JP5736919B2 - Waste toner collection container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof, and a waste toner collection container installed therein.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, untransferred toner remaining on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum, a photosensitive belt, an intermediate transfer belt, and an intermediate transfer drum after a transfer process is performed is cleaned. A technique is known in which untransferred toner removed by the cleaning unit and untransferred toner collected by the cleaning unit is discharged as waste toner from the cleaning unit and collected in a waste toner collection container (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
When the waste toner collection container is filled with the collected waste toner (or nearly full), the waste toner collection container is taken out from the image forming apparatus main body and replaced (maintenance) with an empty container. The

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a waste toner collecting container having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A transport member (waste toner transport means, paddle) for transporting the waste toner is provided in the container so that the waste toner is uniformly filled in the substantially rectangular parallelepiped waste toner collection container.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 3 and the like, a swinging member (swinging means) that swings in the vertical direction along an inclined inner wall surface in the toner transport path for the purpose of preventing cross-linking of toner in the toner transport path. Techniques for installing the are disclosed.

The waste toner collection containers described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above are substantially rectangular parallelepiped containers, and the waste space of the image forming apparatus main body cannot be effectively used, and the waste toner collection capacity is not so large. There was a problem. Therefore, the maintenance cycle of the waste toner collecting container is relatively fast.
In order to solve such problems, the wasteful space of the image forming apparatus main body excluding the functional units such as the image forming unit, the paper feeding unit, the fixing unit, and the paper transporting unit is used to the maximum to extend in the depth direction. A measure to increase the capacity of the waste toner collection container by forming a waste toner collection container so as to project a rectangular parallelepiped portion above the existing rectangular parallelepiped portion is conceivable. However, in that case, it is necessary to configure the waste toner collecting container so that the entire waste toner collecting container including the projecting portion is filled evenly, and the waste toner is cross-linked inside the waste toner collecting container. It is necessary to configure so that the formed toner is not hindered from being smoothly collected.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is difficult for the waste toner to be crosslinked in the container, and the waste toner can be collected uniformly in a large-capacity container. An object of the present invention is to provide a waste toner collecting container and an image forming apparatus.

The waste toner collecting container according to the first aspect of the present invention is installed in a detachable manner with respect to the image forming apparatus main body , and the waste toner collecting container discharged from the cleaning unit for removing the untransferred toner on the image carrier. the transferred toner a waste toner collecting container for collecting the waste toner, is inserted in the horizontal direction as a mounting direction with respect to the vertical direction flat space in the image forming apparatus main body, a box-shaped waste for storing waste toner A waste toner that protrudes above the waste toner storage portion on the front side in the mounting direction of the toner storage portion and the waste toner storage portion, and waste toner discharged from the cleaning portion when inserted into the space and a waste toner inlet portion of the shaped box inlet is formed communicating with the outlet of the transport tube to be transported, the waste toner storage portion, the flow through the waste toner inlet portion By the waste toner deposited comprises a first conveying member for conveying to the mounting direction, the waste toner inlet portion, the first conveying member conveys in a width direction orthogonal to the waste toner to the mounting direction A second conveying member for transmitting a driving force is provided, and a plurality of the inlets are formed in the width direction, and a width from above is provided below the inlets disposed at the end in the width direction among the plurality of inlets. A rocking member that swings in the vertical direction in conjunction with the operation of the first transport member is further provided along an inner wall surface formed to be inclined downward toward the center in the direction .

Further, the waste toner collecting container according to the second aspect of the present invention is the invention according to claim 1, the swing member is obtained by a plate-like member.

  The waste toner collecting container according to a third aspect of the present invention is the waste toner collecting container according to the first or second aspect, wherein the swinging member extends from the waste toner inflow portion to the waste toner storage portion. It is disposed so as to be close to the wall surface.

A waste toner collecting container according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the waste toner collecting container according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a flow disposed at a width direction end of the plurality of inflow ports. The inlet has a larger amount of waste toner inflow than the inlet provided in the central portion in the width direction.

A waste toner collecting container according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the waste toner collecting container according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein the second conveying member has a cam member at a part of its width direction. A flat plate portion provided in the waste toner storage portion, wherein the first conveying member is formed in a lattice shape, and includes a formed shaft portion and a screw portion wound around the shaft portion. And an arm portion that is connected to the flat plate portion and is suspended from the cam member of the second transport member, wherein the first transport member is interlocked with the rotational drive of the second transport member. Then, the contact portion between the arm portion and the cam member serves as a drive transmission portion, and the flat plate portion swings while changing an inclination angle and a position with respect to the mounting direction .

  A waste toner collecting container according to a sixth aspect of the invention is the waste toner collecting container according to the fifth aspect of the invention, wherein the swinging member is suspended from the drive transmission portion.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the waste toner collecting container according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the swinging member is engaged with the first conveying member and An engaging portion for moving the swinging member upward in conjunction with the upward movement of the first conveying member; and a biasing member for biasing the swinging member downward. is there.

A waste toner collecting container according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the waste toner collection container according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the inlet at the end in the width direction and the flow adjacent to the inlet. A partition member that rises downward from the ceiling of the waste toner inflow portion is installed between the inlet and the inlet.

The waste toner collecting container according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is the waste toner collecting container according to the eighth aspect , wherein a flexible member is installed between the partition member and the inner wall surface.

  A waste toner collecting container according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the waste toner collecting container according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the swinging member has a posture when the swinging member swings. A restriction member for restriction is installed.

The waste toner collecting container according to the invention described in claim 11 is the waste toner collecting container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the waste toner inflow portion corresponds to an intermediate transfer member as an image carrier. Untransferred toner discharged from the cleaning unit that flows into the intermediate transfer member into which waste toner flows in, and untransferred toner discharged from the cleaning unit corresponding to the image carrier on which the black toner image is formed. A black inlet into which waste toner is introduced, and a color inlet into which untransferred toner discharged from a cleaning unit corresponding to an image carrier on which a color toner image is formed is introduced as waste toner; The intermediate transfer body inlet is formed at one end in the width direction, the black inlet is formed at the other end in the width direction, and the color inlet is the intermediate transfer For body And it is formed between the inlet and the black for the inlet.

The waste toner collecting container according to the invention of claim 12 is the waste toner collecting container according to claim 11 , wherein the second conveying member does not reach from the one end side to the other end side in the waste toner inflow portion. The waste toner is formed so as to be conveyed toward a central position, and the swinging member is disposed below the black inlet.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect includes the waste toner collecting container according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus. .

  According to the present invention, a waste toner inflow portion protrudes above a waste toner storage portion formed to extend in the depth direction, and a transport member that transports waste toner in the depth direction is provided in the waste toner storage portion. Further, a rocking member that rocks along the inner wall surface of the waste toner inflow portion in conjunction with the operation of the conveying member is further provided. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a waste toner collection container and an image forming apparatus in which waste toner is hardly formed in the container, and the waste toner is collected uniformly in a large capacity container.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an image creation part. It is a block diagram which shows a waste toner collection container in the depth direction. It is a perspective view showing a waste toner collection container. It is a top view showing a waste toner collection container. It is a side view showing a waste toner collection container. It is a front view showing a waste toner collection container. It is a perspective view which shows a 1st conveyance member. It is a top view which shows a 1st conveyance member. It is a side view which shows the arm part of a 1st conveying member. It is a perspective view which shows a 2nd conveyance member. It is a side view which shows a 2nd conveyance member. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a depth direction depth side of a waste toner storage unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a part of a waste toner collecting container in a waste toner full state. It is an enlarged view which shows the vicinity of a rocking | swiveling member. It is an enlarged view showing the neighborhood of the 2nd rocking member. It is an enlarged view which shows the vicinity of the rocking | swiveling member of another form. It is an enlarged view which shows the state which the rocking | fluctuation member of FIG. 17 moved upwards. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of a swing member in a waste toner recovery container of another form.

Embodiment.
Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK as image forming units are arranged in parallel so as to face an intermediate transfer belt 17 as an intermediate transfer member. An image forming apparatus.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is an apparatus main body of a color copying machine as an image forming apparatus, 3 is a document conveying unit that conveys a document to a document reading unit 4, 4 is a document reading unit that reads image information of a document, and 6 is input image information. A writing unit (exposure unit) that emits laser light based on the above, 7 is a paper feeding unit that accommodates a recording medium P such as transfer paper, and 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK are colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black). A corresponding process cartridge as an image forming unit, 17 is an intermediate transfer belt (image carrier) on which toner images of a plurality of colors are transferred, and 18 is a toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 17 on a recording medium P. A secondary transfer roller for transferring, a fixing unit 20 for fixing an unfixed image on the recording medium P, and a toner 28 for each process cartridge 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK. Because of the toner container, 30 denotes a waste toner container, the waste toner is collected.

Here, each of the process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK (image forming unit) includes a photosensitive drum 11 as an image carrier, a charging unit 12, a developing unit 13 (developing device), and a cleaning unit 15 (cleaning device). ) Are integrated (see FIG. 2). And each process cartridge 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10BK is replaced | exchanged for a new thing when the lifetime is reached.
A toner image of each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 (image carrier) in each of the process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK.

Hereinafter, an operation during normal color image formation in the image forming apparatus will be described.
First, the document is transported from the document table by the transport rollers of the document transport unit 3 and placed on the contact glass of the document reading unit 4. Then, the document reading unit 4 optically reads the image information of the document placed on the contact glass.
Specifically, the document reading unit 4 scans an image of a document on the contact glass while irradiating light emitted from an illumination lamp. Then, the light reflected from the original is imaged on the color sensor via the mirror group and the lens. The color image information of the original is read for each color separation light of RGB (red, green, blue) by the color sensor, and then converted into an electrical image signal. Further, an image processing unit (not shown) performs color conversion processing, color correction processing, spatial frequency correction processing, and the like on the basis of RGB color separation image signals, so that yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are processed. Get color image information.

  Then, image information of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is transmitted to the writing unit 6. Then, laser light (exposure light) based on the image information of each color is emitted from the writing unit 6 toward the photosensitive drums 11 of the corresponding process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK, respectively.

On the other hand, the four photosensitive drums 11 rotate in the clockwise direction in the figure. Referring to FIG. 2, first, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is uniformly charged at a position facing the charging unit 12 (charging roller) (a charging process). Thus, a charged potential is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 as an image carrier. Thereafter, the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 11 reaches the irradiation position of each laser beam.
In the writing unit 6, laser light corresponding to the image signal is emitted from the light source corresponding to each color. Although not shown, the laser light is incident on the polygon mirror and reflected, and then passes through a plurality of lenses. The laser light after passing through the plurality of lenses passes through different optical paths for each of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color components (this is an exposure process).

  Laser light corresponding to the yellow component is irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 of the first process cartridge 10Y from the left side of the drawing. At this time, the yellow component laser light is scanned in the rotational axis direction (main scanning direction) of the photosensitive drum 11 by a polygon mirror (not shown) that rotates at high speed. Thus, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the yellow component is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 after being charged by the charging roller 12a.

  Similarly, the cyan component laser light is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 of the second process cartridge 10 </ b> C from the left side of the sheet, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image of the cyan component. The laser beam corresponding to the magenta component is irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 of the third process cartridge 10M from the left side of the paper, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the magenta component is formed. The black component laser light is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 of the process cartridge 10BK (black image forming unit), which is fourth from the left side of the drawing (the most downstream side with respect to the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 17). Thus, an electrostatic latent image of the black component is formed.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 on which the electrostatic latent image of each color is formed reaches a position facing the developing unit 13 (see FIG. 2). Then, each color toner is supplied from each developing unit 13 onto the photosensitive drum 11, and the latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 is developed (this is a developing step).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after the development process reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 17 (intermediate transfer body) as an image carrier. Here, a primary transfer roller 14 is installed at each facing position so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of an intermediate transfer belt 17 as an intermediate transfer member. At the position of the primary transfer roller 14, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 11 are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 17 as an image carrier (in the first transfer process). is there.).

Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after the first transfer step reaches a position facing the cleaning unit 15 (see FIG. 2). The untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 (image carrier) is collected by the cleaning unit 15 (cleaning process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photoconductive drum 11 passes through the position of a static elimination unit (not shown), and a series of image forming processes on the photoconductive drum 11 is completed.

On the other hand, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17 on which the images of the respective colors on the photosensitive drum 11 are transferred in an overlapping manner travels in the direction of the arrow in the drawing and reaches the position of the secondary transfer roller 18. Then, the full color image on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is secondarily transferred onto the recording medium P at the position of the secondary transfer roller 18 (second transfer step).
Thereafter, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 9 (cleaning unit). Then, the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 17 as the image carrier is collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 9 (cleaning unit), and a series of transfer processes on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is completed.

Here, the recording medium P at the position of the secondary transfer roller 18 is conveyed from the paper supply unit 7 via the conveyance guide, the registration roller 19 and the like.
Specifically, the transfer paper P fed by the paper feed roller 8 from the paper feed unit 7 that stores the recording medium P is guided to the registration roller 19 after passing through the conveyance guide. The recording medium P that has reached the registration roller 19 is conveyed toward the position of the secondary transfer roller 18 in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 17.

Thereafter, the recording medium P on which the full-color image is transferred is guided to the fixing unit 20. In the fixing unit 20, the color image is fixed on the recording medium P at the nip between the fixing roller and the pressure roller.
The recording medium P after the fixing step is discharged as an output image outside the apparatus main body 1 by the paper discharge roller 29 and then stacked on the paper discharge unit 5 to complete a series of image forming processes.

Next, the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the black process cartridge 10BK. The other three process cartridges 10Y, 10M, and 10C are configured substantially the same as the black process cartridge 10BK except that the color of the toner used in the image forming process is different. Are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge 10BK contains a photosensitive drum 11 as an image carrier, a charging unit 12 for charging the photosensitive drum 11, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11. A developing unit 13 for developing and a cleaning unit 15 for collecting untransferred toner on the photosensitive drum 11 are integrally stored in a case.

Here, the photosensitive drum 11 as an image bearing member is a negatively charged organic photosensitive member, and a photosensitive layer or the like is provided on a drum-shaped conductive support. Although not shown, the photosensitive drum 11 has an undercoat layer that is an insulating layer, a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer as a photosensitive layer, and a protective layer (surface layer) in this order on a conductive support as a base layer. Are stacked.
The charging unit 12 is a charging roller formed by covering an outer periphery of a conductive metal core with an intermediate resistance elastic layer. Then, a predetermined voltage is applied to the charging unit 12 (charging roller) from a power supply unit (not shown), thereby uniformly charging the surface of the opposing photoconductive drum 11.

  The developing unit 13 (developing device) mainly includes a developing roller 13a facing the photoconductive drum 11, a first transporting screw 13b1 facing the developing roller 13a, and a first transporting screw 13b1 facing the first transporting screw 13b1 via a partition member. It is comprised by the 2 conveyance screw 13b2 and the doctor blade 13c facing the developing roller 13a. The developing roller 13a includes a magnet that is fixed inside and forms a magnetic pole on the peripheral surface of the roller, and a sleeve that rotates around the magnet. A plurality of magnetic poles are formed on the developing roller 13a (sleeve) by the magnet, and the developer is carried on the developing roller 13a.

In the developing unit 13, a two-component developer composed of a carrier and a toner is accommodated. In the present embodiment, a toner having a small particle diameter and a substantially spherical shape is used to improve the image quality.
Specifically, the toner is formed so that the circularity is 0.92 or more. The “circularity” is an average circularity measured by a flow type particle image analyzer “FPIA-2000” (manufactured by Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.). Specifically, 0.1 to 0.5 ml of a surfactant (preferably an alkylbenzene sulfonate) is added as a dispersant to 100 to 150 ml of water from which impure solids have been removed in advance. Further, about 0.1 to 0.5 g of a measurement sample (toner) is added. Thereafter, the suspension in which the toner is dispersed is subjected to a dispersion treatment with an ultrasonic disperser for about 1 to 3 minutes, and the dispersion liquid concentration is set to 3000 to 10000 / μl in the above-described analyzer. Then, the shape and distribution of the toner are measured.
The toner is formed so that the shape factor SF-1 and the shape factor SF-2 are both in the range of 100 to 180.
The toner has a volume average particle diameter (Dv) in the range of 3 to 8 μm, and a ratio (Dv / Dn) of the volume average particle diameter (Dv) to the number average particle diameter (Dn) is 1.05. It is formed to be in the range of 1.40.
Further, the toner has a ratio of the major axis to the minor axis (r1 / r2) in the range of 0.5 to 1.0, and a ratio of the thickness to the minor axis (r3 / r2) of 0.7 to 1. In the range of 0.0, and the long axis r1 ≧ the short axis r2 ≧ the thickness r3 is satisfied.
Such a small particle size / spherical toner crosslinks a toner composition containing a polyester prepolymer having a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, a polyester, a colorant, and a release agent in the presence of resin fine particles in an aqueous medium. Alternatively, it can be produced by an extension reaction.

Referring to FIG. 2, the cleaning unit 15 (cleaning device) includes a cleaning blade 15a that contacts the photosensitive drum 11, and a non-transferred toner collected in the cleaning unit 15 as a waste toner collection container 30 (see FIG. 2). 3), a transfer coil 15b (transfer pipe 16), etc., which is transferred toward is provided. The cleaning blade 15a is made of a rubber material such as urethane rubber, and is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 at a predetermined angle and a predetermined pressure. As a result, deposits such as untransferred toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 11 are mechanically scraped and collected in the cleaning unit 15. The untransferred toner recovered in the cleaning unit 15 is transported to the waste toner recovery container 30 via the transport pipe 16 (a transport coil 15b is provided), and is recovered as waste toner. It is collected inside the container 30.
Similarly, referring to FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 9 as a cleaning unit also includes a cleaning blade that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 17 (intermediate transfer member) and the uncollected in the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 9. A conveying coil (conveying tube 16) for conveying the transfer toner as waste toner toward a waste toner collecting container 30 (see FIG. 3) is installed. Then, the untransferred toner collected in the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 9 is transported to the waste toner collection container 30 via the transport pipe 16 (a transport coil is provided), and is discarded as waste toner. The toner is collected in the toner collection container 30. The configuration and operation of the waste toner collection container 30 will be described in more detail later.
In addition to the untransferred toner, the adhering matter adhering to the photosensitive drum 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 17 is not only the untransferred toner but also paper dust generated from the recording medium P (paper), and the photosensitive member during discharge by the charging roller 12 (charging unit). There are discharge products generated on the drum 11, additives added to the toner, and the like. In the present application, these are collectively referred to as “untransferred toner”.

The image forming process described above will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
The developing roller 13a rotates in the arrow direction (counterclockwise direction) in FIG. The developer in the developing unit 13 is replenished from the toner container 28 by a toner replenishing unit (not shown) by the rotation of the first transport screw 13b1 and the second transport screw 13b2 that are disposed so as to interpose a partition member therebetween. The toner circulates in the longitudinal direction while being agitated and mixed with the toner (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2).

  The toner that is frictionally charged and adsorbed on the carrier is carried on the developing roller 13a together with the carrier. The developer carried on the developing roller 13a then reaches the position of the doctor blade 13c. The developer on the developing roller 13a is adjusted to an appropriate amount at the position of the doctor blade 13c and then reaches a position facing the photosensitive drum 11 (development region).

  Thereafter, in the developing region, the toner in the developer adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. Specifically, the latent image potential (exposure potential) of the image portion irradiated with the laser beam L and the electric field formed by the potential difference (development potential) between the development bias applied to the developing roller 13a cause the toner to become a latent image. (Toner image is formed).

  Thereafter, most of the toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 11 in the developing process is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 17. Then, the untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 is collected in the cleaning unit 15 by the cleaning blade 15a.

  Here, although not shown in the figure, the toner replenishing portion provided in the apparatus main body 1 includes a bottle-shaped toner container 28 configured to be replaceable, and holds and rotates the toner container 28, and the developing unit 13 is newly installed. And a toner hopper for replenishing toner. Also, a new toner (any one of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) is accommodated in the toner container 28. In addition, a spiral protrusion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the toner container 28 (toner bottle).

  The new toner in the toner container 28 is appropriately supplied from the toner supply port into the developing unit 13 as the toner in the developing unit 13 (existing toner) is consumed. Although illustration is omitted, the consumption of toner in the developing unit 13 is indirectly caused by a reflection type photosensor facing the photosensitive drum 11 and a magnetic sensor installed below the second conveying screw 23b2 of the developing unit 13. Or detected directly.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the waste toner collecting container 30 which are characteristic in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 6, etc., waste toner collection container 30 in the present embodiment is formed so that the shape viewed from the side is substantially L-shaped. 3 (and FIG. 14) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the waste toner collection container 30 as viewed from the right side (right side of FIG. 1), and FIG. 6 (and FIG. 13) shows the waste toner collection container 30. It is a detailed sectional view seen from the left side (the left side of FIG. 1).

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, the waste toner collecting container 30 mainly includes a waste toner inflow portion 32 into which the waste toner discharged from the cleaning units 9 and 15 is introduced, and a waste toner storage portion that stores the waste toner. 31.
The waste toner storage portion 31 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box-like portion formed so as to extend in the depth direction (the left-right direction in FIGS. 3 and 6 and the vertical direction in FIG. 1). The pushing member 41 as a conveying member (first conveying member) is installed inside. Further, the waste toner storage unit 31 is provided with a waste toner detection unit 54 that detects that the waste toner accumulated in the container has reached a predetermined amount (predetermined height).
The waste toner inflow portion 32 (second waste toner storage portion) is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box-shaped portion protruding above the waste toner storage portion 31, and a transport screw 51 as a second transport member is provided therein. is set up. The entire boundary of the waste toner inflow portion 32 and the waste toner storage portion 31 is open. 4, 5, and 7, the inflow ports 32 a 1 Y, 32 a 1 M, 32 a 1 C, and the like where the waste toner discharged from the cleaning units 9 and 15 flows into the ceiling portion 32 a of the waste toner inflow portion 32. Five 32a1BK and 32a1T are formed (in FIG. 3, FIG. 6, the code | symbol attached | subjected to "32a1" is abbreviate | omitted). 4 and the like, the waste toner inflow portion 32 is formed so that one end side in the width direction (a portion surrounded by a broken line) protrudes from the waste toner storage portion 31. The protruding portion of the waste toner inflow portion 32 is also formed to make maximum use of the wasted space in the apparatus main body 1.
Then, the waste toner collecting container 30 configured as described above is discharged from the cleaning units 15 of the four process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK and discharged from the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 9. Untransferred toner is collected as waste toner. Then, a large amount of waste toner is stored in the waste toner storage unit 31, and the waste toner is additionally stored in a part of the space of the waste toner inflow unit 32.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the ceiling portion of waste toner inflow portion 32, inflow port 32a1BK formed on the leftmost side in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the depth direction and the left-right direction in FIG. 7). (The black inlet) is used to flow the untransferred toner collected by the cleaning unit 15 of the black process cartridge 10BK into the waste toner inflow portion 32 as waste toner. The toner is discharged from the transport pipe 16 into the waste toner inflow section 32 in a state where the discharge port 16a (see FIG. 3) of the transport pipe 16 connected to the cleaning section 15 communicates with the inflow port 32a1BK. A plate-like rocking member 61 (see FIGS. 7 and 15) is installed at a position below the black inlet 32a1BK so as to be able to rock obliquely in the vertical direction along the inner wall surface. This will be described in detail later.
In addition, in the waste toner inflow portion 32, the inflow port 32a1C formed second from the left in the width direction uses the untransferred toner collected by the cleaning portion 15 of the cyan process cartridge 10C as waste toner and serves as a waste toner inflow portion 32. In the state where the discharge port 16a of the conveyance tube 16 connected to the cyan cleaning unit 15 communicates with the inflow port 32a1C, the toner enters the waste toner inflow portion 32 from the conveyance tube 16. Is discharged.
Further, in the waste toner inflow portion 32, the inflow port 32a1M formed third from the left in the width direction is a waste toner inflow portion 32 using the untransferred toner collected by the cleaning portion 15 of the magenta process cartridge 10M as waste toner. In the state where the discharge port 16a of the conveyance tube 16 connected to the magenta cleaning unit 15 communicates with the inflow port 32a1M, the toner enters the waste toner inflow unit 32 from the conveyance tube 16. Is discharged.
Further, in the waste toner inflow portion 32, the inflow port 32a1Y formed fourth from the left in the width direction is a waste toner inflow portion 32 using the untransferred toner collected by the cleaning portion 15 of the yellow process cartridge 10Y as waste toner. In the state where the discharge port 16a of the conveyance tube 16 connected to the yellow cleaning unit 15 communicates with the inflow port 32a1Y, the toner enters the waste toner inflow portion 32 from the conveyance tube 16. Is discharged.
In addition, in the waste toner inflow portion 32, an inflow port 32a1T (which is an inflow port for the intermediate transfer member) formed on the rightmost side in the width direction receives untransferred toner collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 9. In order to flow into the waste toner inflow portion 32 as waste toner, the discharge port 16a of the conveyance tube 16 connected to the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 9 communicates with the inflow port 32a1T from the conveyance tube 16. The toner is discharged into the waste toner inflow portion 32. A plate-like rocking member 66 (see FIGS. 6 and 16) is installed at a position below the intermediate transfer inlet 32a1T so as to be able to rock obliquely in the vertical direction along the inner wall surface. This will be described in detail later.
In addition, in FIG. 7 etc., illustration of the conveyance pipe | tube 16 respectively connected to five inflow port 32a1Y, 32a1M, 32a1C, 32a1BK, 32a1T is abbreviate | omitted.

  The waste toner (untransferred toner) that has flowed in from the five inlets 32a1Y, 32a1M, 32a1C, 32a1BK, and 32a1T (discharge port 16a) mainly falls by its own weight and is discharged from the waste toner inflow portion 32 to the waste toner storage portion 31 ( It is a position below the waste toner inflow portion 32). The waste toner accumulated at the position can refer to the pushing member 41 (the operation range indicated by the broken line in FIG. 3) as the first conveying member (conveying member) in which the flat plate portion 41a swings in the vertical and horizontal directions. ) To be pushed from the near side in the depth direction (left side in FIG. 3) to the far side in the depth direction (right side in FIG. 3). When the waste toner is collected (filled) over the entire waste toner storage unit 31 (or close to it), the waste toner that has flowed in from the five inlets 32a1Y, 32a1M, 32a1C, 32a1BK, and 32a1T. Is accumulated in the waste toner inflow portion 32. The waste toner that has reached the vicinity of the position (height) of the transport screw 51 as the second transport member is in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3 and the white arrow direction in FIG. 7). ). When the waste toner accumulation unit 31 (waste toner full detection unit) detects that the amount of waste toner accumulated in the waste toner storage unit 31 and the waste toner inflow unit 32 reaches a predetermined amount, the control unit discards the waste toner. The conveyance of the waste toner to the toner recovery container 30 is stopped, and the state is notified to a display unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 1. Then, the user (or service person) who recognizes the state performs replacement maintenance of the full waste toner collecting container 30.

The waste toner collecting container 30 is moved to the left side of FIG. 3 (the front side of the paper in FIG. 1) by opening the main body cover (not shown) of the apparatus main body 1 and moving to the left side of FIG. 1 can be taken out. Then, the new (empty) waste toner collecting container 30 is moved to the right side of FIG. 3 (the back side in FIG. 1) with respect to the apparatus main body 1 with the main body cover opened. Installed.
Here, in the present embodiment, the waste toner collection container 30 is provided with the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10BK, the writing unit 6 and the intermediate transfer belt 17 (in order to extend the maintenance cycle of the waste toner collection container 30. By utilizing the space excluding the functional part such as the intermediate transfer belt unit) to the maximum extent, the waste toner inflow part 32 (second waste toner storage part) is provided above the waste toner storage part 31 as described above, thereby providing a large capacity. It has become.

Here, the conveying screw 51 as the second conveying member is mainly composed of a shaft portion 51a and a screw portion 51b, and both ends in the width direction thereof are waste toner inflow portions via bearings (not shown). 32 cases are rotatably supported.
Specifically, referring to FIGS. 3, 7, 11, and 12, cam members 52 are respectively installed at both ends in the width direction of the shaft portion 51 a of the transport screw 51 (second transport member). . The cam member 52 rotates around the shaft portion 51a together with the conveying screw 51, and can be formed integrally with the shaft portion 51a or can be formed as a separate member from the shaft portion 51a. it can. It should be noted that the position of the shaft portion 51 a that is the rotation center of the cam member 52 is a position that is eccentric from the center of the circle of the cam member 52, so that the cam member 52 functions as a “cam” as the conveyance screw 51 rotates. Will do. The cam member 52 is for driving a pushing member 41 (first conveying member) described later, and the arm portion 41b of the pushing member 41 is suspended.
Further, in the shaft portion 51a of the conveying screw 51 (second conveying member), it is a position excluding the position where the cam member 52 is formed, and from the one end side in the width direction to the center position not reaching the other end side, A screw part 51b is formed (wound). In other words, the screw part 51b is formed in the shaft part 51a of the conveying screw 51 at a position excluding the position where the cam member 52 is formed and the other end side (the left side in FIG. 7). Further, the screw part 51b is disposed at a waste toner inflow part 32 formed so as to protrude to one end side in the width direction (the right end part in FIG. 7) above the waste toner storage part 31. This is for adjusting the balance in the width direction of the waste toner sent toward the portion 31 and the balance in the width direction of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner inflow portion 32, and the shaft portion 51a described above. (The range from the one end side to the position of the central portion). That is, by installing the conveying screw 51 having the screw part 51b in the part formed so as to protrude to one end side in the width direction in the waste toner inflow part 32, it is possible to prevent the problem that the waste toner stays in that part. Can do. Furthermore, by forming the screw part 51b only on one end side in the width direction in the transport screw 51, the driving torque of the transport screw 51 can be reduced compared to the case where the screw part 51b is formed over the entire width direction.
The screw portion 51b is formed so as to convey waste toner in a direction away from the cam member 52 on one end side (the right end portion in FIG. 7). As a result, a problem that waste toner adheres to the cam member 52 and a drive transmission failure between the cam member 52 and the pushing member 41 (first transport member) occurs is prevented.
Referring to FIG. 7, a gear 71 that meshes with a drive gear (not shown) installed in the apparatus main body 1 is provided on one end side of the shaft portion 51 a of the transport screw 51 (second transport member). is set up. When the driving force is transmitted from the driving gear to the gear 71 and the conveying screw 51 is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction, the waste screw does not reach the other end side from the one end side in the width direction by the conveying screw 51. It is transported toward the position (transportation in the direction of the white arrow in FIG. 7).

  On the other hand, referring to FIGS. 3, 7 to 10, and the like, a pushing member 41 as a conveying member (first conveying member) includes a flat plate portion 41 a provided in the waste toner storage portion 31 and a flat plate portion 41 a. The arm portion 41b is connected to both ends in the width direction on the near side in the depth direction on the side close to the waste toner inflow portion 32. The pushing member 41 (first conveying member) conveys the waste toner that has flowed in and accumulated through the waste toner inflow portion 32 in the depth direction and is in the width direction (a direction orthogonal to the depth direction). ) Will be transported toward the center.

  Specifically, the flat plate portion 41a of the pushing member 41 (first transport member) is formed in a substantially lattice shape as shown in FIGS. That is, the flat plate portion 41a is provided with a plurality of rectangular watermarks (through holes) in the vertical and horizontal directions when viewed from the vertical direction. In the present application, “lattice” means that a plurality of rectangular watermarks (through holes) are regularly arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a plurality of watermarks (through holes) are randomly formed regardless of the rectangle. It is also included.

Here, in the flat plate portion 41a in the present embodiment, the lattice at the center in the width direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 9) is substantially orthogonal to the waste toner conveyance direction (the right direction in FIG. 9). The grids at both ends in the width direction are formed in a substantially parallelogram shape inclined toward the center with respect to the waste toner conveyance direction.
Specifically, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the flat plate portion 41a stands in a direction intersecting the waste toner conveyance direction toward the depth side in the depth direction at the portion formed in a lattice shape at both ends in the width direction. Wall parts 41a12-41a14 are formed so that it may incline toward the width direction center part side with respect to the conveyance direction. Specifically, the angles θ2 and θ3 shown in FIG. 9 are set to about 75 degrees, and the angle θ4 is set to about 60 degrees.
Further, the flat plate portion 41a is formed such that a wall portion 41a11 standing in a direction intersecting the transport direction at a portion formed in a lattice shape in the central portion in the width direction is substantially orthogonal to the transport direction. Specifically, the angle θ1 shown in FIG. 9 is set to about 90 degrees.
Since the waste toner that has flowed into the waste toner storage unit 31 is conveyed in the depth direction so as to be pushed out to the wall portions 41a11 to 41a14 of the flat plate portion 41a of the pushing member 41, the wall portions 41a11 to 41a14 pass through the wall portions 41a11 to 41a14 as described above. By configuring, the waste toner is conveyed to the back side in the depth direction (right side in FIG. 9) while being conveyed so as to be collected toward the center in the width direction by the swinging of the pushing member 41. Become. On the other hand, the waste toner conveyed so as to be pushed in the depth direction is always subjected to a force that tends to move toward both ends in the width direction, so that the wall portions 41a11 to 41a14 described above move toward the center in the width direction. Accordingly, the waste toner is collected without any bias throughout the waste toner storage unit 31.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the inclination angle θ4 of the lattice at one end in the width direction of the flat plate portion 41a (downward in FIG. 9) is greater than the inclination angle θ3 of the lattice on the center side. Is formed to be smaller.
Specifically, the flat plate portion 41a is a portion in which the inclination angle θ4 with respect to the transport direction of the wall portion 41a14 in the portion formed in a lattice shape at the end portion in the width direction is formed in a lattice shape in the width direction center portion side than that portion. Is formed so as to be smaller than the inclination angle θ3 of the wall portion 41a13 rising in the direction intersecting the transport direction with respect to the transport direction. Specifically, the inclination angle θ4 shown in FIG. 9 is set to be smaller than the inclination angle θ3 (θ4 <θ3).
With such a configuration, a force for moving the waste toner toward the center in the width direction can be exerted greatly even at the position of the end in the width direction far from the center in the width direction. As a result of this swinging, the effect of collecting the waste toner without any bias over the entire inside of the waste toner storage unit 31 is surely exhibited.

  Further, the arm portion 41b of the pushing member 41 (first conveying member) has a substantially O-shaped abutting portion 41b1 formed at the tip thereof, and the abutting portion 41b1 serves as a hook portion and the conveying screw 51. The cam member 52 is suspended (hanged). The abutting portion 41b1 between the arm portion 41b and the cam member 52 serves as a drive transmission portion for transmitting the driving force of the conveying screw 51 to the pushing member 41. That is, in the pushing member 41 (first transport member), the contact portion 41b1 between the arm portion 41b and the cam member 52 becomes a drive transmission portion in conjunction with the rotational drive of the transport screw 51 (second transport member). The flat plate portion 41a swings while changing the inclination angle with respect to the depth direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when the cam member 52 rotates eccentrically about the shaft 51a, the flat plate portion 41a connected to the arm portion 41b in accordance with the operation thereof is It moves up and down in the direction of the arrow and slides in the depth direction. That is, the flat plate portion 41a swings while changing the inclination angle and position with respect to the depth direction. By such an operation of the grid-like flat plate portion 41a (pushing member 41), the waste toner accumulated below the waste toner inflow portion 32 is gradually pushed inward in the depth direction (FIG. 3). Move from the left side to the right side.) Thus, the waste toner is filled (collected) without wasting space over the entire area of the waste toner storage unit 31 extending in the depth direction.

Here, in the waste toner collecting container 30 in the present embodiment, the pushing member 41 (first transport member) is driven in conjunction with the drive of the transport screw 51 (second transport member). Furthermore, the position where the drive transmission part (the contact part 41b1 between the arm part 41b and the cam member 52) with the conveying screw 51 is different from the inside of the waste toner storage part 31 (width direction of the waste toner inflow part 32). It is arranged at both ends.
This makes it difficult for the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage section 32 to adhere to the drive connecting portion between the pushing member 41 and the conveying screw 51, so that the pushing member 41 is reliably driven in conjunction with the driving of the conveying screw 51. As a result, the occurrence of malfunction of the pushing member 41 is suppressed. Therefore, the waste toner is uniformly collected in the large-capacity waste toner collection container 30 as a whole.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the cam member 52 of the conveying screw 51 is at both ends in the width direction of the waste toner inflow portion 32, and the width direction in which the five inflow ports 32a1Y, 32a1M, 32a1C, 32a1BK, and 32a1T are formed. Are disposed at positions outside the range. Further, the waste toner is transported toward the central portion in the width direction by the screw portion 51b of the transport screw 51.
With such a configuration, the waste toner flowing into the waste toner inflow portion 52 is less likely to directly adhere to the cam member 52 (or the drive connection portion 41b1 with the arm portion 41b). The effect of suppressing the malfunction is further ensured.

Here, referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 and the like, the pushing member 41 (first transport member) in the present embodiment is between the arm portion 41b and the arm portion 41b respectively formed at both ends in the width direction. The connecting portion 41c is bridged. The connecting portion 41c is for reinforcing the entire strength of the pushing member 41, and is connected to the flat plate portion 41a so as to stand up in a direction intersecting the flat plate portion 41a (substantially vertical direction). Has been. The connecting portion 41c is formed in a planar shape along the extending direction of the arm portion 41b (which is a substantially vertical direction), and the rib portion 41c1 connected between the flat plate portion 41a is formed in the width direction. A plurality are formed.
By providing the connecting portion 41c configured as described above, it is possible to improve the mechanical strength of the pushing member 41 that repeatedly swings in order to convey the waste toner in a predetermined direction.

Here, in the present embodiment, referring to FIG. 3 and the like, in the waste toner inflow portion 32 (second waste toner storage portion), in the extending direction of the transport pipe 16 (the left-right direction in FIG. 3). A ceiling portion 32 a is formed so as to face the lower surface of the transport pipe 16. In addition, an inflow port 32a1 that communicates with the discharge port 16a of the transport pipe 16 is formed in the ceiling portion 32a.
Further, the ceiling portion 32a of the waste toner inflow portion 32 has an inclined portion that is inclined downward along the mounting direction at a position corresponding to the back side in the mounting direction with respect to the transport pipe 16 (right side in FIG. 3). (Taper part) is formed. By providing the inclined portion in the waste toner inflow portion 32 as described above, the attaching / detaching operation (particularly, the attaching operation) of the waste toner collecting container 30 with respect to the apparatus main body 1 (conveying pipe 16) can be performed smoothly.

6 and the like, the ceiling portion 32a of the waste toner inflow portion 32 has a positioning hole formed in the front end portion of the transport tube 16 on the front side in the mounting direction (right side in the drawing). A positioning pin 32b that engages with a portion (not shown) is provided.
Specifically, the ceiling portion 32a is provided with an upright portion (wall surface) that rises upward on the front side in the mounting direction. And the positioning pin 32b is fixed on this standing part so that it may stand in a horizontal direction. Then, the waste toner collection container 30 is attached to the transport pipe 16 (apparatus body 1), and the positioning pin 32b of the waste toner collection container 30 is engaged with the positioning hole portion of the transport pipe 16, so that the transport pipe 16 ( The position of the waste toner collecting container 30 with respect to the apparatus main body 1) is determined. In such a state, the discharge port 16a of the transport pipe 16 and the inflow port 32a1 of the waste toner collection container 30 communicate with each other, and waste toner flows into the waste toner collection container 30 through the transport pipe 16. Will be.

  Here, the waste toner recovery container 30 in the present embodiment includes a waste toner detection unit 54 that detects that the waste toner recovered in the container 30 has reached a predetermined amount with reference to FIG. In the waste toner storage unit 31, the flat plate portion 41 a of the push-in member 41 is disposed above the depth side where the tip portion is located. The waste toner detection unit 54 moves against a push-in member 41 in which a part (the front end portion in the depth direction) of the waste toner collected in the waste toner storage unit 31 is displaced upward. In addition, it is detected that the waste toner collected in the container 30 has reached a predetermined amount as the pushing member 41 is displaced upward.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the amount of waste toner collected in the waste toner collection container 30 (waste toner storage unit 31) increases, the tip of the pushing member 41 (see FIG. 13). Left end) is gradually pushed up by the increased waste toner. This is because the pushing member 41 is suspended from the conveying screw 51, and its tip is a free end. That is, when the waste toner is sufficiently filled in the back side of the waste toner storage portion 31 (on the left side in FIG. 13), the tip of the pushing member 41 is centered on the contact portion 41b1 with the conveying screw 51. The part (free end) is lifted by the waste toner. Therefore, the pushing member 41 swings in a posture as shown in FIG. 6 when not full, and finally is displaced in a posture shown in FIG. 14 when full.
As shown in FIG. 14, when the tip of the pushing member 41 is lifted up to the vicinity of the upper end of the waste toner storage unit 31, the waste toner storage unit 31 is sufficiently filled with waste toner and the waste toner is stored. The inflow portion 31 is additionally filled with waste toner. Then, the waste toner detection unit 54 detects the pushing member 41 in a state where the tip end is lifted as shown in FIG.

Here, referring to FIGS. 6 and 13, the waste toner detection unit 54 includes a rubber sheet 56 as a flexible material, a filler 55 as a movable member, a photosensor 57 (optical sensor) as detection means, Etc.
The rubber sheet 56 (flexible material) is installed (adhered) so as to close the opening 31a formed in the waste toner collecting container 30 (waste toner storage portion 31), and is a pushing member that is lifted to that position. It is formed so as to be deformed by a pushing motion by the tip portion of 41. The rubber sheet 56 can be formed of a rubber material having a thickness of 1 mm or less, for example.
The filler 55 (movable member) is installed so as to come into contact with the rubber sheet 56 from the outside of the waste toner collection container 30, and is supported by the waste toner collection container 30 so as to be rotatable about the support shaft 55a. ing. Then, the filler 55 is displaced by the pushing by the pushing member 41 with the rubber sheet 56 accompanying the increase in the amount of waste toner, and the displacement is detected by the photo sensor 57.

When the waste toner T collected in the container 30 is not full by the waste toner detector 54 configured as described above, the filler 55 is fed by the photosensor 57 as shown in FIGS. The posture is not detected. On the other hand, when the waste toner T collected in the container 30 becomes full (or a state close thereto), the filler 55 is displaced together with the rubber sheet 56 as shown in FIG. It will rotate to the position detected by the sensor 57.
Note that the photosensor 57 mainly includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and is a filler 55 interposed between the light emitting element and the light receiving element so that light emitted from the light emitting element and reaching the light receiving element is blocked. The attitude | position of the filler 55 mentioned above is detected by no.
In this embodiment, the photo sensor 57 is installed on the apparatus main body 1 side. However, the photo sensor 57 may be installed on the waste toner collection container 30 side.

  In the present embodiment, the waste toner detection unit 54 configured in this manner is installed at a position (above the depth side in the depth direction) that faces the tip of the push-in member 41 (flat plate portion 41a). Therefore, compared to the case where the waste toner detection unit 54 is installed on the front side in the depth direction, the displacement amount becomes large, and the pushing member 41 that is displaced as the amount of waste toner in the waste toner storage unit 31 increases is accurately detected. Can be detected. Further, since the waste toner detection unit 54 (rubber sheet 56 and filler 55) detects a state in which the waste toner detection unit 54 is directly pushed by the pushing member 41, the waste toner detection unit 54 (rubber sheet 56 and filler 55) is discarded. Compared with a method of detecting a state of being pushed by toner (for example, a detection method disclosed in Patent Document 3), the accuracy of waste toner full detection in the waste toner collection container 30 can be improved. .

Here, in the present embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the waste toner detector 54 (rubber sheet 56 and filler 55) is opposed to the flat plate portion 41 a of the pushing member 41 (first conveying member). A planar portion 41a1 that is not formed in a lattice shape is provided at the position. In addition, in this Embodiment, although the planar part 41a1 was formed by sticking the flat plate-like mylar formed as another component to the flat plate part 41a (pressing member 41), the planar part 41a1 is replaced with the flat plate part 41a. It can also be formed integrally with the (pushing member 41) in advance.
Since the pressing member 41 is provided with the planar portion 41a1 as described above, the pushing member 41 can be pushed with respect to the waste toner detection unit 54 by a large surface of the planar portion 41a1 (the pressing member 41). Can be reliably detected by the waste toner detector 54.

In the present embodiment, when the waste toner detector 54 intermittently detects upward displacement of the pushing member 41, the waste toner collected in the container 30 is almost full (near full state). Control to determine that In contrast, when the upward displacement of the pushing member 41 is continuously detected a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times or more) by the waste toner detection unit 54, the waste toner collected in the container 30 is detected. Is controlled to be determined to be full (full state).
Specifically, when the near full state is detected by the waste toner detection unit 54, the state is notified to a display unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 1. As a result, the user (or serviceman) who has recognized the state can foresee the time when the full state is reached to some extent, and therefore the device main body 1 suddenly stops and cannot be used. Can be avoided. When the full state is detected by the waste toner detection unit 54, the operation of the apparatus main body 1 is stopped at an appropriate timing by the control unit, and the conveyance of the waste toner to the waste toner collection container 30 is stopped. The state is notified to the display unit of the apparatus body 1. Then, the user (or service person) who recognizes the state performs replacement maintenance of the full waste toner collecting container 30.

In the present embodiment, the filler 55 that moves within a predetermined movable range is formed so as not to exceed the upper end of the waste toner storage unit 31. That is, the filler 55 is configured to be positioned below the upper end of the waste toner storage unit 31 both when it is not full and when it is full. Specifically, an area that is recessed from the upper end is formed in the depth direction of the waste toner storage section 31, and the waste toner detection section 54 is disposed in the recessed area.
With such a configuration, when the waste toner collecting container 30 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 1, the installation section 200 of the apparatus main body 1 (formed in a box shape as indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 14). The trouble that the filler 55 interferes is suppressed.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, waste toner detection unit 54 is in the vicinity of engagement portion 31 c where waste toner storage unit 31 is positioned on image forming apparatus main body 1, and in the end in the width direction. It is arranged on the side.
Specifically, guide portions 31b that engage with guide rails (not shown) provided in the installation portion of the apparatus main body 1 are disposed at both ends in the width direction of the waste toner storage portion 31 of the waste toner collecting container 30. Is formed. The waste toner collecting container 30 moves in the depth direction while being guided along the guide rail with the guide portion 31 b engaged with the guide rail of the apparatus main body 1, and is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 1. It will be.
Further, on the far side in the depth direction of the waste toner storage portion 31 of the waste toner collecting container 30, an engaging portion that engages with a positioning convex portion (not shown) provided in the installation portion of the apparatus main body 1. 31c (concave part) is formed. The waste toner collecting container 30 is attached to the apparatus main body 1 while being guided by the guide rail of the apparatus main body 1, and the engaging portion 31 c is engaged with the positioning convex portion of the apparatus main body 1 at the position in the depth direction. In combination, the mounting position in the depth direction with respect to the apparatus main body 1 is determined.
In this embodiment, since the waste toner detector 54 is installed in the vicinity of the engaging portion 31c, it is installed on the apparatus main body 1 side when the waste toner collection container 30 is attached to the apparatus main body 1. The problem that the position of the filler 55 cannot be determined with respect to the photosensor 57 is less likely to occur. Therefore, detection failure by the waste toner detection unit 54 is less likely to occur.

Referring to FIG. 4, the waste toner storage unit 31 (waste toner collection container 30) is located at the back side in the depth direction and at one end in the width direction, and at the front side in the depth direction and at both ends in the width direction. And three places (the part surrounded by a solid line in FIG. 4) are supported by the image forming apparatus main body 1. Specifically, the both end portions in the depth direction of one guide portion 31b in the waste toner storage portion 31 and the end portion in the front direction in the depth direction of the other guide portion 31b serve as fulcrums and are on the guide rail of the image forming apparatus main body 1. It is configured to be supported at three points. The three support portions on the guide rail are formed with a highly accurate horizontal plane.
With this configuration, the waste toner storage unit 31 (waste toner collection container 30) can be accurately maintained in a horizontal state in the apparatus main body 1. Therefore, the waste toner collection section 30 is collected in the waste toner collection container 30. This prevents the waste toner from being collected at a single location.

As shown in FIG. 7, the waste toner collecting container 30 according to the present embodiment has one end side (a screw part 51b is formed in the conveying screw 51) among the five inlets 32a1Y, 32a1M, 32a1C, 32a1BK, and 32a1T. The number formed in the width direction is larger than the number formed in the other end side (the range in the width direction where the screw part 51b is not formed in the transport screw 51). It is formed as follows. Specifically, three inflow ports 32a1Y, 32a1M, and 32a1T are formed on one end side in the width direction (on the right side in FIG. 7), and on the other end side in the width direction (on the left side in FIG. 7). Has two inflow ports 32a1C and 32a1BK.
With this configuration, it is easy to adjust the balance in the width direction of the waste toner sent toward the waste toner storage unit 31 and the balance in the width direction of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner inflow portion 32. Become. That is, by providing the screw part 51b of the transport screw 51 in a range where the number of inflow ports is large, the amount of waste toner that can be transported in the width direction can be increased, so that the balance in the width direction is easily adjusted.

Further, in the waste toner collecting container 30 in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the inlet 32a1T for the intermediate transfer member is formed on one end side in the width direction (on the right side in FIG. 7). The inflow port 321BK is formed on the other end in the width direction (the left side in FIG. 7). As a result, it is easy to adjust the balance in the width direction of the waste toner sent toward the waste toner storage portion 31 and the balance in the width direction of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner inflow portion 32.
Specifically, in general, the monochrome image print frequency is higher than the print frequency of other color images, and the four color images are transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 17, so that the black inlet is used. The amount of waste toner that flows in from 32a1BK and the amount of waste toner that flows in from the inflow port 32a1T for the intermediate transfer belt 17 (for intermediate transfer member) flow in from the other color inflow ports 32a1Y, 32a1M, and 32a1C. This is larger than the amount of waste toner. The inflow ports 32a1BK and 32a1T where the amount of waste toner inflow is increased are arranged at distant positions (on both ends in the width direction), and the color inflow ports 32a1Y, 32a1M, and 32a1C are arranged therebetween. As a result, the waste toner is transported and filled in a well-balanced direction in the width direction (problems such that the height of the waste toner at both ends in the width direction is less likely to occur).
Further, comparing the amount of waste toner flowing from the black inlet 32a1BK with the amount of waste toner flowing from the inlet 32a1T for the intermediate transfer belt 17 (for intermediate transfer member), generally, Since the latter tends to be a little more, the waste toner is transported and filled in a balanced manner in the width direction by arranging it on the screw part 51b side (one end side) and actively transporting it in the width direction. Will be.

Here, referring to FIG. 15 (and FIG. 7), the waste toner collecting container 30 in the present embodiment includes an inner wall surface 32e of the waste toner inflow portion 32 (width direction on the side of the black inlet 32a1BK). An oscillating member 61 is provided close to the inner wall surface of the end. The swing member 61 swings in the vertical direction along the inner wall surface 32e in conjunction with the operation of the pushing member 41 (conveying member).
Specifically, the swinging member 61 is provided close to the inner wall surface 32e extending in the vertical direction (obliquely up and down direction) from the waste toner inflow portion 32 to the waste toner storage portion 31 at the end in the width direction, and the black flow It is a plate-like member disposed below the inlet 32a1BK, and swings in the vertical direction (diagonal vertical direction) along the inner wall surface 32e.
More specifically, the abutting portion 61 a of the swinging member 61 is suspended from the drive transmission portion 41 b 1 (the portion where the pushing member 41 abuts against the cam 52 of the conveying screw 51). The swinging member 61 is coupled with the arm portion 41b (pushing member 41) swinging in the direction of the broken-line double-pointed arrow (vertical direction) in FIG. ).

  As described above, since the swinging member 61 that swings along the inner wall surface 32e is provided, the waste toner is cross-linked (attached) to the inner wall surface 32e, and a large amount of waste toner accumulates around that portion. Thus, it is possible to prevent a problem that the waste toner leaks from the inlet 32a1BK before the waste toner is sufficiently collected in the entire container 30. That is, the swing member 61 that swings along the inner wall surface 32e makes it difficult for the waste toner to adhere to the inner wall surface 32e, and even if the waste toner adheres to the inner wall surface 32e, Since the waste toner attached by the vibration is removed, it is difficult for the waste toner to be crosslinked on the inner wall surface 32e.

In particular, a black inflow port 32a1BK having a large amount of waste toner inflow is provided at the end in the width direction, and waste toner that has flowed in from the inflow port 32a1BK is likely to adhere to the inner wall surface 32e positioned below the black inflow port 32a1BK. Therefore, it is useful to install the swing member 61 at the position of the inner peripheral surface 32e. Further, on the side where the black inlet 32a1BK is provided (the other end side), the screw portion 51b of the conveying screw 51 is not formed, and the region where the waste toner does not actively flow (cross-linking occurs). Therefore, it is useful to install the swing member 61 at the position of the inner peripheral surface 32e.
The inner wall surface 32e is formed so as to incline downward from the top toward the center in the width direction in order to increase the capacity of the waste toner inflow portion 32 (waste toner collection container 30) as much as possible. . The inner wall surface 32e is formed at a relatively steep inclination angle close to the vertical so that the waste toner does not easily adhere to the inner wall surface 32e. It will be useful to install.

Referring to FIG. 16 (and FIG. 6), the waste toner collecting container 30 in the present embodiment includes an inner wall surface 32f of the waste toner inflow portion 32 (width on the side of the intermediate transfer body inlet 32a1T). The swinging member 66 (second swinging member) is also provided near the inner wall surface of the direction end. The swinging member 66 also swings in the vertical direction along the inner wall surface 32f in conjunction with the operation of the pushing member 41 (conveying member).
Specifically, the second swinging member 66 is provided close to the inner wall surface 32f extending in the up-down direction (obliquely up-down direction) at the end in the width direction of the waste toner inflow portion 32, and the inflow port for the intermediate transfer member. It is a plate-like member disposed below 32a1T, and swings in the vertical direction (oblique vertical direction) along the inner wall surface 32f.
More specifically, the engaging portion 66a of the second swing member 66 is engaged with the protrusion 41b3 of the pushing member 41 (arm portion 41b), and interlocked with the upward movement of the pushing member 41. And is configured to move upward. Here, while the pushing member 41 (arm portion 41b) moves in the substantially vertical direction, the second swinging member 66 moves obliquely upward, so both members 41, 66 move upward to some extent. At that time, their engagement is released. Then, the swinging member 66 moves downward by a compression spring 67 as a biasing member that biases the swinging member 66 downward. Such an operation is repeated, and the swinging member 66 moves together with the arm portion 41b (pushing member 41) swinging in the direction of the broken-line double arrow (vertical direction) in FIG. Oscillates in the direction of the double arrow (vertical direction).

As described above, since the swinging member 66 that swings along the inner wall surface 32f is provided, the waste toner is cross-linked (attached) to the inner wall surface 32f, and a large amount of waste toner accumulates around that portion. Thus, it is possible to prevent a problem that the waste toner leaks from the inlet 32a1T before the waste toner is sufficiently collected in the entire container 30.
In particular, the intermediate transfer body inlet 32a1T having a large amount of waste toner inflow is provided at the end in the width direction, and the waste toner flowing in from the inlet 32a1T easily adheres to the inner wall surface 32f positioned below the inlet 32a1T. Therefore, it is useful to install the swing member 66 at the position of the inner peripheral surface 32f.

Here, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are diagrams showing the configuration and operation of another form of swing member 62 installed on the black inlet 32a1BK side.
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the swinging member 62 has an engaging portion 62 a that engages with a protrusion 41 b 2 below the pushing member 41 (arm portion 41 b), so that the pushing member 41 moves upward. It moves upward in conjunction with the movement (the state shown in FIG. 18). Thereafter, the swinging member 62 engages with the protrusion 41b2 above the pushing member 41 (arm portion 41b), and the engaging portion 62a moves downward in conjunction with the downward movement of the pushing member 41. To do. At this time, the swinging member 62 is urged downward by a compression spring 63 as an urging member, and the swinging member 62 moves downward, so that the swinging member 62 and the inner wall surface 32e are moved. Sufficient vibration will be applied so that the waste toner is shaken off. And such an operation | movement is repeated and the rocking | swiveling member 62 is interlocked with the operation | movement of the cam 52, and the arm part 41b (pushing member 41) rock | fluctuated in the broken-line double-arrow direction (up-down direction) of FIG. It swings in the direction of the double arrow (vertical direction) in FIG.
As described above, since the swinging member 62 that swings along the inner wall surface 32e is provided, the waste toner is cross-linked (attached) to the inner wall surface 32e, and a large amount of waste toner accumulates around that portion. Thus, it is possible to prevent a problem that the waste toner leaks from the inlet 32a1BK before the waste toner is sufficiently collected in the entire container 30.

In the waste toner collecting container 30 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the waste toner inflow portion 32 is provided between the black inlet 32a1BK and the cyan inlet 32a1C adjacent to the inlet 32a1BK. A partition member 32c that stands downward from the ceiling portion 32a is provided. This makes it difficult for the waste toner flowing from the cyan inlet 32a1C to adhere to the inner wall surface 32e disposed below the black inlet 32a1BK. Therefore, the waste toner is bridged to the inner wall surface 32e. Further reduction can be achieved.
Further, in the waste toner collecting container 30 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a regulating member 32d that regulates the posture of the swinging member 62 when the swinging member 62 swings (the swinging member 62 is separated from the inner wall surface 32e). A stopper that engages with the swinging member 62 so as not to move to a predetermined position is provided on the wall portion of the waste toner inflow portion 32. As a result, the swing member 62 can be reliably swung along the inclination of the inner peripheral surface 32e, so that the effect of preventing the waste toner from cross-linking to the inner marginal surface 32e is reliably exhibited. .

A waste toner collection container 30 shown in FIG. 19 is a modification of the waste toner collection container 30 shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 19, the partition member 32 c of the waste toner inflow portion 32 (installed at an inclination as compared with the above-described one) has the swing member 62 at a position facing the swing member 62. A mylar 32c1 is installed as a flexible member that is in sliding contact with the surface of the swing member 62 by swinging. That is, when the swing member 62 swings in the direction of the double arrow in FIG. 19, the tip of the mylar 32c1 (flexible member) that contacts the surface moves relatively in the vertical direction. As a result, the surface of the swing member 62 is cleaned by the mylar 32c1, and the problem of waste toner adhering to the swing member 62 is suppressed.
In the waste toner collecting container 30 shown in FIG. 19, the mylar 32c1 (flexible member) is installed on the partition member 32c, but the mylar 32c1 (flexible member) is installed on the arm portion 41b facing the swing member 62. Even in the case of installation, since the arm portion 41b is relatively moved in the vertical direction with respect to the swing member 62, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the waste toner inflow portion 32 protrudes above the waste toner storage portion 31 formed to extend in the depth direction, and the waste toner storage portion 31 A pushing member 41 (conveying member) that conveys the waste toner in the depth direction is provided, and a swinging member 61 that swings along inner wall surfaces 32e and 32f of the waste toner inflow portion 32 in conjunction with the operation of the pushing member 41 66 is further provided. As a result, it is difficult for the waste toner to be cross-linked in the waste toner collecting container 30, and the waste toner can be collected uniformly in the large capacity waste toner collecting container 30.

In this embodiment, the process cartridges 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK are configured by integrating the units in the image forming unit (the photosensitive drum 11, the charging unit 12, the developing unit 13, and the cleaning unit 15). Therefore, the image forming unit is made compact and the maintenance workability is improved. On the other hand, the waste toner collecting container 30 can be integrated with the process cartridge as a component of the process cartridge. Further, a part or all of the photosensitive drum 11, the charging unit 12, the developing unit 13, and the cleaning unit 15 are configured not to be constituent members of the process cartridge but to be installed in the apparatus main body 1 in a replaceable manner. You can also. In such a case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus equipped with the two-component developing type developing unit 13 using the two-component developer. However, the one-component developing type using the one-component developer is used. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus in which the developing unit 13 is mounted.
The “process cartridge” includes a charging unit that charges the image carrier, a developing unit (developing device) that develops a latent image formed on the image carrier, and a cleaning unit (cleaning unit) that cleans the image carrier. At least one of the cleaning devices) and the image carrier are defined as a unit that is integrated and detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the waste toner collecting container 30 in which the five toner inlets 32a1Y, 32a1M, 32a1C, 32a1BK, and 32a1T are formed in the waste toner inflow portion 32. In contrast, the present invention can naturally be applied to the waste toner collecting container 30 in which the waste toner inflow portion 32 has four or less or six or more inlets. In such a case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

In the waste toner collecting container 30 according to the present embodiment, the swinging members 61, 62, 66 are engaged with the pushing member 41 (conveying member) to swing the swinging members 61, 62, 66. The swinging members 61, 62, and 66 can be swung by engaging the swinging members 61, 62, and 66 with a transport screw 51 as a second transporting member. For example, a cam is formed on the shaft portion 51 a of the transport screw 51, and a swing member is suspended from the cam, so that the swing member is swung up and down in conjunction with the operation of the transport screw 51.
Further, in the present embodiment, the swing members 61, 62, and 66 are formed in a plate shape (flat plate shape), but the swing members 61, 62, and 66 are formed in a U-shape. The inner wall surfaces 32e and 32f and the inner wall surfaces that meet the inner wall surfaces 32e and 32f at both ends thereof can also be used.
In these cases, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and it is obvious that the present embodiment can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, other than suggested in the present embodiment. is there. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the present embodiment, and the number, position, shape, and the like suitable for implementing the present invention can be achieved.

1 image forming apparatus body (apparatus body),
9 Intermediate transfer belt cleaning section (cleaning section),
10Y, 10M, 10C, 10BK process cartridge (imaging part),
11 Photosensitive drum (image carrier),
15 Cleaning section,
16 Conveying pipe,
16a outlet,
17 Intermediate transfer belt (image carrier, intermediate transfer member),
30 Waste toner collection container,
31 Waste toner reservoir,
32 Waste toner inflow part (second waste toner storage part),
32a Ceiling part,
32a1 inlet,
32a1Y, 32a1M, 32a1C, 32a1BK, 32a1T inlet,
32c partition member, 32c1 mylar (flexible member),
32d regulating member,
32e, 32f inner wall surface,
41 pushing member (conveying member, first conveying member),
41a flat plate part,
41b arm part, 41b1 contact part,
51 conveying screw (second conveying member),
51a shaft part, 51b screw part,
52 cam member,
61, 62, 66 Oscillating member (plate member),
62a, 66a engaging portion,
63, 67 Compression spring (biasing member).

JP 2007-139905 A Japanese Patent No. 4286704 JP 2001-147629 A

Claims (13)

A waste toner collecting container that is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body and collects the untransferred toner discharged from a cleaning unit that removes the untransferred toner on the image carrier as waste toner,
A box-shaped waste toner storage part that is inserted in a horizontal direction with respect to a space in which the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus main body is flat, and stores waste toner;
A transport pipe that protrudes above the waste toner storage unit on the front side in the mounting direction of the waste toner storage unit and that transports waste toner discharged from the cleaning unit when inserted into the space. A box-shaped waste toner inflow portion formed with an inflow port communicating with the discharge port,
With
The waste toner storage unit includes a first conveying member that conveys waste toner that has been flowed in and accumulated through the waste toner inflow unit in the mounting direction ,
The waste toner inflow portion includes a second transport member that transports waste toner in a width direction orthogonal to the mounting direction and transmits a driving force to the first transport member. Formed,
The first transport along the inner wall surface formed so as to incline downward from the upper side toward the central portion in the width direction below the inlet port disposed at the end portion in the width direction among the plurality of inlet ports. A waste toner collecting container, further comprising a swinging member that swings in the vertical direction in conjunction with the operation of the member . The swinging member, a waste toner collecting container according to claim 1, which is a plate-shaped member.   The waste toner collecting container according to claim 1, wherein the swinging member is disposed so as to be close to the inner wall surface from the waste toner inflow portion to the waste toner storage portion. . The inflow amount of waste toner is larger at an inflow port disposed at an end portion in the width direction among the plurality of inflow ports than an inflow port disposed at a central portion in the width direction. The waste toner collection container according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The second conveying member is
A shaft portion in which a cam member is formed in a part of the width direction;
A screw part wound around the shaft part;
Comprising
The first conveying member is
A flat plate portion formed in a lattice shape and provided in the waste toner storage portion;
An arm portion connected to the flat plate portion and suspended from the cam member of the second transport member;
Comprising
The first conveying member is interlocked with the rotational driving of the second conveying member, and a contact portion between the arm portion and the cam member serves as a drive transmission portion, and the flat plate portion is inclined with respect to the mounting direction . The waste toner collecting container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the waste toner collecting container swings while changing its position.   The waste toner collecting container according to claim 5, wherein the swing member is suspended from the drive transmission unit. The swinging member is provided with an engaging portion for moving in conjunction engaged with the first conveying member to the upward movement of the first conveying member the swinging member upward,
The waste toner collection container according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member that biases the swinging member downward. An inlet of said end portion in the width direction, claims an inlet adjacent to the inlet, between, characterized in that installed the partition member erected downward from the ceiling portion of the waste toner inlet portion The waste toner collection container according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The waste toner collecting container according to claim 8, wherein a flexible member is installed between the partition member and the inner wall surface.   The waste toner collecting container according to claim 1, further comprising a regulating member that regulates a posture of the rocking member when the rocking member rocks. The waste toner inflow portion forms an inlet for an intermediate transfer member into which untransferred toner discharged from a cleaning portion corresponding to the intermediate transfer member as an image carrier is introduced as waste toner, and a black toner image. The untransferred toner discharged from the cleaning unit corresponding to the image carrier is discharged from the black inlet through which the untransferred toner flows as waste toner and the cleaning unit corresponding to the image carrier on which the color toner image is formed. A color inlet into which untransferred toner flows as waste toner,
The intermediate transfer member inlet is formed at one end in the width direction, the black inlet is formed at the other end in the width direction, and the color inlet is the intermediate transfer member inlet. The waste toner collecting container according to claim 1, wherein the waste toner collecting container is formed between the black inlet and the black inlet. The second conveying member is formed so as to convey waste toner toward a central portion not reaching the other end side from the one end side in the waste toner inflow portion,
The waste toner collecting container according to claim 11, wherein the swing member is disposed below the black inlet. An image forming apparatus, wherein the waste toner collecting container according to claim 1 is detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus.

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