JP7458829B2 - image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material.

Generally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image by transferring a toner image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum to a transfer material serving as a transfer medium. Known developer replenishment methods include, for example, a process cartridge method and a toner replenishment method. The process cartridge method is a method in which a photosensitive drum and a developer container are integrated into a process cartridge, and when the developer runs out, the process cartridge is replaced with a new one.

On the other hand, the toner refill method is a method in which new toner is replenished to the developing container when the toner runs out. Conventionally, a single-component developing device using the toner refill method has been proposed in which a toner supply box capable of replenishing toner is connected to a toner transport path through which the toner is transported (see Patent Document 1). The toner stored in the toner supply box is transported to the toner transport path by a transport screw.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-30084

In recent years, users have been demanding that image forming apparatuses be used in various ways, such as the above-mentioned process cartridge method and toner replenishment method.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide one form of image forming device.

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus in which a replenishment container containing a developer is removably attached and forms a developer image on a recording material. , a developer carrier configured to carry a developer and supply the developer to the image carrier, and a developer container in which the replenishment container is detachable, and the developer container is carried on the developer carrier. a developer container having a storage part for storing a developer for storage, a replenishment port for replenishing the developer from the supply container to the storage part, and an agitation member for stirring the developer stored in the storage part. and a closed position that covers the replenishment port so that the replenishment container cannot be attached to the developer container, and an open position that exposes the replenishment port so that the supply container can be attached to the developer container. The apparatus includes an opening/closing member configured to be able to open/close, a drive source for driving the stirring member, and a control means for controlling the drive source, and is capable of forming an image when the opening/closing member is in the closed position. and configured such that image formation is not possible when the opening/closing member is in the open position, and configured such that the stirring member can be driven when the opening/closing member is in the open position. It is characterized by

The present invention provides one form of image forming device.

1A is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus. (a) is a sectional view showing the image forming apparatus, and (b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the top cover opened. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus with the process cartridge removed. (a) is a perspective view of the image forming device with the pressure plate of the reading device closed, (b) is a perspective view of the image forming device with the pressure plate open, and (c) is a perspective view of the image forming device with the pressure plate of the reading device opened. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus in a state where (a) is a perspective view showing the developer container and the toner pack, and (b) is a front view showing the developer container and the toner pack. (a) is a 6A-6A sectional view in FIG. 5(b), and (b) is a 6B-6B sectional view in FIG. 5(b). FIG. (a) is a front view showing a toner pack, (b) is a front view showing a first modification of the toner pack, and (c) is a front view showing a second modification of the toner pack. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing first and second remaining toner amount sensors. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing first and second remaining toner sensors. (a) is a sectional view showing the developer container with a small amount of toner remaining, and (b) is a sectional view showing the developer container with a large amount of toner remaining. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of an image forming apparatus. 5 is a flowchart showing toner replenishment processing. 5 is a flowchart showing remaining toner amount detection processing. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the operation section. (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the toner pack is installed in the supply port, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which toner has begun to leak from the toner pack, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which toner has begun to leak from the toner pack. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state in which the container is replenished. (a) is a perspective view showing the toner remaining amount panel when the toner remaining amount is Low level, (b) is a perspective view showing the toner remaining amount panel when the toner remaining amount is Mid level, (c) is a perspective view showing the toner remaining amount panel when the toner remaining amount is Mid level. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the toner remaining amount panel when the amount is at the Full level. (a) is a graph showing the relationship between the volume of the developer container and the remaining toner level, (b) is a graph showing the remaining amount of toner when toner is replenished from a small-capacity toner pack, and (c) is a graph showing the toner remaining amount when toner is replenished from a small-capacity toner pack. A graph showing the amount of toner remaining when toner is replenished from the toner pack. (a) is a perspective view showing a first modification of the image forming apparatus, (b) is a perspective view showing a second modification of the image forming apparatus, and (c) is a perspective view showing a third modification of the image forming apparatus. . (a) is a perspective view showing a fourth modification of the image forming apparatus, and (b) is a perspective view showing a fifth modification of the image forming apparatus. (a) is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment, and (b) is a sectional view showing the image forming apparatus. (a) is a perspective view showing a modification of the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, and (b) is a sectional view showing a modification of the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment. (a) is a sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment, and (b) is a sectional view showing the image forming apparatus with a process cartridge pulled out. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the toner pack is attached to the process cartridge in the pulled-out state. (a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus in a state where the process cartridge is pulled out, and (b) is a perspective view showing a state in which a toner pack is attached to the process cartridge in the pulled out state. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a developing container according to a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a stirring member according to a first embodiment.

Below, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome printer that forms an image on a recording material based on image information input from an external device. Recording materials include various sheet materials made of different materials, such as paper such as plain paper and cardboard, plastic films such as sheets for overhead projectors, sheets of special shapes such as envelopes and index paper, and cloth.

[overall structure]
As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the image forming apparatus 1 includes a printer main body 100, a reading device 200 supported by the printer main body 100 in an openable and closable manner, and a printer main body 100 that is attached to an exterior surface of the printer main body 100. It has an attached operation section 300. The printer main body 100 includes an image forming section 10 that forms a toner image on a recording material, a feeding section 60 that feeds the recording material to the image forming section 10, and a toner image formed by the image forming section 10 on the recording material. It has a fixing section 70 for fixing, and a pair of discharge rollers 80.

The image forming section 10 includes a scanner unit 11, an electrophotographic process cartridge 20, and a transfer roller 12 that transfers a toner image as a developer image formed on a photosensitive drum 21 of the process cartridge 20 to a recording material. have. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the process cartridge 20 includes a photosensitive drum 21, a developing device 30 including a charging roller 22, a pre-exposure device 23, and a developing roller 31 arranged around the photosensitive drum 21. have.

The photosensitive drum 21 is a cylindrically shaped photosensitive body. In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 has a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively charged organic photosensitive body on a drum-shaped base body formed of aluminum. The photosensitive drum 21, which serves as an image carrier, is rotated by a motor in a predetermined direction (clockwise direction in the figure) at a predetermined process speed.

The charging roller 22 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 with a predetermined pressure contact force to form a charging section. In addition, a desired charging voltage is applied by a charging high-voltage power supply to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to a predetermined potential. In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 is negatively charged by the charging roller 22. The pre-exposure device 23 neutralizes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 before it enters the charging section in order to generate a stable discharge in the charging section.

The scanner unit 11, which serves as an exposure means, scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device or the reading device 200 using a polygon mirror. This exposure forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Note that the scanner unit 11 is not limited to a laser scanner device, and may, for example, be an LED exposure device having an LED array in which multiple LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21.

The developing device 30 includes a developing roller 31 as a developer carrier that carries developer, a developing container 32 serving as a frame of the developing device 30, and a supply roller 33 capable of supplying the developer to the developing roller 31. We are prepared. The developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 are rotatably supported by the developing container 32. Further, the developing roller 31 is arranged at the opening of the developing container 32 so as to face the photosensitive drum 21 . The supply roller 33 is rotatably in contact with the developing roller 31 , and the toner contained in the developing container 32 as a developer is applied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33 . Note that the supply roller 33 is not necessarily required if the configuration is such that the developing roller 31 can be sufficiently supplied with toner.

The developing device 30 of this embodiment uses a contact development method as a development method. That is, the toner layer carried by the developing roller 31 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 in the development section (development area) where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 face each other. A development voltage is applied to the developing roller 31 by a development high-voltage power supply. Under the development voltage, the toner carried by the developing roller 31 is transferred from the developing roller 31 to the drum surface according to the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. Note that this embodiment employs a reversal development method. That is, the toner image is formed by adhering to the surface area of the photosensitive drum 21, which has been charged in the charging process and then exposed in the exposure process, where the charge amount has been attenuated.

Further, in this embodiment, a toner having a particle size of 6 μm and a normal charging polarity of negative polarity is used. As an example, the toner of this embodiment employs a polymerized toner produced by a polymerization method. Further, the toner of this embodiment is a so-called non-magnetic one-component developer that does not contain a magnetic component and is supported on the developing roller 31 mainly by intermolecular force or electrostatic force (mirror force). However, a one-component developer containing a magnetic component may also be used. In addition to toner particles, the one-component developer may contain additives (for example, wax and fine silica particles) for adjusting the fluidity and charging performance of the toner. Furthermore, a two-component developer composed of a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may be used as the developer. When using a magnetic developer, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a magnet disposed inside, for example, is used as the developer carrier.

A stirring member 34 serving as stirring means is provided inside the developing container 32 . The stirring member 34 is driven by the motor M1 (see FIG. 12) and rotates, thereby stirring the toner in the developer container 32 and feeding (conveying) the toner toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33. . Further, the stirring member 34 has a role of circulating the toner that is not used for development and is stripped off from the developing roller 31 within the developing container, thereby making the toner in the developing container uniform. Note that the stirring member 34 is not limited to a rotating form. For example, a swinging stirring member may be used. Further, in addition to the stirring member 34, another stirring member may be provided.

Furthermore, a developing blade 35 that regulates the amount of toner carried on the developing roller 31 is disposed at the opening of the developing container 32 where the developing roller 31 is disposed. As the developing roller 31 rotates, the toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 passes through a portion facing the developing blade 35, thereby being uniformly made into a thin layer, and is also charged to a negative polarity by frictional charging. .

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the feeding section 60 includes a front door 61 that is supported by the printer body 100 so as to be openable and closable, a tray section 62, a middle plate 63, a tray spring 64, and a pickup roller. 65. The tray section 62 constitutes the bottom surface of the recording material storage space that appears when the front door 61 is opened, and the middle plate 63 is supported by the tray section 62 so as to be movable up and down. The tray spring 64 urges the middle plate 63 upward, and presses the recording material P loaded on the middle plate 63 against the pickup roller 65. The front door 61 closes the recording material storage space when it is closed to the printer body 100, and supports the recording material P together with the tray section 62 and the middle plate 63 when it is opened to the printer body 100. do.

The fixing unit 70 is of a heat fixing type that fixes an image by heating and melting the toner on the recording material. The fixing unit 70 includes a fixing film 71, a fixing heater such as a ceramic heater that heats the fixing film 71, a thermistor that measures the temperature of the fixing heater, and a pressure roller 72 that presses against the fixing film 71.

Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be explained. When an image forming command is input to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming section 10 starts an image forming process based on image information input from an external computer or reading device 200 connected to the image forming apparatus 1. be done. The scanner unit 11 irradiates a laser beam toward the photosensitive drum 21 based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 21 is charged in advance by the charging roller 22, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 by being irradiated with laser light. Thereafter, this electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 31, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.

In parallel with the above-described image forming process, the pickup roller 65 of the feeding section 60 sends out the recording material P supported by the front door 61, the tray section 62, and the middle plate 63. The recording material P is fed to the registration roller pair 15 by the pickup roller 65, and the skew is corrected by hitting the nip of the registration roller pair 15. The registration roller pair 15 is driven in accordance with the toner image transfer timing, and conveys the recording material P toward the transfer nip formed by the transfer roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 21.

A transfer voltage is applied from a transfer high-voltage power supply to the transfer roller 12 serving as a transfer unit, and the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred onto the recording material P conveyed by the registration roller pair 15. The recording material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing section 70, and the toner image is heated and pressurized when passing through the nip between the fixing film 71 and the pressure roller 72 of the fixing section 70. . As a result, the toner particles are melted and then fixed, thereby fixing the toner image on the recording material P. The recording material P that has passed through the fixing section 70 is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the machine) by a pair of discharge rollers 80 as a discharge means, and then to a discharge tray 81 as a stacking section formed at the top of the printer main body 100. will be loaded on.

The ejection tray 81 is inclined upward toward the downstream in the ejection direction of the recording material, and the recording material ejected to the ejection tray 81 slides down the ejection tray 81 so that its rear end is aligned with the regulating surface 84. Ru.

As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the reading device 200 includes a reading unit 201 that incorporates a reading section (not shown) inside, and a pressure plate 202 that is supported by the reading unit 201 so as to be openable and closable. ing. On the upper surface of the reading unit 201, an original platen glass 203 is provided that transmits light emitted from the reading section and on which an original is placed.

When the user wants the reading device 200 to read the image of the document, the user places the document on the document table glass 203 with the pressure plate 202 open. Then, by closing the pressure plate 202, the position of the original on the original table glass 203 is prevented, and, for example, by operating the operation unit 300, a reading command is output to the image forming apparatus 1. When the reading operation is started, the reading section in the reading unit 201 reciprocates in the sub-scanning direction, that is, in the left-right direction with the operation section 300 of the image forming apparatus 1 facing forward. The reading section reads an image of the document by emitting light from a light emitting section toward the document, receiving light reflected by the document using a light receiving section, and photoelectrically converting the received light. Note that, in the following, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined with reference to the state in which the operation unit 300 is viewed from the front.

As shown in FIGS. 2(b) and 3, a first opening 101 that opens upward is formed at the top of the printer main body 100, and the first opening 101 is covered with a top cover 82. There is. The top cover 82, which serves as a loading tray, is supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the printer main body 100 around a pivot shaft 82c extending in the left-right direction, and has a discharge tray 81, which serves as a loading surface, formed on its upper surface. The top cover 82 is opened from the front side toward the back side when the reading device 200 is opened with respect to the printer main body 100. Note that the reading device 200 and the top cover 82 may be configured to be held in an open state and a closed state by a holding mechanism such as a hinge mechanism.

For example, if the recording material jams due to a paper jam or the like in the transport path CP through which the recording material fed by the pickup roller 65 passes, the user opens the top cover 82 together with the reading device 200. The user then accesses the process cartridge 20 through a first opening 101 that is exposed when the top cover 82 is opened, and pulls out the process cartridge 20 along the cartridge guide 102. The cartridge guide 102 slides and guides the protrusion 21a (see FIG. 5A) provided at the end of the photosensitive drum 21 of the process cartridge 20 in the axial direction.

Then, by pulling the process cartridge 20 outward from the first opening 101, a space is created where the user can reach into the conveying path CP. The user can reach into the inside of the printer body 100 from the first opening 101 and access the jammed recording material in the conveying path CP, thereby disposing of the jammed recording material.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 4C, an opening/closing member 83 is provided on the top cover 82 so as to be openable and closable. A second opening 82a is formed in the discharge tray 81 of the top cover 82 as an opening that opens upward. The opening/closing member 83 is configured to be movable between a closed position in which the supply port 32a is covered so that the toner pack 40 cannot be attached to the developing container 32, and an open position in which the supply port 32a is exposed so that the toner pack 40 can be attached to the developing container 32. In the closed position, the opening/closing member 83 functions as a part of the discharge tray 81. The opening/closing member 83 and the second opening 82a are formed on the left side of the discharge tray 81. The opening/closing member 83 is supported on the top cover 82 so as to be openable and closable around a rotating shaft 83a extending in the front-rear direction, and is opened to the left by hooking a finger through a groove portion 82b provided in the top cover 82. The opening/closing member 83 is formed in a substantially L-shape along the shape of the top cover 82.

The second opening 82a of the discharge tray 81 is open to expose the toner replenishment port 32a formed in the upper part of the developer container 32, and when the opening/closing member 83 is opened, the user can open the top cover. The supply port 32a can be accessed without opening 82. In this embodiment, while the developing device 30 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the user removes the toner from the toner pack 40 (see FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b)) filled with replenishing toner. A method of replenishing toner to the developing device 30 (direct replenishment method) is adopted. Therefore, when the remaining amount of toner in the process cartridge 20 becomes low, there is no need to take out the process cartridge 20 from the printer main body 100 and replace it with a new process cartridge, so usability can be improved. Furthermore, toner can be replenished into the developer container 32 at a lower cost than replacing the entire process cartridge 20. Note that the direct replenishment method does not require replacing various rollers, gears, etc. compared to replacing only the developing device 30 of the process cartridge 20, so costs can be reduced. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 and the toner pack 40 constitute an image forming system.

[Collection of transfer residual toner]
This embodiment employs a cleaner-less configuration in which transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 without being transferred to the recording material P is collected in the developing device 30 and reused. Transfer residual toner is removed in the following steps. The residual toner after transfer includes positively charged toner and negatively charged toner that does not have sufficient charge. The pre-exposure device 23 neutralizes the charge on the photosensitive drum 21 after the transfer, and the charging roller 22 causes a uniform discharge, so that the residual toner remaining after the transfer is charged to negative polarity again. The transfer residual toner that has been negatively charged again in the charging section reaches the developing section as the photosensitive drum 21 rotates. The surface area of the photosensitive drum 21 that has passed through the charging section is exposed to light by the scanner unit 11 and an electrostatic latent image is written thereon, with the residual toner still attached to the surface.

Here, the behavior of the transfer residual toner that reaches the development section will be explained separately for the exposed and non-exposed sections of the photosensitive drum 21. The transfer residual toner that adheres to the non-exposed section of the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the development roller 31 in the development section due to the potential difference between the potential of the non-exposed section of the photosensitive drum 21 (dark section potential) and the development voltage, and is collected in the development container 32. This is because the normal charging polarity of the toner is negative, and the development voltage applied to the development roller 31 is positive relative to the potential of the non-exposed section. The toner collected in the development container 32 is stirred and dispersed with the toner in the development container by the stirring member 34, and is carried by the development roller 31 for use again in the development process.

On the other hand, the transfer residual toner adhering to the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 21 remains on the drum surface without being transferred from the photosensitive drum 21 to the developing roller 31 in the developing section. This is because, assuming that the normal charging polarity of the toner is negative, the developing voltage applied to the developing roller 31 is a potential that is more negative than the potential of the exposed area (bright area potential). . The transfer residual toner remaining on the drum surface is carried by the photosensitive drum 21 together with other toner transferred from the developing roller 31 to the exposure section, moves to the transfer section, and is transferred onto the recording material P at the transfer section.

In this way, the present embodiment has a cleanerless configuration in which the transfer residual toner is collected in the developing device 30 and reused. However, the transfer residual toner is collected using a conventionally known cleaning blade that contacts the photosensitive drum 21. It is also possible to have a configuration in which In that case, the transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning blade is collected in a collection container installed separately from the developing device 30. However, by adopting a cleaner-less configuration, there is no need for installation space for a collection container for collecting residual toner, etc., making it possible to further downsize the image forming apparatus 1, and also making it possible to reuse residual toner. This also makes it possible to reduce printing costs.

[Configuration of developer container and toner pack]
Next, the configurations of the developer container 32 and the toner pack 40 will be explained. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the developer container 32 and the toner pack 40, and FIG. 5B is a front view of the developer container 32 and the toner pack 40. FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A in FIG. 5(b), and FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6B-6B in FIG. 5(b).

As shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 6(b), the developing container 32 has a transport chamber 36 that accommodates the stirring member 34. It extends over the entire length of the container 32 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction). Further, the transport chamber 36 is integrally formed with a frame body that rotatably supports the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33, and accommodates the developer to be carried by the developing roller 31. The developer container 32 also includes a first protrusion 37 that protrudes upward from one longitudinal end of the transport chamber 36 and communicates with the transport chamber 36, and a first protrusion 37 that extends upward from the other longitudinal end of the transport chamber 36. It has a second protruding part 38 that protrudes from. That is, the first protrusion 37 is provided at one end of the developer container 32 in the direction of the rotational axis of the developing roller 31, and extends toward the discharge tray 81 from the center of the developer container 32 in the cross direction intersecting the rotational axis. It stands out. The second protrusion 38 is provided at the other end of the developer container 32 in the rotational axis direction of the developer roller 31 and protrudes toward the discharge tray 81 in the cross direction from the center of the developer container 32 . In this embodiment, the first protrusion 37 is formed on the left side of the developer container 32, and the second protrusion 38 is formed on the right side of the developer container 32. A mounting portion 57 to which the toner pack 40 can be mounted is provided at the upper end (tip portion) of the first protrusion 37 . A replenishment port 32a is formed for the purpose of refilling. The toner pack 40 can be attached to the attachment part 57 in a state where it is exposed to the outside of the apparatus.

The developing container 32 is configured so that the toner supplied from the supply port 32a reaches the stirring member 34 by its own weight alone. Here, "by its own weight alone" means that the developing container 32 does not have a stirring member (conveying member) that rotates or swings to transport the toner between the supply port 32a of the developing container 32 and the stirring member 34, but is configured so that the toner reaches the stirring member 34 by its own weight. Also, in the developing container 32, the stirring member 34 is the rotating body closest to the supply port 32a and is arranged so that the toner in the transport chamber 36 reaches the developing roller 31 or the supply roller 33 by rotating.

The first protrusion 37 and the second protrusion 38 extend obliquely from the transfer chamber 36 toward the front of the apparatus and upward. That is, the first protrusion 37 and the second protrusion 38 protrude downstream and upward in the discharge direction of the discharge roller pair 80. Therefore, the replenishment port 32a formed in the first protrusion 37 is disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the work of replenishing the developer container 32 with toner can be easily performed.

In particular, in this embodiment, since the reading device 200, which can be opened and closed centered on the rear side of the device, is arranged above the opening/closing member 83, it is better to arrange the replenishment port 32a at the front of the device. The space between the reading device 200 and the reading device 200 can be effectively utilized. Therefore, the workability when replenishing toner from the replenishment port 32a can be improved.

The upper part of the first protruding part 37 and the upper part of the second protruding part 38 are connected by a handle part 39 as a connecting part. A gap is provided between the handle portion 39 and the transfer chamber 36 through which the laser L (see FIG. 1(a)) emitted from the scanner unit 11 (see FIG. 1(a)) toward the photosensitive drum 21 can pass. A laser passing space SP is formed.

The handle part 39 has a knob part 39a that can be gripped by the user's fingers, and the knob part 39a is formed to protrude upward from the top surface of the handle part 39. The first protrusion 37 has a hollow interior, and a replenishment port 32a is formed on the upper surface. The supply port 32a is configured to be connectable to the toner pack 40.

By providing the first protrusion 37 with the replenishment port 32a formed at the tip on one side in the longitudinal direction of the developer container 32, a laser passing space SP is secured through which the laser L emitted from the scanner unit 11 can pass. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can be downsized. Further, since the second protrusion 38 is provided on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the developer container 32 and the handle 39 is formed to connect the first protrusion 37 and the second protrusion 38, the process cartridge 20 can be removed from the printer main body 100. Usability when taking out can be improved. Note that the second protrusion 38 may be formed in a hollow shape like the first protrusion 37, or may be solid.

Figure 26 is a perspective view showing a developing container 320 according to a modified example of the first embodiment. The developing container 320 has a protruding portion 370 disposed at an end in the longitudinal direction, and the protruding portion 370 protrudes upward from the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 320. The protruding portion 370 is provided with an attachment portion 570 for attaching the toner pack 40, and the attachment portion 570 is provided with a refill port 320a.

The protruding portion 370 is different from the first protruding portion 37 shown in FIG. 5B in that a recess 370a is provided. The recess 370a is provided on the side of the protruding portion 370, and is recessed in the direction from the center to the end in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 320. Furthermore, the recess amount of the recess 370a becomes larger as it approaches the photosensitive drum 21. Here, if the distance between the scanner unit 11 and the developing container 320 is increased, it is considered that the irradiation area of the laser L and the mounting portion 570 (supply port 320a) overlap when viewed from the mounting direction of the toner pack 40. By providing the mounting portion 570 above the laser L in the vertical direction and configuring the laser L to pass through the recess 370a, it is possible to avoid interference between the laser L and the developing container 320. As a result, it is not necessary to move the protruding portion 370 further toward the end in the longitudinal direction to avoid interference with the laser L, so that the device can be made smaller.

As shown in Figs. 5(a) to 6(b), the toner pack 40 is configured to be detachable from the mounting portion 57 of the first protrusion 37. The toner pack 40 also has a shutter member 41 that is provided at the opening and can be opened and closed, and a plurality of (three in this embodiment) protrusions 42 that are formed corresponding to a plurality of (three in this embodiment) grooves 32b formed in the mounting portion 57. When replenishing toner in the developing container 32, the user aligns the protrusions 42 of the toner pack 40 so that they pass through the grooves 32b of the mounting portion 57, and connects the toner pack 40 to the mounting portion 57. Then, when the toner pack 40 is rotated 180 degrees in this state, the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 hits an abutment portion (not shown) of the mounting portion 57, rotating relative to the main body of the toner pack 40 and opening the shutter member 41. As a result, the toner contained in the toner pack 40 leaks out from the toner pack 40, and the leaked toner enters the hollow first protrusion 37 through the supply port 32a. The shutter member 41 may be provided on the supply port 32a side.

The first protrusion 37 has a slope 37a at a position facing the opening of the supply port 32a, and the slope 37a slopes downward toward the transfer chamber 36. Therefore, the toner replenished from the replenishment port 32a is guided to the transport chamber 36 by the slope 37a. FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing the stirring member 34. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 27, the stirring member 34 includes a stirring shaft 34a extending in the longitudinal direction, and a blade portion 34b fixed to the stirring shaft 34a and extending radially outward from the stirring shaft 34a. There is. The wing portion 34b is a flexible sheet. The stirring member 34 rotates around the shaft portion 34c of the stirring shaft 34a.

The toner supplied from the supply port 32a located upstream in the conveying direction of the agitating member 34 is sent toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 as the agitating member 34 rotates. The conveying direction of the agitating member 34 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing container 32. The supply port 32a and the first protrusion 37 are located at one end of the longitudinal direction of the developing container 32, but the toner spreads over the entire length of the developing container 32 by repeatedly rotating the agitating member 34. In this embodiment, the agitating member 34 is composed of the agitating shaft 34a and the blade portion 34b, but a spiral-shaped agitating shaft may be used as a configuration for spreading the toner over the entire length of the developing container 32.

In the present embodiment, the toner pack 40 is formed of an easily deformable plastic bag as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8(a), but the toner pack 40 is not limited thereto. For example, the toner pack may be composed of a substantially conical bottle container 40B as shown in FIG. 8(b), or may be composed of a paper container 40C as shown in FIG. 8(c). . In any case, the toner pack may be of any material and shape. In addition, as for the method of discharging toner from the toner pack, it is preferable for the user to squeeze the toner with his or her fingers in the case of the toner pack 40 or the paper container 40C, or by the user tapping the container in the case of the bottle container 40B. It is preferable to cause the leakage to occur while vibrating. Furthermore, a discharge mechanism may be provided within the bottle container 40B in order to discharge the toner from the bottle container 40B. Furthermore, the ejection mechanism may be configured to engage with the printer main body 100 and receive driving force from the printer main body 100.

Further, the shutter member 41 may be omitted in any of the toner packs, and a sliding shutter member may be used instead of the rotary shutter member 41. Further, the shutter member 41 may be configured to be destroyed by attaching the toner pack to the supply port 32a or rotating the toner pack in the attached state, or may have a removable lid structure such as a seal. .

[How to detect remaining amount of toner]
Next, a method for detecting the amount of toner remaining in the developer container 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. The developing device 30 of this embodiment is provided with a first remaining toner amount sensor 51 and a second remaining toner amount sensor 52 that detect a state according to the amount of remaining toner in the developing container 32.

The first toner remaining sensor 51 has a light emitting element 51a and a light receiving element 51b, and the second toner remaining sensor 52 has a light emitting element 52a and a light receiving element 52b. FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the toner remaining sensors 51 and 52. Note that in the following explanation, the circuit configuration of the first toner remaining sensor 51 will be explained, and the explanation of the circuit configuration of the second toner remaining sensor 52 will be omitted.

In FIG. 10, an LED is used for the light-emitting unit 51a, and a phototransistor that is turned on by light from the LED is used for the light-receiving unit 51b, but this is not limited to the above. For example, a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp may be used for the light-emitting unit 51a, and a photodiode or an avalanche photodiode may be used for the light-receiving unit 51b. A switch (not shown) is provided between the light-emitting unit 51a and the power supply voltage Vcc, and by turning on the switch, a voltage from the power supply voltage Vcc is applied to the light-emitting unit 51a, and the light-emitting unit 51a becomes conductive. On the other hand, a switch (not shown) is also provided between the light-receiving unit 51b and the power supply voltage Vcc, and by turning on the switch, the light-receiving unit 51b becomes conductive due to a current corresponding to the amount of light detected.

A power supply voltage Vcc and a current limiting resistor R1 are connected to the light emitting section 51a, and the light emitting section 51a emits light with a current determined by the current limiting resistor R1. The light emitted from the light emitting section 51a passes through an optical path Q1 as shown in FIG. 9, and is received by the light receiving section 51b. A power supply voltage Vcc is connected to the collector terminal of the light receiving section 51b, and a detection resistor R2 is connected to the emitter terminal. The light receiving section 51b, which is a phototransistor, receives the light emitted from the light emitting section 51a, and outputs a signal (current) according to the amount of the received light. This signal is converted into a voltage V1 by the detection resistor R2, and is input to the A/D conversion section 95 of the control section 90 (see FIG. 12). The light receiving section 52b of the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 receives the light emitted from the light emitting section 52a and passes through the optical path Q2, and outputs a voltage V2 according to the amount of the received light. It is input to the converter 95.

The control unit 90 (CPU 91) determines whether the light receiving units 51b and 52b have received light from the light emitting units 51a and 51b based on the input voltage level. The control unit 90 (CPU 91) performs development based on the length of time that the light receiving units 51b and 52b detect each light and the intensity of the received light when the toner in the developer container 32 is stirred by the stirring member 34 for a certain period of time. The amount of toner in the container 32 is calculated. That is, the ROM 93 stores in advance a table that can output the remaining amount of toner from the light reception time and light intensity when the toner is transported by the stirring member 34, and the control unit 90 inputs the remaining amount to the A/D converter 95. The amount of remaining toner is predicted/calculated based on the information and the table.

More specifically, the optical path Q1 of the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 is set to intersect with the rotation locus T of the stirring member 34. The time during which the optical path Q1 is blocked by the toner splashed up by the stirring member 34 when the stirring member 34 rotates once, that is, the time during which the light receiving section 51b does not detect light from the light emitting section 51a, depends on the remaining amount of toner. and change. Furthermore, the intensity of light received by the light receiving section 51b also changes depending on the amount of remaining toner.

That is, when there is a large amount of toner remaining, the optical path Q1 is likely to be blocked by the toner, so the time during which the light receiving section 51b receives light becomes shorter, and the intensity of the light received by the light receiving section 51b becomes lower. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of toner is low, the time period during which the light receiving section 51b receives light increases, and the intensity of the light received by the light receiving section 51b increases. Therefore, the control unit 90 can determine whether the remaining amount of toner is at the Low level or the Mid level, as described later, based on the light receiving time and the light receiving intensity of the light receiving unit 51b. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, when there is a small amount of toner in the transport chamber 36 of the developer container 32, it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is at a low level. In the above description, the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 is arranged so as not to intersect with the rotation locus T of the stirring member 34, but similarly to the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 described above, the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 It may be arranged so as to intersect the trajectory T.

Further, the optical path Q2 of the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 is set above the rotational trajectory T of the stirring member 34 so as not to intersect with the rotational trajectory T. The light receiving section 52b of the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 does not detect the light from the light emitting section 52a when the optical path Q2 is blocked by toner, and does not detect the light from the light emitting section 52a when the optical path Q2 is not blocked by toner. Detect light. Therefore, regardless of the rotational operation of the stirring member 34, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the remaining amount of toner is at the Full level, as will be described later, based on whether or not the light receiving unit 52b receives light. For example, as shown in FIG. 11B, when there is a large amount of toner in the transport chamber 36 of the developer container 32, it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is at the Full level. In the above description, the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 is arranged so as not to intersect with the rotation locus T of the stirring member 34; however, like the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 described above, the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 It may be set to intersect with the trajectory T.

The method of detecting/estimating the remaining toner amount is not limited to the optical toner remaining amount detection method described in FIG. 9, and various well-known methods of detecting/estimating the remaining toner amount can be adopted. For example, two or more metal plates or conductive resin sheets extending in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller may be arranged on the inner wall of the developing container 32, which is the frame, and the capacitance between the two metal plates or conductive resin sheets may be measured to detect/estimate the remaining toner amount. Alternatively, a load cell may be provided to support the developing device 30 from below, and the CPU 91 may calculate the remaining toner amount by subtracting the weight of the developing device 30 when it is empty from the weight measured by the load cell. Also, the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 may be omitted, and the control unit 90 (CPU 91) may calculate the remaining toner amount from the detection result of the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 and the emission state of the laser light.

[Control system of image forming apparatus]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a control system of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The control unit 90 as a control means of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU 91 as a calculation device, a RAM 92 used as a work area of the CPU 91, and a ROM 93 that stores various programs. The control unit 90 also includes an I/O interface 94 as an input/output port connected to external equipment, and an A/D conversion unit 95 that converts an analog signal into a digital signal.

The input side of the control unit 90 is connected to a first toner remaining amount sensor 51, a second toner remaining amount sensor 52, an attachment sensor 53, and an opening/closing sensor 54. The attachment sensor 53 detects that the toner pack 40 is attached to the supply port 32a of the developing container 32. For example, the attachment sensor 53 is provided in the supply port 32a and is composed of a pressure-sensitive switch that outputs a detection signal when pressed by the protrusion 42 of the toner pack 40. The opening/closing sensor 54 detects whether the opening/closing member 83 is opened relative to the top cover 82. The opening/closing sensor 54 is composed of, for example, a pressure-sensitive switch or a magnetic sensor.

Further, the control section 90 is connected to an operation section 300, the image forming section 10, and a toner remaining amount panel 400 as a notification means that can notify information regarding the remaining amount of toner. It has a display section 301 that can display various setting screens, physical keys, and the like. The display section 301 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The image forming section 10 includes a motor M1 as a drive source that drives the photosensitive drum 21, the developing roller 31, the supply roller 33, the stirring member 34, and the like. Note that the photosensitive drum 21, the developing roller 31, the supply roller 33, and the stirring member 34 may be configured to be driven by separate motors.

As shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 17, the toner remaining amount panel 400 is provided on the right side of the front surface of the printer main body 100, that is, on the opposite side from the operation unit 300 located on the left side. Information regarding the amount of toner remaining in the developer container 32 is displayed. In the present embodiment, the toner remaining amount panel 400 is a panel member consisting of a plurality of (three in this embodiment) scales arranged vertically in parallel, and each scale corresponds to the Low level, Mid level, and Full level. It corresponds to

That is, as shown in FIG. 17A, when only the lower scale is lit, the remaining amount of toner in the developer container 32 indicates the Low level as the third state. As shown in FIG. 17B, when the lower and center scales are lit and the upper scale is off, the remaining amount of toner in the developer container 32 indicates the Mid level as the second state. As shown in FIG. 17C, when all three scales are lit, the remaining amount of toner in the developer container 32 indicates the Full level as the first state. Note that the toner remaining amount panel 400 is not limited to a liquid crystal panel, and may be configured from a light source such as an LED or an incandescent lamp, and a diffusion lens. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the notification means is used to indicate the remaining amount of toner, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the display in FIG. 17(a) may be changed to indicate that toner replenishment is required, the display in FIG. 17(b) may be changed to indicate that toner replenishment is not required, and the display in FIG. 17(c) may be changed to indicate that toner replenishment is required. It may also be used as a display to show that the process has been sufficiently performed.

[Toner Supply Process]
Next, a toner replenishing process for replenishing the toner in the toner pack 40 to the developing container 32 will be described. As shown in Fig. 13, when the toner replenishing process starts, the control unit 90 judges whether or not a replenishing operation start instruction has been given (step S1). In this embodiment, the replenishing operation start instruction is a user operation via the operation unit 300, as shown in Fig. 15. Specifically, the user operates the operation unit 300 to press button 1 in a state in which a message prompting the user to operate button 1 is displayed on the display unit 301, and the replenishing operation start instruction is output.

Note that at this time, since the toner pack 40 is attached to the supply port 32a of the developer container 32, the opening/closing member 83 is in an open state. Since the operation section 300 and the replenishment port 32a are both arranged on the left side of the apparatus, it is possible to easily perform toner replenishment work using the toner pack 40 while operating the operation section 300. Further, when the opening/closing sensor 54 detects that the opening/closing member 83 is opened, the control unit 90 prohibits and stops the image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, when the opening/closing member 83 is open, the conveyance rollers, the photosensitive drum 21, the scanner unit 11, and the like of the image forming apparatus 1 are stopped.

Note that the instruction to start the replenishment operation is not limited to the push operation of the button 1, but may also be issued by a touch operation on the display unit 301 or in response to the attachment of the toner pack 40 to the replenishment port 32a detected by the attachment sensor 53. A start instruction may be output. Further, a sensor may be provided to detect that the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 is opened, and an instruction to start the replenishment operation may be output based on the detection result of this sensor. Further, the replenishment operation start instruction may be output based on the opening/closing sensor 54 detecting an opening operation of the opening/closing member 83. Furthermore, when the opening/closing member 83 is opened, the high voltage power applied to the process cartridge 20 may be turned off, and only the motor M1 that drives the stirring member 34 may be configured to be drivable.

If it is determined that there is an instruction to start the replenishment operation (step S1: Yes), the control unit 90 initializes the parameters of timers T1 and T2, which will be described later, to initial values (for example, zero), and starts the timers T1 and T2 ( Step S2). Then, the control unit 90 drives the motor M1 (step S3), and the stirring member 34 rotates.

Next, the control unit 90 executes the toner remaining amount detection process (step S4). When the toner remaining amount detection process is executed, as shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 90 causes the light-emitting units 51a and 52a of the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 and the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 to emit light (step S41). Then, the control unit 90 converts the voltages V1 and V2 output by the light-receiving units 51b and 52b of the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 and the second toner remaining amount sensor 52, respectively, into digital signals (hereinafter referred to as A/D conversion values) by the A/D conversion unit 95 (step S42).

Next, the control unit 90 determines whether the A/D converted value of the voltage V2 indicates that the optical path Q2 is blocked (step S43). When the light path Q2 is shown to be blocked (step S43: Yes), the control unit 90 causes the remaining toner amount panel 400 to display that the remaining amount of toner is at the Full level (step S44). That is, as shown in FIG. 17(c), all three scales on the remaining toner amount panel 400 are lit.

If the A/D converted value of the voltage V2 does not indicate that the optical path Q2 is blocked (step S43: No), the control unit 90 controls the internal state of the developing container 32 based on the A/D converted value of the voltage V1. Toner remaining amount information is calculated (step S45). Then, the control unit 90 causes the remaining toner amount panel 400 to display that the remaining amount of toner is at the Low level or the Mid level, based on the calculated remaining amount information of the toner (step S46). When step S44 or step S46 is completed, the remaining toner amount detection process ends. That is, the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 and the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 as detection means detect remaining amount information according to the amount of developer contained in the developing container 32 while the stirring member 34 is operating. Output.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 90 judges whether the timer T2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value β (step S5). The threshold value β is a preset value, and corresponds to the interval at which the toner remaining amount detection process is repeatedly executed. Note that α>β. If the timer T2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value β (step S5: Yes), the control unit 90 initializes and restarts the timer T2 (step S6) and returns to step S4. That is, the toner remaining amount detection process (step S4) is repeated every time the timer T2 reaches the threshold value β. For example, if the threshold value β is set to 1 second, the toner remaining amount detection process is repeated every second in steps S4, S5, and S6.

If timer T2 is less than threshold value β (step S5: No), control unit 90 judges whether timer T1 is equal to or greater than threshold value α (step S7). Threshold value α is a preset value, and corresponds to the drive time of motor M1 and stirring member 34 in the toner supply process. If timer T1 is less than threshold value α (step S7: No), control unit 90 returns to step S5. If timer T1 is equal to or greater than threshold value α (step S7: Yes), control unit 90 stops the drive of motor M1 (step S8) and ends the toner supply process. For example, if threshold value α is set to 10 seconds, the time from when motor M1 starts to drive in step S3 to when motor M1 is stopped in step S8 is 10 seconds.

In the toner replenishment process described above, when the toner falls from the toner pack 40 into the developer container 32 as shown in FIG. 16(a), the toner enters the transport chamber 36 through the first protrusion 37. Since the replenishment port 32a and the first protrusion 37 are arranged at one end of the developer container 32 in the longitudinal direction, toner is supplied to the transport chamber 36 all at once toward the one end.

Here, consider a case where the stirring member 34 is not rotating when toner is supplied to the transport chamber 36. When toner is dropped from the toner pack 40 into the developer container 32, if the stirring member 34 is not rotated in the transport chamber 36 that accommodates the toner, it will take time for the dropped toner to spread over the entire length of the photosensitive drum 21. It takes. If this time becomes longer, it will take time for the user performing toner replenishment work to confirm that toner has been replenished into the transport chamber 36, which will reduce usability.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the stirring member 34 is driven for a predetermined period of time (threshold value α) from the start of toner replenishment in the toner replenishment process. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 16(b) and 16(c), the toner supplied from the toner pack 40 to one end of the developer container 32 is spread over the entire length of the transport chamber 36 of the developer container 32 in the longitudinal direction by the stirring member 34. It will be leveled out quickly. Therefore, the time it takes for the user to confirm that toner replenishment has been performed can be shortened, and usability can be improved. Further, since the toner contained in the developer container 32 is leveled, the accuracy in detecting remaining toner amount information by the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 and the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 can be improved.

During the toner replenishment process, information on the remaining amount of toner in the developer container 32 is detected by the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 and the second remaining toner amount sensor 52 at predetermined intervals (threshold value β). For example, as shown in FIG. 17A, the user replenishes the developer container 32 with toner from the toner pack 40 while the remaining toner amount panel 400 displays that the remaining amount of toner is at a low level.

Then, the toner remaining amount panel 400 displays that the toner remaining amount is at the Mid level as shown in FIG. 17(b), and then displays that the toner remaining amount is at the Full level as shown in FIG. 17(c). Display. Thereby, the user can reliably recognize that the toner has been replenished from the toner pack 40 to the developer container 32, and usability can be improved.

Here, the cross-sectional views in FIGS. 16A to 16C show the cross section 16A-16A in FIG. 16A and 16B show that the light emitting section 52a is arranged at the right end of the photosensitive drum 21 in the longitudinal direction. Further, it is assumed that the light emitting section 51a and the light receiving sections 51b and 52b are also arranged at the same/substantially the same longitudinal position of the photosensitive drum 21. Due to sensor placement restrictions within the device body, the sensor placement may be as shown in FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b). Even in such a case, the above-mentioned usability can be improved by rotating the stirring member 34 during toner replenishment.

Further, depending on the case, a sensor may be placed directly below the supply port 32a. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 16(b), the supplied toner may be biased to the left side, and it may take time until the toner surface is evened out over the entire length of the photosensitive drum 21. . In order to accurately detect the toner supply state, it is necessary that the toner surface be leveled over the entire length of the photosensitive drum 21. However, even in such a case, in this embodiment, the toner surface is leveled over the entire length of the photosensitive drum 21 in a short time by the rotation of the stirring member 34 during toner replenishment, thereby improving usability.

[Relationship between the amount of toner filled in the toner pack and the volume of the developer container]
Next, the relationship between the amount of toner filled in the toner pack 40 and the volume of the developer container 32 will be explained. The developer container 32 can accommodate Z[g] of toner, as shown in FIG. 18(a). Note that in FIGS. 18(a) to 18(c), the values are expressed in terms of grams (g), but the values may be converted into units indicating volume such as milliliters (ml).

When the toner contained in the developing container 32 is between 0 [g] and X [g], the toner remaining amount panel 400 displays a low level based on the detection results of the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 and the second toner remaining amount sensor 52. X [g] corresponds to the second amount, and a toner amount between 0 [g] and X [g] corresponds to a toner amount less than the second amount.

When the amount of toner contained in the developer container 32 is between X [g] and Y [g], the remaining toner amount panel 400 is displayed at the Mid level. Y [g] corresponds to the first amount, and toner amounts from X [g] to Y [g] correspond to toner amounts less than the first amount.

When the amount of toner contained in the developer container 32 is Y [g] or more, the toner remaining amount panel 400 displays the Full level based on the detection results of the first remaining toner amount sensor 51 and the second remaining toner amount sensor 52. will be displayed. The amount of toner equal to or greater than Y [g] corresponds to the amount of toner equal to or greater than the first amount.

FIG. 18B is a graph showing the amount of toner when the developer container 32 is replenished with toner using the toner pack 40 filled with A [g] of toner. FIG. 18C is a graph showing the amount of toner when the developer container 32 is replenished with toner using the toner pack 40 filled with B[g] (>A) toner. The product lineup of toner pack 40 includes either a small-capacity toner pack filled with A [g] of toner, or a large-capacity toner pack filled with B [g] of toner. But that's fine. Further, the product lineup of toner packs 40 is not limited to two types, but three or more types may be prepared.

In this embodiment, the amount of toner (A, B) filled in the toner pack 40 as a supply container satisfies the following equations (1) and (2).
Y≦A<Z-Y...(1)
Y≦B<Z-Y...(2)

As shown in FIG. 18(b), when the toner remaining in the developer container 32 is R [g] between 0 [g] and X [g], the toner pack 40 develops the toner by A [g]. When the container 32 is replenished, the developer container 32 will contain (R+A) [g] of toner. According to the above equation (1), Y<(R+A), so the remaining toner amount panel 400 after toner replenishment displays the Full level. That is, Y [g], which is the threshold value of the Full level, is smaller than the supply amount A [g] supplied from the toner pack 40 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 18(c), when the amount of toner remaining in the developer container 32 is R [g], when the toner pack 40 replenishes toner B [g] into the developer container 32, the amount of toner remaining in the developer container 32 is (R+B)[g] of toner will be accommodated. According to the above equation (2), since Y<(R+B), the remaining toner amount panel 400 after toner replenishment displays the Full level.

In this way, the capacity of the developer container 32 is such that by replenishing toner when the remaining toner amount panel 400 is displayed at the Mid level or Low level, the remaining toner amount panel 400 always reaches the Full level. Set. Note that the volume of the developer container 32 does not necessarily have to be set so that the full level is reached by one toner pack 40; for example, the capacity can be set to the full level by replenishing a plurality of toner packs 40 containing a small amount of toner. You may do so.

Further, the volume of the developer container 32 is calculated from the above equations (1) and (2), when the remaining toner amount panel 400 is displayed at the Mid level or Low level, the total amount of toner filled in the toner pack 40 is calculated. It is set so that it can be moved to the developer container 32. That is, the maximum amount Z [g] of the developer that can be stored in the developer container 32 is determined by the amount of developer that the toner pack 40 can store (A [g] or B[g]). In other words, the amount of toner filled in the toner pack 40 is the maximum amount of toner that can be stored in the developer container 32 (Z[g]) and the remaining amount of toner at the boundary between the Mid level and the Full level (Y[g]). g]) is less than the difference between.

This prevents the developer container 32 from becoming full of toner while replenishing the developer container 32 with toner using the toner pack 40, and it is possible to reduce leakage of toner from the replenishment port 32a during toner replenishment. .

As described above, in this embodiment, the second opening 82a is formed in the discharge tray 81 of the top cover 82, and further, an opening/closing member 83 is provided that is supported on the top cover 82 so as to be openable and closable. The opening/closing member 83 covers the second opening 82a in the closed state, and exposes the supply port 32a of the developing container 32 in the open state. Therefore, the user can access the supply port 32a simply by opening the opening/closing member 83.

This embodiment adopts a method (direct replenishment method) in which toner is directly supplied to the developer container 32 by the toner pack 40 from the replenishment port 32a. There is no need to take it out. Further, since the replenishment port 32a of the developer container 32 is formed on the upper surface of the first protrusion 37 that protrudes upward from one end in the longitudinal direction of the transport chamber 36, it is disposed close to the second opening 82a. ing. Therefore, the user can easily replenish toner into the developer container 32 through the replenishment port 32a. Further, when replenishing the developer container 32 with toner, parts such as the developer roller 31 and the supply roller 33 are not replaced, so costs can be reduced.

Furthermore, since the laser passage space SP is formed so as to be surrounded by the first protrusion 37, the second protrusion 38, the handle part 39, and the transfer chamber 36, the developer container 32 and the scanner unit 11 can be disposed close to each other. This allows the image forming apparatus 1 to be downsized.

Furthermore, when the toner pack 40 is attached to the supply port 32a and toner is supplied, the stirring member 34 is driven, so even if the supply port 32a is located at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 32, the packing phenomenon can be reduced. This reduces image defects and improves the detection accuracy of the remaining toner amount information.

Further, the maximum amount Z [g] of the developer that can be stored in the developer container 32 is determined by the amount of developer that the toner pack 40 can store (A [g] or B[g]). Therefore, the developer container 32 does not become full of toner while replenishing the developer container 32 with toner using the toner pack 40, and leakage of toner from the replenishment port 32a during toner replenishment can be reduced. . By configuring the image forming apparatus 1 in this manner, it is possible to provide a form of image forming apparatus that satisfies the needs of the user.

Note that in the present embodiment, in the toner replenishment process, the stirring member 34 is driven for a predetermined time (threshold value α) based on the user's operation of button 1 of the operation unit 300, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, driving of the stirring member 34 may be started by pressing button 1 once, and driving of stirring member 34 may be stopped by pressing button 1 again. Alternatively, the stirring member 34 may be driven only while the button 1 is being pressed.

Further, when the remaining amount of toner in the developer container 32 reaches a low level, a replenishment notification may be displayed on the display unit 301 to prompt toner replenishment. Furthermore, when the toner runs out, a replenishment notification may be displayed on the display unit 301 to prompt toner replenishment.

Further, although the remaining amount of toner in the developer container 32 is notified to the user by the remaining toner amount panel 400, it does not have to be composed of three scales as in this embodiment. For example, the remaining toner amount panel 400 may include one, two, or four or more scales. Further, the remaining amount of toner may be continuously displayed using a percentage display or a gauge display. Further, the user may be notified of the remaining amount of toner by voice using a speaker.

<First modification example>
FIG. 19(a) shows a first modification of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19A, in the image forming apparatus 1B, the developer container replenishment port 132a is arranged on the right side of the apparatus, and the opening/closing member 83B is also arranged on the right side of the apparatus. The opening/closing member 83B exposes the replenishment port 132a in an open state and covers the replenishment port 132a in a closed state. By arranging the replenishment port 132a on the right side of the apparatus in this manner, the replenishment port 132a is close to the remaining toner amount panel 400. Therefore, when replenishing the developer container with toner using the toner pack 40, the toner remaining amount panel 400 can be easily checked.

<Second modification example>
Further, the present invention is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 19(a), but may be applied to an image forming apparatus 1C configured to open the opening/closing member 83C toward the front, as shown in FIG. 19(b). .

<Third modification example>
Further, as shown in FIG. 19(c), the present invention may be applied to an image forming apparatus 1D configured to open an opening/closing member 83D to the rear side.

<Fourth variation>
Further, as shown in FIG. 20(a), the operation unit 300E may be placed on the reading device 200 instead of the printer main body 100, or may be placed on the right side of the device together with the remaining toner amount panel 400. It goes without saying that both the operation unit 300E and the remaining toner amount panel 400 may be placed on the right side of the apparatus.

<Fifth modification example>
Further, as shown in FIG. 20(b), the toner remaining amount panel 400F may be arranged on the left side of the apparatus, and the operation section 300F may be arranged on the right side of the apparatus.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the supply port 32a of the first embodiment is changed. Therefore, the same configurations as those in the first embodiment will be explained by omitting illustrations or using the same reference numerals in the figures.

As shown in FIG. 21(a), in the image forming apparatus 1G, an opening/closing member 83G is supported by the top cover 82 so as to be openable/closable, and the opening/closing member 83G is configured to open toward the back of the apparatus. By opening the opening/closing member 83G, the supply port 232a of the developer container 32G is exposed. The replenishment port 232a opens downstream and upward in the discharge direction of the discharge roller pair 80 so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction.In other words, the replenishment port 232a opens obliquely toward the front and upward. It's open.

By configuring the replenishment port 232a in this manner, the toner pack 40 is tilted toward the front while attached to the replenishment port 232a. Therefore, the space between the replenishment port 232a and the reading device 200 can be effectively utilized, and even a large-capacity toner pack can be attached to the replenishment port 232a.

Note that, as shown in FIGS. 22(a) and 22(b), the opening/closing member 83H and the reading device 200 may be configured to be held at a shallower angle than in FIGS. 21(a) and (b). With this configuration, the installation space of the image forming apparatus 1 can be saved.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described, which is a modification of the first embodiment in terms of the configuration of the cartridge guide 102. Therefore, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be described by omitting illustrations or by assigning the same reference numerals in the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 23(a) and 23(b), the image forming apparatus 1J includes a printer main body 100J and a reading device 200, and the printer main body 100J includes a cartridge guide 102J. The cartridge guide 102J guides the process cartridge 20 when the process cartridge 20 is pulled out by sliding on a protrusion 21a (see FIG. 5A) provided at the end of the photosensitive drum 21 in the axial direction.

A retainer 102Ja is formed at the downstream end of the cartridge guide 102J in the pull-out direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23(b), when the user pulls out the process cartridge 20, the protrusion 21a of the process cartridge 20 abuts against the retainer 102Ja, and the process cartridge 20 is not removed from the printer main body 100J. Note that a rotation stop (not shown) is provided near the pull-out stop 102Ja, and the process cartridge 20 is held without rotating by the rotation stop while abutting against the pull-out stop 102Ja.

In this way, when the process cartridge 20 is pulled out along the cartridge guide 102J, the supply port 32a is located at the front side of the image forming device 1J, as shown in Figures 24 and 25 (a) and (b). This makes it easy to perform the toner supply operation of supplying toner to the developing container 32 from the supply port 32a using the toner pack 40. In addition, since there is a large space directly above the supply port 32a, a large-capacity toner pack can be attached to the supply port 32a. Note that any of the embodiments and modifications described above may be combined as appropriate.

Note that in any of the embodiments described above, the reading device 200 is provided above the printer body, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the image forming apparatus may be a printer without a reading device. Further, the reading device may be a reading device equipped with an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) that feeds the document.

1: Image forming device / 12: Transfer means (transfer roller) / 21: Image carrier (photosensitive drum) / 31: Developer carrier (developing roller) / 32: Developer container / 32a: Supply port / 34: Stirring member /36: Accommodation section (transport chamber) /40: Supply container (toner pack) /83: Opening/closing member /90: Control means (control section) /100: Printer main body /300: Operation section /M1: Drive source (motor)

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus that has a removable replenishment container containing developer and forms a developer image on a recording material,
an image carrier configured to carry the developer image and be rotatable;
a developer carrier configured to carry a developer and supply the developer to the image carrier;
The replenishment container is a removable developer container, and includes a storage part that stores developer to be carried on the developer carrier, and a replenishment part for replenishing the developer from the replenishment container to the storage part. a developer container having a mouth;
a stirring member that stirs the developer contained in the storage section;
Constructed to be movable between a closed position that covers the supply port so that the supply container cannot be attached to the developer container, and an open position that exposes the supply port so that the supply container can be attached to the developer container. an opening/closing member,
a drive source for driving the stirring member;
A control means for controlling the drive source,
Image formation is possible when the opening/closing member is in the closed position, and image formation is not possible when the opening/closing member is in the open position,
The stirring member is configured to be driven when the opening/closing member is in the open position.
An image forming apparatus characterized by: the supply port is open upward;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stirring member transports the developer in the storage section in a transport direction,
The replenishment port is arranged on the upstream side of the developer container in the transport direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The transport direction is a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developer container.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: Equipped with an operation section that outputs a signal when operated,
The control means controls the drive source to drive the stirring member based on the signal output from the operation unit.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The developer container is configured such that developer can be supplied to the developer container from outside the image forming apparatus through the replenishment port while the developer container is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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