JPH04159581A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve an operability by a providing a first transfer means to transfer a toner container to have finished loading to a loading part to a replenishment position and a second transfer means to transfer from the replenishment position to a storage part. CONSTITUTION:A first transfer means 121 for transferring a toner container 112 to have finished loading to a loading part 117 to a replenishment position 124 and a second transfer means 121 for transferring the empty toner container 112 from the corresponding replenishment position 124 to a storage part 133 are provided. The transfer belt of the transfer means 121 is constituted by left and right transfer belts 121 driven by a transfer motor 122 rotatable forward and inversely, and the shaft of a belt pulley is provided parallel to the left and right inclined walls of a cartridge 112 so as to be surface-contacting to the left and right inclined walls of the cartridge 112 respectively. Thus, without pulling out the empty cartridge from the tonner replenishment position to the outside of a device on each occasion by an operator, it is possible to replenish a toner into a development unit, and the operability is improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic or electrostatic recording type copying machines, facsimile machines, printers, etc. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that is used by being attached to an apparatus main body.

[Conventional technology]

This type of image forming apparatus uses fine particles called toner stored in a developing unit, which is a developing device within the apparatus, to form a visible image on a recording medium such as transfer paper. This toner is a consumable item, and the developing unit must be replenished each time the amount of toner in the developing unit falls below a predetermined amount.

Various proposals have been made regarding the method of replenishing toner to the developing unit.
A method in which a toner cartridge, which is a container containing toner, is installed in a toner replenishing position such as above the toner hopper opening of the developing unit, and toner is replenished from this toner cartridge (hereinafter referred to as the toner cartridge method). It can be broadly classified into.

In the direct replenishment method, when toner is directly refilled into the toner replenishment unit, the toner scatters inside and outside the device, easily staining the device and the operator's hands and clothes, so today, the toner cartridge method is almost always used. It has reached this point.

However, with conventional toner cartridge systems, when the amount of toner in the developing unit falls below a predetermined amount and a new toner cartridge containing toner (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge) is installed, the operator must It is necessary to take out the empty cartridge (hereinafter referred to as an empty cartridge) from the device each time after toner is refilled.
When the empty cartridge is taken out, the problem remains that toner adhering to the walls of the empty cartridge may scatter inside and outside the device, staining the device and the operator's hands and clothes.

Therefore, when a plurality of cartridges are installed in the toner replenishing position of the developing unit, this cartridge can be sequentially installed in a multilayer core shape inside a previously installed empty cartridge. According to
It has been proposed to allow the operator to replenish toner in the developing unit without removing the empty cartridge from the toner replenishing position to the outside of the apparatus each time a cartridge is installed (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 188171/1983). (see publication).

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, according to the above configuration, the operator directly installs the cartridge in the toner replenishment position, stores the empty cartridge in the toner replenishment position, and then loads the next cartridge into the empty cartridge. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is inconvenient for the operator to load the cartridge into the device or take it out from the device. This is due to the following reason.

The toner replenishment position is provided with a mechanism that positions the cartridge opening so that the opening of the toner hopper, which is the toner replenishment part, faces each other, and a mechanism that prevents toner from scattering from the toner hopper opening into the device. -The structure has to be cramped in terms of space for boat fishing. Therefore, since the loading section is narrow, it is necessary for the operator to take great care when installing the cartridge in the toner replenishment position.

Furthermore, since the operator directly attaches the cartridge to the toner replenishment position, considerable care must be taken to ensure that the cartridge is completely positioned at the toner replenishment position.

Furthermore, even when taking out an empty cartridge from the device, the empty cartridge is stored in the toner replenishment position.
When taking out the cartridge, it is necessary to pull out the empty cartridge from a relatively narrow space, which is troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its object is to enable an operator to move an empty toner container from the toner replenishment position each time the toner container device is loaded. To provide an image forming apparatus in which a developing unit can be replenished with toner without taking the toner out of the apparatus, and the operability of loading a toner container into the apparatus and taking it out from the apparatus by an operator can be improved. .

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a replenishing section for replenishing toner from a toner container containing toner, and a loading section for loading the toner container; The toner container, which has been completely loaded into the loading section, is placed at a location different from the loading section.
a first transfer means for transporting toner to a replenishment position for replenishing the toner to the replenishment unit; and a location separate from the replenishment position in the apparatus for storing an empty toner container after replenishing the toner to the replenishment unit. The present invention is characterized in that it has a storage section provided in the storage section, and a second transfer means for transferring the empty toner container from the replenishment position to the storage section.

[Effect]

With the above configuration, the present invention allows the first transfer means to transfer the toner container loaded into the loading section provided separately from the replenishment position to the replenishment position, thereby making it possible to replenish the toner to the replenishment section. , the empty toner container after being replenished with toner at the replenishment position is transported by the second transport means to a storage section provided in a location different from the replenishment position in the apparatus, and thereby,
It functions to secure a replenishment position for the next toner container containing toner, and to store empty toner containers in the storage section.

〔Example〕

A digital copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine), which is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described.

In FIG. 1, this digital copying machine is composed of a reading device (scanner) 10 that is a document reading means, and a copying device (printer) 90 that executes a series of processes for copying the read document information onto paper. Ru.

The electrical components of this digital copying machine will be outlined below with reference to FIG.

In the housing of the reading device 10, a reading control circuit 20,
A reading drive device 30, an image reading circuit 40, and an image processing circuit 50 are housed, and an image information storage device 60, which is a storage means for storing read document information, and a copying circuit 70 are housed in the housing of the copying device 90. , system control device 6
1. The system control device 61 houses an operating device 80 which is an operating means for manually operating keys. This information storage device 60 includes an image memory section 62 and the system control device 61.
It consists of The read control circuit 20, the write drive control circuit 71 and the operating device 80 included in the copy circuit 70 are connected to the system control circuit 61 and the signal lines L1, L2, L
3, and perform data transmission with each other.

The reading control circuit 20 is connected to the system control circuit 61 through Ll.
It receives signals via the scanner motor 31, controls the rotation speed of the scanner motor 31, controls the heater of the fluorescent lamp 32, instructs the fluorescent lamp 32 to turn on, controls the filter solenoid 33 for detecting the document size, controls the scanner power supply cooling fan, etc. The image reading circuit 40 reads the reflected light from the original at 80dp.
CCD 41.i to convert it into an analog signal. An amplifier 42 that divides the signal from the CCD 41 into odd numbers (ODD) and even numbers (EVEN) and amplifies them (since the time per pixel is very short, it is divided into two based on the performance of the amplifier), ODD and EVEV from the amplifier 42. A switching element 43 that combines signals into a serial analog signal, a switching element 43
The analog signal from the fluorescent lamp 3 from the image processing circuit 50
Amplification degree instruction data A for correcting brightness fluctuations in step 2
It includes a variable amplifier 44 that amplifies by GC, an A/D converter 45 that converts an analog signal from the variable amplifier 44 into a digital signal, and the like. The image processing circuit 5o includes five gate arrays 51 to 55 and a clock generation circuit 5 to process image signals sent from the image reading circuit 4o.
6, ROM57, RAM58, etc. Gate array 51 performs light amount detection, shading correction, timing control, command control, data editing/output, COD drive clock generation, etc. Gate array 52
is for magnification in the main scanning direction, gate array 53 is for halftone processing,
The gate array 54 is responsible for binarization processing, document size detection, character/halftone separation and hollow editing, and the gate array 55 is responsible for mark area detection. The image memory section 62 is composed of a memory board and a memory control board. A system control circuit 61 controls the entire system and gives instructions for reading and writing image data. This system-wide control includes system readiness monitoring,
This includes detecting transfer paper size and remaining amount, instructing original reading and paper feeding start, controlling scanner copy mode and printer copy mode, etc., and grasping the remaining amount of memory when giving instructions for reading and writing image data. is being carried out.

The copying circuit 70 includes a line driver circuit 72 that receives image data from the image memory section 62, a laser driver circuit 73 that amplifies the image data signal from the line driver circuit 72, and a semiconductor laser driven by the laser driver circuit 73. LD) 74, a read drive control circuit 75, a write drive control circuit 71, a drive device 76, and the like. The operating device 80 includes an operating panel 81 provided with a display and a human key for displaying various information, and an operating control circuit 82.

Next, the schematic structure and operation of the mechanism section will be described using FIG. 1, which is a front view showing the schematic structure.

First, the reading device 10 will be explained.

The reading device 10 has a contact glass 306 on which the original is placed.
, an original scale 305 provided on the edge of the contact glass, an original pressure plate 307 that can cover the entire area of the contact glass 306, a fluorescent lamp 301 that illuminates the original below the contact glass 306, and a fluorescent lamp 301 that reflects light reflected from the original. The first to third mirrors 302, 303, 304, the third
A lens 308 covered with a cover 309 through which reflected light from the mirror enters, and a lens C placed at the imaging position of the lens 308.
CD310. An image reading plate 311 to which a CCD 310 is attached and a built-in A/D converter 45, and an image processing circuit 5
0, a cooling fan 313 for cooling the inside of the device, and the like.

When the original is set on the contact glass 306 and the copy start button on the operation panel 81 is turned on, the optical system such as the fluorescent lamp 301 is moved below the contact glass 306 to scan the original. The reflected light is imaged on the CCD 310 via the lens 308 etc.
Read the manuscript information. The original image formed on the CCD 310 is output as an analog signal in synchronization with the clock from the image processing circuit 50, and after signal amplification, signal synthesis, and variable amplification, is converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 45.

This digital signal is processed by the image processing circuit 50 and converted into digital recorded image information, which is output to the image information storage device 60 of the copying device 90.

Next, the copying device 70 will be explained.

In FIG. 1, a photoreceptor belt 100, which is an image carrier, is passed between upper and lower support rollers 381 and 382, which are provided at positions vertically shifted from each other and whose axial direction hangs down to the paper surface, and is rotated clockwise. It has been rotated to Photoreceptor belt 100
A transfer charger 352 is provided facing the portion where the transfer charger 352 is wound around the upper support roller 381 to form a transfer portion. A conveyance guide plate 3 is provided between this transfer section and a paper tray 348 which is provided horizontally at the top of the device and accommodates transfer paper.
83, first relay roller pair 327 and intermediate roller pair 349
A transport path is formed.

A pickup roller 324, a paper feed roller 325, and a reverse roller 326 are arranged in this paper tray 348, and constitute a paper feed device 390. Further, a pair of registration rollers 353 is provided near the transfer portion of the conveyance path. Furthermore, a pair of paper ejection rollers 33 provided at the upper right of the transfer unit and the device
A conveyance path is formed between the conductor separation conveyance belt 351, a fixing device consisting of a fixing roller 335 and a pressure roller 334 equipped with an internal fixing heater, a pair of conveyance rollers 332, and a conveyance guide plate 384. ing. At the part where the upper support roller 381 of the photoreceptor belt 100 is wrapped, a separation claw 337 is provided downstream from the transfer part in the photoreceptor surface movement direction (hereinafter referred to as the photoreceptor movement direction), and a cleaning fur brush is provided further downstream. 338 and a cleaning blade 339 are provided. A waste toner bottle 340 that stores toner removed from the photoreceptor belt surface by the cleaning fur brush 338 and cleaning blade 339 is provided on the right side of the downward movement area of the photoreceptor belt surface.

Below the waste toner bottle 340, a static elimination lamp 341 and a charging charge 342 including a grid 343 are provided facing the surface of the photoreceptor belt. This charging charge 342 is connected to a high voltage generator of negative voltage, and uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor belt to -800 volts. Lower support roller 382 of photoreceptor belt 100
An exposure portion is formed in the winding portion to which a laser beam from a writing optical system unit 385 provided horizontally at the bottom of the device is irradiated. This writing optical system unit 38
5 includes a semiconductor laser 74 (not shown here).
), cylinder lens, polygon mirror 344 rotationally driven by polygon mirror motor 345, f-
θ lens 355, reflective mirror 356, synchronization detection plate 357
etc. are provided. A developing device 386 is provided above the writing optical system unit 385 and includes a developing tank 101 equipped with a developing roller 102 facing an upward moving region of the surface of the photoreceptor belt, and a toner hopper 109. In this developing tank lol, in addition to the developing roller 102, as shown with reference numerals in FIG.
02, a separator 106 that guides the developer regulated by the development doctor 105 and returned to the lower part, and stirring of the developer in the axial direction of the development roller 102 in the development tank 102. Fin 1
07 and a conveying screw 108, a paddle 103 that stirs the developer in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the developing roller 102 in the developing tank 101, and a mixing device that mixes the toner supplied from the toner hopper 109, which is a toner replenishing section, with the developer. A roller 104 and the like are provided. Also, toner hopper 10
9 has an opening at its lower part into the developing tank 101, a toner replenishing roller 110 is provided in this opening, and an agitator 111 for stirring the toner inside is provided.

The upper part of the hopper is opened upward, and this opening (hereinafter referred to as hopper opening) 124 serves as a toner replenishment section into which a cartridge 112 containing toner is attached. On the front side of this toner hopper 109,
A cartridge storage box 133 is provided because it constitutes an empty cartridge storage section in which the toner hopper 109 is refilled with toner and the empty cartridge 112 is stored therein (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

Note that there is a paper tray 34 inside on the earthen wall of the copying machine 70.
Additional (optional) paper feeding devices 391, 392 are arranged, each having pick-up rollers 314, 319, paper feeding rollers 315, 320, reverse rollers 316, 321, and the like. The paper feeding device 391 is provided with a third relay roller pair 317, and the paper feeding device 392 is provided with a second relay roller pair 322. Each paper tray 348
゜347.346 can be freely pulled out, and is also equipped with a set detection sensor and a size detection sensor (not shown). When the set detection sensor detects the set state, it drives a lift motor (not shown) to transfer the paper in the paper tray. The paper is raised to a position where it contacts the pickup rollers 324, 314, and 319.

In addition, in order to detect the conveyance status of the transfer paper within the conveyance path, a third relay sensor 318, a second relay sensor 323, and a first
A relay sensor 328, an intermediate sensor 350, a registration sensor 354, a fixing sensor 331, and a paper discharge sensor 329 are provided.

Furthermore, a cooling fan 359 for cooling the polygon motor 345 is provided inside the lower part of the left side exterior part of the device, and the aerodynamic force generated by this suction force is removed from the airflow flowing from the vicinity of the ridge housing part 133 to the second cooling fan. , a dust filter 358 for removing toner is also provided.

Each of the above sensors is connected to the CPU 70 via input gate arrays 701 and 702 of the write drive control circuit shown in FIG.
It will be incorporated into 3. Sensor groups 390a and 391a in the paper feed device 390, 391, and 392 connected to the input gate array 701.

392a includes a paper size detection sensor, a paper end detection sensor, a tray set detection sensor, and a connection detection sensor, and includes first to third relay sensors 328, 323, 3
18, the door oven sensor 704 of the paper feeder 390 is also connected. The sensor group 705 connected to the input gate array 702 includes the above-mentioned sensors 3 for paper feeding and conveyance.
50, 354, 331, 329, each sensor 119, 130 for cartridge insertion, which will be described later, a main body door oven detection sensor, an optical sensor 360 which is a toner concentration sensor, and the like. Further, the actuator group 707 connected to the output gate array 706 includes a relay clutch and an intermediate clutch for feeding and conveying paper.

Registration clutch, cartridge-related actuators 120, 122, 128, 132 (described later), main motor, cleaning blade solenoid, toner replenishment solenoid, polygon motor 345, fixing heater 336,
It includes a high-voltage power supply circuit for charging, a high-voltage power supply circuit for transfer, a static elimination lamp 341, a toner concentration sensor 360, and the like. Actuator group 390 of paper feeding device 390° 391, '392
b, 391b, 392b (backup solenoid,
Paper feed clutch, e.g. lock solenoid, lift motor) C via serial parallel receivers 708-710
It is connected to the output port of PU703.

In the above configuration, the semiconductor laser 74 in the writing optical system unit 385 is turned on by the laser driver circuit 73 in response to digital recorded image information, which is a binary signal of 1 bit (recorded/non-recorded) per pixel. The laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 74 is reflected by the polygon mirror 344, passes through the cylinder lens, the f-theta lens 355, is reflected by the reflection mirror 356, and is irradiated onto the photoreceptor belt 100 to form an image. . polygon mirror 344
is rotated at a constant speed by a polygon motor 345, and the aforementioned laser beam is scanned in the horizontal direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the photoreceptor belt 100.

The surface of the photoreceptor belt 100 is uniformly charged to -800 volts by the charger 342. When the uniformly charged surface of the photoreceptor is irradiated with laser light emitted based on digitally recorded image information, the charge on the photoreceptor surface is transferred to the device via the conductive layer of the photoreceptor belt 100 due to a photoconductive phenomenon. It flows to earth and disappears. Here, the laser is not turned on in areas where the original density is low (the 2I! conversion signal is at a non-recording level), and the laser is turned on in areas where the original density is high (the binary conversion signal is at the recording level). This results in
A portion of the surface of the photoreceptor belt 100 corresponding to a portion with a light density of the original has a potential of approximately minus 800 volts, and a portion of the surface of the document with a high density of the original has a potential of approximately minus 100 volts.
An electrostatic latent image is formed corresponding to the density of the original. The second electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 386, and the second electrostatic latent image is developed on the photoreceptor belt 1.
A toner image is formed on the surface of 00. Furthermore, the developing device 38
The toner in the developing tank I is charged negatively by stirring.
The developing roller 102 in the O section is biased to about -550 volts by a developing bias generator, and the photoreceptor belt 100 is attached to a place where the surface potential is higher than the developing bias, and a toner image corresponding to the original image is formed. .

On the other hand, transfer paper is stored in three paper trays 348, 347.3.
The paper is selected from among the 46, fed and conveyed,
The toner image formed on the photoreceptor belt 100 is transferred by the registration roller 353 to the transfer section at a predetermined timing, and by the action of the transfer charger 352. The transfer paper on which the toner image has been transferred is attracted by the conductor separation conveyance belt 351 and separated from the surface of the photoreceptor bell. Thereafter, the transfer paper passes between a fixing roller 335 and a pressure roller 334, toner is fixed thereon, and the paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray (not shown) by a pair of paper discharge rollers 330.

After the toner image has been transferred to the transfer paper, residual toner is removed from the surface of the photoreceptor belt by a cleaning fur brush 338 and a cleaning blade 339, and then the surface is prepared for the next uniform charging.

Cartridge (hereinafter referred to as cartridge) 11
Toner hopper (hereinafter referred to as hopper) 109 using 2
This section explains how to replenish toner.

This is done by loading the cartridge 112 containing toner onto a hopper opening 5124, which is a toner replenishment position within the apparatus, and replenishing the hopper 109 with toner through the hopper opening 5124.

First, regarding the cartridge 112 used in this embodiment,
This will be explained using FIGS. 4 to 9.

The cartridge 112 used in this embodiment has an outer peripheral shape like a square pyramid with a rectangular bottom cut by a plane parallel to the bottom, and a portion corresponding to the bottom is an opening 113, and the inside is It is a container that can store toner in a cavity. An air vent window is formed on the top wall, and a filter 153 through which toner cannot pass is provided in this window. Further, a magnet 152 is provided approximately at the center of the inner surface of the top wall. A flange 115a extending outward is provided at the edge of the opening of the cartridge 112. The length of the right flange 115a in the short side direction of the cartridge 112 is the same as that of the left flange 115a. It is formed to be longer than the original. Both ends of both shoulders @ 115b in the long side direction are inclined portions that are inclined upward. A sealing member 114 of a sealing layer is provided so as to cover the entire opening by adhering the flange 115a with the toner contained therein. When this sealing member 114 is mounted on the hopper opening $124, the seal removal mechanism described later is located on the left flange 115a side of the cartridge 112, so the front, rear, left and right flanges 115a after the adhesive is applied are removed. The pasting starts from the left flange part 115a, and after being pasted up to the flange @ 115a, it is folded back and the free end is attached to the left wing part 115.
b, and the edge of this free end is glued to the left wing portion 115b.

Next, the mechanism of the main body of the apparatus related to toner replenishment will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 10, the main body of the apparatus includes a cartridge insertion part consisting of an insertion window 117 for inserting a cartridge 112 formed in an exterior part (hereinafter referred to as front exterior part) 116 on the front of the apparatus, and a cartridge insertion part formed on the front exterior part (hereinafter referred to as front exterior part) 116 for inserting a cartridge 112; a toner replenishment section consisting of a hopper 109; an unsealing means for the cartridge 112 having an unsealing roller 150 disposed on the left side of the hopper opening 124; a sealing member storage section consisting of a seal storage box 151 disposed opposite the unsealing roller 150; Hopper 109
An empty cartridge storage section consisting of an empty cartridge storage box 133 disposed between the front exterior portion 116 and the front exterior portion 116, and a transfer means having a conveyance belt device 121 and a relay guide plate 123 are provided. And front exterior 5116
As shown in FIG. 11, in addition to the insertion window 117, a window 116a for loading and unloading the empty cartridge storage box 133 constituting the empty cartridge storage section is also formed.

The insertion portion 117 of the insertion portion is formed into a shape that is slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape when the cartridge 112 is cut perpendicularly to the insertion direction;
As a result, the horizontal lengths of the wing portion 115b of the cartridge 112 and the left and right passage portions 117a, 117b of the collar portion 115a are different in accordance with the lengths of the left and right wing portions 115b in the short side direction. This prevents the cartridge 112 from being inserted sideways or from inserting the cartridge 112 in the wrong direction.

The lower part of the front exterior part 116 is rotatably supported on the inside of the front exterior part 116 on a horizontal axis parallel to the exterior part, and an insertion window 117 is supported in the closed state.
The door 1 is provided with a door 118 that can cover the entire area.
The door 118 is normally in a closed state by being constantly applied with a turning force in the closing direction by a biasing means (not shown), and by pushing the door 118 inward against this turning force, the door 118 is rotated about 90 degrees around the horizontal axis. It can be rotated up to a certain degree. In the closed state, a protruding plate 118a having a protruding portion extending outward from the tip edge is provided on the upper part of the surface of the door 118 facing inward of the apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the inner surface).

Above the insertion window 117 on the inner surface of the front exterior part 116, a door sensor 119 including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, a lock mechanism including a lock release solenoid 120, and a lock plate 120a fixed to its plunger are provided. It is being The door sensor 119 is installed at a position where the protruding portion of the protruding plate 118a is interposed between the light emitting element and the light receiving element when the door 118 is closed.
18 is closed and the plunger is pulled out, the lock plate 120a is attached to the front exterior part 116 to the protruding plate 118a.
The locking plate 120a is attached to the protruding plate 118a at a position where it does not engage with the protruding plate 118a when the plunger is sucked.

The upper surface of the peripheral edge of the hopper opening 124 of the toner replenishing section and the flange 115a of the cartridge 112 are connected to each other.
A seal 125 is pasted on the bottom surface to prevent voids from forming. Further, on the side of the front exterior portion 116 from the hopper opening 124, there is an entry guide portion 109a extending from the peripheral edge.
A vertical cartridge abutment wall 126 for positioning the cartridge 112 on the hopper opening 124 is formed on the rear side of the apparatus from the hopper opening 124. Further, above the hopper opening 124, as shown in FIG. 13, a roller 131 is rotatably supported by a swingable support plate 131a, and a roller 131 is provided on the support plate 131a in the direction of moving the roller 131 upward. A pressing/impact device consisting of a spring 131b that constantly applies a swinging force, and a pressing solenoid 132 that can apply a swinging force that moves the roller 131 downward to the support plate 131a against the swinging force of the spring 131b. A means for applying is provided.

The unsealing roller 150 of the unsealing means is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.
As shown in the figure, an upper roller pair 150a is fixed to the upper rotating shaft at a constant interval corresponding to the length of the main layer 5l15b of the cartridge 112 in the long side direction, and the upper roller pair 150a is fixed to the lower rotating shaft. a pair of lower rollers 150b fixed at a fixed interval so as to face each other, and sealing the cartridge 112.
14, the lower roller pair 150b
is a cylindrical roller made of elastic material, upper roller pair 15
0a is a roller with unevenness. The upper rotation shaft and the lower rotation shaft are rotatably supported by a link mechanism that allows the distance between them to be changed, and an unsealing motor 12 (not shown)
9 (see FIG. 15). As shown in FIG. 14, this link mechanism includes a spring that constantly applies a biasing force to make the distance between the upper and lower rotating shafts at least a distance that allows the blade gl15b to pass between the pair of upper and lower rollers; By resisting the biasing force of this spring, the distance between the vertical rotation shafts is changed between the cartridge 11 and the upper and lower rollers.
An unsealing pinch solenoid 128 is connected to the opening pinch solenoid 128, which can be set at a distance that pinches the sealing member 114 that seals the opening.

The seal storage box 151, which is the sealing member storage section, has a receiving opening into which the sealing member 114 removed from the opening of the cartridge 112 by the unsealing roller 150 is received.

The empty cartridge storage box 113, which is the empty cartridge storage section, has an opening for receiving the cartridge 112 at the top and is configured to be detachable from the main body of the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 11, a window 116a for taking out the device from the main body is provided with a door 116b that can be opened and closed. This empty cartridge storage box king 33 will be described in detail later.

The conveyor belt device of the above-mentioned conveyance means is shown in FIGS. 14 and 16.
As shown in the figure, it is composed of left and right conveyor belts 121 driven by a conveyor motor 122 that can rotate forward and backward, and is configured so that it can make surface contact with the left and right inclined walls of the cartridge 112, respectively.
The shaft of the belt pulley is provided parallel to the left and right inclined walls of the cartridge 112. The output mechanism 22a of the conveyor motor 122 is provided parallel to the left inclined wall of the cartridge 112, and is connected to the belt wheel fixed in the middle and the belt wheel on the back side of the left conveyor belt 121. The driving force can be transmitted to the left conveyor belt 121 by the belt 170 that is passed between the belt pulley and the belt pulley coaxially provided above. On the other hand, the umbrella 11 provided at the lower end of the output shaft 122a of the transport motor 122! Driving force can be transmitted to the right conveyor belt 121 via an umbrella wheel 172 coaxially provided below the belt pulley on the back side of the right conveyor belt 121 that engages with the wheel 171 . As shown in FIG. 16, the left and right conveyor belts 121 are driven so that the output shaft of the conveyor motor 122 rotates counterclockwise to convey the cartridge 112 to the back side of the apparatus. As the output shaft rotates clockwise, the cartridge 11
2 to the front side of the device. onwards,
The case where the conveyor belt 121 rotates as shown in FIG. 16 and conveys the cartridge 112 to the back side of the apparatus is referred to as normal conveyance.
The rotation of the transport motor 122 at this time is called normal rotation, and the reverse rotation is called reverse transport or reverse rotation.

The position of the belt wheels on the front side of the left and right conveyor belts 121 is such that when inserting the cartridge 112 through the insertion window 117, the operator has to forcefully reach inside the device and push the entire cartridge 112 into the device. It is desirable to set the front end of the cartridge 112 to reach the conveyor belt 121 while the rear end of the cartridge 112 is outside the apparatus so that the empty cartridge storage box 133 It is set to be approximately above the middle shaft in the front-back direction. Also, conveyor belt 1
The frictional force between 21 and the inclined wall of the cartridge 112 is
The material of the conveyor belt 121 and the contact pressure of the cartridge 112 to the inclined wall are set so that the empty cartridge 112 would fall downward under its own weight if there was nothing to support the empty cartridge 112 from below. The relay guide plate 123 of the transfer means has the cartridge 11 on it.
The left and right flanges 115a are placed so that only the wing portions 115b of No. 2 are placed on them.
A pair of guide plates 12 provided parallel to the insertion direction of the cartridge 112 with an interval wider than the width between the outer edges of the cartridge 112.
The end of each guide plate 123 on the front side of the device extends above the opening of the empty cartridge storage box 133, and the end on the back side of the device extends from the peripheral edge of the hopper opening 124. It extends to the side of the entry guide portion 109a. The front edge of the portion of the empty cartridge storage box 133 that extends above the opening is
As shown in FIG. 21, when the cartridge 112 is reversely conveyed by the conveyor belt 121, when the end of the wing portion 115b of the cartridge 112 comes off the front edge, the cartridge 112 is transferred to the empty cartridge storage box 1.
It is set so that it is located approximately in the middle of the front and back direction of 33. Note that during this reverse conveyance, the wings 1 of the cartridge 112
When the end of the cartridge 15b comes off the front edge, the positional relationship between the conveyor belt 121 and the cartridge 112 in the conveyance direction is such that reverse conveyance is possible; Since the door 118 is retracted and there is nothing to support the cartridge 112 from below, the cartridge 112 starts to fall into the empty cartridge storage box 133 and is no longer transported back.

In addition, in order to detect the conveyance state of the cartridge 112,
A cartridge passage detection filler 130a is provided on the conveyance path between the empty cartridge storage box 133 and the hopper opening 124, which is pressed down by the lower surface of the left flange 115a of the cartridge 112 passing therethrough. (See Figure 10). As shown in FIG. 17, this cartridge passage detection filler 130a is attached to the tip of a swinging arm 130d fixed to a rotating shaft 130c to which a counterclockwise rotational force is applied by a spring coil or the like (not shown). There is. A cartridge opening detection filler 130b is also attached to the rotating shaft 130c, the tip of which is pushed toward the left side of the apparatus by the sealing member 114 removed from the bottom surface of the cartridge 112 by an opening roller 150. The counterclockwise rotational force is balanced with the rotational moment due to the weight of the swinging arm 130d etc. when both the detection fillers 130a and 130b are free, and the cartridge opening detection filler 1
The lower end portion of the abutting and opening sensor 130 is set to be interposed between the light emitting element and the light receiving element.

Next, the operation of the above toner replenishment mechanism will be explained.

18 to 22 are left side views showing the state of the toner replenishment mechanism in each operating state, and FIGS. 23 and 24 are timing charts.

First, the operation from inserting the cartridge 112 into the main body of the apparatus to replenishing toner on the hopper opening 111124 will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 20 and FIG. 23.

The door 118 of the insertion window 117 is normally in a locked state with the lock release solenoid 120 turned OFF by the lock release solenoid control described later, and the lock release solenoid 120 is turned ON when it is necessary to insert the cartridge 112 such as at the near end of toner. and becomes unlocked.

First, when inserting the cartridge 112 with the sealing member 114 of the cartridge 112 facing downward and the longer right wing 115b facing to the right, push the door 118 inward with the tip of the cartridge 112 and insert the cartridge 112, as shown in FIG. As shown, the door 118 rotates around the horizontal axis at the bottom, rotates approximately 90 degrees, and then stops to partially cover the opening of the empty cartridge storage box 133, allowing the cartridge 112 to This prevents empty cartridges from falling into the opening of the storage box 133, and together with the relay guide plate 123 forms a transport path for the cartridges 112 onto the hopper opening 124. At the beginning of this rotation of the door 118, the door 11
The tip of the protruding plate 118a attached to the upper part of the inner side of the door sensor 119 passes through between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the door sensor 119, and the door sensor 119 is turned on to detect the door open state.

A transport motor 12 for transporting a cartridge 112 inserted after a certain period of time after the door oven is detected.
As a result, the cartridge 112 is subsequently drawn into the apparatus by the conveyor belt 121 without the operator pushing the cartridge 112. The cartridge 112 has a door 118 and a relay guide plate 123.
is transferred onto the hopper opening 124 while being held by the
When the leading end (traveling direction of the cartridge 112) reaches the cartridge passage detection filler 130a, the abutting and unsealing sensor 130 is ONL, and the rear end passes through the cartridge passing detecting filler 130a and the abutting and unsealing sensor 130 is activated. Turn off (■ in Figure 23)
During this time, the rear end of the cartridge 112 passes through the door 118, causing the door 118 to rotate upward and close the insertion window 11.
7 to turn off the door sensor 119. At the time when the abutment opening sensor 130 reaches 0FFL (■ in FIG. 22), the tip of the cartridge 11:l;L hits the cartridge abutment wall 126 above the hopper opening 124, which is the toner replenishment position. However, in order to be more reliable, the transport motor 12 has been moved for a certain period of time.
2 is rotated in the normal direction (T12 in FIG. 23), thereby positioning the second toner replenishment position as shown in (l).

Further, from this point on, the process shifts from the operation of transporting the cartridge 112 to the operation of unsealing the cartridge 112.

In the unsealing operation of the cartridge 112 on the hopper opening 124, first, the above-mentioned abutting and unsealing sensor 130 is turned OFF.
At the timing F (■ in FIG. 23), it is confirmed by the output of the door sensor 119 that the cartridge 112 insertion door 118 is closed, and the door lock release solenoid 1 is activated.
20 is turned OFF, thereby locking the door 118 closed.

In addition, the unsealing pinch solenoid 128 is turned on and the unsealing roller 150 releases the seal member 11 on the left side of the cartridge 112.
While holding the free end of 4, turn on the unsealing motor 129.
Then, rotation of the unsealing roller 150 is started, and removal of the seal member 114 from the lower surface of the cartridge 112 is started.

As a result, the opening of the cartridge 112 is gradually opened by removing the sealing member 114, and the tip of the sealing member 114 reaches the opening detection fin 130b and hits the opening, turning on the opening sensor 130. continues, and the cartridge 112 and the unsealed seal member 1 are removed.
14 is completely separated and the rear end of the sealing member 114 passes through the opening detection fin 130b.
30 is turned OFF (■ in Fig. 23). Since this indicates that the unsealing has been completed, the unsealing pinch solenoid 128 and the opening motor 129 are turned off, and the process shifts from the unsealing operation to an operation for surely dropping the toner inside the cartridge 112.

In the operation to reliably drop the toner inside the cartridge 112, the pressure layer solenoid 132 is kept constant after the timing when the abutting and opening sensor 130 is turned off (■ in FIG. 23)! ON- several times in the 4th period (5 times in this example)
Turn off the cartridge 112 with roller -131.
The top surface of the cartridge 112 is struck, thereby impacting the cartridge 112 and causing the toner remaining in the cartridge 112 to fall into the hopper. After this, the pressing solenoid 13
2 to the ON state, and the roller 131 moves the cartridge 11.
2, thereby bringing the lower surface of the flange 115a of the cartridge 112 into close contact with the upper surface of the seal 125 (see FIG. have the role of

On the other hand, at the timing when the abutment opening sensor 130 is turned OFF (■ in FIG. 23), the main drive motor, which becomes the drive source for the replenishment roller 110 and the agitator 111 of the developing device 386, is turned ON until the motor starts up. After the delay time (T14 in FIG. 23), the toner replenishment solenoid is turned ON for a predetermined time (T15 in FIG. 23) to transmit the drive to the replenishment roller 110 and the agitator 111. Toner is replenished into the developing tank 101. This ON time T15 is determined from the result of calculating the toner concentration from the output from the toner concentration detection sensor 360 at the time of toner end, as will be described later.

Status flags indicating the status of the above series of operations are set and reset (1 or O) L in the nonvolatile RAM during and at the end of the series of operations, so that even if the power is momentarily interrupted during processing, This allows continuous execution of operations.

Next, the operation of storing the cartridge 112 on the hopper opening 124 into the empty cartridge storage box 133 will be explained using FIGS. 21, 22, and 24.

This operation starts after first storing the near-end state in the nonvolatile RAM at the toner near-end time.

Empty cartridge 112 from above hopper opening wIl 24
It is sufficient that the evacuation itself is completed before the next cartridge is inserted due to the toner near end, etc., but in this embodiment, the empty cartridge 112 is used as a cover for the hopper opening 124, and the evacuation is completed before the next cartridge is inserted. Waiting for the toner near end, where it is necessary to insert the primary cartridge 112 in order to prevent the toner from scattering, the empty cartridge 112 is retracted from above the hopper opening 124 to the empty cartridge storage box 133. Start the transfer.

First, the pressing solenoid 132 that was pressurizing the upper part of the cartridge 112 is turned off to retract the roller 131 from the upper surface of the cartridge 112, and the unsealing pinch solenoid 1 is turned off so as not to interfere with the conveyance of the cartridge 112.
28 is also turned off, the unsealing roller 150 is also retracted, thereby securing a conveyance path, and the conveyance motor 122 is reversely rotated to start reverse conveyance of the cartridge 112. After a timing that takes into account the sleeve ratio between the conveyance unit and the cartridge 112, the rear end of the cartridge 112 (the end on the insertion 59117 side) reaches the cartridge passage detection fixture 130a, turns on the abutment opening sensor 130, and then reverses When the entire cartridge 112 is conveyed and completely passes through the cartridge passage detection fin 130a, the abutment opening sensor 130
turns off. At this point, the cartridge 112 has almost reached the position where the front end (hopper opening 5124 side) of the wings of the cartridge 112 has come off from above the relay guide plate 123, which is the fall start position. T of
22) Continue the reverse rotation of the conveyance motor 122, thereby ensuring that the toner falls to the starting position as shown in FIG. 21. This fixed time T22 is the period when the cartridge 11
The length is set longer than the time it takes for 2 to fall due to its own weight at the drop position and the time from passing through the abutment/opening sensor 130 until it is transported to the drop position (taking into consideration the sleeve ratio, etc.). When the above operation is completed, the empty cartridge 1 in the empty cartridge storage box 133 on the non-volatile RAM is
The counter that counts 12 is incremented (+1). or,
From this point on, the new cartridge 112 can be inserted, so the door lock release solenoid 120 is turned on to unlock the door 118. Also, at this point, toner near end display starts.

As described above, in this embodiment, the cartridge 112 containing toner inserted by the operator through the insertion window 117 on the front side of the main body of the image forming apparatus is forwardly conveyed by the conveyor belt 121 and transferred to above the hopper opening 124, and then Part 124
Seal member 1 sealing cartridge 112 at the top
14 is removed and toner is replenished into the hopper 109. The cartridge 112 that is empty after toner replenishment is
The refilled toner is consumed and the next cartridge 112
Before the empty cartridge is inserted, it is reversely conveyed by the conveyor belt 121 and placed in the empty cartridge storage box 133 from above the hopper opening 124.
will be transferred to. When the empty cartridge 112 becomes full in the empty cartridge storage box 133, the operator moves the empty cartridge 112 into the empty cartridge storage box 1.
33 from the apparatus and discard the empty cartridge 112.

Therefore, when replenishing toner, the operator normally only has to insert the cartridge 112 containing toner into the insertion window 117, and when the empty cartridge storage box 133 is full, the operator can also insert the cartridge 112 containing toner into the insertion window 117.
You can simply take out the empty cartridge 112 and throw it away.
12 becomes easier, and the opportunity and possibility of contaminating the operator and surroundings can be drastically reduced.

For example, if the toner capacity of the toner cartridge 112 of this embodiment is 300 grams, the empty cartridge storage box 13
If the number of cartridges that can be accommodated is 10, the 11th cartridge 112 can be inserted before discarding the empty cartridge 112 in the empty cartridge storage box 133.
Until 3,300 grams of toner is consumed, the operator only has to insert the cartridge 112 from outside the apparatus main body, which facilitates toner replenishment work. On the other hand,
When this mechanism is not used and the space is occupied by a toner hopper and toner is replenished from a bottle or the like, the capacity of the hopper 109 is approximately equal to four cartridges 112 due to the layout (for example, see FIG. 12). It becomes about 12
Toner must be replenished every time 00 grams of toner is consumed.

Next, the empty cartridge storage box 133 of the above embodiment
An example of this will be explained using FIGS. 25 to 40.

This empty cartridge storage box 133 is directly aerodynamically operated.
A cardboard box 410 that receives the ridge 112 is detachably housed and used.

A drawer handle 421 is fixed to the front of the empty cartridge storage box 133, and a locking frame member 430 is fixed to the lower part of the back. As shown in FIG. 27, when the empty cartridge storage box 133 is set in the device main body, the device main body portion located below the frame member 430 has a plunger facing upward to release the lock. A solenoid 431 is fixedly arranged. This lock release solenoid 431 is provided with a spring that always biases the plunger in the direction of pulling it out, and when the lock release solenoid 431 is turned off, the plunger pulled out by the spring penetrates the frame of the frame member 430 of the empty cartridge 112. , when the plunger is turned on, the plunger sucked against the biasing force of this spring is empty cartridge 1.
The arrangement height is set so that it can be in an unlocked state in which it exits from the frame No. 12. Further, a set detection sensor 432 consisting of a light emitting element and a light receiving element is provided at a position facing the frame member 430 when the empty cartridge storage box 133 is set in the main body of the apparatus. Aerodynamics
The ridge storage box 133 moves the lid member 413 of the cardboard box 410 housed therein by aerodynamic forces to close the opening 411 of the cardboard box 410 in conjunction with the pulling operation of the ridge storage box 133 from the main body of the apparatus. Equipped with a mechanism. This lid moving mechanism has a claw 42 that engages with an upper folding member 414 fixed to the tip edge of the lid member 413 of the cardboard box 410.
5. A movable arm 424 to which the claw 425 is fixed, and a movable arm 424 to the empty cartridge storage box 133.
Guide members 422, 42 movably supported relative to the main body
It is composed of 3. This moving arm 424 has claws 4
25 is fixed and empty cartridge storage box 133
An upper horizontal portion 424a that is longer than the width of the main body in the left-right direction, left and right arm portions 424b extending downward at right angles from both ends of the upper horizontal portion 424a, and an empty cartridge extending at right angles from the lower ends of each of the left and right arm portions 424b. It consists of left and right lower horizontal parts 424C extending toward the left and right side surfaces of the storage box 133. The guide members 422, 423 are composed of left and right groove forming members 422, 423 fixed to the left and right side surfaces of the empty cartridge storage box 133, respectively.
24 is provided with a guide groove into which the tip portions of the left and right lower horizontal portions 424C can slide. These guide grooves include upper and lower horizontal grooves 450 and 451 that have the same length and the upper horizontal groove 450 is formed closer to the back surface, and front and rear inclined grooves 453 that connect both ends of these upper and lower horizontal grooves 450 and 451 at the front and rear, respectively. It consists of 454. The upper horizontal groove 450 has a bottom portion that guides the movable arm 424 relatively to the left as shown by the solid line in the front view of FIG. 29, and the lower horizontal portion 424c is shown by the broken line in the front view of FIG. As shown, it has a bottom portion that guides the fabric relatively close to it. In guiding the movable arm 424 from the front end of the upper horizontal groove 450 to the front end of the lower horizontal groove 451, the front inclined groove 453 first has a bottom portion that guides it at the same position as the upper horizontal groove 450 in the left and right direction. A first transition portion 4 having an inclined portion 453a and then a bottom portion that guides while moving to the right side.
53b and finally a second vertical portion 453c having a guiding bottom in the same position as the lower horizontal groove 451.

Then, at the corner connected to the lower horizontal groove 451 from the lower end of this second vertical part, a second
Allowing movement from the vertical portion 453c to the lower horizontal groove 451,
A first eccentric member 426a is provided that prohibits movement from the opposite lower horizontal groove 451 to the second vertical portion 453c. Similarly, the rear inclined groove 454 also connects the moving arm 424 to the lower horizontal groove 451.
When guiding from the rear end to the rear end opening of the upper horizontal groove 450, first a third vertical portion 454a having a bottom portion that guides at the same position as the lower horizontal groove 451 in the left and right direction;
Next, a second transition portion 454b has a bottom portion that guides while moving to the left side, and finally a fourth vertical portion 454c has a bottom portion that guides at the same position as the upper horizontal groove 450.
It consists of The corner that connects the upper end of the fourth vertical portion 454c to the upper horizontal groove 450 allows movement from the fourth vertical portion 454C to the upper horizontal groove 450 by rotation around its eccentric axis, and vice versa. A second eccentric member 426b is provided that prohibits movement from the horizontal groove 450 to the fourth vertical portion 454c. The upper horizontal groove 450 is an upper folding member in which the claw 425 of the movable arm 424 when being guided here is fixed to the tip edge of the lid member 413 of the cardboard box 410 in the empty cartridge storage box 133. The height position is set so as to maintain a height at which it does not engage with 414. Also, lower horizontal groove 4
51, on the other hand, when the moving arm 424 is guided here, the claw 425 of the empty cartridge storage box 133
The height position is set so as to maintain a height that allows engagement with the upper folding member 414 fixed to the tip edge of the lid member 413 of the inner cardboard box 410.

A cardboard box 410 that is removably placed in the empty cartridge storage box 133 has an opening 411 formed at the top to receive the empty cartridge 112, and has an opening 411 on the front inner surface when placed in the empty cartridge storage box 133. For example, the lid member 413 made of a flexible sheet for covering the upper opening 411 is
As shown in the figure, the rear end is connected to a cardboard box 410.
It is glued and fixed to the inner surface, and the whole is folded in half. In the figure, 500 is an adhesive area of the lid member 413;
Reference numeral 501 indicates a guide rod when the lid member 413 is pulled out. The upper folding member 414 and the lower folding member 415 are provided at the tip of the lid member 413. In the longitudinal direction of this upper folding member 414, the movable arm 42
4 is the first transition portion 453b and the second transition portion 4 of the guide groove.
A notch 5416 for starting and releasing the engagement is formed in a region where the claw 425 faces when being guided by 54b. When the cardboard box 410 is placed in the empty cartridge storage box 133, the lower folding member 415 at the tip of the lid member 413 is engaged with the upper edge of the back side with the lid member 413 covering the opening 411. An upwardly inclined portion 412 that is stopped is formed.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 36 to 39, on both sides of the empty cartridge storage box 133 outlet 116a on the inner surface of the front exterior part 116 of the apparatus main body, the front exterior part 116 is moved while the movable arm 424 is kept in an upright position. A support member is provided that supports the support member movably in a plane parallel to the . This support member is attached to a mounting base 440 fixed perpendicularly to the front exterior part 116, and this mounting is such that one end is fixed to the base 440 and the other end projects parallel to the front exterior 5116 to the inside of the outlet 116a. The front side support arm 443 is formed in a shape and has a vertical support surface. A pair of upper and lower support rods 44 are formed to protrude in parallel to the inside of the outlet 116a of the empty cartridge 112.
1, and a biasing means (not shown) that applies an upward rotational force to the rear side support member 442. Normally, the rotational force of this biasing means causes the rear side support member 442 to move upward. The back support member 442 that is about to rotate comes into contact with a stopper 5444 provided on the base 440, and the upper and lower support rods 441 are aligned in the vertical direction. The vertical support surface of this front side support arm 443 and the pair of upper and lower support rods 441,
The horizontal length of the portion of the empty cartridge 112 that protrudes inward from the outlet is determined by the length of the moving arm 4 by the guide member.
24 in the horizontal direction.

The arm portion 4 of the movable arm 424 is located between the vertical support rods 441 arranged in the vertical direction and the vertical surface of the front side support arm 443.
24b is interposed.

In the above configuration, when the empty cartridge 112 is pulled out the most from the main body of the apparatus, FIGS. 28 to 30,
The state shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 is assumed. That is, the distal end portion of the lower horizontal portion 422c of the moving arm 424 is supported at the rear end of the upper horizontal groove 450 of the guide member by the second eccentric member 426b while being prohibited from entering the rear inclined groove 454; 424b is supported by a support member within the main body of the apparatus, thereby taking the highest position in the vertical direction and the position furthest to the left in the left-right direction when viewed from the front. In this state, the cardboard box 410 can be attached and detached.

When the new cardboard box 410 is set and the operation of inserting the empty cartridge storage box 133 into the device is started, the arm portion 424b of the moving arm 424 is supported by the support member inside the device and takes a fixed position in the insertion direction. , the moving arm 424 moves relative to the empty cartridge storage box 133 while being guided by the upper horizontal groove 450 of the guide member, and as shown in FIG. The front end of the upper horizontal groove 450 is reached. If you continue the insertion operation,
The tip of the lower horizontal part 422 of the moving arm 424 is guided by the front inclined groove 453 of the guide member, so that the entire moving arm 424 is pulled down, and the lower horizontal part 422 of the moving arm 424 is guided by the first transition part 453b of the front inclined groove 453. Moving arm 42
4 is moved to the right side, and the insertion is completed as shown in the 25th prisoner. As shown in FIG. 26, the claw 425 fixed to the upper horizontal part 424a of the moving arm 424 is fixed to the tip of the lid member 413 of the cardboard box 410 while the entire moving arm 424 is being pulled down. The moving arm 424 passes through the notch 416 of the upper folding member 414 and comes into engagement with the upper folding member 414 while the entire moving arm 424 is further moved to the right. Also, the front inclined groove 4
53 and the lower horizontal groove 451, the first eccentric member 426a is rotated.
The eccentric member 426a prevents the front inclined groove 453 from moving backward. Furthermore, upon completion of the insertion, the frame member 430 fixed to the lower back of the empty cartridge storage box 133
When detected by the set detection sensor 432, the lock release solenoid 431 is turned off and the plunger is pulled out by the spring, passes through the inside of the frame member 430, and enters the locked state. The copy operation is performed in the second state.

A predetermined number of empty cartridges 112 that can be stored are stored,
When it is necessary to replace the cardboard box 410 with a new one, the lock release solenoid 431 turns ○N under the control of the lock release solenoid 431 (described later), retracts the plunger and moves it out of the frame member 430, and removes the empty cartridge. The storage box 133 can be pulled out.

When the empty cartridge storage box 133 is started to be pulled out from the main body of the apparatus in this state, the moving arm 424
Since the arm of the moving arm 4 is supported by a support member within the device and takes a fixed position in the drawing direction, the moving arm 4
24 moves relative to the empty cartridge storage box 133 while being guided by the lower horizontal groove 451 of the guide member, and as a result, the lid member 413 with the upper folding member 414 engaged with the claw 425 of the moving arm 424 They are successively pulled out from inside the cardboard box 410 and cover the opening 411 of the cardboard. After the tip of the lower horizontal portion 424c of the moving arm 424 reaches the rear end of the lower horizontal groove 451 of the guide member, the entire moving arm 424 is pushed up by being guided by the rear inclined groove 454. Here, the tip of the lower horizontal portion 424c of the moving arm 424 is connected to the rear inclined groove 45.
The entire movable arm 424 is moved to the left while being guided by the second transition portion 454b of the movable arm 424, and the claw 425 fixed to the upper horizontal portion 424a of the movable arm 424 moves as shown in FIG. While the entire arm 424 is moved to the left, the lid member 413 of the cardboard box 410
It moves to a notch 416 of the upper folding member 414 fixed to the tip of the upper folding member 414, and passes through this notch 416 upwardly by the subsequent upward movement of the entire moving arm 424.

Also, during this time, as shown in FIG. 33, a lower folding member 415 fixed to the tip of the lid member 413 is engaged with an upwardly inclined portion 412 formed on the upper edge of the back surface of the cardboard box 410. By continuing to pull out after this, the fourth vertical portion 454C of the guide groove and the upper horizontal groove 45
While rotating the second eccentric member 426b provided at the corner with 0, the second eccentric member 426b reaches the upper horizontal groove 450, and becomes the most drawn out state.

Note that when pulled with even greater force from this fully pulled out state, the back side support member 442 of the support member in the device rotates as shown by the broken line in FIG. 37, and the movable arm 424
While the arm portion 424b changes from the standing position to the inclined position,
It is also possible to completely remove the entire empty cartridge storage box 133 from the apparatus by slipping out between the front support arm 443 and the upper and lower support rods 441.

Next, using No. 41@, a description will be given of the jam detection that the abutting and unsealing sensor has not reached when inserting the cartridge.

This abutment-opening sensor unreached jam detection occurs after the cartridge starts being transported to the toner replenishment position after insertion.
This process detects a state in which the leading end of the cartridge 112 does not reach the cartridge passage detection filler even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and is a process performed in the first half of the period (1) to (2) in the timing chart of FIG.

While the cartridge 112 is not inserted, the rising signal of the door oven sensor 119 is not generated and the door oven sensor 119 is not turned on. Therefore, the process progresses from the first step to the second step, and then from the third step to the fifth step. Reset the reached jam flag, turn off the insertion unreached jam display, reset the insertion unreached retry counter, and return.

When the cartridge 112 is inserted, the process proceeds from the first step to the sixth step and the seventh step in response to the rising signal from the door oven sensor 119 output, and starts the insertion unreached jam timer and sets the insertion flag. After that, the door oven sensor 119 output turns ON from the rising edge.
In the transition to the state, from the first step to the second step to the eighth step
Steps proceed, and in this eighth step, it is determined whether or not the abutment opening sensor 130 is ON. Here, when the cartridge is inserted, the tip of the cartridge hits the opening sensor 1.
Since it takes a predetermined time for the cartridge passage detection filler 130a of No. 30 to be reached and the abutment/opening sensor 130 to turn on, proceed to the ninth step and start with the rise of the door oven sensor 119 when the cartridge is inserted. It is determined whether or not the count of the insertion arrival jam timer exceeds the set value T6, and the process returns.Then, the first step, the second step, the eighth step, and the ninth step are performed. 130 is in the ON state, or until it is determined in the ninth step that the content of the insertion unreached jam timer exceeds the set value T6.

This set value T6 is determined by the door oven sensor 11 when the cartridge is inserted during normal cartridge 112 transportation.
This is a count value corresponding to the time required for the cartridge tip to reach the cartridge passage detection filler 130a from the start of 9 and the dispersion time α, and if the count of the insertion unreached jam timer is greater than this set value T6. It is determined whether or not a jam that has not reached the abutment/opening sensor has occurred based on whether or not the sensor is open.

When the cartridge 112 is transported normally, the count of the insertion unreached jam timer is set (IT6
The tip of the cartridge reaches the cartridge passage detection filler 130a before it passes through the abutment opening sensor 130.
is turned on, the process advances from the eighth step to the fifth step, resets the insertion unreached retry counter, and returns.

On the other hand, if the cartridge 112 is not transported normally due to a tilted posture of the cartridge 112, etc., the count of the insertion arrival jam timer becomes larger than the set value T6, and the process proceeds from the 9th step to the 10th step. Thereafter, processing is executed when a jam does not reach the abutment opening sensor.

In order to restore the tilted posture of the cartridge 112 in the transport path to a normal state, the transport motor 122 that is currently rotating is stopped in the normal direction, and then reversed and then restarted. For example, perform the operation to rotate up to three times while determining whether or not the abutment opening sensor 130 is in the ON state, and if the abutment opening sensor 130 is not ON even after performing this operation three times, the insertion This turns on the unreached jam indicator and stops the conveyance motor 122.

First, in the tenth step, it is determined whether the content of the insertion unreached retry counter is 3 or more. If it is not 3 or more, the transport motor 122 is stopped for 500 milliseconds in the 11th step, reversed for 2 seconds in the 12th step, and then the insertion unreached retry counter is incremented in the 13th step.

Next, the transport motor 122 is stopped again in the 14th step, started to rotate forward in the 15th step, and then
In step 1, the insertion reaching jam timer is reset and restarted, and the process returns to step 8. Since this 8th step is immediately after the first retry, it is normally determined that the abutment opening sensor 130 is not in the ON state and the process proceeds to the 9th step. Since this has just been restarted, the content is determined to be less than the set value T6 and returns, and from then on, the first step, second step, eighth step, and ninth step are performed. The process is repeated until it is determined that is in the ON state, or it is determined that the content of the insertion unreached jam timer exceeds the set value T6 in the ninth step.

Then, in this first retry, cartridge 112
If the paper is transported normally, the abutment opening sensor 130 will be turned on before the count of the jam timer for insertion exceeds the set value T6, so the process will proceed from the eighth step to the fifth step to check whether the paper has been inserted or not. Reset the arrival retry counter and return.

On the other hand, if the conveyance state of the cartridge 112 remains abnormal, the count of the insertion arrival jam timer exceeds the set value T6 without the abutting/opening sensor 130 being turned on, so the process proceeds from the ninth step to the tenth step. Furthermore,
In the 11th step to the 16th step, the second retry is performed, the insertion unreached retry counter is incremented, and the insertion unreached jam timer is restarted, and the process returns to the 8th step and the first retry is performed. As before, proceed to the 8th step, then the 9th step, and then return.
The first step, the second step, the eighth step, and the ninth step are determined such that the abutment and opening sensor 130 is determined to be ON in the eighth step, or the content of the insertion unreached jam timer is determined in the ninth step. The process is repeated until it is determined that the set value T6 is exceeded.

And even in this second retry, cartridge 11
If the conveyance state of No. 2 remains abnormal, the count of the insertion arrival jam timer reaches the set value T without the abutment opening sensor 130 turning on, as after the first retry.
6, a third retry is performed, the insertion unreached retry counter is incremented, and the insertion unreached jam timer is restarted, and the process returns to the eighth step.

If the conveyance status of the cartridge 112 remains abnormal even after this third retry, the content of the insertion not reached retry counter is 3, so proceed from the 10th step to the 17th step, and proceed to the 17th step. Set the jam flag, turn on the insertion unreached jam indicator in the 18th step, stop the conveyance motor 122 in the 19th step, and return.
Wait until the cartridge 112 jammed in the transfer path is removed by the operator.

When the operator removes the cartridge 112 jammed in the transfer path and closes the door 118, the door oven sensor 119 turns OFF, so the first step and the second step are
After proceeding through the steps, in the third to fifth steps, the insertion unreached jam flag is reset, the insertion unreached jam display is turned off, and the insertion unreached retry counter is reset, and the process returns.

As described above, when the conveyance of the cartridge 112 is delayed due to a slight inclination in the conveyance path of the cartridge 112, it is possible to restore the normal conveyance state, and
When recovery is not possible, it is possible to prevent a serious jam condition from occurring due to continuous driving of the conveyance motor 122, and to notify the operator of the jam that has not been inserted yet.

In addition, if this insertion-unreached jam occurs when inserting the cartridge 112 at the near end and the conveyance motor 122 is stopped, the conveyance motor 122 is stopped or the jammed cartridge 112 is simply removed from the conveyance path. Even if a new cartridge 112 is not inserted, the image forming operation itself can continue to be performed, but since toner is not replenished from the new cartridge 112, the remaining toner in the developing tank 101 is consumed and the toner runs out. At this point, the image forming operation is prohibited by control at the time of toner end detection, which will be described later.

Next, a description will be given of detection of a jam by the abutting and unsealing sensor when the cartridge is inserted.

This abutment opening sensor retention jam detection detects a state in which the rear end of the cartridge does not pass through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a even after a predetermined period of time has passed after the leading end of the cartridge reaches the cartridge passage detection filler 130a. This is the processing in the latter half of the period ① to ② in the timing chart of FIG.

The cartridge 112 is inserted, and the transport motor 122 is finally stopped under the control of the unreached jam detection by the abutting and unsealing sensor (see step 19 in FIG. 41).
When the cartridge 112 continues to be conveyed without any problems, the insertion flag is set, and the leading edge of the cartridge passes through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a and the lower surface of the left side flange I L5a of the cartridge 112 is detected. Since the cartridge passage detection filler 130a is in the depressed state, the abutment opening sensor 130 is in the ON state. Then, when the leading end of the cartridge reaches the cartridge passage detection filler 130a and the abutment opening sensor 130 rises, the first step and the second step are performed.
After starting the insertion retention jam timer in the step and third step, the process proceeds from the second step to the fourth step, and in the fifth step, the abutment opening sensor 1 is activated.
30 is ON or not. Here, after the front end of the cartridge reaches the cartridge passage detection filler 130a and the abutment opening sensor 130 turns ON, the rear end of the cartridge finishes passing (comes out) the cartridge passage detection filler 130a and the abutment opening sensor 130 turns on. Since it takes a predetermined time to turn OFF, proceed from the fourth step to the fifth step, and set the insertion retention jam timer, which starts when the output of the abutment opening sensor 130 rises when the tip of the cartridge reaches the cartridge passage detection fin. After determining whether the content exceeds the set value T7, the process returns, and thereafter the first step, second step, fourth step, and fifth step are performed.
The steps are repeated until it is determined in the fifth step that the content of the insertion retention jam timer exceeds the set value T7, or until it is determined in the fourth step that the abutment opening sensor 130 is not in the ON state.

This set value T7 is determined when the cartridge 112 is normally conveyed, from when the front end of the cartridge reaches the cartridge passage detection filler 130a and when the unsealing sensor 130 starts up, until the rear end of the cartridge reaches the cartridge passage detection filler 1.
This is a count value corresponding to the time required to pass through 30a plus the variation time α, and a jamming jam occurs in the abutment opening sensor depending on whether the content of the insertion retention jam timer is greater than this set value T7. is determining whether or not it is.

When the cartridge 112 is transported normally, the rear end of the cartridge passes through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a before the count of the insertion retention jam timer exceeds the setting @T7, and as a result, the abutment opening sensor 1
30 falls from the ON state, and the rear end of the cartridge has already passed through the free edge of the door 118
returns to the closed state and door oven sensor 119 is also turned off.
Since the current state is reached, the program proceeds from the fourth step to the sixth to eighth steps, resets the insertion retention retry counter at the eighth step, and returns.

On the other hand, if the cartridge 112 is not transported normally due to a tilted posture of the cartridge 112, etc., the count of the insertion retention jam timer becomes larger than the set value T7, and the process proceeds from the fifth step to the ninth step. onwards,
Executes the process when a jam occurs in the abutment opening sensor.

In order to restore the tilted posture of the cartridge 112 in the transfer path to a normal state, the processing when the jam is caused by the abutment and unsealing sensor remaining is similar to the processing when the abutment and the unseal sensor has not reached the jam described above. The conveyance motor is once stopped, then reversely rotated, and then forwardly rotated again, for example, up to three times while determining whether or not the abutment opening sensor 130 is in the ON state, and this operation is executed three times. If the abutment/opening sensor 130 is ON or not, the insertion jam indicator is turned on and the conveyance motor 122 is stopped.

First, in the ninth step, it is determined whether the content of the insertion retention retry counter is 3 or more. If it is not 3 or more, the transport motor 122 is stopped for 500 milliseconds in the 10th step, reversely rotated for 2 seconds in the 11th step, and then the insertion retention retry counter is incremented in the 12th step. Next, the conveyance motor 122 is stopped again in the 13th step, started to rotate forward in the 14th step, and then the insertion retention jam timer is reset and restarted in the 15th step, and the process returns to the second step. Since this second step is immediately after the first retry, the abutment opening sensor 130 normally remains in the ON state, and the second step and the fourth retry are performed.
Proceed step by step, step 5. In this fifth step as well, since the insertion jam timer has just restarted, it is determined that the content of the insertion retention jam timer does not exceed the set value T7, and the process returns to the first step and the second step.
step, fourth step, and fifth step, in the fourth step, it is determined that the abutting and opening sensor 130 is not in the ON state, or in the fifth step, it is determined that the contents of the insertion retention jam timer exceed the set value T7. Execute repeatedly until

Then, in this first retry, cartridge 112
If the conveyance state becomes normal, the rear end of the cartridge passes through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a and the output of the abutment opening sensor 130 falls from the ON state before the insertion retention jam timer exceeds the set value T7, and The rear end of the cartridge has already passed through the free edge of the door 118 and is now in the door 1.
18 returns to the closed state and the door oven sensor 119 also turns O.
Since the state is FF, the process proceeds from the fourth step to the sixth to eighth steps, resets the insertion retention retry counter at the eighth step, and returns.

On the other hand, if the conveyance state of the cartridge 112 remains abnormal, the count of the insertion retention jam timer exceeds the set value T7 while the abutment opening sensor 130 remains in the ON state, so the process proceeds from the fifth step to the ninth step. Furthermore, the first
Second retry from step 0 to step 15,
Increment the insertion retention retry counter and restart the insertion retention jam timer, return to the second step, proceed to the fourth step, then return to the fifth step in the same way as after the first retry, Hereafter, the first step, second step, fourth step, and fifth step are as follows:
The process is repeated until it is determined in the fourth step that the abutting and opening sensor 130 is not in the ON state, or until it is determined in the fifth step that the content of the insertion retention jam timer exceeds the set value T7.

And even in this second retry, cartridge 11
If the conveyance status of No. 2 remains abnormal, the abutment opening sensor 130 remains ON and the count of the insertion retention jam timer reaches the set value T, as in the case after the first retry.
7, proceed from the 5th step to the 9th step, and further execute the 3rd retry, increment the insertion retention retry counter, and restart the insertion retention jam timer in the 10th step to the 15th step. , return to the second step.

If the conveyance state of the cartridge 112 remains abnormal even after this third retry, the content of the insertion retention retry counter is 3, so the steps from the 9th step to the first
Proceed to step 6 and set the insertion retention jam flag.
In the 17th step, the insertion jam indicator is lit and the 1st
The transport motor 122 is stopped and returned in 8 steps, and the cartridge 112 that is jammed in the transport path is removed by the operator.
wait for it to be removed.

When the cartridge 112 jammed in the transfer path is removed by the operator, the output of the abutment opening sensor 130 falls from the ON state during this removal operation, and the door 118 closes and the door oven sensor 119 turns on. ○Since it is FF, the 1st step, 2nd step, 4th step,
The process proceeds to the sixth step, seventh step, and eighth step, and in the eighth step, resets the insertion unreached retry counter and returns. In this example, turning off the insertion jam indicator and resetting the insertion retention jam flag are executed by a reset button provided on the device. These resets may also be reset by the cartridge removal operation, similar to the above-described removal of the jam that has not reached the abutment/opening sensor.

As described above, when the conveyance of the cartridge 112 is delayed due to a slight inclination in the conveyance path of the cartridge 112, it is possible to restore the normal conveyance state, and,
When recovery is not possible, it is possible to prevent a serious jam condition from occurring due to continuous driving of the conveyance motor 122, and to notify the operator of the insertion retention jam.

In addition, if this insertion retention jam occurs when inserting the cartridge 112 at the near end and the conveyance motor 122 is stopped, the conveyance motor 122 is stopped or the jammed cartridge 112 is simply removed from the conveyance path. Even if the new cartridge 112 is not inserted, the image forming operation itself can continue to be performed, but since toner is not replenished from the new cartridge 112, the remaining toner in the developing unit is consumed and the toner runs out. At this point, the image forming operation is prohibited by the control at the time of toner end detection, which will be described later, which is similar to the control for the jam not reaching the abutment opening sensor described above.

Next, with reference to FIG. 43, a description will be given of the jam detection that the abutting unsealing sensor has not reached when the cartridge is unsealed.

This jam detection when the cartridge is unsealed and the unsealed sensor does not reach the hopper opening 124
When the cartridge is transported to the top and the rear end of the cartridge passes through the cartridge passage detection filler] 30a, the abutment opening sensor 1
This is to detect failure in removal of the seal member 114 on the bottom surface of the cartridge by the unsealing roller 150 rotated by the unsealing motor 129 which is turned on at the same time as FF of 30, and the period from ■ to ■ in the timing chart of FIG. This is the processing in the first half.

Since the cartridge 112 is inserted and the insertion flag is set, the process proceeds from the first step to the second step, and when the output of the abutment opening sensor 130 falls and a signal is present, the process proceeds to the third to fifth steps, where the insertion flag is set. After resetting the opening flag, setting the opening flag, and starting the opening/unreachable jam timer, the process returns to the first step.

Since the insertion flag is reset in the third step and the unsealing flag is set in the fourth step, the process progresses from the first step to the sixth step and then to the seventh step, and in the seventh step, the rising signal of the abutting and opening sensor 130 is detected. See. Here, the sealing member IJ, which is removed from the lower surface of the cartridge from the start of rotation of the unsealing roller 150, is
11 reaches the cartridge opening detection filler 130b of the abutting and opening sensor 130, and it takes a predetermined seven hours for this abutting and opening sensor 130 to turn ON, the process proceeds from the seventh step to the eighth step. It is determined whether or not the count of the unopened jam timer, which starts when the output of the abutment opening sensor 130 falls, exceeds the set value T8, and the process returns.

In the first step, sixth step, seventh step, and eighth step, it is determined that the content of the unopened jam timer exceeds the set value T8 in the eighth step, or the jam timer 130 is pressed against the unopened jam timer in the seventh step. The process is repeated until it is determined that a rising signal exists.

This set value T8 is set during a normal cartridge 112 unsealing operation from when the output of the abutment opening sensor 130 falls until the free edge of the sealing member 114 reaches the cartridge opening detection filler 130b of the abutment opening sensor 130. This is the count value corresponding to the time required plus the variation time α, and whether a jam that has not reached the opening sensor has occurred depending on whether the count of the unopened jam timer is greater than this setting @T8 or not. I am deciding whether or not to do so.

When the cartridge 112 is opened normally, the free edge of the seal member 114 reaches the cartridge tamper detection filler 130b before the count of the unopened jam timer exceeds the set value T8, and the abutment sensor Since the output of 130 rises, the program proceeds from the seventh step to the ninth step, resets the unopened retry counter, and returns.

On the other hand, if the cartridge 112 is not opened normally due to a problem such as poor gripping of the free end of the seal member 114 by the unsealing roller 150, the count of the unopened jam timer becomes larger than the set value T8 and The process advances from the 8th step to the 10th step, whereupon a process is executed when the jam has not reached the abutment/opening sensor.

In the case of a jam that does not reach the abutment opening sensor, the unsealing motor 129 is operated in order to restore the normal state due to poor gripping of the free end of the seal member 114 by the unsealing roller 150.
Temporarily stop and turn the pinch solenoid 128 for opening
FL, whereby the free end of the sealing member 114 is released from the unsealing roller 150 and then the pinch solenoid 1 is reactivated.
28 and start driving the unsealing motor 129, for example, is executed up to three times while determining whether or not the abutment opening sensor 130 starts up. Even if this operation is performed three times, the abutment opening sensor 130 If the jam does not start up, the unopened jam indicator is turned on, the unopened motor 129 is stopped, and the pinch solenoid 128 is turned off.
FF and cancels the operation of opening the cartridge 112.

First, in the tenth step, it is determined whether the contents of the unopened and unreached retry counter are 3 or more. If it is not 3 or more, the opening motor 129 is stopped in the 11th step, the pinch solenoid 128 is set to ○FFL in the 12th step, the unopened retry counter is incremented in the 13th step, and the pinch solenoid 128 is switched on again in the 14th step.
At the same time, the unsealing motor 129 is turned on in the 15th step.
Turn on and start retrying to open the cartridge.
Reset the unopened jam timer in 6 steps,
Return to step 7. In this seventh step, since it is immediately after the first retry, the butt opening sensor 1
It is determined that the rising signal of 30 does not exist, and the process proceeds to the eighth step. In this case as well, since the unopened jam timer has just restarted, it is determined that the content is less than the set value T8, and the process returns to the 1st step, 6th step, and so on.
In the 7th and 8th steps, it is determined in the 7th step that there is a rising signal of the abutment opening sensor 130, or it is determined in the 8th step that the content of the unopened jam timer exceeds the set value T8. Execute repeatedly until

Then, in this first retry, cartridge 112
If the jam is opened normally, the jam sensor 130 starts up before the unopened jam timer count reaches the set value T8, so the process proceeds from the 7th step to the 9th step Reset the retry counter and return.

On the other hand, if the opening operation state remains abnormal, the count of the unopened jam timer exceeds the set value T8 without the abutment opening sensor 130 starting up.
The process proceeds from the step to the 10th step, and further, from the 11th step to the 16th step, the second retry, incrementing the unopened unreached retry counter, and restarting the unopened unreached jam timer are executed. Go back to the 7th step and repeat the 8th step as you did after the 1st retry.
After that, the first step, the sixth step, the seventh step, and the eighth step are performed.In the seventh step, it is determined that the rising signal of the opening sensor 130 is present, or in the eighth step, the The process is repeated until it is determined that the contents of the unopened jam timer can reach the set value T8.

If the unsealing operation status remains abnormal even after this second retry, the count of the unopened jam timer continues without the abutment opening sensor 130 starting up, just as after the first retry. When the set value T8 is exceeded, the process advances from the 8th step to the 10th step, and further, in the 11th to 16th steps, the second retry, the increment of the unopened unreached retry counter, and the increment of the unopened unreached jam timer are performed. Execute a restart and restart the 7th
Return to step.

If the opening operation status remains abnormal even after this third retry, the content of the unopened unreached retry counter is 3, so proceed from the 10th step to the 17th step and check the unopened unreached jam flag. is set, the unopened jam indicator lights up in the 18th step, the unopened motor 129 is stopped in the 19th step, and the pinch solenoid 128 is set to 0FFL and returned to the refill position by the operator in the 20th step. Wait for cartridge 112 to be removed.

After the cartridge 112 jammed in the transfer path is removed by the operator, when the cartridge 112 is reinserted, the insertion flag is set, and in the same way as above, the cartridge 112 is detected when the cartridge is opened. Detection is performed again.

As described above, the sealing member 114 by the unsealing roller 150
If the cartridge 112 cannot be opened due to poor gripping of the protruding end, etc., it is possible to restore the normal unsealing operation state, and if this is not possible, the continued unsealing operation may cause serious damage to the seal. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a jam in the member 114 or the main body of the cartridge 112, and to notify the operator of a jam that has not reached the abutment opening sensor when opening the cartridge.

Next, using FIG. 44, a description will be given of jam detection by the unsealing sensor SW when the cartridge is unsealed.

This abutment unsealing sensor retention jam detection at the time of cartridge opening is performed even if the opening operation of the cartridge 112 is continued after the protruding edge of the sealing member 114 reaches the cartridge tampering detection filler faob of the abutting unsealing sensor 130. This is to detect the state in which the rear end of the member remains without coming out of the cartridge opening detection filler 130b, and is the process in the latter half of the period (1) to (2) in the timing chart of FIG.

When the cartridge 112 is on the hopper opening 124 and the unsealing operation is continued without being stopped under the control of the abutment unsealing sensor unreached jam detection during cartridge unsealing, the unsealing flag is set. , and the free end of the seal is the cartridge tamper detection filler 13.
0b, the cartridge opening detection filler 1 is detected by the seal removed from the bottom surface of the cartridge by the opening roller 150.
Since 30b is pressed down, the butt opening sensor 1
30 is in the ON state. When the free end of the seal reaches the cartridge opening detection filler 130b and the opening sensor 130 rises, the first step
After proceeding to the second step and third step and starting the unseal retention jam timer, the process proceeds from the second step to the fourth step, and in the fourth step, it is determined whether or not the abutting and opening sensor 130 is ON. . Here, after the free end of the seal reaches the cartridge tampering detection filler 130b and the abutment opening sensor 130 is turned on, until the rear end of the seal member passes through the cartridge tampering detection filler 130b and the abutment opening sensor 130 turns OFF. Since it takes a certain amount of time, proceed from the fourth step to the fifth step.
The content of the tamper retention jam timer that starts at the rising edge of the abutment tamper sensor 130 output when the free end of the seal reaches the cartridge tamper detection filler 130b is the set value T9.
After determining whether or not the value exceeds the
The second step, the fourth step and the fifth step are
The process is repeated until it is determined that the abutment/opening sensor 130 is not in the ON state in step 1, or it is determined that the content of the insertion retention jam timer exceeds the set value T9 in step 5. This set value T9 is determined from when the free end of the seal reaches the cartridge tamper detection filler 130b and when the tamper sensor 130 starts up, the rear end of the seal member reaches the cartridge tamper detection filler 130b.
This is a count value corresponding to the time required to pass through 0b plus the variation time α, and a jamming jam in the abutment opening sensor occurs depending on whether the content of the opening jamming timer is greater than this set value T9. is determining whether or not it is.

When the cartridge 112 is opened normally, the rear end of the sealing member reaches the cartridge opening detection filler 13 before the content of the opening retention jam timer exceeds the set value T9.
0b and the output of the abutting and opening sensor 130 falls from the ON state, so the process proceeds from the fourth step to the sixth step and the seventh step, and in the seventh step, the unsealing retention retry counter is reset, and further, In the eighth step, the opening flag is reset, and in the ninth step, the toner near end flag is set, and the process returns.

On the other hand, if the cartridge 112 is not opened properly due to a problem such as poor gripping of the seal member 114 by the unsealing roller 150, the abutment opening sensor 130 remains ON and the contents of the unsealing retention jam timer are set [T9]. Therefore, proceed from the 5th step to the 10th step, and from there on,
Executes the process when a jam occurs in the abutment opening sensor.

To deal with jamming caused by the abutment and unsealing sensor retention, the unsealing motor 129 is temporarily stopped and the unsealing pinch solenoid 128 is turned to ○FFL in order to restore the normal state due to poor gripping of the seal member 114 by the unsealing roller 150. After the sealing member 114 is released from the unsealing roller 150, a retry operation is performed in which the unsealing pinch solenoid 128 is turned on again and the unsealing motor 129 is started to be driven, and it is determined whether or not the abutting unsealing sensor 130 is no longer in the ON state. If the abutment opening sensor 130 remains in the ON state even after performing this retry operation three times, the opening jamming indicator is lit and the opening motor 1 is turned on.
At the same time, the unsealing pinch solenoid 128 is turned FF to stop the unsealing operation of the cartridge 112.

First, in the 10th step, it is determined whether the contents of the unsealing retention retry counter are 3 or more. If it is not 3 or more, the opening motor 129 is stopped in the 11th step, the opening pinch solenoid 128 is set to ○FFL in the 12th step, the unopened retry counter is incremented in the 13th step, and the package is opened again in the 14th step. At the same time as turning on the pinch solenoid 128, the unopening motor 129 is turned on in the 15th step to start a retry operation, and in the 16th step, the unopened jam timer is reset and restarted, and the process returns to the 2nd step. . Since this second step is immediately after the first retry, the abutment opening sensor 130 is normally ON, so the fourth and fifth steps
Proceed step by step.

In this fifth step as well, since the opening jam timer has just been restarted as described above, the content is determined to be lower than the set value 9 and returns, and from then on, the first, second and fourth steps are executed. And the fifth step is repeatedly executed until it is determined in the fourth step that the abutting and opening sensor 130 is not in the ON state, or until it is determined in the fifth step that the content of the insertion retention jam timer exceeds the set value T9.

If the seal opening operation status becomes normal in this first retry, the rear end of the seal member will pass through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a and hit the cartridge passage detection filler 130a before the count of the opening retention jam timer exceeds the set value T9. Since the unsealing sensor 130 falls from the ON state, the process proceeds from the fourth step to the sixth to ninth steps and returns.

On the other hand, if the seal opening operation state remains abnormal, the abutment opening sensor 130 remains ON and the content of the opening retention jam timer exceeds the set value T9, so the process proceeds from the fifth step to the tenth step, and further, From the 11th step to the 16th step, execute the second retry, increment the unsealed jam retry counter, and restart the unsealed jam timer, return to the second step, and after the first retry. Similarly, the process proceeds to the 4th step, the 5th step and returns, and thereafter the 1st step, the 2nd step, the 4th step, and the 5th step are performed until the opening sensor 130 is not in the ON state. The process is repeatedly executed until a judgment is made, or it is judged in the fifth step that the content of the unsealed jam timer exceeds the set value T9.

If the unsealing operation remains abnormal even after this second retry, the content of the unseal retention jam timer is set without the abutting unsealing sensor 130 turning on, as after the first retry. When the value T9 is exceeded, the process proceeds from the 5th step to the 10th step, and further, in steps 11 to 16, the third retry, the increment of the open and hold retry counter, and the restart of the open and hold jam timer are executed. Then, return to the second step.

If the opening operation remains abnormal even after this third retry, the content of the opening retention retry counter is 3, so proceed from step 10 to step 17 to set the opening retention jam flag. In the 18th step, the unsealing accumulated jam indicator is lit, in the 19th step the unsealing motor 129 is stopped, and in the 20th step, the unsealing pinch solenoid 128 is turned OFF and returned, and the cartridge 112 in the refill position is removed by the operator. Wait for it to be removed.

After the cartridge 112 in the replenishment position is removed by the operator, the re-inserted cartridge 112 is conveyed to the replenishment position and then the unsealing operation of the cartridge 112 is started, the abutment and unsealing retention at the time of seal unsealing is performed in the same manner as above. Execute jam detection again.

As described above, the sealing member 114 by the unsealing roller 150
If the seal cannot be opened due to poor clamping of the free end of the seal, the normal opening operation can be restored.
In addition, when recovery is not possible, the system prevents the occurrence of a serious jam in the seal member 114 or the cartridge 112 body due to continued unsealing operation, and also notifies the operator of the jam that has accumulated in the unseal sensor when the seal is opened. I can do it.

Next, using FIG. 45, a description will be given of the jam detection that the abutment opening sensor has not reached when the cartridge is dropped.

This jam detection when the cartridge is dropped and the unsealing sensor has not reached the end is detected even if a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the conveyance motor 122 is reversely rotated and reverse conveyance from above the hopper opening 124 to the empty cartridge storage box 133 is started. This detects the state in which the rear end of the cartridge (the rear end in the transport direction at the time of insertion) does not reach the cartridge passage detection filler 130a, and is indicated by ■ to ■ in the timing chart of FIG.
This is the processing for the first half of the period.

This reverse conveyance is started by the rise of toner end detection, so from the first step to the second step,
Proceed to the third step, start the fall 1 unreached jam timer and set the fall 1 flag, then return to the first step and proceed to the fourth step. Decide whether or not. Here, since it takes a predetermined time from the start of reverse conveyance until the rear end of the cartridge reaches the cartridge passage detection filler 130a of the abutment-opening sensor 130 and the abutment-opening sensor 130 turns ON, the fifth step is performed. Proceeding, it is determined whether the count of the falling 1 unreached jam timer that has started exceeds the set value T3, and the process returns.
The first step, the fourth step and the fifth step are
The process is repeated until it is determined that the abutment/opening sensor 130 is in the ON state in step 3 or it is determined that the content of the insertion/unreached jam timer exceeds the set value T3 in step 5.

This set value T3 is set such that during normal reverse conveyance of the cartridge 112, the rear end of the cartridge reaches the cartridge passage detection filler 13 from the time when the toner near end rising signal is generated.
This is a count value corresponding to the time required to reach 0a plus the dispersion time α, and it is determined whether or not the cartridge is hit when the cartridge falls depending on whether the count of the jam timer that does not reach 1 is greater than this set value T3. It is determined whether a jam that has not reached the opening sensor has occurred.

Then, when the cartridge 112 is normally reversely conveyed, the count of the drop 1 unreached jam timer reaches the set value T.
3, the rear end of the cartridge reaches the cartridge passage detection filler 130a, and the abutment opening sensor 13
Since 0 becomes ON state, proceed from the 4th step to the 6th step.

Reset the fall 1 unreached retry counter and return.

On the other hand, if the cartridge 112 is not transported normally due to a tilted posture of the cartridge 112, etc., the count of the drop 1 unreached jam timer becomes larger than the set value T3, and the process is stopped from the fifth step to the seventh step. Proceed to
Thereafter, processing is executed when a jam does not reach the abutment opening sensor.

To deal with a jam that has not reached the abutment opening sensor, in order to restore the inclined posture of the cartridge 112 in the transport path to a normal state, the transport motor 122, which is currently rotating in reverse, is temporarily stopped and then rotated in the forward direction. Retry operation to rotate in reverse again,
For example, perform this operation up to three times while determining whether or not the abutment opening sensor 130 turns ON. If the abutment opening sensor 130 does not turn ON even after performing this retry operation three times, it is determined that the fall 1 has not been reached. This turns on the jam indicator and stops the transport motor 122.

First, in the seventh step, it is determined whether the content of the fall/unreached retry counter is 3 or more. If it is not 3 or more, the transport motor 122 is stopped for 500 milliseconds in the eighth step,
After forward rotation in the ninth step, the fall 1 unreached retry counter is incremented in the tenth step. Next, the conveyance motor 122 is stopped again in the 11th step, started to rotate in reverse in the 12th step, and then the drop 1 unreached jam timer is reset and restarted in the 13th step. return. Since this fourth step is immediately after the first retry, it is determined that the normal abutment opening sensor 130 is not in the ON state, and the process proceeds to the fifth step. Here again, as mentioned above, the jam timer for falling 1 has not been reached again.

Since it has just started, it is determined that the content is less than the set value T3, and the process returns. From then on, the first step, the fourth step, and the fifth step are executed. Or, in the fifth step, the content of the insertion unreached jam timer is set to T3.
Execute repeatedly until it is determined that the value is exceeded.

Then, in this first retry, cartridge 112
When the reverse conveyance state becomes normal, the rear end of the cartridge reaches the cartridge passage detection filler 130a before the content of the drop 1 unreached jam timer exceeds the set value T3, and the abutment opening sensor 130 turns ON. Therefore, proceed from the fourth step to the fifth step, reset the fall 1 unreached retry counter, and return.

On the other hand, if the reverse transport state of the cartridge 112 remains abnormal, the abutment opening sensor 130 remains ON and the cartridge 112 is dropped.
Since the content of the unreached jam timer exceeds the set value T3, the process advances from the 5th step to the 7th step, and then from the 8th step to the 13th step, the second retry and the falling top unreached retry counter are incremented. and restart the jam timer for falling 1 unreached, and restart the 4th jam timer.
Return to the step, and proceed to the 4th and 5th steps in the same way as after the first retry, and then go back to the 1st, 4th, and 5th steps, and then hit and open the package at the 4th step. It is determined that the sensor 130 is in the ON state, and the process is repeated until it is determined in the fifth step that the content of the fall 1 unreached jam timer exceeds the set value T3.

If the reverse conveyance status remains abnormal even after this second retry, the abutment opening sensor 130 remains ON and the drop 1 unreached jam timer is set as after the first retry. When the content exceeds the set value T3, the process advances from the 5th step to the 7th step, and then from the 8th step to the 1st step.
In step 3, a third retry is performed, the retry counter for fall 1 not reached is incremented, and the jam timer for fall 1 not reached is restarted, and the process returns to step 4.

If the reverse conveyance status remains abnormal even after this third retry, the content of the retry counter for fall 1 not reached is 3, so proceed from the 7th step to the 14th step. The jam flag is set, the fall 1 unreached jam indicator is lit in the 15th step, and the conveyance motor 122 is stopped and returned to the 16th step, and the cartridge 112 jammed in the conveyance path is removed by the operator. wait for.

As described above, when the reverse transport of the cartridge 112 is delayed due to a slight inclination in the reverse transport path of the cartridge 112, it is possible to restore the normal reverse transport state, and when it is impossible to restore the reverse transport, the transport It is possible to prevent a serious jam condition from occurring due to continuous driving of the motor 122, and to notify the operator of a jam that has not reached the first drop.

Next, using FIG. 46, a description will be given of how the abutting and unsealing sensor retains a jam when the cartridge is dropped.

Second, the abutment and unsealing sensor retention jam detection at the time of cartridge drop is performed even if a predetermined period of time elapses after the rear end of the cartridge reaches the cartridge passage detection filler 130a during reverse conveyance of the cartridge 112. This is the processing for the first half of the period (2) to (2) in the timing chart of FIG. 24.

The reverse conveyance of the cartridge 112 is started, and the conveyance motor 122 is finally stopped by the control of the jam detection that the unsealing sensor has not reached when the cartridge is dropped (the fourth
(See step 16 in FIG. 5), while the reverse transport of the cartridge 112 continues, the fall 1 flag is set, and the rear end of the cartridge passes through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a. Since the cartridge passage detection filler 130a is pressed down on the lower surface of the left side flange 115a of the cartridge 112, the abutment/opening sensor 130 is in the ON state. and,
The rear end of this cartridge is the cartridge passage detection filler 1.
30a and the abutment opening sensor 130 starts up, the process proceeds through the first step, second step, and third step, starts the drop 1 retention jam timer, and then moves from the second step to the fourth step. Proceeding to this fifth step, it is determined whether or not the abutment opening sensor 130 is ON.

Here, the rear end of the cartridge reaches the cartridge passage detection filler 130a and the abutment opening sensor 130 turns ON.
Then, the tip of the cartridge passes through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a and hits the opening sensor 130.
Since it takes a predetermined time to complete F, the program proceeds from the fourth step to the fifth step, determines whether the contents of the falling 1 retention jam timer that has started exceeds the set value T4, and then returns. 1st step, 2nd step, 4th step
Steps and the fifth step are repeatedly executed until it is determined in the fourth step that the abutting and opening sensor 130 is not in the ON state, or it is determined in the fifth step that the content of the drop 1 retention jam timer exceeds the set value T4. do.

This set value T4 varies depending on the time required from when the rear end of the cartridge reaches the cartridge passage detection filler 130a and the abutment opening sensor 130 rises until the cartridge passes through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a at the front end of the cartridge during normal reverse conveyance of the cartridge 112. This is a count value corresponding to the time obtained by adding time α, and it is determined whether or not a jamming jam has occurred in the abutment opening sensor depending on whether the contents of the fall 1 jamming jam timer are larger than this set value T4. There is.

Then, when the cartridge 112 is normally reversely conveyed, the count of the fall 1 retention jam timer is set @T4
The tip of the cartridge passes through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a before the cartridge passes through, and as a result, the output of the abutment opening sensor 130 falls from the ○N state. 1 flag and fall 1 stay retry counter and return.

On the other hand, if the cartridge 112 is not transported normally due to a tilted posture of the cartridge 112, etc., the count of the fall 1 retention jam timer will be lower than the set value T4 while the abutment opening sensor 130 remains in the ON state. When the number of jams increases, the process proceeds from the fifth step to the ninth step, and thereafter, processing for the case of jamming due to the abutting and opening sensor retention is executed.

In order to restore the tilted posture of the cartridge 112 in the transfer path to a normal state, the process for jamming when the cartridge is dropped and the unsealing sensor is not reached is as follows: Similarly to the process, the retry operation of stopping the reversely rotating conveyance motor 122, then rotating it forward, and then rotating it backwards again is repeated, for example, three times while determining whether or not the abutment opening sensor 130 is no longer in the ON state. If the abutting/opening sensor 130 remains in the ON state even after performing this operation three times, the drop 1 retention jam indicator is turned on and the conveyance motor 122 is stopped.

First, in the ninth step, it is determined whether the content of the fall 1 retention retry counter is 3 or more. If it is not 3 or more, the transport motor 122 is stopped for 500 milliseconds in the 10th step,
After rotating forward for 2 seconds in the 11th step, the drop 1 retention retry counter is incremented in the 12th step.

Next, the transport motor 122 is stopped again in the 13th step, started to rotate in reverse in the 14th step, and then the transport motor 122 is stopped in the 15th step.
In step 1, reset the fall 1 retention jam timer and restart it, return to step 2, and proceed to step 4. Since this fourth step is immediately after the first retry, the abutting/opening sensor 130 normally remains in the ON state and the process advances to the fifth step. Even in this fifth step,
Since the fall 1 retention jam timer has just restarted, it is determined that the contents of the drop 1 retention jam timer are below the setting @T4, and the program returns to the 1st step, 2nd step, 4th step, and 4th step. The 5 steps are repeated until it is determined in the 4th step that the abutment opening sensor 130 is not in the ON state, or until it is determined in the 5th step that the content of the drop 1 retention jam timer exceeds the set value T4.

Then, in this first retry, cartridge 112
When the reverse conveyance state becomes normal, the leading end of the cartridge passes through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a and the output of the abutment opening sensor 130 falls from the ON state before the drop 1 retention jam timer exceeds the set value T4. The process proceeds from the fourth step to the sixth to eighth steps, resets the fall 1 flag and fall 1 retention retry counter, and returns.

On the other hand, if the reverse conveyance state of the cartridge 112 remains abnormal, the count of the fall 1 retention jam timer exceeds the set value T4 while the abutting and opening sensor 130 remains in the ON state, so the process moves from the fifth step to the ninth step. Proceed further,
From the 10th step to the 15th step, execute the second retry, increment the fall 1 retention retry counter, and restart the fall 1 retention jam timer, return to the 2nd step, and perform the first retry. In the same way as before, proceed to the 4th step, then return to the 5th step, and from then on,
In the first step, second step, fourth step, and fifth step, it is determined that the abutment opening sensor 130 is not in the ON state in the fourth step, or the content of the drop 1 retention jam timer is set in the fifth step. The process is repeated until it is determined that the value exceeds T4.

And even in this second retry, cartridge 11
If the reverse conveyance state of No. 2 remains abnormal, the count of the fall 1 retention jam timer exceeds the set value T4 while the abutment opening sensor 130 remains ON, as after the first retry. Proceed from the 5th step to the 9th step,
Further, in steps 10 to 15, a third retry, incrementing of the fall 1 retention retry counter, and restart of the fall 1 retention jam timer are executed, and the process returns to the second step.

If the reverse transport status of the cartridge 112 remains abnormal even after this third retry, the content of the drop 1 retention retry counter is 3, so the process proceeds from the 9th step to the 16th step and the drop 1 The stuck jam flag is set, the falling 1 stuck jam indicator is turned on in the 17th step, and the conveyance motor 122 is stopped and returned in the 18th step, and the cartridge 112 jammed in the conveying path is removed by the operator. wait for.

When the cartridge 112 jammed in the transfer path is removed by the operator, the output of the abutment opening sensor 130 falls from the ON state during this removal operation, so that the first, second, and fourth steps are performed. , the sixth step, the seventh step, and the eighth step to reset the drop 1 flag and the insertion unreached retry counter, and then return.

In this example, turning off the falling 1 accumulated jam indicator is executed by a reset button provided on the device. These resets may also be reset by the cartridge removal operation, as in the case of removing the jam that has not reached the abutment opening sensor when inserting the cartridge. Conversely, resetting the drop 1 retention jam flag, resetting the drop] retention retry counter, and extinguishing the drop 1 retention jam indicator may be performed using a reset button provided on the device.

As described above, when the reverse transport of the cartridge 112 is delayed due to a slight inclination in the reverse transport path of the cartridge 112, it is possible to restore the normal reverse transport state, and when it is impossible to restore the reverse transport, the transport It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a serious jam condition due to continuous driving of the motor 122, and to notify the operator of a falling jam.

Next, using FIG. 47, a description will be given of the jam detection that the drop sensor has not reached when the cartridge is dropped.

This jam detection when the cartridge falls does not reach the drop sensor, and the tip of the cartridge is the cartridge passing detection filler 1.
This is to detect a state in which the cartridge 112 does not reach the drop sensor placed at a predetermined position in the empty cartridge storage box 133 even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after passing through the empty cartridge storage box 133. This is the process.

When the empty cartridge storage box 133 falls to the bottom,
Since the process starts after the leading end of the cartridge passes through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a due to reverse conveyance of the cartridge 112, the fall 1 flag is set. and,
The tip of the cartridge is the cartridge passage detection filler 130
When the fall signal of the abutment opening sensor 130 is generated after passing through a, the process proceeds from the first step to the fifth step, resetting the fall 1 flag, setting the fall 2 flag, and starting the fall 2 unreached jam timer. Execute and return to the first step. Since we have already reset the fall 1 flag and set the fall 2 flag, we proceed from this 1st step to the 6th step, the 7th step, and this 7th step.
In this step, it is determined whether there is a falling signal from the fall sensor.

Here, it takes a predetermined time for the cartridge 112 to reach the drop sensor in the empty cartridge storage box 133 after the tip of the cartridge passes through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a and the abutment and opening sensor 130 falls. Proceeding from the 7th step to the 8th step, it is determined whether the contents of the falling 2 unreached jam timer that has been started exceeds the set value T5, and then the process returns to the 1st, 6th, and 7th steps. and the eighth
The steps are repeated until it is determined in the seventh step that there is a falling signal from the fall sensor, or until it is determined in the eighth step that the fall 2 unreached jam timer exceeds the set value T5.

This set value T5 is the time required for the tip of the cartridge to pass through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a, start falling normally, and reach the drop sensor in the empty cartridge storage box 133, plus the variation time α. It is determined whether or not a drop sensor retention jam has occurred depending on whether the corresponding count value of the drop 2 unreached jam timer is larger than the set value T5.

When the cartridge 112 starts falling normally, the count of the fall 2 unreached jam timer is set to T.
5, the cartridge 112 reaches the drop sensor, and as a result, the output of the drop sensor rises, so the program proceeds from the seventh step to the ninth step, resets the drop 2 retry counter, and returns.

Conversely, if the cartridge 112 does not start falling normally due to the attitude of the cartridge 112 being tilted near the falling position, the fall sensor does not stand up and the count of the fall 2 unreached jam timer reaches the set value T5. The process proceeds from the 8th step to the 10th step, and thereafter processes are executed when the fall sensor does not reach the jam.

The process for jamming when the drop sensor does not reach the cartridge when it is dropped is to reverse the transport motor 122, which has stopped at the end of reverse transport, for a predetermined period of time in order to restore the inclined posture of the cartridge 112 near the drop position to the normal state. Execute the rotation retry operation up to three times, for example, while determining whether or not the drop sensor starts up. If the fall sensor does not start up even after performing this operation three times, the fall 2 unreached jam indicator lights up. It is something that makes you

First, in the 10th step, it is determined whether the content of the fall 2 unreached retry counter is 3 or more. If it is not 3 or more, the first
In one step, the transport motor 122 is rotated in reverse for 2 seconds, and the first
In step 2, the retry counter for falling 2 not reached is incremented, and in step 13, the jam timer for falling 2 not reached is reset and restarted, and the process returns to the first step. Thereafter, in the 1st step, 6th step, 7th step, and 8th step, it is determined that there is a rising signal of the fall sensor in the 7th step, or the fall 2 unreached jam timer is set to the set value in the 8th step. Repeat execution until it is determined that T5 has been exceeded.

Then, in this first retry, cartridge 112
If the cartridge 112 starts falling normally, the cartridge 112 reaches the drop sensor and the output of the drop sensor rises before the drop 2 unreached jam timer exceeds the set value T5.
Proceed from the 7th step to the 9th step, reset the fall 2 unreached retry counter, and return.

On the other hand, if the cartridge 112 does not start falling normally, the fall sensor will not start up and the count of the fall 2 unreached jam timer will exceed the set value T5.
The process proceeds from the step to the 10th step, and further, from the 11th step to the 13th step, the second retry, the increment of the fall 2 unreached retry counter, and the restart of the fall 2 unreached jam timer are executed. Return to step 1, and repeat steps 1, 6, 7, and 8 in the same way as after the first retry.
The steps are repeated until it is determined in the seventh step that there is a rising signal from the fall sensor, or until it is determined in the ninth step that the fall 2 unreached jam timer exceeds the set value T5.

And even in this second retry, cartridge 11
2 does not start falling normally, the fall sensor does not start up and the count of the fall 2 unreached jam timer exceeds the set value T5, just like after the first retry. Proceed to step 10, and then proceed to step 1.
In steps 1 to 13, a third retry, incrementing of the fall 2 unreached retry counter, and restart of the fall 2 unreached jam timer are executed, and the process returns to the first step.

If the cartridge 112 does not start falling normally on this third retry, the contents of the retry counter will be 3, so the process proceeds from the 10th step to the 14th step and the cartridge 112 does not start falling normally. The jam flag is set, and in the 15th step, the drop 2 unreached jam indicator is turned on and the process returns, waiting for the cartridge 112 remaining near the drop position to be removed by the operator.

When the operator removes the cartridge 112 remaining near the drop position and operates the reset button provided on the device, the drop 2 not reached jam flag is reset, the drop 2 not reached retry counter is reset, and the drop 2 not reached is reset. Turn off the jam indicator.

As described above, the cartridge 112 near the drop position
If the cartridge 112 does not start falling due to some inclination of the cartridge 112, it is possible to make it start falling normally.
Further, when the falling cannot be started, the operator can be informed that the falling jam has not yet reached 2.

Next, using FIG. 48, a description will be given of the drop sensor retention jam detection when the cartridge is dropped.

This drop sensor retention jam detection when a cartridge is dropped is to detect a state in which the cartridge 112 does not come out of the drop sensor even after a predetermined period of time has passed after the cartridge 112 starts falling and reaches the drop sensor. Second
This is the processing in the latter half of the timing chart in FIG.

When the cartridge 112 starts falling, reaches the drop sensor, and continues to fall and is passing through the sensor, the fall 2 flag is set (see step 4 in FIG. 47).
, the fall sensor is in the ON state. When the cartridge 112 reaches the drop sensor, the drop sensor starts up, and the process proceeds through the first step, second step, and third step, starts the drop 2 retention jam timer, returns to the second step, and starts the fourth step. Proceed to.

Here, since it takes a predetermined time from when the cartridge 112 reaches the drop sensor and the drop sensor stands up until the cartridge 112 passes through the drop sensor, the fourth
Proceeding from step to step 5, it is determined whether or not the contents of the falling 2 retention jam timer that has started exceeds the set value T6, and the process returns. The 5 steps are repeated until it is determined in the 4th step that the drop sensor is not in the ON state, or until it is determined in the 5th step that the content of the drop 2 retention jam timer exceeds the set value T6.

This set value T6 is a count value corresponding to the time required for the cartridge 112 to pass through the drop sensor from the time when the drop sensor rises when the cartridge 112 reaches the drop sensor in a normal fall of the cartridge 112, plus the variation time α. It is determined whether or not a drop sensor retention jam has occurred depending on whether the content of the drop 2 retention jam timer is greater than the set value T6.

When the cartridge 112 continues to fall normally, the cartridge 112 passes through the drop sensor and the output of the drop sensor falls from the ON state before the content of the drop 2 retention jam timer exceeds the set value T6. The process proceeds from the 4th step to the 6th step and to the 7th step, and in the 7th step, the fall 2 flag is reset, and in the 8th step, the toner near end flag is set, and the process returns.

On the other hand, if the cartridge 112 is tilted from the horizontal position when it starts falling and falls with its opening facing sideways, the entire cartridge 112 cannot pass through the drop sensor and a part of the cartridge 112 is empty. If it reaches the bottom of the storage box 133 or the empty cartridge 112 already stored here, the fall sensor remains ○N and the content of the fall 2 retention jam timer exceeds the set value T6, so The process advances from step 5 to step 9, where the falling 2 staying jam flag is set, and at the 10th step, the falling 2 staying jam indicator is turned on.

This notifies the operator that a fall 2 jam has occurred.

Next, the control of locking and releasing the cartridge insertion section door will be explained using FIG. 49.

Since there is a risk that floating toner inside the device may scatter out of the device through the cartridge insertion window 117, it is desirable that the door 118 of the cartridge insertion window 117 cannot be opened except when necessary.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a lock release solenoid 120 is used to enable the door 118 of the insertion window 117 to be opened.
is operated only when titrating all certain conditions, and door 1 is activated.
18 can be opened.

The first condition is that toner near end or toner end is detected by toner concentration detection control, and this is
Judge by steps. When these are detected,
This is because it is necessary to insert the cartridge 112 containing toner.

The second condition is that the fall flag is not set, and this is determined in the second step. This fall flag is set by a toner near end rising signal that starts the reverse transport of the cartridge 112 (see the third step in FIG. 45), and when the cartridge 112 is reversely transported, the leading end of the cartridge touches the cartridge passage detection filler 130a. The drop 1 flag is reset by the falling signal of the abutment opening sensor 130 when the package is pulled out (see step 3 in FIG. 47), and the drop 1 flag is set simultaneously with the reset of the drop 1 flag (see step 3 in FIG. (see step 4), and is reset by the falling signal of the drop sensor when the entire cartridge 112 passes through the drop sensor in the empty cartridge storage box 133 (see step 7 in FIG. 48). Includes 2 falling flags. When the drop 1 flag is set, the cartridge 112 is being transported in reverse and the cartridge 112 is being transported in the reverse direction.
exists, and when the fall 2 flag is set, the cartridge 112 has started falling to the bottom of the empty cartridge storage box 133, but the cartridge 112 has started falling with its opening turned sideways. This is to prevent the insertion of the next cartridge 112 when at least one of them is in the set state, since there is a possibility that some of the cartridges 112 are present in the transfer path.

The third condition is that the open flag is not set, and this is determined in the third step. This opening flag is set by the falling signal of the abutment opening sensor 130 when the rear end of the cartridge passes through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a when the cartridge is inserted (see step 4 in FIG. 43), and is set by the opening roller 150. When the rear end of the seal removed from the bottom surface of the cartridge passes through the cartridge tamper detection filler 130b, it is reset by a signal at the falling edge of the tamper sensor 130 (fourth
(See step 8 in Figure 4). Therefore, when this unsealing flag is set, the cartridge 112 is on the hopper opening 124 and the unsealing roller 150
This is to prohibit the insertion of the next cartridge 112 since the unsealing operation of cartridge 112 has already been performed.

The fourth condition is that toner is not being replenished, and this is determined in the fourth step. This is to prevent the insertion of the next cartridge 112 since the cartridge 112 is placed above the hopper opening 5124 to serve as a lid for the hopper opening 124 during toner replenishment.

The fifth condition is that the number of inserted cartridges is not greater than the number of cartridges that can be stored in the empty cartridge storage box 133 plus one, and this is determined in the fifth step. This number of inserted cartridges is the total number of cartridges 112 inserted into the device while using one cardboard box 410, and is the total number of cartridges 112 inserted into the device after the insertion operation of the cartridges 112 is completed (for example, after the third step in FIG. 43). It is counted up and stored in, for example, a non-volatile memory so that it is not cleared even when the main power of the device is turned off. The number of cartridges that can be inserted into the device is the number of cartridges that can be stored in the empty cartridge storage box 133 plus the number of cartridges that can be installed on the hopper opening 124.
This is because the insertion of the next cartridge 112 is prohibited after the number of inserted cartridges reaches this number.

The sixth condition is that the empty cartridge storage box 133 exists at a predetermined location, and this is determined in the sixth step. When the empty cartridge storage box 133 is pulled out from the apparatus, the empty cartridge 112 cannot be reversely conveyed or dropped into the empty cartridge storage box 133, so insertion of the next cartridge 112 is prohibited.

If all of the above conditions are satisfied, the door lock release solenoid 120 is turned ON in a seventh step to make it possible to open the door. If any one of these is not satisfied, the door lock release solenoid 120 is turned off in the eighth step to maintain the door lock state.

Next, the inhibition control of toner replenishment operation will be explained using FIG. 50.

Even if the toner concentration detection control detects that the toner concentration has fallen below the desired concentration and the toner replenishment request flag is set (YES in the first step), any of the following conditions If the above is satisfied, toner replenishment operation is prohibited.

The first condition is that the number of dropped cartridges is not equal to the number of inserted cartridges minus 1, and this is set as the second condition.
Judge by steps. This number of dropped cartridges is the total number of cartridges 112 that have fallen into the cardboard box 410 while one cardboard box 410 is being used, and is the total number of cartridges 112 that have fallen into the cardboard box 410 while one cardboard box 410 is being used. ) is counted up by the fall counter, and the main power of the device is turned off.
For example, it is stored in a non-volatile memory so that it is not cleared even if F is executed. If the number of dropped cartridges is equal to the number of inserted cartridges minus 1, hopper opening 1
If this condition is satisfied, for example, if the number of dropped cartridges is equal to the number of inserted cartridges, the cartridge 112 inserted last is transported backwards by the toner near end rising signal and becomes an empty cartridge. After being stored in the storage box 133, the cartridge '112 is placed on the hopper opening 5124.
does not exist. If toner is replenished when the cartridge 112 is not present on the hopper opening 124, the agitator 11 in the hopper 109 due to toner replenishment
Hopper opening 124 due to mechanical vibration caused by the first drive, etc.
Toner replenishment is prohibited because toner may scatter inside the device, especially within the cartridge transport path.

The second condition is that the insertion flag is set, and this is determined in the third step. The insertion flag is set by the rising signal of the door oven sensor (step 7 in FIG. 41), and is set by the abutment opening sensor 130 when the rear end of the cartridge passes through the cartridge passage detection filler 130a due to conveyance during cartridge insertion. It is reset by a falling signal (third step in FIG. 43). Therefore, if the second insertion flag is set, the hopper opening 12 after the cartridge 112 is inserted.
4 and the cartridge is being transported onto the hopper opening 12.
Since the cartridge 112 is not present on the cartridge 4, toner replenishment is prohibited because the toner will scatter into the device in the same manner as described above.

The third condition is that the open flag is set, and this is determined in the fourth step. As described above, this unsealing flag is set during the unsealing operation of the cartridge 112 by the unsealing roller 150, and during this cartridge unsealing operation, the roller 131 that presses the cartridge clay wall toward the hopper opening 124 is in an inactive state. However, even if the cartridge 112 is present on the hopper opening 124, it cannot sufficiently serve as a lid and the toner will scatter into the device in the same way as described above, so toner replenishment is prohibited.

The fourth condition is that the fall flag is set, and this is determined in the fifth step. These fall flags include the above-mentioned fall I flag and fall 2 flag. While at least one of these is in the set state, the cartridge 112 is not present on the hopper opening 124, so toner replenishment is prohibited in the same way as described above.

The fifth condition is that the toner end flag is set, and this is determined in the sixth step. The second toner end flag is set in the copy operation prohibition control based on toner end detection, which will be described later (step 4 in FIG. 51), and is reset by the toner density detection control. This is immediately after the toner near-end flag, which is set (step 8 in FIG. 48) when the process of dropping the empty cartridge 112 into the empty cartridge storage box 133 by reverse transport is completed, is reset, and the toner near end flag is Since the cartridge 112 is not present in , toner replenishment is prohibited in the same manner as above.

The sixth condition is that the toner end flag is set, and this is determined in the sixth step. This toner end flag is set when the process of dropping the cartridge 112 into the empty cartridge storage box 133, which is executed when the toner near end is detected by the toner density detection control, is completed (step 8 in FIG. 48). Copy operation prohibition control (fifth) by toner end detection, which will be described later.
(5th step in Figure 1) or toner concentration detection control, and this is set immediately after the empty cartridge has finished dropping into the storage box 133. Cartridge 11
2 does not exist, toner replenishment is prohibited in the same way as above.

If any of the above conditions are satisfied, toner replenishment is prohibited, and only when all of these conditions are not satisfied, the sixth
Toner is replenished in steps.

Next, copy operation prohibition control based on toner end detection will be explained using FIG. 51.

Copy operation prohibition control based on toner end detection is performed because the desired image density cannot be obtained at toner end when there is almost no toner in the developing tank 101.
This prohibits copy operations.

In the first step, it is determined whether the toner near-end flag is set. This toner near-end flag is set at the time when the process of dropping the cartridge 112 into the empty cartridge storage box 133, which is executed when the toner near-end is detected by the toner concentration detection control as described above, is completed (see FIG. 48). , 8th step). If the toner near-end flag is set, the second step increments the near-end copy counter when paper is fed during the copy operation, and the third step determines whether the content of the near-end copy counter is 50 or more, and returns if it is not 50 or more. Thereafter, the first to third steps are repeated until the third step determines that the content of the near-end copy counter is 50 or more. If it is determined in the third step that the content of the near-end copy counter is 50 or more, the toner end flag is set in the fourth step, and the toner near-end flag is reset in the fifth step and the process returns. Thereafter, the process proceeds from the first step to the sixth and seventh steps, and in the seventh step, new paper feeding operations are prohibited, thereby prohibiting copying operations. The toner near-end flag and toner end flag are reset when the toner concentration increases due to toner replenishment, and when they are in the reset state, the process proceeds to the first step, the sixth step, the eighth step, and then the eighth step. Clear the near-end copy counter with a step.

Note that this near-end copy counter is stored, for example, in a nonvolatile memory so that it is not cleared even when the main power of the apparatus is turned off.

Next, with reference to FIG. 53, the control for allowing the empty cartridge storage box 133 to be attached and detached during emptying will be explained.

When the empty cartridge storage box 133 is pulled out from the apparatus, the empty cartridge 112 cannot be reversely transported from above the hopper opening 124 even when toner near-end is detected and the next cartridge 112 needs to be inserted. As a result, a situation occurs in which the next cartridge 112 cannot be inserted. Therefore, it is desirable that the empty cartridge storage box 133 cannot be removed from the apparatus except when necessary.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the empty cartridge storage box 13
A lock release solenoid 431 (see FIGS. 25 and 27) that enables the empty cartridge storage box 133 to be removed from the apparatus is activated only when certain conditions are satisfied.

The first condition is that the content of the drop counter is greater than or equal to the number N of cartridges that can be stored, and this is determined in the first step. The drop counter counts the number of empty cartridges 112 that have fallen into the empty cartridge storage box 133 as described above, and if this stored number is smaller than N, another empty cartridge 112 can be stored. , N or more.

The second condition is that the contents of the opening counter be greater than or equal to N+1, and this is determined in the second step. This opening counter counts the number of cartridges 112 whose openings have been opened, and is incremented after the opening operation is completed (for example, after the eighth step in FIG. 44), and the main power of the device is turned off. For example, it is stored in a non-volatile memory so that it is not cleared even if the data is changed. The reason for this condition is as follows. As mentioned above, the total number of cartridges 112 that can be inserted into the device is N+1, which is the number N that can be stored in the empty cartridge storage box 133 and one on the hopper opening 124, so the number of cartridges to be inserted is N+1. It is not necessary to take out the empty cartridge storage box 133 during the period when the number of empty cartridges is N. On the other hand, in order to insert the next cartridge 112 after this N+1-th cartridge 112, it is necessary to store the N+1-th cartridge 112 on the hopper opening 124 into the empty cartridge storage hook 133. Empty cartridge storage hook 1 for N+1st cartridge 112
It is necessary to make the empty cartridge storage box 133 removable before the reverse transport to 33 starts. Therefore, N
It is conceivable to make it possible to take out the +1st cartridge 112 when the insertion operation is completed, but after the insertion operation is completed, a jam that does not reach the abutment sensor at the time of opening or a stuck jam occurs for that cartridge 112. As a result of being removed from above the hopper opening 124 by the operator, there is a possibility that it will not be subject to reverse conveyance. Therefore,
The number of cartridges in the device at the time when the cartridges 112 to be reversely transported are determined, and in order to determine whether it is necessary to make the cartridges 112 ready for removal, the cartridges that have been determined to be reversely transported after the unsealing operation are completed. An opening counter is used to count the number of openings, and the condition is that the contents are N+1 or more.

Then, when all of these conditions are satisfied, the data can be taken out.

First, in the first step, it is determined whether the contents of the drop counter are greater than or equal to the number N of cartridges that can be stored.

If the content of the fall counter is not greater than N, the process proceeds to the third step and assumes a locked state. Conversely, if the content of the drop counter is N or more, it is determined in a second step whether the content of the opening counter is N+1 or more. Here, if the contents of the opening counter are not N+1 or more, the process proceeds to the second step and a locked state is established. Conversely, if the contents of the opening counter are N+1 or more, the process proceeds to a fourth step to release the locked state, thereby making the empty cartridge storage box 133 ready for removal. Next, in the fifth step, the empty cartridge storage box 133 (storage box
) has been taken out, and if it has been taken out, clear the fall counter in the 6th step, and clear the fall counter in the 7th step.
In this step, the contents of the opening counter and the insertion counter are subtracted by N, and the process returns. From then on, the process proceeds from the first step or the second step to the third step until the above two conditions are satisfied again, and the lock state is maintained. I take the. On the contrary, the fifth
If it is determined in the step that the empty cartridge storage box 133 has not been taken out, it is determined in the eighth step whether or not the toner has run out. Until it is determined that the cartridge storage box 133 has been taken out or it is determined that the toner has run out in the eighth step.
In the fourth step, the first step, second step, fourth step, fifth step, and eighth step are repeatedly executed while the locked state is released.

If it is determined that the empty cartridge storage box 133 has been taken out in the fifth step, the drop counter is cleared in the sixth step, and the contents of the opening counter and the insertion counter are cleared in the seventh step, in the same way as above.
Subtract and return.

Conversely, if it is determined in the eighth step that the toner has run out, a new paper feeding operation is prohibited in the ninth step, thereby prohibiting the copying operation. At the second time, the empty cartridge storage box 133 remains unlocked.

Incidentally, when the lock release solenoid 431 is turned on and the lock is released, reverse conveyance of the empty cartridge 112 above the hopper opening 124 is not started.

Next, referring to FIG. 54, the processing for controlling the lighting fWJ of the toner near end indicator will be explained.

Conventionally, when toner near-end is detected by toner concentration detection control, a toner near-end indicator is lit to prompt toner replenishment. However, in this embodiment, when the toner near end is detected by the toner concentration detection control, first, a process for dropping the empty cartridge 112 above the hopper opening 124 into the empty cartridge storage box 133 is executed. During this drop process, since there is an empty cartridge 112 in the cartridge transport path,
The next cartridge 112 cannot be inserted.

Further, the door 118 of the cartridge insertion window 117 of the cartridge 112 is locked by the above-mentioned cartridge insertion section door lock/release @ control (second step in FIG. 49). Therefore, if the toner near-end indicator is unconditionally turned on when the toner near-end is detected, the door 118 of the insertion window 117 will not open even if the operator tries to insert the cartridge 112 as prompted by the toner near-end indicator. This situation occurs. Therefore, in this embodiment, the toner near-end indicator is not turned on immediately after the toner near-end is detected in the toner concentration detection control, but after the above-mentioned toner near-end flag is set. This near-end flag is executed when the cartridge 112 detects the toner near-end in the toner density detection control.
It is set when the process of dropping the empty cartridge into the empty cartridge storage box 133 is completed (step 8 in FIG. 48).
, copy operation prohibited side W due to toner end detection, which will be described later.
(Step 5 in FIG. 51) or is reset by toner concentration detection control. When this is in the set state, the process of dropping the empty cartridge 112 into the empty cartridge storage box 133 has been completed, and the cartridge transport path is reset. is empty and the next cartridge 112 can be inserted.

In the first step, it is determined whether or not the toner near-end flag is set. If the toner near-end flag is set, in the second step, it is determined whether the toner near-end indicator is lit. If not, the toner near end indicator is lit in the third step.

Next, with reference to FIG. 52, the determination of the toner replenishment time when the cartridge is inserted will be explained.

The determination of the toner replenishment time when the cartridge is inserted is to determine the toner replenishment time T15 in the toner replenishment that is executed immediately after opening the cartridge at the toner replenishment position, and is determined at the timing of ■ in the timing chart of FIG. It is processing.

In this embodiment, the toner replenishment amount is determined in accordance with the difference between the latest detected toner concentration in the toner concentration detection control and the desired appropriate toner concentration targeted by the toner concentration detection control. For this purpose, for example, it is possible to create a data table of correspondence data between toner concentration and toner replenishment time determined in advance through experiments, and look up this data to determine toner replenishment time. The correspondence with the toner replenishment time may be expressed as an arithmetic expression, and the toner replenishment time may be determined by executing this arithmetic expression.

For example, in this embodiment, a predetermined potential portion formed by irradiating laser light from the semiconductor laser 74 is developed, and the amount of reflected light from the toner adhesion portion is measured by the optical sensor 36.
The toner concentration is detected by detecting at 0, and the relationship between the output of this optical sensor 360 and the toner concentration and the relationship between the toner concentration and the toner replenishment time are determined as shown in FIG.

In the first step and the second step, it is determined whether or not the cartridge unsealing by the unsealing roller has been completed. When the cartridge unsealing operation is completed, the toner replenishment time is determined using the final toner sensor output in the third step. This final toner sensor output is stored while updating the read data in the final toner sensor output memory each time when reading the density data from the optical sensor 360 for every 10th sheet in the fourth and fifth steps. use something

Next, a modification of the toner replenishment mechanism will be described.

In the above toner replenishment mechanism, the cartridge 112
Since the seal member 114 removed from the bottom surface is stored in the seal storage box 151, this seal storage box 1
If 51 becomes a groove cup, the seal storage box 15
It is necessary to take out the stored seal member 114 by, for example, taking out the seal member 114 from the device. Also, the cartridge 112
When opening the package, it is necessary to rotate the seal roller 150 while pinching the free end of the seal extending from the bottom surface of the cartridge 112 with the roller 150 on the main body side. When the cartridge 11.2 is unsealed, there is a possibility that a jam that does not reach the unsealing sensor or a jam that remains there may occur.

Therefore, this embodiment improves the workability of removing the seal member 114 removed from the bottom surface of the cartridge 112, and also improves the reliability of opening the cartridge 112.

This embodiment differs from the toner replenishment mechanism in the above embodiments in the structure of the cartridge 112 and the structure of the opening means.

First, using FIGS. 56 to 60, the cartridge 1 is
12 will be explained.

The cartridge 112 in this embodiment includes a seal storage container 5o◯ containing a seal take-up roller (hereinafter referred to as a take-up roller) 136 on the rear end side in the direction in which the cartridge 112 is inserted into the apparatus. This seal storage container 500 has joints 12 on the main body side, which will be described later, on both sides.
A rotating plate 137 connectable to the winding roller 136 is provided at the center of the inner surface of the rotating plate 137.
The axis of is fixed. Further, the rotating plate 137 is formed with a hole into which the conical positioning projection 127a and the pair of square driving projections 127b of the joint 127 fit. The seal member 114 on the bottom surface of the cartridge 112 is
After the adhesive is applied, among the front, rear, left and right flanges 115a,
The sticker is started from the front flange 115a on the side of the seal storage container 500, and after being pasted to the rear flange 115a on the opposite side, it is folded back and its free end is passed through the seal intake opening on the bottom surface of the seal storage container 500. It extends to the seal take-up roller 136, and its free end edge is adhered to the surface of the seal take-up roller 136.

Next, the opening means on the main body side will be explained using FIGS. 61 to 63.

The unsealing means includes a joint 127 connectable to the rotating plate 137, and a positioning projection 12 of the joint 127.
7a and the pair of drive protrusions 127b enter the holes of a rotary plate 137 fixed to both left and right ends of the shaft of the take-up roller 136 of the cartridge 112 above the hopper opening 124, and are connected to the rotary plate 137; The joint 127 is made up of a moving mechanism that moves the joint 127 to an inoperative position that is retracted outward in the left-right direction, and a rotation drive mechanism that rotates the joint 127. This moving mechanism has a joint 127 fixed at its tip, is always biased outward in the left and right directions by a spring, and has rotating shafts 501 (provided on each of the left and right sides of the device) rotatably supported by a side plate inside the device. The tip of the rotary shaft 501 is in contact with the rear end of the rotary shaft 501 provided on the left side of the device, the lower end is connected to the plunger of the opening pinch solenoid 128, and the left shaft is swingably supported by the support shaft. Lever 134a and rotating shaft 5 provided on the right side of the device
A right lever l34b whose tip abuts the rear end of 01 and is swingably supported by a support shaft at approximately the center, and one end of which is rotatably supported above the support shaft of the left lever 134a. and a connecting rod 135 whose other end is rotatably supported below the support shaft of the right lever 134b. A gear 502 is fixed approximately to the center shaft of the rotating shaft 50I. In the rotational drive mechanism, an input gear 503 that decelerates and inputs the drive from the unsealing motor 129 (see FIG. 61) is fixed to the left end, and the right end extends below the gear 504 fixed to the right rotation shaft 501. a gear shaft 505 that is rotatably supported;
A right output gear 506 is fixed on the gear shaft 505 to a portion opposite to the gear 5°2 fixed to the right rotation shaft 501, and a right output gear 506 is fixed on the gear shaft 505 to the right rotation shaft 501. A right output gear 507 is fixed to a portion facing the gear 504. These left and right ratio ratio gears 506 and 507 are rotated by opposing left and right rotation #.
501, and even if the rotating shaft 501 is displaced in the left-right direction to move the joint 127 between the operating position and the non-operating position, the opposing left and right rotating shafts, respectively. Gear 502,5 on 501
The length in the left and right direction is set so that 04 can slide relative to these and maintain an engaged state.

The operation of this unsealing means will be explained.

When not performing opening operation, use pinch solenoid 1 for opening.
28 and the unsealing motor 129 are turned off. As a result, the rotating shaft 501 of the moving mechanism is pushed outward in the left-right direction by the spring, and as a result, the rotating shaft 501
A joint 127 fixed at the tip is in an inoperative position.

On the other hand, when starting the unsealing operation, the unsealing pinch solenoid 128 and the unsealing motor 129 are turned on. By turning on the opening pinch solenoid 128, the left lever 134a
rotates clockwise around the support shaft, and pushes the rear end of the left rotating shaft 501 with its tip to position the joint 127 at the tip of the left rotating shaft 501 in the operating position, while the left lever 134
The whole connecting rod 135, whose one end is supported at a, moves to the right side, rotates the right lever 134b counterclockwise around the support shaft, and rotates the right rotation shaft 501 at the tip of the right lever 134b.
is pressed to position the joint 127 at the tip of the right rotating shaft 501 to the operating position, whereby the left and right rotating shafts 501 are connected to the winding roller 136 shaft from the left and right, respectively. In addition, by turning on the unsealing motor 129, the input gear 503, gear shaft 505, left and right output gears 506, 507, and left and right rotation shaft 50 are activated.
The winding roller 136 is rotated by transmitting drive to the gears 502, 504 on the top 1, the left and right rotating shaft 501, the joint 127, the rotating disk 137, and the shaft of the winding roller 136. As a result, the seal member 1 on the bottom surface of the cartridge 112
14 onto the take-up roller 136, and the cartridge 112 is unsealed.

In this embodiment, the procedure for inserting the cartridge 112 into the apparatus main body, the cartridge 112 transport control (forward and reverse transport), and the unsealing control are the same as in the above embodiment. However, since there is a low possibility that a jam that does not reach the abutment-open sensor or a jam that remains when the cartridge 112 is opened is generated, the jam detection control and the unseal detection fixture 130b that constitutes the sensor for these controls are omitted. I can do it.

In the above embodiment, the storage section is configured with an empty cartridge storage box 133 that is detachable from the main body of the device, but instead of this, the storage section can be operated by the operator when the door of the exterior of the device that can be opened and closed is opened. It may also consist of a box fixed at a certain position.

Furthermore, although the window for loading and unloading the empty cartridge storage box 133 and the cartridge insertion window are formed in the front exterior part 116, which is the same outer peripheral surface of the device, instead of this, they may be formed in the exterior parts of different outer peripheral surfaces of the device. You may do so. for example,
The empty cartridge storage box 113 is inserted into the hopper opening 12.
4 may be removably arranged on the back side of the device, and a window for loading and unloading may be formed in the exterior portion of the back side of the device. In this case, a conveyor belt device is provided between the hopper opening 124 and the empty cartridge storage box on the rear side. Furthermore, the cartridge conveyance belt from the cartridge insertion window in the front exterior part to above the hopper opening 124 is provided to extend over the empty cartridge storage box placed on the back side of the apparatus, thereby allowing the conveyance belt to be moved from the loading section to the top of the empty cartridge storage box. It may be used for both the transfer onto the hopper opening 124 and the transfer from above the hopper opening 124 onto the empty cartridge storage box.

Further, although the cartridge is automatically opened by an opening means provided in the device, instead of this, the operator may open the cartridge before inserting the cartridge into the device. The operator may open the cartridge after the operator has installed the cartridge in the replenishment position within the device. In the former case, for example, after opening the cartridge outside the device with the opening facing upward, the cartridge is inserted into the device with the opening facing upward, and the cartridge is opened automatically or
The cartridge is manually installed on the replenishment position, and the cartridge is manually or automatically rotated upside down and installed on the replenishment position. In the latter case, for example, start applying the sealing member that seals the opening of the cartridge from the front edge in the insertion direction of the cartridge, pasting it all the way to the front edge, and then folding it back. When the cartridge is installed in the device, the cartridge is extended toward the front side by a length that can be operated by the operator, and after the cartridge is installed in the replenishment position in the device, the free end of the seal is pulled and opened.

Further, the above embodiment is for replenishing toner in a developing device using a two-component developer using toner and a carrier, but the present invention is directed to a one-component developer whose main component is toner. The present invention can also be applied to replenishment of one-component toner, which is a developer, in a developing device using the present invention.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the toner container loaded into the loading section provided separately from the replenishment position is transferred to the replenishment position by the first transfer means, and from this, the toner container is refilled into the replenishment section. the empty toner container after being refilled with toner at the refilling position is transported by the second transporting means to a storage section provided in a location different from the refilling position in the apparatus, thereby storing the next toner; On the other hand, empty toner containers are stored in the storage section, so when loading the toner container device, the operator must remove the empty toner container from the toner replenishment position each time. This has the advantageous effect of being able to replenish toner in the developing unit without having to take it out at any time, and improving the operability of the operator in loading the toner container into the device and taking it out from the device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electrical equipment section of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of write drive control circuit 71 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a front view of a cartridge used in a digital copying machine. FIG. 5 is a left side view of the cartridge. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the cartridge. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cartridge seen from above. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cartridge seen from below. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the opening of the cartridge is sealed with a sealing member. FIG. 1o is a perspective view schematically showing the toner replenishment mechanism of the digital copying machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 11 is a front view showing the exterior of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 12 is a front view showing the structure of the toner replenishing mechanism near the hopper opening 124. FIG. 13 is a left side view showing the structure of the toner replenishment mechanism near the hopper opening 124. FIG. 14 is a front view showing the structure of the toner replenishing mechanism near the opening roller 150. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the unsealing roller 150 and the cartridge. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the drive structure of the conveyor belt 121 of the toner replenishment mechanism. Figure 17 shows the abutment opening sensor 13 of the toner replenishment mechanism.
0 is a perspective view showing the structure of 0. FIG. 18 is a left side view showing the toner replenishment mechanism in a state where the cartridge is not inserted. FIG. 19 is a left side view showing the toner replenishing mechanism in a state in which the cartridge has been completely inserted. FIG. 20 is a left side view showing the toner replenishment mechanism in a state where the cartridge has been conveyed onto the hopper opening 124. FIG. 21 is a left side view showing the toner replenishment mechanism in a state in which the reverse transport of the cartridge has been completed. FIG. 22 is a left side view showing a state in which the cartridge of the toner replenishment mechanism is stored in the empty cartridge storage box 133. FIG. 23 is a timing chart of the operation of the toner replenishing mechanism when inserting a cartridge. FIG. 24 is a timing chart of the operation of the toner replenishment mechanism when the cartridge is transported in reverse. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the empty cartridge storage box 133 of the same toner replenishment mechanism. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the structure for moving the lid member 413 of the cardboard box 410 stored in the same empty cartridge storage box 133. FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the structure for locking the empty cartridge storage box 133 within the apparatus. FIG. 28 is a plan view of the empty cartridge storage box 133. FIG. 29 is a front view of the same empty cartridge storage box 133. FIG. 30 is a right side view of the empty cartridge storage box 133. FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing a state in which the empty cartridge storage box 133 is being pulled out from the main body of the apparatus. FIG. 32 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the tip of the lid member 413 of the cardboard box 410 housed in the empty cartridge storage box 133 in the state shown in FIG. 31. FIG. 33 shows a lid member 413 of the same cardboard box 410.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the closing configuration. FIG. 34 shows a lid member 413 of the same cardboard box 410.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the moving configuration near the end of movement. FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing the state when the empty cartridge storage box 133 starts to be inserted into the main body of the apparatus. FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing a main part of the support structure for the moving arm 424 of the empty cartridge storage box 133. FIG. 37 is a left side view showing the main parts of the support structure. FIG. 38 is a plan view of the support structure. FIG. 39 is a rear view of the same support structure. FIG. 40 is a sectional view of the same cardboard box 410. FIG. 41 is a flowchart of control for detecting a jam that has not reached the abutment opening sensor when inserting a cartridge according to the embodiment. FIG. 42 is a flowchart of control for detecting jamming due to abutting and opening sensor retention during cartridge insertion according to the embodiment. FIG. 43 is a flowchart of the control for detecting a jam that has not reached the abutment-opening sensor when the cartridge is opened according to the embodiment. FIG. 44 is a flowchart of control for detecting jamming due to abutment and unsealing sensor retention during cartridge unsealing according to the embodiment. FIG. 45 is a flowchart of control for detecting a jam that has not reached the abutment/opening sensor when a cartridge falls in the embodiment. FIG. 46 is a flowchart of control for detecting jamming due to abutting and unsealing sensor retention when a cartridge is dropped according to the embodiment. FIG. 47 is a flowchart of control for detecting a jam that does not reach the drop sensor when a cartridge falls according to the embodiment. FIG. 48 is a flowchart of control for detecting a jam remaining in the drop sensor when a cartridge falls according to the embodiment. FIG. 49 is a flowchart of control for locking and releasing the cartridge insertion door in the embodiment. FIG. 50 is a flowchart of the toner replenishment operation prohibition control according to the embodiment. FIG. 51 is a flowchart of copy operation prohibition control based on toner end detection according to the embodiment. FIG. 52 is a flowchart of control for determining toner replenishment time when a cartridge is inserted in the embodiment. FIG. 53 is a flowchart of the empty cartridge storage box attachment/detachment permission control when the empty cartridge storage box is full according to the embodiment. FIG. 54 is a flowchart of lighting control of the toner near end indicator according to the embodiment. FIG. 55 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between toner concentration and replenishment toner amount in the example. FIG. 56 is a perspective view showing a modification of the toner replenishment mechanism employed in the digital copying machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 57 is a left side view of the cartridge in the toner replenishment mechanism of FIG. 56. FIG. 58 is a bottom view of the cartridge. FIG. 59 is an enlarged view of the joint 127 of the toner replenishment mechanism. FIG. 60 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the joint 127 and the rotating disk 137 of the cartridge. FIG. 61 is a front view of the same toner replenishment mechanism. FIG. 62 is a front view showing the configuration of the left side of the cartridge in the cartridge opening mechanism of the toner replenishment mechanism. FIG. 63 is a front view showing the structure of the right side of the cartridge of the cartridge opening mechanism. 101...Developing tank, 1o9...Hopper 112
... Cartridge, 113... Opening 114.41
8...Seal member 115a...flange part, 115b...wing part 116
...Front exterior part 116a...Empty cartridge storage box inlet/outlet 117...Insertion window, 118...Door 119...
... Door sensor 120 ... Lock release solenoid 121 ... Conveyor belt, 123 ... Relay guide plate 124 ... Hopper opening, 125 ... Seal 130
...Abutment opening sensor 131...Roller 133...Empty cartridge storage box 150...
Opening roller 151... Seal storage box 152... Magnet

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) In an image forming apparatus equipped with a replenishment unit that replenishes toner from a toner container containing toner, a loading unit that loads the toner container, and a toner container that has been completely loaded into the loading unit, a first transfer means for transferring toner to a replenishment position for replenishing the toner to the replenishing section, which is provided at a location different from the loading section; The image forming apparatus further comprises: a storage section provided in a location different from the replenishment position in the apparatus; and a second transfer means for transporting the empty toner container from the replenishment position to the storage section. Forming device. (2) providing the storage section in the middle of the transfer path of the toner container by the first transfer means, or providing the replenishment position in the middle of the transfer path of the empty toner container by the second transfer means; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a member constituting the first transfer means and a member constituting the second transfer means are at least partially used. (3) In an image forming apparatus equipped with a replenishment unit that is replenished with toner from a toner container that contains toner and has an opening for discharging toner and a removable sealing member that seals the opening. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a removing means for removing the sealing member from the toner container. (4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the replenishing section is provided with replenishing means for replenishing toner from the toner container. (5) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the replenishing means is means for applying vibration to the toner container. (6) Replenishing the toner replenishing unit in the image forming apparatus with toner using a toner container that includes an opening for accommodating toner and releasing the toner, and a removable sealing member that seals the opening. The toner replenishment method includes a loading step of loading the toner container into a loading section provided in the device main body, and loading the loaded toner container into the toner replenishing section provided at a location different from the loading section. a first transfer step of transferring the toner to a replenishment position; a replenishment step of removing the sealing member from the toner container transferred to the replenishment position and replenishing the toner replenishing section with the toner; A toner replenishment method comprising a second transfer step of transporting an empty toner container after toner has been refilled into the replenishment section to a storage section provided at a location different from the replenishment position within the apparatus.