JPH02251874A - Device for detecting amount of toner in container - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To securely detect the amount of toner, charged in a container, based on the energization or interruption of an electric signal by permitting a fixed electrode and a movable electrode to separate from and contact with each other through the use of change in the amount of toner charged in the container. CONSTITUTION:A full charge detecting device, which detects that the container 4 is filled with recovering toner T completely, is provided on the upper part of the toner recovering container 4. The full charge detecting device is composed of the fixed electrode 5 fixed in a part of the recovering container 4, the movable electrode 7 provided in the container 4 with a holding member 6 so as to face the fixed electrode 5, and a detecting means 8 for detecting, based on the abutting of both the electrodes 5 and 7, the condition that the recovering container 4 is filled with toner T completely. When the toner T is charge above the prescribed level, the toner T presses the movable electrode 7 to the fixed electrode 5, and an electric signal flows in the detecting means 8. Thus, whether the toner T has reached the prescribed level in the container 4 or not can be detected through the energization or interruption of the electric signal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a toner supply container that supplies toner to a developing device, and toner that remains on a latent image carrier in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a laser printer. The present invention relates to a toner amount detection device attached to a toner storage container, such as a toner collection container for collecting residual toner.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, commonly used electrophotographic copying machines include:
As shown in FIG. 9, reflected light from an original document B is guided to the photosensitive drum A around a drum-shaped latent image carrier having a photoconductive layer on its surface, that is, a photosensitive drum A, so that an electrostatic latent image is formed. Optical system C1 to form an electrostatic latent image Developing device D1 to form a toner image by attracting toner to the formed electrostatic latent image Transfer device F1 to transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drum A onto a recording sheet E Recording sheet E after transfer Devices such as a sheet peeling device G for peeling toner from the photoreceptor drum A, a cleaning means 11 for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum without being transferred to the recording sheet E, and the like are arranged in order along the rotational direction of the drum A. The one set up is representative.

At this time, a toner collection container I for collecting and storing the toner removed from the photosensitive drum A is arranged adjacent to the cleaning means 1, while the developing device is replenished from outside the copying machine. A toner supply container J for storing new toner and supplying it to the developing device is arranged adjacent to the toner supply container J.

In the above-mentioned toner collection container (■), it is necessary to provide a detection device to detect when the collection container is full of toner in order to prevent failure of peripheral equipment due to collected toner overflowing from the container. . Also, in the toner supply container J, it is necessary to provide a detection device for detecting when the toner in the container is empty, so as not to run out of toner to be supplied to the developing device.

Among these detection devices for detecting the amount of toner in a container, for example, a device using an optical sensor is known as a fullness detection device attached to a toner collection container. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, a transparent or translucent housing b is formed upwardly in the upper part of the collection container a, and a light emitting element C and a light receiving element d are placed on both sides of the housing b. When the collection container a is full of toner f, the housing b above the collection container a is filled with the toner f, and the filled toner " By blocking the optical path of the optical sensor e, the full state of collected toner is detected.

In addition, as an empty detection device attached to the toner supply container,
2. Description of the Related Art A toner amount detection device in a container is known in which a piezoelectric paper is mounted near the bottom of the inner wall of the container. Specifically, the presence or absence of toner on the front surface of the piezoelectric element is detected based on the vibration state of the piezoelectric element, and if toner is in contact with the detection surface, the vibration of the element is suppressed and it is determined that toner is present. When the amount of toner remaining is small and the toner is not in contact with the detection surface, the element vibrates freely, so it is determined that there is no toner based on the difference from the former.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the above-described conventional toner amount detection device in a container has the following problems.

That is, in the former collected toner fullness detection device using an optical sensor, in order to detect fullness, it is necessary to push up and fill the collected toner f into the housing b above the collection container a. Since the accumulation level of toner is only increasing overall, there is a risk that the toner will not be reliably filled into the housing b, making it difficult to accurately detect the full state of the container. There are problems. In addition, when the toner floating in the collection container a adheres to the inner wall of the housing b, this adhered toner blocks the optical path of the optical sensor e, so even though the collection container a is not full, However, this method also has the problem of displaying to the operator that the collected toner is full.

In addition, in the latter toner empty detection device using a piezoelectric element, even if the toner is consumed and the amount is less than the detection surface of the piezoelectric element, if toner adheres to and remains on the detection surface, it may falsely detect that there is toner. There is a problem that it ends up happening. To prevent such false detections, a method has been proposed to remove the adhering toner by rubbing the detection surface with a brush, etc., but in this method, the vibration state of the detection surface is This has the problem that the presence or absence of toner cannot be accurately detected.

The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and its purpose is to be applicable to both a toner collection container full detection device and a toner supply container empty detection device, and to be able to avoid malfunctions. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new toner amount detection device in a container, which has a simple structure and reliably detects toner in the container.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the toner amount detection device in the container of the present invention is attached to a toner storage container, and the inner wall of the container has a toner amount detection device attached to the toner storage container. A fixed electrode is provided at a position approximately corresponding to the highest reference level of the toner to be detected, while a moving electrode that moves to follow the toner in the container is provided at a portion facing the fixed electrode in the container. In addition, the present invention is characterized in that it includes a detection means for detecting the amount of toner in the container based on the separation and abutment of the fixed electrode and the movable electrode.

In such a technical means, the position of the fixed electrode may be set as appropriate depending on the toner mm standard level to be detected. For example, in a toner supply container, it may be placed near the bottom of the inner wall. While the device is used as an empty detection device, in the toner collection container, it is provided near the top of the inner wall and used as a fullness detection device.

Furthermore, if the movable electrode is one that contacts and separates from the fixed electrode in response to the pressing force exerted on the back surface by the toner filled in the container, the design of the arrangement method etc. may be changed as appropriate. However, from the viewpoint of preventing electric signals unrelated to the toner mother from being sent and received between the fixed electrode and the moving electrode due to the electrode being dirty due to toner adhesion, it is recommended to fix the moving electrode with a holding member. When disposed facing the electrode, it is preferable to cover the movable electrode with a holding member to isolate it from the toner in the container.

Additionally, fixed electrodes and moving TI! As for the material of the electrode, any ordinary conductive material will do, but from the viewpoint of not causing false detection when the fixed electrode and moving electrode come into contact due to vibrations generated during the operation of a machine such as a copying machine. , one of the electrodes is made of a pressure-sensitive conductive member whose resistance value changes depending on the applied pressure, and the detection means detects the lack of toner in the container only when the resistance value is constant corresponding to the contact pressure between the two electrodes. Alternatively, it is preferable to detect fullness.

Furthermore, as long as the above-mentioned detection means detects the toner bag in the container based on the change in the electric signal between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode, the structure may be modified as appropriate; for example, it may be used as an empty detection device. When used as a fullness detection device, the amount of toner in the container can be detected by cutting off the electrical signal by separating the two electrodes, or by energizing the two electrodes when they are brought into contact when used as a fullness detection device. In addition, considering the point of detecting toner shortage or fullness in advance and prompting the operator, in combination with the pressure-sensitive conductive member, an arbitrary resistance value that is based on the resistance value of the electrode that changes depending on the pressing force of toner can be used. It is preferable to make the detection possible in stages by comparing the

[Effect] The effect of the above technical means will be explained.

The moving electrode is placed at a predetermined level in the container with a constant gap between it and the fixed electrode, and when the amount of toner filled in the container is below the predetermined level, the moving electrode is placed on the wall of the container. Since the toner does not receive any pushing force toward the sensor, the two electrodes do not come into contact with each other and no electrical signal flows to the detection means.

On the other hand, if the toner is filled above the predetermined level, the toner buries the moving electrode toward the fixed electrode,
Both electrodes come into contact and an electrical signal flows to the detection means.

Therefore, it is detected whether or not the toner has reached a predetermined level in the container by energizing or cutting off an electric signal generated with the level at which the detection device is disposed as a boundary.

[Example] Hereinafter, a toner amount detection device in a container according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings.

◎Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a toner recovery device C equipped with a recovery toner fullness detection device to which the present invention is applied.

The toner collection device C of this embodiment includes a cleaning means 2 for removing toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1, a toner transport means 3 for transporting the removed toner, and a toner collection container 4 for collecting the transported toner. It is composed of.

The cleaning means 2 moves a cleaning blade 21 corresponding to the axial length of the photoreceptor drum 1 to a support member 22.
It is elastically pressed against the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor drum 1, and as the photoreceptor drum 1 rotates, it scrapes off toner remaining on the circumferential surface.

The scraped off toner is received by a receiving member 31 located below the cleaning blade 21, and is collected into the toner collecting container 4 by rotation of a toner conveying member 32 having a substantially rectangular cross section. Incidentally, the reference numeral 41 indicates the photosensitive drum 1.
A partition wall 33 that partitions the cleaning area and the area of the toner collection container 4 is a plate-shaped toner scraping member that is fixed to one end of the partition wall 41 and comes into elastic contact with the toner conveying member 32.

A fullness detection device is attached to the top of the toner collection container 4 to detect when the container 4 is full of collected toner T.

This fullness detection device consists of a fixed electrode 5 blown into a part of a collection container 4, a movable electrode 7 provided in the container 4 opposite to the fixed electrode 5 by a holding member 6, and these image electrodes 5.
and a detection means 8 for detecting whether the collection container 4 is full of toner T based on the contact of the collection container 4 with the toner T.

First, the fixed electrodes 5 are a pair of electrodes provided in an open state on a square substrate 51 with a negative side of 40I1ml+, and are comb-shaped so as to ensure current flow between them and the movable electrode 7 even under slight contact pressure. It is formed in the pattern of The fixed electrode 5 is arranged inside the container 4 by fitting the substrate 51 into a mounting hole opened at the top of the collection container 4.

On the other hand, the moving electrode 7 is a circular pressure-sensitive conductive member with a diameter of 10 m to 20 m. This pressure-sensitive conductive member has a property that its resistance value decreases in inverse proportion to the magnitude of the applied pressure. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, it has an infinite resistance value at a pressure of Og/ClR2. While showing, 6
0g/C! R2 exhibits a resistance value of about 100.

The holding member 6 that holds the movable electrode 7 in the recovery container 4 facing the fixed electrode 5 is a sheet-like member made of synthetic rubber, resin compound, etc. and approximately the same size as the substrate 51. A circular attachment part 6 for attaching the moving electrode 7 to the
1, and is also provided with a seal portion 62 on the outer edge for sealing between the substrate 51 and the toner collection container 4. The above-mentioned attached part 61 and seal part G2 have a thickness of 50uTrL.
- soo μm are connected together by 1163 to form an I sheet-like object, and by simply applying a minute force to the attached part 61, the M membrane 63 is bent and the movable electrode 7 comes into contact with the opposing fixed electrode 5. It is possible.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recovered toner full detection device of this embodiment configured as described above has a holding member 6 with a movable electrode 7 attached thereto and a fixed electrode 5 attached to the attachment hole of the recovery container 4. The board 51 is fitted with the provided board 51 in order.
is attached to the collection container 4 by fixing it with screws. It is used by connecting a detection means 8 between a pair of fixed electrodes 5 forming a comb-like pattern. At this time, in this configuration, by tightening the screw that fixes the board 51, the seal part 62 is pressed against the board 51 and comes into close contact with the locking part 42 at the end of the mounting hole, so that the collected toner T is released from the container 4. At the same time, the movable electrode 7 and the fixed electrode 5 are isolated from the toner T in the container 4.
Malfunctions due to toner adhesion to 7 are prevented. Further, the substrate 51 is provided with an air vent hole 52 for releasing air from the closed space surrounded by the holding member 6 and the substrate 51, so that the contact of the movable electrode 1 with the fixed wi electrode 5 is not obstructed. It has become.

Next, the operation of detecting the fullness of collected toner in this toner collecting device will be explained.

First, the toner scraped onto the receiving member 31 by the cleaning blade 21 is collected into the toner collecting container 4 by the conveying member 32. As the collection progresses, the amount of toner filled in the container 4 gradually increases, and the attached portion 61 of the holding member 6 is pushed up from below. the result,
The movable electrode 7 attached to the attached part 61 comes into contact with the opposing fixed electrode 5 to connect the pair of fixed electrodes 5 that are in an open state, thereby forming a closed circuit including the detection means 8. is formed. Move 1! At the initial stage of contact between the pole 7 and the fixed electrode 5, the contact pressure between the two electrodes 5 and 1 is low, so the resistance value of the movable electrode 7 made of a pressure-sensitive conductive member is large;
As the collection of toner T progresses, the moving electrode 7 comes into contact with the fixed electrode 5 with stronger pressure, so its resistance value rapidly decreases.

Therefore, the detection means 8 connected to the fixed electrode 5 detects the change in the resistance value of the movable electrode 7, and compares it with a preset reference resistance value.If a resistance value below the reference value is detected, the operator , or the copying machine or other machine is stopped.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by using the pressing force of the toner T that is full in the collection container 4, the full state of toner can be reliably detected.

Note that the resistance value serving as the detection standard at this time may of course be appropriately selected depending on the characteristics of the pressure-sensitive conductive member used, the arrangement method of the fixed electrode 5 and the movable electrode 7, and the like.

◎Second Embodiment In the detection means 8 of the first embodiment described above, the process of displaying to the operator and stopping the machine was performed after a certain detection standard was reached, but by setting a multi-stage detection standard, , it is also possible to detect the amount of toner in the collection container 4 in stages.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the resistance value at the initial stage of contact between the movable electrode 7 and the fixed electrode 5 is set as the first reference R1, while the resistance value in the completely full state is set as the second reference R2, and as shown in FIG. As shown in the flowchart, when the resistance value R of the moving electrode 7 is R1≦R≦R2, the operator is prompted to replace the toner collection container 4, and when R2≦R, the machine is stopped and the toner collection is started. This prevents the toner collection device from malfunctioning due to the container 4 being full.

In this case as well, it goes without saying that the resistance values serving as the first reference and second reference may be changed as appropriate depending on the usage conditions of the fullness detection device.

Third Embodiment FIG. 7 shows a toner supply container empty detection device to which the present invention is applied.

In the toner collection container full detection device according to the first embodiment, the fixed electrode 5 and the movable electrode 7, which were in a separated state, come into contact with each other as a layer of toner T is added in the container 4, and the full state is detected. In the empty detection device of the embodiment, on the contrary, the fixed electrode 5 and the movable electrode 1, which are in contact with each other, are separated as the amount of toner T decreases, and the shortage of toner T in the supply container 9 is detected. be.

In this embodiment, the configuration is similar to that of the detection device according to the first embodiment, but in order to separate the moving electrode 7 from the fixed electrode 5 in accordance with the decrease in toner T, the holding member 6 is made of rubber or the like. It is made of an elastic material and urges the moving electrode 7 into the container. Note that the symbol @91 is a partition wall that partitions the toner supply container 9 and the developing device, and the symbol 92 is the toner T in the supply container 9.
This is an auger that stirs the toner T and supplies the toner T to the developing device.

Next, the operation of the sky detection device of this embodiment will be explained.

The detection device is disposed below the side wall of the container 9, and will be buried in the toner T if the supply container 9 is filled with enough toner T. Therefore, since the attached portion 61 of the holding member 6 receives a pressing force from the toner T, the movable type Ii7 is kept in contact with the fixed electrode 5.

The toner T in the supply container 9 is sent to the developing device, and the risk of this is gradually reduced, but as the detection device is also exposed in the container 9, the pressing force acting on the attached part 61 is reduced. decreases, and finally the pressing force disappears and the movable electrode 7 separates from the fixed electrode 5.

In this embodiment as well, since a pressure-sensitive conductive member is used for the moving electrode 7, the moving electrode 7 exhibits a small resistance value when the amount of toner in the supply container 9 is sufficient, while the toner T decreases. Immediately before the movable electrode 7 and the fixed electrode 5 are separated, the resistance value is almost infinite.

Therefore, while detecting the resistance value of the moving electrode 7 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the detected resistance value is compared with an arbitrarily set reference resistance value, and if the detected resistance value is larger than the reference resistance value, , which indicates to the operator that toner needs to be replenished.

It goes without saying that in the empty detection device of this embodiment as well, a plurality of reference resistance values can be provided as in the second embodiment, and the remaining amount of toner in the supply container can be detected step by step.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the toner trap detection device in a container of the present invention, the fixed electrode and the movable electrode are brought into contact with each other at a distance by utilizing changes in the amount of toner filled in the container. This makes it possible to reliably detect the amount of toner filled in the container based on the energization or interruption of the electrical signal.

In addition, by using a pressure-sensitive conductive member for the electrode and setting the detection means to detect the amount of toner in the container only at a predetermined resistance value, the fixed electrode and the movable electrode can be prevented from becoming damaged due to vibrations etc. during the operation of the device. It is possible to prevent the detection means from malfunctioning when an intentional contact is made.

Furthermore, when using a pressure-sensitive conductive member, by setting multiple resistance values as detection standards, it is possible to detect the amount of toner in the container in stages, making it easier for operators to manage the toner container. It can be done easily.

Furthermore, by arranging the movable electrode and the fixed electrode so as to cover it with the holding member, it is possible to isolate the movable electrode and the fixed electrode from the toner and protect them from toner contamination.
Malfunctions of the detection device that are likely to occur due to toner stains on the picture electrode can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a fullness detection device for a toner collection container to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the main parts of the fullness detection device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 4 is a graph showing the characteristics of the pressure-sensitive conductive member used in the transferable IJI electrode, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the fixed electrodes according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the setting status of the reference resistance value, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of determining whether the detection means is full according to the second embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional fullness detection device for a toner collection container, and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a copying machine to which the in-container toner needle detection device of the present invention can be applied. [Explanation of symbols] 4: Toner collection container 6: Holding member 8: Detection means C: Toner collection device

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) In a toner amount detection device attached to a toner storage container, a fixed electrode is provided on the inner wall of the container at a position approximately corresponding to the toner amount reference level to be detected; A movable electrode that moves in accordance with the amount of toner in the container is provided at a portion facing the fixed electrode, and a detection means that detects the amount of toner in the container based on the spaced contact between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode is provided. A toner amount detection device in a container, characterized in that: (2) The toner amount detection device in a container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the fixed electrode and the moving electrode is made of a pressure-sensitive conductive member whose resistance value changes depending on the applied pressure. (3) The detection means detects the amount of toner in the container in stages based on the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive conductive member that changes depending on the contact pressure between the fixed electrode and the moving electrode. Toner amount detection device in container. (4) The toner amount detection device in a container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the moving electrode is covered by a holding member whose outer edge is brought into close contact with the inner wall of the container around the fixed electrode.