JP6197629B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents
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- JP6197629B2 JP6197629B2 JP2013261618A JP2013261618A JP6197629B2 JP 6197629 B2 JP6197629 B2 JP 6197629B2 JP 2013261618 A JP2013261618 A JP 2013261618A JP 2013261618 A JP2013261618 A JP 2013261618A JP 6197629 B2 JP6197629 B2 JP 6197629B2
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本発明は、画像形成装置に関し、より詳細には、装置本体に対し着脱自在の粉体回収容器を備えた画像形成装置に関するものである。 The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus provided with a powder collection container that is detachable from an apparatus main body.
トナーを用いた電子写真方式の画像形成装置の多くでは、感光体ドラムや中間転写体の表面から除去された未転写トナー（以下、「廃トナー」と記すことがある）は回収容器に回収される。そして、回収容器が満杯になると、装置本体から回収容器が取り外され新しい回収容器が取り付けられる。この回収容器の着脱の際に、廃トナー排出部と回収容器との連結部分から廃トナーがこぼれ落ち、装置内部や装置の周囲を汚すことがあった。 In many electrophotographic image forming apparatuses using toner, untransferred toner (hereinafter, referred to as “waste toner”) removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum or intermediate transfer member is collected in a collection container. The When the collection container is full, the collection container is removed from the apparatus body and a new collection container is attached. When the collection container is attached or detached, the waste toner may spill out from the connecting portion between the waste toner discharge unit and the collection container, and the inside of the apparatus or the periphery of the apparatus may be soiled.
そこで、回収容器を着脱する際、廃トナー排出部の排出口をシャッター部材で塞ぎ廃トナーのこぼれ落ちを防止する方式が種々提案されている。 In view of this, various methods have been proposed to prevent the waste toner from falling off by closing the discharge port of the waste toner discharge portion with a shutter member when the collection container is attached or detached.
特許文献１には、着脱可能な現像剤補充容器によって現像剤受入容器に現像剤を補給する装置において、現像剤補充容器及び現像剤受入容器のそれぞれの開閉蓋の閉じ方向先端部近傍にバッファ部を設け、余剰現像剤を一時的に収納する構成が開示されている。また、特許文献２には、廃トナー案内部材の先端部分に配備されるシャッター部材であって、回収容器が装着されている状態のときは、廃トナー案内部材の第１開口から排出される廃トナーを回収容器に回収させ、回収容器が取り外された状態のときは、第１開口から零れる廃トナーをトナー溜め空間に導くシャッター部材が開示されている。 In Patent Document 1, in a device for replenishing a developer receiving container with a detachable developer replenishing container, a buffer portion is provided in the vicinity of the front ends of the opening and closing lids of the developer replenishing container and the developer receiving container. And a configuration for temporarily storing excess developer. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a shutter member provided at the front end portion of the waste toner guide member, and when the collection container is attached, the waste discharged from the first opening of the waste toner guide member. There is disclosed a shutter member that collects toner in a collection container and guides waste toner spilled from the first opening to the toner storage space when the collection container is detached.
ところが、廃トナー排出部の排出口をシャッター部材で塞いで廃トナーのこぼれ落ちを防止する方式においても、廃トナーが外部に飛散することがあった。図６及び図７を用いて、廃トナーが外部に飛散する機構を説明する。図６（ａ）に示すように、回収容器２の着脱に起因する振動によって、排出部５の内周面に付着していた廃トナーが、排出口５１を閉鎖しているシャッター部材７の上面に落下する。次いで、回収容器２が装置本体１に装着される際、シャッター部材７は回収容器２に押圧されて閉位置から開位置に向かって移動する。図６（ｂ）に示すように、このとき、シャッター部材７の上面に堆積していた廃トナーは、排出口５１の、シャッター部材７の移動方向上流側の端部で擦り切られる。そして、図７（ａ）に示すように、シャッター部材７と回収容器２との隙間に廃トナーＴが入り込む。なお、この図では、回収容器２の回収開口２１の外周縁に取り付けられているシール部材としてのスポンジ２２が、回収容器２を装置本体１に装着する際に排出部５に接触して回収容器２の装着方向と反対方向に圧縮変形し、シャッター部材７とスポンジ２２との間に隙間が形成され、その隙間に廃トナーＴ入り込む。 However, even in a system in which the discharge port of the waste toner discharge portion is closed with a shutter member to prevent the waste toner from falling out, the waste toner may be scattered outside. A mechanism for scattering the waste toner to the outside will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6A, the waste toner adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the discharge portion 5 due to vibration caused by the attachment and detachment of the collection container 2 closes the discharge port 51. Fall into. Next, when the collection container 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 1, the shutter member 7 is pressed by the collection container 2 and moves from the closed position toward the open position. As shown in FIG. 6B, at this time, the waste toner accumulated on the upper surface of the shutter member 7 is scraped off at the end of the discharge port 51 on the upstream side in the moving direction of the shutter member 7. Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, the waste toner T enters the gap between the shutter member 7 and the collection container 2. In this figure, the sponge 22 as a sealing member attached to the outer peripheral edge of the collection opening 21 of the collection container 2 comes into contact with the discharge portion 5 when the collection container 2 is mounted on the apparatus main body 1, and the collection container 2 is compressed and deformed in the direction opposite to the mounting direction 2, and a gap is formed between the shutter member 7 and the sponge 22, and the waste toner T enters the gap.
その後、図７（ｂ）に示すように、回収容器２が装置本体１から取り外される際、回収容器２がシャッター部材７から離れると、スポンジ２２とシャッター部材７との間の隙間に溜まっていた廃トナーＴが外部に飛散する。 Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the collection container 2 is detached from the apparatus main body 1, when the collection container 2 is separated from the shutter member 7, the collection container 2 has accumulated in the gap between the sponge 22 and the shutter member 7. Waste toner T is scattered outside.
本発明はこのような従来の問題に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的は、装置の小型化を維持しながら、廃トナー排出部の排出口をシャッター部材で塞いで廃トナーのこぼれ落ちを防止する画像形成装置において、廃トナーの外部への飛散を防止することにある。 The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and its purpose is to prevent waste toner spillage by closing the discharge port of the waste toner discharge portion with a shutter member while maintaining the downsizing of the apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, the waste toner is prevented from scattering to the outside.
前記目的を達成する本発明に係る画像形成装置は、下方に開いた排出口を有し、粉体を排出する排出部と、前記排出部から排出された粉体を収容する、装置本体に対して着脱自在で、上方に開いた回収開口を有する回収容器と、前記排出口を閉鎖する閉位置と開放する開位置とにスライド移動可能なシャッター部材とを備え、前記シャッター部材は、前記回収容器が前記装置本体に装着されると、前記回収容器に当接して閉位置から開位置となる一方、前記回収容器が前記装置本体から取り外されると、開位置から閉位置となる画像形成装置であって、前記シャッター部材は、粉体を貯留可能な収容部を有すると共に、開位置から閉位置への移動方向先端の上面又は前記移動方向先端側の側面に前記収容部への受入開口を有することを特徴とする。
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention that achieves the above object has a discharge port that opens downward, a discharge unit that discharges powder, and a main body that stores the powder discharged from the discharge unit. A collection container having a collection opening that is detachable and open upward, and a shutter member that is slidable between a closed position that closes the discharge port and an open position that opens the discharge opening, and the shutter member includes the collection container When There is mounted on the apparatus main body, wherein the collection container abuts the other hand an open position from the closed position, when the collection container is remove from the apparatus main body, an image forming apparatus comprising a open position and a closed position The shutter member has a storage portion capable of storing powder, and has a receiving opening to the storage portion on the top surface in the movement direction from the open position to the closed position or on the side surface on the front side in the movement direction. Characterized by having That.
ここで、前記受入開口が、前記シャッター部材の開位置から閉位置への移動方向先端の上面に形成されている場合、前記移動方向先端側の側面が、前記移動方向上流側に向かって上方に傾斜した突出面を有していてもよい。 Here, when the receiving opening is formed on the upper surface of the front end in the moving direction from the open position to the closed position of the shutter member, the side surface on the front side in the moving direction is directed upward toward the upstream side in the moving direction. You may have the inclined protrusion surface.
また、前記突出面の少なくとも一部は可撓性部材で構成されていてもよい。 Further, at least a part of the projecting surface may be made of a flexible member.
前記受入開口は、前記回収開口よりも上下方向上方に位置するのが好ましい。 The receiving opening is preferably positioned above the collection opening in the up-down direction.
前記回収開口の外周縁に弾性を有するシール部材を設け、前記回収容器が前記装置本体に装着される際、前記シール部材が前記シャッター部材の前記突出面に当接し、前記シール部材と前記突出面とが隙間無く密着するようにしてもよい。 An elastic seal member is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the recovery opening. When the recovery container is mounted on the apparatus main body, the seal member abuts on the protrusion surface of the shutter member, and the seal member and the protrusion surface May be in close contact with no gap.
本発明の画像形成装置では、排出部の排出口を閉鎖するシャッター部材に、粉体を貯留可能な収容部を設けると共に、シャッター部材の開位置から閉位置への移動方向先端の上面又は前記移動方向先端側の側面に前記収容部への受入開口を形成したので、シャッター部材が閉位置のときに排出部の内壁などから落下した廃トナーなどの粉体は、シャッター部材が閉位置から開位置に移動する際に前記収容部に収容される。これにより、シャッター部材の開閉動作によって廃トナーが外部に飛散することはない。また、従来の装置に比べて装置が大型化することもない。 In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the shutter member that closes the discharge port of the discharge portion is provided with a storage portion that can store powder, and the upper surface of the front end of the moving direction from the open position to the closed position of the shutter member or the movement Since the receiving opening to the accommodating portion is formed on the side surface on the front side in the direction, powder such as waste toner that has fallen from the inner wall of the discharge portion when the shutter member is in the closed position is opened from the closed position to the shutter member. When it moves to, it is accommodated in the said accommodating part. Thus, the waste toner is not scattered outside by the opening / closing operation of the shutter member. Further, the size of the device is not increased as compared with the conventional device.
以下、本発明に係る画像形成装置について図に基づいてよりさらに詳しく説明するが本発明はこれらの実施形態に何ら限定されるものではない。 Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
図１に、本発明に係る画像形成装置の一例を示す所謂タンデム方式のカラープリンターの概説図を示す。この図に示すプリンターは、導電性を有する無端状の中間転写ベルト３０を有する。中間転写ベルト３０は、ローラ３１，３２，３３に張架されている。ローラ３１は不図示のモータに連結されており、モータの駆動によってローラ３１は反時計回りに回転し、これによって中間転写ベルト３０とこれに接するローラ３２，３３は従動回転する。ローラ３３は、不図示の付勢手段によって中間転写ベルト３０を外方へ付勢し中間転写ベルト３０に張力を与えている。ローラ３１に支持されているベルト部分の外側には、２次転写ローラ３４が圧接している。この２次転写ローラ３４と中間転写ベルト３０とのニップ部（２次転写領域）において中間転写ベルト３０上に形成されたトナー画像が、搬送されてきた用紙Ｐに転写される。 FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a so-called tandem color printer showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The printer shown in this figure has an endless intermediate transfer belt 30 having conductivity. The intermediate transfer belt 30 is stretched around rollers 31, 32, and 33. The roller 31 is connected to a motor (not shown). When the motor is driven, the roller 31 rotates counterclockwise, whereby the intermediate transfer belt 30 and the rollers 32 and 33 in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 30 are driven to rotate. The roller 33 urges the intermediate transfer belt 30 outward by urging means (not shown) to apply tension to the intermediate transfer belt 30. A secondary transfer roller 34 is in pressure contact with the outside of the belt portion supported by the roller 31. The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 at the nip portion (secondary transfer region) between the secondary transfer roller 34 and the intermediate transfer belt 30 is transferred onto the conveyed paper P.
また、ローラ３２に支持されているベルト部分の外側には、中間転写ベルト３０の表面をクリーニングするベルトクリーニングブレード３５が設けられている。ベルトクリーニングブレード３５は、中間転写ベルト３０を介してローラ３２に圧接し、中間転写ベルト３０との当接部で未転写トナーを除去する。除去された未転写トナーは回収容器２（図３に図示）に搬送され回収される。 A belt cleaning blade 35 for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 30 is provided outside the belt portion supported by the roller 32. The belt cleaning blade 35 is in pressure contact with the roller 32 via the intermediate transfer belt 30 and removes untransferred toner at a contact portion with the intermediate transfer belt 30. The removed untransferred toner is conveyed to a collection container 2 (shown in FIG. 3) and collected.
中間転写ベルト３０の下側には、中間転写ベルト３０の回転方向上流側から順に、イエロー（Ｙ）、マゼンタ（Ｍ）、シアン（Ｃ）、ブラック（Ｋ）の４つの作像ユニット１０Ｙ，１０Ｍ，１０Ｃ，１０Ｋ（以下、「作像ユニット１０」と総称することがある）が、装置本体１に対して着脱自在に配置されている。これらの作像ユニット１０では、各色の現像剤をそれぞれ用いて対応する色のトナー画像が作成される。 Below the intermediate transfer belt 30, four image forming units 10Y and 10M of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are sequentially arranged from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 30. , 10C, 10K (hereinafter, sometimes collectively referred to as “image forming unit 10”) are detachably disposed on the apparatus main body 1. In these image forming units 10, a toner image of a corresponding color is created using each color developer.
図２に、作像ユニット１０の概説図を示す。作像ユニット１０は、静電潜像担持体としての円筒状の感光体１１を有する。そして、感光体１１の周囲には、その回転方向（時計回り方向）に沿って順に、帯電装置１２、露光装置１３、現像装置１４、１次転写ローラ１５、およびクリーニング装置１６が配置されている。１次転写ローラ１５は中間転写ベルト３０を挟んで感光体１１に圧接し、ニップ部（１次転写領域）を形成している。 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the image forming unit 10. The image forming unit 10 has a cylindrical photoconductor 11 as an electrostatic latent image carrier. Around the photoreceptor 11, a charging device 12, an exposure device 13, a developing device 14, a primary transfer roller 15, and a cleaning device 16 are arranged in this order along the rotation direction (clockwise direction). . The primary transfer roller 15 is in pressure contact with the photoconductor 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 30 interposed therebetween to form a nip portion (primary transfer region).
図１に示すように、作像ユニット１０の下部には、給紙装置として給紙カセット４１が着脱可能に配置されている。給紙カセット４１内に積載収容された用紙Ｐは、給紙カセット４１の近傍に配置された給紙ローラの回転によって最上紙から順に１枚ずつ搬送路Ｒに送り出される。給紙カセット４１から送り出された用紙Ｐは、レジストローラ対４２に搬送され、ここで所定のタイミングで２次転写領域に送り出される。 As shown in FIG. 1, a paper feed cassette 41 is detachably disposed as a paper feed device below the image forming unit 10. The sheets P stacked and accommodated in the sheet cassette 41 are sent out one by one to the transport path R one by one from the uppermost sheet by the rotation of a sheet feed roller disposed in the vicinity of the sheet cassette 41. The paper P sent out from the paper feed cassette 41 is conveyed to the registration roller pair 42 and is sent out to the secondary transfer area at a predetermined timing.
画像形成装置は、１色のトナー（例えばブラック）を用いてモノクロ画像を形成するモノクロモードと、４色のトナーを用いてカラー画像を形成するカラーモードとに切り替え可能となっている。 The image forming apparatus can be switched between a monochrome mode in which a monochrome image is formed using one color toner (for example, black) and a color mode in which a color image is formed using four color toners.
カラーモードにおける画像形成動作例について簡単に説明すると、まず、各作像ユニット１０において、所定の周速度で回転駆動される感光体１１の外周面が帯電装置１２により帯電される。次に、帯電された感光体１１の表面に、画像情報に応じた光が露光装置１３から投射されて静電潜像が形成される。続いて、この静電潜像は、現像装置１４から供給される現像剤としてのトナーにより顕在化される。このようにして感光体１１の表面に形成された各色のトナー画像は、感光体１１の回転によって１次転写領域に達すると、イエロー、マゼンタ、シアン、ブラックの順で、感光体１１から中間転写ベルト３０上へ転写（１次転写）されて重ねられる。一方、感光体１１の表面に残った未転写トナーはクリーニング装置１６で除去され回収容器２（図３に図示）に搬送され回収される。 An image forming operation example in the color mode will be briefly described. First, in each image forming unit 10, the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 11 that is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed is charged by the charging device 12. Next, light corresponding to image information is projected from the exposure device 13 on the surface of the charged photoconductor 11 to form an electrostatic latent image. Subsequently, the electrostatic latent image is made visible by toner as a developer supplied from the developing device 14. When the toner image of each color formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11 reaches the primary transfer area by the rotation of the photoconductor 11, the intermediate transfer is performed from the photoconductor 11 in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Transfer (primary transfer) is performed on the belt 30 and superimposed. On the other hand, the untransferred toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 11 is removed by the cleaning device 16 and conveyed to the collection container 2 (shown in FIG. 3) and collected.
重ね合わされた４色のトナー画像は、中間転写ベルト３０によって２次転写領域に搬送される。一方、そのタイミングに合わせて、レジストローラ対４２から２次転写領域に用紙Ｐが搬送される。そして、４色のトナー画像が、２次転写領域において中間転写ベルト３０から用紙Ｐに転写（２次転写）される。４色のトナー画像が転写された用紙Ｐは、定着ローラ対４３へ搬送される。定着ローラ対４３において用紙Ｐは、定着ローラと加圧ローラとのニップ部を通過する。この間に用紙Ｐは加熱・加圧され、用紙Ｐ上のトナー画像は用紙Ｐに溶融定着する。トナー画像が定着した用紙Ｐは排出ローラ対によって排紙トレイに排出される。 The superimposed four color toner images are conveyed to the secondary transfer region by the intermediate transfer belt 30. On the other hand, the sheet P is conveyed from the registration roller pair 42 to the secondary transfer area in accordance with the timing. Then, the four color toner images are transferred (secondary transfer) from the intermediate transfer belt 30 to the paper P in the secondary transfer region. The sheet P on which the four color toner images are transferred is conveyed to the fixing roller pair 43. In the fixing roller pair 43, the sheet P passes through the nip portion between the fixing roller and the pressure roller. During this time, the paper P is heated and pressurized, and the toner image on the paper P is melted and fixed on the paper P. The paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to a paper discharge tray by a pair of discharge rollers.
図３に、回収容器の一例を示す斜視図を示す。ベルトクリーニングブレード３５（図１に図示）によって中間転写ベルト３０の表面から除去された未転写トナーは、不図示の搬送路を通って排出部５の排出口５１から回収容器２に回収される。なお、この図は、回収容器２が装置本体１から外れた状態の図であり、回収容器２が装置本体１に装着されると、回収容器２の回収開口２１と排出部５の排出口５１とは対向する位置となる。また、各作像ユニット１０の感光体１１の表面から除去された未転写トナーも、不図示の搬送路を通って回収開口２１Ｙ〜２１Ｋから回収容器２に回収される。以下、排出部５と回収容器２との接続機構を説明する。 FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the collection container. The untransferred toner removed from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 30 by the belt cleaning blade 35 (shown in FIG. 1) is collected in the collection container 2 from the discharge port 51 of the discharge unit 5 through a conveyance path (not shown). This figure shows a state in which the collection container 2 is detached from the apparatus main body 1. When the collection container 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 1, the collection opening 21 of the collection container 2 and the discharge port 51 of the discharge unit 5 are shown. Is the opposite position. Further, the untransferred toner removed from the surface of the photoreceptor 11 of each image forming unit 10 is also collected in the collection container 2 from the collection openings 21Y to 21K through a conveyance path (not shown). Hereinafter, a connection mechanism between the discharge unit 5 and the collection container 2 will be described.
（実施形態１）
図４に、排出部５と回収容器２との接続機構の一実施形態を示す。図４は、回収容器２が装置本体１から取り外された状態から取り付けられた状態、すなわちシャッター部材６ａが閉位置から開位置になるときの状態図である。
(Embodiment 1)
In FIG. 4, one Embodiment of the connection mechanism of the discharge part 5 and the collection container 2 is shown. FIG. 4 is a state diagram in which the collection container 2 is attached from a state where it is removed from the apparatus main body 1, that is, when the shutter member 6a is changed from the closed position to the open position.
排出部５は、上下方向に伸びた排出路５２と、下方に開いた排出口５１を有する。そして、排出部５の下側には、排出口５１を閉鎖する閉位置と開放する開位置とにスライド移動可能なシャッター部材６ａが設けられている。シャッター部材６ａは引っ張りコイルバネ（付勢手段）５３によって閉位置の方向に常に付勢されている。シャッター部材６ａには、所定容積の収容部６２が形成されている。そして、シャッター部材６ａの開位置から閉位置への移動方向先端側の側面には、収容部６２の受入開口６１ａが形成されている。なお、収容部６２の容積は、後述するように、シャッター部材６ａで排出口５１を閉鎖している間に、排出路５２の内周壁からこぼれ落ちてきた廃トナーを収容可能な容積であればよく、通常、数十ｃｍ３程度で足りる。 The discharge part 5 has a discharge path 52 extending in the vertical direction and a discharge port 51 opened downward. A shutter member 6 a that is slidable between a closed position for closing the discharge port 51 and an open position for opening the discharge port 51 is provided below the discharge portion 5. The shutter member 6 a is always urged in the direction of the closed position by a tension coil spring (biasing means) 53. The shutter member 6a is formed with an accommodating portion 62 having a predetermined volume. A receiving opening 61a of the accommodating portion 62 is formed on the side surface on the distal end side in the moving direction from the open position to the closed position of the shutter member 6a. As will be described later, the capacity of the storage portion 62 may be a volume that can store waste toner that has fallen from the inner peripheral wall of the discharge path 52 while the discharge port 51 is closed by the shutter member 6a. Usually, about several tens of cm 3 is sufficient.
図４（ａ）に示すように、回収容器２が装置本体１から取り外された状態では、シャッター部材６ａは引っ張りコイルバネ５３の付勢力によって閉位置となっている。このとき、回収容器２の着脱操作に伴う振動などで排出路５２の内周壁から落下した廃トナーＴは、シャッター部材６ａの上面に堆積する。 As shown in FIG. 4A, when the collection container 2 is detached from the apparatus main body 1, the shutter member 6 a is in the closed position by the urging force of the tension coil spring 53. At this time, the waste toner T that has fallen from the inner peripheral wall of the discharge path 52 due to vibration associated with the attaching / detaching operation of the collection container 2 accumulates on the upper surface of the shutter member 6a.
次いで、図４（ｂ）に示すように、回収容器２が装置本体１に装着される際は、回収容器２の上方角部がシャッター部材６ａの側面に当接し、引っ張りコイルバネ５３の付勢力に抗して閉位置から開位置にシャッター部材６ａがスライド移動する。このとき、排出路５２から落下し、シャッター部材６ａの上面に堆積している廃トナーＴは、排出口５１の、シャッター部材６ａの移動方向上流側の端部で擦り切られる。一方、回収容器２の回収開口２１の外周縁に取り付けられているシール部材としてのスポンジ２２が、回収容器２を装置本体１に装着する際に排出部５に接触して、回収容器２の装着方向と反対方向に圧縮変形し、シャッター部材６ａとスポンジ２２との間に隙間が形成される。そして、シャッター部材６ａの側面に形成された受入開口６１ａが露出するようになる。 Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the collection container 2 is mounted on the apparatus main body 1, the upper corner of the collection container 2 comes into contact with the side surface of the shutter member 6 a, and the urging force of the tension coil spring 53 is applied. The shutter member 6a slides from the closed position to the open position. At this time, the waste toner T that has fallen from the discharge path 52 and accumulated on the upper surface of the shutter member 6a is scraped off at the upstream end of the discharge port 51 in the moving direction of the shutter member 6a. On the other hand, the sponge 22 as a sealing member attached to the outer peripheral edge of the recovery opening 21 of the recovery container 2 comes into contact with the discharge portion 5 when the recovery container 2 is mounted on the apparatus main body 1, so that the recovery container 2 is mounted. It compresses and deforms in the direction opposite to the direction, and a gap is formed between the shutter member 6 a and the sponge 22. And the receiving opening 61a formed in the side surface of the shutter member 6a comes to be exposed.
排出口５１の、シャッター部材６ａの移動方向上流側の端部で擦り切られた、シャッター部材６ａの上面の廃トナーＴは、シャッター部材６ａとスポンジ２２との隙間に落下し、受入開口６１ａから収容部６２に収容される。これにより、従来のような、シャッター部材６ａと回収容器２との隙間に廃トナーＴが滞留することがなくなり、廃トナーＴの外部への飛散が防止される。 Waste toner T on the upper surface of the shutter member 6a, scraped off at the upstream end of the discharge port 51 in the moving direction of the shutter member 6a, falls into the gap between the shutter member 6a and the sponge 22 and passes through the receiving opening 61a. It is accommodated in the accommodating part 62. As a result, the waste toner T does not stay in the gap between the shutter member 6a and the collection container 2 as in the prior art, and the waste toner T is prevented from scattering to the outside.
そして、図４（ｃ）に示すように、シャッター部材６ａが開位置となると、排出口５１の直下に回収容器２の回収開口２１が位置するようになる。このとき、回収開口２１の外縁部に取り付けられたスポンジ２２によって、排出口５１と回収開口２１との隙間が封止され、廃トナーＴが外部に漏れ出ることが防止される。 Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the shutter member 6a is in the open position, the recovery opening 21 of the recovery container 2 is positioned directly below the discharge port 51. At this time, the gap between the discharge port 51 and the collection opening 21 is sealed by the sponge 22 attached to the outer edge portion of the collection opening 21, and the waste toner T is prevented from leaking outside.
（第２実施形態）
図５に、排出部５と回収容器２との接続機構の他の実施形態を示す。図５は、図４と同様に、回収容器２が装置本体１から取り外された状態から取り付けられた状態、すなわちシャッター部材６ｂが閉位置から開位置になるときの状態図である。
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a connection mechanism between the discharge unit 5 and the collection container 2. FIG. 5 is a state diagram in which the collection container 2 is attached from the state where it is removed from the apparatus main body 1, that is, when the shutter member 6 b is changed from the closed position to the open position, as in FIG. 4.
排出部５及び回収容器２の構造は、図４に示した実施形態と同じであるので、ここではその説明を省略し、シャッター部材６ｂの構造について説明する。排出口５１を閉鎖する閉位置と開放する開位置とにスライド移動可能なシャッター部材６ｂは、前記実施形態と同様に、引っ張りコイルバネ（付勢手段）５３によって閉位置の方向に常に付勢されている。シャッター部材６ｂには、所定容積の収容部６２が形成されている。また、シャッター部材６ｂの開位置から閉位置への移動方向先端側の側面は、前記移動方向上流側に向かって上方に傾斜した突出面６３を有する。そして、シャッター部材６ｂの、移動方向先端の上面には、収容部６２の受入開口６１ｂが形成されている。受入開口６１ｂは、回収開口２１よりの上下方向上方に位置するのが望ましい。なお、収容部６２の容積は、前記実施形態と同様に、通常、数十ｃｍ３程度で足りる。 Since the structure of the discharge part 5 and the collection container 2 is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the description thereof is omitted here, and the structure of the shutter member 6b will be described. The shutter member 6b slidably movable between a closed position for closing the discharge port 51 and an open position for opening the discharge port 51 is always urged in the direction of the closed position by a tension coil spring (biasing means) 53, as in the above-described embodiment. Yes. The shutter member 6b is formed with an accommodating portion 62 having a predetermined volume. Further, the side surface on the distal end side in the movement direction from the open position to the closed position of the shutter member 6b has a protruding surface 63 that is inclined upward toward the upstream side in the movement direction. A receiving opening 61b of the accommodating portion 62 is formed on the top surface of the shutter member 6b in the moving direction. The receiving opening 61b is preferably located above the collection opening 21 in the vertical direction. In addition, the volume of the accommodating part 62 is usually about several tens of cm 3 as in the above-described embodiment.
シャッター部材６ｂの側面に形成された突出面６３の傾斜角度は、回収容器２を装置本体１に装着する際に、スポンジ２２がシャッター部材６ｂの突出面６３に当接し、スポンジ２２と突出面６３とが隙間無く密着する角度とするのが好ましい。また、突出面６３の少なくとも一部を、樹脂シートなどの可撓性部材で形成してもよい。なお、突出面６３が、回収容器２の容器本体２０と当接する場合には、突出面６３の傾斜角度（外形形状）は容器本体２０の当接部分の形状に類似した形状とし、容器本体２０と突出面６３との間に隙間の生じないようにするのが好ましい。 The inclination angle of the protruding surface 63 formed on the side surface of the shutter member 6b is such that when the collection container 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 1, the sponge 22 abuts on the protruding surface 63 of the shutter member 6b, and the sponge 22 and the protruding surface 63 It is preferable that the angle is such that the two are in close contact with each other without a gap. Moreover, you may form at least one part of the protrusion surface 63 with flexible members, such as a resin sheet. When the protruding surface 63 comes into contact with the container body 20 of the collection container 2, the inclination angle (outer shape) of the protruding surface 63 is set to a shape similar to the shape of the contact portion of the container body 20. It is preferable not to create a gap between the projection surface 63 and the projection surface 63.
図５（ａ）に示すように、回収容器２が装置本体１から取り外された状態では、シャッター部材６ｂは引っ張りコイルバネ５３の付勢力によって閉位置となり、回収容器２の着脱操作に伴う振動などで排出路５２の内周壁から落下した廃トナーＴが、シャッター部材６ｂの上面に堆積する。 As shown in FIG. 5A, when the collection container 2 is detached from the apparatus main body 1, the shutter member 6b is in the closed position by the urging force of the tension coil spring 53, and vibration due to the attachment / detachment operation of the collection container 2 is caused. Waste toner T dropped from the inner peripheral wall of the discharge path 52 is deposited on the upper surface of the shutter member 6b.
次いで、図５（ｂ）に示すように、回収容器２が装置本体１に装着される際は、回収容器２の上方角部がシャッター部材６ｂの側面に当接し、引っ張りコイルバネ５３の付勢力に抗して閉位置から開位置にシャッター部材６ｂがスライド移動する。このとき、排出路５２から落下し、シャッター部材６ｂの上面に堆積している廃トナーＴは、排出口５１の、シャッター部材６ｂの移動方向上流側の端部で擦り切られる。そして、廃トナーＴは、シャッター部材６ｂの、開位置から閉位置への移動方向先端に形成された受入開口６１ｂから収容部６２に収容される。これにより、従来のような、シャッター部材６と回収容器２との隙間などに廃トナーＴが入り込むことがなくなり、外部への飛散が防止される。 Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the collection container 2 is attached to the apparatus main body 1, the upper corner of the collection container 2 comes into contact with the side surface of the shutter member 6 b, and the urging force of the tension coil spring 53 is applied. The shutter member 6b slides from the closed position to the open position. At this time, the waste toner T that has fallen from the discharge path 52 and accumulated on the upper surface of the shutter member 6b is scraped off at the upstream end of the discharge port 51 in the moving direction of the shutter member 6b. The waste toner T is accommodated in the accommodating portion 62 from the receiving opening 61b formed at the front end in the moving direction of the shutter member 6b from the open position to the closed position. As a result, the waste toner T does not enter the gap between the shutter member 6 and the collection container 2 as in the prior art, and scattering to the outside is prevented.
そして、前記実施形態と同様に、図５（ｃ）に示すように、シャッター部材６ｂが開位置となると、排出口５１の直下に回収容器２の回収開口２１が位置するようになる。このとき、回収開口２１の外縁部に取り付けられたスポンジ２２によって、排出口５１と回収開口２１との隙間が封止され、廃トナーが外部に漏れ出ることが防止される。 Similarly to the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the shutter member 6b is in the open position, the recovery opening 21 of the recovery container 2 is positioned directly below the discharge port 51. At this time, the gap between the discharge port 51 and the collection opening 21 is sealed by the sponge 22 attached to the outer edge portion of the collection opening 21, and the waste toner is prevented from leaking outside.
なお、受入開口６１ｂの形状は、排出路５２の内周壁から落下した廃トナーＴを収容部６２に回収できる範囲において限定はないが、受入開口６１ｂの、シャッター部材６ｂの移動方向に対して垂直方向の両端部が、排出口５１の両端よりも外方に位置する形状であるのが好ましい。この場合、排出路５２の内周壁から落下し、シャッター部材６の上面に堆積した廃トナーはすべて、シャッター部材６ｂが閉位置から開位置に移動する際に、排出口５１の、シャッター部材６ｂの閉位置から開位置への移動法方向上流端で擦り切られ、受入開口６１ｂから収容部６２に回収される。 The shape of the receiving opening 61b is not limited as long as the waste toner T dropped from the inner peripheral wall of the discharge path 52 can be collected in the storage portion 62, but is perpendicular to the moving direction of the shutter member 6b of the receiving opening 61b. It is preferable that both ends in the direction have a shape that is located outward from both ends of the discharge port 51. In this case, all of the waste toner that has fallen from the inner peripheral wall of the discharge path 52 and accumulated on the upper surface of the shutter member 6 is located at the discharge port 51 at the shutter member 6b when the shutter member 6b moves from the closed position to the open position. It is scraped off at the upstream end in the moving direction from the closed position to the open position, and is collected into the accommodating portion 62 from the receiving opening 61b.
本発明の画像形成装置は、シャッター部材が閉位置のときに排出部の内壁などから落下した廃トナーなどの粉体は収容部に収容されるので、シャッター部材の開閉動作によって廃トナーが外部に飛散することがなく有用である。 In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, waste toner or the like powder that has fallen from the inner wall of the discharge unit when the shutter member is in the closed position is stored in the storage unit. Useful without splashing.
１ 装置本体
２ 回収容器
５ 排出部
６ａ，６ｂ シャッター部材
Ｔ 廃トナー（未転写トナー）
２１ 回収開口
２２ スポンジ
５１ 排出口
５３ 引っ張りコイルバネ（付勢手段）
６１ａ，６１ｂ 受入開口
６２ 収容部
６３ 突出面
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 2 Collection container 5 Discharge part 6a, 6b Shutter member T Waste toner (untransferred toner)
21 Recovery opening 22 Sponge 51 Discharge port 53 Tension coil spring (biasing means)
61a, 61b Receiving opening 62 Housing part 63 Projecting surface
Claims (5)
前記シャッター部材は、前記回収容器が前記装置本体に装着されると、前記回収容器に当接して閉位置から開位置となる一方、前記回収容器が前記装置本体から取り外されると、開位置から閉位置となる画像形成装置であって、
前記シャッター部材は、粉体を貯留可能な収容部を有すると共に、開位置から閉位置への移動方向先端の上面又は前記移動方向先端側の側面に前記収容部への受入開口を有することを特徴とする画像形成装置。 A recovery portion having a discharge opening that opens downward, a discharge portion that discharges the powder, and a collection opening that is detachable from the apparatus main body and that stores the powder discharged from the discharge portion and is open upward. A container, and a shutter member that is slidable between a closed position for closing the discharge port and an open position for opening the outlet,
The shutter member, when the collection container is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, while the open position from the closed position in contact with the collection container, when the collection container is remove from the apparatus main body, open position An image forming apparatus in a closed position from
The shutter member has an accommodating portion capable of storing powder, and has an opening for receiving the accommodating portion on the upper surface of the distal end in the moving direction from the open position to the closed position or the side surface on the distal end side in the moving direction. An image forming apparatus.
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| JP6372478B2 (en) * | 2015-11-26 | 2018-08-15 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Toner supply device and image forming apparatus |
| US9829854B2 (en) | 2016-03-29 | 2017-11-28 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Opening/closing mechanism, powder transport device using the same, and powder processing apparatus |
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