JP5874483B2 - Toner supply device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus including a plurality of developing devices and capable of full color printing. Among the plurality of developing devices, each of the first developing device and the second developing device is provided with a replenishing screw. The drive gear train that transmits the drive to the two supply screws includes a one-way clutch, and a state in which the rotation is transmitted to the supply screw of the first developing device according to the rotation direction of the motor; The state in which the rotation is transmitted to the replenishing screw of the developing device is switched. Accordingly, the replenishing screws of the two developing devices are driven by one motor.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a developer supply mechanism of an image forming apparatus. The developer supply mechanism includes two roller gears that drive two supply rollers. According to the rotation direction of the motor, the swing gear that meshes with the output gear of the motor moves to the left and right, and the roller gear that meshes with the swing gear switches. Accordingly, the four supply rollers are driven by the two motors.

JP 2006-201314 A Registered Utility Model No. 30605562

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus that can control supply of toners of three or more types with a single motor.

The toner supply device according to claim 1 is:
A plurality of storage units for storing toner;
A driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force is provided, and a conveying member that conveys toner by the driving force received by the driving force receiving portion is provided, toward the supply body that receives the toner from the housing portion and receives the toner. A plurality of delivery units in which the driving force receiving units are arranged to send out the toner; and
The driving force transmission member that extends along the arrangement of the driving force receiving portions and transmits the driving force by rotation, and a one-way clutch that transmits only the forward rotation of the driving force transmission member in the forward / reverse direction is interposed. A transmission path switching member that is coupled to the member, extends along the arrangement of the driving force receiving portions together with the driving force transmission member, and receives a positive rotation of the driving force transmission member to switch the driving force transmission path; The position of the path switching member corresponding to each of the driving force receiving parts in the arrangement direction of the driving force receiving parts, and the rotation direction of the transmission path switching member according to the rotation angle of the transmission path switching member The driving force receiving portion is provided at a position that sequentially moves to a driving force transmitting position that transmits the driving force to the corresponding driving force receiving portion, and the transmission path switching member responds by the forward rotation. Moving to a driving force transmitting position for transmitting the driving force to the driving force receiving portion, and mediating the driving force of the driving force transmitting member to the corresponding driving force receiving portion by reverse rotation of the driving force transmitting member, A drive assembly having a drive force mediating member of
The driving force transmission member is connected to the driving force transmission member, and the driving force transmission member is rotated forward so that any one of the plurality of driving force mediation members is driven to the corresponding driving force receiving portion. The drive force transmission member is moved to the transmission position, and the drive force transmission member is reversely rotated to mediate the drive force transmission to the corresponding drive force receiving portion in the state where the drive force transmission member is moved to the drive force transmission position. And a drive mechanism.

The toner supply device according to claim 2
The driving force receiving portion has a worm wheel that rotates around a rotation axis extending in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the driving force transmission member extends;
The driving force mediating member has a screw-shaped worm that meshes with the worm wheel.

An image forming apparatus according to claim 3
A developing unit having a plurality of developing units for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner;
An image holding unit for holding a toner image formed by forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface and receiving development in the developing unit;
A toner supply device for supplying toner to each of the plurality of developing devices,
The toner supply device is
A plurality of storage portions that are provided corresponding to the plurality of developing devices, and that store toner used in each developing device;
A driving force receiving portion that receives a driving force is provided, and a conveying member that rotates by the driving force received by the driving force receiving portion and conveys the toner is provided. The toner is received from the housing portion, and the toner is directed toward the developing device. A plurality of delivery units each corresponding to each of the plurality of storage units and arranged to correspond to each of the plurality of developing units and in which the driving force receiving units are arranged;
The driving force transmission member that extends along the arrangement of the driving force receiving portions and transmits the driving force by rotation, and a one-way clutch that transmits only the forward rotation of the driving force transmission member in the forward / reverse direction is interposed. A transmission path switching member that is coupled to the member, extends along the arrangement of the driving force receiving portions together with the driving force transmission member, and receives a positive rotation of the driving force transmission member to switch the driving force transmission path; The position of the path switching member corresponding to each of the driving force receiving parts in the arrangement direction of the driving force receiving parts, and the rotation direction of the transmission path switching member according to the rotation angle of the transmission path switching member The driving force receiving portion is provided at a position that sequentially moves to a driving force transmitting position that transmits the driving force to the corresponding driving force receiving portion, and the transmission path switching member responds by the forward rotation. Moving to a driving force transmitting position for transmitting the driving force to the driving force receiving portion, and mediating the driving force of the driving force transmitting member to the corresponding driving force receiving portion by reverse rotation of the driving force transmitting member, A drive assembly having a drive force mediating member of
The driving force transmission member is connected to the driving force transmission member, and the driving force transmission member is rotated forward so that any one of the plurality of driving force mediation members is driven to the corresponding driving force receiving portion. By moving the driving force transmission member to the transmission position and rotating the driving force transmission member in the reverse direction, the driving force transmission member that is moved to the driving force transmission position mediates the transmission of the driving force to the corresponding driving force receiving portion. And a drive mechanism.

An image forming apparatus according to claim 4
The image holding unit is an image holding body provided for the plurality of developing devices,
The developing unit has a rotating shaft, and supports the plurality of developing devices on a revolving track surrounding the rotating shaft, and the developing device used for the current development of the plurality of developing devices faces the image carrier. And a rotary developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image holding body with toner by supplying toner to the image holding body from a developing device facing the image holding body. Is,
Each of the plurality of delivery units is connected to the corresponding developing device only when the corresponding developing device of the plurality of developing devices has rotated to a predetermined position by rotation of the rotary developing device, It is characterized in that the toner received from the corresponding storage portion among the plurality of storage portions is fed into the corresponding developing device.

  The toner supply device according to the first aspect and the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect can control supply of toners even when there are three or more kinds of toners by one motor.

  In the toner supply device according to the second aspect, the disengagement during the transmission of the driving force is suppressed as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, toner supply control to the developing device for revolving a plurality of developing devices can be performed by one motor.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the developing device 20 shown in FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross section which passes along the opening corresponding to yellow of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of a delivery unit of the toner supply device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from above. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a front portion of the toner supply device as viewed from below. It is an expansion perspective view which expands and shows a part of drive assembly. It is a schematic block diagram explaining selection of the drive receiving gear to drive.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a color printer and has a function of printing a single color image, and also has a function of printing a full color image composed of six types of toner images. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a photosensitive drum 11, a charging device 12, an exposure device 13, a developing device 20, a primary transfer device 15, and an intermediate transfer belt 30. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a charging control device 16, a photoconductor cleaning device 17, and a charge removal device 18.

  The photoconductive drum 11 is provided with a photoconductive layer on the outer periphery of a cylindrical substrate, stores the electric charge by charging, releases the electric charge by exposure, and holds the electrostatic latent image on the surface. The photosensitive drum 11 holds an electrostatic latent image and a toner image formed on the surface thereof, and rotates in the direction of arrow A around the axis of the cylinder. The charging device 12, the exposure device 13, the developing device 20, the primary transfer device 15, the charging control device 16, the photoconductor cleaning device 17, and the charge removal device 18 are arranged around the photoconductor drum 11 in the order of the arrow A. Yes. The photosensitive drum 11 is an example of an image holding unit according to the present invention.

  The charging device 12 is a device that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 to a predetermined charging potential. The exposure device 13 performs exposure by irradiating the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 with exposure light. The exposure device 13 emits laser light based on an image signal supplied from the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 and scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 11 with the laser light. An electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 11 to light.

  The developing device 20 includes six developing devices 21Y, 21M, 21C, 21K, 21U, and 21V. The image forming apparatus 1 is a rotary type color printer, and includes one photosensitive drum 11 for six developing devices 21Y to 21V. The developing device 20 is a rotary developing device, and the six developing devices 21Y to 21V are supported on a revolution track surrounding the rotating shaft 20p. The developing device 20 revolves around the rotation shaft 20p so that the developing device used for development among the six developing devices 21Y to 21V revolves to a position facing the photosensitive drum 11. The rotation of the developing device 20 is controlled by the control unit 1A. Each of the developing devices 21Y to 21V corresponds to an example of a supply target referred to in the present invention.

  The six developing devices 21Y to 21V contain yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), and two special color toners, respectively. The spot color is a color designated by the user of the image forming apparatus 1 and is hereinafter denoted by U and V symbols. Of the six developing devices 21Y to 21V, the developing device that faces the photosensitive drum 11 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 11, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 with toner.

  Since the six developing devices 21Y to 21V all have the same configuration, the yellow developing device 21Y will be described as a representative. The developing device 21Y includes a developing roll 211, two stirring and conveying members 212, and a toner conveying member 213. The toner conveying member 213 has a structure in which spiral blades are provided around the rotation axis, and conveys toner into the developing device 21Y by rotating. The toner transported by the toner transport member 213 is mixed with a magnetic carrier and stirred by the stirring transport member 212. The developing roll 211 has a cylindrical shape that surrounds the magnet, and rotates to convey the developer in which the toner and the magnetic carrier are mixed toward the photosensitive drum 11. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 is developed by the developer toner. The developing device 21Y is provided with a developing device toner sensor 214 that detects the amount of toner in the developing device 21Y. The developer toner sensor 214 supplies toner amount information to the control unit 1A.

  The primary transfer device 15 is a roll that faces the photosensitive drum 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 30 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer device 15 transfers a toner image on the photosensitive drum 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 30 by applying a transfer voltage to the photosensitive drum 11. The charging control device 16 removes the charging history generated by the transfer by the primary transfer device 15. The photoconductor cleaning device 17 cleans the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 by removing unnecessary materials such as toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 after being transferred by the primary transfer device 15. The neutralization device 18 neutralizes the surface of the photosensitive drum 11.

  The intermediate transfer belt 30 is an endless belt that is stretched around a plurality of belt support rolls 31 to 36. The intermediate transfer belt 30 circulates in the direction of arrow B.

  The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a secondary transfer device 50, a fixing device 60, a paper transport unit 80, a toner supply device 90, and a control unit 1A. The secondary transfer unit 50 is disposed at a position sandwiching the sheet transport path R of the sheet P between the secondary transfer unit 50 and the intermediate transfer belt 30. A cleaner 38 for removing the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 30 after the transfer by the secondary transfer device 50 is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer device 50 in the circulating movement direction of the intermediate transfer belt 30. The secondary transfer unit 50 and the cleaner 38 are configured to be separated from the intermediate transfer belt 30 so as to be in contact with each other. When forming an image with a plurality of colors, the secondary transfer unit 50 and the cleaner 38 are separated from the intermediate transfer belt 30. The process of forming a toner image of a certain color toner on the photosensitive drum 11 and transferring it to the intermediate transfer belt 30 is repeated for a plurality of developing devices (a plurality of color toners) while rotating the developing device 20. . As a result, a plurality of toner images of toners of a plurality of colors are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 30 so as to sequentially overlap. Thereafter, the secondary transfer device 50 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 30, and a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is applied by applying a transfer voltage with the paper P sandwiched between the secondary transfer device 50 and the intermediate transfer belt 30. Is transferred onto the paper P.

  The fixing device 60 is a device that fixes the toner image on the paper P. The fixing device 60 includes a heating roll 61 and a pressure roll 62, and a heater is disposed in the heating roll 61. The heating roll 61 and the pressure roll 62 sandwich and pass the paper P on which the toner image before fixing is formed to heat and press the toner, thereby fixing the toner image on the paper P. As a result, an image composed of a fixed toner image is formed on the paper.

  The paper transport unit 80 transports the paper P along a paper transport path R that passes through the secondary transfer device 50 and the fixing device 60. The paper transport unit 80 includes a take-out roll 81, a transport roll 82, and a registration roll 84. The take-out roll 81 takes out the paper P stored in the paper container T, and the transport roll 82 transports the taken-out paper P. The registration roll 84 conveys the paper P to the secondary transfer device 50.

  The control unit 1 </ b> A controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1.

[Toner supply device]
The toner supply device 90 supplies toner of a corresponding color to each of the six developing devices 21Y to 21V included in the developing device 20. The toner supply device 90 includes six toner storage portions 91Y to 91V, six delivery portions 92Y to 92V, a drive assembly 93, and a drive mechanism 94. The six delivery units 92Y to 92V correspond to the six toner storage units 91Y to 91V, respectively, and correspond to the six developing units 21Y to 21V, respectively. Supply pipes 70Y to 70V extending toward the developing device 20 are connected to the delivery units 92Y to 92V, respectively. The toner storage portions 91Y to 91V correspond to an example of a storage portion referred to in the present invention.

  The six toner storage portions 91Y to 91V are arranged in a line. Each of the six toner storage portions 91Y to 91V includes toner cartridges 911Y to 911V for storing toner, and a cartridge drive motor 912. The toner cartridges 911 </ b> Y to 911 </ b> V each store six types of toner, and are detachably held in the toner supply device 90 of the image forming apparatus 1. The toners stored in the six toner cartridges 911Y to 911V are respectively supplied to the six developing devices 21Y to 21V provided in the developing device. Since the toner storage units 91Y to 91V have substantially the same configuration, the toner storage unit 91Y corresponding to yellow will be described as a representative example. Hereinafter, the common parts will be described using the reference numerals in which Y to V are omitted for the reference numerals assigned to the respective parts of the toner storage unit.

  The toner cartridge 911Y is provided with a coiled conveying member C that conveys toner by rotating. The transport member C rotates by receiving the drive of the cartridge drive motor 912Y, and feeds the toner of the toner cartridge 911Y to the delivery unit 92Y.

  The sending unit 92Y receives toner from the toner cartridge 911Y and temporarily stores it inside. Three transport members 921, 922, and 923 that transport toner by rotating are arranged side by side in the delivery unit 92Y. The transport member 921 disposed in the center has a shape in which spiral blades are provided around the rotation shaft, and the transport members 922 and 923 disposed on both sides are coiled. As the conveying members 921, 922, and 923 rotate, the toner in the sending portion 92Y is sent out toward the developing device 21Y that receives the supply of toner. The sending unit 92Y is provided with a sending unit toner sensor 926 that detects the amount of toner in the sending unit 92Y. Information on the toner amount detected by the delivery unit toner sensor 926 is supplied to the control unit 1A. The control unit 1A replenishes the toner in the toner cartridge 911Y to the sending unit 92Y by rotating the cartridge driving motor 912Y according to the detected toner amount of the sending unit toner sensor 926.

  The drive mechanism 94 is a mechanism that drives the transport members 921, 922, and 923 provided in each of the six delivery units 92Y to 92V, and includes a motor and a gear (not shown). The drive mechanism 94 is connected to the drive assembly 93. The drive assembly 93 is connected to the drive mechanism 94 and extends in the direction in which the six toner storage portions 91Y to 91V are arranged. The drive assembly 93 transmits the rotational drive force from the drive mechanism 94 to the transport members 921, 922, and 923. The configuration of the drive assembly 93 will be described later.

[Toner delivery]
The transfer of toner from the sending unit 92Y to the developing device 21Y will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the developing device 20 shown in FIG.

  The developing device 20 is provided with a toner receiving portion 22 protruding in the extending direction of the rotating shaft 20p. The toner receiving portion 22 has a cylindrical shape protruding from the developing device 20 with the rotation shaft 20p as a central axis, and rotates integrally with the six developing devices 21Y to 21V (see FIG. 1). Six supply pipes 221 following the developing devices 21Y to 21V are provided inside the toner receiving unit 22, respectively. In FIG. 2, among the six supply pipes inside the toner receiving portion 22, the supply pipe 221 </ b> Y following the yellow developing device 21 </ b> Y is shown by a broken line for easy understanding of the drawing. The end of the supply pipe 221 is open to the peripheral surface of the toner receiving portion 22. FIG. 2 shows three openings 222Y, 222M, and 222C among the openings 222Y to 222V of the six supply pipes 221Y. The six openings 222 are provided at different positions in the direction in which the rotation shaft 20 p extends, and are also provided at different positions in the circumferential direction of the toner receiving portion 22. Specifically, the six openings 222 are arranged at 60 ° intervals.

  Around the toner receiving portion 22, a toner delivery portion 19 fixed to the main body side of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided. The toner delivery unit 19 is indicated by a broken line in FIG. The toner receiving part 22 enters a cylindrical cavity provided in the toner delivery part 19. In the toner delivery unit 19, six supply pipes 70Y to 70V extending from the toner supply device 90 are arranged. The supply pipes 70Y to 70V are opened in a line on the inner wall surface of the toner delivery section 19 in the extending direction of the rotating shaft 20p. Further, the supply pipes 70Y to 70V are disposed at positions corresponding to the six openings 222Y to 222V of the toner receiving unit 22 in the extending direction of the rotation shaft 20p. The six openings 222 </ b> Y to 222 </ b> V provided on the peripheral surface of the toner receiving unit 22 are sequentially aligned with the corresponding supply pipes 70 </ b> Y to 70 </ b> V as the developing device 20 rotates. The openings 222 </ b> Y to 222 </ b> V that do not match the positions of the corresponding supply pipes 70 </ b> Y to 70 </ b> V are blocked by the inner wall surface of the toner delivery unit 19. In the state shown in FIG. 2, the yellow developing device 21Y is at a position facing the photosensitive drum 11, and the opening 222Y corresponding to the yellow developing device 21Y is at the position of the supply pipe 70Y.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section passing through the opening 222Y corresponding to yellow in FIG.

  The developing device 20 (see FIG. 2) and the toner receiving portion 22 rotate, and the opening 222Y following the developing device 21Y is adjusted to the position of the corresponding supply tube 70Y, so that the supply tube 221Y of the toner receiving portion 22 is yellow. Connected to the supply pipe 70Y. At this time, the toner sent from the delivery unit 92Y of the toner supply device 90 via the supply pipe 70Y is supplied to the supply pipe 221Y. This toner is supplied to the developing device 21Y by a conveying member 223Y disposed in the supply pipe 221Y. The six delivery units 92Y to 92V shown in FIG. 2 are arranged only when the corresponding developing units 21Y to 21V have been rotated to positions facing the photosensitive drums 11 (the developing units in FIGS. 2 and 3). 21Y). The sending units 92Y to 92V in the toner supply device 90 send toner to the connected developing devices 21Y to 21V only when connected to the corresponding developing devices 21Y to 21V.

[Toner supply device]
4 is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the toner supply device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from above. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the front portion of the toner supply device as viewed from below.

  The six sending units 92Y to 92V are arranged in one row. Drive receiving gears 924Y to 924V for receiving a driving force are provided in front of the sending portions 92Y to 92V. The drive receiving gears 924Y to 924V are worm wheels that rotate around a rotation shaft that extends in the front-rear direction X that intersects the arrangement direction Y of the delivery portions 92Y to 92V. The six drive receiving gears 924Y to 924V are arranged in a line in the arrangement direction Y. The drive receiving gears 924Y to 924V are connected to the conveying members 921 to 923 disposed inside the sending portions 92Y to 92V via the conduction mechanism 925, respectively. The conveying members 921 to 923 are rotated by the driving force received by the driving receiving gears 924Y to 924V to feed toner to supply pipes 70Y to 70V (see FIG. 1) from holes (not shown) provided at the bottom while conveying the toner. The drive receiving gears 924Y to 924V correspond to an example of the driving force receiving portion according to the present invention.

  The drive assembly 93 extends in the arrangement direction Y across the six delivery parts 92Y to 92V, and is disposed above the drive receiving gears 924Y to 924V. The drive mechanism 94 includes a motor (not shown), and applies a driving force to the drive receiving gears 924 </ b> Y to 924 </ b> V via the drive assembly 93.

[Structure of drive assembly]
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the drive assembly in an enlarged manner. The drive assembly 93 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The drive assembly 93 includes a rotary shaft 931, an outer cylinder member 932, a first one-way clutch 933, a second one-way clutch 934, six revolution gears 935Y to 935V, and two rotary bearings (bearing) 936 and 937. Yes. The rotary shaft 931 corresponds to an example of a driving force transmission member according to the present invention, and the outer cylinder member 932 corresponds to an example of a transmission path switching member according to the present invention. Each of the revolving gears 935Y to 935V corresponds to an example of a driving force mediating member according to the present invention. The first one-way clutch 933 corresponds to an example of the one-way clutch according to the present invention.

  The rotating shaft rod 931 is a rod extending in the arrangement direction Y along the arrangement of the six delivery parts 92Y to 92V. The rotary shaft 931 extends over the six delivery parts 92Y to 92V. The rotary shaft 931 is supported by a frame F that holds the entire sending portions 92Y to 92V via a rotary bearing 936. Therefore, the rotary shaft 931 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the delivery portions 92Y to 92V. The rotary shaft 931 directly receives the driving force from the drive mechanism 94 and rotates in either the forward rotation indicated by the arrow S or the reverse rotation indicated by the arrow T. The rotary shaft 931 is a round bar, and gears 931a functioning as spur gears are integrally provided at six locations along the way.

  The outer cylinder member 932 surrounds the rotary shaft 931 in a sheath shape, and among the outer cylinder member 932 that is a cylindrical member extending in the arrangement direction Y, six portions corresponding to the gear 931a are formed in a large diameter. Has been. The outer cylinder member 932 is connected to the rotary shaft 931 with the first one-way clutch 933 and the rotary bearing 937 interposed therebetween. The first one-way clutch 933 transmits only the forward rotation indicated by the arrow S among the forward and reverse rotations of the rotary shaft 931 to the outer cylinder member 932. In addition, the outer cylinder member 932 is supported by a frame F that holds the entire sending portions 92Y to 92V via the second one-way clutch 934. Second one-way clutch 934 allows forward rotation of outer cylinder member 932 as indicated by arrow S and prevents reverse rotation as indicated by arrow T. Therefore, the outer cylinder member 932 is supported so that only the forward rotation indicated by the arrow S can be freely performed with respect to the sending portions 92Y to 92V.

  The six revolution gears 935 </ b> Y to 935 </ b> V are gears that are rotatably supported (rotated) by the outer cylinder member 932. Each of the revolving gears 935Y to 935V is supported so as to be rotatable (spinned) about an axis extending in the arrangement direction Y. Each of the revolving gears 935 </ b> Y to 935 </ b> V also revolves around the rotating shaft rod 931 as the outer cylinder member 932 rotates. Each of the revolving gears 935Y to 935V includes a screw-shaped worm 935b that meshes with the drive receiving gears 924Y to 924V that are worm wheels, and a spur gear 935a that meshes with the gear 931a of the rotary shaft 931. The spur gear 935a and the worm 935b are provided integrally. The revolving gears 935Y to 935V are provided at positions corresponding to the drive receiving gears 924Y to 924V in the arrangement direction Y of the outer cylinder members 932, respectively. The revolving gears 935Y to 935V are sequentially moved to positions where the driving force is transmitted to the corresponding gears among the drive receiving gears 924Y to 924V in accordance with the rotation angle of the outer cylinder member 932 in the rotation direction of the outer cylinder member 932. It is provided at the position to move to. More specifically, the revolution gears 935 </ b> Y to 935 </ b> V are arranged at different positions in the rotation direction of the outer cylinder member 932. More specifically, the revolution gears 935Y to 935V are arranged at an angular interval of about 60 ° on a revolution track centered on the rotary shaft 931. The revolving gears 935 </ b> Y to 935 </ b> V revolve around the rotary shaft 931 and the outer cylinder member 932 as the outer cylinder member 932 rotates. Depending on the rotational position of the outer cylinder member 932, the worm 935b of the revolving gears 935Y to 935V meshes with the drive receiving gears 924Y to 924V. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the revolving gear 935M corresponding to magenta meshes with the drive receiving gear 924 of the sending portion 92M corresponding to magenta, and the remaining revolving gears 935Y and 935C to 935V are not meshed. As the outer cylinder member 932 rotates, the six revolving gears 935Y to 935V sequentially move to driving force transmission positions that mesh with corresponding gears among the driving receiving gears 924Y to 924V. The driving force transmission positions of the revolving gears 935 </ b> Y to 935 </ b> V in the present embodiment are positions below the rotary shaft 931.

  Each of the six revolution gears 935Y to 935V rotates (spins) with the rotation of the rotary shaft 931. Any one of the drive receiving gears 924Y to 924V meshed with the corresponding gear (924Y to 924V) is reversely rotated to the meshed gear (924Y to 924V) of the rotating shaft 931 as indicated by the arrow T. Mediates the driving force of Further, the outer cylinder member 932 switches the driving force transmission path through which the driving force is mediated by forward rotation.

  The drive mechanism 94 moves one of the revolving gears 935Y to 935V to a driving force transmission position that meshes with a corresponding gear among the drive receiving gears 924Y to 924V by rotating the rotating shaft 931 forward. In addition, the drive mechanism 94 mediates the driving force to the gears in the revolving gears 935Y to 935V that are moved to the driving force transmission position by rotating the rotary shaft 931 in the reverse direction.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating selection of a driving receiving gear to be driven.

  Part (A) of FIG. 7 shows a state where the revolution gear 935Y corresponding to yellow among the six revolution gears 935Y to 935V is in the driving force transmission position. The revolving gear 935Y meshes with the yellow driving receiving gear 924Y at the driving force transmission position. Part (B) in FIG. 7 is a side view of the drive assembly 93 of part (A).

  In the state of part (A) and part (B) in FIG. 7, when the drive mechanism 94 rotates the rotary shaft 931 in the reverse direction indicated by the arrow T, the first one-way clutch 933 drives the rotary shaft 931 to rotate in the reverse direction. The force is not transmitted to the outer cylinder member 932. The outer cylinder member 932 is prevented from reverse rotation by the second one-way clutch 934. Therefore, the revolution gear 935Y does not revolve and rotates (autorotates) by receiving the driving force from the gear 931a of the rotating shaft rod 931 while maintaining the driving force transmission position. Since the revolving gear 935Y is in the driving force transmission position and meshes with the yellow driving receiving gear 924Y, the rotational force of the rotary shaft 931 is mediated by the yellow driving receiving gear 924Y. More specifically, since the spur gear 935a of the revolution gear 935Y is engaged with the gear 931a of the rotation shaft 931, the revolution gear 935Y rotates (spins) as the rotation shaft 931 rotates. The worm 935b of the revolution gear 935Y constitutes a worm gear by meshing with the drive receiving gear 924Y which is a worm wheel. Therefore, the yellow drive receiving gear 924Y rotates with the rotation of the worm 935b of the revolving gear 935Y. Due to the configuration of the worm gear, the force for driving the yellow drive receiving gear 924Y is transmitted in the rotational (spinning) axial direction of the revolution gear 935Y. Therefore, for example, as compared with the case where the revolution gear and the yellow gear are both spur gears having parallel rotation axes, the situation where the revolution gear is displaced and disengaged during transmission of the driving force is reduced.

  As a result of the driving force of the driving mechanism 94 being transmitted to the yellow driving receiving gear 924Y, the yellow sending portion 92Y (see FIG. 1) sends toner by the driving force of the driving mechanism 94. The control unit 1A (see FIG. 1) controls the drive mechanism 94 according to the toner amount in the developing device 21Y detected by the developing device toner sensor 214 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, a toner corresponding to the amount of toner consumed in the developing device 21Y is sent from the yellow sending portion 92Y to which the driving force of the driving mechanism 94 is transmitted to the developing device 21Y connected to the sending portion 92Y. .

  In the state of part (A) in FIG. 7, when the drive mechanism 94 rotates the rotary shaft 931 in the forward direction indicated by the arrow S, the first one-way clutch 933 transmits the drive force to the outer cylinder member 932. The outer cylinder member 932 is allowed to rotate forward by the second one-way clutch 934. Therefore, the outer cylinder member 932 rotates and revolves the revolving gears 935Y and 935M around the rotation shaft 931. As a result, as shown in Part (C) of FIG. 7, the yellow revolving gear 935Y moves away from the driving force transmission position where the yellow revolving gear 925Y meshes with the driving receiving gear 924Y, and then the magenta revolving gear 935M becomes the driving receiving gear 924M. Move to the meshing driving force transmission position.

  The drive mechanism 94 is controlled by a control unit 1A (FIG. 1) that controls the rotation operation of the developing device 20 (see FIG. 2). The control unit 1A rotates the drive mechanism 94 forward when rotating the developing device 20, and among the six revolving gears 935Y to 935V, the revolving gear corresponding to the sending units 92Y to 92V connected to the developing devices 21Y to 21V. Move to driving force transmission position. The control unit 1A determines the target revolution gear among the six revolution gears 935Y to 935V based on the position detection result from the position detection sensor J that detects the rotational position of the outer cylinder member 932 as the driving force transmission position. Move to.

  As shown in part (C) of FIG. 7, the magenta revolving gear 935M is moved to the driving force transmission position that meshes with the driving receiving gear 924M, and then the driving mechanism 94 moves the rotary shaft 931 to the arrow T. When the reverse rotation shown is made, the revolution gear 935M rotates (spins). The rotational force of the rotary shaft 931 is mediated by the magenta drive receiving gear 924M. As a result, the driving force of the driving mechanism 94 causes the magenta sending unit 92M (see FIG. 1) to send out the toner.

  The drive assembly 93 provided in the toner supply device 90 of the present embodiment is connected to the rotary shaft 931 via a first one-way clutch 933 that transmits only forward rotation, and supports six revolution gears 935Y to 935V. An outer cylinder member 932 is provided. For this reason, when the drive mechanism 94 rotates the rotary shaft 931 in the normal direction, one of the six revolution gears 935Y to 935V is connected to one of the revolution receiving gears 924Y to 924V of the corresponding sending portions 92Y to 92V. select. Then, the drive mechanism 94 reversely rotates the rotary shaft 931 in a state where any of the revolution gears 935Y to 935V is connected to any of the drive receiving gears 924Y to 924V of the sending portions 92Y to 92V, thereby connecting the connected drive receivers. Driving force is transmitted to the gears 924Y to 924V. That is, the selected sending unit among the sending units 92Y to 92V sends the toner. At this time, the selected sending unit among the sending units 92Y to 92V is connected to the corresponding developing device (any one of 21Y to 21V). From the selected delivery unit, the amount of toner corresponding to the toner consumption amount of the corresponding developing device is delivered by the control of the control unit 1A.

  The toner supply device 90 of the present embodiment includes the drive assembly 93 so that the toner delivery amounts in the six delivery units 92Y to 92V are controlled by the drive mechanism 94 having one motor. Therefore, for example, the number of motors is smaller than when a motor is provided for each of the six sending units 92Y to 92V or when one motor is provided for two sending units.

  Since the six developing devices 21Y to 21V use different types of toner, six sending units 92Y to 92V are required. However, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a rotary type, and among the six developing devices 21Y to 21V, there is one developing device that performs development at a certain time. In the toner supply device 90 of the present embodiment, during the period in which each of the six developing devices 21Y to 21V carries out development, an amount corresponding to each of the developing devices 21Y to 21V is sent from the corresponding sending unit (92Y to 92V). Supply toner.

  In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the plurality of storage units, the plurality of delivery units, the plurality of driving force mediating members, and the plurality of developing units according to the present invention, six toner storage units 91Y to 91V, six delivery units are provided. A portion 92Y to 92V, six revolution gears 935Y to 935V, and six developing devices 21Y to 21V are shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each number may be a number of 3 or more other than 6.

  In the above-described embodiment, the revolution gear 935Y that functions as a worm and the driving gear 924Y that functions as a worm wheel are shown as examples of the driving force mediating member and the driving force receiving portion according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the revolution gear and the yellow gear may be spur gears having rotation axes substantially parallel to each other.

  In the embodiment described above, a cylindrical outer cylinder member 932 is shown as an example of the transmission path switching member according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a plurality of rod states supported by a driving force transmission member via a one-way clutch and arranged around the driving force transmission member may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the outer cylinder member 932 supported by the frame F via the second one-way clutch 934 is shown as an example of the transmission path switching member. However, the transmission path switching member referred to in the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the transmission path switching member may be supported via a rotary bearing that is allowed to rotate in both directions and provided with a resistance to rotation.

  Moreover, in embodiment mentioned above, the revolving gears 935Y-935V arrange | positioned in a mutually different position in the rotation direction of the outer cylinder member 932 are shown as an example of the driving force mediation member said to this invention, and driving force receiving part is shown. 6 drive receiving gears 924Y to 924V arranged in a line in the arrangement direction Y are shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the driving force mediating members may be arranged in a line in the rotation axis direction, and the driving force receiving portions may be arranged at different positions in the rotation direction. Good.

  In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a rotary color printer including the developing device 20 which is a rotary developing device is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a tandem system in which a developing device and a photosensitive drum are provided in a one-to-one relationship may be used, and the toner supply device may be of such a tandem system. The toner may be sequentially supplied to the developing device.

  In the above-described embodiment, a printer is shown as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus referred to in the present invention is not limited to a printer, and may be, for example, a copying machine or a facsimile.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 11 Photosensitive drum 20 Developing device 20p Rotating shaft 21Y, 21M, 21C, 21K, 21U, 21V Developer 90 Toner supply device 91Y, 91M, 91C, 91K, 91U, 91V Toner storage part 92Y, 92M, 92C , 92K, 92U, 92V Sending part 921, 922, 923 Conveying member 924Y, 924M, 924C, 924K, 924U, 924V Drive receiving gear 925 Transmission mechanism 93 Drive assembly 931 Rotating shaft rod 932 Outer cylinder member 933 First one-way clutch 935Y , 935M, 935C, 935K, 935U, 935V Revolving gear 935a Spur gear 935b Worm 94 Drive mechanism

Claims (4)

A plurality of storage units for storing toner;
A driving force receiving portion that receives a driving force, and a conveying member that conveys toner by the driving force received by the driving force receiving portion, toward the supply body that receives the toner from the housing portion and receives the toner. A plurality of delivery units in which the driving force receiving units are arranged to deliver the toner; and
A driving force transmission member that extends along the arrangement of the driving force receiving portions and transmits a driving force by rotation, and a one-way clutch that transmits only a forward rotation of the forward and reverse rotations of the driving force transmission member. A transmission path switching member that is coupled to the member, extends along with the driving force transmission member along the arrangement of the driving force receiving portions, and switches the driving force transmission path upon receiving a positive rotation of the driving force transmission member; and the transmission The position of the path switching member corresponding to each of the driving force receiving parts in the arrangement direction of the driving force receiving parts, and the rotation direction of the transmission path switching member according to the rotation angle of the transmission path switching member The driving force receiving portion is provided at a position that sequentially moves to a driving force transmitting position that transmits the driving force to the corresponding driving force receiving portion, and the corresponding driving force receiving portion is forwarded by forward rotation of the transmission path switching member. To the club A plurality of driving force mediating members that move to a driving force transmitting position for transmitting force and mediate the driving force of the driving force transmitting member to the corresponding driving force receiving portion by reverse rotation of the driving force transmitting member; A drive assembly;
The driving force transmission member connected to the driving force transmission member and rotating the driving force transmission member in the forward direction causes any one of the plurality of driving force mediation members to be driven to the corresponding driving force receiving portion. The drive force transfer member is moved to the drive position and moved to the drive force transfer position by reversely rotating the drive force transfer member to mediate drive force transmission to the corresponding drive force receiving portion. A toner supply device comprising a drive mechanism. The driving force receiving portion has a worm wheel that rotates around a rotation axis extending in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the driving force transmission member extends;
The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein the driving force mediating member has a screw-shaped worm that meshes with the worm wheel. A developing unit having a plurality of developing units for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner;
An image holding unit for holding a toner image formed by forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface and receiving development in the developing unit;
A toner supply device for supplying toner to each of the plurality of developing devices;
The toner supply device;
A plurality of storage units that are provided corresponding to the plurality of developing units and store toner used in each developing unit;
A driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force; and a conveying member that rotates by the driving force received by the driving force receiving portion and conveys the toner, receives the toner from the housing portion, and applies the toner toward the developing device. A plurality of delivery units corresponding to each of the plurality of accommodating units and provided corresponding to each of the plurality of developing units, wherein the driving force receiving units are arranged;
A driving force transmission member that extends along the arrangement of the driving force receiving portions and transmits a driving force by rotation, and a one-way clutch that transmits only a forward rotation of the forward and reverse rotations of the driving force transmission member. A transmission path switching member that is coupled to the member, extends along with the driving force transmission member along the arrangement of the driving force receiving portions, and switches the driving force transmission path upon receiving a positive rotation of the driving force transmission member; and the transmission The position of the path switching member corresponding to each of the driving force receiving parts in the arrangement direction of the driving force receiving parts, and the rotation direction of the transmission path switching member according to the rotation angle of the transmission path switching member The driving force receiving portion is provided at a position that sequentially moves to a driving force transmitting position that transmits the driving force to the corresponding driving force receiving portion, and the corresponding driving force receiving portion is forwarded by forward rotation of the transmission path switching member. To the club A plurality of driving force mediating members that move to a driving force transmitting position for transmitting force and mediate the driving force of the driving force transmitting member to the corresponding driving force receiving portion by reverse rotation of the driving force transmitting member; A drive assembly;
The driving force transmission member connected to the driving force transmission member and rotating the driving force transmission member in the forward direction causes any one of the plurality of driving force mediation members to be driven to the corresponding driving force receiving portion. By moving to the transmission position and rotating the driving force transmission member in the reverse direction, the driving force mediation member that has moved to the driving force transmission position mediates the driving force transmission to the corresponding driving force receiving portion. An image forming apparatus comprising a drive mechanism. The image holding unit is an image holding body provided for the plurality of developing devices,
The developing unit has a rotating shaft and supports the plurality of developing devices on a revolution track surrounding the rotating shaft, and the developing device used for the current development among the plurality of developing devices faces the image carrier. And a rotary developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier with toner by supplying toner to the image carrier from a developing device facing the image carrier. Is,
Each of the plurality of delivery units is connected to the corresponding developing device only when the corresponding developing device of the plurality of developing devices has rotated to a predetermined position by the rotation of the rotary developing device, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the toner received from a corresponding storage portion among the plurality of storage portions is sent to the corresponding developing device.

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