JP6731183B2 - Developer supply device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a developer replenishing device that replenishes a developer contained in a developing container toward a replenished portion such as a sub hopper or a developing device, and an image forming apparatus including the developer replenishing device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a combination thereof, developer replenishment for replenishing a developer contained in a developer container toward a replenished portion such as a sub hopper or a developing device A device provided with a device is widely known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Specifically, in Patent Document 1, the developer (toner) discharged from the bottle-shaped developer container (toner container) is temporarily stored in the storage section (connection section). A flexible tube (toner transfer tube) is connected between the storage section and the transfer pump installed in the sub hopper. Then, when the transfer pump is operated, the developer stored in the storage section is transferred to the sub hopper via the tube. The developer transported to and stored in the sub hopper is discharged from the discharge port of the sub hopper and appropriately supplied to the developing device when the transport screw installed in the sub hopper is rotationally driven. Then, the latent image formed on the surface of the image bearing member (photoreceptor drum) is developed by the developing device in which the developer is appropriately supplied and a proper amount of the developer is stored.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, in addition to an image forming unit for four colors (for YMCB) and a developer replenishing device for forming a normal color image, an image forming unit for special colors such as clear color and white An image forming apparatus in which a developer replenishing device is installed is disclosed.
Further, in Patent Document 1, in a developer supply device for a special color, when changing a developer container, a sub hopper, or the like for a special color of a different type, cleaning of a tube that is difficult to attach/detach is required. For the purpose, there is disclosed a technique for cleaning the inside of the tube while performing an image forming process and a developer replenishing operation (operation of a transport pump) with the developer container removed.

In the developer replenishing device of Patent Document 1, when the tube (conveyance path) is cleaned, the inside of the tube cannot be sufficiently cleaned in a short time. In particular, when the tube is connected to the storage section, the developer remaining in the storage section also has to be cleaned via the tube, which further increases the time required for cleaning.
Further, in the developer replenishing device of Patent Document 1, the developer container must be removed without fail when cleaning the tube, and the cleaning operation takes time and effort. In particular, when it is desired to clean only the tube without replacing the developer container or the storage section, the work of removing the developer container becomes an extra work.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the cleaning of the inside of the conveying path installed in the developer replenishing device can be performed sufficiently in a relatively short time without removing the developer container. An object of the present invention is to provide a developer replenishing device and an image forming apparatus that can be efficiently performed.

A developer replenishing device according to the present invention is a developer replenishing device for replenishing a developer housed in a developer container toward a replenished portion, the first replenishment path for conveying the developer, and the first replenishment path. A transfer pump detachably connected to a downstream side opening of the transfer path, an opening/closing valve installed in the transfer path of the first transfer path to open and close the transfer path, and a downstream side of the open/close valve. A second transport path connected to the first transport path so as to branch to the first transport path, and an opening/closing member that opens and closes a front end opening of the second transport path, and the developer toward the supply target portion When the replenishment mode for replenishing the second conveyance path is performed, the opening/closing valve opens the first conveyance path, and the opening/closing member closes the front end opening of the second conveyance path. When it is operated and the cleaning mode for cleaning the inside of the first transport path is executed, the opening/closing valve closes the first transport path, and the opening/closing member closes the tip opening of the second transport path. The transfer pump is operated in the opened state.

According to the present invention, a developer replenishing device capable of sufficiently and efficiently cleaning the inside of the conveyance path installed in the developer replenishing device in a relatively short time without removing the developer container, Also, an image forming apparatus can be provided.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a process cartridge. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a developer replenishing device for color colors. It is sectional drawing which shows a conveyance pump and a sub hopper. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a developer replenishing device for special colors and black. (A) A schematic view showing a state in which developer containers for color and black are attached to and detached from a developer replenishing device, and (A) a developer container for special colors together with a storage part in a developer replenishing device. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state of being attached to and detached from. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a state in which a transport pump, a sub hopper, and a developing device are respectively attached to and detached from a developer replenishing device. (A) A schematic view showing the arrangement of each member when the toner image is primarily transferred in the order of special color, color color, and black from the upstream side in the running direction to the intermediate transfer belt, and (B) the intermediate transfer belt. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each member when the toner image is primarily transferred in the order of black, color, and special color from the upstream side in the traveling direction. (A) Schematic diagram showing the first tube and the second tube in the replenishment mode, (B) Schematic diagram showing the first tube and the second tube in the cleaning mode, and (C) In the second replenishment mode. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the first tube and the second tube in FIG. 4B, and (D) a schematic view showing the first tube and the second tube in the second cleaning mode.

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description thereof will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

First, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a printer as an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the process cartridge 6Y.
As shown in FIG. 1, toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K and 32S as five substantially cylindrical developer containers of different types can be attached to and detached from the upper end side of the image forming apparatus main body 100, respectively. The installed developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, 90S (toner replenishing devices) are arranged in parallel. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, toner containers 32Y, 32M, and 32C (developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, and 90C) corresponding to three colors for color (yellow, magenta, and cyan) are on the left side. From the left, yellow, magenta, and cyan are installed in that order. A toner container 32K (developer replenishing device 90K) corresponding to black (black) is installed on the right side thereof, and a toner container 32S (developer replenishing device 90S) corresponding to the special color is installed on the rightmost side thereof. Has been done.
In particular, when the toner container 32S corresponding to a special color is replaced with a toner container 32S for another type of special color before the toner contained therein is completely consumed, depending on the user's application. However, the replacement frequency is higher than that of the other toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, so that the toner container is arranged at the rightmost position where the replacement operation is easy.
Then, in the present embodiment, the arrangement order of such toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S and the developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, 90S is not changed. It is set.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8 as well, the black developer replenishing device 90K uses the black toner (developer) housed in the black toner container 32K (developer container) to develop the black toner into the black toner. It is for replenishing the device 5Y.
Further, referring also to FIGS. 3 and 8, the three color developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M and 90C are respectively housed in color toner containers 32Y, 32M and 32C (developer containers). This is for replenishing color (yellow, magenta, cyan) toner (developer) to the color developing devices 5Y, 5M, and 5C, respectively.
With reference to FIGS. 5 and 8 as well, the developer supply device 90S for the special color is configured such that the special color toner (developer) stored in the special color toner container 32S (developer container) It is for replenishing the color developing device 5S.

As the black toner, the color toner (yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner) and the special toner, known ones can be used.
In particular, the special toner is different from the black toner and the color toner, and is a known clear toner (a transparent toner, a colorless toner, an achromatic toner, a no pigment toner, etc.) or a white toner according to the user's application. Can be used.

Referring to FIG. 1, five exposure units 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K, and 7S are installed on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black, special The process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, 6S (developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, 5S) corresponding to the colors are arranged side by side so as to face the intermediate transfer belt unit 15 (intermediate transfer belt 8). ing.
As shown in FIG. 1, the basic arrangement order of the five process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, 6S (developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, 5S) is the upstream side in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8. From the special color process cartridge 6S (developing device 5S), the yellow process cartridge 6Y (developing device 5Y), the magenta process cartridge 6M (developing device 5M), and the cyan process cartridge 6C (developing device 5C). , Black process cartridge 6K (developing device 5K). The order of arrangement is configured so that it can be appropriately changed according to the user's application.
Particularly, in the present embodiment, referring also to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the black process cartridge 6K (developing device 5K) and the special color process cartridge 6S (developing device 5S). The installation positions of and are interchangeable.

The toner of the special color is not limited to one kind, and the toner container 32S for the special color of a different type is often replaced as appropriate according to the application of the user. For example, there is a case where the toner container 32S for clear toner is replaced with the toner container 32S for white toner.
In such a case, the order of the special color process cartridges 6S (developing devices 5S) is changed from the most upstream side in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8 to the most downstream side in the running direction according to the type of the special color toner. It may be better to change to. For example, when clear toner is used as the special color toner, it is often used for the purpose of improving the glossiness of the image, and it is said that it is desirable that the primary transfer is first performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8. 1. As shown in FIG. 8A, the process cartridge 6S (developing device 5S) for the special color is arranged at the most upstream side in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8. On the other hand, when the white toner is used as the special color toner, it is often used for the purpose of forming an image on the color recording medium P which is not white, and the secondary layer is formed in the lowermost layer on the recording medium P. It is assumed that the transfer is desirable, and as shown in FIG. 8B, the special color process cartridge 6S (developing device 5S) is arranged at the most downstream side in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8. Then, as the installation position of the process cartridge 6S (developing device 5S) for the special color is changed, the installation position of the process cartridge 6K (developing device 5K) for black is changed. .. Further, the replacement work is manually performed by the user (or service person) based on the operation manual displayed on the display panel installed on the exterior part of the image forming apparatus 100.
In the image forming apparatus 100 (developer replenishing device) according to the present embodiment, such a change in the installation position of the process cartridges 6S and 6K (developing devices 5S and 5K) may cause problems such as toner color mixing. It is characteristically configured so that it can be performed smoothly, but this will be described in detail later.

Referring to FIG. 2, the process cartridge 6Y corresponding to yellow includes a photoconductor drum 1Y (image carrier), a charging unit 4Y disposed around the photoconductor drum 1Y, a developing device 5Y, and a cleaning device 2Y. It is an integrated unit (detachable unit). Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process) is performed on the photoconductor drum 1Y, and a yellow image is formed on the photoconductor drum 1Y.

The other four process cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S have substantially the same configuration as the process cartridge 6Y corresponding to yellow except that the color (type) of the toner used is different. An image corresponding to the toner color is formed. Hereinafter, the description of the other four process cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S will be appropriately omitted, and only the process cartridge 6Y corresponding to yellow will be described.

Referring to FIG. 2, photoconductor drum 1Y is rotationally driven counterclockwise by a drive motor. Then, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y is uniformly charged at the position of the charging portion 4Y (a charging step).
After that, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L emitted from the exposure unit 7Y (writing device), and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed by exposure scanning at this position. (This is an exposure process.).

After that, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the developing device 5Y (developing section), the electrostatic latent image is developed at this position, and a yellow toner image is formed (developing step). ..).
After that, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the primary transfer roller 9Y, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 at this position ( This is the primary transfer step.). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

After that, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the cleaning device 2Y, and the untransferred toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 1Y at this position is collected in the cleaning device 2Y by the cleaning blade 2a (cleaning). It is a process.).
Finally, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the charge eliminating portion, and the residual potential on the photoconductor drum 1 is removed at this position.
In this way, a series of image forming processes performed on the photoconductor drum 1Y is completed.

The above-described image forming process is performed in the other process cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S in the same manner as in the yellow process cartridge 6Y. That is, the laser light L based on the image information is directed onto the photosensitive drums of the process cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S from the exposure units 7M, 7C, 7K, and 7S arranged above the process cartridges. Is irradiated. Specifically, the exposure unit emits a laser beam L from a light source, and irradiates the laser beam L onto the photoconductor drum via a plurality of optical elements while scanning the laser beam L with a rotationally driven polygon mirror.
After that, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the respective photosensitive drums through the developing process are superposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 and primarily transferred. In this way, a desired color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

The intermediate transfer belt unit 15 (intermediate transfer belt device) includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, five primary transfer rollers (9Y), a drive roller, a secondary transfer counter roller, a plurality of tension rollers, a cleaning counter roller, and an intermediate transfer belt. It is composed of a cleaning device and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by a plurality of roller members, and is endlessly moved in the arrow direction (clockwise direction) of FIG. 1 by rotationally driving one roller member (driving roller).

Each of the five primary transfer rollers (9Y) sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the photosensitive drum (1Y) to form a primary transfer nip. Then, a transfer voltage (primary transfer bias) opposite to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer roller (9Y).
Then, the intermediate transfer belt 8 travels in the direction of the arrow and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nip of the primary transfer roller (9Y). In this way, the toner images of the respective colors on the photosensitive drum (1Y) are primarily transferred in an overlapping manner on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

After that, the intermediate transfer belt 8 onto which the toner images of the respective colors have been superposed and transferred reaches a position facing the secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, the secondary transfer counter roller sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the secondary transfer roller 19 to form a secondary transfer nip. Then, the four color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred onto a recording medium P such as a sheet conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip. At this time, the untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

After that, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer cleaning device. Then, at this position, the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is removed.
In this way, a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

Here, referring to FIG. 1, the recording medium P conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip is fed from a paper feeding unit 26 (paper feeding cassette) arranged below the apparatus main body 100 to a paper feeding roller 27. The sheet is conveyed via a conveying path K1 in which the registration roller pair 28 and the like are arranged.
Specifically, the paper feeding unit 26 stores a plurality of recording media P in a stacked manner. Then, when the paper feed roller 27 is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1, the uppermost recording medium P is fed toward between the registration roller pair 28.

The recording medium P conveyed to the registration roller pair 28 (timing roller pair) is temporarily stopped at the position of the roller nip of the registration roller pair 28 whose rotation has been stopped. Then, the registration roller pair 28 is rotationally driven in synchronization with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the recording medium P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, the desired color image is transferred onto the recording medium P.

After that, the recording medium P on which the color image is transferred at the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed to the position of the fixing unit 20. Then, at this position, the color image transferred to the surface is fixed on the recording medium P by heat and pressure by the fixing belt and the pressure roller (a fixing step).
After that, the recording medium P is ejected out of the apparatus by the pair of paper ejection rollers via the ejection path K2. The recording media P ejected to the outside of the apparatus by the paper ejection roller pair are sequentially stacked on the stack unit as an output image.
In this way, a series of image forming processes in the image forming apparatus is completed.

Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device in the process cartridge will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
The developing device 5Y detects the developing roller 51 facing the photoconductor drum 1Y, the doctor blade 52 facing the developing roller 51, the two conveying screws 55 arranged in the developer accommodating portion, and the toner concentration in the developer. And a unit-side opening 57 for replenishing the developer accommodating portion with toner (developer). The developing roller 51 is composed of a magnet fixed inside, a sleeve that rotates around the magnet, and the like. A two-component developer G made up of a carrier and toner is contained in the developer container.

The developing device 5Y thus configured operates as follows.
The sleeve of the developing roller 51 is rotating in the arrow direction of FIG. The developer G carried on the developing roller 51 by the magnetic field formed by the magnet moves on the developing roller 51 as the sleeve rotates.

Here, the developer G in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that the ratio of the toner in the developer (toner concentration) is within a predetermined range. Specifically, the toner (powder) contained in the toner container 32Y (developer container) is transferred to the inside of the developing device 5Y (developer container) by the developer replenishing device 90Y according to the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y. Will be replenished to. The configurations and operations of the toner container 32Y and the developer supply device 90Y will be described in detail later.

After that, the toner replenished into the developing device 5Y (developer container) is circulated through the two developer containers which are partitioned by the partition member while being mixed and stirred with the developer G by the two transport screws 55. (This is the movement in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2). Then, the toner in the two-component developer G is attracted to the carrier by frictional charging with the carrier and is carried on the developing roller 51 together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51.

The developer G carried on the developing roller 51 is conveyed along the rotation direction of the sleeve and reaches the position of the doctor blade 52. Then, the developer G on the developing roller 51 is conveyed to a position (which is a developing area) facing the photoconductor drum 1Y after the amount of the developer is optimized at this position. Then, the toner is adsorbed to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y by the electric field formed in the developing area. After that, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51 reaches above the developer accommodating portion as the sleeve rotates, and is separated from the developing roller 51 at this position and returned to the developer accommodating portion.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the configuration and operation of the yellow developer supply device 90Y will be briefly described.
The magenta developer replenishing device 90M and the cyan developer replenishing device 90C have substantially the same configuration as the yellow developer replenishing device 90Y except that the color (type) of the toner used is different. Therefore, the description of the developer replenishing devices 90M and 90C will be omitted as appropriate, and only the yellow developer replenishing device 90Y will be described.

The developer replenishing device 90Y rotationally drives a toner container 32Y, which is a developer container installed in the installation unit 31, in a predetermined direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3) to rotate the toner contained in the toner container 32Y. Is discharged to the outside of the container and guided to the developing device 5Y, and forms a toner replenishing path (toner conveying path).
Note that FIG. 3 (and FIG. 5 described later) are illustrated by changing the arrangement direction of the toner container 32Y, the developer replenishing device 90Y, the developing device 5Y, etc., for easy understanding. Actually, in FIG. 3, the toner container 32Y and a part of the developer replenishing device 90Y are arranged so that the longitudinal direction thereof is perpendicular to the paper surface (see FIG. 1). Further, the orientation and arrangement of the tube 95 (conveyance path) are also shown in a simplified manner.

The toner in the toner container 32Y installed in the installation unit 31 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is appropriately replenished in the developing device 5Y by the developer replenishing device 90Y according to the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y.
Specifically, when the toner container 32Y is set in the installation portion 31 of the apparatus main body 100, the bottle gear 37 of the toner container 32Y meshes with the drive gear 110 of the apparatus main body 100 and the cap opening/closing chuck 92 of the cap receiving portion 91. Thus, the cap 34 (which is a member for closing the toner discharge port C) is removed from the toner container 32Y. As a result, the toner discharge port C (opening portion) of the toner container 32Y is opened, and the toner contained in the toner container 32Y can be discharged.

On the other hand, in the developer replenishing device 90Y, a storage section 81Y is provided below the opened toner discharge port C via a drop path section 82. A suction port 83 is provided at the bottom of the storage section 81Y, and the suction port 83 is connected to one end of the tube 95 (conveyance path) via a nozzle. The tube 95 serving as a transport path is made of a flexible rubber material having low toner affinity, and the other end thereof is connected to the transport pump 60Y (diaphragm pump). The transport pump 60Y is connected to the developing device 5Y via the sub hopper 70Y and the transport tube 98.
In the developer replenishing device 90Y configured as described above, when the drive gear 115 is driven by the drive motor 115, the container body 33 of the toner container 32Y is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction, and the toner discharge port C of the toner container 32Y is discharged. Toner is discharged. The toner discharged from the toner container 32Y falls through the drop path portion 82 and is stored in the storage portion 81. The toner stored in the storage unit 81 is sucked from the suction port 83 by the operation of the transport pump 60Y, and is transported from the transport pump 60Y to the sub hopper 70Y via the tube 95. Then, the toner conveyed to the sub hopper 70Y is replenished into the developing device 5Y via the conveying pipe 98 extending in the vertical direction. That is, the toner in the toner container 32Y is conveyed in the direction of the broken line arrow in FIG. In the present embodiment, unlike the tube 95, the transfer pipe 98 (transfer pipe) that relays the sub hopper 70Y and the developing device 5Y is made of a hard resin material or metal material that is difficult to deform.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the transport pump 60Y and the sub hopper 70Y in the developer replenishing device 90Y will be described in detail.
With reference to FIG. 4, the transfer pump 60Y in the present embodiment is a diaphragm pump (volumetric pump), and includes a diaphragm 61 (rubber member), a case 62, a motor 67, a rotary plate 68, a check valve 63, 64, seal members 65 and 66 (elastic members), and the like. The transport pump 60Y configured as described above is relatively small in size and low in cost.

Here, the case 62 and the diaphragm 61 form a pump body.
The case 62 is made of a rigid resin material or metal material and functions as a main part (housing) of the pump body. The case 62 (pump body) is formed with an inflow port A for inflowing the developer together with air toward the inside and an outflow port B for outflowing the developer together with air from the inside.
The diaphragm 61 is formed of a rubber material having low toner affinity and elasticity, and the inside of the bowl-shaped portion functions as the volume varying portion W, and the arm portion 61a is erected on the outer peripheral portion thereof. (The eccentric shaft 68a of the rotary plate 68 is fitted in the hole). The diaphragm 61 is joined to the case 62 so that no gap is generated, and the volume varying portion W of the diaphragm 61 and the inside of the case 62 are formed as one closed space inside the pump body. Then, the pump bodies 61 and 62 are configured to alternately increase and decrease the internal volume and alternately generate positive pressure and negative pressure by the expansion and contraction operation of the diaphragm 61 accompanying the rotation of the rotary plate 68 (eccentric shaft 68a) described later. Become.

The rotary plate 68 is installed on the motor shaft of the motor 67, and is provided with an eccentric shaft 68a on its surface so as to stand at a position eccentric from the motor shaft (center of rotation). The eccentric shaft 68a of the rotary plate 68 is inserted (fitted) into a hole formed in the tip of the arm 61a of the diaphragm 61.
With such a configuration, when the motor 67 is driven under the control of the control unit 120, the rotary plate 68 (eccentric shaft 68a) rotates, and accordingly, the diaphragm 61 periodically changes the volume of the volume variable unit W. It will expand and contract to increase and decrease. As the diaphragm 61 expands and contracts, positive pressure and negative pressure are alternately generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62.

Here, an inflow-side check valve 63 is installed at the inflow port A of the pump body (case 62). The inflow check valve 63 opens the inlet A when a negative pressure is generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62, and opens the inlet A when a positive pressure is generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62. Is to be closed. The inflow check valve 63 is arranged so as to face the inflow port A from the inside (inside) of the pump bodies 61 and 62. The reservoir 81 is connected to the inlet A side of the transport pump 60Y via a tube 95.
On the other hand, an outflow side check valve 64 is installed at the outflow port B of the pump body (case 62). The outflow check valve 64 closes the outlet B when a negative pressure is generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62, and the outlet B when a positive pressure is generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62. To open up. The outflow side check valve 64 is arranged so as to face the outflow port B from the outside of the pump bodies 61 and 62. A sub hopper 70Y is connected to the outlet B side of the transfer pump 60Y.
With such a configuration and operation, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, the transport pump 60Y is operated, so that the toner stored in the storage portion 81 is sucked from the suction port 83 to transport the tube 95. After that, the toner is conveyed into the sub hopper 70Y. Specifically, when the hopper remaining amount sensor 76 of the sub hopper 70Y detects that the amount of toner in the sub hopper 70 is insufficient, the conveyance pump 60Y (motor 67) is driven to replenish the toner from the storage section 81 to the sub hopper 70Y.
The conveyance pump 60Y (motor 67) has a relatively short cycle like the known one when the hopper remaining amount sensor 76 detects the toner amount in the sub hopper 70 has not reached a predetermined amount and is insufficient. It is driven intermittently by. As a result, the toner conveyance amount by the conveyance screws 71 and 72 in the sub hopper 70Y does not catch up with the toner amount supplied from the conveyance pump 60Y, and the problem that the toner stays in a part of the sub hopper 70Y is prevented.

With reference to FIG. 4, the sub-hopper 70Y serving as a supply target portion is provided with two transport screws 71, 72, a hopper remaining amount sensor 76, a supply motor 121 (see FIG. 3), and the like. Further, a supply port communicating with the outlet B of the transport pump 60Y is formed above the upstream side of the first transport route of the sub hopper 70Y (the transport route on which the first transport screw 71 is installed). .. A discharge port 74 is formed below the second transfer path of the sub hopper 70Y (which is the transfer path where the second transfer screw 72 is installed), and the discharge port 74 is formed in the transfer pipe 98 (transfer pipe). ) To the developing device 5Y. Further, an exhaust port 75 for discharging the air sent together with the toner from the transport pump 60Y is provided above the second transport path of the sub hopper 70Y.
As described above, the hopper remaining amount sensor 76 functions as a detection unit that detects a shortage state in which the toner (developer) contained in the sub hopper 70Y (supplying portion) has not reached a predetermined amount.

Here, in the sub hopper 70Y, the downstream side of the first transport path and the upstream side of the second transport path communicate with each other at one end side in the longitudinal direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIGS. 3 and 4). The first transport path and the second transport path are separated by a wall except for the communicating portion.
Then, the toner replenished in the sub hopper 70Y is conveyed in order of the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path in the sub hopper 70Y by the conveyance screws 71 and 72 which are rotationally driven by the replenishment motor 121, and thereafter, the sub hopper 70Y. Is replenished into the developing device 5Y via the transfer pipe 98. More specifically, when the density detection sensor 56 of the developing device 5Y detects a shortage of toner density in the developer accommodating portion (which is the circulation path of the transport screw 55), the control of the control unit 120 controls the transport screws 71 and 72 of the sub hopper 70Y. Is rotationally driven to replenish toner from the sub hopper 70Y to the developing device 5Y.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the flexible tube 95 forms the toner transport path from the storage portion 81Y to the transport pump 60Y. Therefore, even when various members are installed in the space between the storage section 81Y and the transfer pump 60Y, the tube 95 should be inserted to form the toner transfer path so as to avoid these members. You can Therefore, the installation portion 31 of the toner container 32Y can be relatively freely laid out at a position away from the developing device 5Y.

Next, the toner container 32Y and the accompanying developer replenishing device 90 will be described with reference to FIG.
As described above, the toner container 32Y is mainly composed of the container body 33 and the cap 34 (plug member) detachably provided at the toner discharge port C thereof.
At the head of the container body 33, a bottle gear 37 that rotates integrally with the container body 33 and a toner discharge port C are provided. The bottle gear 37 meshes with the drive gear 110 of the apparatus body 100 to rotate the container body 33 in a predetermined direction. Further, the toner discharge port C is for discharging the toner (powder) as the developer contained in the container body 33 toward the drop path portion 82.
The container body 33 is provided with a spiral protrusion 33a extending from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface. The spiral protrusion 33a is for rotating the container body 33 to discharge the toner from the toner discharge port C.
The container body 33 configured as described above can be manufactured by blow molding together with the bottle gear 37.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 3, the cap receiving portion 91 of the developer supply device 90Y is provided so as to cover the head of the toner container 32Y installed in the installation part 31 (developer supply device 90Y). There is.
The cap receiving portion 91 is provided with a cap opening/closing chuck 92 for opening/closing the cap 34 in conjunction with the attachment/detachment operation of the toner container 32Y, and an opening/closing driving portion for driving the cap opening/closing chuck 92. Etc., and is provided as a part of the storage section 81Y. Then, when the toner container 32Y placed on the installation portion 31 is slid toward the cap receiving portion 91 and the cap 34 reaches the position of the cap opening/closing chuck 92, the toner container 32Y is further slid and pushed. In conjunction with the operation, the opening/closing drive unit operates so as to separate the cap 34 from the toner discharge port C with the cap opening/closing chuck 92 sandwiching the cap 34. As a result, the toner outlet C of the toner container 32Y is opened and toner can be discharged from the toner outlet C. In addition, the lock mechanism operates in conjunction with the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y, and the head side of the toner container 32Y is locked so as not to be removed from the installation unit 31. At this time, the toner container 32Y is rotatably fixed on the toner discharge port C (head) side of the developer replenishing device 90Y (installation unit 31), and the container body 33 rotates on the installation unit 31. It will be held as possible.
Further, when the toner container 32Y is detached from the installation portion 31 (toner container cradle), the operation opposite to the above-described mounting operation is performed.
That is, the toner container 32Y is moved as shown by the white arrow direction in FIG. 6A and is attached to and detached from the developer supply device 90Y.

The storage portion 81Y of the developer replenishing device 90Y is formed in a substantially bowl shape so as to store the toner that has fallen through the drop path portion 82, and a toner detection sensor 86 and a stirring member are installed therein. .. The transport pump 60Y is connected to the suction port 83 of the storage portion 81Y via the tube 95, sucks the toner stored in the storage portion 81Y, and transports the toner in the tube 95.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the toner discharged from the toner container 32Y is not directly sucked by the transport pump 60Y, but the toner discharged from the toner container 32Y and stored in the storage portion 81Y is stored to some extent. Of these, since the necessary amount is sucked by the transport pump 60Y, it is possible to reliably reduce the problem that the amount of toner sucked by the transport pump 60Y becomes insufficient.

The toner detection sensor 86 is for indirectly detecting a state in which the toner contained in the toner container 32Y is empty (toner end state) or a state close thereto (toner near end state). , Is installed at a position close to the suction port 83. Then, based on the detection result of the toner detection sensor 86, the toner is discharged from the toner container 32Y.
Specifically, as the toner detection sensor 86, a piezoelectric sensor, a transmitted light sensor or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, a piezoelectric sensor is used as the toner detection sensor 86. The height of the detection surface of the toner detection sensor 86 is set so that the amount of toner accumulated above the suction port 83 (deposition height) has a target value.
Then, based on the detection result of the toner detection sensor 86, the drive timing and the drive time of the drive motor 115 that rotationally drives the toner container 32Y (container body 33) are controlled by the control of the control unit 120. Specifically, when the toner detection sensor 86 determines that there is no toner at that position, the drive motor 115 is driven for a predetermined time, and the toner detection sensor 86 determines that there is toner at that position. In that case, the drive of the drive motor 115 is stopped.

The configuration and operation of the special color developer replenishing device 90S (and the black color developer replenishing device 90K) that are characteristic of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.
The developer replenishing device 90S for special colors (and the developer replenishing device 90K for black) is different in the color (type) of the toner used, and the tube serves as a conveyance path with two branches. Except for the point that the tubes 95S and 96S (95K and 96K) are used and that the tube has an opening/closing valve 97, the yellow developer replenishing device 90Y (which is described with reference to FIG. 3). Further, since it has substantially the same configuration as the magenta developer replenishing device 90M and the cyan developer replenishing device 90C, the description of the configuration and operation common to both will be appropriately omitted.
Further, the black developer replenishing device 90K has substantially the same configuration as the special color developer replenishing device 90S except that the color (type) of the toner used is different. It will be omitted and only the developer supplying device 90S for the special color will be described.

The developer replenishing device 90S for special colors (or the developer replenishing device 90K for black) has a toner container 32S (32K) as a developer container, like the developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M and 90C for color. The toner (developer) accommodated in the sub hopper 70S (70K) as the replenished portion is replenished.

As shown in FIG. 5 (and FIG. 9), the developer replenishing device 90S (90K) has a storage unit 81S in which the installation unit 31 in which the toner container 32S is installed, a cap receiving unit 91, and the like, and a transport pump 60S. , Sub hopper 70S, first tube 95S as first transport path, second tube 96S as second transport path, open/close valve 97 (pinch valve), second tube open/close member 141 as open/close member, and second tube as filter. The two-tube filter 142, the first tube opening/closing member 143 as the first transport path opening/closing member, the first tube filter 144 as the first transport path filter, and the like.

Here, in the present embodiment, in the developer replenishing device 90S for the special color, as shown in FIG. 6B, the toner container 32S and the storage section 81S are integrally formed with respect to the developer replenishing device 90S. It is configured to be removable. Specifically, the suction port 83 of the unit in which the toner container 32S and the storage section 81S are integrated is detachably installed to the upstream opening (nozzle section) of the first tube 95S. In this way, by configuring the toner container 32S and the storage section 81S as a unit, the special color toner after replacement should be stored even if the toner container 32S for a different type of special color is replaced. It is possible to reduce the problem that the special color toner before replacement is mixed in the storage portion 81S.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the black developer replenishing device 90K, the toner container 32K has the storage portion 81K (developing part) similarly to the color developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M and 90C. It is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the agent supply device 90K).
In each of the developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, 90S, the tube 95 (or the first tube 95S, 96S, the second tube 96S, 96K) has various types as described above. Since the members are placed in a dense space and the replacement work is difficult, the members are fixed so that the user does not have to remove them from the image forming apparatus main body 100 in principle.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the developer replenishing device 90S for the special color, as shown in FIG. 7, the transport pump 60S is integrated with the developer replenishing device 90S together with the sub hopper 70S ( supplemented portion ). It is configured to be removable. Further, the developing device 5S (in which the transfer tube 98 is connected to the process cartridge 6S) is detachably attached to the unit in which the transfer pump 60S and the sub hopper 70S are integrated. Then, when the toner container 32S (and the storage portion 81S) for different types of special colors is replaced, the transport pump 60S and the sub hopper 70S for different types of special colors are correspondingly different. The developing device 5S for the special color and the developing device 5S are attached and detached as shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to reduce the problem that the special color toner before replacement is mixed in the developing device 5S and the sub hopper 70S in which the special color toner after replacement is to be stored.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a unit in which the transport pump 60S and the sub hopper 70S are integrated is provided with a shutter 79 that opens and closes the discharge port 74 in association with the attachment/detachment operation of the developing device 5S. Has been. As a result, even if the developing device 5S is removed from the unit in which the transport pump 60S and the sub hopper 70S are integrated, it is possible to prevent toner from leaking from the discharge port 74 of the sub hopper 70S. it can.
In the present embodiment, the black developer replenishing device 90K is also a unit in which the transport pump 60K and the sub hopper 70K are integrated as shown in FIG. 7, similarly to the special color developer replenishing device 90S. And the developing device 5K are separately attached and detached.

Referring to FIG. 5 and the like, the first tube 95S as the first transport path transports toner (developer) in a state of being connected to the transport pump 60S, and is a developer replenishing device for yellow. Functions the same as the tube 95 in 90Y. The transport pump 60S is detachably connected to the downstream opening 95a (one end side) of the first tube 95S. Further, a storage portion 81S for storing the toner discharged from the toner container 32S is detachably connected to the upstream opening (the other end side) of the first tube 95S. The first tube 95S is made of a flexible rubber material having low toner affinity, like the tube 95 in the yellow developer supplying device 90Y.

The opening/closing valve 97 is installed in the conveyance path of the first tube 95S and opens/closes the conveyance path.
Specifically, when the opening/closing valve 97 is in the OFF state, the first tube 95S (first transport path) is opened, and toner and air can flow between the upstream side and the downstream side thereof. On the other hand, when the opening/closing valve 97 is in the ON state, the first tube 95S (first transport path) is closed and the flow of toner and air between the upstream side and the downstream side thereof is blocked. It will be.
In particular, in the present embodiment, the pinch valve is used as the opening/closing valve 97, and it is difficult to cause the problem that the toner enters the inside of the opening/closing valve 97 to deteriorate the valve function.
Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 120 can control whether the on-off valve 97 is in the on state or the off state and can detect the state. Specifically, the user (or a service person) operates the operation panel installed on the exterior part of the apparatus main body 100 to change the opening/closing valve 97 from the off state to the on state, or from the on state to the off state. It will be variable.

The second tube 96S as the second transport path is connected to the first tube 95S at a position downstream of the opening/closing valve 97 so as to branch to the first tube 95S. Specifically, one tube (the first tube 95S) is formed from the storage portion 81S to the branch portion, and is formed so as to branch into the two tubes 95S and 96S from the branch portion. In particular, in the present embodiment, the branching portion at which the two tubes 95S and 96S branch off is formed near the opening/closing valve 97. Like the first tube 95S, the second tube 96S is formed of a flexible rubber material having low toner affinity.

The second tube opening/closing member 141 as an opening/closing member opens/closes the tip opening 96a of the second tube 96S (see also FIG. 9). In the present embodiment, the second tube opening/closing member 141 is configured so that the tip opening 96a can be opened/closed manually.
The second tube filter 142 as a filter is installed so as to cover the tip opening 96a of the second tube 96S (see also FIG. 9). In addition to the second tube opening/closing member 141, the second tube filter 142 is installed so that the tip opening 96a of the second tube 96S can be manually opened/closed. The second tube filter 142 is configured to collect toner (developer) and allow air to pass therethrough, and a known toner filter can be used.

On the other hand, the first tube opening/closing member 143 as the first transport path opening/closing member opens/closes the downstream opening 95a of the first tube 95S (see FIG. 9). In the present embodiment, the first tube opening/closing member 143 is configured to be able to manually open/close the downstream opening 95a.
The first tube filter 144 as the first transport path filter is installed so as to cover the downstream opening 95a of the first tube 95S (see FIG. 9). Further, the first tube filter 144 is installed separately from the first tube opening/closing member 143 so that the downstream opening 95a of the first tube 95S can be manually opened/closed. The first tube filter 144 is configured to collect toner (developer) and allow air to pass therethrough, and a known toner filter can be used.

Here, in the present embodiment, in the developer replenishing device 90S for the special color configured as described above, the "replenishment mode" in which the toner (developer) is replenished toward the sub hopper 70S (supplemented portion) is executed. At this time, the opening/closing valve 97 opens the first tube 95S (first conveying path), and as shown in FIG. 9A, the second tube opening/closing member 141 (opening/closing member) opens the second tube 96S. The transport pump 60S (motor 67) is operated with the front end opening 96a thereof closed. Such an operation in the replenishment mode is similarly performed in the black developer replenishing device 90K.

When such a "replenishment mode" is executed, the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K and 5S and the sub hoppers 70Y, 70M, 70C, 70K and 70S as shown in FIGS. And the transport pumps 60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K, and 60S are arranged in the order in which the image forming process described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 is performed, and as described above. For example, when clear toner is used as the special color toner. That is, such a "replenishment mode" is carried out as a control in a normal image forming process, in conjunction with a user's operation of issuing a normal print command.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 9A, since the tip opening 96a of the second tube 96S is closed by the second tube opening/closing member 141 (opening/closing member), the toner conveyance in the first tube 95S is hindered. Never becomes. Further, since the downstream opening 95a of the first tube 95S is connected to the transport pump 60S in an open state so as not to interfere with the first tube opening/closing member 143 and the first tube filter 144, the first tube 95S is connected to the first tube 95S. It does not hinder the toner transportation in 95S.

Then, in the present embodiment, when the “cleaning mode” for cleaning the inside of the first tube 95S is executed, the opening/closing valve 97 closes the first tube 95S (first transport path), and FIG. As shown in B), the transport pump 60S is operated with the second tube opening/closing member 141 (opening/closing member) opening the front end opening 96a of the second tube 96S. At this time, the second tube filter 142 is in a state of covering (closing state) the tip opening 96a of the second tube 96S. The downstream opening 95a of the first tube 95S is in a state of being connected to the transport pump 60S.

As described above, since the tip opening 96a of the second tube 96S is covered with the second tube filter 142 and the opening/closing valve 97 is closed, the toner is discharged from the tip opening 96a of the second tube 96S. While only the air is sucked in without leaking, the toner remaining in the transport path from the second tube 96S to the downstream opening 95a of the first tube 95S via the branch portion (open/close valve 97) is removed by the transport pump 60S. It will be aspirated and cleaned. Therefore, after the cleaning mode, the toner does not leak from the first tube 95S even if the transport pump 60S is detached from the first tube 95S.
In the present embodiment, the second tube filter 142 that can be opened and closed is installed, and the tip opening 96a of the second tube 96S is configured to be covered with the second tube filter 142 in the cleaning mode. In the mode, the air is sucked from the tip opening 96a of the second tube 96S, and the toner is not likely to leak positively. Therefore, when such toner leak can be ignored, the second tube filter 142 is used. Installation can be omitted. This also applies to the first tube filter 144 in the second cleaning mode described later.

Further, when the "cleaning mode" is performed in this way, the conveyance path from the upstream opening of the first tube 95S to the opening/closing valve 97 is not cleaned, but the opening/closing valve 97 (and the branch portion) is Since the first tube 95S is installed in the most upstream part of the transport path or in the vicinity thereof, the toner remaining therein is very small, and the above-mentioned problems such as toner color mixing do not occur.

Such a "cleaning mode" is performed when the toner container 32S (and the storage portion 81S) for different special colors of different types is exchanged as described above, and the trouble of the first tube 95S is simply caused. It is also executed when (a trouble such as the clogging of the toner to lower the transportability in the tube 95S) occurs.
In the former case, before or after the toner container 32S (and the storage section 81S) is replaced, or before the transfer pump 60S, the sub hopper 70S, or the developing device 5S is replaced. It can be done. In such a case, in any case, the inside of the first tube 95S can be cleaned sufficiently and efficiently in a relatively short time without absorbing the toner remaining in the toner container 32S and the storage portion 81S. Will be done.
Further, in the latter case, the operation can be performed without removing the toner container 32S (and the storage portion 81S), and the first tube 95S can be performed without absorbing the toner remaining in the toner container 32S and the storage portion 81S. Cleaning of the inside of the tank will be sufficiently and efficiently performed in a relatively short time.

Such a “cleaning mode” is performed under the control of the control unit 120 when a user (or a service person) operates an operation panel installed on the exterior of the image forming apparatus main body 100.
At this time, even if execution of the “cleaning mode” is selected by operating the operation panel, the closing of the opening/closing valve 97 is not detected by the control unit 120, or a sensor that detects the open/closed state of the opening/closing members 141 and 143 (for example, If the state shown in FIG. 9B is not detected by the push type sensor) or a sensor (for example, a push type sensor) that detects the open/closed state of the filters 142 and 144, cleaning is normally performed. As the mode is not executed, the "cleaning mode" is not executed.
Such control is similarly performed in the "second cleaning mode" described later.

Here, in the present embodiment, the second tube 96S has a tip opening 96a which is different from the sub hopper 70S (supplemented portion) for the special color shown in FIGS. 1 and 8A. It is configured to be connectable to another transport pump (a transport pump different from the special color transport pump 60Y shown in FIGS. 1 and 8A) for replenishing the toner to the replenishing section). There is. Specifically, the second tube 96S is configured to be connectable to the black transport pump 60K shown in FIG. 8(A). However, in reality, the second tube 96S is not connected to the black transport pump 60K, and as shown in FIG. 8B, the position of the black transport pump 60K shown in FIG. The second tube 96S is connected to the special-color transfer pump 60S that is installed by being replaced with.
With this configuration, the arrangement order of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S and the developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, 90S can be changed to the one shown in FIG. 8B. As shown, the image forming process is performed in the order of the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, 5S, the sub hoppers 70Y, 70M, 70C, 70K, 70S, and the transport pumps 60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K, 60S. It becomes possible to do it. A case where the image forming process is performed in such an arrangement order is, for example, a case where a white toner is used as the special color toner, as described above.

Specifically, after the above-described “cleaning mode” is executed, the connection between the first tube 95S and the transfer pump 60S is released, and the first tube opening/closing member 143 causes the first tube opening/closing member 143 to open the first tube 95S, as shown in FIG. 9C. With the downstream side opening 95a of the first tube 95S closed, the second tube opening/closing member 141 opens the tip opening 96a of the second tube 96S, and the second tube filter 142 opens the tip opening 96a. The tip opening 96a is connected to another transport pump (the transport pump 60S for the special color installed at the position of FIG. 8B), and then the opening/closing valve 97 is used to open the first tube 95S (first transport). The "second replenishment mode" in which toner is replenished toward the special color sub hopper 70S (another replenished portion ) installed at the position of FIG. 8B is executed in the state where the road) is open.

In such a "second supply mode", after the "cleaning mode" described above is executed, the special color toner container 32S (and the storage section 81S) is replaced with a desired type, Similarly, the special color transport pump 60S, the sub hopper 70S, and the developing device 5S are also exchanged with desired types, and after the "initial replenishment mode" described below is executed, In the state of FIG. 8B, the control in the normal image forming process is performed in conjunction with the user's operation of issuing a normal print command.

Even if the "cleaning mode" is executed to replace the toner container 32S for the special color (and the storage portion 81S) of different types, the toner container 32S for the special color (and the storage portion 81S) is desired. If it is not confirmed that the special-purpose transport pump 60S, the sub hopper 70S, and the developing device 5S have been similarly changed to the desired type, the "second replenishment mode" or The "initial supply mode" described later is not performed, and the display panel of the image forming apparatus 100 is informed of that fact.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6(B), an electronic substrate 36 in which information regarding the type of toner is stored is installed in the unit in which the toner container 32S and the storage section 81S are integrated. Further, when the unit in which the toner container 32S and the storage section 81S are integrated is normally set in the image forming apparatus main body 100, the antenna that reads the information stored in the electronic substrate 36 and sends it to the control section 120. A substrate 131 is installed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the black and color toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are provided with an electronic substrate 35 in which information regarding the type of toner is stored. Further, when the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K are normally set in the cap receiving portion 91 (image forming apparatus main body 100), the information stored in the electronic substrate 35 is read and sent to the control portion 120. The antenna substrate 130 is installed.
With these configurations, it is possible to detect the state where the special color toner container 32S (and the storage portion 81S) is normally replaced with a desired type.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, an electronic substrate 133 in which information regarding the type of toner is stored is installed in the unit in which the transport pump 60S and the sub hopper 70S are integrated. Further, in the image forming apparatus main body 100, an antenna substrate that reads information stored in the electronic substrate 133 and sends it to the control unit 120 when a unit in which the transport pump 60S and the sub hopper 70S are integrated is normally set. 132 is installed.
Further, the developing device 5S is provided with an electronic substrate 135 in which information regarding the type of toner is stored. Further, the image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided with an antenna substrate 134 that reads the information stored in the electronic substrate 135 and sends the information to the control unit 120 when the developing device 5S is normally set.
With these configurations, it is possible to detect the state in which the special color transport pump 60S, the sub hopper 70S, and the developing device 5S are normally replaced with desired types.
Such control is similarly performed after the "second cleaning mode" described below is executed.

Here, in the present embodiment, when the "second cleaning mode" for cleaning the inside of the second tube 96S is executed, the opening/closing valve 97 closes the first tube 95S (first transport path), and 9(D), the first tube opening/closing member 143 opens the downstream opening 95a of the first tube 95S, and the first tube filter 144 closes the downstream opening 95a (downstream side). With the opening 95a covered), another transport pump connected to the second tube 96S (the transport pump 60S for the special color installed at the position of FIG. 8B) is operated. ..

As described above, the downstream opening 95a of the first tube 95S is covered with the first tube filter 144, and the opening/closing valve 97 is closed. Therefore, the downstream opening 95a of the first tube 95S is closed. Toner remaining in the conveying path from the downstream side opening 95a of the first tube 95S to the tip opening 96a of the second tube 96S via the branch portion (opening/closing valve 97) while the toner is not leaked from the first tube 95S. However, as in the cleaning mode, the transfer pump 60S sucks and cleans it.
After the "second cleaning mode" is executed, the special color toner container 32S (and the storage section 81S) is replaced with a desired type, and the special color transport pump 60S and the sub hopper 70S are replaced. Similarly, the developing device 5S is also replaced with a desired type, and after the "initial replenishment mode" described below is executed, the "replenishment mode" described with reference to FIG. Will be held again.

Here, in the present embodiment, when the "cleaning mode" is being executed, the toner (developer) is controlled to be discharged from the sub hopper 70S (supplemented portion). Specifically, in the cleaning mode, the control unit 120 controls the replenishment motor 121 so that the transport screws 71 and 72 of the sub hopper 70S are rotationally driven, and the toner is discharged from the sub hopper 70S toward the developing device 5S. It will be.
Thus, the cleaning mode is executed, and the toner remaining in the first tube 95S is prevented from flowing into the sub hopper 70S all at once, and the toner is prevented from spouting from the sub hopper 70S.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the "cleaning mode" is executed and toner is discharged from the sub hopper 70S toward the developing device 5Y as described above, control is performed to discharge the toner from the developing device 5Y. ing. Specifically, in the cleaning mode, an image forming process similar to that described above (however, the primary transfer process is not performed) is performed, and a toner image (for example, a black solid band shape) is formed on the photosensitive drum. Pattern) is formed so that the toner in the developing device 5S is consumed.
Thus, the cleaning mode is executed, and the toner remaining in the first tube 95S is prevented from flowing into the developing device 5S via the sub hopper 70S and ejecting the toner from the developing device 5S.
It should be noted that the control as described above is similarly performed when the above-described "second cleaning mode" is executed.

In addition, in the present embodiment, when the "cleaning mode" is being executed, the hopper remaining amount sensor 76 (detection means) detects that the toner is insufficient in the sub hopper 70S, and then conveys the toner under a predetermined condition. After the pump 60S (motor 67) is operated, the transport pump 60S (motor 67) is stopped to control the "cleaning mode".
Specifically, in the present embodiment, after the "cleaning mode" is executed, when the shortage state of the hopper remaining amount sensor 76 is detected, the conveyance pump 60S (motor 67) is not immediately driven but stopped. Then, the transport pump 60S (motor 67) is intermittently driven a predetermined number of times at regular intervals, and thereafter, the number of revolutions of the transport pump 60S (motor 67) is increased to further increase the toner transport force, and further continue for a predetermined time. Driven.
In this way, even after the state where there is no toner in the sub hopper 70S is detected, the toner remaining in the first tube 95S can be cleaned more reliably by driving the transport pump 60S (motor 67). Will be done.
It should be noted that the control as described above is similarly performed when the above-described "second cleaning mode" is executed.

Further, in the present embodiment, after the “cleaning mode” is completed, the opening/closing valve 97 opens the first tube 95S (first transport path), and the hopper remaining amount sensor 76 (detection unit) of the sub hopper 70S. The "initial replenishment mode" is executed so that the toner (developer) is replenished from the toner container 32S (developer container) to the sub hopper 70S ( replenished portion ) until the insufficient toner state is no longer detected by ..
Specifically, the "initial replenishment mode" is executed immediately after the "cleaning mode" is completed and before the replenishment mode (normal image forming process) is performed. In the initial replenishment mode, the replenishment motor 121 rotatably drives the conveying screws 71 and 72 until the hopper remaining amount sensor 76 (detection means) detects that the sub hopper 70S contains a predetermined amount of toner. The carrier pump 60S (motor 67) is driven while circulating the toner in 70S. Further, in the initial replenishment mode, as in the replenishment mode, as shown in FIG. 9A, the first tube 95S is connected to the transport pump 60S, and the second tube 96S is closed by the second tube opening/closing member 141. It is in the state of being
By performing the initial replenishment mode in this way, in the replenishment mode (normal image forming process) performed thereafter, it is possible to perform a good image forming operation without running out of the toner replenished to the developing device 5Y. ..
It should be noted that the control as described above is similarly performed even after the "second cleaning mode" described above is completed.

8A to 8B as described above (or from the state of FIG. 8B to the state of FIG. 8A), the developing devices 5Y and 5M. 5C, 5K, 5S, sub hoppers 70Y, 70M, 70C, 70K, 70S, and conveyance pumps 60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K, 60S, when the arrangement order is changed, black developer supply is performed. For the apparatus 90K, the same control and operation as those in the special color developer replenishing apparatus 90S described above are performed.

As described above, in the developer replenishing device 90S according to the present embodiment, the transport pump 60S is detachably connected to the downstream opening 95a of the first tube 95S (first transport path), and the first tube 95S. The open/close valve 97 is installed in the transport path of the second tube 96S (second transport path) so as to branch to the first tube 95S at a position downstream of the open/close valve 97. .. Then, in the replenishment mode, the transport pump 60S is operated with the opening/closing valve 97 opened and the opening/closing member 141 closing the front end opening 96a of the second tube 96S. On the other hand, in the cleaning mode, the open/close valve 97 is closed, and the transport pump 60S is operated with the closing member 141 opening the front end opening 96a of the second tube 96S.
As a result, the inside of the tube 95S installed in the developer replenishing device 90S can be sufficiently and efficiently cleaned in a relatively short time without removing the toner container 32S (developer container).

In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the developing device 5Y which is integrated as the process cartridge 6Y together with the photosensitive drum 1Y (image carrier), the charging section 4Y and the cleaning device 2Y. .. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this. Even if the developing device 5Y is configured as a unit that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the present invention is naturally applied. Can be applied.
In the present application, the “process cartridge” includes a charging unit (charging device) that charges the image carrier, a developing device (developing unit) that develops the latent image formed on the image carrier, and the image carrier. At least one of the cleaning device (cleaning unit) for cleaning the upper part and the image carrier are integrally defined and defined as a unit that is detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the developer replenishing device 90S in which the toner container 32S in which the substantially cylindrical container body is rotationally driven is installed. The form of the container is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to, for example, a developer replenishing device in which a box-shaped toner container is installed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the color image forming apparatus 100 provided with a plurality of image forming units (process cartridges), but a single color image forming apparatus provided with one image forming unit is provided. Of course, the present invention can be applied to. In that case, the "cleaning mode" is used when the inside of the first tube 95S is simply cleaned without replacing the toner container or the developing device corresponding to the toners of different colors (types) or the color (type). This is executed when the inside of the first tube 95S is cleaned in order to replace the toner container and the developing device corresponding to different toners of different types, and the second tube 96S is connected to another transport pump. There is no such thing.
Even in such cases, the inside of the tube 95S can be cleaned sufficiently and efficiently in a relatively short time without removing the toner container 32S (developer container).

Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the developer replenishing device 90S for the special color and the developer replenishing device 90K for the black, but the developer replenishing device 90Y for other colors. , 90M, 90C can naturally be applied to the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the replenished portion connected to the transport pump 60S is the sub hopper 70S connected to the developing device 5S. On the other hand, the supplied portion connected to the transport pump 60S may be the developing device 5Y. That is, the toner can be directly replenished from the transport pump 60S to the developing device 5S without interposing the sub hopper.
Further, in the present embodiment, the pinch valve is used as the opening/closing valve 97, but the opening/closing valve is not limited to this, and any opening/closing valve may be used as long as it can open/close the first tubes 95S, 95K (first transport path). ..
Even in such cases, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effects as those of the present embodiment.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and it is apparent that the embodiment can be appropriately modified within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, other than what is suggested in the present embodiment. .. Further, the number, position, shape, etc. of the above-mentioned constituent members are not limited to those in the present embodiment, and the number, position, shape, etc. suitable for carrying out the present invention can be adopted.

5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, 5S developing device,
6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, 6S process cartridge,
32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S toner container (developer container),
60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K, 60S transport pump,
70Y, 70M, 70C, 70K, 70S Sub hopper (supplied part),
76 Hopper remaining amount sensor (detection means),
81Y, 81M, 81C, 81K, 81S storage section,
90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, 90S developer replenishing device,
95 tubes (conveyor tubes),
95S, 95K 1st tube (1st conveyance path),
95a downstream opening,
96S, 96K 2nd tube (2nd conveyance path),
96a tip opening,
97 open/close valve,
100 image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus main body),
141 open/close member for second tube (open/close member),
142 second tube filter (filter),
143 first tube opening/closing member (first transport path opening/closing member),
144 First tube filter (first transport path filter).

JP, 2014-170052, A

Claims (10)

A developer replenishing device for replenishing a developer contained in a developer container toward a replenished portion,
A first transport path through which the developer is transported,
A transport pump detachably connected to the downstream opening of the first transport path,
An opening/closing valve installed in the transport path of the first transport path to open and close the transport path;
A second transport path connected to the first transport path so as to branch at a position downstream of the on-off valve;
An opening/closing member for opening/closing the tip opening of the second transport path,
Equipped with
When the replenishment mode in which the developer is replenished to the replenished portion is executed, the opening/closing valve opens the first conveyance path, and the opening/closing member closes the tip end opening of the second conveyance path. In this state, the transfer pump is operated,
When the cleaning mode for cleaning the inside of the first transport path is executed, the opening/closing valve closes the first transport path, and the opening/closing member opens the tip end opening of the second transport path. The developer replenishing device, wherein the transport pump is operated in the state. A first transport path opening/closing member for opening/closing the downstream side opening of the first transport path;
The second conveyance path is configured such that the front end opening can be connected to another conveyance pump different from the conveyance pump for replenishing the supply target portion different from the supply target portion with the developer,
After the cleaning mode is executed, the connection between the first transport path and the transport pump is released, and the first transport path opening/closing member closes the downstream side opening of the first transport path. A state in which the tip end opening of the second conveyance path is opened by the opening/closing member, the tip end opening is connected to the another conveyance pump, and then the first conveyance path is opened by the opening/closing valve. 2. The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein a second replenishment mode for replenishing the developer to the another replenished portion is executed. The tip opening of the second conveyance path is installed so as to cover the tip opening of the second conveyance path and is configured to collect the developer and allow air to pass therethrough, separately from the opening/closing member. Equipped with a filter that can be opened and closed
After the cleaning mode is executed, the connection between the first transport path and the transport pump is released, and the first transport path opening/closing member closes the downstream side opening of the first transport path. The opening/closing member opens the tip opening of the second conveyance path, and the tip opening is connected to the another conveyance pump in a state where the filter opens the tip opening, and then the opening/closing valve is used. The developer replenishing device according to claim 2 , wherein a second replenishment mode for replenishing the developer toward the another supply target portion is executed in a state where the first transport path is opened. The first transport path is installed so as to cover the downstream side opening and is configured to collect the developer and allow air to pass therethrough. The first transport path opening/closing member is provided separately from the first transport path opening/closing member. A first transport path filter installed so that the downstream side opening of the transport path can be opened and closed,
When the second cleaning mode for cleaning the inside of the second transport path is executed, the opening/closing valve closes the first transport path, and the first transport path opening/closing member closes the first transport path. The downstream transfer opening is opened, and the other transfer pump connected to the second transfer path is operated in a state in which the first transfer path filter closes the downstream opening. The developer replenishing device according to claim 2 or 3. The developer supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the opening/closing valve is installed in the uppermost stream portion of the first transport path or in the vicinity thereof. The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the developer replenishing device is controlled so as to be ejected from the replenished portion when the cleaning mode is being executed. The developer housed in the replenished portion is provided with a detection unit for detecting an insufficient state in which the developer has not reached a predetermined amount,
While the cleaning mode is being executed, after the shortage state is detected by the detection means, the transfer pump is further operated under a predetermined condition and then the transfer pump is stopped to end the cleaning mode. The developer replenishing device according to claim 6. The developer housed in the replenished portion is provided with a detection unit for detecting an insufficient state in which the developer has not reached a predetermined amount,
After the cleaning mode is finished, with the opening and closing valve opening the first conveyance path, the developer is developed from the developer container toward the replenished portion until the detection unit no longer detects the insufficient state. 8. The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the initial replenishment mode is executed so that the developer is replenished. The replenished portion is a developing device for developing the latent image formed on the image bearing member, or a sub hopper connected to the developing device,
The transport pump is configured to be integrally attachable to and detachable from the developer supply device together with the supply target portion ,
9. A storage section, which is detachably connected to an upstream side opening of the first transport path, for storing the developer discharged from the developer container. The developer replenishing device according to any one of 1. An image forming apparatus comprising the developer replenishing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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