18A, the length Li of each cumulative consumption calculation area is equal to the developer transport speed v per unit time t1, that is, the developer movement distance vi for t1 hours. As shown in the above, when Li is an integer multiple of vi, that is, when n is an integer, and Li = n × vi, each region 0 to (n _A −1) It is possible to calculate the cumulative consumption from the history of consumption for each area for each time.
In FIG. 18B, in the case of Li = n × vi, when the unit time t1 elapses, only vi = Li × (1 / n) is obtained for the length Li along the developer transport direction of each cumulative consumption calculation area. Developer moves downstream. When time 2 × t1 elapses, Li × (2 / n) moves downstream, and when time j × t1 elapses, Li × (j / n) moves. Thus, consumption calculation target region A _L indicated by a broken line in FIG. 18B is to be moved from the most upstream region (n A _-1) to the area 0 corresponding to the toner supply port 11a, the time as shown in FIG. 18B It takes (n _A × n−1) × t1 hours. The consumption calculation target region A _L in j × t1 hours before time of the time t (t-j), when the int: (a) an integer value by truncating the fractional numbers a, area 0 The region [int (j / n)] and the region [int (j / n) +1] which are two regions in the region (n _A −1) are straddled.
Therefore, when calculating the consumption in consumption calculation target region A _L to move, if that span regions [int (j / n)] and the area [int (j / n) +1 ], region [int ( consumption at that time (t-j) of j / n)], when operation is regarded as consumption of consumption calculation target area a _L, the accumulated consumption of the region moved to the toner supply area based on the number 2 Can be calculated.

Also, when calculating the consumption in consumption calculation target region A _L to move, if that span regions [int (j / n)] and the area [int (j / n) +1 ], region [int ( If j / n)] and the area [int (j / n) +1 consumption area a _L in] is computed by taking the ratio in accordance with the ratio of overlap, the cumulative consumption of area a _L moved to the toner supply position Can be calculated based on Equation 3 when k is an integer of 0 or more and (n-1) or less.

However, when i> n _A −1, ct (i, t) = 0.
Therefore, it is also possible to make a calculation based on Equations 2 and 3 instead of Equation 1.
Further, when the print area is the area p to the area q, the area i where i <p or i> q is not a print area, so that no toner is consumed. That is, in the region i where i <p or i> q, ct (i, t) = 0 is always set, so that the amount of calculation can be reduced by removing ct (i, t) that is 0 in advance. Therefore, it may be calculated as Equation 4 instead of Equation 1.

For example, in FIG. 18A, p and q in Equation 4 correspond to the cases of p = 5 and q = n _A −1, respectively.

(H05) In the above-described embodiment, the consumption is calculated based on the cumulative number of pixels by the latent image forming apparatus ROS. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to calculate the consumption amount in consideration of conditions such as environment and time. On the contrary, it is also possible to set the replenishment amount without considering the consumption amount and regarding the cumulative number of pixels as the consumption amount. Further, instead of the toner balance, other characteristic values that indirectly represent the amount of consumption, such as the amount of toner existing in each region, can be used.
(H06) In the above-described embodiment, the case where calculation is performed on the assumption that the developer in each cumulative consumption calculation area is transported to the downstream side is illustrated, but actually, when transported by the circulation transport members 7 and 8, Since the toner is agitated and diffused from a region having a high toner density to a region having a low toner concentration, it is possible to take diffusion into consideration when shifting the consumption amount. For example, if there is a difference between the consumption of a certain area and the consumption of an adjacent area, the toner in the area with low consumption is reduced according to the diffusion coefficient, and the toner in the area with high consumption is It is also possible to perform an increasing process.

(H07) In the above embodiment, the two-component developer composed of toner and carrier is accommodated in the developer accommodating chamber (2-4), and the toner is accommodated in the toner supply container (11 + 16 + 18). For example, a configuration in which a small amount of carrier is mixed into the toner to be replenished, or a configuration in which high-concentration toner including a high-concentration toner and a carrier is replenished while discharging the deteriorated developer little by little, is employed. It is also possible to do.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the opening / closing portion of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is opened. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a visible image forming apparatus which is an example of a detachable body according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is an explanatory view at the time of use, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of a state. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the cumulative consumption calculation area of the first embodiment, and FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the developer storage chamber and the cumulative consumption calculation area. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram for explaining a relationship between an image to be formed and a cumulative consumption calculation area. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of developer (toner) consumption calculation processing in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the replenishment amount setting process in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the consumption shift process in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 5 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the developer storage chamber and the accumulated consumption calculation area according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 6A according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the replenishment amount setting process in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a graph of experimental results of Experimental Example 1 of the present invention. FIG. 14A is a graph showing the relationship between the number of printed sheets and the balance of toner, toner replenishment timing, and toner consumption timing, and FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between downstream toner density, the number of printed sheets, toner supply timing, and toner consumption timing. FIG. 15 is a graph of experimental results of Comparative Example 1. FIG. 15A is a graph showing the relationship between the number of printed sheets and the balance of toner, toner replenishment timing, and toner consumption timing. FIG. 15B is an upstream and downstream graph. 6 is a graph showing a relationship between toner density, the number of printed sheets, toner supply timing, and toner consumption timing. FIG. 16 is a graph of experimental results of Experimental Example 2 of the present invention. FIG. 16A is a graph showing the relationship between the number of printed sheets and the balance of toner, toner replenishment timing, and toner consumption timing, and FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between downstream toner density, the number of printed sheets, toner supply timing, and toner consumption timing. FIG. 17 is a graph of the experimental results of Comparative Example 2. FIG. 17A is a graph showing the relationship between the number of printed sheets and the balance of toner, toner replenishment timing, and toner consumption timing, and FIG. 6 is a graph showing a relationship between toner density, the number of printed sheets, toner supply timing, and toner consumption timing. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example, FIG. 18A is an explanatory diagram when the developer movement distance per unit time t1 and the length of the cumulative consumption calculation area are the same, and FIG. 18B is the length of the cumulative consumption calculation area. Is an explanatory diagram in the case where is an integral multiple of the developer movement distance per unit time t1.

Explanation of symbols

2 ... developer holding member storage chamber,
3 ... 1st stirring conveyance room,
3 + 4 ... Circulation transfer chamber,
4 ... 2nd stirring conveyance chamber,
6a ... outflow part,
6b ... inflow part,
7: First developer conveying member,
7 + 8: Circulation conveyance member,
8: Second developer conveying member,
11a: Toner supply port,
12 ... Toner replenishing member,
A1 to A15, A1 to A82 ... cumulative consumption calculation area,
C6, C6 ′... Toner consumption calculating means,
C8 ... consumption shift means,
C9: Toner supply control means,
C10, C10 '... replenishment amount setting means,
ct (i, t) ... consumption of area i at time t,
G1k: developer holder,
Gy, Gm, Gc, Gk ... developing device,
i0: Total number of cumulative consumption calculation areas,
L: Length of the cumulative consumption calculation area in the developer conveyance direction,
Py, Pm, Pc, Pk ... image carrier,
Qgk ... development area,
t1 time interval,
T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k ... transfer device,
U: Image forming apparatus,
UY, UM, UC, UK ... Visible image forming device,
v: Conveying speed.

Claims (6)

A developer holder that is housed in the developer holder housing chamber and that transports the developer to a development area where the developer is held on the surface and the latent image is developed into a visible image;
A first agitating / conveying chamber disposed adjacent to the developer holding member accommodating chamber and accommodating a two-component developer, and disposed adjacent to the first agitating / conveying chamber and developed from the first agitating / conveying chamber A circulation conveyance chamber that includes an inflow portion into which the developer flows in and a second agitation conveyance chamber having an outflow portion that causes the developer to flow out into the first agitation conveyance chamber;
A first developer conveying member accommodated in the first agitating and conveying chamber and conveying the developer in the first agitating and conveying chamber in a predetermined first conveying direction; and accommodated in the second agitating and conveying chamber and the second A circulating transport member that circulates and transports the developer in the circulation transport chamber, and includes a second developer transport member that transports the developer in the stirring transport chamber in a second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction;
A developer replenishment section provided at a developer replenishment position in the circulation transfer chamber ;
Developer consumption calculation means for calculating the consumption amount of the developer in the accumulated consumption calculation area which is the area of the predetermined range divided from the circulation transfer chamber along the first transfer direction and the second transfer direction. When,
Consumption amount transfer means for transferring the consumption amount of each cumulative consumption amount calculation area to each cumulative consumption amount calculation area on the downstream side in the developer conveyance direction in accordance with the conveyance of the developer by the circulation conveyance member;
Replenishment amount setting means for setting a replenishment amount from the developer replenishment unit based on a consumption amount in a cumulative consumption amount calculation region corresponding to the developer replenishment position;
Developer replenishment control means for controlling replenishment of developer from the developer replenishment unit based on the set replenishment amount;
The developer consumption amount calculating means for subtracting the replenishment amount from the consumption amount in the cumulative consumption amount calculation area at the developer replenishment position when the developer is replenished at the developer replenishment position;
When the total balance of all areas of the developer balance, which is a value obtained by subtracting the consumption from the replenishment amount in each area of the cumulative consumption calculation area, is a negative value, the replenishment operation from the developer replenishment unit is permitted. The developer replenishment control means;
Developing apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a. A developer holder that is housed in the developer holder housing chamber and that transports the developer to a development area where the developer is held on the surface and the latent image is developed into a visible image;
A first agitating / conveying chamber disposed adjacent to the developer holding member accommodating chamber and accommodating a two-component developer, and disposed adjacent to the first agitating / conveying chamber and developed from the first agitating / conveying chamber A circulation conveyance chamber that includes an inflow portion into which the developer flows in and a second agitation conveyance chamber having an outflow portion that causes the developer to flow out into the first agitation conveyance chamber;
A first developer conveying member accommodated in the first agitating and conveying chamber and conveying the developer in the first agitating and conveying chamber in a predetermined first conveying direction; and accommodated in the second agitating and conveying chamber and the second A circulating transport member that circulates and transports the developer in the circulation transport chamber, and includes a second developer transport member that transports the developer in the stirring transport chamber in a second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction;
A developer replenishment section provided at a developer replenishment position in the circulation transfer chamber ;
The developer consumption calculation for calculating the developer consumption in a cumulative consumption calculation region that is an area of the predetermined range obtained by dividing the circulation transfer chamber along the first transfer direction and the second transfer direction. Means,
Consumption amount transfer means for transferring the consumption amount of each cumulative consumption amount calculation area to each cumulative consumption amount calculation area on the downstream side in the developer conveyance direction in accordance with the conveyance of the developer by the circulation conveyance member;
Replenishment amount setting means for setting a replenishment amount from the developer replenishment unit based on a consumption amount in a cumulative consumption amount calculation region corresponding to the developer replenishment position;
Developer replenishment control means for controlling replenishment of developer from the developer replenishment unit based on the set replenishment amount;
The developer consumption amount calculating means for subtracting the replenishment amount from the consumption amount in the cumulative consumption amount calculation area at the developer replenishment position when the developer is replenished at the developer replenishment position;
When the total balance of all areas of the developer balance, which is a value obtained by subtracting the consumption amount from the supply amount of each area of the cumulative consumption calculation area, is a positive value, the supply operation from the developer supply section is stopped. and the developer-supply control means,
Current image device you comprising the. The transport speed at which each developer transport member transports the developer is v, the length of the cumulative consumption calculation area in the developer transport direction is L, and the developer consumption is calculated in each cumulative consumption calculation area. 3. The developing device according to claim 1 , wherein t1 is an integer multiple of L / v, where t1 is a time interval to be calculated. The developer consumption calculating means for calculating the consumption based on the cumulative number of pixels of the image corresponding to the cumulative consumption calculation area;
An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a. An image carrier for holding an image on the surface;
A developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for developing the latent image on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image,
A transfer device for transferring a visible image formed on the image carrier to a medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image carrier for holding an image on the surface;
A developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for developing the latent image on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image,
A visible image forming apparatus comprising:

Images